I went to see Milk yesterday. The story about the first openly gay man, Harvey Milk, elected to political office. He was, of course, the city supervisor of San Francisco. He put together an ordanance to protect gay rights and fought against the Briggs Initiative which would strip gay teachers of their jobs. It was eery watching Harvey’s team color in the countys turn green ( against) and red (for)…. It might as well have been Novemeber 2, 2008.. Watching in horror as our great state made it a consitutional amendment to keep two adult from marrying. In Milk, the Briggs Initiative did not pass. It was a great victory for the homosexual movement. As Milk says in the movie ” This is not my issue…This is my life!” How true… how very true. This man saw a need for change that started with one ruined roll of film and turned into a strong political movement that today stands strong. Milk began at age 40…. and was shot before his 50th birthday.
I’m 29… I will be turning 30 … well soon. What have I done? What changes have I made? I left this movie filled with the need to change the world.. Yes I thought! Pick an issue and fight for it! Join a club, start a club!
But what would my issue be? As a typical liberal I find that my simpathies seem to be split into many directions.
Endangered Species… This one is an obvious interest of mine. The reason I’m in a PhD program is to conduct research that will help wildlife reproduce, both in the wild and captiveity. So great! That’s hat I’ll fight for! Give to the Roots and Shoots program through Jane Goodall Foundation. A program to help small communities around the Gombe national forest so they stop chopping down the home of the Chipanzees…
Or give to WWF, World Wildlife Fund…. UG
But wait… I also care about the Environment
Do I get solar panels for my home? Bike everywhere like my sainted Ex “Mr. Perfect”? Compost..Recycle.. Join R4 , the UC Davis recycling program?? Now I do recycle ( I have the bin), I’m putting up a compost pile… I used environmentally friendly paint and cleaners… that’s not enough.. Would Harvey Milk have stopped at that??
But wait…. What about Reproductive health
I’m a strong component of the right for women to choose what to do with their bodies. THis includes sex education, free contraceptives and thr right to abortion…
Do I give to Planed Parenthood? My dear friend Jill does that?? Do I join a program that brings education to inner city kids… Do I start a counseling group for young women and men who want to understand their bodies….
Buit Wait… What about health care, workers rights, ocean health, national parks, education, the growing epidemic of illiteracy…….
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
And that’s when I become overwhelmed. My darling friend Beth started a food drive during the holidays and brought in at least 2 tons of food for local banks.
My amazing friend Abby runs Ag against Hunger, a program that provides fresh produce to food banks…
I.. I go to class… Teach UC Students and drink beer…..
Well I can fix somethings… I fixed a lamp that was broken… now it won’t go into a landfill and I won’t buy another and support big companies that don’t care for their employees…..
It’s a start
Oh and I washed my face and brushed my teeth last night before bed and then again this morning!!
It is now 2009. I am in the UC Davis Animal Biology PhD program… Sold my soul to this program so that I may one day achieve my goals, dreams. With my knowledge and power I will change the world (in 5 years). For now I’m dealing with the small changes I need to make in my life……..
1. Focus on “WILL POWER”
Things that I know I need to do.. study, clean, wash my face/brush my teeth at night, exercise… all fall into the will power category. I need to focus on what drives me. Why don’t I clean my car? or even take the trash out when I get home! Why? Why don’t I clean my house? or my rabbit cage? Why don’t I stop eating when I’m not hungry??
Now that I have all these questions I’m going to put my plan into action. First I signed up for a running class and a swimming class so that I have a forced exercise regime. Monday, Wednesday…. running. Tuesday, Thursday…. Swimming. If I’m forced into activity for three months I’m hoping I’ll crave it when the quarter ends. or I’ll just take another class…
Now for the house cleaning… I’m going to clean one room per day…
Monday— Kitchen
Tuesday– Bathroom
Wednesday– Bedroom
Thursday– Living room
Friday– pet room
Every other week on Tuesday I’ll also be cleaning my guest room for Jill!
Okay now car… Every two weeks (before Jill comes in) I’ll be taking it to a car wash 
unless it starts to get to expensive.. then I’ll reevaluate!
As for face washing/brushing my teeth??? I’m going to try and enjoy it? That may have to wait until next year….
