The Magnetic Screwdriver Makes My Day - No DuKe Lacrosse I Promise
There is a carnival against sexual violence and I think some of you may be interested in. Men or women.
I am not going to mention Duke Lacrosse or that… regardless of their innocence or guilt, the commentary on the web is weaving (for me) a confirmation in my belief that we have oh such a long way to go. Pigs yes, non guilty Pigs? I make no assumptions or presumptions at this time.
Addendum: I’m adding this a day later because a friend sent me this link and I think it worth noting.
Not.Fucking.Funny.
I come from a gentle family, a family where women are believed, valued, equal, and are not considered battering rams for the easing of someones psychotic mind, nor a mere depository for the result of some sick masturbatory fantasy.
I found it hard in high school to listen to girls who were already so engrossed in their boyfriends that they had not one other thing they could talk about. I found it appalling when the boyfriend of one of the smartest girls I knew in high school grabbed her hard by the arm to pull her away from a meeting we were having for something or other because the meeting had gone overtime and he wanted her out then and there. I found it odd that she acquiesced but blamed her for her stupidity never considering what might be behind it all; until much later, the summer after graduation when she was beaten to a pulp by said boyfriend the week before she left for college because he wanted her to be really ugly so no other guy would look at her.
The above and my experience with a guy, the summer after I graduated high school, a guy who I thought was totally the coolest, gentlest, smartest and most "into politics, art, and music and women in the right way" guy I had ever meant; a guy a couple of years older than and I assumed smarter than me. That assumption was wrong of course. Six months later the realization that the only thing he wanted was control and the manipulative tactics that he would employ in order to get that control were both stunning and enlightening. It really goes nowhere from here.
Don’t get me wrong, I love guys and I’m not waiting for my rocket to come or anything. As you all know that first rocket blasted off a long time ago but there is so much work to be done and so much that that is just not right in regard to this whole man-woman thing that is often not worth the tiniest of effort.
Some people say that they can’t read my blog anymore because they are" trying for peace of mind" and I can’t give them that.
I’m sorry.
Some things make me angry and eat away at me like that acid from a high school Chemistry class, acid which was not supposed to be spilled onto the counter but was and once done there was no stopping the reaction and destruction without further destruction.
One day soon I will again write a little soliloquy, or delve into something that is worth philosophizing about but for me peace of mind does not come by disassociation with all but with association, explanation and action. My peace of mind comes with answers to inquiries in which the answer is ever changing and often horrific. It is the not facing the horrific and not trying make it less so that takes away my peace of mind. To each his own of course; there is still poetry inside me and one day soon I will "exude sexuality again".
I had a little thrill this morning. I got up early - work and all woe is me - and was checking my email when I spilled over my coffee onto the key board. I dried it up got out the alcohol and the air sprayer stuff and looked for a screw driver to unscrew the back to see if I could mitigate the damage. Seriously, I am a terror on keyboards and I didn’t want to have to purchases another one so soon.
Well, I found this screwdriver in the drawer and imagine my delight when I found the screw driver was some kind of magnet because of which the screws did not fall all over the place, they just stuck nicely to the end of the screwdriver.
These are the kind of things that do it for me folks. I am a simple girl. The magnetic screwdriver made my day.
Oh and I’ve become increasingly fond of the term "The Bush Regime"
I have some free time to read blogs tomorrow.
Whoever said that two jobs were better than one was wrong or they were referring to it being the case when someone had actually had a "real job" in the past. ;)
everyone is entitled to their own way of wading through life.
your way is edgy, mature and filled with insight. we should all be so lucky.
j mraz
you are your own soliliquy
bless magnetic screwdrivers .
I am only taken back by the waiting for my rocket to come part.
soliloquy
how come I can’t edit my own comment?
I think I know how you feel about peace of mind. For my part though I don’t think I can even imagine it as my mind has always been restless. Keep asking questions and finding answers.
I myself was never witness to any of that in high school. One of my best friends in college is a survivor of abuse and her story made me lose a lot of sleep. It made me feel powerless and I can only imagine how powerless she felt.
