I think this one will actually be funny. That earlier blog post was just practice.
I am doing an article for the magazine about green products for the home. Sigh. I know, you don't have to tell me. Anywho, as I am looking at all of these products available, I am struck by two things.
1. People stretch the word "sustainable" pretty thin.
2. People buy stupid shit.
I LOVE the fact that you can buy "sustainable musical Instruments" and even more than that, I ADORE that you can buy them in a "family pack" OR "paint your own" (non-toxic, of course). Below is the product info for the Musical Instrument Family Pack:
The Musical Instruments Family Pack features authentic, rich-sounding instruments handcrafted by village artisans in Peru and Bali who wish to share their native musical traditions.
Collected by a unique fair trade company that helps engender a sustainable local economy in communities around the world.
Family Pack includes: 5 Instruments - Gourd Scraper w/ Rasp, Goat Hoof Shaker, Double Bell w/ Striker, Frame Drum, Large Coconut Claves; plus The Road to Jamtown Activity Guide, Simple Rhythm™ Cards & Jamtown Travel Bag.
Assembled in USA.
Goat Hoof Shaker?!?!? WTF. I also enjoy that it is "handcrafted by village artisans in Peru and Bali" and also "assembled in USA". And probably my favorite thing about this is the frequent use of the word "Jamtown" which both makes me giggle and also makes me think of strawberry jam.
Something in me just thinks that charging $68 for a "100% recycled Rubber Clock" that is made of scrap metal and an old tire is a little like spitting on me and telling me it's raining.
The really really sad part is that I am about to perpetuate all of this crap by writing a nice fluffy magazine piece about how you don't ACTUALLY have to do anything differently to save the environment, when, we all know it is really a crock of consumerist shit. Ahhhhhh, the world feels right again. Let's all go drive a hummer, because as long as we buy soy candles, the Earth will be just fine!
Monday, July 27, 2009
For the love
OMG, I desperately need to put some funny up in here because this place is getting depressing. So ... movies. What a nice un-offensive topic!
This has been a great summer for movies. Unfortunately I haven't really seen any of them, but I have wanted to see almost everything that has hit the theater. I have a free movie ticket burning a whole in my pocket to go see Harry Potter, something I have to see more out of obligation to my obsession than any real want. After all, I already know what is going to happen. Why can't I just let these things go? (Uh, I am letting Twilight go, however, that is one unhealthy obsession that I have cut out of my life. There should be some sort of Twilight's Anonymous meeting to help people with that shit. Seriously.)
Cris and I are trying to take advantage of the dollar theater in Knoxville. Of course by dollar theater, I mean the $2 theater. The theater that up until last week let you get a combo and for $4 you could get a medium drink and popcorn AND YOUR MOVIE TICKET. Hot damn that is a good deal. And then they ripped my heart out and took that deal away. So, on Sunday, Cris and I went and saw "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" which I would never have paid to see in a normal theater. I have to say though, for a romantic comedy and, even worse, a Charles Dickens romantic comedy adaptation at that, it was half-way decent. Cute, even. I think being a relationship is making me soft. Matthew McConaughey, you stole my pride.
What happened to the days when I was a borderline movie buff? When I saw everything worth seeing in the theater and everything else on dvd. I guess part of it is just growing up and part of it is lack of funds and part of it is that I am no longer a blockbuster employee. Dude, I saw EVERYTHING when I was a blockbuster employee. Still, I can't believe I am not seeing at least the action films .. Transformers, Terminator, Public Enemies .. in the theater ... with the big screen and the loud speakers and the darkness and the yummy popcorn! Oh my youth, where have you gone?
We did go see The Hangover on Friday (again, we had tickets) and it was really really funny. We needed something light-hearted and it really delivered. I haven't seen a comedy that good in years. I would recommend it to anyone. Except don't watch the pictures at the end of the credits. They cross a line that no lesbian wants to witness.
We also splurged on Friday and got a combo at the concession stand. Why is it that "concession" has become code for "rip-off"? I could write a manifesto on how ridiculous it is that two drinks and a popcorn where nearly $20 but this is supposed to be light-hearted. ;)
The truth, my friends, is that there are many a-changes afoot in my life and we are just sort of waiting to hear on the job front for Cris and it is consuming my thoughts. Consuming them to the point that trying to think of entertaining blog posts is beyond my reach. But I love the outlet that this blog allows me. It lets me feel like people care ... LET ME KEEP MY ILLUSIONS!
