Monthly Archives: January 2009
Pissing People Off
6
Last weekend, we went to the zoo. Big whoop, I know, but I wanted to put a picture (that I actually took) in this post. I’m still loving the new camera!
Today’s the day before Martin Luther King Day. I’m sure I’m not the only one just amazed at how cool it is that MLK Day and the inauguration are right next to each other. I find myself ditching my cynicism every now and then and actually feeling excited and hopeful about Obama. Then I check myself. I can’t imagine things changing much with the stronghold the corporations (and China, etc.) have on this country. Still. It’s nice to see my students not be apathetic for a change.
So I totally pissed off a couple of people at work when I was telling them that Greg said I should decorate my inauguration cupcakes with Oreos in honor of Obama. I thought it was funny. I don’t see why people can’t laugh at that stuff. But a couple of people got offended, which I decided to let be their problem. Only one of them was black. The other person was one of those white people who happily take the blame for every crappy thing a white person ever did in this country. (Jeez, I sound like I’m from East Texas…)
The thing is, the term Oreo was created by black people as a derogatory term for other black people who acted “too white,” which really seems to mean, “too middle class.” So at its heart it’s dissing white people but I can’t say it. Anyway, I was saying that someone else said it. I did think it was funny though. All of the mixed race kids I know, including my own child, who are raised by white parents, identify as white. Obama identifies as black. Whatever. It works for him. Many black people would and have called him an Oreo.
I guess I shouldn’t think a derogatory term is funny, but I’m irreverent (or rude or whatever) that way. I wish people didn’t have to walk on eggshells. I really don’t like to hurt people’s feelings. On the other hand, I think a thick skin can be good. I don’t get offended when people call me “Mexican by injection.” (Figure it out…) Then again, I’m not part of an oppressed class.
Thinking about this stuff is giving me a headache. And it’s probably the most inappropriate post ever for MLK day, which is when some of you guys will see it. MLK was cool. I wish more people were like him, including myself.
On a brighter note, we just went to Wendy’s and all three tables were racially integrated. One of them was ours, because my Sage’s best friend is black. Maybe things aren’t so bad after all. At least if you don’t say the word Oreo and Obama in the same sentence.
Spin Me Right Round Baby, Right Round
It is amazing how much Sage admires Sky. When Sky was here, they spent some time making beads. Sage hangs on to every word Sky says. I think I should quit worrying about times he doesn’t remember what he did in school. He can quote Sky verbatim.
Last week, we were doing our grocery shopping in the Krogers that is being remodeled. LOTS of florescents!
This whole past week, I have lived about five lifetimes. I have:
Contemplated just chucking everything and moving to Oregon, living off savings until I could make money selling bead bracelets on the street or something…
Looked into going to a cosmetology school, going so far as to interview two hairdressers to find out information about income, competition, etc. My mother was NOT pleased.
Talked myself out of the Ph.D. program, on the basis that it will be boring and I don’t want to be bored for the rest of my life.
Talked myself out of that same thing because I can’t afford it.
Seriously questioned that decision and went back to considering it.
Decided not to go to beauty school.
Decided not to move to Oregon, at least not right now.
Wrote 15 articles in one day in a mad attempt to prove to myself that I could make a full-time income writing.
Had crying and anxiety and did not go back to school as scheduled for the first two days. Seriously thought about quitting.
Finally went back and things are back to being fine in that way that really isn’t quite fine, but is manageable.
I put myself through a lot of shit.
Happy New Year!
I’ve just been loving the vacation from school lately. Although, subconsciously I know I’m going back soon, since I woke up to a dream of my boss chewing me out and me quitting on the spot.
We had a blast in Houston–here are a few pics!
Here’s the life-sized floor sign indicating the floor we were on at the Hotel Derek. This caused us to ride the elevator to every floor to check out all of the other artwork on the other floors. It was cool. I loved staying there
This is Sage at the window in the hall. I like how it looks like he is playing cars.
Sage and Greg went ice skating at the Galleria. I could not get a decent photo–they kept getting past me!
This is the computer I bought at the Sony store in the Galleria. I’m loving it! I think that pink blog I write must be rubbing off on me!
We went to “Chinatown”, although it should rightfully be called “Asiantown” because many different nationalities are represented. (I’m not talking about the old Chinatown near downtown.) We ended up eating Pho twice–yum! I got my dad some sake and other goodies from the largest Asian market in Houston.
Here’s a pic of Sage and me. Is it apparent that Greg bought me a new camera for Christmas? 10 megapixels, 3 optical zoom at a decent price. It’s a huge improvement over the one that was stolen/lost. And it’s kinda pink, too. Like the iPod that Greg also got me. 
So how weird is this? It was at Discovery Green. I have many more cool pics, but I don’t have my photo editing software installed yet–Sky has got to send it to me–and I don’t have the patience for Picnik right now.
That more or less sums up our trip to Houston. We were going to go and see the Nutcracker, but I waited too long to get tickets and they sold out. We were all happy, regardless. Apparently, I have found the magic amount of Ativan that enables me to NOT CARE that I am in the car in the middle of nowhere, other assorted stupid fears…I’ve stocked up so I can take more trips with this NOT CARING. I’m planning on going to Austin in two weeks. We’ll see! I’m so excited to actually be out doing stuff. The computer helps a lot as well. On the way to Houston, I worked on my app to grad school. It totally occupied my mind. As far as the data plan goes–well, that just didn’t pan out here in the boonies. Still, I have enough writing to do on my computer not to need it.
Sky came and went–I have photos but they are all turned the wrong way. It turns out that Sky is quite the artist. I would post his work here, but I’m worried about someone finding it and ripping it off. It is absolutely incredible art that could sell. I never knew. He never drew much growing up, but this stuff is all abstract, pattern-based stuff. He may have found his niche. He and Sage talked a lot, and when we went to the locally owned chicken fast food place, Sage said, “What a shame the government is putting places like this out of business.” Whaaat? He’s nine! I guess I just breed revolutionaries…
