So, I had some free time this afternoon and I ended up watching a movie on Turner Classic Movies. It was called "The Courtship of Eddie's Father" and it starred Shirley Jones, a very young Ron Howard as Eddie, and some guy I don't know. It was very amusing and an enjoyable movie overall. One of the funniest parts to me was when a woman in the movie - Shirley Jones' rival for Eddie's father's affections - stated she wanted to stand beside a man and not behind him. His response was "you should be happy with the vote because I doubt that will ever catch on as a national revolution." I laughed out loud!
This movie was released in 1963 and I seem to recall in 1963 there were predictions about the future. These predictions included things like hover crafts and a "Jetsons" like existence. But the screenwriter of this movie couldn't imagine a time when women would be equal to men. Where women could actually have a partner in life and stand beside that man and not just be the backup singer to his starring role. That is hilarious to me. Hilarious that he was so short sighted but also because the heroine of the movie, the one you root for all along, is a divorcee with a job in a time when divorcees were not looked upon favorably. Seems the screenwriter, one Mr. John Gay, was conflicted about his views of women.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Freedom
As a citizen of the United States I lead a largely unfettered life. I am able to travel freely about the country, pursue any life path I desire, and wear almost anything I choose - it just has to cover my naughty bits when out in public. I guess because I don't really experience any kind of oppression as a U.S. citizen I find a very simple thing oppressive. I hate it when I have to work on my birthday. I largely choose not to work on my birthday. I did so this year - I had planned on taking a vacation day anyway so I just made yesterday my last day of employment.
It isn't that I dislike working and I'm really not that into hoopla on my birthday. I just view my birthday as the day of my deciding and I think it should continue to be the day of my decisions. I decided to make my appearance into the world on that day and it didn't matter that I was supposed to stay put for another month and wasn't quite finished growing. That, in some ways, has helped to shape my personality. I make my own decisions, and although I take other opinions under advisement, ultimately I do what I want. From big to little things if I have a preference, I take it. That's why working on my birthday bothers me - there are times when working is not what I want to be doing and doing it on that particular day, if I don't really want to, goes against my being.
I like to choose what I'm going to do on my birthday and usually like to spend most of it by myself. Sort of a celebration of the only person I'll ever honestly go through life with - me. Today was no exception and I had a fantastic day. I slept in, with George happily slumbering beside me after KC left for work. Then when I did get up George and I played for a while. He's such a happy dog and I like having him around. Then I was ready to hit the road and left for Carolina Beach. I stopped at Caribou to get my free b-day coffee and it was delicious. Then it was onto the beach where I relaxed by the ocean until I went up to my room and got in the jacuzzi. That's right I got a good deal and my room has a jacuzzi. I chatted with people who called to wish me a "Happy Birthday" and generally had an awesome afternoon.
For dinner I met a couchsurfer from Wilmington. He chose a yummy Tex-Mex place that was so good I'm thinking of going back for lunch tomorrow. He's an interesting guy and he's had lots of adventures. Plus, I usually enjoy meeting new people. Not to mention, I rarely hear a story that starts with "so, we decided to go to the whorehouse." Can't beat dinner conversation like that! When I left to head back to the hotel I decided to stop at DQ and got some birthday ice cream. Mmm, ice cream!
Now, I'm just finishing relaxing on the balcony and watching the waves. The door is still open and I hear can hear the crashing surf as I type this. In a few moments I will put the computer away, change into pajamas, and fall asleep listening to the ocean. A truly perfect day. To me that's what freedom is - the ability to have a day like this if you so decide.
It isn't that I dislike working and I'm really not that into hoopla on my birthday. I just view my birthday as the day of my deciding and I think it should continue to be the day of my decisions. I decided to make my appearance into the world on that day and it didn't matter that I was supposed to stay put for another month and wasn't quite finished growing. That, in some ways, has helped to shape my personality. I make my own decisions, and although I take other opinions under advisement, ultimately I do what I want. From big to little things if I have a preference, I take it. That's why working on my birthday bothers me - there are times when working is not what I want to be doing and doing it on that particular day, if I don't really want to, goes against my being.
I like to choose what I'm going to do on my birthday and usually like to spend most of it by myself. Sort of a celebration of the only person I'll ever honestly go through life with - me. Today was no exception and I had a fantastic day. I slept in, with George happily slumbering beside me after KC left for work. Then when I did get up George and I played for a while. He's such a happy dog and I like having him around. Then I was ready to hit the road and left for Carolina Beach. I stopped at Caribou to get my free b-day coffee and it was delicious. Then it was onto the beach where I relaxed by the ocean until I went up to my room and got in the jacuzzi. That's right I got a good deal and my room has a jacuzzi. I chatted with people who called to wish me a "Happy Birthday" and generally had an awesome afternoon.
