I Ain't Complaining For Once

One of the MSN Money columnists wrote a decent article about kids growing up dumb and broke due to imitiating the spending habits of their parents. I posted this reply:

I always appreciate M.P. Dunleavy's columns because she doesn't take the patronizing, "holier than thou" tone that some money columnists do.

Life circumstances, including mental and physical illness and a divorce when my son was four have made it sometimes difficult for me to hold a job, let alone save money, although I do at least have a retirement plan at my current job. My (now adult) son is actually fairly sensible with his money most of the time. I never lectured him but did give him suggestions. I think that some of it just comes naturally to him, and in other cases he thought that my "do as I say not as I do" advice was actually sensible and he does see that I'm trying.

My son and I both think that teaching money skills classes in school is a great idea. After all, they've had home economics (which isn't really a class about money, of course, but it does have "economics" in the title) and even economic theory classes for years. Why not practical personal economics? I wish I'd had such a class!

Stuff I Shouldn't Like But Do

The fact that this is delicious is just wrong!

I did not think that I would like Rocky Mountain Oysters. I did not want to like Rocky Mountain Oysters. But they are delicious! There's nothing like watching rodeo or bull riding or a demolition derby at the Greeley Stampede while chowing down on a bunch of Rocky Mountain Oysters.
Yeeeehah!!!!

My Penis Is Bigger Than Yours!

And I don't even have one--what does that say about you??

My Gmail spam for the lilystears email address (yes, I do look at the Spam in case something I actually wanted got in there) is just full of missives from individuals worldwide who have apparently heard about the vast prowess of my penis.

Perhaps they were actually trying to contact Ann Coulter since she is a card-carrying member of the Strap-On Veterans Brigade and Dildo Of The Month Club. For those of you who are really warped, really daring, and like a really warped, daring and LONG humor piece, you can click here to read about Ann giving Arsewipe the Ghoul what was coming to him with one of her Strap-On of the Month selections. If this does not appeal to you, that's all right, but in the meantime, please try not to be too jealous of my vast throbbing manhood that casts a shadow bigger than a tree.

Of age and then some...but barely political

I know that on a personal level I like Barack Obama the best of all the candidates. He seems the most "human." I like the things I've read about him. But is it really best to vote for the person who seems the most likeable?
I couldn't put a finger on what put me off about Hillary Clinton until my son (who will be able to vote for the first time this year) said that what he disliked about her is that she's trying too much to act like a man in order to compete with the men. He said he didn't mean that she should behave like some sort of frilly froo froo and be subservient or anything like that, but it put him off that she seemed to always be trying to "show her balls" rather than being a competent woman who isn't ashamed to be a woman.
I don't dislike John McCain as a person, but he's "one of them" and as some folks have pointed out, he kinda shows signs of being a tad senile--or at least way behind the times and a little out of touch with reality. (Mitt Romney reminded me of the nice Mormon neighbors I had in my youth. Thus I found him likeable, but I wouldn't have voted for him.) Actually, as far as being "one of those," if a republican seemed to be the best candidate, I would vote for them, but I think it's been at least 18 years since that ever happened, and as I recall it was for a state representative and I don't even remember who. That's how long it's been.
During one election I gave a throwaway vote by voting for the green party. I don't remember which election that was either, but it must have been early on and I was probably stoned or something. Either that or I was stoned enough to really believe in that vote and think it would make a difference!
The one thing I know for sure is this--in the first election I was eligible to vote in, I very definitely voted against Reagan! But these days I kinda find myself acting like him more and more often. I enter a room and find myself saying "Well, ah...what the hell did I come in here for anyway??"

