This post is brought to you care of San Juan, Puerto Rico!
As wonderful as this place is (I can't show you yet, because my camera cord is still in Ohio), I wish I could say I was here for vacation.
We are here for work. That's right. Someone paid to fly me out to San Juan, give me a 2 room suite (with a king sized bed), and let me spend the weekend on the beach just because they want me to visit a manufacturing site.
Ok, I need some sleep. I will update more as I go!
Showing posts with label Seeing the Sites. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Seeing the Sites. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
11k in 2011- Alex and Me
I loved this book- it touched my personal interest yet was also very much an intelligent, scientific book. It was very interesting, and as a former bird owner, very touching. And the best part?
The author is coming to the downtown library tomorrow! She'll sign books and answer questions (of which I have absolutely none...) and the zoo is going to provide some parrots to see! I can't wait.
I'm still very very behind on my reading challenge. But I'm catching up! Yay
The back of the book:
"'You be good. I love you.' were Alex's final words to his owner, research scientist Irene Pepperberg, before his premature death at age thirty-one on September 6, 2007. An African Grey parrot, Alex had a brain the size of a shelled walnut, yet he could add, sound out words, understand concepts like bigger, smaller, more, fewer, and none, and he disproved the widely accepted idea that birds possess no potential for language or anything remotely comparable to human intelligence. Alex and Me is the remarkable true account of an amazing, irascible parrot and his best friend who stayed together through thick and thin for thirty years- the astonishing, moving, and unforgettable story of a landmark scientific achievement and a beautiful relationship."
The Bibliography:
Pepperberg, Irene M. Alex and Me. New York: Harper-Collins Publishers, 2009.
You can find the book here, or at your local library (support the libraries!).
Total Pages: 226
Total Pages for 2011: 1,362
Remaining pages to read: 9,638
The author is coming to the downtown library tomorrow! She'll sign books and answer questions (of which I have absolutely none...) and the zoo is going to provide some parrots to see! I can't wait.
I'm still very very behind on my reading challenge. But I'm catching up! Yay
The back of the book:
"'You be good. I love you.' were Alex's final words to his owner, research scientist Irene Pepperberg, before his premature death at age thirty-one on September 6, 2007. An African Grey parrot, Alex had a brain the size of a shelled walnut, yet he could add, sound out words, understand concepts like bigger, smaller, more, fewer, and none, and he disproved the widely accepted idea that birds possess no potential for language or anything remotely comparable to human intelligence. Alex and Me is the remarkable true account of an amazing, irascible parrot and his best friend who stayed together through thick and thin for thirty years- the astonishing, moving, and unforgettable story of a landmark scientific achievement and a beautiful relationship."
The Bibliography:
Pepperberg, Irene M. Alex and Me. New York: Harper-Collins Publishers, 2009.
You can find the book here, or at your local library (support the libraries!).
Total Pages: 226
Total Pages for 2011: 1,362
Remaining pages to read: 9,638
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
2 years
2 years ago today I was in Mexico. We were in Celestun- in the Yucatan, close to Merida. We spent the day doing 3 things- a tour of a factory...
a boat ride in a flamingo reserve...
And I mean LOTS. OF. FLAMINGOS
and an evening at a slightly chilly beach.
I was making new friends, and using my mad-Spanish skills (I was the one of 3 fluent speakers on the trip, so naturally I was popular), and we ended the day sitting on a beach drinking Corona and watching mine explode because the salt shaker lid broke right as I added some to my tasty drink.
We laughed about the alligator/crocodile on the rocks that scared Ben so badly. We still never determined whether it was real or fake. You decide.
We played in the water, and let the fishies nibble at our toes. Afterwards we returned to our hotel with the beautiful patio in the middle and talked about how my first trip to the ocean went.
It was by far one of the most memorable days of my life. Mexico, and the friendships forged there will never be forgotten. But little to my knowledge, on that very special day while I was visiting the ocean for the first time...
This little guy was being born. A bajillion miles away.
I wouldn't meet him for almost 3 more months. But that day? December 15? It was special without me knowing it.
I love that little guy. Happy birthday, Romeo
Friday, November 26, 2010
Traveling for the Holidays- Dealing with the TSA
So have you seen all the hype about the TSA and this new back scatter machine?
They're mad scary, to me.
I am thankful this year that I don't have to fly anywhere. I usually don't have to, to be honest (most of our family is within driving distance). But I like to fly, and I tend to fly on occasion. Once a year is pretty standard. Sometimes more.
