Local Politics

23 Feb

Erin Shanendoah |  February 23rd,2011 | Politics |  Comments Off on Local Politics

I was talking with a friend a few weeks ago when she mentioned that she knew more about international politics than local politics. I said I was lucky in that after writing to me local state representative, I’m on his mailing list, so I get regular newsletters. I’m also subscribed to his Facebook feed. It makes keeping up to date easier.

Given what’s happening in MA, with a county defunding Head Start, we’re being reminded that caring about what happens on the international and national stages is good, but we also really need to pay attention to our own backyards.

 

Math is Hard

22 Feb

Erin Shanendoah |  February 22nd,2011 | School |  Comments Off on Math is Hard

I started college as a secondary education math major. I wanted to teach high school math. I switched majors after getting a D in Calc II, the second time I took it.

Now, my math skills are being put to the test. My husband is back in school, in the deep end, taking a calculus and physics class. He often talks out the math problems with me and has me double check his algebra.

I am relearning calculus, and having to remember how trigonometry works. At least my algebra skills are strong, since those are what I am using most.

Ninja!

21 Feb

Erin Shanendoah |  February 21st,2011 | Roller Derby |  Comments Off on Ninja!

This post must be necessarily vague, because we don’t want you stealing our business ideas. But to the Reno crew, I must say- We found our Ninjas!

They performed as the halftime entertainment at the roller derby bout and are exactly what we’re looking for. They’re even capable of doing “slow motion” fighting. I will say they’re juggling skills leave something to be desired, but since that’s not what we need Ninja for, I think it can easily be overlooked.

My only concern is that they may not come cheap. Nanda currently have their own feature length show, The Jacket.

 

Rat City Rollergirls, Season 7, Bout 2

20 Feb

Erin Shanendoah |  February 20th,2011 | Rat City Rollergirls, Roller Derby |  Comments Off on Rat City Rollergirls, Season 7, Bout 2

The Rose City Rollers- Portland’s Derby League –came up for a rivalry match. The teams played based on last season’s internal rankings, so our fourth place team played their fourth place team, etc.

Derby Liberation Front and Throttle Rockets (our 4th and 3rd) were better than their lower ranked teams. However, while TR won by a large margin, the bout was really much closer than the score indicated.

Grave Danger lost in sudden death overtime, something that rarely happens. We left when the Sockit Wenches were down 40 points. It’s possible they could come back, but it didn’t seem likely.

 

South Dakota Says Its Okay to Murder Medical Personnel

19 Feb

Erin Shanendoah |  February 19th,2011 | Discrimination, Healthcare, Politics |  Comments Off on South Dakota Says Its Okay to Murder Medical Personnel

Self defense laws already give us the right to kill to protect ourselves and our loved ones in cases of imminent danger.

So the purpose of this new South Dakota law? To give my brother the right to kill the MD who will provide my abortion, my ex the right to kill a volunteer at a clinic. That’s it.

Until we find a way for men to be pregnant, for their health to be at risk, they should have no say in whether or not I get an abortion. And they certainly shouldn’t have the right to kill medical providers.

Monthly vs Yearly Budgeting

18 Feb

Erin Shanendoah |  February 18th,2011 | Budgeting, Finances |  Comments Off on Monthly vs Yearly Budgeting

I get paid every two weeks, so my monthly budget is based on two paychecks. That means that twice a year, I get an “extra” paycheck. Are they really extra? Of course not, they’re just not accounted for in my monthly budget.

I also have a yearly budget, and those two “extra” checks, they are definitely accounted for in it. They go toward helping us meet debt payoff and savings goals.

Sure, I could account for them in the monthly budget, but the way its set up works, and when it comes to the budget, working is what I need.

Just Finished Reading: His Robot Girlfriend by Wesley Allison

17 Feb

Erin Shanendoah |  February 17th,2011 | Authors & Books |  6 comments

I normally write about books or authors I like. Not this time. I read this book because it was free on my eReader- don’t pay money for it.

The writing was mediocre at best. And while I love character driven novels, I need some sort of plot. I need the protagonist to take action, even if that action is purposely doing nothing.

In this book, the only action the protag took was ordering a robot. After that, everything pretty much happened to him. There’s apparently a sequel called “His Robot Wife”. I won’t be reading it, even if it’s free.

Westminster Night 2

16 Feb

Erin Shanendoah |  February 16th,2011 | Dogs, Pets |  Comments Off on Westminster Night 2

In the sporting group, it would be nice if, just once, a retriever could win the group. Not super surprised by the Portuguese Water Dog winning the working dogs (politics do matter), and as for the terriers, I was thrilled to see the American Staffordshire make the short list. I wish it would’ve won. The Staffordshire breeds have a bad rap, and as a pit fan, it would be nice to see one of their foundation breeds get better press.

As for Best in Show, I am thrilled with the Scottish Deerhound win, even if its not a herding dog.

 

Westminster Night 1

15 Feb

Erin Shanendoah |  February 15th,2011 | Dogs, Pets |  Comments Off on Westminster Night 1

I like dog shows. I am a fan of at least one breed in every group, but I think everyone has a group that speaks to them as a whole. For our roommate, it’s the sporting dogs- Labs and Goldens. For me, it’s the herding dogs- Aussies and Borders, GSDs and Corgis -who were shown last night. I’m also partial to the hounds- Beagles.

A Scottish Deerhound took the hounds, and a Bearded Collie took the herding dogs.

Also shown last night, toys and non-sporting. The important thing to know- there will not be a Poodle in Best in Show.

Valentine’s Day

14 Feb

Erin Shanendoah |  February 14th,2011 | Marriage, Relationships |  Comments Off on Valentine’s Day

In high school, my motto was “Valentine’s Day is a Hershey, Hallmark, and FTD conspiracy.” (I was too young to be figuring in the diamond industry.) But my husband has always made a bit of a deal about Valentine’s Day.

The first year we were dating, I came home to chocolates on my front porch, another year it was giant, South American peach colored roses. We have since settled on strawberries and other fruit dipped in chocolate. But this year, I can’t eat that, so he’s making me truffles instead- homemade chocolate truffles.

I must admit, I love being spoiled.

 

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

100 Words On

topics explored in exactly 100 words