Movies help us escape from the crazy in life. Hence me watching .... 4. Yes, four movies this weekend. Passing time with suspended disbelief seemed just the thing to do. Welcome back, my favorite past time. I missed you!
This has been a great summer for movies. Unfortunately I haven't really seen any of them, but I have wanted to see almost everything that has hit the theater. I have a free movie ticket burning a whole in my pocket to go see Harry Potter, something I have to see more out of obligation to my obsession than any real want. After all, I already know what is going to happen. Why can't I just let these things go? (Uh, I am letting Twilight go, however, that is one unhealthy obsession that I have cut out of my life. There should be some sort of Twilight's Anonymous meeting to help people with that shit. Seriously.)
Cris and I are trying to take advantage of the dollar theater in Knoxville. Of course by dollar theater, I mean the $2 theater. The theater that up until last week let you get a combo and for $4 you could get a medium drink and popcorn AND YOUR MOVIE TICKET. Hot damn that is a good deal. And then they ripped my heart out and took that deal away. So, on Sunday, Cris and I went and saw "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" which I would never have paid to see in a normal theater. I have to say though, for a romantic comedy and, even worse, a Charles Dickens romantic comedy adaptation at that, it was half-way decent. Cute, even. I think being a relationship is making me soft. Matthew McConaughey, you stole my pride.
What happened to the days when I was a borderline movie buff? When I saw everything worth seeing in the theater and everything else on dvd. I guess part of it is just growing up and part of it is lack of funds and part of it is that I am no longer a blockbuster employee. Dude, I saw EVERYTHING when I was a blockbuster employee. Still, I can't believe I am not seeing at least the action films .. Transformers, Terminator, Public Enemies .. in the theater ... with the big screen and the loud speakers and the darkness and the yummy popcorn! Oh my youth, where have you gone?
We did go see The Hangover on Friday (again, we had tickets) and it was really really funny. We needed something light-hearted and it really delivered. I haven't seen a comedy that good in years. I would recommend it to anyone. Except don't watch the pictures at the end of the credits. They cross a line that no lesbian wants to witness.
We also splurged on Friday and got a combo at the concession stand. Why is it that "concession" has become code for "rip-off"? I could write a manifesto on how ridiculous it is that two drinks and a popcorn where nearly $20 but this is supposed to be light-hearted. ;)
The truth, my friends, is that there are many a-changes afoot in my life and we are just sort of waiting to hear on the job front for Cris and it is consuming my thoughts. Consuming them to the point that trying to think of entertaining blog posts is beyond my reach. But I love the outlet that this blog allows me. It lets me feel like people care ... LET ME KEEP MY ILLUSIONS!
Movies help us escape from the crazy in life. Hence me watching .... 4. Yes, four movies this weekend. Passing time with suspended disbelief seemed just the thing to do. Welcome back, my favorite past time. I missed you!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Not a piece of meat
I have thought long and hard about this post. It is a reaction to my friend Rachel's post on her blog, Called to Grow. You can read it here: Trophy Wife Tuesday. I hope for this to be an intelligent, not emotional, reaction to Rachel's blog (I think I fail there towards the end). And I hope she doesn't take this personally.
At first, I thought her post was a joke. Mostly, because, the Rachel I know is a head strong, independent woman. But after I finished it, I realized she was serious and I got seriously concerned. The term "trophy wife" is usually, in my experience, a derogatory term. Rachel sites Websters definition, well, I site Urbandictionary.com: 1. A young, attractive woman married to an older, more powerful man.
2. a woman who marries for money and sits at home all day looking pretty
3. A typically educated girl who marries rich and is a home maker or who's roll is to stay home and look pretty, play tennis, do charity etc. Lots of girls now a days go through college then take this roll because they are the perfect girl for a certain person and would rather spend their time at home and let their husband bring home the bread. They are the girly girls.
