According to a WaPo article, beverage makers have agreed to pull sodas and sugary “fruit” drinks from grade schools and middle schools. High schools students will still be able to purchase diet sodas and low calorie sports drinks and “fruit” drinks.
Month: May 2006
Self Portrait
Self Portrait in Window, 16 April 2006
Carriage House
16 April 2006
The perspective in this photo is correct. The upper wall of the building, between the windows and the eaves, is bowing severely.
Speaking of Voting…
I can’t believe I forgot to mention this. Not only do our new fancy schmancy electronic voting machines not supply any sort of a receipt, but Indiana is now requiring that voters provide government issued identification. The state’s license branches were open extended hours on Monday and Tuesday, so that folks who did not know about the new ID requirement could obtain state IDs.
And, this from Pandagon, on voting irregularities in Ohio. One point that is made is that outright fraud is not necessary, when physically restricting access to voting might work just as well.
It’s been said before but bears repeating, they don’t actually need to change votes, which is something that could eventually be detected and people could be thrown in jail for, in order to throw elections. All they need to do is make sure there’s inadequate facilities in certain precincts and the frustration of waiting to vote will drive huge numbers of voters away.
The same sort of situation occurred in my precinct, but it’s rural and the population is extremely low, so folks here would not have faced long lines and big hassles. Still, it sucks. And, at least the folks in Ohio were supposed to get a receipt. Our new electronic machines don’t even have that option.
Party on, Wayne!
Oh feck. Today is Spring Party day, and I forgot. If I’d remembered, I’d probably’ve stayed home. We have an obnoxious number of parties here. It seems like a week can’t go by without at least one of the sub-units celebrating something. I wouldn’t mind it so much–aside from the noise distraction–if the department head didn’t go around, rounding up strays and requesting that they attend. I’m sorry, but being required to participate is not okay, especially when at least once a year, we are sent an e-mail reminder that party attendance is not to be done on paid time. We have to use our break time, or make up the lost time, if we go to a party. Fuck that!
Adventures in Voting
We got to the polling site shortly after they opened, but there was a little bit of a delay, because only one of the voting machines was working. The rest had not been reprogramed for DST, so they wouldn’t be up and running until 7am. Hrmph. While I was waiting my turn, I eavesdropped on the couple in line behind me. They made a few comments about being amazed at how many Democrats were present, and how misguided we were. Then, as I was leaving after voting, I overheard the woman comment that “Democrats must get out of bed really early.” Why yes, yes we do, ma’am.
As a small blue dot in a sea of endless red, it was interesting to listen to a couple of Republicans whinging about being in the minority.
Adventures in Advertising
Wendy’s has a new television commercial in high rotation right now for something called a Frescata Sandwich. Now, first, I don’t think I’d make a habit of eating anything with scat in the name. I’m just sayin’… Second, it’s advertised as being made with something called “artisan” bread. Now, correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t the descriptor “artisan” imply that one might expect said bread to be handcrafted by an actual artisan? Highly unlikely, so I’m calling Bullshit.
Letters to Esther Update
I’ve transcribed and scanned a few more letters.
There was an outbreak of diphtheria in the spring of 1920, and the March 14 letter from Esther’s mother shows her concern for her children’s well being as well as sadness at the death of a local child from the disease. That, and her description of how much Ruth misses her big sister are awfully sweet.
Your Patriotic Duty
For the Hoosiers among us, please take a little time from your schedule to vote in tomorrow’s primaries. Polls are open 6am-6pm, so there is no excuse for not voting.
Jethro
I got this from the Nick Cave listserve (um, yeah, I know). His 15yo son, Jethro (Jethro! Of all things!) Lazenby is trying modelling on for size. For friends and family, he’s a dead ringer for Gabe, back when he had long hair.
Now, to commence waiting for the DVD release of The Proposition.
red paper boat 