Archive for November, 2010

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Being a Feminist (4)


10 Nov

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Posted in Discrimination, Politics | Comments Off

To me, being a feminist mean believing in women, believing in their right and ability to make the choices that are best for them. I don’t believe that I, or anyone else, has the right to tell them what they can and can not do with their lives and bodies (within the realm of the law). I believe that as a society, it is our job to give women and men the information they need to make those choices.

And once those decisions are made, I believe in respecting them, even if they are not the choices I would make.

Just Finished Reading: Zero History by William Gibson


09 Nov

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Posted in Authors & Books, Pattern Recognition, Spook Country, William Gibson, Zero History | Comments Off

To a new reader, it may not seem like Gibson is a science fiction writer. Starting with Pattern Recognition, Gibson’s writing has been less in the future, closer and closer to the present. Zero History, you might say, takes place at time that is only 17 minutes from now.

I need to go back and re-read both Pattern Recognition and Spook Country. I wouldn’t call these three books a trilogy, exactly, but they are all tied, and together, I’m hoping, they will provide the base for future Gibson writing. But be warned, soon he’ll be writing only seven seconds ahead.

Being a Feminist (3)


08 Nov

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Posted in Discrimination, Politics, Religion | Comments Off

I don’t consider abortion to be the line in the sand for feminism because I accept that some people honestly believe its murder. I don’t feel that way, but I can understand why they do. Government does not have the right to legislate morality, but this is one area where legality and morality form a gray area.

Like Hillary Clinton, I believe abortion should be safe, legal, and rare. I never want to tell a woman she has to maintain a pregnancy that might kill her or that she has to carry a non-viable fetus to term. That is immoral.

Being a Feminist (2)


07 Nov

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Posted in Discrimination, Politics | 1 Comment »

I believe in choice and being given all the tools necessary to make the right choice for yourself. I know some absolutely brilliant women who have decided that their place in life is being a stay at home mother. For years, I thought that would be my place, too. It wasn’t for me, and I can’t say I don’t occasionally think “What could she have done, if only…” about these other women. But I keep those thoughts to myself, because I respect their right to make that choice. I respect “mother” as both a part and full time job title.

Due Process


06 Nov

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Posted in Discrimination, Politics | 1 Comment »

Its not the story I want to write about here, but the comments. To the person who doesn’t get why our courts care about technicalities when this woman did X., I want to scream: We have due process for a reason! We are a country founded on innocent until proven guilty. When there is a case of prosecutorial misconduct, how can a person get a fair trial? And since her trial wasn’t fair, how can we be certain she actually did X? Sensational crime or not, everyone is entitled to due process. Our courts should always be worried about technicalities.

Being a Feminist (1)


05 Nov

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Posted in Discrimination, Politics | Comments Off

I used to be one of those women who would say “I’m not a feminist, but…” At the time, I believed it, thought “feminist” was a dirty word.. But the truth is, I am a raging, flaming feminist. I am not one of those who believes the line is drawn at abortion (though I support legal abortion), but instead at access to birth control and giving all women the education they need to maintain control over their own bodies. I don’t believe women who want to limit those choices for other women care about women at all. Education is key.

MythBusters (ep 152)


04 Nov

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Posted in Mythbusters, Television | Comments Off

Machine Bow: I enjoyed this myth because I’ve missed the fun builds, like the tree cannon. One thing I found interesting was that this time, they did not even attempt to build the bow with materials and skills available to the ancient Greeks. Straight to power tools.

I also wasn’t sure why they used the archer as the benchmark. Would you use a guy with rifle to benchmark a machine gun? They had their criteria in the myth.

Driving Drowsy: Was anyone surprised by the result? Especially on the monotonous highway section? I think that might put me to sleep.

Upgrading


03 Nov

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Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

I’m upgrading my computer. Except that my computer is so old that we’re building me a new one. We thought we would be able to use one of the old cases we have around, but it turns out the power supply was too old school for the new video card. So tonight we went and bought a new case with power supply. Of course, it is still not working, so we don’t know if the motherboard or video card is DOA, or if connections are just messed up. None of it matters anyway, because my new OS hasn’t arrived yet.

 

Politics


02 Nov

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Have you voted?

This recent election has me pondering politics. Not in some existential way, but thinking about of running for office. I find myself wishing for someone to be honest, to say- this is not an easy job, sometimes you have to compromise, and the truth is more complicated than a 30 second ad.

If I were to run, it’s good that my family doesn’t live here. I think my politics are different enough from theirs that I would not want them to have to choose between voting for me and voting for someone who would represent their views.

A weekend away


01 Nov

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Posted in Travel | Comments Off

I love living in Washington. Even with the gray skies and rain, we have some of the loveliest scenery in the country. And when the weather cooperates, there’s not much that can compare.

I spent the weekend out in Discovery Bay, a ferry ride from Seattle with a short drive across the Hood Canal bridge, through beautiful fall foliage. The bay was tranquil. Saturday was a crisp and sunny, conducive to relaxation and spending time with friends.

It was the a wonderful fall weekend, a last bit of vitamin D before the gray takes over for the next few months.

 

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