I rarely get on my soapbox in my writing on this blog, but today, I feel like I need to. And damnit, it's MY blog. And a personal blog at that.
As some of you may know, I live in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Today, a bill I whole-heartedly oppose was passed by the state Senate. All that stands in the way of it becomming law is the governor's signature. I wrote a letter and have been trying to email it to the governor all day, but the website keeps crashing (hopefully because so many people are voicing their concern!). Anyways, here's my letter to the governor. Please don't feel like I'm trying to alienate any of you or to make you feel bad if you disagree with me. I just really feel the need to express myself on this. If you would rather not read my letter to the governor of VA, read no further. I won't be offended!
Governor,
Please do not sign HB 462 (The one requiring an uncessary and invasive ultrasound to any woman seeking an abortion) into law.
I feel that the State of VA is trying very hard to make its female tax-payers into second-class citizens who aren't allowed to have control over their own bodies. I have lived in VA my whole life (I'm a 26-year-old female) and have never, until now, been scared about living in such a conservative "red state." Now, I'm terrified. This, combined with the almost-passing of the so-called "Personhood Amendment," really scare me.
Religious beliefs have no place in government or law-making, and I feel that this bill has made it through the House and Senate because so many representatives are acting on their personal religious beliefs and not their duties to their citizens (who come from a variety of backgrounds and have a variety of beliefs). The law should protect a woman's reproductive freedom so that any woman with any religious or social background can act as her own values dictate.
I also think it's political suicide to alientate more than half of your voters. Women voters will stand up for themselves in the next election(s). So if you need a reason not to sign that bill, other than that it's the right thing to do, there you go. The only thing scarier than a mad woman is a bunch of mad women, believe me: We will show our discontent at the polls.
Thank you for your time,
Ryan Babarsky
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Nothing Says "I Love You" Like Oyster Stew
Yesterday was the best Valentine's Day I've ever had.
Historically, Chris is not a fan of the Day-of-Forced-Romance, which I get. But me, I'm in the Any-Excuse-to-Celebrate-Anything-is-Fine-With-Me camp. So, to celebrate, we decided to cook a nice dinner and open a bottle of wine, and that's it. No gifts, no boxes of mystery chocolates, no cards, no poems, etc. There may have been flowers present, but that's because Chris got them for me last week when I was having a bit of a rough time.
So, when I got home, I saw that Chris had cleaned the kitchen, our room, and the dining room table (Men, take note: Cleaning up= Helluva Lotta Brownie Points). I worked out and showered, and we then started to cook the meal we picked out: Oyster Stew.
Both of us read and very-much enjoyed the book Chesapeake by James Michener, and at one point in the book, Michener describes how a cook on an oyster boat makes oyster stew. When I read it, my mouth literally started watering. So, I found a recipe online for a semi-healthy version of it, and we made it! And it was good.
Then, we had dessert and talked.
Then, we played Trivial Pursuit. It doesn't really matter who won (translation: Chris won).
Chris had also made a great mix on his Ipod, and, when that was over, we listened to Van Morrison records. It was frickin' sweet.
I dunno, I think the reason I had such a great night is that nothing was really planned out, and that it was just fun and relaxing. And well, I like taking a little timeout for "us" that involves no pressure.
I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day!
Here are my V-Day pics:
Historically, Chris is not a fan of the Day-of-Forced-Romance, which I get. But me, I'm in the Any-Excuse-to-Celebrate-Anything-is-Fine-With-Me camp. So, to celebrate, we decided to cook a nice dinner and open a bottle of wine, and that's it. No gifts, no boxes of mystery chocolates, no cards, no poems, etc. There may have been flowers present, but that's because Chris got them for me last week when I was having a bit of a rough time.
So, when I got home, I saw that Chris had cleaned the kitchen, our room, and the dining room table (Men, take note: Cleaning up= Helluva Lotta Brownie Points). I worked out and showered, and we then started to cook the meal we picked out: Oyster Stew.
Both of us read and very-much enjoyed the book Chesapeake by James Michener, and at one point in the book, Michener describes how a cook on an oyster boat makes oyster stew. When I read it, my mouth literally started watering. So, I found a recipe online for a semi-healthy version of it, and we made it! And it was good.
Then, we had dessert and talked.
