This journal is MOSTLY friends only. There will be some public posts.

Leave a comment to be added. If I find you interesting, I will add you back.

Okay. I know Livejournal is not the same and no one really posts anymore. Sad. HOWEVER ... I seriously need new friends. I need some new blood. Muahaha!

Anyone have any suggestions? Someone who posts a couple times a week or so, and who may get along with me? That would be awesome.

Or perhaps there are some recent friend-adding-memes out there? I'm cool with that, too! I tried looking for some but couldn't find any.

Originally posted by noodledays at Help Us Support Planned Parenthood

A friend made a post on Facebook complaining about how a friend was just fired, for no apparent reason. Someone replied: "was he a contractor? if he was, unfortunately they can do that. but if he was not a contractor, they can not legally do that."

Which is NOT TRUE in Arizona. We are considered at-will, so we can be fired for any reason whatsoever. The following conversation ensued:

Marilee Cornelius - lindsay: this is a right to work state. Meaning: even if he wasn't a contract employee, it was still legal.

Marilee Cornelius - Sorry, it's called "at will employment". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/At-will_employment
Marilee Cornelius - any hiring is presumed to be "at will"; that is, the employer is free to discharge individuals "for good cause, or bad cause, or no cause at all," and the employee is equally free to quit, strike, or otherwise cease work

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I figured that was that and she'd go, "Oh, that sucks!" or something similar. BUT NOPE!

---

Lindsay - you don't need to talk down to me, there's no reason to be nasty, first of all
10 minutes ago · Like

Lindsay - second, having worked YEARS as going fron contract to contract as an at will emplyee, i DO know the laws in Arizona as how they apply to contract employees, and everything that I've said IS legally valid, thank you very much.

---

I was like, WHAT? So I replied, annoyed:

Marilee Cornelius - DUDE. I was not being nasty in ANY WAY or trying to talk down to you in any way! What the hell?! Jesus. And I had no idea that you worked for years as a contract/at will employee, or that you knew the laws in Arizona. Because I *don't know you*. I was just trying to explain that it wasn't illegal because of our weird anti-union laws. Some people don't get it if they aren't from here. That's it. NOT ONCE was I agressive and I certainly did not talk down to you in anyway. JFC what is wrong with people today?! Now, please stop being rude to me. What fucking irony. I'm just trying to be nice and explain that, while it sucks, what they did was perfectly legal, and you jump down my throat? Take a xanax for pete's sake and calm down. I'm not out to get you!

---

And of course now she's like, "OMG! You're being rude again! You're telling me to stop being rude but omg! You're being rude!"

WOW. Apparently, even though I HAVE NEVER MET HER, I am supposed to know her background, and where she lives or has lived. I am supposed to know that, even though it was clear to me that she did NOT know his being fired, even as a direct hire, was legal, that I should know that she understands. REALLY?

I was never rude to her. I never talked down to her. But apparently, sharing information and wikipedia links is now talking down to people and being rude!

LOL FOREVER

I bet she gets super offended a lot. So self-absorbed, holy crap!

OH man, I have the CUTEST dad in the entire universe. A guy I grew up with (I think he's a few years older than me?), Josh, wants to volunteer for Comicon, so my dad e-mailed me today about that. Haha! That means they were discussing me and my nerdiness at some point, lol. He also told me to e-mail someone else I used to grow up with. He volunteers every year at the San Diego Comicon (where he lives now). I think he has MS or something? He recently asked about me and my sisters, so my dad thought he'd tell me to say hey. MY DAD. I LOVE HIM SO MUCH. We bond over this stuff all the time. He is always sending me science and tech emails. He's the best.

Anyway. I have so much shit I need to do before my mom and niece visit! I also have like, 6 loads of laundry to do. I have been washing things in the sink these last few days, hahaha. Yay for Woolite!

I need to replace all my window screens. Eva the Super Kitten LOVES to climb on them. All of them. I can't leave my windows open at all while I am gone, or even when I'm sleeping, and I have to have a spray bottle on hand when I'm home. She broke through one completely and I'm lucky she didn't try to escape. :/ So, I bought some "pet resistant" screening at Walmart tonight, along with some other supplies. All I need are wire cutters (which they were sold out of, wtf). That's my plan for sometime this weekend.

Normally the management would just replace them, but I need stronger screening, and it actually wasn't too that expensive. $11 a roll, and I got three rolls (which might be one roll too many), plus some spline, which was like $4 or $5 total, and a $2 wheel thingy to push it all in. And wire cutters, of course, but those come in handy anyway. I used to have a pair but they disappeared during my last move.

Okay, laundry...

