Child shot dead in Cameroon drama

Are assholes taking over the planet, or what? Geeze…

Child shot dead in Cameroon drama

Paramilitary gendarmes have dispersed Cameroonian demonstrators using about 2,000 school children as human shields in Bamenda city in the north-west.

Thousands of protesters had gone into three boarding schools to escape police pursuing them after violence overnight.

They then made the pupils take to the streets to protect them from gendarmes as they attacked a brewery depot.

A BBC reporter says a teenage boy has been shot dead but it not clear if he was with the group of child hostages.

There have been days of protests across the country, sparked by a taxi-driver strike over a fuel price rise.

President Paul Biya has blamed the opposition for violence which has left at least eight dead. (More)

Breathing Freely – Equally and Interculturally

In reading some of the comments to this story, I reiterate my stance that women should marry out.

The initial conversation where I disclosed my opinion came up several years ago when there was a big brouhaha concerning an article in Newsweek (Alt) about Black women in the USA dating and marrying “outside of the fold” due to a shortage of available men. (More, More, More, and More)

The going complaint at the time was that the ones left weren’t willing to intellectually, economically, and socially match the women that would potentially be their wives and that the men often offered resentment that their potential mates earned more than they did in the working world. This led to subsequent petulance and emotional mistreatment in a number of cases described to me.

My answer: Marry out.

At the time, people thought I was just downing Black men. Hardly. I was downing petulant and immature behavior. If you are stuck in a situation where the locally available mates are emotionally immature and are a chasms distance from you in relating, go to the next proverbial town. What’s so controversial about that? The same goes for any culture, religion, group, etc.

If extra-terrestrials landed tomorrow and they offered a more equal social partnership that was more conducive to a happy and healthy relationship, then I would say the exact same thing. Marry out.

People should be more concerned with whether they’re in an equal and happy partnership with mutually respectful partners than “keeping it within the fold” or “doing it for the good of the _____”.

Remember, you’ve potentially got to live with your decision for the rest of your lives.

Why there is such a double standard about this issue regarding men marrying out as compared with women is ridiculous and astonishing to me, but it’s probably not going to go away anytime soon. People will be ignorant idiots about nearly anything if given half the chance. In that case, find new people. Your life, your happiness, isn’t meant to be lived totally and completely for someone else. Don’t let some idiot take away your power, dignity, and self-respect by claiming that you “have” to do what they say because they say it or cite “tradition” as an excuse. They’re only trying to use it to justify their inability to cope with the fact that you’re an independent person capable of making rational and positive decisions for yourself.

So, I say to hell with them. Marry out. You’re not property. Don’t fall for that idiotic “don’t mess with our women/men” bunk.

If the person you love is one of the types that I suggest should be left behind and you still want to find a way with them, then I wish you well. It wouldn’t be my personal choice, but I respect your right to make decisions in your own life. I really would be a hypocrite if I suggested that my way was the only way. It’s not. It’s just a suggestion.

Now I go for Yum Yums.

‘ello ‘ello ‘ello

I’m actually glad to see this. I was getting sick of the whole thing. This may prove interesting to watch. Maybe the election will be about more than “electability” and back and forth whining. They’ll probably block him out of the debates as they have in times past but at least the threat of him being there might shake it up to being more than a tit for tat popularity contest.

Ralph Nader to run for president

Ralph Nader has announced plans to run again for the US presidency.

The anti-establishment consumer advocate made the announcement in a televised interview on Sunday.

Mr Nader was accused by many Democrats of handing the presidency to George W Bush in the November 2000 elections. He ran again unsuccessfully in 2004. (More)

One positive in the whole Election Drama: I’m learning quite a bit of sign language. In lieu of watching debates, negative attack adverts, etc. I’ve been watching Signing Time DVDs I’ve checked out of the library. A much more constructive thing to do with my free time than watching crap on TV.

Pledges and Oaths

After much dizziness, walking about, and nearly twelve hours of sleep brought on by bodily and mental exhaustion, I finally remembered what I wanted to write about a few days ago.

As an Atheist, I’ve been following the whole debate regarding the Pledge of Allegiance in the public arena of the United States for some time. My personal opinion is that the phrase “Under God” was not a part of the original pledge, nor was it meant to be, so to steadfastly pretend that it somehow has meaning within the pledge is not only incorrect but blatantly selfish, inflammatory, and a rather amusing attempt on the part of the exclusivists to be overbearing on those not in line with their viewpoints regarding religion being actively promoted by the state at the taxpayers expense.