I won't be flying for a long long time, though. These back scatter machines are over the line, and while I understand the TSA has the authority to say "do it or don't fly" I also understand my right to say "no thanks. I guess the airline can go bankrupt because I'm not going through that thing nor will I be groped in public." Notice here, that I do not feel it is appropriate to try to gum up the works or be deliberately rude. I do, however, love the idea of a boycott.
Please hear me out- here are my reasons.
First, there is the story behind the notorious bomber who created this security mess. The infamous Underwear Bomber. #1- Did you know that the back scatter machine wouldn't have caught him? That's right, folks. Experts have agreed on that point. #2- Did you know that the security system ALREADY IN PLACE failed to catch him? Here's a quote from National Counterterrorism Center Director Michael Leiter "Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab should not have stepped onto a plane on Christmas Day," he declared. "The counterterrorism system collectively failed and I along with Director [of National Intelligence Dennis] Blair and Secretary [of Homeland Security Janet] Napolitano and others want to tell you and the American people the same thing we told the president, that we have to do better." He should never have been on the plane. Period. The rules that were already established SHOULD have caught him.
#3- And this is a smaller point to be made, but still one to consider. Medically, the machine could be hazardous to your health. The levels of radiation used aren't horrible (although we could have a whole debate on whether or not radiation at all is ok). BUT there are still concerns over how it will affect the skin, especially for frequent flyers. What about pregnant women? Plus anomallies- machinery fails, ya know. And if something goes wrong with these machines, you could get a lot more radiation than ever healthy. I just don't like the idea of frying my body (even if it's for a minimal amount) for convenience.
#4- and my biggest point. I think we have crossed a line. We've been getting closer and closer to that point over the years, but this has actually crossed the line. Where does it stop? The most extreme and horrible atrocities on this planet started out like this. Not so harmful things that you normally wouldn't be ok with, but it's for the right reasons, right? Do you think the holocaust started off with Auschwitz and deathcamps and gas chambers? Of course not. They started off with registering all the Jewish citizens, making them paint symbols on their homes and wear patches on their clothes. Doesn't seem so horrible right? Or another more useful example (some might say the holocaust is going too far here). The Japanese internment camps in 1942. After the attack on Pearl Harbor around 110,000 Japanese-Americans were "relocated" to these camps. They were seen as a possible security threat.
Now, my question was where does it stop? Most will say, well that's what it takes to feel safe. But eventually someone will come along and find a way around the scanner. Where there's a will there's a way. What will be next? How far will you let it go?
Well, you don't have a right to fly. So they can impose this regulation, right? Ok. So what about the movies or the mall? Or how about an ice skating rink in central Park? or the subway in DC? What if someone decides to blow up one of those, and now all of a sudden you gotta be groped or scanned to go see a movie or shop? What if this holiday season you have to be pat down in all your crevices to go ice skating? Would you be ok with that?
And then finally #5- I just find it on principle wrong. Doctors can't share your health records unless medically necessary (ie one doc to another doc). They can't even give your medical records to your spouse without permission (and I like these rules). So why is it ok for a security agent to get to see your whole body OR if you refuse to get to play touchy feely?
There are so many issues I have here, and it's mainly because it seems like there is no end. We have established a bill of rights and a Constitution because of things like this. We set up rules at the beginning stating "this is wrong." They were established to prevent things going over the top, because in fear people can lose their better judgment. It's like teaching safe sex. You're taught to have a plan. Set your boundaries BEFORE you start dating someone. That way when the time comes you aren't making decisions with impaired judgment (be it from alcohol or teenage hormones or peer pressure or whatever). Isn't this the same thing? We have a right to privacy. Don't give up your rights out of fear (otherwise known as impaired judgment).
AND end rant.
They're mad scary, to me.
I am thankful this year that I don't have to fly anywhere. I usually don't have to, to be honest (most of our family is within driving distance). But I like to fly, and I tend to fly on occasion. Once a year is pretty standard. Sometimes more.
I won't be flying for a long long time, though. These back scatter machines are over the line, and while I understand the TSA has the authority to say "do it or don't fly" I also understand my right to say "no thanks. I guess the airline can go bankrupt because I'm not going through that thing nor will I be groped in public." Notice here, that I do not feel it is appropriate to try to gum up the works or be deliberately rude. I do, however, love the idea of a boycott.
Please hear me out- here are my reasons.
First, there is the story behind the notorious bomber who created this security mess. The infamous Underwear Bomber. #1- Did you know that the back scatter machine wouldn't have caught him? That's right, folks. Experts have agreed on that point. #2- Did you know that the security system ALREADY IN PLACE failed to catch him? Here's a quote from National Counterterrorism Center Director Michael Leiter "Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab should not have stepped onto a plane on Christmas Day," he declared. "The counterterrorism system collectively failed and I along with Director [of National Intelligence Dennis] Blair and Secretary [of Homeland Security Janet] Napolitano and others want to tell you and the American people the same thing we told the president, that we have to do better." He should never have been on the plane. Period. The rules that were already established SHOULD have caught him.