Filed under: Uncategorized
Hello all,
I’m supposed to be finishing/starting my statistics midterm. Instead I write about the amazing very unstatistical occurances that have happened. Obama has won. We have an African- American man in the white house. He is actually an African American as his dad came from Africa. We have seen our country change these past 8 years. We have seen the chirstain right serge forward and fight to take away human rights. They are attacking abortion, gay marraige, free speech, immigration, socialized health care, the endangered species act, national parks, environmental laws and on and on and on….
Now they have meet their match. The cruel, wicked, heartlessness people will now have to take a seat to well another batch of heartless people. Just these people want to look like the ACTUALLY care.
I sat in a bar in Davis and jumped up and down when the states flashed blue. Everyone got a tad bit teary eyed when our next president spoke using three sylable words…and pronounced them correctly. We can only cross our fingers and hope that this man will live up to his hype. Will fight the ignorance and dumbing down of America that has marked our country for 8 very long years!
Unfortunately, California passed proposition 8, a ban on gay marriage. California passed a law to protect chickens but, two people in love have been forbiden to marry. It is a very sad turn of events and makes one question if California is really all THAT progressive. Although we didn’t ban them from adopting which is what happened in Arkansas.
Well lets hope that our future is more enlightened and we will be lifted out of the dark ages!!
Back to Stats
Now that my “Work Weekend” is over, my stats homework done, and all quiz grades entered I will be educating myself on the propositions.. Yes I know what I’m supposed to vote for.. well against really but, what do they REALLY mean??
Proposition 1A– High Speed Train– Erin says YES
This is for a 9.95 billion bond obligation.
Who’s supporting it: Legue of conservation voters, California Nurses etc….
http://www.californiahighspeedtrains.com/
I’m pro this! Go public transport, down with oil and poluting cars!
Proposition 2 — Farm Animal Welfare– Erin say “No”
This kills me to say no but, the infrasture isn’t around to support housing laying hens without cages. There are people at Davis working on chicken welfare with chicken producers but, this proposition may push them out of the state. They can then do whatever they want to these little feather lovers.
NOt enough science to make this work…
Costs: Only to producers.. although egg/pork/veal prices may increase
Who’s against : UC Davis, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle
Who’s for: Humane Society, Toby Maguire
Proposition 3 : Children’s Hospital Bond Act– Erin says YES
Funds construction of children’s hospitals
Cost: $980 million
Who’s for it: Los Angeles Times
Against: National Tax Limitation committee
Come on money for sick kids?? Who can say no to that!
Proposition 4— Abortion waiting period and parental notification initiative — Erin says NO, NO NO
PROHIBIT abortion for up to 48 hours AFTER parental notification!!! Erin saysthis is wrong!! Another chunk out of our female rights! BAD BAD
Cost: Only to the feminine reproduictive rights
Who’s for: Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneggar ,
Who’s against: American Academy of Pediatrics, California Teachers Association
Proposition 5 — Non violent rehabilitation— Erin says… Yes I think…
I’m pro the rehabilitation of drug users.. taking them out of the system more quickly and making them productive members of society..
However, the negitives are a very expensive rehab program that we really can’t afford, may be used to get out of being charged for real crimes by saying drugs made me do it….
But I think I’m sticking with YES
Pro: Drug Policy alliance network
Against: Gray Davis and Pete Wilson
Proposition 6 — Tougher sentancing on gang related youth– Erin Says NO
Basically this proposition takes money from schools so we can put kids in prision! NO!!
For: The California State Sheriffs’ Association,
Against: The League of Women Voters AND MANY OTHERS
Proposition 7 — Renewable energy– Erin says NO
This one pains me to say no just like 2… but the technology isn’t around to support this ballot. Setting us up to fail… Just like Prop 2
Against: Everyone.. Republican and Democrate parties… even the Sierra Club
Proposition 8 — California Maraiage protection act– Erin says NO NO NO!!
Denying people the right to marrage is WRONG!!!
Even though I wasn’t planning on doing it others should be able to!!!
Proposition 9 — Victim’s rights and protection act– Erin says NO
Apparently this has already been passed in 1982 with proposition 8… So very little would amount from this.
Against: California Teachers association
Proposition 10 – California Alternative Fuels– Erin says NO
Same as prop 7… not enough technology….
Proposition 11 — Voters FIRST act— Erin says NO
This is to redistrict California.. drawing lines to change votes… Not good… besides have the public decide anything.. this is NOT good!!