Then, we played Trivial Pursuit. It doesn't really matter who won (translation: Chris won).
Chris had also made a great mix on his Ipod, and, when that was over, we listened to Van Morrison records. It was frickin' sweet.
I dunno, I think the reason I had such a great night is that nothing was really planned out, and that it was just fun and relaxing. And well, I like taking a little timeout for "us" that involves no pressure.
I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day!
Here are my V-Day pics:
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Happy Anniversary to Me!
Today is my one-year anniversary at Greenlight Biofuels! I know that something like a work anniversary probably doesn't seem like a big deal to most people, but honestly, I'm pretty excited. A year ago, before I got hired, I was unemployed, scared, and slowly becoming broke. I never dreamed of finding such a cool job.
Here are some Sad-Unemployed-Broke-Girl posts:
A Day in the Life
Confessions
You Say You Want a Resolution
Anyways, I have a couple people in my life who are seeking employment opportunities (and I know there are many more of you out there who are doing the same), so I'd like to say this: Hang in there, stick with it, and don't sell yourself short. You deserve a good job. Don't be afraid to ask people for help, work hard on your resume, cover letters, etc and do your homework before interviews. In fact, while I'm thinking about this, here's my Unemployed Survial Tips List:
1. Do something active EVERY single day. Seriously guys, it's important to keep those endorphins flowing so you can deal with daily rejection without going completely mental. Also, it will keep you showering regularly...
2. Change out of your pajamas. Even if it's just to put on your comfy jeans and a sweatshirt. Oh, and brush your hair, mmmmk?
3. Eat a good breakfast. It's not like you don't have time, am I right? Hell, I had pancakes and bacon and eggs like three times a week when I was unemployed. Plus, it will give your body and mind the energy they need for a long day of scouring craigslist.
4. Let people take care of you every once in a while. This is hard. It's easy to feel embarrassed that you can't afford to go out and have a drink with your friends. But, I say, if your besty offers to buy you a beer, let him or her (but don't take advantage). You need to get your ass outta the house every so often, seriously.
5. Keep busy. Do all the projects around the house that need done when you're taking breaks from staring at the classifieds and drooling. It will give you that sense of accomplishment you desperately need right now.
6. Every single article I've read about unemployment says to wake up at the same time of day that you would if you were going to work. I say this is bull patuckey. When else in your post-college adult life are you going to be able to go to bed at 3 AM and wake up at noon? It's great, I loved it, and I miss it. That's the schedule I slowly, but surely, revert to when I don't have a schedule to follow. Yeah, it makes it harder to get back on schedule when you do get a job (which you will!), but whatever.
So, there. Here's to feeling grateful and hopeful!
Here are some Sad-Unemployed-Broke-Girl posts:
A Day in the Life
Confessions
You Say You Want a Resolution
Anyways, I have a couple people in my life who are seeking employment opportunities (and I know there are many more of you out there who are doing the same), so I'd like to say this: Hang in there, stick with it, and don't sell yourself short. You deserve a good job. Don't be afraid to ask people for help, work hard on your resume, cover letters, etc and do your homework before interviews. In fact, while I'm thinking about this, here's my Unemployed Survial Tips List:
1. Do something active EVERY single day. Seriously guys, it's important to keep those endorphins flowing so you can deal with daily rejection without going completely mental. Also, it will keep you showering regularly...
2. Change out of your pajamas. Even if it's just to put on your comfy jeans and a sweatshirt. Oh, and brush your hair, mmmmk?
3. Eat a good breakfast. It's not like you don't have time, am I right? Hell, I had pancakes and bacon and eggs like three times a week when I was unemployed. Plus, it will give your body and mind the energy they need for a long day of scouring craigslist.
4. Let people take care of you every once in a while. This is hard. It's easy to feel embarrassed that you can't afford to go out and have a drink with your friends. But, I say, if your besty offers to buy you a beer, let him or her (but don't take advantage). You need to get your ass outta the house every so often, seriously.
5. Keep busy. Do all the projects around the house that need done when you're taking breaks from staring at the classifieds and drooling. It will give you that sense of accomplishment you desperately need right now.
