Nothing Like Authenticity

Once monthly, my agency coordinates a social outing for the the people with disabilities (PwD) we serve. Movies, miniature golf, dinner, Six Flags, Dave & Buster's... you get the idea. In October, a Halloween party is the logical, minimal-effort activity. This year, tonight in fact, the party took the form of pizza, treats, painting small gourds, and a costume contest.

One PwD wanted to attend but told her case manager she didn't feel she could spend money on a costume. The staff person, one I've raved about before, suggested creativity could substitute for expense. After some discussion, the PwD agreed that masquerading as a baby sounded like fun... but she wasn't sure how to go about it.

Staff: Well, we can put your hair in pigtails, draw freckles on your face... and you can carry a stuffed animal or a baby rattle. Oh, and you can wrap a big white towel around you like a diaper.

PwD: Why don't I just put one of my own diapers on outside of my pants?

Damned if she didn't do it, too. When the other PwDs voted, she won for best costume.

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'Tis the Season

I couldn't help but laugh.

The slogan, For any time of the month, is inspired... but this weekend seems particularly appropriate timing for this.

Happy Halloween, ladies. If you're feeling artsy-craftsy, Gunfighter, you can play too. ;p

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Three Dog Night

Heh. Turns out Suzanne was right: it's the chair that's a dog magnet. Did I mention Bonnie is staying with us again?

I was... um... watching Detroit get spanked Saturday night in Game One of the World Series.

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In the Round

Recently, Suzanne has been playing CDs in the office whilst pursuing her many computer-related interests. Anna Nalick had been spinning for several days when I mentioned that I liked it. Suzanne promptly burned a copy for me, then asked if I wanted the song titles. I responded affirmatively, assuming she would write them on the paper insert that comes with writable discs. I didn't know that she had acquired new cd cases. I also didn't realize they were round, a fact that sorta precludes using the standard paper insert unless one elects to undertake modification.

Her solution? "I wrote in the round for you!" she exclaimed.

I suppose the inconvenience of actually ejecting the disc if I want to see the title of a track is a small price to pay for her efforts.

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Falling... or Not

Oh, the joys of Autumn: brisk days of bright sunlight and beautiful blue skies, evenings turning cold enough to permit me to indulge my pyromaniacal tendencies, and beautiful fall foliage... until it all falls. I wonder if I'm the only one that starts the damned raking season by raking the roof?

Here's another shot of the pile of pine needles. Why yes, yes those are the twin sheds that can be seen in the background. Magnificent, aren't they? And so soundly constructed!

The raking of the shingles was only the precursor to clearing the gutters, of course.

Yes, Weese, I know - there are trees yet to be trimmed and grass yet to be grown. It's a process, mmkay?

No, Sporks and Scout, I was NOT (yet) drinking when I went on the roof.

No, Syd, I did not throw crap from the gutters at the neighbor's cat - or Suzanne.

See the chimney?

Of course you do. Look closely, though... do you see it?

This weed, at least, was taken care of.

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My Woman...

...is a Dog Hog.

But they do all seem pretty content.

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Of Birds and Bees

According to the brainiacs at the Museum of Natural History at the University of Oslo, human homosexuality cannot be considered "unnatural". Indeed, it seems the museum is opening the world's first exhibition about homosexuality among animals. That's right, folks. God bless the Norwegians, who are affirming that giraffes, swans, and whales--amongst other critters--enjoy some same-sex lovin'.

"We may have opinions on a lot of things, but one thing is clear -- homosexuality is found throughout the animal kingdom, it is not against nature," an exhibit statement said.

That's nice to hear, isn't it? But it gets even better:

"The sexual urge is strong in all animals. ... It's a part of life, it's fun to have sex," Soeli said of the reasons for homosexuality or bisexuality among animals.

Now THAT'S what I'm talkin' about! Sex is fun! (Duh.)

