what a Tree Skirt is. I am still unclear as to its purpose except as decoration. Or, maybe "we" reckon trees can't have their lower half visibly on display so we decorously hide it behind a tree skirt.
Also, pupillage, which is defined as: "A pupillage is the final stage of training to be a barrister and usually lasts one year, in England and Wales being made up of two six-month periods (known as "sixes"). The first of these is the non-practising six during which pupils shadow their pupilmaster."
I'd love to write, "pupilmaster", as my job title on the next form I fill.
7.12.11
Illegal?
Worth a read: "Can Alabama Solve a Problem Called Maria?"
Highlights: Alabama has an unemployment rate well above the national average, at 9.3% compared to 8.6% across the US.
Proponents of the law say illegal immigrants are taking jobs that should be going to those with the right to live and work in the country.
...
Employers in construction, agriculture and services tell a different story. Privately and sometimes publicly, they say that Alabamians are not prepared to do the jobs filled by immigrants - legal and illegal.
...
Ms Dickie [a farmer] is blunt.
"Their ["Alabamians"] bodies are not conditioned to take the weather, to take the work," she says. "They are not skilled in it and, with no disrespect, but if they are sitting at home drawing a cheque for not doing anything, they are not going to quit drawing a cheque to do this work."
I wonder if this will change if the law sticks. Or if there will be internal migration from other states to places like Alabama. What about businesses? The story has examples of Japanese, German, other businesspeople being pulled up under this law (all released afterwards but I'm sure it wasn't fun/pleasant and the Japanese guy was arrested even after he showed police his passport/international drivers licence). Apparently over 2,300 construction jobs were lost within a month in September-October 2011.
I don't plan to take up the cudgels for these folks but I don't think riding roughshod over their feelings is going to do "these United States" any favors. It's probably playing into the hands of those thickos who argue "the Ampersands" (no, I won't link to the idiot) have an axe to grind against the state/the rest of society.*
* Heaps of dying metaphors here! Let's see how long I can keep this up.
Highlights: Alabama has an unemployment rate well above the national average, at 9.3% compared to 8.6% across the US.
Proponents of the law say illegal immigrants are taking jobs that should be going to those with the right to live and work in the country.
...
Employers in construction, agriculture and services tell a different story. Privately and sometimes publicly, they say that Alabamians are not prepared to do the jobs filled by immigrants - legal and illegal.
...
Ms Dickie [a farmer] is blunt.
"Their ["Alabamians"] bodies are not conditioned to take the weather, to take the work," she says. "They are not skilled in it and, with no disrespect, but if they are sitting at home drawing a cheque for not doing anything, they are not going to quit drawing a cheque to do this work."
I wonder if this will change if the law sticks. Or if there will be internal migration from other states to places like Alabama. What about businesses? The story has examples of Japanese, German, other businesspeople being pulled up under this law (all released afterwards but I'm sure it wasn't fun/pleasant and the Japanese guy was arrested even after he showed police his passport/international drivers licence). Apparently over 2,300 construction jobs were lost within a month in September-October 2011.
I don't plan to take up the cudgels for these folks but I don't think riding roughshod over their feelings is going to do "these United States" any favors. It's probably playing into the hands of those thickos who argue "the Ampersands" (no, I won't link to the idiot) have an axe to grind against the state/the rest of society.*
* Heaps of dying metaphors here! Let's see how long I can keep this up.
6.12.11
USA/Wales 4eva. Yes with an "/"
Resistance was useless.
I mean, I did try but look at this. Just look at wee Gollum. How can I resist?
Via Thinkgeek.
Bits and bobs
Things I want to remember in the future (if there *is* a future):
1. Yay for friends. Friends who have parties. Friends who let me stay at theirs. Friends I miss while I'm mouldering (which Google says isn't a word) in Woop Woop.
2. Yay for excellent students. My fun class ended today with the kids giving me a standing ovation. For fuck's sake, yes. I had my hair tied back so my ears getting red (one of the few good things about not having pale skin is that it's harder to tell when I'm blushing. But, I was blushing. A standing ovation) were more noticeable. This is probably the only time I'll get a standing ovation for anything so I'm savouring it.
3. It was probably the pizza though. I brought them pizza.
4. The pizza delivery lad was graduating this week and headed to the Philippines to play soccer for the national team. "What else can I do with a music degree?" was his question when I asked him, "Why?"
5. I postponed my resolution that "I am now officially too old for t-shirts with pictures on them" till the unspecified future as I bought a couple of tees at Thinkgeek's Buy one, get one half off sale today.
6. I also related Frank Miller and Alan Moore with how "we" study politics and violence (hat tip this Guardian article) as my closing statement in this class.
7. Apparently people watch useful shows. The show I watch has made me realise that I will eventually travel through space and time so Who cares about this world...(see what I did there? Did I mention I got a standing ovation and am on a bit of a high? Or, rather, quite a high?)
Though I'm sure I can also survive a zombie invasion. And I do own a cricket bat and am quite at home in dark pubs.
Here, enjoy this.
1. Yay for friends. Friends who have parties. Friends who let me stay at theirs. Friends I miss while I'm mouldering (which Google says isn't a word) in Woop Woop.