McCrap

After 15 years in my mechanic has decided to close up shop. Too much competition from the McMechanic places who pay their employees squat and that's why they can charge so little. He also had trouble finding decent help that would stick around and didn't either flake out or move on to something else because being a mechanic is hard work. Also trying to keep costs reasonable for the customers while dealing with increased costs for materials and taxes.
Whenever I took the car for an oil change or basic maintenance I would always eat at the restaurant across the street. I actually worked there for 3 years back in the early part of the decade. But that's a story for another time. That restaurant has been there for almost 90 years, owned by the same family, and I remember sometimes business was scarce because everyone was going to the chain restaurants. It isn't a friendly climate for small businesses around here what with all the McMansions and McRestaurants and McShops with the suburban sprawl appealing to the McResidents who don't care a whit about supporting their community businesses because they don't want to McThink. It's easier when everything is just a clone of everything else.
Don't even get me started on the system of McMedical "care" that currently exists. Trauma medicine has vastly improved during the past 50 years, but as far as receiving any kind of personal care from a doctor that will listen to you? There are more medical errors than ever because doctors are harried and don't know jack shit about their patients.
Right now I think I need a prescription for Extra Strength Fuckitol.

damn economic stimulus payment

Did anyone get theirs yet?

I probably won't get mine until July because even though my tax return was direct deposited, H&R Block took their fees out of my refund. For some reason, if that happens, your economic stimulus payment is not direct deposited but sent in the form of a check. And since the last 2 digits of my social are high numbers, that means I gotta wait.
Fuckers.
It's a dumb idea anyway, but I sure as hell can't afford to be proud enough to turn down money.
Other than that I've been fucking sick as hell due to these damn medications that turn out to be worse than the problem they're supposed to solve. (No, they aren't psych meds.) I'm not taking them any more.

I've Been Around...and around...and around...

You Are 28% Pure

You've either done it, thought about it, or at least heard about it. Luckily, there's a few things left for you to try!

How Pure Are You?

Forget it--at this point I'm too old, grouchy and tired to want to!

Pizza Type

Meatball Pizza

Unusual and uncompromising. You're usually the first to discover a new trend. You appreciate a good meal and good company. You're an interesting blend of traditional and modern.

What's Your Pizza Personality?

Some of you may gag, but my son, my ex husband and I all love Beau Jo's Pizza, and the one we usually get has chicken, smoked salmon, artichoke hearts and onions with ranch dressing.

Damn...I just made myself hungry!

Maturity Level

You Are Somewhat Mature

You definitely act like an adult sometimes, but a big part of you is still a kid at heart. While your immature side is definitely fun, you're going to have to grow up sooner or later.

Are You Immature?

"going to have to grow up sooner or later?" Not if I can help it!

I find your lack of faith disturbing

Star Wars Horoscope for Aquarius

You can be cruel and torment people who disagree with you. Deep down, there is a peace-loving, friendly side to you. You have a knack for inflicting pain on people and use your intellect during battle. Star wars character you are most like: Darth Vader

What Is Your Star Wars Horoscope?

5 things

I have stolen this meme from Mrs. Weirdso.

5 things in your bag:
Mrs. Weirdso said: "I try not to carry a handbag. I believe that handbags, stockings, and high heels are patriarchal implements for oppressing women."

I agree about the stockings and high heels--especially the high heels! And push up bras go on that list too, as do girdles worn for anything but medical reasons. And mini skirts. But then again, so do the old fashioned Victorian outfits that covered a person from head to toe. And so do the clothes in Arab countries that cover even a woman's face. The list could go on and on and on.

For me, though, a handbag is simply a tool to carry all the crap I need to have with me so my pants don't end up falling down because my pockets are so full! Mine doubles as a brief case. I like it better than a brief case because it leaves my hands free. The bigger the handbag, the happier I am. Those stupid little clutch purses are totally useless and do NOT leave my hands free. Besides, if someone tried to steal it, I could clobber him with it and knock him cold.

My handbag might be better known as a knapsack. So here are five things in my knapsack.

1. My "fanny pack" which holds my money, debit cards, business cards, daytimer, chap stick, and pens.

2. My coupon holder/receipt keeper

3. Tax paperwork

4. A gris gris bag with some herbs and good luck charms

5. My medicine bag

5 favorite things in your room:
I honestly don't sleep in a bedroom. I have PTSD because I was sexually assaulted on Halloween night in 2007 by my ex boyfriend. I don't have problems with Halloween, because the party I had gone to didn't really have a Halloween theme, it had a drunken idiot theme. To make a long story short, I drove back to my apartment (drove drunk, stupid asshole!) so I could get my ex boyfriend out of there before he started trouble. Long story. His car was at my apartment. I thought he had gone and I fell asleep with my clothes on. Woke up with them off and him on top of me. I have trouble sleeping in a bed because of it. I sleep on the couch even though it wrecks my back.