6. Every single article I've read about unemployment says to wake up at the same time of day that you would if you were going to work. I say this is bull patuckey. When else in your post-college adult life are you going to be able to go to bed at 3 AM and wake up at noon? It's great, I loved it, and I miss it. That's the schedule I slowly, but surely, revert to when I don't have a schedule to follow. Yeah, it makes it harder to get back on schedule when you do get a job (which you will!), but whatever.
So, there. Here's to feeling grateful and hopeful!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
The Bird is the Word
Guys, I promise I haven't made some silly resolution to STOP blogging or anything like that. Truth is, life's been pretty insane of late. And when I've had some spare moments, I've been spending them vegetating on the couch with Chris. Sigh.
Here are some updates:
Christmas/My Birthday/New Year's:
The seventeen celebrations that occurred over a three week period were great, though exhausting. Chris and I got some really nice things, including some sweet kitchen knives, an espresso machine, and a new lens for my camera. And, I'm now officially old. Sigh.
Pneu-MOAN-ia, the Sequel:
So, remember this? Yeah, the same thing happened to Chris again this year. He had a small cough for a long time that eventually turned into a horrible, bad, scary cough. That, on top of the whole snoring thing has made the past few weeks absolutely, bone-crushingly exhausting. I mean, like, super-dee-dooperly tiring. So, for awhile there, I kept waking up in the middle of the night several times (either due to snoring or coughing or both), which usually ended in me going to sleep on the single mattress we have in our music room/office. Or, Chris would sleep there. The couple times I slept in there, though, this stupid bird that lives in our wall woke me up.
Backstory: So, awhile ago now, a woodpecker pecked a hole in the side of our house (Chris heard it doing this in the middle of the day and tried to shoot it with a paintball from a slingshot, but that didn't deter this little effer). Annnnnnnnnnnnnd I guess he's (or she's?) still in there, because every time I stayed in the music room, I heard a very loud pecking sound followed by chirping, coming from the wall. Oh, how I hate that stupid Wall-Bird. In fact, after suffering from sleep deprivation and the frustration of having my significant other sick and not being able to do anything about it, I sort of focused my frustration on the Wall-Bird.
I had a dream that the wall bird got into the house, and was, in fact, like 3 feet tall and all multicolored (like a cartoon Wall-Bird or something). I chased it around and around and around, but it was faster than I, and, by the end of the dream, it had morphed into this weird Rabbit-Wall-Bird. Oh, how I wanted to kill that stupid Rabbit-Wall-Bird-Demon.
Anyways, Chris finally got to the doctor and is doing MUCH better! Phew. He's also snoring less now that his cough is fading.
But, the Wall-Bird still lurks about in the walls, waiting for some unsuspecting tired person to attempt to rest in the music room/office, like a Boogie Man in the night! Peck. Peck Peck. PECK. PECKPECKPECKPECK *chirp*.
ARGHGHGGHGHGHGHGHH!
Here are some updates:
Christmas/My Birthday/New Year's:
The seventeen celebrations that occurred over a three week period were great, though exhausting. Chris and I got some really nice things, including some sweet kitchen knives, an espresso machine, and a new lens for my camera. And, I'm now officially old. Sigh.
Pneu-MOAN-ia, the Sequel:
So, remember this? Yeah, the same thing happened to Chris again this year. He had a small cough for a long time that eventually turned into a horrible, bad, scary cough. That, on top of the whole snoring thing has made the past few weeks absolutely, bone-crushingly exhausting. I mean, like, super-dee-dooperly tiring. So, for awhile there, I kept waking up in the middle of the night several times (either due to snoring or coughing or both), which usually ended in me going to sleep on the single mattress we have in our music room/office. Or, Chris would sleep there. The couple times I slept in there, though, this stupid bird that lives in our wall woke me up.
Backstory: So, awhile ago now, a woodpecker pecked a hole in the side of our house (Chris heard it doing this in the middle of the day and tried to shoot it with a paintball from a slingshot, but that didn't deter this little effer). Annnnnnnnnnnnnd I guess he's (or she's?) still in there, because every time I stayed in the music room, I heard a very loud pecking sound followed by chirping, coming from the wall. Oh, how I hate that stupid Wall-Bird. In fact, after suffering from sleep deprivation and the frustration of having my significant other sick and not being able to do anything about it, I sort of focused my frustration on the Wall-Bird.