For: League of Women Voters, AARP
Against: Barbara Boxer, and Nancy Pelosi
Proposition 12 — Farms for Veterans— Erin says YES
I’m pro giving people the right to buy houses.. seeing as I just did it… but they’re on their own with the painting!! I’m still trying to get mine done…..
For: Gov.. Arnie again!!
Against: The Libertarian Party of California
Well good luck to all!! MAKE SURE YOU VOTE!!!
Filed under: Uncategorized
This weekend I was to spend the whole time working on my house. Yes I was to paint, remove linoleum, fix my plumbing, move my gas line and get my stove. I even had a dear friend heading up to help with my heafty load of work…. He also was to help with my needing sex problem. What happened do you ask?
Friday woke up with a horrible cold and my period
The plumber came and moved my gas line… Note:If you need to move a gas line you use a plumber to do it.
My stove came!! and was hooked up to my newly moved gas line woo hoo
Then I took my dear friend on a tour of Davis…..
and fell asleep
Saturday — still to sick to do anything but lay on the couch
Except when my Uncle Paul and Cousin ANdy came over with my new guest bed ( I was still in PJ’s).. not fun to answer the door in PJ’s with strange man standing behind you and Uncle on the other side… at least I put a bra on before they came over…. was not expecting Uncle Paul
Saturday night took Friend to the STAG.. he drank too much….
SOOOO
Sunday he threw up all day long
Yes yes all in all a good weekends work!
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Hello all,
At 2pm on Thursday October 16,2008 my amazing cousin Laura gave birth to the most lovely little girl I have ever seen.
At 5:30 am I received an email from Laura, we were to go see The Duchess with Kira (needs to eat a sandwich) Knightly. Movie’s at 4:35pm I’ll meet you there she said. That day I had left my phone at home so I figured I would just meet her at the movie… We can all see where this is going.. note the time we were supposed to see the movie and the time she gave birth…
Yes after waiting for 20 mins.. buying a ticket… walking up and down the isles to find my very pregnant cousin I went home…
And found 1 call from her, 5 calls from her husband, 1 from her mom ( My Aunt Paula) and then 1 from my mom. I figured something must be up! I finally got to her and my poor Laura looked tired, beautiful but, tired. I love her and love my new baby …okay not niece, umm second cousin… I know, I know..not the most closely related in the genetic line but something in me loves her. She has lovely, long toes and didn’t wake up the whole time I was their but, none the less.. I love her. I’m amazed that she was once a clump of cells, she was one germ cells ( egg and sperm) and now my darling Laura has created, with the help of Andy, a little creature…. This is why I love reproduction… how perfect is the creation of a life.. a little thing with toe nails and hair… AHHH Don’t get me wrong.. I have NO desire to house one of those little parasites in my womb.. I will not be pushing ANYTHING out of my special place! I heard about all of the horrible things that can happen and did happen… and ACK I mean it’s wrong… but now I have both Avery Ellen and Olivia Claire ( my dearest friend Abby’s baby) and I can play with them.
Well enough about babies…
They are funny little alien looking things with very big heads and little chins. They get gas, have yellow poop, and spend most of their time latched on to a boob! They’re just like the men I date HA!
Welcome to the world my new little friends!
Filed under: Uncategorized
Hey all,
I’m better… No more sad.. for now. and Brian thanks for the love but, I did find a red head… he just wasn’t the one. I’m glad that Rhonda makes you so happy.
I actually found my red head.. it just didn’t quite work…
Yes but, after my blubbereing in the library I took my poor bike to my Woodland bike shop… and who do you suppose was there.. Yes Him He was sitting on the counter on the front of a magazine cover…In MY bike shop! I man behind the counter was not impressed that This was the guy who bought me my bike.. Oh no!… so in my haste to put that lovely face back I spilled the intire pile of mazines all over the floor and HE was everywhere…. 50 of him….. The guy helped me pick up the magazines and I left.. red faced, emotional… NEEDING a drink.
But I’m better today. I have that lovely female skill to be very emotional one and and just fine the next. Today I awoke, taught 44 students how to milk a cow and a goat.. then went on a 20 mile bike ride.
Was the ride easy.. no… I chuged along at 13 mpr ( VERY SLOW) with the help of a very kind riding buddy who was VERY supportive. The 20 miles made me realize a few very important things
1) I need padded shorts. My butt was killing me after the ride.. well during the ride really! After the ride I was quite numb.