I went to the Arizona Strong Beer Fest this Saturday, and it was SO MUCH FUCKING FUN. It was at the Steele Indian School Park, which is like a mile from my apartment. Me, B, and B's roommie walked to the park (and got a ride home from a friend of theirs). SO MUCH AWESOME BEER! And the weather was AMAZE-BALLS. 69 degrees, with a nice, strong breeze, and not a cloud in the sky. It was warm but not quite hot in the sun, and there was plenty of shade and water. It was sold out, and everyone was in a glorious mood. My favorite beer was the over 11% ABV Scotch Ale from the Prescott Brewing Co. Yum. I also indulged in away too many IPAs, which tend to be on the higher ABV end. I have finally come to realize that I don't really like Belgiums. Toasty porters are wonderful as long as they aren't too sweet. The rest is a total haze. I got pretty drunk. I haven't been properly drunk in over a year!

The rest of the weekend was more partying, something I haven't done in a long, long time. I am so glad I had Monday off, haha.

Tonight I went to a Comicon meeting. I will be an Info Booth Coordinator! Signed up for my time. Hoping that it doesn't over-lap with Star Trek on Sunday. Still no idea when Patrick Stewart will be there. That's about all I'm interested in, plus any random stuff I happen to see during my off-time.

I am so excited! I am going to be in charge of like 30 people, plus I will have to check and respond to e-mail questions about special events up until Comicon. Very cool! If you have any questions, lemme know, and I can get the answer for you. Also let me know if you want to volunteer! :D

Also got to sit in on a cool Marketing presentation regarding Phoenix Comicon. Focused a lot on where they chose to market. They do a lot of TV advertising. Did you know that, BY FAR, they had the most success advertising during Dr. Who episodes (re-run and newly run) on the BBC? Hilarious!

I have not received my last paycheck, which I get through mail since I have yet to set up direct deposit (they need a live check and I never have any stamps and the last time I went to pick up my check, I forgot my checkbook, lol). Ugh, I am not pleased. I hope it was just delayed due to the holiday and I get it tomorrow. Otherwise I'm sure they charge like $25 to issue another one. Next Friday I realllly need to bring in a voided check (I have to pick up my check then anyway, to pay rent that day).

So that's annoying.

Especially since Old Navy is having their jeans sale and I need at least one or two pairs. ARGH! I think it runs until 2/29, at least.

Originally posted by subluxate (Thanks!) at their LJ

I wonder ... when you think of Howard Stern, what comes to mind? Specifically, what do you think his views on LGBQT issues are?

I think you might be surprised.



Listen to that in full. I've always really, really admired Howard Stern, and I've always thought he was misunderstood. He's vulgar, and loud, and loves women. But underneath all that vulgarity is a huge amount of compassion, and he has ALWAYS supported minorities. And if you listen to this, it's clear he fucking gets it. I think it's important to point out what he says about Rosie O'Donnell. I've read and heard some nasty stuff said about Rosie over the years, as I'm sure most of you have -- she's a fat, ugly dyke, etc. (a lot of it concentrating on the fact that she's fat) -- and you know, I almost expected Howard to be a little mean about her weight. That seems like something someone like Howard would say ... but he didn't. He was incredibly sensitive and compassionate and he fucking GOT IT.

He's not perfect and I don't always agree with him, and I get why some people are uncomfortable with the way he treats women. But at the same time, he's equal-opportunity. I personally don't find him sexist. He very much believes that women are equal to men in the workforce and in society in general.

Did you know that in the early 80s, he had a segment called "Dial-a-Date" and that in one episode, he featured lesbians? From what I've read about that particular segment, apparently he didn't treat those women as sex objects (as you might expect) but instead treated them with respect, and as human beings who were looking for dates. This was in the early 80s and hugely progressive for the time. I need to see if I can't find audio of that segment.

A lot of ... shady people listen to Howard Stern. He reaches a crowd of people that a lot of other satirists can't. I think he does more for equality than a lot of people are willing to give him credit for.

I listened to some of his other "rants" on LGBQT issues last night, and it was all just as poignent and on-point. So if you get a chance, do some googling and listen to what he's said recently. It might surprise you.

Another good one (regarding his use of the word "F*g"):

Eva the Super Kitten is hilarious. I just witnessed her stealing one of the oven mitts hanging on the kitchen wall above the counter. Then she carried it into the living room, and just left it on the floor. I keep coming home to my oven mitts strewn about the apartment, and I finally caught her! I am cracking up.

Oh, and apparently I had a roll of wrapping paper in my closet. I thought I threw all of them out. Apparently not. It is now all over my apartment. LOL

Porno Pete's BFF: Gay Men Shove Gerbils And Cell Phones Up Their Asses

(NOT WORK SAFE. Probably not safe for fucking life, really.)

I have no idea who that person is, but I listened to the whole thing, and I just can't.stop.laughing. I have never in all my life heard such a long, detailed description on shoving cell phones up ones ass. And I know a lot of gay men! Not one of them has told me they shoved a cell phone up their ass.