I had a dream that the wall bird got into the house, and was, in fact, like 3 feet tall and all multicolored (like a cartoon Wall-Bird or something). I chased it around and around and around, but it was faster than I, and, by the end of the dream, it had morphed into this weird Rabbit-Wall-Bird. Oh, how I wanted to kill that stupid Rabbit-Wall-Bird-Demon.
Anyways, Chris finally got to the doctor and is doing MUCH better! Phew. He's also snoring less now that his cough is fading.
But, the Wall-Bird still lurks about in the walls, waiting for some unsuspecting tired person to attempt to rest in the music room/office, like a Boogie Man in the night! Peck. Peck Peck. PECK. PECKPECKPECKPECK *chirp*.
ARGHGHGGHGHGHGHGHH!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Snoredom
I realize that it's been awhile, and that I owe you all a post on the holidays and the things I'm hoping for in the new year, and blah blah blah.
HOWEVER, there is another more pressing matter I need to attend to first.
I can't sleep. No, I'm not tossing and turning because of the whirling and swirling thoughts in my head. No, I'm not drinking caffeine too late in the day. No, I'm not suffering from some sort of melatonin imbalance. And no, I don't suffer from insomnia.
The problem is Chris. And his (insert string of expletives here) snoring.
Now, I will admit that I'm akin to the Princess and the Pea in that I have a hard time sleeping when conditions are not ideal. I've never been one of those people who can sleep anywhere or under any circumstances. I need it to be quiet and dark, and I need to be warm enough (but not too warm!). I'm also often a light sleeper. I wake up pretty easily.
So, needless to say, snoring is a problem for me. Not only does it wake me up, it keeps me from being able to fall back asleep. And I dunno, it just REALLY grates on my nerves... I sort of have this physical reaction to the sound that may be similar to the one many people have when nails are scraped across a chalkboard. It's an involuntary cringe.
Chris has snored off and on over the years, but I've always just been able to ask him to roll over on his side to make it go away. Easy-peasy-lemon-squeasy, right? Well, it was. But now, for some reason, it isn't.
I don't know what changed exactly, but now he's snoring no matter what. All the time, every night, on his side, on his back, on his stomach, always. I tried having him wear one of those little breathing strips on his nose, but it didn't work at all. I even bought ear plugs for myself, and I can still hear him snoring THROUGH THE STUPID EAR PLUGS! ARGH!
So, dear readers, I beg of you: Help me. What do I do????
HOWEVER, there is another more pressing matter I need to attend to first.
I can't sleep. No, I'm not tossing and turning because of the whirling and swirling thoughts in my head. No, I'm not drinking caffeine too late in the day. No, I'm not suffering from some sort of melatonin imbalance. And no, I don't suffer from insomnia.
The problem is Chris. And his (insert string of expletives here) snoring.
Now, I will admit that I'm akin to the Princess and the Pea in that I have a hard time sleeping when conditions are not ideal. I've never been one of those people who can sleep anywhere or under any circumstances. I need it to be quiet and dark, and I need to be warm enough (but not too warm!). I'm also often a light sleeper. I wake up pretty easily.
So, needless to say, snoring is a problem for me. Not only does it wake me up, it keeps me from being able to fall back asleep. And I dunno, it just REALLY grates on my nerves... I sort of have this physical reaction to the sound that may be similar to the one many people have when nails are scraped across a chalkboard. It's an involuntary cringe.
Chris has snored off and on over the years, but I've always just been able to ask him to roll over on his side to make it go away. Easy-peasy-lemon-squeasy, right? Well, it was. But now, for some reason, it isn't.
I don't know what changed exactly, but now he's snoring no matter what. All the time, every night, on his side, on his back, on his stomach, always. I tried having him wear one of those little breathing strips on his nose, but it didn't work at all. I even bought ear plugs for myself, and I can still hear him snoring THROUGH THE STUPID EAR PLUGS! ARGH!
So, dear readers, I beg of you: Help me. What do I do????
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Holiday Blues
Last year, I wrote a ton of blog posts during the holiday season, and I just realized that I've barely written 1/5 of the number of posts this year during the holidays. My excuse is that I was unemployed last year and therefore had a good deal of time available for writing. This year, I'm all kinds of employed! And busy!