I site Urbandictionary.com because it is a Wiki, and while it may not be an "authority" like Websters, it does site the common knowledge of the masses. And those three definitions are what common knowledge says about trophy wives. And in my eyes, they are not favorable.
In my own opinion, a trophy wife lowers a woman's rights and status to little more than a piece of meat to be traded. In those two words, multitudes are said, including that a woman's fate is not her own for deciding, but that she is at the mercy of a man to see her as worthy and bring her up to his world of money and luxury (assuming that a woman can't achieve that on her own), it also says that a woman can be discarded just as quickly as she ages and loses the beauty that brought her to her status.
Rachel also consulted askmen.com, reading an article called Fine Living: How to find a trophy wife. She claims that this article has "some meat to it". Well, I disagree. Just because it says that a woman should be college educated, doesn't make it ok that they also say:
"Forced intimacy: You may have doubts about her intentions when the only names she calls out during sex are those of dead presidents. "
"Capital depletion: Outrageous spending binges are par for the course, so when you blow up over the monthly statements, expect a singular defense: trophy wife entitlement."
"Ask yourself what you expect from such a union, what roles you expect her to fulfill, and be ready to negotiate. Imagine the time and energy you intend to devote to sealing the prenup; it’s common sense to apply equal planning to the marriage itself."
These three quotes show that a trophy wife is nothing more than a sexual slave, status symbol and someone who needs to be babysat and not trusted.
And then, Rachel lists a long list of scripture that shows the virtues of a trophy wife. Well, I am going to list a few examples of my own from the bible that speak to the role of woman and their rights:
Genesis 3:16
Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
Colossians 3:18
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
1 Timothy 2:11-15
Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing.
So, these are my examples of why I disagree with Rachel that being a trophy wife is something you should strive for. But, I want to try to express it in my own words.
My thoughts are, if you want to improve yourself, that is AWESOME. We should all try to be the best versions of ourselves that we can. However, we (man or woman) should have the self-confidence to do that for ourselves, not for our husband or wife. No one should attach their self worth to how good of a husband they can catch. Because, if you love yourself and have a sense of self worth than you won't attract someone who will treat you badly, or who doesn't want the best for themselves as well. When both people in the relationship are happy with themselves, it makes for a lovely match. No one should have to improve themselves in order to be equal to another. You are perfect the way you are. You are the light of the world ... oh wait, I am starting to sound like Jesus. Crazy me. I can tell I am getting petty, so I will leave you with a link to more awesome biblical quotes that will teach all of us women what are place is in life and exactly how men should treat us.
Why women and the bible don't mix
At first, I thought her post was a joke. Mostly, because, the Rachel I know is a head strong, independent woman. But after I finished it, I realized she was serious and I got seriously concerned. The term "trophy wife" is usually, in my experience, a derogatory term. Rachel sites Websters definition, well, I site Urbandictionary.com: 1. A young, attractive woman married to an older, more powerful man.
2. a woman who marries for money and sits at home all day looking pretty
3. A typically educated girl who marries rich and is a home maker or who's roll is to stay home and look pretty, play tennis, do charity etc. Lots of girls now a days go through college then take this roll because they are the perfect girl for a certain person and would rather spend their time at home and let their husband bring home the bread. They are the girly girls.
I site Urbandictionary.com because it is a Wiki, and while it may not be an "authority" like Websters, it does site the common knowledge of the masses. And those three definitions are what common knowledge says about trophy wives. And in my eyes, they are not favorable.
In my own opinion, a trophy wife lowers a woman's rights and status to little more than a piece of meat to be traded. In those two words, multitudes are said, including that a woman's fate is not her own for deciding, but that she is at the mercy of a man to see her as worthy and bring her up to his world of money and luxury (assuming that a woman can't achieve that on her own), it also says that a woman can be discarded just as quickly as she ages and loses the beauty that brought her to her status.
Rachel also consulted askmen.com, reading an article called Fine Living: How to find a trophy wife. She claims that this article has "some meat to it". Well, I disagree. Just because it says that a woman should be college educated, doesn't make it ok that they also say:
"Forced intimacy: You may have doubts about her intentions when the only names she calls out during sex are those of dead presidents. "
"Capital depletion: Outrageous spending binges are par for the course, so when you blow up over the monthly statements, expect a singular defense: trophy wife entitlement."
