I've just discovered Jeremy Freese's weblog:(Freese is pronounced like niece). I found his site while looking for Research Methods syllabi (and I must say his Syllabi is impressive, I'd take the course).

Anyway, I'm linking to his blog because we need more witty sociologists...

/C

5227266

I'm back....and I'm a homeowner.

Yesterday, I bought my first lawn-mower. A Craftsman 21-inch mulcher/rear-bagger, with a 6.5 horsepower Briggs and Stratton Engine. Being technically inept, I was even more impressed with myself when I was able to load the oil and gas, assemble the bagging unit, and lubricate the necessary parts. It started on the first pull and didn't blowup or anything. yay me.

The Mistress Rules!

As most of you know (all two people who stumbled onto my blog), I've been fighting an uphill battle against the bulge for the past ten years. Like a see-saw, my girth goes up and down with the season. There are lots of crackpot diets floating around the internet (and tv infomercials) that promise you the world but take little weight off in the long run (other than the weight of your wallet).

I am here to tell you now that there is one site on the net (actually there is more than one, but this one is the best) which lays it all out facts. The Mistress Rocks! When I actually follow her advice I make progress. I suggest that everyone pay the Mistress her respects.

Durn, I might have to start listening to country music!

While the letter on this page is a satirical spoof, I think it's dead-on accurate. We have a grass roots initiative in Jackson Michigan to oust Sheryl Crow from the County Fair performance schedule because her "politiks ain't patriotic". And, I'm with em... I mean c'mon, just b'cause the first ammendment allows you to have a brain and articulate thoughts doesn't mean you should... right?

Republican Rationality

Hey if just say no worked for Nancy Reagan, why not?

Real Estate

My request: The next time I enthusiastically talk about buying a home, please beat me with a fish or something. Buying a house sucks.

Newsflash: Dr. Spock works at Menards

So, yesterday Kaitlyn, Michelle, and I were spending a little time browsing the home improvement wares at Menards, (a cheaper Home Depot). Michelle was checking out the various flooring options that we may, or may not use to improve the house that we may or may not buy... [dang, life is confusing].




Anyhooo.



Kaitlyn was being her usual 2-year old angel self, sprawling on the floor and shouting NO NO NO. [I honestly don't know what she was annoyed about, but does it really matter?]. As I bent over to pick her up, a greying 40-ish pinhead with a tape measure, carpentry smock, and pencil behind his ear walked by. Said our cheerful handyman compatriot:

You wouldn't behave like that if you were mine!

.



Have you ever seen a grown man turn beet red? I went from zero to sixty in about 2 seconds. My mouth started frothing, my eyes narrowed to 1/8th their usual width and I immediately began my approach to beat this man within an inch of his life. Extra, Extra, read all about it, U of M Sociologist imprisoned for creating mahem and disorder at Menards.



Fortunately, my better judgement immediately kicked in... [meaning, I started yelling at the guy as I hastily beat a retreat]. Poor Michelle didn't know what was going on... It's probably best I didn't actually hurt the guy. Not only do my feet hurt [another story entirely], I'm really not as tough as I'd like to think myself.



So what gives? Why do people feel that they have the right to pass judgement on the parenting skills/abilities/ or whatever, of others. I bet Menard Boy's kids turned out just great... I'm sure they're well adjusted and all that.....though they'll probably work for my daughter someday. [Apologies in advance for the unwarranted class-oriented arrogance]. Anyway, I supppose the moral of the story is that I won't go out of my way to shop Menards anytime soon... their loss.



./C

Hola,

This is the maiden post to the Confused muse. But more about that later...these data files don't process themselves, y'know?

/C