HOLY HECK ... It's been forever since I've blogged! Sorry for the non-bloggi-ness but thesis-ness is in full-bloomi-ness! It's due in less than SIX weeks. AHHHH. Can you believe it?!
Either way, I thought I needed to post this video for your viewing pleasure, not in jest but in pure loving fun ... because I think Tim Tebow is, well, just so freakin' God Dang adorable and cute.
Yes, I searched for the cutest picture of Tebow I could find.
Yes, I love children.
Yes, Tebow with a child makes him even more adorable.
As you already know (unless you live under a rock ... or have the sports knowledge of said rock), Tim Tebow is now a J . E . T, Jet Jet Jet, and he is super excited ... and he just can't hide it!!!
Now, let's just hope Tebow doesn't get overwhelmed by his new team and his new city and have a Jesse-Spano-like freak-out on the field ... although, not going to lie, it would be kind of entertaining (and I wouldn't complain if Zack Morris showed up on the scene either because he didn't grow up so bad if you know what I'm sayinnn').
I want to love you, feel you, wrap myself around you. I want to squeeze you, please you. I just can't get enough and if you move real slow, I let it go. I'm so excited and I just can't hide it. I'm about to lose control and I think I like it. I'm so excited and I just can't hide it and I know, I know, I know, I know, I know I want you. (I'm So Excited, The Pointer Sisters)
Today is Dr. Seuss's birthday and I suggest everyone crawl up with their favorite Seuss adventure (because we all have one!) and just be a kid again!!! Or you can watch this ... and feel awful about growing up.
I believe last year, I wrote how my fave Seussical book is "Oh, The Places You'll Go" ... and it still is. ENJOY!
Also, Justin Bieber turned 18 yesterday ... So I am officially, legally allowed to say that he is super adorable ... and, yes, I'd marry him for his money. Justin, call me.
Happy Belated Bieber Birthday Day!!!!
Hey, I just met you and this is crazy but here’s my number, so call me (maybe). It’s hard to look right at you, baby, but here’s my number, so call me (maybe). Hey, I just met you and this is crazy but here’s my number, so call me (maybe). And all the other boys try to chase me but here’s my number, so call me (maybe). (Call Me Maybe, Carly Rae Jepsen)
PS. Click the link for the official video! It's hilarious. I can't find it to post here.
If you ever partake in casual news-watching ... or news-browsing on the web ... (Or haven't been living under a rock) ... I'm sure at this point, you have heard of the NYPD's intrusive, (in my non-lawyer mind) highly likely illegal surveillance of Muslim students across the Northeast ... and, you know what, it's some ...
Maybe I'm mistaken but I always thought this was country was founded on the principles of life and liberty (and the pursuit of happiness), as well as some basic civil, human, God-given rights ... Like, for example, the fact that (in case you need a little Civics refresher course on the Bill of Rights):
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. (Amendment 1)
and, you know, maybe this one ...
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. (Amendment 4)
Both those amendments are straight up in the CONSTITUTION of the United States of America ... Basically, uh, the supreme law of the land.
So, when did it become okay to basically target a whole group of people - in this case, students! - pretty much labeling them as terrorists before anything connects them to acts of terrorism.
OH WAIT ... Some of them talk about Islam and pray four times a day while whitewater rafting. Totally makes sense now.
Ummmm, these are MUSLIM college students. Obviously some will pray while out and about ... Obviously some talk of religion will come about. It was an Muslim Student Association trip ... and, despite that, WHO CARES!? ... They have a right to do both of those things without being covertly spied on and then having a SECRET document sent back to the NYPD about their actions. This past Sunday, I attended an event sponsored by Muslims For Peace, Inc., which focused on the NYPD surveillance, as well as the human rights issues in Bahrain. In attendance were NJ Congressman Rush Holt, NJ Senator Linda Greenstein, and Councilman Stephen Dalina of Monroe Township, NJ, as well as close to 40 attendees. Speakers described the actions of the NYPD as "tragic and un-American," citing that Muslims deserve the same rights as all other Americans. One speaker stated that if the NYPD wants cooperation they should not be secretive and "come through the front door" as it is a "religious duty to obey the laws of the land." Holt started speaking by simply stating that, "It's troubling what fear will do to a people."
He went onto describe the actions of the NYPD as "intrusive, reprehensible, and pointless," as well as counterproductive.
"People should be as much troubled by the bad police procedures as they are by the intrusive actions," said Holt.
He said that the fear people demonstrate ultimately leads to an unraveling of our society.
And, if you ask me, that is one of the truest statements I have heard to date. It is fear that led to this surveillance of Muslim students. Fear that has grown after 9/11. And, while I know that there are threats everyday that need to be investigated and looked into, this was not the way to go about it. Yes, keeping this country safe and secure is important but infringing on the rights of an entire group of people because of their faith goes directly against the same rights and freedoms we are trying to protect.
Counterproductive, don't you think?
First they came for the communists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for me,
and there was no one left to speak out for me.
- Niemoller
Judge not before you judge yourself. Judge not, if you're not ready for judgement. The road of life is rocking and you may stumble too. So while you talk about me, someone else is judging you. (Judge Not, Bob Marley)
If you have ever been to Victoria's Secret and offered them up your name and email address, you have undoubtedly received one of these in the mail ...
