I read a blog this morning Taboo Thursday: In Case of Emergency where the author spoke of the helicopter crash in NYC yesterday. The author made considerable sense about how we do not think of a back up plan until the disaster is already in effect.
Looking back over the years, I can recall each occasion that made me realize I needed a contingency plan. It started in college when I dated a guy who lived two hours away. I would take trips to see him banking on the idea that I’d drive back that same night and more than once I’d spend the night and would be in need of clothes etc. So, I began keeping an overnight bag in my car; the idea carried to date. During the time of seeing said bf, he moved to be closer to me, but we would still travel north. We were heading to Brooklyn during inclement weather and had to pull over to a rest area. Fortunately for us, we’d packed blankets and pillows for our stay, which came in handy for our impromptu stop. I now keep blankets/pillows in my (now bigger) ride. After suffering out the storm in 96 which shut the state down and a few other adverse weather conditions, I began keeping certain foods in the house that didn’t require much preparation if the power went out. Yes, I still do this to date. Now, that I’m even more grown up, I’ve taken it a step further and keep filled propane tanks outside, maintain a healthy supply of candles, flashlights, batteries, wet naps/wipes, etc., on hand in addition to food items that can be easily prepared or cooked outside using the propane tank with a burner attached.
Though to some it may seem excessive that I go to such lengths in both in my car and home, it’s not. It’s using common sense and knowing what can happen that keeps me prepared. I don’t want to be that person running to the store at the last minute to get items needed for adverse weather or power conditions. I DO NOT purchase a lot of dairy products or other perishables as I see many people do because they will not keep. Well, unless is mad cold and you can store them outside for a while. (lol)
For those of you who live in areas prone to adverse weather, power outages, or if you travel a lot, I suggest you start a disaster preparedness kit for your house and car. Even if you don’t live in the aforementioned, it’s still a good thing to have a contingency plan. Don’t let a disaster or adverse condition remind you.
Oh, one last thing, try to keep some cash on hand too. If the power goes out, you may not be able to use an ATM. Stash some cash in your car or in a jar at home.
Just a heads up from my lil corner of the world.
12 October 2006
11 October 2006
Color Lines
In a country that is supposed to be a melting pot, culturally diverse, and unbiased, we all know that's a lie. In fact, we know it's so much of a lie that even within cultures skin color can make or break your acceptance. With more and more bi-racial children being born, one would think that the blending would lead to some greater acceptance, tolerance, and understanding, but it hasn't. There are still no dolls for the "beige" (bi-racial) kids; there are no magazines with pictures of girls with naturally curly or kinky hair, and there is certainly no one promoting their proudness of being bi-racial and/or bi-cultured. What's up with that? Don't these children deserve to be represented? Don't they want to see dolls, magazines, and such that they can identify with? Survey says they do.
For the most part, there are two kinds of dolls, white and black; yet the black dolls like like black versions of the white doll. Uh, something's wrong with that picture. To take things a step further, why aren't white girls offended that all their dolls like alike? They're all cookie-cutter unattainable Anglo-WASP images that even half the white girls can't emulate. Barbie is the biggest fraud of all. That heffa promotes a truly unattainable image, yet the ho makes millions off folk and no one seems to have a problem with that. I do! That aside, I'll get back to my point.
Bi-racial children deserve to be represented. They are people too and they are worthy of the same toys, books, and images that mean something to them. There is a magazine Latina, that reps the Latin girls, which I think is great, though it still mostly shows the Latinas that look like the white girls. I want to see a magazine that reps for real. I want to see the bi-racial girls and boys have someone they can say, "hey, s/he looks like me!" I want to see bi-racial actors, politicians, execs, etc., who are bi-racial stand up for all the little boys and girls who look like them or have culturally diverse backgrounds like theirs. Heritage is important and it promotes good social behavior when someone has someone else to feel a tie to.
Bi-racialism is not going away and it's not something that should be swept under the rug like a dirty little secret. It should be embraced, nurtured, and accepted. These children should not have to chose a side. They shouldnn't be forced to accept a toy that has diminished meaning to them just so they can have a toy or doll.
Finally, all races (though a utopian thought) should stop segregating within their own. Light skinned blacks are as acceptable and worthy as darker-skinned blacks. The same goes for the light and dark Hispanics, Italians, and even some whites. Truth be told (for those unaware), Blond(e) hair and blue eyes is a pigment deformity and is not the paramount standard for beauty emulation.
The rant must come to an end, but keep these words in mind, "...the color of a mans skin, is no more important than the color of his eyes..." and "...content of character...not the color of ones skin..." Those are the truths that should be self-evident and sustaining.
Stepping off my soap box now....
For the most part, there are two kinds of dolls, white and black; yet the black dolls like like black versions of the white doll. Uh, something's wrong with that picture. To take things a step further, why aren't white girls offended that all their dolls like alike? They're all cookie-cutter unattainable Anglo-WASP images that even half the white girls can't emulate. Barbie is the biggest fraud of all. That heffa promotes a truly unattainable image, yet the ho makes millions off folk and no one seems to have a problem with that. I do! That aside, I'll get back to my point.