And for whatever reason, this year, I'm enjoying the holiday season a lot more than I have in the past. I'm not exactly sure why. Most years, I feel horribly depressed around Christmas. This year, I'm pretty much just looking forward to it. It's quite nice really.
I'm not sure if it's because we went to Chris's family's on Christmas last year (and are therefore going to my family's Christmas this year) or maybe because I've been working really hard and can't wait for a break... or maybe it has something to do with the fact that Chris and I are in a good place. I dunno, it mainly just seems to be the fact that I'm really excited to spend a little time with my family. It seems like I haven't gotten to spend as much time with them as usual lately.
Anyways, to those of you who are suffering from the Holiday Blues, I totally get it, and I hope you are able to find at least a moment or two of positivity over the weekend. Try to relax, breathe, drink a cocktail (or 6), and remember that your family means well. Enjoy the craziness, knowing it won't last forever.
Love the fact that your family is so huge and complicated that you have to run around like a chicken with its head cut off in order to see everyone at the holidays. And, if your family is small or nonexistent, love your solitude and your moments of peace. No matter what, try to find some small moment where you're content.
Happy Holidays!
And for whatever reason, this year, I'm enjoying the holiday season a lot more than I have in the past. I'm not exactly sure why. Most years, I feel horribly depressed around Christmas. This year, I'm pretty much just looking forward to it. It's quite nice really.
I'm not sure if it's because we went to Chris's family's on Christmas last year (and are therefore going to my family's Christmas this year) or maybe because I've been working really hard and can't wait for a break... or maybe it has something to do with the fact that Chris and I are in a good place. I dunno, it mainly just seems to be the fact that I'm really excited to spend a little time with my family. It seems like I haven't gotten to spend as much time with them as usual lately.
Anyways, to those of you who are suffering from the Holiday Blues, I totally get it, and I hope you are able to find at least a moment or two of positivity over the weekend. Try to relax, breathe, drink a cocktail (or 6), and remember that your family means well. Enjoy the craziness, knowing it won't last forever.
Love the fact that your family is so huge and complicated that you have to run around like a chicken with its head cut off in order to see everyone at the holidays. And, if your family is small or nonexistent, love your solitude and your moments of peace. No matter what, try to find some small moment where you're content.
Happy Holidays!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
It's Beginning to Look at Lot Like... Well, You Know
We finally got around to putting up the tree, which isn't seeming to lean as much this year as it did last year. So, I'm rescinding the name "Leaning Tower of Tree-sa" in favor of "The SymmeTree." For some reason, Chris decided that the colors of the ornaments on the tree had to be symmetrical. I just sorta threw stuff up there, but Chris was quite meticulous. Anyways, so we spent a good amount of time getting the tree set up and decorating it.
So, first, we got out the snacks:
Then we put on the tunes:
Then, we got out the SymmeTree and the ornaments:
These are Coltrane's favorites:
Here's the SymmeTree looking lovely and symmetrical:
And then Coltrane got really interested in the tree and especially the tree skirt:
And then, Chris started playing with tin foil and scissors, and I was like "what are you doing?" and he was like "making an angel for the top of the tree." And I was, like, quite skeptical.
Turns out I was skeptical for a reason. Chris made a creepy tin angel (and most likely flunked Kindergarden Art... ok fine, I'm being mean):
Here's the whole she-bang (including a Christmas Bun in the corner).
Happy Holidays everyone!
So, first, we got out the snacks:
 |
| Hers for her. His for Him. |
Then we put on the tunes:
Then, we got out the SymmeTree and the ornaments:
Then, we started decorating. This is my favorite ornament:
 |
| This belonged to my mom's family. |
This is Chris's favorite:
 |
| Because, well, he likes boats. |
 |
| Da Buns! |
And then Coltrane got really interested in the tree and especially the tree skirt:
And then, Chris started playing with tin foil and scissors, and I was like "what are you doing?" and he was like "making an angel for the top of the tree." And I was, like, quite skeptical.
Turns out I was skeptical for a reason. Chris made a creepy tin angel (and most likely flunked Kindergarden Art... ok fine, I'm being mean):
Here's the whole she-bang (including a Christmas Bun in the corner).
Happy Holidays everyone!
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