It is interesting to me that these deeply homophobic men know THIS MUCH about these things, and in so much detail, and that they are comfortable enough to talk about it in public where it's been recorded.

This reminds me of that one homophobic pastor who was wearing that tight Mickey Mouse t-shirt while preaching against men who masturbate in front of mirrors.

We know exactly what these men fantasize about (and probably do) behind closed doors.

I can't even be angry at this! I feel like it's The Onion come to fucking life. It is just fucking amazing.

--

LOL, anyway, enough of that.

Now that I have a working TV I am staying up far too late watching The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. I need to stop doing that.

I slept in until like 9am this morning, because the apartment complex doesn't open until then (or even 9:30 sometimes), and I went to bed at around 10:45 last night. I made it to work at 10am, only an hour late, and left at 6:30pm. It wasn't too bad.

But now I'm wide awake! I will probably stay up until 12:30 to minimize tossing and turning. I really enjoy not having to go into work until 9am. I don't even get up until 8. It takes me 20 minutes to get ready and feed the cats, and then I'm out the door.

I joined the Phoenix Skeptic Book Club (created/hosted by the founders of Phoenix Skeptics in the Pub) and the first meeting is on Feb 10th, I think. They do two books each month, though you only have to read one. The other book was Carl Sagan's The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark, which actually sounds awesome, but I chose The Science of Superstition by Bruce Hood instead, because the subject has been on my mind lately, and also because it was only $6 on Amazon (with free shipping because I currently have Prime). :P

Going to have dinner at a friend's house tomorrow, but otherwise I've got a chill week ahead of me. Need to get some cleaning done though because Tony and Venessa will be visiting on Saturday.

I should be reading but I finally got a working tv set up, so I'm watching Criminal Minds instead. It is about a serial killer in Phoenix killing cops. HAH! I will probably watch the hold thing because of that (and 'cuz I love this show) and then read a bit before bed.

It's too quiet around here lately. :(

Eva the Super Kitten is hilarious and gets into everything. She's such a pain in my ass. I adore her. :D She's super loving and loves to play.

TRUE STORY: So I'm laying in bed one morning, waiting for my alarm to go off, all cuddled under the blankets in the fetal position. So, I fart. And then Eva jumps up and attacks my butt. It was HILARIOUS.


( she's a bit of a ninja )

I normally don't share this sort of meme here, but I just couldn't resist. So freakin' true.

Someone just posted this to their facebook:

Will never understand why vegetarian, vegan, or whatever would turn down a free meal that was cooked for them. If you don't eat something by choice in your own free time then more power to you. Have you ever thought about common courtesy towards another person? It might offend the cook who spend their time and effort into a meal. I can understand if you are allergic to an ingredient to not eat it but that is the only logical excuse. Not liking meat is not excuse. I can't even count the number of times my family cooked me something I did not like the taste of. I either ate it or went to bed hungry. Not wanting to kill another entity isn't valid either. You ever think about the soybeans that were killed to make that tofu burger? How about all the other produce ripped out of the ground to make that salad you love? I eat to live by destroying things and you should too.

P.S. I don't care about your opinion but I still ♥ you. And for the record liver and brussel sprouts with melted cheese is awesome.

Uh-huh, sure you "<3" the people whom you disrespect, and then refuse to even consider their opinions. Suuuure you do. Also, how fucking narcissistic do you have to be to become personally offended over someone else's food choices? Newsflash: You're being just as fucking obnoxious about your food choices as are veg people who think everyone should be veg. Way to be a hypocrite!

I said as much, and got some sort of "McPussy" graphic as a response, because clearly, sexism and narcissism go hand in hand.

How difficult is it to just respect the choices of others, and not take personal offense to it? Jesus.

BTW, I eat meat and I quite love it and could never be a vegetarian, let alone a vegan, but I also eat vegetarian and vegan dishes, which can be delicious! Variety is the spice of life.

In fact, one of my closest friends, whom I spend a lot of time with, is vegetarian. When we hang out, I eat vegetarian. And I don't really notice the difference.

And actually, I am mostly "vegetarian" until I splurge and buy something with meat in it. It's just cheaper and easier. Though I do eat a fair amount of chicken.

I just could never get up the occasional juicy, juicy burger or steak, or cheese. I could never give up cheese.

Louis CK is amazing.

You should buy his Live at Beacon special. It's only $5! no DRM! Do it! I've seen it and it's hilarious. It's actually very similar to the show he put on here in Phoenix, when he was working new material, but it's even better, because he clearly worked out some kinks. It's smoother, and his delivery is spot-on. I find that so fascinating. I really love seeing comedy evolve like that.

Plus, if you read his statements, he clearly fucking *gets it*. I really hope this becomes a trend.

--

Anyway, I feel terrible because I was really bitchy yesterday on LJ and it got back to someone and they thought I was being bitchy to them. I wasn't, but I could see how they would think so, and now I feel terrible. I should not gossip like that. It's just silly. I've learned my lesson.