It’s the political equivalent of a person with the mental maturity of a two year old sticking out his/her tongue with thumbs in ears while saying “Nyah nyah – nyah nyah nyah” in a mocking gesture at having majority rule over an issue.

I don’t think I even need to get into the “One nation, “Under Enter god substitute” arguement, because it’s been made in so many places before. It does stand as a glaring indictment on the whole thing that, if such a thing were to be enforced, there would be a public outcry, the likes of which haven’t been seen. I think that something along those lines would be the tipping point in getting a good number of people to get the crux of why people do have an issue with this whole thing.

Personally, I’ve been thinking (when I haven’t been forgetting to write about it) over the past few months about it even more. One of the few shows I actually watch on television has had a great deal to do with the topic of civics lately. Craig Ferguson, who recently obtained his citizenship, has been candid about studying for his test and often with the joking admonishment that most people born in the USA would be kicked out if they themselves had to take it.

It really made me think, I have to tell you. For the most part, I had the answers to the questions he’d throw at the audience as an example of what he’d been studying up until that point. The audience…not so good.

Even with that, I didn’t like that I could only recount some 60-70% of the data I should know as a citizen of my own country. I made it a point to watch, study, and learn as much more as I could regarding US Law and History as well as Marylands. I also made it a point to be the most annoying bastard on Earth as far as those around me were concerned because I began peppering them with the same questions.

As it turns out, with some of them, Civics wasn’t even stressed in school. One of the most basic bits of education you could possibly have to know the laws and history of your own state and country and it wasn’t stressed. Evidently, whoever had drawn up their schedules for school thought it more important to worry about whether they could type, sew, and set a table, than whether or not they even knew when Election Day was. Euripedian, I swear.

Anyway, as I was saying, I’d been watching the Craig Ferguson show (profile) and following his saga to become a citizen. It finally got up to the point where it was the day of the test and, thankfully, by that point, my average in questions answered had gotten up to 80-90%. It’s still not something I’m proud of but it’s better and can be improved upon.

Needless to say, he did pass and was scheduled to take his oath (I got to to topic of this thing eventually lol), a few days later. Another bit of embarassment for me. What was the Oath of Allegiance in the United States? What were the words? This was another “unnecessary” bit of information they’d skipped over when I was in school, sadly.

So I watched and I listened while they all stood row upon row and said the oath. These are the people that the xenophobic, racist, bigoted jackasses look down on and not only are they, the people swearing the oath, moving past the bigotry but they’re also more knowledgeable about the very country than the aforementioned xenophobes who are natives to it.

Queue the irony parade someone, will you?

Then it dawned on me: Why don’t we use the Oath instead of the Pledge? I like the Oath. It’s a hell of a lot more inclusive which, in this growing multicultural society, some people (*cough* xenophobes) are just going to have to grit their teeth and get used to. It’s swearing Allegiance not to a flag, which has changed multiple times within the scope of this countries history, but to the Constitution, which is the law of this land and the founding bedrock of what joins us together as a nation of people. It’s also open religiously, socially, and is politically neutral.

Solemnly, freely, and without mental reservation, I hereby renounce under oath all allegiance to any foreign state. My fidelity and allegiance from this day forward is to the United States of America. I pledge to support, honor, and be loyal to the United States, its Constitution, and its laws. Where and if lawfully required, I further commit myself to defend the Constitution and laws of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, either by military, noncombatant, or civilian service. This I do solemnly swear, so help me God. (link)

Anyway, it’s just a thought. Ten to one, someone will agree while others are pissed. It’s their right and I don’t hold it against them.

I guess, if nothing else pops up prior to 9:00am, that this will be my last post for an undetermined period of time. I’m going to be doing A LOT of knitting between now and the time I come back.

Have a great one everyone!

Heady Tuesday

I chickened out. I washed my hair, of course, but when it came time to cornrow it, I totally flaked. My hair now looks pretty much the same as this picture I took right after my shower yesterday.

My reason for flaking? My arms. They’re still not used to the idea of being raised for an extended period of time and I’ve been lazy about stressing them in my exercise regimen. I guess I have to start now though because it’s getting long. It was down over my nose in the shower.

