Life Update

I haven't blogged much lately, largely because I haven't had much to say. I have also started working again, so I have less time to spend in front of the computer, which isn't such a bad thing, really.

Gross factor warning/If you are squeamish, do not read this paragraph: My dog is having surgery this week to remove a mole that grew too large. It got infected and was nasty and scabby and bloody and gooey. Before he has the surgery, we have to clear out the infection and keep the area clean. This isn't a fun activity, cleaning his open tumor clean. Yes, it's an exposed tumor. YUCK! I'm actually looking forward to the surgery so that we can get this thing off his face and I can go back to not being eewed out every day.

A few years ago he had this neurological problem that he recovered from but that left him deaf and crooked. Literally crooked. His head is crooked and he can't walk in a straight line. Add to that the fact that he isn't the brightest dog, and this whole cone thing has been silly. He walks too close to doorways when passing from one room to another and therefore bumps his cone onto the door sill. But he doesn't realize what's happened, so he backs up and does it again. And again. And again. And again. He continues to do it until I move him over a half inch and he can move through the doorway with no problem.

Poor, old, sweet dog. I love him.

Recycling

We have curb-side recycling here in Carson. I always thought that as long as the item had a triangle with a number on the bottom that that meant the item could go into the recycling bin. Recently someone told that I should check with my city to see what numbers they accept, that the city only takes certain numbers. So I did. After much searching, I found this:

Acceptable Items
Notes
Aluminum Cans
Glass Bottles & Jars
Magazines
Newspapers
Plastic Bottles
Steel Cans

Not exactly helpful. So I guess I'll call to be sure that I'm not putting items into the bin that don't belong there. It seems that this info should be readily available on the Internet. Or maybe I just expect too much from my local sanitation department.

Shakespeare (abridged)

Going to see hubby in The Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged) tonight. I'm taking my 5 y/o. Not sure how that's going to work out. We'll see. Daddy thinks she'll stay interested. At least it's outside, so the chances of her disturbing other theater goers is less likely.

Metta!

Think!

It's getting to be the season of political ads, which gives me, a teacher of rhetoric and persuasion, a great deal of fodder. Anyway, I think this is a not-so-subtle form of manipulation:

http://www.usmagazine.com/britney-spears-paris-hilton-featured-in-new-john-mccain-ad

The sad part is that for many Americans, who don't think about the information that is fed to them on a daily basis, this ad will actually be convincing. They might not think about it consciously, but they will respond to Obama being related to Paris Hilton and Brittany Spears.

A neighbor of mine has a bumper sticker with an American flag on it. Above the flag it says Think. Below the flag it says It's patriotic. Whether you're liberal or conservative, I think we can all agree that many Americans are non-thinkers. We eat up the media like it's candy and never question its validity.

But it's our responsibility as voters, as consumers, as societal members to think.

I'm off to watch a movie, eye candy of sorts. No, the irony is not lost on me.