2. Yay for excellent students. My fun class ended today with the kids giving me a standing ovation. For fuck's sake, yes. I had my hair tied back so my ears getting red (one of the few good things about not having pale skin is that it's harder to tell when I'm blushing. But, I was blushing. A standing ovation) were more noticeable. This is probably the only time I'll get a standing ovation for anything so I'm savouring it.
3. It was probably the pizza though. I brought them pizza.
4. The pizza delivery lad was graduating this week and headed to the Philippines to play soccer for the national team. "What else can I do with a music degree?" was his question when I asked him, "Why?"
5. I postponed my resolution that "I am now officially too old for t-shirts with pictures on them" till the unspecified future as I bought a couple of tees at Thinkgeek's Buy one, get one half off sale today.
6. I also related Frank Miller and Alan Moore with how "we" study politics and violence (hat tip this Guardian article) as my closing statement in this class.
7. Apparently people watch useful shows. The show I watch has made me realise that I will eventually travel through space and time so Who cares about this world...(see what I did there? Did I mention I got a standing ovation and am on a bit of a high? Or, rather, quite a high?)
Though I'm sure I can also survive a zombie invasion. And I do own a cricket bat and am quite at home in dark pubs.
Here, enjoy this.
4.12.11
Weddings
KiwiSis gets married today! The first of three weddings :)
It's obviously not half as exciting (or worrying) as it sounds ("three weddings!"). Wedding 1 is the bloke's traditions/whatnot, Wedding 2 is ours and Wedding 3 is the general civil thing.
They are all happening at different times (today, next week, week after) and different cities (Hamilton, a beachhouse near Christchurch and the registry office in Christchurch).
I'd have been there for Wedding 3 (the one with "my" family around and to be held at the beach) but, due to circs beyond my control, will be moping about here instead.
It's obviously not half as exciting (or worrying) as it sounds ("three weddings!"). Wedding 1 is the bloke's traditions/whatnot, Wedding 2 is ours and Wedding 3 is the general civil thing.
They are all happening at different times (today, next week, week after) and different cities (Hamilton, a beachhouse near Christchurch and the registry office in Christchurch).
I'd have been there for Wedding 3 (the one with "my" family around and to be held at the beach) but, due to circs beyond my control, will be moping about here instead.
2.12.11
Nice work, Queensland!
I'm rather happy that the second state in Australia to legalize same sex civil unions is Queensland. I spent years in Far North Queensland and the reaction of people in Sydney/Melbourne to hearing that was: eh? why? and a follow up on: OMG, how could you? it's so backwards! how did you understand them? aren't they racist/sexist?
So ocker, as the rest of Australia says.
And, yet, you see more diversity, more honesty (and in your face statements!) and more fun from people up there. And now, more human rights.
The video is rather lovely and makes even my usually cynical self happy.
So ocker, as the rest of Australia says.
And, yet, you see more diversity, more honesty (and in your face statements!) and more fun from people up there. And now, more human rights.
The video is rather lovely and makes even my usually cynical self happy.
1.12.11
Highlights from the doctor's visit
1. Wow! That's quite a scar! (looking at my surgery scar. Doesn't help my conviction that I'm like the 9 in 9 come to life)
2. So this is your hair? (after reading last year's reports which I guess detailed I had very little hair. I had no idea my hair looked fake!)
3. And you knew nothing about it? Usually people can tell if something the size of a melon is inside them (after reading the report about the Alien Blob)
4. Cramps and fainting? Yes, a lot of women get that (after being told of what happened last week. Doesn't help my conviction he thought I was some sort of overreacting neo-Victorian lady who had the vapors)
2. So this is your hair? (after reading last year's reports which I guess detailed I had very little hair. I had no idea my hair looked fake!)
3. And you knew nothing about it? Usually people can tell if something the size of a melon is inside them (after reading the report about the Alien Blob)
4. Cramps and fainting? Yes, a lot of women get that (after being told of what happened last week. Doesn't help my conviction he thought I was some sort of overreacting neo-Victorian lady who had the vapors)
Kentucky, we need to have a bit of a chat.
On the one hand, you have one of my favorite TV shows.
On the other, you do fucked up crap like this. In the 21st century. And say it's not about racism.
How on earth is banning interracial couples from being part of church services not racist? What is it then? Funsies?
On the other, you do fucked up crap like this. In the 21st century. And say it's not about racism.
How on earth is banning interracial couples from being part of church services not racist? What is it then? Funsies?
Winter plans
Got my (new) winter plans sort of arranged. It depends on what will happen with the doctor's and all. I really hope this is not going to be Awful Autumn or Woeful Winter but, so far, I'll not be in New Zealand (oh, yes, this sucks). I will however be in DC. Yes, well, it's almost the same?
DC from mid-December to end of December
(Ideally) Canada and visa-related stuff during the end of December- early January
Back in Woop Woop early January and getting ready for uni to start.
All based on my staying on two feet and not legless (not in the fun way) in a hospital bed.
DC from mid-December to end of December
(Ideally) Canada and visa-related stuff during the end of December- early January
Back in Woop Woop early January and getting ready for uni to start.
All based on my staying on two feet and not legless (not in the fun way) in a hospital bed.
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