I love magnetic screwdrivers ^_^
DAMMIT! Late to the party! Stop blogging so much!
Ok! Yes, happy birthday, although belated on my end, it’s what happens when you start to teach and get no f-ing sleep, to the Zenfo Pro… gotta love that lesbian-lovin’-librarian chico! ;-p Ha, ha, haaaa!
Glad you weren’t calling us dumb twits although that whore-hatin’-”some girl”-woman-person-whatever should be called more than that… and then they say this “rape culture” we speak of is a myth.
Peace of mind is something you achieve on your own. If you are searching for it in someone’s blog then I would seriously doubt your sanity to begin with.
Love… hmmm… searching for it yields nothing and living your life and following your gut will take you where you are meant to go. Otherwise things are just way too messy but no, I don’t think it messy here.
Well, sleep tight chica! Sounds like you need the rest you not-so-lazy-girl after all! ;-P
PS~ Not YOUR sanity… the one of whomever could not find peace of mind on your blog! P Phew! Almost got into trouble!
People looking for peace of mind need to stop looking outside for it and realize it comes from within…such an internal process.
It’s amazing how such a basic piece of knowledge can make a person’s day in such a technologically advanced society.
Personally, I like “The Bush Crime Family.” I also like “The Bush/Cheney
war on the middle class.”
And I like ice cream cake.
Post all you want about anything you want. It is why I read.
Set patterns bother me.
Write only what you want here and never pander. It is not your job to soothe or entertain even though you entertain well and always on your own terms.
I have always assumed you were too smart for most of your readers, not all of them, but I have only to look at the comments to see that fifty percent of them have not a clue as to where you are coming from.
It is nice when a little piece of the puzzle slips out.
I can’t believe you were a magnetic screwdriver virgin.
Bush Regime, so fitting.
Alice I don’t read you for peace of mind–though I might feel angry after reading some stuff you say–actually do feel more peaceful because you care so much
I come from a family of very strong women–some people say too strong. My off and on college boyfriend who I did marry briefly loved my activism Strong men, and some weak ones, love strong women
It was only later that I got involved with somebody abusive and he fooled everybody. Ended it as soon as I saw what was happening–and I knew nothing about abuse then–took him a long while–but thats a book…literally
Think the Bush Regime might believe that they are a bit too much–but until Rove is indicted or turns states evidence against Cheney, I’m not holding my breath
NY misses you, and we all want to know about your jobs–just a little hint
I heard this old song lyric yesterday on this new CD I bought that I
was going to use for something I’m writing for my blog, but I thought
it might be worthwhile to share here; especially seeing the nature of
your post.
When I’m dead and gone
I want to leave some happy woman
Living on.
My dad cooked and my mom worked, and I turned out OK. We’re all in
this together, so being on equal footing and sharing common respect
is the only thing that’s going to keep us all going. Kudos on living in
balance.
I appreicate whatever you write and take it all into consideration.
I have always “assumed” you are too smart for me ,to agree with the joe guy,but I think I have understood most of your posts although many refer to things…regarding the philosophy of geometry which I admit are beyond my considerable thought process.
We all do what we have to do to live the life we need to lead.
Magnetic screwdrivers are pretty nice to have and I’m glad that finding one made your day.
When the regime is toppled I will stand much relieved.
You know, I don’t know that peace of mind is there for the finding but if anyone has to pretend to live somewhere other than Earth to find it, then I recommend going to Roswell, NM and waiting.
I just got to BB so I can’t concentrate but I have to say that
That cracked me up.
Peace of Mind
Would be nice.
I think that you sometimes disturb people who would rather be dreaming of pleasant things.
I think this is a great post. I wrote about this on someone’s blog the other day…I often see women I work with - many of them submissive Republican stepford wives - completely controlled and manipulated by their husbands, and not only is it sad, it is a turn off for guys that think and act like me.