#3- And this is a smaller point to be made, but still one to consider. Medically, the machine could be hazardous to your health. The levels of radiation used aren't horrible (although we could have a whole debate on whether or not radiation at all is ok). BUT there are still concerns over how it will affect the skin, especially for frequent flyers. What about pregnant women? Plus anomallies- machinery fails, ya know. And if something goes wrong with these machines, you could get a lot more radiation than ever healthy. I just don't like the idea of frying my body (even if it's for a minimal amount) for convenience.
#4- and my biggest point. I think we have crossed a line. We've been getting closer and closer to that point over the years, but this has actually crossed the line. Where does it stop? The most extreme and horrible atrocities on this planet started out like this. Not so harmful things that you normally wouldn't be ok with, but it's for the right reasons, right? Do you think the holocaust started off with Auschwitz and deathcamps and gas chambers? Of course not. They started off with registering all the Jewish citizens, making them paint symbols on their homes and wear patches on their clothes. Doesn't seem so horrible right? Or another more useful example (some might say the holocaust is going too far here). The Japanese internment camps in 1942. After the attack on Pearl Harbor around 110,000 Japanese-Americans were "relocated" to these camps. They were seen as a possible security threat.
Now, my question was where does it stop? Most will say, well that's what it takes to feel safe. But eventually someone will come along and find a way around the scanner. Where there's a will there's a way. What will be next? How far will you let it go?
Well, you don't have a right to fly. So they can impose this regulation, right? Ok. So what about the movies or the mall? Or how about an ice skating rink in central Park? or the subway in DC? What if someone decides to blow up one of those, and now all of a sudden you gotta be groped or scanned to go see a movie or shop? What if this holiday season you have to be pat down in all your crevices to go ice skating? Would you be ok with that?
And then finally #5- I just find it on principle wrong. Doctors can't share your health records unless medically necessary (ie one doc to another doc). They can't even give your medical records to your spouse without permission (and I like these rules). So why is it ok for a security agent to get to see your whole body OR if you refuse to get to play touchy feely?
There are so many issues I have here, and it's mainly because it seems like there is no end. We have established a bill of rights and a Constitution because of things like this. We set up rules at the beginning stating "this is wrong." They were established to prevent things going over the top, because in fear people can lose their better judgment. It's like teaching safe sex. You're taught to have a plan. Set your boundaries BEFORE you start dating someone. That way when the time comes you aren't making decisions with impaired judgment (be it from alcohol or teenage hormones or peer pressure or whatever). Isn't this the same thing? We have a right to privacy. Don't give up your rights out of fear (otherwise known as impaired judgment).
AND end rant.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Happy Oktoberfest!!!!
So last weekend was Oktoberfest here in Zinzinnati! It's one of the biggest in the country (supposedly) with the world's largest chicken dance (not the record I would prefer, but... to each his own). One of the other things we have going on??? THE RUNNING OF THE WIENERS!!!!
We have 8 heats of 10 wiener dogs each- that's EIGHTY WIENER DOGS, folks!
This is why I love Zinzinnati! Where else can you catch a glimpse of eighty dachsunds in hot dog costumes???
We have 8 heats of 10 wiener dogs each- that's EIGHTY WIENER DOGS, folks!
At the end of the preliminaries, they held a final race of the winners from each heat.
Finalist got an interview- Bark bark!
These owners were pretty intense, actually.
Lots used props to get the doggies to run!
I love this picture. He's off the ground!
Some were in no hurry. This poor feller was dead last.
That's Charlie- he was the winner 2 years in a row. He set a record, I think.
Cookie here was another finalist. He did NOT like the police officer on a horse.
AND the grand wiener is Gretta. With the mustard costume.
Didn't matter to all- this guy was permitted to play with the forbidden toy- Tigger, there.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Getting Away is not the same as Running Away
Hi, everyone! I'm back, and hopefully starting fresh. I honestly wanted to "start fresh" on Monday, but I was on a plane, and then I was reunited with my hubby and my puppy and that da** cat. It just didn't happen. And then catching up Tues and Wed because I was gone all weekend meant that it didn't happen then, either. OH WELL! Here I am.