Going back to Parker today, whenever the laundry is done. I have no gifts for the kids. I think I might stop off at Walmart or Target (oh, help me) on my way out and pick up a few small items. Maybe some books for my niece, since she loves books. Not sure about my nephew. Maybe just a Walmart gift card (they don't have Target in Parker) so he can pick out his own gift. Or cash. I loved cash at his age. Maybe I'll just give him $25 in a card and call it good.

I think I'm going to help my mom make an awesome dinner. She bought a ham. I'm going to bring my cast iron (though I think she has some? I don't remember), and some other dry items, and then I'll pick up the rest at Safeway in Parker. Maybe I'll make my now-famous mac 'n cheese? Ooo, that'll go well with ham! I think this is an excellent idea. That'll also give me something to munch on all weekend without eating all my mom's food.

--

I really hate Christmas but I am going to try to stay positive. Is it 2012 yet?

--

OH! I talked to the recruiter lady about the job I want at Yelp. It was an informal "interview" of sorts. I expect it'll land me a real interview after the new year. :) So that's good. I do think I'll be at my current temp position for a while now. I might talk to Meghan, my supervisor, after the new year to see what their plans are for me. They did eventually hire AJ in San Francisco, so who knows, maybe they'll want to hire me as well.

Either way, I will need to start job hunting again after the new year. I need a more stable, permanent job, because this temporary stuff is driving me nuts. If they don't plan on hiring me full time, they will eventually give me notice (two weeks, probably) and it's just really stressful thinking that could come any moment now. And two weeks is just not enough time to find a new job (the staffing agency may have something for me, but they also may not).

Sigh. Bleh. Etc.

Bad Santa, all the way! Oh, that movie never fails to make me laugh. I know it's dark, but I quite love dark comedy. In fact, the icon I've used for this post is from another of my favorite dark comedies, Death to Smoochy.

For a less dark, somewhat traditional Christmas movie, I'd probably choose A Christmas Story.

New sex crime arises after Arpaio fails to investigate alleged rape
400+ rape, sexual assault reports never followed up

( text under the cut )

--

He only cares about attention, especially media attention. And power. He doesn't really care about Arizona, or its citizens. Immigration has been a hot-button issue in Maricopa County for years, so he focuses on that, often to the extreme. Sex crimes, however, aren't going to grab as many headlines. So he ignores them. Disgusting.

The most recent story prompted Arpaio to apologize this week to the victims, "if there were any victims," he added. <-- that bothers me the most. There were over FOUR HUNDRED cases. Yet he has the audacity to say "if there were any victims."

Fuck him. Seriously. Fuck Sheriff Joe Arpaio. (&#(%*&#*&%#%

Gaaaah I just can't deal with this man. And I don't understand why people continue to vote for him. He is clearly only out for the attention. I hate this term, and I apologize for using it, but he is the very definition of "attention whore".

I hate this man.

My Girl. Every time.

I am doing okay. Better. Not great, but okay. I guess okay is better than nothing. I'm still sad a lot, especially when I'm home alone, but I feel a little clearer in the head, so I guess that's good.

I will make a more proper entry tonight or tomorrow, but! I am still friends with the girl that I got Howie from, those 8+ years ago. It seems she has some girl kitties that were born in April, that have been spayed, and that need homes. I may go look at them this weekend. I think it would be awesome to get a new kitty from the same friend I got Howie from!

My friend Venessa will be visiting this Saturday and Sunday. She's driving up from Parker. Maybe we'll go look at some cute kitties!

Fuck. He's gone. Howie is really gone. For good.

I was doing some dishes, trying to keep busy, and I kept expecting him to jump up on the counter.

I took some trash out, and when I came back inside, I wished so hard that he was there to great me. But he wasn't.

I'm going to clean the bathroom here in a bit. I'm just not quite ready to go to bed yet, and it very much needs it. It won't take long.

And then I will lay down in bed, where Twix will join me, almost right away. He will bug me for a while, but eventually settle right above my head, not quite touching it.

I won't wake up to Howie and his big, stretchy yawn. He will never again nip at my feet, trying to get my attention. I will never again hear his demanding meow, "Feed me!"

Oh, Howie. You were wonderful.

Tomorrow is going to be very hard, isn't it? I don't know how I'm going to get out of bed and go to work. I can't afford not to, though, and there is really no one else to do the work that needs to get done. It would suck for me not to show up and they get pissed, even though in reality I think they'd understand, especially so close to Thanksgiving. But, I just can't plain afford it. Sigh.

I'm not going to be in any hurry. I was there an hour late today, trying to finish something up, so as long as I'm in by 10, I'll be okay. I'll work through lunch, and leave at 5.

My head hurts.

I am so very sad.