And been uber excited to run to VS that moment to grab your freebie undies and, if you're anything like me (meaning broke and/or cheap), nothing else.
So, yesterday, I received a similar coupon for a free lace-trim hip-hugger and even though the coupon said it was valid starting on the 28th, I ran there anyway - hoping they would accept it ... and they did. The nice salesgirl showed me the table where all the lace-trim hip-huggers were laid out and I was in undie heaven.
Until confusion stuck. I mean I always knew they hid the dreaded EXTRA LARGEundies at the very bottom of the displays, in the bottom drawers, where they could be hidden from sight ... but I didn't see the drawer marked XL. So then I circled the display and I didn't see a single drawer marked XL. So I grabbed a large, thinking, "They're free. Who cares if they're sold out."
I walked over the counter to "pay" and asked the girl about the XL undies and her response ...
VS stopped carrying extra large's in every style of underwear (except one) for almost a year at this point. They also stopped carrying a size 40 bra.
SKINNY BITCHES WHO RUN THE FASHION INDUSTRY SAY WHAT?!?!?!
Now, as Joy Nash pointed out in this hilarious video, I know the fashion industry thinks some women "barely deserve to be allowed to wear clothing ..." but has it come to the point where we can't buy underwear either?!
Damn, son. That's just wrong.
Oh, and for the record, even when VS had an extra large, it never really was an extra large... It was more like a large disguised as an extra large ... because those things ran small, so why I even picked up that large is beyond me.
All I know is ... VS is not making anymore money off of me. (The little that they were.)
Whatcha gonna do with all that junk, all that junk inside your trunk? ... I drive these brothers crazy. I do it on the daily. They treat me really nicely. They buy me all these ices. Dolce and Gabbana, Fendi and that Donna Karan. They be sharing, all their money got me wearing fly. Brother, I ain't asking. They say they love my ass in Seven jeans, True Religion. I say no but they keep giving. (My Humps, Black Eyed Peas)
So, it's been awhile. I'm generally not this non-bloggy but work and grad school kind of own my life ... But when I have something to say, I have to say it ... and if you've been following me for a while, you know there are two things that I am very violently vocal about (HELLO ALLITERATION!) ... One being women in the media and its effect on their body image and the other being shit that pisses me off.
So, here goes one about something that pissed me the heck off ... If it sounds similar, it might be because almost a year ago, I wrote a blog entry on a very similar topic.
If you are a frequent reader of my blog, you know that I substitute teach in my (very) spare time for some pocket change and to cover the bills, bills, bills ... and lately I have been noticing an alarming trend in a growing number of school districts that is PISSING ME OFF.
Back in the day when I was in school, we'd get off the bus, go in, put all our stuff away, go to homeroom or whatever ... and the first thing we'd generally do after attendance was the Pledge of Allegiance.
Nowadays, I barely go to any schools that do the Pledge every morning. Honestly, it would not surprise me if in some districts, there were students who did not know the Pledge, which doesn't piss me off ... it saddens me, because, you know what ... that's not the fault of the children, it's the fault of the districts.
Whether they are doing it to not offend because they have foreign students or because they are scared of saying "God" in school ... It is completely unacceptable.
We are a country of immigrants and I am completely aware of that (and proud of our diversity) ... and, yes, I know there are some things that we need to be sensitive of - I get that too.
I understand that some children may not want to say the Pledge because they are not American and they have their own countries that they pledge their allegiance to, and you know what ... I'm fine with that too. But, there is nothing wrong with still having it said every day and teaching children that they should stand and honor the country they live in, and presumably, their parents (or guardians) work and make a living in.
Yes, I am proud of my Italian heritage and, yes, I am proud of my Pakistani heritage, but when it comes down to it, when people ask me what I am ... After I give them a snide look and say "Human? How about you?" ... I always say American.
I am an American Italian. I am an American Pakistani. I was born and raised in this country, and despite the fact that there will always be policies and issues that I may not agree with from time to time, I am proud to be here and proud to live here ... and proud to pledge my allegiance to it.
And, I think that school districts need to remember that they have a part in instilling those values in the future leaders of our country.
I think my rant is over. But, seriously, if you are a parent ... Ask your child if they do the Pledge in school. Or at the least, make sure they know the Pledge, and be sure that they know to stand when it is said. It's a matter of respect, people!
He’s got the red, white, blue flyin’ high on the farm. Semper fi tattooed on his left arm. Spend a little more in the store for a tag in the back that says USA. He won’t buy nothin’ that he can’t fix with WD-40 and a Craftsman wrench. He ain’t prejudice, he’s just Made in America. He loves his wife ... She’s Golden Rule, teaches school, some folks say it isn’t cool, but she says the Pledge of Allegiance any way. (Made in America, Toby Keith)
(Sidenote:As I wrote that ... I heard the Star Bangled Banner playing from the television outside my door ... I guess my brother is watching some sporting event right now ... and on that note, I must commend some districts on their policies of both doing the pledge and playing the national anthem every morning.)
