Wow. I usually don't post twice in one day (who has the time?), but I'm letting LB play with (meaning: tear apart) my magazines until I voice my opinion on this matter.
I just read an article on MSN about the possibility of legalizing drugs. The author weighs the pros and cons to such an idea and what it could mean for Americans.
Seriously??? Is this really being considered??? Who in their right mind would think legalizing drugs is a good idea?
The pros are what scare me the most. Just to catch you up, here's what they are (and my opinions on them):
1. *Savings on drug-related law enforcement.* Yup. We'd save alright, but with all the crazy people hyped up on methamphetamine, we'll need just as much law enforcement to keep them from stealing, killing, breaking and entering, etc.
2. *Increased productivity as fewer people were murdered, drug offenders were freed to find work, and those stripped of their criminal record found it easier to get jobs.* Okay, maybe I'm just a little cynical, but do we REALLY expect these people, who managed to get themselves thrown in the jail in the first place, to go out and find worthwhile jobs and turn their lives around overnight??
3. *Tax gains.* I suppose that would be the ONLY benefit.
4. *A new legal drug industry would create jobs, farm crops, retail outlets and a tiny notch up in gross domestic product as the black market money turned clean.* Sure, it would, but people would be stealing from their workplace and farms just to get a fix. Really, addicts would do anything to get their fix, and getting it for free is better than paying The Man, who has kept them down and forced them to live the life they now have. (Please pick up on my sarcasm)
Jeffrey Miron, a professor at Harvard University, even goes so far as to say this: 'As for legalizing all drugs, Harvard's Miron argues that the increase in drug abuse would likely be small. "Millions of people don't smoke cigarettes. The same is true of alcohol . . . because they know that too much of it is not good for you," he says. People who are prone to abuse drugs are probably already abusing them, he adds.'
Is he serious?? He really thinks drug abuse would not increase? What about the inevitable glamourization of drugs by the media. Does he think that won't affect kids at all? And what about all those college kids that just want to try it "just one time". I think he's completely forgetting about the young, impressionable population that are more likely to be sucked into drugs than anyone else.
Now I know the article was aiming toward marijuana, since legalizing all drugs is just outrageous. But still, I got the feeling that legalizing it would be okay, since it appears that everyone had tried it at least once. I haven't. My sister hasn't. I don't think my parents have. And I think it's a little presumputous to imply that we would understand. "Oh, that's okay if he does a shoddy job at work today- he was high all weekend."
No, it's not okay. I've seen people who were okay with just one joint, but I've seen people more who do it multiple times a day, bordering on addicted. So how can that be okay?
Plus, I don't want to be the responsible one who has to take care of these people when they lose their jobs, their houses, their families, and need my tax money to support them.
No, I'm tired of being the responsible one all the time. If it's legalized, then I can't see myself living here any more. I just can't support something like that.
9/10/08
New York, New York, it's a hell of a town...
.... the strangers are nice when my sister falls down. (Okay, so I changed the lyrics)
I called my mom today, just to say hi and see how things were going, and she asked me if I had heard about what happened to my sister this morning. Since it was about 8am here, I obviously hadn't, but I suspected it involved some hilarious mix-up or some ridiculous drama. My sister's personal life sometimes reminds me of Seinfeld episodes- always a little adventurous in a very comical way.
Anyway, she then told me this story about how my sister (we'll call her T) was leaving the subway and walking up the steps. T fell and thought, ouch, that hurts- I think she may have been more embarassed about the fact that she fell UP the stairs. When she got up, she realized that there was blood on the steps and it was also pouring down her pants and there was a cut on her leg. Yuuuuuuck...
Fortunately, some lady saw what had happened and gave T some tissues to blot the cut. Another man helped her hail a cab and told the cabbie to take her to St. Luke's. The cabbie took her straight to the ER there, got a wheelchair for her, and didn't charge her a dime!
Now, I know NYC gets a bad rap sometimes. Sure, there are lots of gangs, crime, violence, young men who say nasty things to you on the subway (I speak of experience), etc., but I really believe that most NYers are willing to help someone who needs it and they have just a little compassion for a stranger. Although, I'm sure if T was A LOT uglier and dressed like a bum, they might be a little more reluctant to help out!
My point is, I have a renewed faith in NYers. Even though their baseball team is lame. :) *Sorry, couldn't help it!
I called my mom today, just to say hi and see how things were going, and she asked me if I had heard about what happened to my sister this morning. Since it was about 8am here, I obviously hadn't, but I suspected it involved some hilarious mix-up or some ridiculous drama. My sister's personal life sometimes reminds me of Seinfeld episodes- always a little adventurous in a very comical way.
