Knitting Content!

WTF?

Simple tube socks. Here's a link the Rav project page.

A Week Off Work...

...and not a drop of knit mojo in sight. *sigh*

It probably doesn't help that it's currently 81 degrees in my neck of the woods. There are quite a few things that have been tickling my fancy, but it's too muggy and warm to think about working on any thing.

Here's what's been on my mind:

• Granny Shrug
• Anika
• All the other projects I've left abandoned...

I've actually gotten off my duff and taken pictures of a pair of socks I finished. Maybe I will post them later.

Book Report

I've finished several books....though they hardly count being of the trashy and written for teens variety.

Again, due to my "screw-it-lazy-don't-wanna" attitude, you'll just be getting titles. No pretty book cover pictures.

• La Travesía de Enrique by Sonia Nazario: This is what true poverty and desperation look like. Find the English version and read it.
• The Luxe, Rumors, Envy and Splendor by Anna Godberson: You all know these books. They are the ones with the simply gorgeous dresses on the covers (dresses that don't even reflect the time period in which these books take place.) So, these books are highly addictive, fast reads. But I don't recommend you read them. I can't explain why, 'cause it's kind of a spoiler. The good thing about this series is that it has inspired me to go back and revisit Edith Wharton's works...since the series is clearly inspired (if not nearly plagiarized) by that author.
• Double Love (Sweet Valley High #1): Really. It needs no review.
• Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan: I love these books. After I finish the series, I do plan on dabbling in some Edith Hamilton and really getting to know the myths. (I feel the lack of knowledge of classical tales is a huge gap in my education.)
• Ghosts I Have Been by Richard Peck: One from my childhood. I found out last year that this was part of a series, but I've never read the other books...and I don't really want to. I like this one all by its self. It really does stand on its own.

According to goodreads.com, I have read 53 books this year. A record! (Even if 98% of the books are written for children or young adults.)

I've got a week off for Thanksgiving. I want to knit. I just don't know what to knit.

????

Today a student told me he didn't want ALL the illegal immigrants to leave, only the ones that sneaked across the border. I'm not sure it's 100% racism, but surely it's bigoted?

Do you see why I hate people? And, sorry...16 year olds know better. Don't give me any "they're just kids" BS. If you make excuses for bigotry you will never get rid of it.

I Take It All Back

I just finished reading "They Take Our Jobs: and 20 Other Myths about Immigration"

Ben Stein is only sort of right.

"The America we knew" is a myth and so is the America we think we can become.

In my opinion our policies are no different now than they were in the late 19th century. Both Republican and Democratic policy makers have made sure over the last 100+ years that a steady stream of disenfranchised workers have been there to make the products so we can keep consuming and consuming.

I'm not convinced that people really will fight for the rights of the truly voiceless and completely downtrodden.

That's all I'll say.

Making the Rounds-Ben Stein's "Confessions"

I'll refer you to the snopes.com article first thing.

I saw a variation of the following on facebook last night. Here I have quoted only what Ben Stein said. Over the years there have been additions to his statements. I just wanted to stick to his.

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejewelled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, “Merry Christmas” to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a crib, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.

Amen Ben Stein.

And no, I am not a Bible thumper.

Dropping Like Flies.

Since the book post I've lost two followers.

Guess I offended some folks.

Clearly I am the most offensive person on the planet.