I went away. No, literally. I got up Friday morning nice and early and caught a small little plane to Philadelphia, PA. I spent about 30 minutes trying to locate my aunt. Apparently you arrive at the departure entrance to terminal F and then you must take the escalater up to the skywalk, then the skywalk over to the escalator, then the escalator down to the ground again to be at the arrivals exit. Weird, since no signs told me to do so. Anywho, I arrived in sunshiny Philadelphia and spent a blissful long weekend with my aunt, uncle, twin cousins, and grandma. It was heaven.
I mean really... That cup of ice cream? Divine. Heaven! It was chocolate ice cream with reese pieces, cups, and peanut butter in it. Scrumptious!
The twins ride horses. They are obsessed with horses, actually. They're 8. So Friday I had the liberty of watching their lesson, where they proceeded to jump. Which I think is scary and I ride horses! At one point the li'l pony literally RACED to the jump. I seriously thought Sydney would scream and fall, but no. She did tremendous! They both did.
Meanwhile I babysat their puppies. This pic was NOT taken during the time of my babysitting. This was the next day, after receiving 3 vaccinations. They are shepherd mixes. Beautiful, fun, and intelligent. I was only slightly jealous. So was someone else.
I love this guy. Who incidentally missed me lots.
Anywho, PA. Right. We also went riding as a group, and I was reminded of just how much I miss my farm, riding, my own horse, who is now fatter than fat normally allows, and riding in general. They gave me the fiesty "Sarge". He was a fat stock horse. He had an attitude, something about thinking he's the boss? Guess we know where he gets his name! He promptly attempted to shove me into every fence we walked past, ate an entire buffet's worth of corn, alfalfa, and just any sort of grass in general, and pretty much refused any suggestion or more of going faster than a walk. It was a blast! I loved Sarge. I was rather jealous of my uncle, though. They gave him Marshal, a former race horse. I would have LOVED to get him on the barrel course they had set up! Or the pole bending. Oooooooh how awesome that would have been!
Speaking of my awesome uncle, you wouldn't believe what he's found!
That, my friends, is the original deed or rather a digital copy of the original deed to the farm I grew up on. Apparently it was originally bought by my seven-times-great-grandfather in 1825. That there document? Signed or stamped, it might not actually be his signature by Mr. John Quincy Adams! How freakin' awesome is that? I've got to figure out where it is. I want to see the actual thing!
We also spent the weekend setting up their new classroom. The girls will be home-schooled this year. I used to think that was a bad idea. Until I left Indiana and saw that some parents are intelligent enough to do it correctly. It looks exciting, and I'm insanely jealous of the girls and coincidentally their mom. She'll love it too.
And by the end of the 4th day, when I was flying home, I realized I hadn't thought of something for 90% of the trip. This is probably the exact opposite of what it was like at home. And while I still think of it quite a bit now that I'm back, it's not so bad or as often. I'm not as sad, now. That weekend away really really really ten times over helped me let go. And while it'll probably always hurt, I was totally ok when my grandmother told me that I don't need to get pregnant. I was shocked. and it came out of the blue with a rather negative tone. I think I even laughed! Had that happened day one of the trip it happened on the last day I would have burst into tears.
So let's raise our glasses to getting away! Vacations are just sometimes necessary. Especially when life gets to be overwhelming. Now if I could just lose that extra weight... But that's another story in and of itself!
I went away. No, literally. I got up Friday morning nice and early and caught a small little plane to Philadelphia, PA. I spent about 30 minutes trying to locate my aunt. Apparently you arrive at the departure entrance to terminal F and then you must take the escalater up to the skywalk, then the skywalk over to the escalator, then the escalator down to the ground again to be at the arrivals exit. Weird, since no signs told me to do so. Anywho, I arrived in sunshiny Philadelphia and spent a blissful long weekend with my aunt, uncle, twin cousins, and grandma. It was heaven.
I mean really... That cup of ice cream? Divine. Heaven! It was chocolate ice cream with reese pieces, cups, and peanut butter in it. Scrumptious!
The twins ride horses. They are obsessed with horses, actually. They're 8. So Friday I had the liberty of watching their lesson, where they proceeded to jump. Which I think is scary and I ride horses! At one point the li'l pony literally RACED to the jump. I seriously thought Sydney would scream and fall, but no. She did tremendous! They both did.
Meanwhile I babysat their puppies. This pic was NOT taken during the time of my babysitting. This was the next day, after receiving 3 vaccinations. They are shepherd mixes. Beautiful, fun, and intelligent. I was only slightly jealous. So was someone else.
I love this guy. Who incidentally missed me lots.