Anyway, she then told me this story about how my sister (we'll call her T) was leaving the subway and walking up the steps. T fell and thought, ouch, that hurts- I think she may have been more embarassed about the fact that she fell UP the stairs. When she got up, she realized that there was blood on the steps and it was also pouring down her pants and there was a cut on her leg. Yuuuuuuck...
Fortunately, some lady saw what had happened and gave T some tissues to blot the cut. Another man helped her hail a cab and told the cabbie to take her to St. Luke's. The cabbie took her straight to the ER there, got a wheelchair for her, and didn't charge her a dime!
Now, I know NYC gets a bad rap sometimes. Sure, there are lots of gangs, crime, violence, young men who say nasty things to you on the subway (I speak of experience), etc., but I really believe that most NYers are willing to help someone who needs it and they have just a little compassion for a stranger. Although, I'm sure if T was A LOT uglier and dressed like a bum, they might be a little more reluctant to help out!
My point is, I have a renewed faith in NYers. Even though their baseball team is lame. :) *Sorry, couldn't help it!
9/8/08
Long weekend
This past weekend was a long one! LB and I went to our neighbor's daughters 2nd bday (they're twins), then the next day we attended a hail and farewell for our good friends.
The bday party was so fun. LB splashed around in the pool and he charmed the pants off of everyone. He's such a little flirt. :) The girls wore tiaras and were just so fun. They both had cake all over them!
The other party was fun, too. Obviously, everyone from the boat was there, and a few friends of the honorees. Unfortunately, one particular family showed up that nobody likes, but fortunately, the wife wasn't as horrible as she usually is. I think she was told to be on her best behavior. Anyway, the food was good, the people were good, and even though LB was tired, he still was all smiles.
Now he's a little pooped more often today, but still all smiles... what a good baby. :) Hubby has a long workday today, for some reason, coupled with the fact that he has to get to the gym after work, too. Soooo, he'll be home late. :( But hopefully all week won't be like this.
It seems like this month in particular is crammed full of stuff to do and to get done. Between parties, HCCB, and SOWC, I have something to do just about every other day!
The bday party was so fun. LB splashed around in the pool and he charmed the pants off of everyone. He's such a little flirt. :) The girls wore tiaras and were just so fun. They both had cake all over them!
The other party was fun, too. Obviously, everyone from the boat was there, and a few friends of the honorees. Unfortunately, one particular family showed up that nobody likes, but fortunately, the wife wasn't as horrible as she usually is. I think she was told to be on her best behavior. Anyway, the food was good, the people were good, and even though LB was tired, he still was all smiles.
Now he's a little pooped more often today, but still all smiles... what a good baby. :) Hubby has a long workday today, for some reason, coupled with the fact that he has to get to the gym after work, too. Soooo, he'll be home late. :( But hopefully all week won't be like this.
It seems like this month in particular is crammed full of stuff to do and to get done. Between parties, HCCB, and SOWC, I have something to do just about every other day!
9/6/08
Yay!!
So, my big important thing that happened yesterday was that Hubby's boat pulled in and he's back home!! Yay!! Although, he has duty all day and night tonight, so I really won't spend a substantial amount of time with him until tomorrow.
Standing on that pier was pretty brutal. Meeting up with the girls was fun, but it's just so friggin hot on those piers. It seems like that's the hottest place on the whole island, and LB was not very happy about it. I tried to get him to sleep earlier that morning, but he must have sensed my excitement because his nap was very short. So here we were on the hottest pier in the world, and he's overtired. Thankfully he fell asleep in the stroller about 10 minutes before Hubby got off the boat. But after Hubby came home that night, he was able to spend some time with LB before nitenite.
Yay! I love having him home! I know that life on a sub is hard, but it's also hard going from married mommy to single mommy to married mommy, etc. It's a very strange feeling to be married and alone! Not to toot my own horn, but I think it takes a certain type of lady to be able to handle that.
Standing on that pier was pretty brutal. Meeting up with the girls was fun, but it's just so friggin hot on those piers. It seems like that's the hottest place on the whole island, and LB was not very happy about it. I tried to get him to sleep earlier that morning, but he must have sensed my excitement because his nap was very short. So here we were on the hottest pier in the world, and he's overtired. Thankfully he fell asleep in the stroller about 10 minutes before Hubby got off the boat. But after Hubby came home that night, he was able to spend some time with LB before nitenite.
Yay! I love having him home! I know that life on a sub is hard, but it's also hard going from married mommy to single mommy to married mommy, etc. It's a very strange feeling to be married and alone! Not to toot my own horn, but I think it takes a certain type of lady to be able to handle that.