"Ask yourself what you expect from such a union, what roles you expect her to fulfill, and be ready to negotiate. Imagine the time and energy you intend to devote to sealing the prenup; it’s common sense to apply equal planning to the marriage itself."
These three quotes show that a trophy wife is nothing more than a sexual slave, status symbol and someone who needs to be babysat and not trusted.
And then, Rachel lists a long list of scripture that shows the virtues of a trophy wife. Well, I am going to list a few examples of my own from the bible that speak to the role of woman and their rights:
Genesis 3:16
Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
Colossians 3:18
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
1 Timothy 2:11-15
Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing.
So, these are my examples of why I disagree with Rachel that being a trophy wife is something you should strive for. But, I want to try to express it in my own words.
My thoughts are, if you want to improve yourself, that is AWESOME. We should all try to be the best versions of ourselves that we can. However, we (man or woman) should have the self-confidence to do that for ourselves, not for our husband or wife. No one should attach their self worth to how good of a husband they can catch. Because, if you love yourself and have a sense of self worth than you won't attract someone who will treat you badly, or who doesn't want the best for themselves as well. When both people in the relationship are happy with themselves, it makes for a lovely match. No one should have to improve themselves in order to be equal to another. You are perfect the way you are. You are the light of the world ... oh wait, I am starting to sound like Jesus. Crazy me. I can tell I am getting petty, so I will leave you with a link to more awesome biblical quotes that will teach all of us women what are place is in life and exactly how men should treat us.
Why women and the bible don't mix
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Politics and religion
I try to avoid both of these subjects in my blog. Mostly because I have lots of friends with views that oppose my own and I would like to keep them as friends. Also, I don't like being serious because it is boring. But sometimes I read an article, or a subject gets under my skin just enough that I really need to rant about it. So, if you don't want to hear about health care and abortion, stop reading now.
The article that started this brain riot is here: Abortion is latest controversy in health overhaul
Now, the article basically discusses how abortion opponents are mad because there is no clear language in the health care bill that explicitly denies abortion. Which has to be the stupidest f-ing thing I have heard this week. FIRST OF ALL, abortion is a legal medical procedure that is performed in this country. Let's just make that clear. And if an abortion is NECESSARY, even a late term one ... no. ESPECIALLY a late term abortion, then it should be covered under whatever health care a person has. However, before you start freaking out too much and calling me a baby killer ... hear me out.
One thing that I do not think should be covered under the national health care system is optional or unnecessary procedures and medications. I don't want to pay for your viagra or your nose job. Unless your nose became deformed in a terrible accident. Then maybe. There are just so many gray lines. My point is this: should the women who use abortion as birth control get their abortions covered by the government? No, absolutely not. But should mothers who's pregnancies become toxic to their bodies be able to get an abortion? Yes. Or when the child is going to be born with severe mental and physical abnormalities? Yes. Or when a 13 year old is raped by her father or uncle and becomes pregnant? Without a doubt. And just like there shouldn't be language in our constitution that defines marriage as between a man and a woman, there shouldn't be language in a health care bill that prohibits a legal procedure.
Let me reinforce that CURRENTLY, ABORTION IS NOT MENTIONED IN THE BILL. It is anti-abortion lobbyists and activists that are trying to get it specifically excluded. The potential rights infringement that this could cause would be nothing short of illegal based on previously ruled upon abortion laws that are in place in this country. I am tired of conservatives trying to create laws of exclusion in this country. That isn't what America is about. It is supposed to be a country of inclusion. Somewhere along the way we have forgotten that.
The article that started this brain riot is here: Abortion is latest controversy in health overhaul
Now, the article basically discusses how abortion opponents are mad because there is no clear language in the health care bill that explicitly denies abortion. Which has to be the stupidest f-ing thing I have heard this week. FIRST OF ALL, abortion is a legal medical procedure that is performed in this country. Let's just make that clear. And if an abortion is NECESSARY, even a late term one ... no. ESPECIALLY a late term abortion, then it should be covered under whatever health care a person has. However, before you start freaking out too much and calling me a baby killer ... hear me out.