,

My favorite things in the "living room" are:

1. My display shelf, which has statuettes and my friends PANSI, Brittney, Emrald, Aubvey, Dr. Doo Doo and Doo Doo Girl.

2. My stuffed animals

3. My idiot cats

4. My rabbit Daria

5. The television. I have a love-hate relationship with it. I keep it on when I sleep so outside noises don't disrupt me.

The dogs aren't on this list because they have to be behind a gate while I'm sleeping or they'll destroy the house.

5 things you have always wanted to do:

1. Make money off my writing
2. Make money off my affiliate work

3. Have my own land where I could have some small livestock like chickens, ducks, geese and goats.

4. Go to Europe and Hawaii
5. Make the world a better damn place. I know how trite that sounds, but I actually mean it.

5 things you are currently into:

1. Writing my second book
2. Spiritual development
3. Starting working out a little again

4. Writing insane, off the wall comedy stuff (see Rattling Bones Undead Musician Magazine and UNDEAD for a sample.)

5. Trying to educate people about mental illness

I'm not tagging. PANSI and Axe Man already tagged some of you for their meems and meams. Do not disappoint them!

Time For a Can of Whoop Ass

While not one to advocate child abuse, I have to admit that my knee jerk reaction to the snot nose little brat protagonist in the movie "13" is to want to grab hold of her and give her a well deserved ass whuppin!
Then again, except for the older brother, the rest of the (predictable, two-dimensional) characters in this movie--Mom with her skanky boyfriend and Dad for whom his life is one big board meeting--appear to deserve an ass whuppin too.
This movie received great critical acclaim. As I watch it, I find myself asking, as I do so often with "critically acclaimed" movies:
"Dear God/Goddess/all that's holy and otherwise, why????"

He's 18

Happy 18th birthday to my son, Michael.

I got one of those packets at the grocery store for a prepaid debit card and went online to activate it. Of course according to them, Michael doesn't exist since he has no credit history. It's easy enough to send them a copy of his driver's license, but they also want a copy of a utility bill in his name. That's a problem, as the utility bills are in my name. Groan! I'll have to call them tomorrow and find out what to do.
In the meantime I will post my favorite 18th birthday song. I wanted to create a CD of songs for him, but the CD drive in this otherwise great used computer doesn't work. I'll probably have to go get one of those mini drives tomorrow and let him transfer the songs to his computer and burn his own CD. Ah well...
Here's Alice Cooper from 1971, when Alice wasn't much more than 18 himself and was smashed all the time. Cheers!

On the Chopping Block

Why am I even still watching as the Avalanche get massively slaughtered by the Red Wings? If I could drink, I'd join my good ole Cuzzin Hildy-Bob for a cup of 'Shine right about now! I should just give up and go work out in the therapy pool.
In other news, I think this increased dose of thyroid medicine has massively socked it to me and I left a message for the doctor that I want to go back to the lower dose. Before thyroid medicine I had these horrifying crusty red patches all over my face. Not attractive! Bet you didn't know that low thyroid can severely impact the skin. I didn't! 25 mcg of thyroxine and my skin became normal. Some people lose weight when they start taking thyroxine. No such luck. But the skin improvement told me that taking a bit was a good idea.
They tested my thyroid levels and found they were still a bit low. I didn't put 2 and 2 together until I talked to my mother, but 4 days after starting the 50 mcg dose, I had a horrific panic attack, the worst in 5 years. It almost put me in the ER. Then my blood pressure went way up. The doctor put me on propranalol to bring it down, but that has side effects too. This morning I had a horrendous hot flash and was thinking it might be due to perimenopause, which is where I'm at. My mother said that when the doctor increased her thyroid medicine she experienced dizziness, headaches, increased blood pressure and hot flashes.
What might all this mean to you? Well...if you get put on thyroid medicine or have it increased and experience these symptoms, this might be why. These are symptoms of hyperthyroidism. So I'm letting the doctor know and asking him to decrease the thyroid medicine back to the old dose. The rest of it I might be able to deal with, but those panic attacks are the worst!
I think I need a tranquilizer after seeing this Avalanche debacle.