Regardless of my current management woes, I love having it this way. I love not having to get harsh chemicals applied to it every few weeks. I love not having the subsequent scarring and pain associated with said appointments. I love not having to worry about getting my hair wet. I love not having to worry about putting in even more chemicals in my hair as a repair method to the chemicals that were applied in the first place.

The only this I may re-evaluate about what I said yesterday regards the “mission” I had of combing/brushing it everyday. I’ve been reading online and, based on a lot of anecdotal evidence from others, it seems like a bad idea. I will give it two weeks and, if I notice a problem, I’ll stop cold right there. Washing on the other hand WILL be done everyday as I am a very active person and I sweat a lot (head included) as a result.

I will be getting my hands on one of the few shampoos I’ve had positive results with though. Suave Shampoo is the only one I’ve found to be friendly to my hair. It doesn’t break out, frizzle, split, melt (damn you TRESemmé!) or anything when I use it. I’m especially fond of their “Daily Clarifying” shampoos as well as the scented ones.

It’s actually interesting what I came across while researching all this stuff. I’d been looking for links for a fellow 43things goal poster and came across a really cool essay written by Alice Walker called ‘Oppressed Hair Puts a Ceiling on the Brain’ from her book titled “Living By The Word: Selected Writings 1973-1987“. You know damn well that thing is going on the Happy Hold ASAP.

I’m also recommending it to my buddy Zoukplouf. Considering all the good read recommendations he’s given me, it’s only fair.

A funny thing happened yesterday morning. I was doing the updates to this blog no less when, on looking out of the window, I saw my mother tottering home…in 17 degree weather…from getting a cigar. I recognized her instantly, not merely from her walk or even from the coat she had on but from the hat I’d originally made for her that she had, until the day prior, refused to wear due to her irrational belief that the acrylic yarn was somehow “wool” and would cause her hair to fall out.

*looks up at my own healthy hair growing stronger than ever despite wearing my “Autumn” style hat, scarf, and glove set every day.*

Being so cold the day she went out initially, I pressured her into at least wearing it over her scarf, to which she obliged. When she came back, her testimonial was that it was so warm that, but for her hands and face, she didn’t even feel the cold. Seeing her wear that hat without bring prodded made me feel really validated as a knitter. Yep…*wipes one tear away with a little sniffle*

Ah well, back to the day.

The Length of Forgetfulness

I’ve been neglecting a lot of things over the past few years. Namely, I’ve been neglecting my former habit of fasting and grooming. Normally, when I go through the year, I fast on a regular schedule. These past few years have been different though in that, mainly due to the instability in my home life, I’ve not been able to focus long enough to consciously partake in my usual activities.

When I fast, I normally cut out all reasonable access to technology and go without a haircut while making an effort to groom/style what does grow out.

Now in regards to the non-cutting of the hair bit, I’ve been keeping up with it but that’s where the second part, grooming, comes into play. Beyond washing and the occassional combing, I haven’t been doing anything at all with my hair. It’s now at the point where it’s past my ears in its natural form and it’s becoming quite an annoyance. At the present, my options are pretty wide in what I can do with it even if my knowledge level in what to do is very narrow. As soon as I finish up with this blog entry and my shower, I’m actually going to give one option, bunches, the college try after more than five years drought.

However, my long term efforts are going to be focused on either learning how to do a wider variety of styles myself or finding the “Gratis Coiffurist“. I’m leaning more towards self reliance as I’m not as likely to give myself bald patches. I should just get a degree in Cosmotology myself and save the money I’ll likely be wasting on future “frustration runs” to the nearest stylist. I would like to help a struggling (group of) student(s) out though. We could both get something out of the arrangement and, in the long run we’d both be happy.

So, to that end: Starting on Friday at 09:00AM I am going offline completely and shutting down my computer. I will not watch television, I will not use the microwave (Yeah, that’s right! I said it!), nor will I use any other technology that’s not necessary to my day to day living. I will be using the bath/shower, sink, and WC (duh!), the heat, the lights, and the telephone for necessary calls (about what I do now really). I will do this for a period not to exceed one month but no less than one week.

In regard to my hair, from this moment onward: I will comb and brush it everyday (*shudder*) after my shower and shampoo, I will style it in either cornrows or bunches to keep it manageable, and I will continue in my endeavor to grow it long.

