The Tao of Jenny [entries|archive|friends|userinfo]
Jenny

[ website | Know when to hold 'em (The Jen and Tom Blog) ]
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SERIOUSLY?! [Dec. 23rd, 2009|04:14 pm]
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[Emotion | indescribable]

Gay marriage legalized in MEXICO CITY! *rant about the USA deleted* Viva Mexico!
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Passion! [Dec. 2nd, 2009|10:23 am]
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[Emotion | passionate, of course!]

What are you most passionate about and why?
What am I NOT passionate about?! *laugh* I have strong opinions on pretty much everything. Let's see, a top five, in no particular order?
* Parenting, including non-violent, non-punitive discipline and no CIO.
* Sex, from having it (*sob*) to wishing people would just get over all these hang-ups already.
* Becoming and helping others be capable and confident, healthy and happy.
* Truth and honesty, pursuit and practice thereof.
* Freedom, having it and ensuring as much of it as possible for everyone else.
Oookay, make that a top ten...
* Doing what must be done in the most efficient, fastest way possible. (This is where the control freak-like behaviors tend to come from.)
* Listening to my own conscience and avoiding hypocrisy. (This is where my vegetarianism comes from.)
* The whole auspex/wise woman thing...life callings are pretty much inherently something one is passionate about!
* Global society, support and creation thereof. (See also "Nonviolent Peaceforce" and "United Nations", also "Trekkie". :P)
* Religion (good, bad, ugly) (I'm mostly Buddhist, and do not relate to the Abrahamic religions that dominate my culture at all.)

And I'm also passionate about Tom, both romantically and more objectively...he's a fascinating person and a great role model in addition to being my best friend, lover, and partner.
Unsurprisingly, I am also passionate about our boys!
Alright, a bonus one:
* Family, mine, as above, and the fact that genetics do not a family make.

Okay, I think that's enough. It makes me a tad temperamental, all this passion, a lot less "laid-back" than others, but it is who I am, and I'm good with it. :)

P.S. ZOMG! I forgot BALANCE! It only comes up in pretty much everything I listed! *shakes head* If there's one concept that's the most important in my life, it's probably that one. I'm a person of extremes in a lot of ways, and I spend a fair bit of energy balancing those extremes.

P.P.S. I'm also passionate about positivity, to counterbalance (see above) all the negativity out there...Check out www.goodnewsnetwork.org, I subscribe both to the free newsletter and to the pay site, and think the latter would make a great gift for anyone with computer access. :)

P.P.P.S. (I love doing that. :P) In everyday news, we're doing a Wednesday late afternoon playdate this week...here's hoping it goes well! I'm otherwise doing fairly good at keeping up this week, and our to-do list is actually fitting pretty comfortable on the white-board. I have to put away laundry today, and anything else is a bonus. Wish my headaches and Finn's teething would take a hike, but otherwise feel like we've got or are getting a handle on things. Looking forward to our date night this weekend!

P.P.P.P.S. After I posted the Good News Network link on Facebook, a friend pointed me to www.goodnewsgazette.net, which is totally free and looks to be a spiffy site, so check it out, too! :)
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Freedom, equality, society and the individual. [Nov. 19th, 2009|08:43 am]
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[Emotion | thoughtful]

It is a strange fact that freedom and equality, the two basic ideas of democracy, are to some extent contradictory. Logically considered, freedom and equality are mutually exclusive, just as society and the individual are mutually exclusive. - Thomas Mann

I am all about freedom. I had trouble resisting the urge to capitalize it there, because it's that important to me, sacred, even. In fact, about the only reason I'm willing to give up some freedom is in the service of equality, because, in the end, if my freedom rests on inequality, then I'm less free...only free as long as those I am standing on don't rise up...and keeping them down, aside from being immoral, is also a loss of my own freedom. I'd rather lose freedom in the positive way than the negative...because that way, ultimately, lies more freedom...at the very least, there is freedom from guilt!
I live in a society that has swung a bit too far to valuing the individual. The generations before me come from a society that swung too far to valuing society. Many of the arguments in my current environment spring from an either/or approach to this issue, with few people recognizing that what we really need is an appropriate and healthy balance. As a species, humans are social. There are good reasons for this...we are pathetically weak creatures on our own, prey to pretty much anything big enough to eat us and a million small disasters. We literally need each other, even with all our technological advancement...which we would not have if we had not banded together to start with. At the same time, being forced to crush our souls, our unique identities, for the privilege of that safety is unhealthy and not viable. Society doesn't need to stop existing by a long shot, it needs to be flexible enough to make room for all but those truly dangerous to others. I think that democracy is the most flexible societal model to date, which is why it has been relatively successful. But it only truly works when people understand what I wrote in the first paragraph...that your freedom is only real if we understand that even that which we think is odd or silly or simply wrong has an equal right to freedom. Balance, as always, in all things is the rule. We must get used to, must accept the fact, that balancing means we will never stay completely still for more than a moment or two. We will teeter this way and that, like trees in the wind...and like trees in the wind, we will bend, but not break.
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Blah. [Nov. 4th, 2009|08:03 am]
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[Emotion | blah]

Not a happy morning. Gay marriage voted down in Maine. A weird bad early morning wake-up thing with Finn. A cranky night generally, and I'm tired.

