Civic Duty

So I got summoned for jury duty for today. Oddly enough, despite the fact that I am about to turn 40 (forty!?) I have never done this before. I remember once getting the summons thingy in the mail, about two weeks after the date, as I had been overseas at the time. So being older and much more predictable these days, I did what you're supposed to do, called ahead the night before, and showed up at my appointed 8:30 am check in time. We were crossed off the list, given name tags (I was dubbed the catchy "Juror 91277") and metal-detectored for cell phones and guns. Then we went to the court room.

Let me back up here a bit and mention that our court house (Mariposa County Courthouse) is old. It was built in the 1800's. So the court room is up a flight of narrow stairs, on the second floor. It also has, not only a large structural beam right smack dab in the middle, but said beam also houses the chimney of the court room wood stove. I'm pretty glad it was a lovely mild day, and we didn't have to huddle 'round the stove for warmth. The final quaint, charming, and slightly alarming fact about our local courthouse is that the entire building vibrates when the bell is rung. So nine long peals of the bell clapper could be felt as well as heard.

And then the guy pled guilty in chambers, and we were all sent home after an informative video and thank you speech from the judge. Oh, and I kid you not, as I was driving away they were getting someone out of the paddy wagon and he was in black and white horizontal striped pj's. We do things the old fashioned way here. Evidently.

To see our high tech facilities click here and scroll down a bit more than halfway. You can just see the wood stove, to the right of center.

Who Put the Douche in Fiduciary?

Despite the fact that doing this feels like amputating a small but mighty part of my very person, I am deleting this blog post to protect the innocent. I am also horrified that our legal system is such that a person must fear to explicitly state her own opinion. I am crying. But I am leaving the title, because I am a fighter, and that's how it goes. Thanks for your kind words of support, I really did need to hear them.

Quick Rant

I cannot believe all this crazy hoo hah over the attempt to change our health care insurance system. Imitation grass roots organizations with lobotomized slogans like "Just say no"?! What do they think Obama is trying to do here, bite the heads off puppies? Is it really so offensive to try and provide affordable health care for each and every american?

As soon as the post man can get here, I will be sporting this new political accouterment. Please note that our friend John Allison has chosen to portray the USA as a DINOSAUR!

Shouting down your political opponent instead of informed discourse? Evidently its the American way!

Cramming

I'm not going to kid y'all. I am agonizing over this election. I can't even believe that it isn't a done deal. Here we have two men. One was a community organizer and congressional law professor, the other chose Palin as a running mate. How on earth could you be undecided?

So as any good election agonizer would do, I have spent all day on the internets looking up propositions and local elected officials. And here is the fruit of my labor...

First of all we don't have a democrat running for our Congressional Representative. Well, we sort of do, but he's a write in candidate, with a funny name. So we don't expect much, but doesn't he look like a nice guy? All democratty and stuff? All earthy crunchy, wants to save the worldy? So if by any chance you happen to be in the California 19th Congressional District, write in (and x the box) for Peter Leinau! Yay democrats!

Now moving on to State officials... It seems that here in the 25th Assembly District, we have a Republican currently in office (Berryhill, I believe). But that could change! Maybe. Iffin' this adorable youngster gets his way, that is! OMG, he's so dreamy! I feel like the naughty housewife secretly watching the shirtless highschooler cut the grass! Tee hee hee! Scroll down to the bottom of his official website. Do you see it? You can join his Facebook group! Tee hee hee! Best of luck wee little budding democrat! May you make it to the State Assembly. Or out of Junior College, whichever comes first!

Now on to some CA Propositions...

Just so's you know, Prop 7 and Prop 10 sound like good environmental measures in the wee little blurby format. But some pretty respectable folks are against them: California League of Conservation Voters, Natural Resources Defense Council, the Environmental Defense Fund, and the deal breaker, the Union of Concerned Scientists. I feel like the UoCS motto should be "We know more than you. Yes, you."

So anywhoo, they are against Prop 7 and Prop 10, and their arguments make sense.

So read up my earthy crunchy hipsters. Find out exactly who and what you're voting for. And get to bed, for heaven's sake! Its late and you have to vote in the morning! Tee hee!