Now to prepare…muahahahahaha!

Cold Irony

A few things that happened today:

1. My pants ripped, and I mean RIPPED, just as I was about to head out the door to a serious appointment yesterday morning. These are also my only fitting pants, so I’ve got to kick out money I don’t have for a new pair. This expense cuts into food money because I need to go to the doctor more than I need to eat at this point.
2. I’m sitting here listening to The Beatles “White Album” which, considering the recent news, is either the most tasteless subconscious humor my mind could come up with or the spectre of John Lennon popping up for a good laugh.
3. This morning while sitting in front of the television writing in my mood journal, I had Joel Osteen on, who happened to be talking about exactly what I was writing about at the time regarding Long/Short Term Goals, Visualisation, Cognitive Awareness, and Bringing positive things into your life. Literally dudes, literally.
4. Just as I was writing a few moments ago about the pants, my mother informs me that a friend of hers is sending some money in the mail.

If there is any signifigance, any at all, in my listening to the song “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” right now, please let it be known.

The Answer My Friend…

…is in the friggin’ wind!

Wow, the wind seriously kicked up about twenty minutes ago. I can barely concentrate due to the rattling of my windows and screens right now. I’m just going to go downstairs and flop in front of the tube snuggled up with my knitting.

If ever there was a day to feel like Meg Murray…

Sonically Youthful

Evidently, I must have an all night prayerfest.

I was just so instructed by my mother. She’s back on the demon kick again. @_@

You know, if given a choice, I think I prefer having Bipolar Disorder rather than Schizophrenia? I know my own demons and know that they’re neurochemical reactions in my synapses that can be muted, if not stopped altogether, by an effective combination of medications and cognitive therapy.

Sadly, my mother has no such recourse. When she thinks of demons, she literally thinks that demons are coming after her, myself, and other loved ones. She reads her bible but gets no solace because it talks about just what she’s thinking about which only re-enforces her paranoid delusions.

Then she reads about how the people in the bible were able to fight it all off and she feels depressed because she feels that she can’t. Then the whole cycle starts all over again.

I really need some sleep but I think I’m going to be up for the night in case she needs to talk. I wish she would write this stuff down so she can effectively work through it when she’s calmed down.

Believe me, I’ll be up and posting somewhere online for quite a while tonight whether in the open or under f-lock. Either that, or knitting.

The SDA Hat

The hat I made to match the scarf made more than a few months ago for the SDA lady has been received and is considered a success. I’m taking a break now in working on the committed scarf for The Rooster. Even if I wanted to, there’s no backing out of it now since…I’ve cut thread.

I’ll post more when I’ve had a chance to knit more, rest more, and eat something. No food in more than a day when on a medication that requires a balanced daily diet…eh…not good.

The Ridiculousness of Clothing Size Standards

When is a size 38 mens not a size 38 mens?

When is a size 18 womens not a size 18 womens?

Apparently, I have clothing that can, at will, spontaneously change its size as a form of mockery. Two pairs of pants fit just fine while two others…eh. My problem is this: I’m getting back into a volunteer position where the uniform requirement calls for a pair of beige khaki pants/shorts/whatever as the bottom article of clothing. The last time I checked the uniform code, it didn’t call for a khaki thong, so get that one out of your head right now.

Still, given that absolutely none of my beige khaki pants fit me at present, I’m left in something of a lurch. What little money I’ve managed to save up has to be put aside for the co-pay for my doctors visits. Six weeks from now might be more opportune to splurge (ha ha ha) but as for right now? No, not really.

While leaves me with the only options I have:

To continue working out as I have been over the past few months.

Ow. Ow. Damn it. Ow.

To sell off this stuff I’ve sorted from my clothing.

Hope a CL will buy it.

To keep knitting in the hopes that someone will buy a hat and/or scarf.

See the answer to statement #1.

Ah well, I’d better get back to it. I estimate I’ve got to lose at least 14 kg if I want to fit in the bigger of the smaller pants. If I can do it on the college student diet without even trying, I should be able to recreate the result in twice the time in a more healthy manner. I’m hoping to eventually get back down to at least a 34 mens, if not smaller, but I know that the notion of that particular goal is a long way away.

I just wish I had the money for some salsa. I’ve got an MVP card from Food Lion but no money with which to buy food/other items.