September 12, 2009

Here’s what you should think, according to me.

Posted by Grendel's Mother under free, unemployment
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Americans are not shy about expressing themselves. I recently had the unpleasant experience of getting flamed on a discussion board for expressing my opinion and am certain that will be the last time I do that. Not because I’m intimidated—oh no. But it was frustrating to be insulted and criticized—personally attacked—by someone who doesn’t know anything about me. There’s no reasoning with people like that.

But debate is good, it’s necessary, and it’s what our founding fathers wanted. We often complain that the government takes too long to react to crisis and injustice. Lately there have been a lot of mixed feelings about how fast or slow they should move. Being unemployed I have a personal interest in seeing this economy get out of the slump and some of the recovery money is helping—some. However, being fiscally conservative I also see the horrific consequences we’ll have to deal with because of this spending free-for-all.

While on a trip recently, I read various signs that expressed the views of my fellow countrymen. I want to share these with you—but please don’t flame me. I’m a big girl and can take some heat but I do have feelings.

  • U.S. stands for Unlimited Spending—saw that on the Bridgeville Fire Department marquee. Very witty and oh so true.
  • Socialism = trickle up poverty—this one was a bumper sticker. If only I was as smart and entrepreneurial, I could make money selling crap to everyone.
  • Reward, Straw Thief—okay, this one was on a piece of board near a farm and I thought it was funny. And it does have to do with money and the value someone puts on their straw. (Which reminds me of a time in high school when my friends and I, ahem, borrowed a bale of straw and tossed it into the pool of our rival swim team. Hey—we were kids with nothing to do and it was better than going out and getting into worse trouble.)

So remember—you may not agree with the guy who lives next to you and that’s okay. Healthy debate is good. It makes us think hard about policies, laws, and programs before we react too quickly and make mistakes. Just try to formulate intelligent arguments, get your facts straight, and be respectful. I love America. I love speaking my mind (but no longer on discussion boards). And I love the people who protect those rights for me.

 

September 9, 2009

An interview with the munchkins.

Posted by Grendel's Mother under Love
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In one of my first posts I talked about how I really love kids—other people’s kids. I am fortunate that my brother and his wife decided to have four of them. I get four kids to love, spoil, play with, and then give back.

Last weekend the Crowe clan gathered at the Crowe’s Nest in Bethany Beach. It’s a bit of a shock to my system when we gather. I go from the quiet tranquility of my house to the chaotic tornado-like atmosphere of a house full of kids who are constantly teasing, wrestling, laughing, running, and singing. On one of the more cloudy days I thought it would be fun to interview the kids. That was before I spent an hour trying to wrangle them to sit down for a few minutes and actually give me answers that I could publish.

So consider this my back-to-school assignment and your introduction to my family.

Dawn: What was the most fun thing you did this summer?

  • Zenia, age 14: Went to New Life Bible camp in Buffalo Mills, PA. It was fun because my friends were there. I’m going to go back next year.
  • Julia, age 13: The camping trip. It was all mellow and everyone was happy.
  • Tyler, age 9: (Tyler was not cooperating for the interview so Zenia answered for him.) He got rejected by four girls and got slapped by two of them.
  • Harmon, age 7: Played Wii. (Okay, that wasn’t very exciting so I asked him what else he did this summer.) We went camping. I don’t know where though. Lake something. (What was the best thing about camping?) Eating and taking naps. And playing poker.

Dawn: Were you excited to go back to school?

  • Harmon: No. (Why not?) Because there’s so much more work than I would have to do in public school. But Mom wanted me to be home schooled.
  • Zenia: No. Well actually yes. ‘Cause after camp there was nothing really left to do.
  • Julia: Yes. Because going to school (for her) isn’t like going to school. I get up early and finish early. Then I go for a run, play soccer, listen to music and then go to soccer practice.
  • Tyler: No. Because that is a dungeon of non sophisticatedness.

 Dawn: What makes you special?

  • Harmon: My awesome whaaa, whaaa. (He did some karate moves around the house as he shouted whaaa, whaaaa).
  • Zenia: My butt. I speak my mind. I say what I mean and mean what I say. (Julia says she has to be right.)
  • Julia: I’m the best soccer player in the family.
  • Tyler: (Again he wasn’t cooperating so Zenia replied, wrestling.)

Dawn: What are your future goals? Or, what do you want to be when you grow up?

  • Zenia: I want to go to VA Tech. I want to go to the University of Maryland first and then transfer. I want to become involved in the government and work in embassies.
  • Julia: I want to become a pro soccer player and then maybe marry Donovan or Tim Howard.
  • Harmon: A spy. I want to be in the army but I haven’t decided if I want to be a spy or someone in the army. A spy has a better chance of not dying so I’m gonna say spy now. Once I’m in college I’ll pick. Because that’s when you get the choice to pick.
  • Tyler: An HP. (What’s that?) A hot person.

Dawn: What’s your favorite movie?

  • Harmon: Star Wars the Clone Wars. Because it has my favorite people and more violence.
  • Zenia: Get Smart. (She changes her mind after hearing Julia.) Oh okay, Blades of Glory.
  • Julia: Blades of Glory.
  • Tyler: Pride of Chucky. (Zenia says he hasn’t even seen it.)

Dawn: Who’s your favorite Aunt?

  • Harmon: You! (I love you, too H.)

Dawn: Who’s your favorite dog?

  • Harmon: Grendel. (Two days earlier he convinced himself that he was scared of Grendel and hid in the basement when we came over.)

Well, there you go. Four of the most fun munchkins I know.

 

 

 

 

 

September 6, 2009

I want to be a princess when I grow up.

Posted by Grendel's Mother under holiday, unemployment
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It’s the end of the summer. Big bummer. We tend to define summer’s end with the Labor Day holiday. But with the August unemployment rate hitting a 26-year high of 9.7%, I would say that this Labor Day has a lot fewer people celebrating their labors. This is why I try not to watch or read the news anymore. But occasionally I just have to because otherwise I feel like I’m living in a bubble. The good news is that those who are working get a day off and those of us who aren’t get a guilt-free day because everyone else is off, too.

I’m spending this weekend with my family. And before the weekend got into full swing, I got some quality time in with one of my nephews. Tyler is nine and he’s about as smart as they come. He’s one of those photographic memory-types. Beware of what you say because he’ll remember it in vivid detail three years from now.

Tyler, being the brains of the outfit, was able to give me some career advice. At this point I’ll take anything—you never know where opportunity awaits. After hearing that I had not found a job yet, Tyler told me I should go to 99.5.com and listen to “hot jobs hookup.” “What’s that?” I asked. “It’s a place where people who want a job can call in and other people listening can hire them,” he said. I looked it up and the kid was right.

He then told me that he’s going to dress up as a woman (Princess Leia) for Halloween this year. I’m not sure if he meant that to be advice on what to wear for my next interview. (Conversations with Tyler are often eclectic.) Happy Labor Day and good luck to those seeking meaningful employment.

 

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