I also made the mistake of checking to see what our portion of my D&C was going to be...I figured it would be more than we had left in our FSA account, but OUCH. If we can't raid next year's FSA, we'll have to go on a payment plan we don't really have the budget for. Bah. *insert rant about health care being a right and not a privilege here*

I got Will's room cleaned yesterday. Today, I have to put away his laundry (which will be much easier in his cleaned room) and I want to have a go at straightening Finn's room and the toys in the living room. At least giving up on time at the computer makes me a bit more productive. Of course, it also takes away my major source of sanity, but we'll just gloss over that bit. *wry*
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Okay, a more sober response on Obama and the Nobel Peace Prize. [Oct. 9th, 2009|02:19 pm]
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[Emotion | contemplative]

The Nobel committee was attempting to support and encourage him. It is NOT the first time they have done this sort of thing, this is not a new precedent. (Nobel Committee Chairman Thorbjorn Jagland compared Mr. Obama to former West German Chancellor Willy Brandt and former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, both of whom received the Nobel Peace Prize while in office. "If you look at the history of the Nobel Peace Prize, we have, on many occasions, tried to enhance what many personalities are trying to do," Mr. Jagland said.) I think, even on Feb. 1, he fit the strict definition ("to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between the nations and the abolition or reduction of standing armies and the formation and spreading of peace congresses") of the award. It is a shame that he could do so with relatively little action under his belt, but, frankly, the reason the award has been broadened over the years is because, most of the time, there hasn't been ANYONE who even remotely fit the original definition of the award. The most impressive other nominee, by my assessment, is Sima Samar, and while she has done much, she doesn't fit the specific definition as well, although she well deserves support and awards galore.

As for Obama, he couldn't reject it without slapping his world supporters in the face, and he accepted it as humbly and gracefully as he possibly could have, and he certainly didn't nominate himself, so NO negativity has a right to fall on him in this...it can only be directed, if one has it, at the Nobel committee, who, in my opinion, were simply doing the best they could to fulfill the spirit of the award and to bring about a positive effect. As a person of peace, I support their decision and encourage others to do the same, in the best interests of the world.

On a final note, I agree with Lech Walesa.

Awards to more embattled activists, such as the Polish labor leader Lech Walesa in 1983, have often given those winners a prominence that has aided their work.

"I see two reasons for the prize," Mr. Walesa said Friday of Mr. Obama's win. "It's awarded for the things one has done and also to encourage someone to do things. The latter is at play here. We'll see if he delivers and does what he proposes. Let's give him a chance to deliver."

And that's that.
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Thanks everybody! NEWS! [Oct. 9th, 2009|07:23 am]
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[Emotion | chipper]

You'll be glad to know that Tom escaped further tongue-lashing, and that I am, apart from a sore throat and a bit of a backache, neither of which are really bothersome and will probably be gone by tonight/tomorrow, back to my usual self. :)

P.S. ZOMIGOD! OBAMA WON THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE! *ded of awesomeness and shock*
In other news, golf and rugby are returning to the Olympics.
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Current Events [Jul. 23rd, 2009|11:58 am]
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[Emotion | determined]

(From an AP article)

Richard Weinblatt, director of the Institute for Public Safety at Central Ohio Technical College, said the police sergeant was responsible for defusing the situation once he realized Gates was the lawful occupant. It is not against the law to yell at police, especially in a home, as long as that behavior does not affect an investigation, he said.

"That is part of being a police officer in a democratic society," Weinblatt said. "The point is that the police sergeant needs to be the bigger person, take the higher road, be more professional."

