Got a link to the Harlequin website where you can create your own romance story based on you and your love interest's name. Here's my story abstract:
Adventurer Beauregard grieved the loss of his wife and baby. Then he discovers his son is alive—and living with an adoptive mother—award-winning writer Pamela. Despite the secrets and lies, Beauregard can't deny the truth: adventurous Pamela loves the boy. Yet Beauregard grew up without a father and won't do that to his own child.
When someone dangerous comes after them, adventurer Beauregard takes Pamela and his son into hiding in the Australian Outback. As he grows closer to them, he discovers much about family life. After his dark, troubled past, he's finally found faith and family. And he'll do anything to protect both.
Damn, I better go get that adopted baby so my romance life can come true!
Though, in reality, my friends are telling me, and I should be telling me too, to stay away from men for a while. I have this habit of jumping into relationships, never being alone. As I think I've mentioned. So, I'm stopping my Valtrex, and trying to find myself as an alone woman. But man, I could use a hug.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Secretary Clinton and disability
The international disability community was very excited by this question and answer. We'll see if she follows through.
QUESTION: Good afternoon, Madame Secretary. It’s an honor to be working under your leadership, and I look forward to the challenges that you present. My name is Stephanie Ortoleva .. I work in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.
I basically wanted to ask you a question about what do you think can be the role that we can play, which you’ve illuminated – you’ve given us a little bit of illumination on that – but also what role can our colleagues who work in women’s rights organizations and disability rights organizations, what role can those colleagues play in supporting you in your efforts to advance the rights of women and the rights of people with disabilities as part of an integral part of United States foreign policy?
SECRETARY CLINTON: That’s a wonderful question. I thank you for it. You know, I think it was 1997, I came to this auditorium, the Dean Acheson Auditorium, with Madeleine Albright, who was Secretary of State, and addressed a large crowd like this about the commitment that the Clinton Administration had to including women as an integral part of foreign policy, not as an afterthought, not as an adjunct, but in recognition of the fact that we know from a myriad of studies and research that the role of women is directly related to democracy and human rights. And I feel similarly about people with disabilities.
It’s important to recognize that expanding the circle of opportunity and increasing the democratic potential of our own society, as well as those across the world, is a continuing process of inclusion. And I look forward to working on behalf of the rights of women and people with disabilities, and others as well, as we pursue our foreign policy. Because I think it sends a clear message about who we are as a people, the evolution that we have undergone.
I remember as First Lady traveling to many countries that had no recognition of the rights of people with disabilities. They were literally warehoused, often in the most horrific conditions. There were no laws. There were no requirements for education or access. And it struck me then and – we’ve made some progress, but insufficient.. It certainly is part of my feeling now that we have to always be hoping and working toward greater inclusion as a key part of what our values are and what we believe democracy represents. So I’m going to look to working with those of you in the Department and at USAID and with our allies and friends outside who have carried on this work over the years. And you can count on my commitment to you on that.
QUESTION: Good afternoon, Madame Secretary. It’s an honor to be working under your leadership, and I look forward to the challenges that you present. My name is Stephanie Ortoleva .. I work in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.
I basically wanted to ask you a question about what do you think can be the role that we can play, which you’ve illuminated – you’ve given us a little bit of illumination on that – but also what role can our colleagues who work in women’s rights organizations and disability rights organizations, what role can those colleagues play in supporting you in your efforts to advance the rights of women and the rights of people with disabilities as part of an integral part of United States foreign policy?
SECRETARY CLINTON: That’s a wonderful question. I thank you for it. You know, I think it was 1997, I came to this auditorium, the Dean Acheson Auditorium, with Madeleine Albright, who was Secretary of State, and addressed a large crowd like this about the commitment that the Clinton Administration had to including women as an integral part of foreign policy, not as an afterthought, not as an adjunct, but in recognition of the fact that we know from a myriad of studies and research that the role of women is directly related to democracy and human rights. And I feel similarly about people with disabilities.
It’s important to recognize that expanding the circle of opportunity and increasing the democratic potential of our own society, as well as those across the world, is a continuing process of inclusion. And I look forward to working on behalf of the rights of women and people with disabilities, and others as well, as we pursue our foreign policy. Because I think it sends a clear message about who we are as a people, the evolution that we have undergone.