On one hand I feel bad for those women who appear as though they need a guy to be in control, call the shots, and need to be “checked-in” with all the time. On the other hand it’s very frustrating to see, and I think to myself, “I could NEVER be with that person.”
I’m constantly noticing how people interact in relationships, and when I see a couple that has balance, values each other, and maintains independence even despite their own closeness, I want to show them to a dysfunctional couple and say, “please move more in this direction.”
So if I could deliver a message on behalf of the good men of the world - empowered, independent, intelligent women are HOT!
The Bush Regime (loving it!) could use a magnetic screw driver in their
collective asses! And the “piece of mind” bullshit is choosing not to see what is in front of your eyes
methinks meditation would work far better than ignorance. Spend a little time doing both then
if it helps, get yer groove on. I’m groovin’ right now….um…tissue anyone? LOL!!
transcience: wade is a good word- you wade with words. I merely wade.
john: awful happens all the time.. I don’t know why you can’t edit your comments. taken back????? ha ha
wombat: restless mind , restless heart. Well I wish someone had told me about magnetic screwdrivers much sooner.
mizzy b: I haven’t really blogged that much at all, or maybe it is that I haven’t blogged that often but I have blogged too much not often enough. Humm You have been a little scarce though so I am cracking the whip. Love is not really something I search for it is a waste of time to search for love. Peace of mind is a different thing. ha ha My sanity is often in question as is everyone’s at some time I imagine.
Cowgirl: I don’t think they were looking for peace of mind in a blog just trying to get peace ofmind ingeneral and reading horrible disturbing things didn’t allow for that.
Dead: Ultimately the Burning Bush would be the best though. joeg: always giving me permission. I’m not a good panderer but can pander with the best of them and pfft- comments- things people write to be polite do you really even think about half of what you write in comments?
pia: You don’t read me for peace of mind??? :( LOL I don’t think NY misses me all that much but I work at a local office of a politician and for a news paper.
dan: again, I knew I liked you for a reason. Not inclusive of that recent retrieval of 250,000 words.
jacob: you the quiet one and honestly as you are well aware , geometric philosophy can get you only so far and typically not that far because there is no such thing.
Doug: Well we could all meet up and have a party in Roswell and see what happens…. a Cocoon party. Robotman: I’d rather be dreaming of pleasant things. Like …my rocket…. J
Jeremy: Thanks. I see it as well still but to me it is far worse to be going along thinking that everything is all equal and men and women hold no preconceived Sexual stereotypical notions regarding behavior, thinking it is all chill and contemporary and everyone is cool and then all of a sudden realize it is totally not the case and honestly it is not confined to a political party. There are many closet women haters in the liberal establishment.
Cupie: "magnetic screwdriver up ass of former president bush and his boss dick…what’s his name…ha ha. I haven’t gotten much of a groove on
lately….but now that I have a magnetic screwdriver………. damn slap my ass and send me to my room without dinner……..please.
Just doing a pop in password check. I already sent my musings via e-mail. I hope you enjoyed them.
If it’s rude that I ask it delete it. I have read you since what? Senior year of high school? Is that guy the one you used to call the Viking? I’m only asking because it figures and I was looking over the old journals considering deleting the dj as I only use lj now and rarely and was looking through some of the old “friends” entries.
I haven’t read too many comments but I will tell you I read a lacrosse forum board where that attitude you describe is common. I don’t think the attitude is everywhere but it’s out there. I think the players are innocent but I am easily swayed.
I have to ask this. Do you really think they are pigs due to the simple fact they hired strippers?
The magnetic screwsrivers are great stuff. up the ass of Bush is even better, your comment people are funny.
I didnt know we cold sent ” musings via email”???
I was that guy for my first girlfriend, but I can honestly say that that is a person I grew out of being a long time ago.
Cooper, I honestly don’t believe there is a lot of anti-woman sentiment going on in the liberal establishment. I think liberals, since…well, throughout history have been on the side of women as well as people of color in the overall sociological spectrum. Of course you can find isolated examples of anything to go with any rule of thumb – however, by and large, I really believe a lot of the leadership in the Republican party, in the conservative movement, and in the religious right are extremely oppressive to anyone except for white, heterosexual males. Not all of it, but a great deal of it. I’m even leaning toward saying “most.”