This. Thank you.
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Quick notes. [Apr. 30th, 2009|08:46 am]
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[Emotion | busy]

Yesterday suuuuuuuucked. Will is better, the penis issue seems to have resolved itself. Finn continues to be under the weather. Hopefully, I will not spend today with him in my arms/on the boob again. We had Chinese for dinner. We have sucked at eating in...in the last five days, we've eaten in once. Oops. Combination of celebrations and stress.
I signed up with Thrive.com. My research made me comfortable using it and I think it will ultimately be helpful. Thanks, [info]popfiend!
After Tom came home (a little early 'cause I was OMGOUTOFCOPE), I dropped off the comforter Finn threw up on (it's too big for our machine) and picked up a new sleeper for Finn with a coupon that made it really cheap.
Today, which I didn't remember till I was in the shower, showing how out of it I am, is a school day. After this, there are only two more. Next fall, I'll sign him up for something else, as he'll have aged out of this.
Andrea and Gabe, did you know Alabama has no public defender system? That just blew our minds when we read about it yesterday. And the average capital case only lasts three days and there's some poor guy serving life without parole for stealing a bike? Seriously, I'm glad you guys aren't the lawbreaking type! Sheesh! *draws hearts around the northeastern US, since I'm less optimistic about Canada these days* ;P
Wow. This is the longest Finn has been out of my arms in 24 hours. Awesome.
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We're here, we're queer, and we're getting married... [Apr. 7th, 2009|10:30 am]
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[Emotion | mostly chipper]

Hey! Go, Vermont!!!! :)
I really believe we've won now. Trickle-down doesn't work for economics, but I think it does pretty well when it comes to social change. :)

In unhappy news, watched last night's House this morning. ( Read more... )

Back to the happy...Massachusetts, Iowa, Connecticut, and Vermont.
I'm not moving to Iowa (even though I have always had a fondness for it), but which of the other three do you think suits me and mine best? Of course, where Tom can get a job is always going to be the bottom line, but...I'm really embracing Plan C today. :)
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Hopefully helpful. [Mar. 26th, 2009|11:58 am]
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[Emotion | productive]

11 most-missed tax deductions plus 4 new ones...number 14 applied to us!
http://www.kiplinger.com/features/archives/2007/01/deductions.html?kipad_id=10

P.S. Since this is short...:P In case anyone is wondering, I still adore Obama. In fact, every time I see/hear him speaking, I love him MORE. He ALMOST makes me feel okay about staying here. I'd totally elect him king for a year.
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Yesterday and today. [Jan. 21st, 2009|08:19 am]
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[Emotion | tired]

Going to Mom's was a good call...the day was downright livable. And I enjoyed watching a fair bit of inauguration coverage, too. First time, as it was for many people, that I cared enough to watch. I'm still proud of Obama and hopeful.
All the religious stuff was yucky as I always find it (on a general level, not specifically), but I really LOVED Obama's deliberate inclusion of "nonbelievers".

Today, Finn is crying as I type, because, man, I can't entertain him 24/7. It was another bad night...I was up every hour and a half to two hours, and that doesn't include the two or three times Tom got him down. I do think we need to start feeding him more cereal, at least a dinner serving. I tend to just keep breastfeeding him and I suspect that's part of the problem...he needs more.

I'm exhausted. Will started off less than spiffy, but is getting better. Finn is...crying as I type.

Please let the child get mobile soon. It really will help a lot.

P.S. I forgot! The beans and rice with jarred curry sauce (Patak's mild) was a success! Tasted remarkably like Zatarain's beans and rice from a box, but cheaper, I think. :P Whew.
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Wow. [Jan. 20th, 2009|08:50 am]
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[Emotion | stressed]

Bad moods all around in our house this morning. Gah. We are SO going to my mother's.
But I have to wait till a decent hour for them.

Inauguration day. Excited and fearful. Hopeful.

Another long night is behind my crankiness. Finn is just cranky as usual. Will is getting into everything for no particular reason. Bah.

At least the food was good last night. I recommend Iron Chef Sesame Garlic sauce. Tonight is more of a gamble, since neither Tom nor I has had much luck with Indian food. Tonight will probably be the last attempt if we don't like it.
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Hope. [Jan. 19th, 2009|08:39 am]
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[Emotion | hopeful]

"A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus...
He must evolve a method for all human conflict which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love. "
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

"A good compromise, a good piece of legislation, is like a good sentence; or a good piece of music. Everybody can recognize it. They say, 'Huh. It works. It makes sense.'"
- Barack Obama

Both quotes from my newsletter from here.
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Oops. General Meandering. Will milestone. [Dec. 9th, 2008|10:05 am]
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[Emotion | busy]

I think I let a huge bunch of rice we made go bad. Bummer.
At least rice is relatively cheap!

Even though Will has, of course, forgotten all about last night's drama, I'm still getting him a hat.

Rainy now, snow later, blah day.

Straightened out my neglected blogger accounts...if you click the link in my userinfo, it actually works again. And I wrote down my friggin' passwords this time. :P

I've been fussing with "junipurr" lately. I'm not the cat person I once was, you know?
"juniper" is frequently not available, though.
Ponder.