I remember as First Lady traveling to many countries that had no recognition of the rights of people with disabilities. They were literally warehoused, often in the most horrific conditions. There were no laws. There were no requirements for education or access. And it struck me then and – we’ve made some progress, but insufficient.. It certainly is part of my feeling now that we have to always be hoping and working toward greater inclusion as a key part of what our values are and what we believe democracy represents. So I’m going to look to working with those of you in the Department and at USAID and with our allies and friends outside who have carried on this work over the years. And you can count on my commitment to you on that.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Resurgence of 3D
Saw Coraline this weekend in 3D (fantastical story). While the 3D moments were really cool, it was a movie that didn't really need to be in 3D. Which led me to wonder which movies I would never ever want to see in 3D. At first I couldn't think of one, but now I'm thinking something like Saving Private Ryan. Or the Nutty Professor with Eddie Murphy.
What other movie?
What other movie?
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Saturday Hunt - End
OK, sorry, I can't find my book, or rather, I don't want to take the time to find my book. If I could find this book, I would have take a photo of the end. The last page says: Everything in this book may be wrong. And then the last page after that says: Everything in this book may be wrong. The end comes twice.
Why is that? Well, Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah is about that what the title says. But he has this book that you open it up and you see what you need to see at that time. Lessons for the advanced soul as it says. And the last page in the book you/me are holding comes twice, because it's a lesson that you ultimately take out of something what you want and need, and ultimately there is no right or wrong.
I can't tell you how influential this book was to me in my early teenage years. I may have already written about it, but I've been thinking about it again and should read it again. It's the first time I heard the concept that you aren't responsible for others' reactions to you. You are who you are and people will react according to who they are. You have no control over that. Now, just because I heard that at age 15 or whenever, doesn't mean it sunk in. I think 25 ish years later, I'm still trying to learn that lesson. That I live my life according to what's best for me, and that's all I can do.
I'm seguing (segue-ing?) into some stuff that's been on my mind which is beyond the normal scavenger hunt, so fair warning, you can end now if you're just here for the hunt.
I have realized I get very defensive if anyone asks why I got divorced. What happened. I've tried to use the answer 'because'. But that doesn't always work. I know I don't need to explain to anyone my life, but I guess I feel I am being judged. I gotta get over that. Some people I think want to use my experience as a lens to look at their own lives. Well, that's ok, but my experience is not your experience. I mean, I admit that I seek out people who seem to understand my specific experience so I can feel a little bit better and there are indeed other people out there who were married to good people, but it just didn't work. My realtor, my home loan person, others. And there are people I know who stay in a marriage for reasons that would not be acceptable to me, and that's fine too, as long as I don't have to live that life. In the past I was always seeking a 'right' and a 'wrong' and there's no such thing in life. There is a huge lesson to be learned.
Speaking of judging, I am truly truly blessed to have a few people in my life who do NOT judge. They are there despite the many mistakes I make - some of which are HUGE and some really hurtful to myself, and some to other people. But they listen and provide a mirror and acceptance and support and forgiveness. I truly hope that I can and do do the same. This is one of my fears from the ending of my marriage - that despite appearances I may put on, that I am NOT an accepting person. That I want people to be just like me, or do what *I* think is right. I fully admit that there was an element of that in the failure of my marriage - though you could look at it as he could never be who I needed him to be rather than he could never be what I wanted him to be. I prefer the former interpretation, and this is part of why it didn't work.
Change hurts. Emotions are sometimes painful. I'm willing to ride the roller coaster, but I'm not always happy about it. I do things that make the ride bumpier and I can come close to depression, and again, thankfully I have support for when I do such things to myself. But more and more, I have my own mirror that I look into to find that strength, to find that forgiveness, to find that acceptance. And this magic mirror is created by me and held by me - my goal is to pull it out more and more - not to lose my need for others and my need for love and happiness, but to help create that for myself and be able to spread the wealth from myself to others, all the while keeping me #1 and seeking someone who does the same.
Friday, February 27, 2009
How am I doing?
- I just found a major mistake in something at work, that affects a huge meeting we have Monday-Wednesday. My fault.
- Budget cutting might mean I might not have half a job. Things looked ok for a while, but then the PI's are at a point where they dont want to continue it if it gets cut past a certain level. And we're not cutting it enough for the powers that be. Final decision next week.
- My personal emotions are shit.
- I haven't been sleeping well.
- I adopted a cat last night, despite friends warning me not to because I just didn't need the stress, and I realized when I brought the cat home that I can't deal with the stress. Billy freaked out and won't come out of the basement, and the other cat just wants out of the room. It is indeed Sweetie, and she's a great cat, but I can't deal with putting them together now. So, I'm bringing her back. This agency takes care of their cats well, and they'll keep the $150 I gave to adopt, so that's good. An expensive lesson, but at least I'm listening to myself. Monty, you should adopt her.
- And I also took precautions and took an extra dose of one of my meds, so I'm surprisingly numb and ok at this very moment. I really do love drugs. And I'll keep on trucking.
So eventually all will be ok. I will not be broken.