A Cranky Rant Segued Into A Charity Fundraiser

I am a BAD GIRL. Or I will be. Tomorrow I plan on breaking the law. Or at least the law as one (sorta cranky) brit sees it. I started making those crazee knit beaded necklaces after I read about them in her "un-pattern". Then I asked her IF I COULD GIVE HER MONEY to use her idea and try and sell some. She said no. No, wait a minute, she said no in a way that made me embarrassed I even asked. Which left me with an awkward feeling of unfriendliness, something that seems rather rare in the knitting community.

Anywhoo. So tomorrow I am breakin' the law, and putting this lovely set up for auction:



Now mind you, I am not just being flagrantly obstreperous here. This is a charity auction fundraiser slash dinner event for No More Victims. So there will be no money entering my actual pocket. I am donating time and effort to a cause that supports innocent children with war wounds. I dare her to take umbrage at that.

Oh, and these, I designed them myself. And if anyone wants to copy them and sell them on etsy, be my frickin guest!

If You Can Dodge A Wrench...

Hey there! This is a really random assortment of events from the past week... Hum an inspirational tune to yourself and think of it as a photo montage, mkay?

Tank Boy enjoyed playing in puddles of all sorts...



I made an awesome quiche with local organic collard greens, fresh dill and eggs, store bought onions, goat cheese, and cheddar, that was the rockin'est quiche I've ever made, but they boys pretty much couldn't have cared less, so I had to eat the whole thing myself...


I got Tank Boy to grudgingly model yet another Foliage hat...


Have you guys seen this shot from The Drudge Reportof McCain nuzzling Bush? Poor kids, had their awkward slash tender moment forever caught on the digi!


And a quick snippet of our Sunday evening. Poor Tank Hub had a wrench sort of slip while he was yanking on a pipe and kind of smack him in the zygomatic arch (aka cheekbone). Ouch! One CT scan, some laceration irrigation, an ouchy shot or two, and four stitches later we were back at home eating pizza.


How was y'alls week?!

I'm Neck Deep In It Now!

It seems that lately I am a Wednesday night/ Thursday morning blog poster. And looky there, its Wednesday night. So tonight I have to bring up the fact that back on January 22nd I missed the Blog for Choice Day. (I also missed National Pie Day, but that's another subject all together.) The reason that I'm mentioning the BfCD now is that this year's subject was political in nature: "Why is it important to vote Pro-Choice?"

Sigh, so it seems that everything is political in nature these days. I'm arguing with my sister over the IM about politics, I'm arguing with my dad over email about politics, and I'm betting on what seems to be the losing horse (again) in the latest political race. Unfortunately I am one of those people who can be rather cranky when people don't hold the same political view that I do. Or actually even crankier when the just can't make up their minds, like my neighbor. (This is what the internet is for folks! Pop on, read about the issues, watch a debate, and figure it out, fer heaven's sake!) But I digress. I really do try to remain neutral. I do, but alas...

So to put this puppy to bed (and to mix some metaphors) I am doing an all politics post. And this is why: I really think Obama would be a better leader than Hillary. They both hit similar points on my hot button issues of the environment and pro-choiceism, but the devil seems to be in the details. So here it is in bullet form, Suzie's Incomplete and Cranky List of Why Obama Rules:

- He is polite. Unfortunately I have seen some clips from Hillary's speeches where she tried to make snarky jokes, and they just come out awkward and mean. As president that could spell international incident.
- He is well reasoned. For example, in the last debate and during the issue of driver's licenses for illegal immigrants, his final comment that it could prevent hit and run accidents by those avoiding deportation, well that clinched it.
- He does not have Bill Clinton making a fool of himself on his behalf.
- Hillary's stint as First Lady does not qualify as political experience.
- He will not force you to buy healthcare, just facilitate it.
- He does not have a large part of the electorate that already hates him.
- He did not vote to support the war in Iraq.
- He supports universal voluntary public service.
- He is not as divisive as Hillary.

I am not naive, I know that it is nearly impossible to get anything done in Washington, even as president. I know that ours is a paralyzing system of checks and balances. (Unfortunately that only works with those conscientious enough to follow the laws, unlike our last administration.) I know there are some people who will not vote for Obama because of his skin color. I also know there are some who won't vote for Hillary because she's a woman. They are not reasonable. I cannot address their issues.

But I can address a candidate who would like to unite our country, not divide us into separate red and blue country states. He is diplomatic and even occasionally willing to compromise on the wording of things when it does not affect the outcome. And you know what, Hillary's voice bugs the frack out of me. That is all. Goodnight.