Could Christmas get here now please? We're all looking forward to five days of Daddy-at-home around here.

First we have my birthday, though. Birthday=babysitting in my mind, so I'm trying to figure out the best use of that. We already had our eating-out treat, so I don't want to repeat that.

Interrupted by food prep for Will (and threw in food for me while I was at it.) Finn will be up again soon, I'm sure.

I do still have a massage gift certificate to use up. Though I was gonna ask for that anyway just generally.

Will, in the last couple of weeks, has started really singing...actually carrying a tune, I mean. It's very cute. :)

He was just observing to me that biting a slice of cucumber makes it look like a moon. :)

This is choppy enough, I'll stop talking now. :P

P.S. Double oops! "Federal authorities arrested Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich Tuesday on charges that he brazenly conspired to sell or trade the Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama to the highest bidder." Apparently, he threw ethics completely and totally out the window. Phoo. I liked him back when.
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Bah. [Dec. 8th, 2008|07:43 am]
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[Emotion | tired]

Apparently, Finn saved that wakefulness we expected Saturday night for last night. Gah. Tom was sweet and left for work about 45 minutes late so I could get a bit more sleep. It did make Monday start off much less sucky than it would have otherwise!
Still. Bah.

One of the things people get all het up about when I talk about the US not, you know, being the Bestest Country On The Planet EVAR, is how generous it is. Well, not so much according to this article. (Reproduced behind the cut for posterity) ( Read more... )

Now, it's one index, yes, and by others the US is certainly generous, but still...I'm not saying it's a bad country, but I really am sick to death of the "best country in the world" stuff. Like pretty much anything else, for some people, it's great. For others, not so great.

Thanks to [info]ysabetwordsmith for posting about the article.

Nothing planned for today but hopefully getting my prescription refill in the mail. First, though, I'm gonna catch up on LJ, because, hey, priorities. :P
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If I can manage it, my thoughts... [Nov. 5th, 2008|10:14 am]
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[Emotion | busy]

We have a man who is reasonable, sane and human as president. The fact (insert two and a half hour interruption here) that he's also African-American was almost a side point, which, imo, makes it even more wonderful.
We have a Senate that leans the way he does.
It's looking good, and it's good to have that kind of hope again.

On a personal note, no, it doesn't change my desire to move to Canada. As much as I want to leave the US, I want to go to Canada even more. Home is home even if you've never lived there.

Still, I can't stop loving this man. He's truly everything I ever wanted in a president and I'm immensely excited to see what happens, though I am realistic about what can be accomplished.

As a parent, a lot of the time, one finds oneself almost wanting to apologize to one's children for bringing them into this mad whirl of life. Today is the sort of day where I get a break from that, where I can be glad my children live in this world, at this time.

Nothing matters more to me than my Huckleberry and Boo. (Those are my special nicknames for them. :)

Anyway...I know I had more to say, but in the mess that is life, it got lost, so this will have to do.
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A better day. [Nov. 5th, 2008|08:17 am]
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[Emotion | jubilant]

A better day has come.

I have a lot to write, but no time now, but I wanted to say something.

Joy.
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A very special day. [Nov. 4th, 2008|06:34 am]
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[Emotion | warm 'n fuzzy]

For the first (and quite possibly only) time in my life, I got to vote for someone I actually want for president. (As compared to voting for the lesser of two evils, that is.)

It probably won't matter, really, since Illinois is pretty much a sure thing for Obama, but it felt really, REALLY good.

I was so giddy I voted for the Green candidate for Senator. :P Durbin should win handily without my vote anyway. :)
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Headlines [Oct. 10th, 2008|01:19 pm]
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[Emotion | calm]

US government may take ownership stakes in banks

This one has added to my concerns as detailed in my recent "worrisome" post.

Connecticut Supreme Court legalizes same-sex marriage

This one, however, is made of awesome and win. :)

Back still very bad. Good thing Tom stayed home. I do think it's not going to reach the ER visit-inducing pitch of last time, so that's good.

To end on a high note, I really love DVR...it makes TV SOOOO much better. :)
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This is muy cool. [Oct. 6th, 2008|08:53 pm]
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[Emotion | fascinated]

http://www.iftheworldcouldvote.com/results

P.S. Rest of day didn't totally suck. Tomorrow, new baby soother thingie will hopefully be put into use. I cleaned the kitchen during naptime and therefore rocketh muchly.

P.P.S. Squee of the century! Patrick Stewart as a Time Lord! ZOMGYAY!
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/article1770729.ece
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