SueWorks

Labor Day

According to Wikipedia,

Labor Day is a United State federal holiday that takes place on the first Monday in September. The holiday began in 1882, originating from a desire by the Central Labor Union to create a day off for the "working man". It is still celebrated mainly as a day of rest and marks the symbolic end of summer for many. Labor Day became a national holiday by Act of Congress in 1894.

We celebrate the day at the beach, with backyard barbeques or park picnics, and CLOSE-OUT SALES for stuff we really don't need.  It's all very American (Canadians, pardon me)!  Us USians love to shop.  As I recall our fearless leader in light of 9/11 urged us to go out there and consume, or some such words like that.  I can buy a mattress at the lowest prices in town, I got an email that told me so.  Should I want to buy  mail-order shoes, they will arrive at my home with no shipping charges.  What a great country we live in! 

I really do believe this - no sarcasm.  It's great here.  We support, through welfare and various other programs, people who come from other countries so they can complain about this country.  In those other countries, you get hung or beheaded in city plazas for complaining about the government. 

That turn came out of nowhere.  I'm tired which is why I plan to celebrate the day on Sunday with backyard BBQing care of Pkin and a good float.  Then I will rest on Monday, sleeping late, staying in my night clothes all day long and generally not succumbing to record setting temps, all while marveling at what a great place the old US of A is.

Oh, I will raise the flag!

And I Always Thought It Was the Snake and the Apple

Apparently there are 237 reasons for why people have sex.  Researchers in Austin figured this out.  Do you think Austin, TX is representative of the US or the world? 

Being educated as a Catholic, I thought it was the snake and the apple driving us.  I guess I was wrong.

Am I in Awe or Worried?

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) offers a Transitioning Member membership.  This means that if you're unemployed when your membership comes due for renewal you can continue as a member without dues.  It's really very considerate.  When you're out of work, presumably not by choice, you need to cut everywhere you can.  SHRM writes that,

This continued affiliation to our loyal members will help transitioning members stay current on the issues impacting the HR profession and provide them with the needed resources to assist them in their job search.

But then I'm worried.  Does this professional organization anticipate higher unemployment in the future?  Yikes!  I don't like to be out of work.  I'm approaching the age when it would be a real drag to be looking for a job when I don't have one already which is another reason I'm doing to Die-T thing.  I look younger when I weigh less; also when I'm in better shape I'll have fewer health care costs.  It's really all a job-security strategy.  It should be IRS-deductible!

I need to get a better CPA (OK, get a CPA) and continue to eat my processed diet foods while beginning an exercise regime.

Pkin Reads My Blog

The edited entry below is courtesy of Pkin himself.

It's Diet Time

I've always been large and I come from a family of larger women and men too.  We like to eat and we use food for all types of celebrations and punishments even.  We clean our plates as we are concerned for the starving of the world.  Oh, and we grew up with a Depression-area conscientiousness because of our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents.  For me personally, I suffer from my own sort of depression with food and sleep both playing large roles in how that rolls out.  So I am at a crossroads.

This summer Pkin and I both had physicals that pointed to health risks associated with weight.  My doctor wants me down by 50 pounds and Pkin's has him about 70 pounds less.  What should we do?

Some people say, "Eat less" or the standby, "Exercise more."  Well, golly gee, I never thought of it THAT way.  Now I'm cured!  My other option is that when all else fails throw money at the problem.  And that is what I did over the weekend.  I joined one of those costly diet programs, one with pre-packaged foods and non-scientific counselors. 

The irony of it all is that if I would have pursued gastric bypass or some other dramatic intervention the insurance company would pay.  But no, I chose to eat smaller portions and maybe consume more aspartame so I have to pay for it.  And I bet Blue Cross won't be offering me a boob job in 8-10 months!

Pkin wanted me to resume the program with a weekly meeting fee and group therapy sessions.  I shared that I gained 13 pounds compared to when I first joined them and that I really didn't think it would be the jump start that I need right now.

It's day two and I've already re-arranged my meal plan.  I'm girding my loins as I prepare to visit the cafeteria for milk, citrus fruit and a spinach salad.  Wish me luck!

Good News, Bad News

Rosey is adjusting to kitty life.  And Bob is settling in too.

There are two kitties though one is a substitute player; Tallulah was too small and weak to make it.  We mourn her deeply.  I'll get pictures of Buster soon.

Einstein Babies = Dummy Babies

Apparently, all those very expensive learning videos aimed at stimulating brain growth and intelligence in babies actually retard the growth of healthy, verbose babies.  Dr. Dimitri Christakis, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington in Seattle, and his group surveyed 1000 parents in WA and MN (maybe these babies are at issue themselves?) 

He states that he'd rather babies watch 'American Idol' than these videos.  Einstein babies know about six to eight fewer works than other children. 

Ryan Seacrest teaches the youth of America!

More HP

Beancounters is responsible for me finding this, click here.  I laughed at number 7.

The North Pole

The Magnetic North Pole is in the middle of a great big gigantic ocean, see here.  Santa must be part fish, and Canadian.

In Harm's Way, as I Print

According to the LA Times,

That laser printer sitting on your desk could be emitting high levels of potentially hazardous particles, according to a study published today.

Some printers released almost as many ultra-fine particles as a smoldering cigarette, the study authors said.

Is there no safe place?  We're worried about all the wireless affecting the honey bees; I'm sure it's not so good for us big old human bee-ings.  Then there's the soft drinks, diet including, killing our hearts.  And the caffeine!  I mention this one because I make an effort to limit my caffeine intake to chocolate only.  I have a coffee beverage at least weekly from a certain place.  And I always get it decaf, until this morning.  Long story short, and because we are "global", I was here before 6 AM.  I figured I needed something to perk me up and keep me up. 

My virgin arteries just totally crashed around 10 AM.  The caffeine was the worst thing I could have done.  I'll be recuperating for days.