9/5/08
A day early
I have something important going on tomorrow, so here's my Friday recipe a day early. I know I posted two desserts in a row.... oops. :)
Reese's Pieces Pudding Parfaits
Ingredients:
4 cups cold milk
1 package Jell-O Fat Free Sugar Free Chocolate Pudding mix
1 package Jell-O Fat Free Sugar Free Vanilla Pudding mix
1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
Whipped cream
Reese's Pieces
How To:
In a large bowl, pour in 2 cups of the cold milk. Add the chocolate pudding mix and beat with an electric beater (or use a whisk, whatever floats your boat) for 2 minutes. Immediately put bowl in the fridge to set the pudding. In another large bowl, pour in the other 2 cups of the cold milk, peanut butter, and add the vanilla pudding mix. Beat for 2 minutes (you might wanna wear an apron, because the peanut butter might splatter the milk everywhere), then immediately put bowl in the fridge to set the pudding. Let both puddings chill for at least 10 minutes. Press saran wrap onto the puddings (yup, right onto it) if you are not using the puddings for awhile to prevent a chewy skin from forming on the top of the puddings.
When ready to serve, use a spoon to drop pudding into glasses in layers (using glasses makes it all pretty with the two colored puddings). Top the parfaits with whipped cream and sprinkle Reese's Pieces on top.
Reese's Pieces Pudding Parfaits
Ingredients:
4 cups cold milk
1 package Jell-O Fat Free Sugar Free Chocolate Pudding mix
1 package Jell-O Fat Free Sugar Free Vanilla Pudding mix
1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
Whipped cream
Reese's Pieces
How To:
In a large bowl, pour in 2 cups of the cold milk. Add the chocolate pudding mix and beat with an electric beater (or use a whisk, whatever floats your boat) for 2 minutes. Immediately put bowl in the fridge to set the pudding. In another large bowl, pour in the other 2 cups of the cold milk, peanut butter, and add the vanilla pudding mix. Beat for 2 minutes (you might wanna wear an apron, because the peanut butter might splatter the milk everywhere), then immediately put bowl in the fridge to set the pudding. Let both puddings chill for at least 10 minutes. Press saran wrap onto the puddings (yup, right onto it) if you are not using the puddings for awhile to prevent a chewy skin from forming on the top of the puddings.
When ready to serve, use a spoon to drop pudding into glasses in layers (using glasses makes it all pretty with the two colored puddings). Top the parfaits with whipped cream and sprinkle Reese's Pieces on top.
9/3/08
Sweetness, sickness, and Hubby
I found a babysitter that I like and that's actually available, woo hoo! She's the daughter of the CO and even got along with Charlie (some people don't like dogs... why, I don't know). I'm so excited!! I need to start planning date nights with Hubby, and now I don't have to rely on the childcare place at the hospital when I have an appointment. They suck- they're only open three days for several hours. Psh, whatever.
Anyway, so that really put me in a good mood. It was actually a tough day today- I took LB to the doc, and he has a chest cold. Poor thing- hasn't been sleeping well at night and has been coughing all the time, like this hacking cough. He was so miserable all day. He only stopped crying when I was holding him, and he clung to me like it was the last time he'd ever see me. Even his cries sounded so pitiful. I just felt so bad for him! We'll see how he does tomorrow. Hopefully he is more well-rested and a little less congested.
I've been hearing from Hubby, which I love. Apparently, things are much different on the boat with the new captain... in a GOOD way! It's nice to hear good things from his boat life- not that I could do anything when it's bad, but after the shipyard experience, these guys deserve a better lifestyle. I can't really go into it further- OPSEC. :) But, things are good, trust me!
Anyway, so that really put me in a good mood. It was actually a tough day today- I took LB to the doc, and he has a chest cold. Poor thing- hasn't been sleeping well at night and has been coughing all the time, like this hacking cough. He was so miserable all day. He only stopped crying when I was holding him, and he clung to me like it was the last time he'd ever see me. Even his cries sounded so pitiful. I just felt so bad for him! We'll see how he does tomorrow. Hopefully he is more well-rested and a little less congested.
I've been hearing from Hubby, which I love. Apparently, things are much different on the boat with the new captain... in a GOOD way! It's nice to hear good things from his boat life- not that I could do anything when it's bad, but after the shipyard experience, these guys deserve a better lifestyle. I can't really go into it further- OPSEC. :) But, things are good, trust me!
9/1/08
More of being a bitch
You really don't have to read this. I just needed to vent about my redneck neighbors for a bit. Although, you may sympathize, so go ahead and take a look!
I took Puppy outside to pee this afternoon after getting back from the store. I thought he might have to poop, so I took a poop bag with me.