One thing that I do not think should be covered under the national health care system is optional or unnecessary procedures and medications. I don't want to pay for your viagra or your nose job. Unless your nose became deformed in a terrible accident. Then maybe. There are just so many gray lines. My point is this: should the women who use abortion as birth control get their abortions covered by the government? No, absolutely not. But should mothers who's pregnancies become toxic to their bodies be able to get an abortion? Yes. Or when the child is going to be born with severe mental and physical abnormalities? Yes. Or when a 13 year old is raped by her father or uncle and becomes pregnant? Without a doubt. And just like there shouldn't be language in our constitution that defines marriage as between a man and a woman, there shouldn't be language in a health care bill that prohibits a legal procedure.
Let me reinforce that CURRENTLY, ABORTION IS NOT MENTIONED IN THE BILL. It is anti-abortion lobbyists and activists that are trying to get it specifically excluded. The potential rights infringement that this could cause would be nothing short of illegal based on previously ruled upon abortion laws that are in place in this country. I am tired of conservatives trying to create laws of exclusion in this country. That isn't what America is about. It is supposed to be a country of inclusion. Somewhere along the way we have forgotten that.
Monday, July 6, 2009
My. worst. nightmare.
Literally. I used to have this re-occurring nightmare as a child that we lived in this huge tank of water... shudder. I was stumbling around the internet today when I saw a list (I do love a list) of 12 cool swimming pools. So I look. And number three ... ohhhhhhhhhh I'm going to be sick.
Head between my knees. Ohhhhhhhhh, I'm so nauseous. ... Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.
So, I have a fear of open water. Or closed water. Large bodies of water. And especially ones that I imagine to have huge man-eating creatures like those that are OBVIOUSLY lurking in this ones nooks and crannies. Upon seeing this picture I was immediately swept wind tunnel style complete with whooshing noise and blackout to this re-occurring nightmare I used to have as a child.
The details are sketchy, but, I do remember there being a huge huge huge tank of water. I lived in it, with my family, and there was a beach that we could go up to after we crawled on this ledge thing. But it was always messy (meaning we had to clean it) and I was always accidentally starting to drown. And there were whales and sharks in it and we had to try to keep them out. And there were also people that tried to chase us. But mostly, I just remember it being VAST. And that vastness, along with the presence of water and the possibility of creature is what gives me panic attacks in pools, even as an adult. It isn't that I actually think anything is going to happen to me it is that I imagine that it will. Having a powerful imagination can be your worst enemy at times like this.
It may not sound all that scary but as I am sitting here at my desk, years and years later, trying not to be sick, with a slight head ache, clammy hands and a sour stomach, I promise you that it was. And this damned pool that ONLY CRAZY PEOPLE WOULD GO NEAR, MUCH LESS BUILD, is that nightmare come to life. The realization of my worst nightmare. Thank you world, I hate you.
The other 11 not-nearly-as-scary pools.
Head between my knees. Ohhhhhhhhh, I'm so nauseous. ... Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.
So, I have a fear of open water. Or closed water. Large bodies of water. And especially ones that I imagine to have huge man-eating creatures like those that are OBVIOUSLY lurking in this ones nooks and crannies. Upon seeing this picture I was immediately swept wind tunnel style complete with whooshing noise and blackout to this re-occurring nightmare I used to have as a child.
The details are sketchy, but, I do remember there being a huge huge huge tank of water. I lived in it, with my family, and there was a beach that we could go up to after we crawled on this ledge thing. But it was always messy (meaning we had to clean it) and I was always accidentally starting to drown. And there were whales and sharks in it and we had to try to keep them out. And there were also people that tried to chase us. But mostly, I just remember it being VAST. And that vastness, along with the presence of water and the possibility of creature is what gives me panic attacks in pools, even as an adult. It isn't that I actually think anything is going to happen to me it is that I imagine that it will. Having a powerful imagination can be your worst enemy at times like this.
It may not sound all that scary but as I am sitting here at my desk, years and years later, trying not to be sick, with a slight head ache, clammy hands and a sour stomach, I promise you that it was. And this damned pool that ONLY CRAZY PEOPLE WOULD GO NEAR, MUCH LESS BUILD, is that nightmare come to life. The realization of my worst nightmare. Thank you world, I hate you.