- Budget cutting might mean I might not have half a job. Things looked ok for a while, but then the PI's are at a point where they dont want to continue it if it gets cut past a certain level. And we're not cutting it enough for the powers that be. Final decision next week.
- My personal emotions are shit.
- I haven't been sleeping well.
- I adopted a cat last night, despite friends warning me not to because I just didn't need the stress, and I realized when I brought the cat home that I can't deal with the stress. Billy freaked out and won't come out of the basement, and the other cat just wants out of the room. It is indeed Sweetie, and she's a great cat, but I can't deal with putting them together now. So, I'm bringing her back. This agency takes care of their cats well, and they'll keep the $150 I gave to adopt, so that's good. An expensive lesson, but at least I'm listening to myself. Monty, you should adopt her.
- And I also took precautions and took an extra dose of one of my meds, so I'm surprisingly numb and ok at this very moment. I really do love drugs. And I'll keep on trucking.
So eventually all will be ok. I will not be broken.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Did you say you wanted a quilt?
I'm helping out Childs Play X2 by making a quilt for an auction to benefit the YMCA that he manages in Southern California.
See Here for the auction site. Mine is the only quilt on it. It's a repeat of what I made for my colleague...baby size.
From his request email to people:
As you may or may not know, I am the executive director of a YMCA in San Diego, CA that is a stone's throw from the Mexican/U.S border. We are situated in a low-income community that is comprised of many families struggling to achieve the American dream. Our YMCA provides childcare to hundreds of families - much of it free or reduced-cost. This year, in particular, has been a challenging one. Requests for financial assistance has risen almost 200% over last year and we are struggling to keep up our pledge of never turning anyone away due to an inability to pay.
February is the month that we have our YMCA fundraising drive. Because of my family issues, I'm a bit behind where I usually am at this point and I need to catch up fast! Many of you have expressed concern over my situation and asked how you can help - even from afar. Well, I think I have a way that anyone can help and, perhaps, make this fun at the same time... [an auction!]
See Here for the auction site. Mine is the only quilt on it. It's a repeat of what I made for my colleague...baby size.
From his request email to people:
As you may or may not know, I am the executive director of a YMCA in San Diego, CA that is a stone's throw from the Mexican/U.S border. We are situated in a low-income community that is comprised of many families struggling to achieve the American dream. Our YMCA provides childcare to hundreds of families - much of it free or reduced-cost. This year, in particular, has been a challenging one. Requests for financial assistance has risen almost 200% over last year and we are struggling to keep up our pledge of never turning anyone away due to an inability to pay.
February is the month that we have our YMCA fundraising drive. Because of my family issues, I'm a bit behind where I usually am at this point and I need to catch up fast! Many of you have expressed concern over my situation and asked how you can help - even from afar. Well, I think I have a way that anyone can help and, perhaps, make this fun at the same time... [an auction!]
Why Hair Goes Gray
Why Hair Goes Grey
Study Blames a Chain Reaction That Makes Hair Bleach Itself From the Inside Out
By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Health News
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD
Feb. 25, 2009 -- Scientists may have figured out why hair turns gray, and their finding may open the door to new anti-graying strategies.
New research shows that hair turns gray as a result of a chemical chain reaction that causes hair to bleach itself from the inside out.
The process starts when there is a dip in levels of an enzyme called catalase. That catalase shortfall means that the hydrogen peroxide that naturally occurs in hair can't be broken down. So hydrogen peroxide builds up in the hair, and because other enzymes that would repair hydrogen peroxide's damage are also in short supply, the hair goes gray.
Putting the brakes on that chemical chain reaction "could have great implications in the hair graying scenario in humans," write the researchers, who included Karin Schallreuter, a professor clinical and experimental dermatology at England's University of Bradford.
The study appears online in The FASEB Journal; the FASEB is the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.
Study Blames a Chain Reaction That Makes Hair Bleach Itself From the Inside Out
By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Health News
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD
Feb. 25, 2009 -- Scientists may have figured out why hair turns gray, and their finding may open the door to new anti-graying strategies.
New research shows that hair turns gray as a result of a chemical chain reaction that causes hair to bleach itself from the inside out.
The process starts when there is a dip in levels of an enzyme called catalase. That catalase shortfall means that the hydrogen peroxide that naturally occurs in hair can't be broken down. So hydrogen peroxide builds up in the hair, and because other enzymes that would repair hydrogen peroxide's damage are also in short supply, the hair goes gray.
Putting the brakes on that chemical chain reaction "could have great implications in the hair graying scenario in humans," write the researchers, who included Karin Schallreuter, a professor clinical and experimental dermatology at England's University of Bradford.
The study appears online in The FASEB Journal; the FASEB is the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.
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