I happen to come from a state in which there are two fairly liberal, fairly decent female role models as Republican pro-choice senators but they are in the overwhelming minority.
I also am a firm believer that passivity and silence cradle and support any given issue that needs people to speak out in order to facilitate change. Therefore, even those who are not in lockstep with the GOP might not be doing their part to facilitate change, or to be ignorant to the issues, and I believe they are just as much to blame, if not more.
So of course, sexism knows no political party whatsoever. HOWEVER – I do believe sexism associates with one ideology much more than the other. I believe liberalism follows the ideology that places high priority on gender equality – so if someone from the “liberal movement” is acting in an oppressive manner, they’ve abandoned the philosophy of progressive liberalism. Conservative philosophy on the other hand, is rooted, both now and via its history, in discrimination, rolling back progress, etc, and I think that really needs to be acknowledged.
Sure there is some sexual violence in our society but it isn’t limited to an ideology. It is also not to be attributed to a bunch of lacrosse players who happen to have a party in which strippers were invited and then rape allegations occur. It didn’t happen and the price
they‘re paying is too great.
You can’t look at men who happen to have money and come from and upper class family and immediately presume they are guilty in this specific scenario and this is what happened. I know you are not “presuming guilt” but you are making judgments on people you have never met.
I liked the post except for the part about the lacrosse players.
Callmerandy - just out of curiosity, I was wondering how you know the
rape did not occur (I’m not saying it did, I have no idea.). To make such an
assertion, I would assume you’d be able to tell me what kind of beer they
had in the keg that night, because you would’ve had to be there, no?
coyote: password check……..I like that.
Jake: Of course it’s rude but I rarely delete anything unless it is overtly vulgar or offensive. ;) They are pigs because they hired and exotic dancer (using false names), obviously got drunk and messed around with her either verbally or physically then hurled racial slurs and want now to be portrayed a proper younger “future businessmen of America” who have been treated unjustly because their god forsaken lacrosse season was cancelled and they have been outed as rather seedy despite what their parents think. I have no idea if they are guilty but if I were a girl’s lacrosse team player from Duke I wouldn’t be wearing any arm band for these guys.
mojo: Do people really grow out of that? I don’t know mojo, it would be nice to think so, it would be nice to think that experiences over time and just plain living eventually allows us to see the forest for the trees but I’m just not sure.
jeremy: although I do think a certain ideology has a lot to do with sexism I don’t think it is always the case. I go to a liberal school in a liberal city and I have seen supposed liberal act in ways and refer to women and other races in ways that would indicate to me otherwise. Not just in NY either in Providence, the town my parents took up residence in last year. Granted it is not overwhelmingly so and there is much less indication of it in that particular liberal population but it is there, sometimes hidden. And yes maybe a large part of it is the refusal to really see it or espouse about it due to thinking that it is in insignificant problem in the scheme of things that is the biggest problem with that population.
randy: Randy so far the price they are paying is merely embarrassment as far as I can see, they may even end up martyrs and wouldn’t that make their parents proud. I would never presume someone guilty and I never did, nor does money and coming from the upper class have anything to do with it. I come from a family that can take care for itself. I myself will own as of my birthday three homes and a hefty trust fund. I know that not all people who have been privy to an easy life due to the financial situation of their family are not bad people so please do not go there.
Peace of mind is way overrated.
Yes but that’s really my whole point. Liberal people can be sexist, and are
sexist from time to time (although much less so on average than their
conservative counterparts). Liberal cities and institutions have sexism
and racism and other isms as well. My point is that liberal ideology -
the philosophy of liberalism, is for the most part, absent of this. In other
words, liberal people don’t always follow their ideology - when liberal
people act in a sexist way, they are not acting liberally.
I don’ t know if it occured or not I just think that the fantasy that some people are having about it being indicative of a bigger problem is just that a fantasy.