Chewing Through the Restraints

Axe Flix- Don't bother

2008-04-05T19:39:00.000-07:00

My husband got a nice glossy mailing from Axe asking us to critique a DVD. It had a sepia movie poster on the inside cover titling a movie called "A Dream." It even had a summary of a decent-sounding storyline. I figured as it was Axe, there was porn involved.

Yes and no.

It's two minutes of somewhat-suggestive images (How long did they search for clips of hot dogs?) It goes from flowers blooming in nature, to things opening, to abstract ideas of penetration. And there's a small climax.

All in two minutes. And then twenty of a log fire cracking in the fireplace.

Really? Two minutes? Is that what the Axe guy should expect?

There's probably some kind of subliminal ads in there, but if it was supposed to make me want to run out and buy Axe, sorry, not so much. Blog it, sure. I guess this is free advertising, if you want to take my blog that way.

No thanks. I think my husband will stick with his regular cologne. We don't get any DVD's, but then, we don't get any DVD's.

Have we gotten past the biases of sexism or racism?

2008-03-08T04:09:00.000-08:00

Looking at this Democratic race, I would say no. We had a large diverse group at the beginning of the race. Now, we are left with the woman and the black man.

I can't help but think there's a hint of affirmative action on both counts.

Women have struggled for years with an idea that women are not as capable in the workplace as men. We have had lower salaries and when we need to take time off for a birth, well, that is still frowned upon in some cases.

Blacks have historically had a struggle from the time their own brethren sold them into slavery. (BTW, when I hear about receiving compensation for slavery, I hear very little about the African tribal participation and how they will pay.)

Ladies and gentlemen, this country was built on hard work. Just because I'm a white woman doesn't mean I didn't work hard to get where I am today. And because of that, I'm tired of hearing about how this country owes anybody. With the virtual worlds we have- blogging, Second Life, and others- the playing field is leveling out. But in some respects, racism and sexism have swung the other way. People now feel entitled to new perks because before they had none. And reverse discrimination is everywhere.

I think our 2008 presidential race is a perfect example.

Irresponsibility for a pet.

2008-02-27T14:39:00.000-08:00

I know this post will be a very unpopular opinion, but I'm going to put it out there anyway. I am not adverse to people having pets. I understand people love their pets enough to pay for expensive procedures. What I don't understand is the lengths the Humane Society will tell people to go to to save their pet, or even just to prolong what may be a pain-filled life for as long as you can.

Here are the recommendations from the Humane Society.

Good recommendations- if I had a pet that needed care, sure, I might go one of these routes:

Ask your veterinarian if he or she will let you work out a payment plan. Many veterinarians are willing to work out a weekly or monthly payment plan so that you do not have to pay the entire cost of veterinary care up front.
Contact your local shelter. Some shelters operate or know of local subsidized veterinary clinics or veterinary assistance programs.
Ask your veterinarian to submit an assistance request to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) "Helping Pets Fund."
Consider taking on a part-time job or temping.

But these, well, just strike me as asking for trouble.

Use your credit card. Ask for a higher credit limit or a cash advance.

Aren't those usually only for emergencies?

Call your bank. Ask about loan programs, second mortgages, or other options. Consider borrowing from your life insurance policy, vacation savings, kids' education fund, or retirement program.

Chances are, if you have vacation savings, you won't need to worry about the cost. But those of us who are saving for a child, or have 401k's because that is the only reliable thing for the future, we don't have the luxury of throwing away our future for the present.

Ask your employer for a salary advance.

Never having done this, I don't know what kind of records an employer keeps. But I am betting if you ask for too many, the boss ain't gonna be impressed.

Alert family and friends and ask them each for a $25 loan.

If they live with you, sure.

Pawn your stuff. TVs and VCRs can be replaced. Your pet can't.

Umm, no. If you're struggling for a vet payment, again, you're probably not in possession of anything worth pawning. See how this works?

Favorite part? The Humane Society says at the bottom of the page that they don't have money to help you, so don't ask them. So I should file Chapter 13 because of a cat or dog, but they won't do anything to help besides tell me my pet should be my whole world, more important than my kids. No thanks. This is why I don't have a dog.

Welcome to my world.

2008-02-15T05:38:00.001-08:00

I often find myself wondering why in the world people do the things they do. Like in Walmart.

I had to use the restroom in the Walmart (a "why anyone would do that" question in and of itself) and while I was in there 2 women decided to carry on cell conversations while doing their business.

You people on the other end- Are you hearing the toilets flush? And what would possess you to listen to that while conversing? Is this a new toilet fetish?

I guess I'm the weird one here.