Favors
Topic: politics

One of my friends is having her daughter’s first birthday party soon. She was telling me about the party favors she was thinking about giving out, particularly these little board books. One of the board books (which are for those thick ones for babies, in case you are wondering) is written by Spike Lee.We discussed if it was okay since it was mainly an African American themed book and not all the babies/children attending are African American. Actually, she just meant my baby. But in fact, Ishmael will be mixed, and I hope he’ll identify as an African American.

I know that for myself, being of “mixed” or interracial identity has been natural. I just don’t fit in the Korean-American culture and I don’t fit in the white American culture. Where I do fit is right in between, with biracial and mixed race people. Half-Koreans like me even have a word to describe ourselves - happa, which means half. It hardly matters what your different “parts” or ethnicities are, the issues and experiences are very similar. 

Is there a board book about that?

Green Living
Mood:  chillin'
Topic: politics
I want to start using eco friendly products around the house, especially for Ishmael's sake. Of course, with house dogs and the bugs that invade whenever it rains, it's going to be hard to convince Rahim. It's hard enough to get him to recycle these days. We're limited on time, but I truly want to make time in our lives for that stuff. We have to drive our recycling to the local farmer's market, because we live in an apartment complex that doesn't recycle. But recycling makes my soul feel good, so I don't mind. Using green products, especially from independent and grassroots companies, will bring me a lot of peace.

Blue Lists
Mood:  hungry
Topic: politics
Looking at the city search a different way, here's a list of Top 10 Liberal Cities in the U.S. The statistics used to make the list: individual contributions to democratic/liberal parties, voting in the 2004 election, the number of gay households from the last U.S. Census, etc. There were three lists based on city size. For us, I think we would have to live in a city larger than 100,000 people anyway.

1. Boston, MA
2. Cambridge, MA
3. Berkeley, CA
4. Oakland, CA
5. San Francisco, CA
6. New Haven, CT
7. Providence, RI
8. New York, NY
9. Baltimore, MD
10. Seattle, WA

They also listed the most liberal cities in various states. Interestingly, Decatur is the most "liberal" in Georgia! Yay! (That's where we live now, in case you didn't know!)

Green List
Mood:  energetic
Topic: politics
I found this list of Top 10 Green Cities in the U.S. Of course, the list is from 2005. I've left off the details, but you can go read about the article for yourself if you're interested.

1. Austin, TX (no chance, since it's still in the South)
2. Boulder, CO
3. Chicago, IL
4. Honolulu, Hawaii
5. Madison, WI
6. Minneapolis, MN
7. Oakland, CA (big chance)
8. Portland, OR
9. San Francisco, CA
10. Seattle, WA

Runenrs up: Boston,MA, Athens, GA, and Lawrence, Kansas.

Ghost Chickens
Mood:  bright
Topic: politics

I've been having cravings these days. Yes, for meat. Chicken, specifically. And bacon. Though, Rahim would probably really prohibit that. Maybe it's those KFC commercials, about the new sauceless spicy wings. Yummm. I was never much of a wing person anyway, but probably because we just didn't eat out that much and not "American" food very much. I worry about the chickens, too, that would haunt my dreams.

I used to joke that in order to eat meat, I'd have to either live in a 3rd world country or hunt it myself. Then it would be a matter of survival. I would crouch down behind a fallen log, the trees creaking and swaying around me, a spear or crossbow heavily perched on my arm. Hunting blind, I would only have my senses to guide me - noticing the animal tracks, the wafts of scent in the air, the speaking or silence of the birds. Surely, some creature would sound an alarm at my approach. I'd probably make a lousy hunter, swatting away bugs and cracking dead branches as I tread along.

I'd love to do archery though, for fun and recreation. If R and I ever get really settled, that would be a fun sport. I could adorn my arrows with fancy feathers and such, like people often do to their fishing lures. Of course, the center of the padded target would be my only aim, not the flesh or guts of a living beast.

Jokester
Mood:  chillin'
Topic: politics

I won't go as far as watching Fox News, but I have been watching more news lately. It's definitely frustrating at times, with all the bad news lately, but I'd rather be informed and angry, instead of the alternative.

First, where has Anderson Cooper been hiding? I love that guy! He's cute in his way, too, besides being a good journalist. I don't quite ask myself that about Glenn Beck. He's a political jokester, but leaning toward the conservative end of the spectrum. He's going on a political tour this summer, with the Dallas show being broadcast live to movie theatres on July 17th.

In terms of politicla comedy, I prefer the likes of Margaret Cho and Al Franken. R even wants to get tickets to see Lewis Black. That would be a fun night!

Safety
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: politics

A new law just passed in Georgia allowing people to carry concealed weapons in restaurants. A lot of cities have continued to ban the guns in restaurants, in opposition to the law. Well, the gun law supporters are up in arms. Get it? They're not happy. Dozens of them came out to a restaurant in one county, showcasing their Blackhawk holsters and personal firearms. The restaurant owner is one of the supporters of the new law and invited all the gun toters down.

You could guess the rationale and reasons the folks have for wanting to carry their guns around on their hips. There was even one man with his newborn baby at the restaurant, who talked about wanting to protect his family. Luckily Rahim is actually level-headed about the subject. Though crazy times often want him to get his permit to carry a concealed weapon, he leans more towards wanting to get rid of his gun, since Ishmael has been born. Thank goodness.

Have a safe holiday!

Sweetwater
Mood:  cool
Topic: politics

One of my favorite ways to spend the afternoon (especially Saturday or Sunday) is to kick back with an ice cold beer. I know,that sounds kinda common or pedestrian. But I like to just prop my elbows up on the brass bar rails, sigh away my problems, and enjoy a golden, sweet ale. Unfortunately, Rahim doesn't really like doing that. I can't even convince him to sit in a coffeeshop with me, reading or talking. The few times we have gone out to a bar, other than our first date, has been to see a band or to eat a meal. What about cocktail hour? I want to bring back the afternoon cocktail.

I know, I'm a mommie now.  Actually, since I've had a UTI and been taking antibiotics, I haven't had any alcohol. I still have one Sweetwater beer in my fridge; I'll have it this Friday as a 4th of July treat. Extreme of mindless patriotism has always been something hard for me to swallow, so a bit of beer will definitely help.

That reminds me of a book I recently got at the thrift store, called What We Do Now. It's a collection of essays written about the American political situation post-the 2004 election, when Bush was reelected. Don't worry, I'm not a flag burner, just a healthy skeptic. I appreciate the freedoms and privileges of being American without having to be arrogant or narrow-minded about it. Anyway, drink up!

Eat the Rich
Mood:  irritated
Topic: politics
There are a lot of nouveau riche in Atlanta these days, getting the spinning rims, building McMansions in historic and character-filled neighborhoods, and shopping for baby clothes at cutsie boutiques. Like when the house down the street from us, which was so beautifully renovated, sold for almost $400K, I wondered what type of job you would need to have to pay that $2500/month mortgage.

I've started meditating lately, and I'm hoping that will help me think less about these desires and negativity. If it's just this one area of my life I'm unhappy about, things are actually really great.

Free Trade
Mood:  chillin'
Topic: politics

I got this post idea from A Bird's Life. In one of her posts she asks the question, Where do your clothes come from? So, I looked.

-Sri Lanka
-Mexico
-Haiti
-Vietnam
-Egypt
-Honduras
-China
-India
-Phillipines
-Nicaragua

But 99% of Baba's clothes are made in China. I didn't examine every single onesie, but out of 10, only one was made elsewhere, in Thailand.

Even the little sickle and hammer onesie was made in China. Doh. What's in your closet?