Anywho, PA. Right. We also went riding as a group, and I was reminded of just how much I miss my farm, riding, my own horse, who is now fatter than fat normally allows, and riding in general. They gave me the fiesty "Sarge". He was a fat stock horse. He had an attitude, something about thinking he's the boss? Guess we know where he gets his name! He promptly attempted to shove me into every fence we walked past, ate an entire buffet's worth of corn, alfalfa, and just any sort of grass in general, and pretty much refused any suggestion or more of going faster than a walk. It was a blast! I loved Sarge. I was rather jealous of my uncle, though. They gave him Marshal, a former race horse. I would have LOVED to get him on the barrel course they had set up! Or the pole bending. Oooooooh how awesome that would have been!
Speaking of my awesome uncle, you wouldn't believe what he's found!
That, my friends, is the original deed or rather a digital copy of the original deed to the farm I grew up on. Apparently it was originally bought by my seven-times-great-grandfather in 1825. That there document? Signed or stamped, it might not actually be his signature by Mr. John Quincy Adams! How freakin' awesome is that? I've got to figure out where it is. I want to see the actual thing!
We also spent the weekend setting up their new classroom. The girls will be home-schooled this year. I used to think that was a bad idea. Until I left Indiana and saw that some parents are intelligent enough to do it correctly. It looks exciting, and I'm insanely jealous of the girls and coincidentally their mom. She'll love it too.
And by the end of the 4th day, when I was flying home, I realized I hadn't thought of something for 90% of the trip. This is probably the exact opposite of what it was like at home. And while I still think of it quite a bit now that I'm back, it's not so bad or as often. I'm not as sad, now. That weekend away really really really ten times over helped me let go. And while it'll probably always hurt, I was totally ok when my grandmother told me that I don't need to get pregnant. I was shocked. and it came out of the blue with a rather negative tone. I think I even laughed! Had that happened day one of the trip it happened on the last day I would have burst into tears.
So let's raise our glasses to getting away! Vacations are just sometimes necessary. Especially when life gets to be overwhelming. Now if I could just lose that extra weight... But that's another story in and of itself!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Belated Mother's Day
So I seem to have suffered a minor case of writer's block. And the perfectionist in me has a few issues with the fact that I have about a million ways to write this post and about a million others to choose from for writing posting.
The blessing is that I've had that chance to read about everyone else's Mother's Day! And I've seen some pretty good ones, like the emotionally uplifting to the rather sad (both by the same writer, I know. I love her writing). I've also witnessed a few Mother's Days from a few people. Sometimes it's a challenge to find time, like my roommate who works 1 pm to 10 pm. Sometimes it's just a phone call, like with Mike's mom, who lives 4 hours away. And sometimes, it's hilarious, entertaining, and fun-filled, like mine.
I didn't buy my mom anything. WHAT?!?!?!?! I know. It might be sad, but my mom is... different. She hates gifts. She loves spending time with me (and my brothers). She's my best friend, after all. We work together, so we see each other 5 days a week. So what did we do for Mother's Day? Mike came up with a brilliant idea- let's go to the zoo!
But first, the best gift you could give her- All 6 of us kids took her to dinner (3 children, 3 significant others). My brothers work at a casino. They work different hours and ALWAYS work holidays. We never get together all at the same time. The last time was my wedding, actually. 10 months ago.
My mom LOVES the zoo! And since we love our family, we ALL went. My grandma, 2 aunts, 2 of my cousins, one of their significant others, her sister and HER fiance, my mom, Mike and I. We spent a good while there. My mom was the child of the group "I wanna see the birds. I don't wanna sit down and eat. I came to see the animals!" haha. We had so much fun!!! I love our zoo. If you are ever in Cincy, you really should make time to go, because it's wonderful! We can feed the giraffes, hold the birds, chase the peacocks, eat Graeter's ice cream or Skyline chili (2 other big Cincy favorites!).
And did I take pictures for you? Of course!!!! not. I tried!!!! I swear I did. I even brought my camera and took a few snapshots! But then my battery died. So to appease the crowd, I added some pics from one of our last trips.
Peacocks lived at the Cincy Zoo before it was the Cincy Zoo.
We can feed the Giraffes!!!!
Elephants are one of my faves- they always seem to be smiling.
We have 2 pairs of white lions- 2 male and 2 female. Isn't he magnificent? He was roaring on Sunday.
These Meerkats were super active! I was lucky to get this shot!!!
There were babies!!!! But they were sleeping behind a rock- not easy to see.
These 2 manatees were released into the wild in November or December. We now have 2 more babies that were rescued.
Flamingoes!!!! And no, they don't turn pink from eating shrimp, it's something that develops with age. They are born white.
AND this is what I looked like FOR the zoo. I love my hat, and my glasses looked pretty awesome with the outfit, I must say (new to glasses... I'm still getting used to seeing them on me.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)