For dinner I met a couchsurfer from Wilmington. He chose a yummy Tex-Mex place that was so good I'm thinking of going back for lunch tomorrow. He's an interesting guy and he's had lots of adventures. Plus, I usually enjoy meeting new people. Not to mention, I rarely hear a story that starts with "so, we decided to go to the whorehouse." Can't beat dinner conversation like that! When I left to head back to the hotel I decided to stop at DQ and got some birthday ice cream. Mmm, ice cream!
Now, I'm just finishing relaxing on the balcony and watching the waves. The door is still open and I hear can hear the crashing surf as I type this. In a few moments I will put the computer away, change into pajamas, and fall asleep listening to the ocean. A truly perfect day. To me that's what freedom is - the ability to have a day like this if you so decide.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Notice
I quit my job today. I officially turned in my notice. They accepted my resignation with some hesitation but it appears they will let me work out my almost two weeks. I have a couple vacation days due to me and I was planning on taking off for my birthday anyway so I made my last day March 26, 2008. They're seemingly on board with my working until then.
Not to worry I have a new job lined up and ready to go. I won't start it until mid-April though. I need sometime to get my house back in order. I don't mean that figuratively either. I have a few things I'd like to do around the homestead and I've been unable to since I've been living like a nomad.
I'll update more as it gets closer. There should be lots more updates from here on. As it looks like I will have more free time for reading, writing, blogging, and general merriment. I am tired of working all the time and quitting this job is step one on the road to a less stress life.
Not to worry I have a new job lined up and ready to go. I won't start it until mid-April though. I need sometime to get my house back in order. I don't mean that figuratively either. I have a few things I'd like to do around the homestead and I've been unable to since I've been living like a nomad.
I'll update more as it gets closer. There should be lots more updates from here on. As it looks like I will have more free time for reading, writing, blogging, and general merriment. I am tired of working all the time and quitting this job is step one on the road to a less stress life.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
You Think Your Job Stinks
I was listening to National Public Radio today, as I often do, and the host was talking to some puppet builders - not political masterminds actual puppet makers. He commented that controlling a marionette was kind of like being God and how playing with puppets made him realize how much he didn't want to be God. Because "you never get to sleep at night and no one ever does what you say." Oh, how wise you are Frank Stasio. It got me thinking of the reasons why I don't want to be God and I thought I'd share. Feel free to add your own in the comments.
Top Ten Reasons Why I Don't Want To Be God
1. People constantly misquote you. And, even when you don't say anything they debate what your silence means.
2. No time to go to the bathroom in peace.
3. If you forget one small detail about someone's life because you have something big going on at work - like say an earthquake in India for instance - you run the risk of them thinking you don't really love them.
4. You always get blamed for the things that go wrong even if you had nothing to do with them. ie: Weather changes caused by Global Warming - AKA "Acts of God."
5. No one ever wants to come see you - no matter how much they say they do it's all just talk - when it's time for the actual visit they all say they don't want to go just yet.
6. Not only do your underlings constantly fight but they each claim you are on their side. When really you are staying out of it and hoping they come to their senses and stop acting like imbeciles.
7. No one ever tells you a joke.
8. You can never go on vacation. Your work follows you everywhere - people stalk you religiously.
9. Ebay is full of potato chips and other weird products that people claim to resemble you.
10. Most people assume they can do whatever they want without real consequence because they think you'll cover for them and somehow keep them out of trouble.
Top Ten Reasons Why I Don't Want To Be God
1. People constantly misquote you. And, even when you don't say anything they debate what your silence means.
2. No time to go to the bathroom in peace.
3. If you forget one small detail about someone's life because you have something big going on at work - like say an earthquake in India for instance - you run the risk of them thinking you don't really love them.
4. You always get blamed for the things that go wrong even if you had nothing to do with them. ie: Weather changes caused by Global Warming - AKA "Acts of God."
5. No one ever wants to come see you - no matter how much they say they do it's all just talk - when it's time for the actual visit they all say they don't want to go just yet.
6. Not only do your underlings constantly fight but they each claim you are on their side. When really you are staying out of it and hoping they come to their senses and stop acting like imbeciles.
7. No one ever tells you a joke.
8. You can never go on vacation. Your work follows you everywhere - people stalk you religiously.
9. Ebay is full of potato chips and other weird products that people claim to resemble you.
10. Most people assume they can do whatever they want without real consequence because they think you'll cover for them and somehow keep them out of trouble.
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