The other 11 not-nearly-as-scary pools.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
The politics of running
My fingers are all aflutter because I don't even know where to start. Ok, Ok, ok. So, Sarah Palin was interviewed in Runner's World this month. I heard a blurb about it on the news the other day and my co-worker Joel just brought it to my attention again. So, of course, I immediately dug in to read it.
First of all, they obviously directly quoted her throughout and did not attempt to correct her horrid grammar and incomplete/run-on sentences. Which I THOROUGHLY enjoy. In fact, I spent most of the article trying to figure out if they were making fun of her, or if she is just such a caricature of herself that she comes across as comedic. Regardless, I can't read her answers without hearing her voice in my head. Which makes me want to stick pointy objects into my ears to ... OH GOD MAKE IT STOP.
Because the article is a straight up question/answer it is a bit mind-numbing to read so I have taken the liberty of picking out some of the gems for you.
When did you start running?
I grew up in a running family. My parents caught the running craze in the mid '70s and we grew up doing family runs. I've been running now easy for 35 years. What does that mean?!? By the way, this is the opening question.
Sounds like your skills were more suited to basketball?
Well, I appreciated the fact that in running I needed guts more than anything. I could do fine just being really determined. I was thankful that I didn't need a whole lot of skills to run. You didn't answer the question. Let's ask it again, in a different way:
And running was your first athletic activity, even before basketball?
Yes. My parents instilled in us that fitness and running were going to be a part of our lives growing up. My siblings and I are all still very active. A lot of days I look forward to getting out to run and think and plan.
If you go a day or a week without running, what do you learn about yourself?
I feel so crappy if I go more than a few days without running. I have to run. No matter how rotten I feel before or during a run, it's always worth it to me afterwards. Sweat is my sanity. Someone should put that on a t-shirt. Gold. Gold I tell you! She then goes on, several paragraphs later to re-iterate with this:
I wish it were every day. I don't like to go more than a few days without running, but yeah. BTW, Sarah, "but yeah" is not an appropriate way to end a sentence.
Also, this entire paragraph here is just awesome. Every word of it:
"But the most precious experience I've had running was a few summers ago when I was training for a marathon and my son Track—and I named him Track for running—would drive out in front of me and plant water bottles along the route. I felt so spoiled, like the queen of the running world to have a kid who was all cool with his pickup truck, dropping off water for me on my long runs. And he'd put a note on the bottles, saying, "Love you, Mom" and "Run hard, Mom." It was just the most precious summer of my life to have that and then to cap it off with an all-time marathon best [3:59:36]. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the whole world."
Then she goes on to start talking about "her rock" and how it helps her dig deep, but she never explains what the hell the rock is, or what it looks like, or where it sits. Is it a real rock? Like a good luck pebble? Maybe it is a boulder she runs past? Maybe it is a figurative rock ... who knows. The mystery of the rock.
Some of my favorite random phrases: "and they live by duct tape covering every exposed portion of skin", "one time I walked into a mama black bear and her cubs in a tree", "—and I named him Track for running—", "When I run, I'm totally incognito because I'm not wearing the trough full of makeup.", "we'd be out there at events or up there on stage just sweatin' like pigs, and I loved it.", "I always wrap it up with a couple of mellow Amy Grant songs."
The amazing thing about her, is that people still actually like her. She is SUCH a joke to me that I just can't imagine how people take her seriously. And for my republican friends, it is not because of her political beliefs. It is because she is a hypocritical, poorly spoken, ego inflated princess who puts back the women's movement about 50 years. To her credit, she only brings up God once, but does talk about the "great state of Alaska" and "the beauty of this 49th state" a lot. But the comments below the article are mostly ... super nice. I am going to wrap this up with two more gems:
Is there anything else the world should know about you as a runner?
The only other thing I'd like to add is I've been very fortunate to be a recipient of all the efforts people put into Title IX all those years ago where girls got equal opportunity to participate in sports and extracurricular activities because sports growing up were my world. I'm so thankful for Title IX allowing equal access to these opportunities, and I'm a huge proponent of girls being able to realize what they're made of by participating in sports, and whatever I can do there I'm going to be doing. Spoken like a true politician!
And I leave you with this:
yowza.