Seriously, both the exhibit and the article interested me. The exhibit, because it never occurred to me that other species practice same-sex sex... and the article, because it truly astounds me that two male giraffes engaging in anal sex could be trumpeted as a defense of the "unnatural" life I live.


Of course, the braniacs couldn't be satisfied with a "hey, it's natural after all" conclusion, because nature has to follow the rules of genetic evolution.

Still, it is unclear why homosexuality survives since it seems a genetic dead-end.

Among theories, males can sometimes win greater acceptance in a pack by having homosexual contact. That in turn can help their chances of later mating with females, he said.

And a study of homosexual men in Italy suggested that their mothers and sisters had more offspring. "The same genes that give homosexuality in men could give higher fertility among women," he said.

Naturally.

Mmmmm, Salt

Courtesy of Sporks, and The Onion. I'd be ALL OVER this if it were more than a creative image:

"Blast Your Bloodstream!"

Ah, well, a girl can dream...

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*Giggle*

I know it's too early to count the Damn Yankees out, but it pleases me no end to read an ESPN headline entitled, "Bronx Bummers".

The vaunted Yankees lineup have gone 14 straight innings without scoring a run against Detroit.

Friday night:
The poor little Yanks went 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position.
They were shut out by Kenny Rogers, who just ain't all that.
The "Big Unit" Randy Johnson gave up 5 earned runs.
Damon, A-Rod, Giambi, Abreu, and Bernie Williams all went 0-fer in the game.

I'd only be happier if Jeter had done the same... or if last night's game had shut the door on the Yanks' season.

Instead, I'll cringe my way through this afternoon's game.

Update, for any who didn't hear our victory cheer: The Yankees lost 3-8, and are now done with baseball until next season. YeeFuckin'Haw!

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Time for a Meme*

*Subtitle: 'cause I love music.

That's right, I'm too lazy uninspired tired to write original text, so I swiped a meme from SassyFemme.

Here are the rules: List seven songs you are in to right now. No matter what the genre, whether or not they have words, or even if they're not any good... they must be songs you're really enjoying now. Post these instructions on your blog along with your seven songs. Then tag seven other people to see what they're listening to.

"Crazy On You", live recording by Heart. The Road Home was a cd I once owned but was a casualty of my previous relationship. Now that I've re-obtained it through Amazon.com, I've been playing the hell out of it. Ann Wilson can belt.

"Fuck was I", Jenny Owen Youngs. Discovered via Occasional Bitch, the song immediately became a new old favorite of mine.

"Orinoco Flow", by Enya. I love this song and play it often as a "pick me up". Yeah, Enya. Shut up.

"Tear in your Hand", by Tori Amos. If you don't know Tori, or Little Earthquakes, you're missing out.

"The Logical Song", by Supertramp. Always a favorite, and particularly meaningful when responsibilities are such a burden.

"What the What is Ladylike", by Storm Large. I didn't have to watch Rock Star: Supernova because Sporks kept me in the loop. Whatever on Fire, indeed!

"Because of You", by Kelly Clarkson. Yes, I'll cop to this one, too. I own, and enjoy, her music. This song in particular. And not just because I'm a sap for a good ballad.

I'm not going to "tag" anyone... if you want to do it, do it. :)

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Wannabe Word Cloud

I'm following in Syd's footsteps, but you can get your own "Word Cloud" here.


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Music to my Mouth

Chipotle, within five blessed minutes of home.

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When In Rome...

We've had a guest doggy in the house the past week... not such a bad thing. Bonnie is a little more active than Dud, so Pixie's been getting her play on. Bonnie also doesn't seem to mind that Pix wants to chew her ears off. Actually, she's pretty sweet in general. She comes when we call her, likes to cuddle, and doesn't get on the furniture. Well, that's what her dad said, anyway. I guess it must be our influence.

Since I cropped my salt shaker out of the picture, let me just add that the bitch is SO in my spot on the couch.

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