Bi-racial children deserve to be represented. They are people too and they are worthy of the same toys, books, and images that mean something to them. There is a magazine Latina, that reps the Latin girls, which I think is great, though it still mostly shows the Latinas that look like the white girls. I want to see a magazine that reps for real. I want to see the bi-racial girls and boys have someone they can say, "hey, s/he looks like me!" I want to see bi-racial actors, politicians, execs, etc., who are bi-racial stand up for all the little boys and girls who look like them or have culturally diverse backgrounds like theirs. Heritage is important and it promotes good social behavior when someone has someone else to feel a tie to.
Bi-racialism is not going away and it's not something that should be swept under the rug like a dirty little secret. It should be embraced, nurtured, and accepted. These children should not have to chose a side. They shouldnn't be forced to accept a toy that has diminished meaning to them just so they can have a toy or doll.
Finally, all races (though a utopian thought) should stop segregating within their own. Light skinned blacks are as acceptable and worthy as darker-skinned blacks. The same goes for the light and dark Hispanics, Italians, and even some whites. Truth be told (for those unaware), Blond(e) hair and blue eyes is a pigment deformity and is not the paramount standard for beauty emulation.
The rant must come to an end, but keep these words in mind, "...the color of a mans skin, is no more important than the color of his eyes..." and "...content of character...not the color of ones skin..." Those are the truths that should be self-evident and sustaining.
Stepping off my soap box now....
10 October 2006
There's always one
Loyal readers, thanks for your patience during my absense. I'm now liberated from the grips of Da Massa and am now free the land and resume my wanton ways. (snicker)
Anyway...So last week I was in a training class for 3 days. It was a nice change of pace and it was actually really a really good class(gasp!). Naturally, there was a mix of people who attended and of course there is always one who stands out from the rest. From day one; actually on sight, I didn't like this woman. She was loud, bragadocious, a know-it-all, and always had something to say. So, what if you've done this or that, what about those or us who haven't? Granted she had some valid points cause I'll give credit where it's due, but for crying out loud, why did she feel the need to dominate the entire freaking 3 days. More than once, I literally bit my tongue so I wouldn't say something I shouldn't. The power of the Divine is a marvelous thing because if not for Him, I wouldn't be talking to you all right now. I might really be out in the back fields of the plantation.
Everyday she had to center something on herself be it in the classroom or the breakroom. How she played on 6 soccer teams and was considering a 7th. How she's travelled the world and how in other countries what we're learning now is passe. Or how she was anorexic as a teen, but has since overcome it even though her mother thinks she should gain weight. (She's gained 10lbs) Big fucking deal beyah. I resigned myself to the fact that she really craves attention and is not getting it at home, so she makes these public declarations in order to make herself seem more important that she really is.
I watched the instructors cringe every time she opened her trap and I saw my classmates exastberated expressions as she deferred to herself to make her points. Readers, I'm a typically mind mannered gal who will tolerate much, but at one point, my mild manneredness turned to felonious thoughts as I plotted on ways to taint her coffee. Yes, she was that irksome.
I know you all know what I'm talking about and have experienced such a character in a meeting or similar environment a time or few. Please share your stories with me so I can dispell the thought..."Is it just me?"
Anyway...So last week I was in a training class for 3 days. It was a nice change of pace and it was actually really a really good class(gasp!). Naturally, there was a mix of people who attended and of course there is always one who stands out from the rest. From day one; actually on sight, I didn't like this woman. She was loud, bragadocious, a know-it-all, and always had something to say. So, what if you've done this or that, what about those or us who haven't? Granted she had some valid points cause I'll give credit where it's due, but for crying out loud, why did she feel the need to dominate the entire freaking 3 days. More than once, I literally bit my tongue so I wouldn't say something I shouldn't. The power of the Divine is a marvelous thing because if not for Him, I wouldn't be talking to you all right now. I might really be out in the back fields of the plantation.
Everyday she had to center something on herself be it in the classroom or the breakroom. How she played on 6 soccer teams and was considering a 7th. How she's travelled the world and how in other countries what we're learning now is passe. Or how she was anorexic as a teen, but has since overcome it even though her mother thinks she should gain weight. (She's gained 10lbs) Big fucking deal beyah. I resigned myself to the fact that she really craves attention and is not getting it at home, so she makes these public declarations in order to make herself seem more important that she really is.
I watched the instructors cringe every time she opened her trap and I saw my classmates exastberated expressions as she deferred to herself to make her points. Readers, I'm a typically mind mannered gal who will tolerate much, but at one point, my mild manneredness turned to felonious thoughts as I plotted on ways to taint her coffee. Yes, she was that irksome.
I know you all know what I'm talking about and have experienced such a character in a meeting or similar environment a time or few. Please share your stories with me so I can dispell the thought..."Is it just me?"
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