You can read the full article, in case you too feel the need to want to scratch out your eyes and stick pointy things in your ears to ... OH GOD MAKE IT STOP.
HERE: runners world article
First of all, they obviously directly quoted her throughout and did not attempt to correct her horrid grammar and incomplete/run-on sentences. Which I THOROUGHLY enjoy. In fact, I spent most of the article trying to figure out if they were making fun of her, or if she is just such a caricature of herself that she comes across as comedic. Regardless, I can't read her answers without hearing her voice in my head. Which makes me want to stick pointy objects into my ears to ... OH GOD MAKE IT STOP.
Because the article is a straight up question/answer it is a bit mind-numbing to read so I have taken the liberty of picking out some of the gems for you.
When did you start running?
I grew up in a running family. My parents caught the running craze in the mid '70s and we grew up doing family runs. I've been running now easy for 35 years. What does that mean?!? By the way, this is the opening question.
Sounds like your skills were more suited to basketball?
Well, I appreciated the fact that in running I needed guts more than anything. I could do fine just being really determined. I was thankful that I didn't need a whole lot of skills to run. You didn't answer the question. Let's ask it again, in a different way:
And running was your first athletic activity, even before basketball?
Yes. My parents instilled in us that fitness and running were going to be a part of our lives growing up. My siblings and I are all still very active. A lot of days I look forward to getting out to run and think and plan.
If you go a day or a week without running, what do you learn about yourself?
I feel so crappy if I go more than a few days without running. I have to run. No matter how rotten I feel before or during a run, it's always worth it to me afterwards. Sweat is my sanity. Someone should put that on a t-shirt. Gold. Gold I tell you! She then goes on, several paragraphs later to re-iterate with this:
I wish it were every day. I don't like to go more than a few days without running, but yeah. BTW, Sarah, "but yeah" is not an appropriate way to end a sentence.
Also, this entire paragraph here is just awesome. Every word of it:
"But the most precious experience I've had running was a few summers ago when I was training for a marathon and my son Track—and I named him Track for running—would drive out in front of me and plant water bottles along the route. I felt so spoiled, like the queen of the running world to have a kid who was all cool with his pickup truck, dropping off water for me on my long runs. And he'd put a note on the bottles, saying, "Love you, Mom" and "Run hard, Mom." It was just the most precious summer of my life to have that and then to cap it off with an all-time marathon best [3:59:36]. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the whole world."
Then she goes on to start talking about "her rock" and how it helps her dig deep, but she never explains what the hell the rock is, or what it looks like, or where it sits. Is it a real rock? Like a good luck pebble? Maybe it is a boulder she runs past? Maybe it is a figurative rock ... who knows. The mystery of the rock.
Some of my favorite random phrases: "and they live by duct tape covering every exposed portion of skin", "one time I walked into a mama black bear and her cubs in a tree", "—and I named him Track for running—", "When I run, I'm totally incognito because I'm not wearing the trough full of makeup.", "we'd be out there at events or up there on stage just sweatin' like pigs, and I loved it.", "I always wrap it up with a couple of mellow Amy Grant songs."
The amazing thing about her, is that people still actually like her. She is SUCH a joke to me that I just can't imagine how people take her seriously. And for my republican friends, it is not because of her political beliefs. It is because she is a hypocritical, poorly spoken, ego inflated princess who puts back the women's movement about 50 years. To her credit, she only brings up God once, but does talk about the "great state of Alaska" and "the beauty of this 49th state" a lot. But the comments below the article are mostly ... super nice. I am going to wrap this up with two more gems:
Is there anything else the world should know about you as a runner?
The only other thing I'd like to add is I've been very fortunate to be a recipient of all the efforts people put into Title IX all those years ago where girls got equal opportunity to participate in sports and extracurricular activities because sports growing up were my world. I'm so thankful for Title IX allowing equal access to these opportunities, and I'm a huge proponent of girls being able to realize what they're made of by participating in sports, and whatever I can do there I'm going to be doing. Spoken like a true politician!
And I leave you with this:
yowza.You can read the full article, in case you too feel the need to want to scratch out your eyes and stick pointy things in your ears to ... OH GOD MAKE IT STOP.
HERE: runners world article
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