Government Shutdown

This blog is not going to be what you think. I'm not going to detail my outrage, disappointment or general disdain for the current state of government affairs. I'm not going to party blame or point political fingers. I'm also not going to complain (too much) because there are people in far worse situations. What I am going to cover is what this unpaid leave of absence from work means to me! 

So you wake and find yourself a government employee (yes that happened) then after years of service you wake up one day and find that you have some unexpected free time (i.e. an unpaid indefinite vacation) so what comes next.

1. Cooking - I stress cook so I made dinner last night. Although, I did have a slight panic attack while grocery shopping because that cost money. I came to the conclusion that I probably shouldn't be spending but if I am going to be a contestant on Top Chef Furlough Masters i have to make sacrifices.  I roasted vegetables in the fancy way and made macaroni and cheese laced with cauliflower and strongly considered making cod fillet fish & chips! My mandolin was begging to be used and I obliged.

2. Trolling the Internet - yes I have been spending a large amount of time watching Netflix on my iPad but I have been equally as active on people.com, E! News and CNN of course. I reconfirmed that the Internet is absolutely ridiculous.. I strongly suggest searching #shutdown and #governmentshutdown on twitter and then just let the laughter wash over you. 

3. Outrage - not just at the government shutdown but at the lack of substance on daytime TV. Seriously how do people watch TV from 10am - 3pm? There is nothing on but paternity testing (it is amazing how many people are unsure who fathered their children- public health we need you) I would rather spoon my eyes out or get acupuncture than watch daytime TV that is why # 2 of this list occurred.

4. Panic - I had that flash of panic at the news reports that this could go on for weeks. I'm fiscally responsible so a few days I can handle but a few weeks is a no go.  Don't they know this is the worst time ever!?!?! Aside from the fact that the holidays are coming, we are in the final stages of buying a house.  We can't pay our new mortgage, by furniture, move, or anything else we need to do without income.  We expected to be house poor, not unemployed poor.  *hyperventilating* 

5. Wine Affair - to ease the panic I have decided to develop a drinking problem, why not. I love wine, it loves me, and together we fight injustice. I'm pretty sure I can make a better budget on wine than Congress can! 

6. Prep for Scandal - I would never let anything including a government shutdown keep me from what is truly important this week, the return of Scandal.  Oh Olivia Pope, the government needs you now more than ever!!!!

7. Craft – I etched some glass today, labeled some bowls, played with my camera and took a trip to Michaels. They fun comes in waves and I have decided to channel my frustration in to productive energy.

8. Maid Service - Aside from the general fielding of phone calls and confirming that yes I have been impacted by the shutdown (YES I’m one of those 800,000 unpaid) I have been running errands, cleaning house, handling car maintenance and getting some other general house chores completed. I feel like I have been reenacting "The Help” but minus the fame and notoriety actresses often receive. I'm pretty sure I could NEVER be a stay-at-home mom.
This is just day 2, I’m sure I will find plenty of other mundane and inappropriate things to do if this foolishness continues!  Happy furlough days to us all!

photo from CNN.com

Looking for a laugh...

Worst Week Ever (2013 Edition)

I have been rather quiet this week on the blog front because I have been sick as a dog since last Friday. My body decided it wanted to make friends with illness and they have been shacking up ever since.  A lot has happened in the course of a week (including the fact that I am still sick).   I just wanted to take a moment to reflect on the worst week ever of 2013!

Boston - The Boston Bombing and the subsequent loss of life since it occurred are tragic and sad.  It is unfortunate that people feel the need to make statements by taking lives. Bombing a major event then going on a bomb throwing, shoot out, killing spree is cowardly and uncalled for!  What else is uncalled for is the level of extreme news coverage this is getting. The news was showing body parts and bloody victims on TV; shame on you news media for making this a spectator sport.  I am praying for the victims and the perpetrators (mainly because this manhunt is going to end in your death – Bostonians don’t play that – they shut down the city to look for you)

Texas – the fertilizer plant that exploded in flames on Wednesday is another tragedy and my hearts go out to the families of the victims.  It is just sad when things like this happen, especially in small towns. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Texas.

Ricin – Dear people of Mississippi get your crazies under control (as a lady born in Biloxi, MS I can say that). Why is it that after major tragedies (like Boston) people feel necessary to stir the pot?  Just stop! Furthermore why do crazy people get the full name reference, is this the public’s way of doing what every black mom in America does when their kid is making trouble…”Paul Kevin Curtis, if you send ricin to people you are going to federal jail – don’t make me pull off my belt”.

For information about this chemical agent visit http://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/ricin/

Flood waters - Record-setting rains in the Midwest are giving Mother Nature the award for “Most Likely to Ruin Travel Plans”. Who knows what she will do but I hear they are evacuating folks and suspended travel. Illinois is getting hit hard, so to my friends up that way be safe.

Gun laws – the debate rages on…no comment.

Illness – I am still sick! Doctors just put me on ear drops, cough medicine and antibiotics. This walking petri dish pushes forward.   I am never to sick to remember - RIP Grandpa (Love you and miss you always).

 

Have a great weekend friends…the worst week ever is hopefully coming to an end.

Scandal Life Lessons

I love me some Scandal and it will be a rare occurrence for me to discuss it in my blog but after watching last night’s episode I had some thoughts I needed to share! This show is more than just entertainment, it is educational.

·         Dating married men is wrong. We all know this but it does make for good TV. To all the homewreckers and side chicks out there don’t make lustfully bad decisions.  Karma is real and the devil can actually be in people (I mean you Millie). We learned a valuable lesson last night and that is the wife is still winning (even when she is wrong wrong wrong).

·         Killing your spouse is never the answer and gay marriage should be covered under spousal privilege!

·         We are all just babies to Mother White America (this society we live in is still minority, majority) –much like Cyrus and James adopted a little black baby we are all at the mercy of the majority. Not a fan of this fact but on a record breaking show with a black leading lady she is still losing to the white man’s world.

·         Political Animals! Politics has a sliding scale of morality and ethics. We all know it but the one thing that seems to continuously ring true is the addiction to power.  We need an intervention people!

·         Gladiators don’t have feelings.  Sometimes being a warrior requires sacrifice and you have to put your feelings aside and handle business.

·         If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck it’s probably a horse. A Trojan horse that is; I felt a little bamboozled by all the twists and turns last night. The most valuable thing learned is that people aren’t always who they say they are.  Also people have limits, push them too far and they become killers.

Aside from all those life lessons, I’m debating whether I need to bring back What If Friday. I'm on the fence so we shall see how next week shapes up.

I hope everybody has a great Friday!  I am going to live above the influence! For those that aren’t aware, I'm not referring to drugs; I'm speaking on the temptation to slap people in the face and other inappropriate actions!

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