States I've Visited

I like keeping track periodically of the States I've visited. I'm of the persuasion that airports don't count, (there's a longstanding disagreement between my parents about whether airport visits count when tallying how many states you've been to--and me bringing it up might spark another chapter of that mini-argument).
Anyway, I located on this blog where I tallied up how many states I've been to in 2005, and then did it again today. I try to not just cross a state's border but have a "quality" experience in each state-a memory to remember. One things for certain, if I ever get a chance to drive cross-country, I'll be able to knock out the majority of the states I'm missing in just a day or two.

July 2005

November 2009

Bio-Diversity!!

Found on Abstract City

Wordless

Link via Old School Acres

Shiny Happy Feminists.

I've been meaning to post about Beth Palmer's Editorial piece in Mormon Times entitled "Feminism Equals Happiness" since shortly after the article was published, but I decided to let the Op-Ed's piece simmer in my brain for a few weeks before speaking out.

There are many inaccuracies in the Op-Ed, not to mention false assumptions about Feminism. In the past 20 years, The Feminist Movement has been given the straw man treatment by Limbaugh and others, so much so that Ms. Palmer bought into a commonly held falsity about feminism by stating,

"Like, for instance, its [The Feminist Movement] initial tacit implication that
in order for women to have worth they had to be just like men. "

The quote above is bull. The goal of the feminist movement was to give women equal opportunities. But be just like men? No.

The inspiration of Ms. Palmer’s article was a Time Magazine piece which analyzes (as much as you can analyze) whether or not women are happier during the past 40 years. Ms. Palmer talks about the article and makes the observation that,

"None of which, mind you, is really feminism's fault; it just comes as no
surprise to me to hear that the movement didn't end up being the key to
happiness."

Okay, so she’s asserting her that the object of feminism was to make people happier. That’s an interesting perspective on feminism. Especially since the Time Magazine article she got the idea for her article stated the following:

We looked across all sectors — young vs. old, kids or no kids, married or not
married, education, no education, working or not working — and it stayed the
same," he says of the data. "But there are a few ways to look at it," he adds.
"As Susan Faludi said, the women's movement wasn't about happiness."

I wonder if Ms. Palmer even read the original article completely? Now, I don’t want to attack her, just because I don’t agree with her. She does make some valid points in her Op-Ed piece. She recognized the strides that have been made to even up the playing field for women. However, many women and men I’ve known are hesitant to call themselves feminists because the word has become dirty in today’s vernacular. I don’t fault those who believe that at all. Maybe I’m the one who is confused. Who knows?

But Ms. Palmer goes further to give us her definition of happiness. Now, there's books and books exploring how to be happy. Everyone alive probably has a little different definition of happiness, and that’s totally cool. Ms. Palmer states:

"See, as tantalizing as it may be to think that happiness comes as the product
of a social movement, or a career, or limitless opportunities, it's still not
the truth. Happiness lies a lot deeper than that, and it's very often tied up in
things that have very little to do with us. "

Not to turn a feminist rant into a philosophical debate, but to me, happiness starts with us, not things that have very little to do with us. Happiness begins with attitude, determination and aligning with what you value most with how you spend your time.

*Amelia has a great post about this article.
*MFranti discusses this article also.
Ash had a great post about feminism this week too

Jeremiah Johnson

This afternoon I told two of my co-workers I finally sat down and watched "Jeremiah Johnson." One of them said, "Isn't it the best western without Indians?" Then he stopped, when I just looked at him, and he said "Oh yeah, well it's different than John Wayne Movies.
Jeremiah Johnson, a 1972 film based on a true story about a man who came to the Rockies Mountains to become a mountain man. He's inept at first, but through the help of a couple of friends, but learns the ropes of making a living from the Mountains. A series of tragic events changed the tone of the film which I didn't entirely like. However, all in all, the film was one I'm glad I finally sat down to watch.
Filmed entirely in Utah, the film is gorgeous. I cracked up a little at one scene that had to be filmed at the shores of Deer Creek Reservoir (you can see where the Heber Creeper Railroad line is), not far from the Highway. Part of the opening scene is filmed just below the Flaming Gorge Down which was fun to see.

30 Rock: Into the Crevasse

Memorable Quotes

"Another Successful interaction with a man."--Liz

Last weekend I picked up this girl after practicing Jedi Moves at Prospect Park. Took her home on the handlebars of my bike, snuck her inside past my mom, she sees my mint condition Hell boy action figure and she starts quoting your damn book."--Frank

"I did Big Sister in College. That little girl taught me how to use tampons."--Liz

"Punish You? I've always wanted to film a student werewolf movie in Iceland where I'm filling in last minute for Victoria Beckham."

"It was a year ago that you kicked me to the curb. I began plotting my revenge that very day. I knew I needed to align myself with something bigger than GE and since American Idol's not on until January, that left the United States Government."--

"You probably don't know this, because you've never played a moonologist, but werewolves only come out at night.--Janna
Yes I remember that from the Thriller Video.--Liz
Too soon."--Tracy
"Volunteers need to adopt a dog, it's like God backwards."--Sign

"All I need from you is one idea that's as good as the lightbulb."--Jack

"Since I have neither the time or the energy, to pretend your problem is a real problem, I will cut the baby in half."--Jack

Random Thoughts

Dr. Spaceman has a book?!? Oh, look at Chris Parnell's cute mug! :30 seconds in and this episode rocks.

Mr. Geiss is a Fonzie fan.

A bus to Washington? The JC Penney's lapel cover?

"Doin' the Microwave..jabba wabba wabba"

Pants for Zoo animals and Big Brother, huh?

Will Arnett! Will Arnett!

Will Arnett is BFF with Malia? Awesome.

"I will adopt all of them."

7 minutes in, and this episode is even more hectic than usual.

Laser shield, cold pizza, laser gun, Gay Ireland. I love when Will Arnett and Jack confront each other.

Seriously, Arnett and Baldwin confronting each other is awesome.

Wow, talk about a hilariously silly episode. Great episode!

Smokey?

I thought you were going to blog today for me.