*Sidenote: These poop bags are awesome. They're made of corn, so they're biodegradable. Much better than using plastic baggies! If you wanna know where I got them, ask me!
I digress. So I'm walking with the puppy, and I see one of my neighbors pull out of the shared driveway. She has these friggin loud kids that set off fireworks and yell and everything (you know the type) at all hours. She's also smokes like a smokestack. Her hair looks like it was cut by a blind Sweeney Todd, and she dresses trashy. You know who I mean- every neighborhood has one.
Anyway, I see her stop near my house. I turn my back, just because I didn't wanna talk to her, but she didn't say anything to me. She was actually picking up the kids that live right across my front door. I thought, woo hoo, the crazy neighborhood kids are going somewhere, now Lewis can take a nap! (I also thought, figures the two most loser redneck families are friends)
Now, the family that lives across my front door is friggin crazy. The cops are there ALL the time, breaking up domestic disputes, and I'm pretty sure they have a kid who has behavior issues. The short bus stops there, but the kid that gets on it is not physically handicapped and not autistic. Their teenage son has stopped by our house multiple times to ask me to call the cops, and I think she might be missing a few teeth. She also smokes a lot, and they leave their outside lights on all the time (which shines right into our bedroom.... it sucks during Christmas).
Anyway, the mom finally comes out of the house and sees me with Puppy. She says to the dog, "Oh, you're the one that likes to poop in my yard and leave it there!" Now, remember, I am standing there with a poop bag in my hand. I turn to her and said "Really? He did?" a little sarcastically. She said, "Yeah, I found this little mound of poop there!"
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.....................
Okay, I know you're thinking that it's just a little comment, BUT here's what I don't get:
1. Why would it be Puppy's poop when I clearly pick up after him, as evidenced by the poop bag I was carrying??
2. Is my puppy the only dog in the entire neighborhood??? Is there no other dog that could have possibly pooped in her yard?
3. Since her little yip-yip dog escapes from their yard (probably to run away from the insanity), it was probably HER dog that pooped.
I seriously wanted to get into a fight with her. Maybe I've just been in a bitchy mood lately. Maybe I've had my buttons pushed a little too much today by stupid hawaiians. But I really wanted to bitch-slap her.
So I did the next best thing. I let Puppy poop in her yard. :)
I took Puppy outside to pee this afternoon after getting back from the store. I thought he might have to poop, so I took a poop bag with me.
*Sidenote: These poop bags are awesome. They're made of corn, so they're biodegradable. Much better than using plastic baggies! If you wanna know where I got them, ask me!
I digress. So I'm walking with the puppy, and I see one of my neighbors pull out of the shared driveway. She has these friggin loud kids that set off fireworks and yell and everything (you know the type) at all hours. She's also smokes like a smokestack. Her hair looks like it was cut by a blind Sweeney Todd, and she dresses trashy. You know who I mean- every neighborhood has one.
Anyway, I see her stop near my house. I turn my back, just because I didn't wanna talk to her, but she didn't say anything to me. She was actually picking up the kids that live right across my front door. I thought, woo hoo, the crazy neighborhood kids are going somewhere, now Lewis can take a nap! (I also thought, figures the two most loser redneck families are friends)
Now, the family that lives across my front door is friggin crazy. The cops are there ALL the time, breaking up domestic disputes, and I'm pretty sure they have a kid who has behavior issues. The short bus stops there, but the kid that gets on it is not physically handicapped and not autistic. Their teenage son has stopped by our house multiple times to ask me to call the cops, and I think she might be missing a few teeth. She also smokes a lot, and they leave their outside lights on all the time (which shines right into our bedroom.... it sucks during Christmas).
Anyway, the mom finally comes out of the house and sees me with Puppy. She says to the dog, "Oh, you're the one that likes to poop in my yard and leave it there!" Now, remember, I am standing there with a poop bag in my hand. I turn to her and said "Really? He did?" a little sarcastically. She said, "Yeah, I found this little mound of poop there!"
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.....................
Okay, I know you're thinking that it's just a little comment, BUT here's what I don't get:
1. Why would it be Puppy's poop when I clearly pick up after him, as evidenced by the poop bag I was carrying??
2. Is my puppy the only dog in the entire neighborhood??? Is there no other dog that could have possibly pooped in her yard?
3. Since her little yip-yip dog escapes from their yard (probably to run away from the insanity), it was probably HER dog that pooped.
I seriously wanted to get into a fight with her. Maybe I've just been in a bitchy mood lately. Maybe I've had my buttons pushed a little too much today by stupid hawaiians. But I really wanted to bitch-slap her.
So I did the next best thing. I let Puppy poop in her yard. :)
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