2) Gloves! More padding! My hands go numb at mile 10 and I still have 10 more to go…. I’ve been told that gloves help with this numbness.
3) Look into clipped shoes. It turns out that clipping into you bike pedals is actually more efficient then one would think.. See I fall alot so I figured that not being able to pull my feet off the pedals would be a hazzard to my health. However, when you’ve clipped into the peddals you can not only push down to make the wheels turn but push up! So you’ve got extra power and I’m for all the help I can get!
4) I am in charge of my own destiny! If I can make plans with a new person to go for a 20 mile bike ride AND complete the ride!! I can do anything! Yes the strong, intellegent woman is back! Go team Erin! WOO HOO
Who needs men? Who needs relationships… I mean they really just end up failing, being boring and just SAD. So I choose me! I choose STRONG,….. I choose 20 miles of open road on a bike!!!!
I am a strong, intelligent female! This is a true statement that I repeat to myself all the time. Even more so when his little green light goes on. I spent the last year falling in love with someone so very wonderful. He’s smart, well read, up to date on political problem, ecological, so on and so on…… He ended my blissful world of fantasy when in February, 9 months of dating, family holidays, friend meeting, he says he doesn’t love me. and the strong, intelligent woman crumbles. I died. For someone who isn’t that important in the whole scheme of things. Someone who doesn’t love me doesn’t get to count..right. Why is it that months later I replay that scene in my head. I remember how that felt, I get teary eyed. and I compare every man in my vicinity to him.
I hate that men effect me so…. I have now fallen back into naughty phone calls with an ex. We have made it quite clear that this is only for sex, no boyfriend/girlfriend silliness. Which works out just fine… until I remember him… how I felt…how I feel. Not that my Marine and I can really be anything… we’d kill each other..but I want that feeling, that high of loving someone. Floating out of their house in the morning after rolling out of bed with the most glorious person you’ve ever met and knowing you’ll see them again and again… that is until they revel that they don’t love you… and never have….
Ug and I should be focused on Multivariate regression, estrogen in Sertoli cells and well to be quite honest finishing up alligator hormone work… but no.. he lingers. Tugging at my brain stem when I ride the bike that he got me… He’s pointing out Obama signs and mocking McCain… he’s there always. and I hate it!
So I’m writing.. because I’m sitting in the UC Davis Library waiting for my second hour of Multivariate stats today and crying… I’m crying! SO I sit and write.. to the void… to whoever reads this ( my darling friends) so that I can get a grasp on my pathetic behavior.
My bike fell of my car today… actually the whole bike rack fell off my car today. I picked it up and fixed it! I fixed it… put the chains back on and everything… this may not be an accomplishment for most but it was for me…. The wheels need to be trued??? so I’m taking it to my local bike shop to see if they can help.. all the Davis bike places are busy due to the bike auction this weekend. People buy crappy bikes and flood the bike shops to make them work.
All will be well… I get over these things..I have in the past ( usually after much emotion)…..
I just wish to be done with it all now! So I listen to Abba and type my woe.
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Woo hoo! The awesome Andy ( Cousin Laura’s husband) has out done himself! I now have a new door. a finished bedroom, with baseboards, and a refrigerator cubby. After ~ 8 hours of hard labor… more Andy’s labor… but I did paint my hallway.. Enchanted mist! I also got a new bed A simmons angelique… yes yes a $3000 bed that I got for $269!!! Yes yes isn’t that awesome!!! There was some crazy sale at the Macy’s Furnature Outlet this weekend that I have been waiting for! I have been sleeping on a futon for this whole time… not that uncomfortable but it’s not my big fluffy bed that I’m used too…. But now I have my perfect sale bed that I’m loving!! It’s like sleeping on clouds
This part of my life is going swimmingly.. I also made a date with a girl who I TA with to go on a long bike ride 20 miles can you imagine!! I’m biking 20 miles. I decided the UCD tri team was not for me… So I emailed the City of Davis Tri team ( The Mad Cows) and they were great! The VP of membership emailed me back and was very possitive about me joining… and he had a great quote on his email :
“I believe cars are the new second hand smoke.” D. Zabriskie
So we know that this is at least an enviro friendly group/person
So hopefully that should work well… First meeting is Novemeber 21, I have a ways to go.
Well that’s all for tonight
I was driving behind a car today anf their bumper sticker said “Don’t litter, Spay and Neuter”. An admirable all around suggestion for the way we care for our planet and for our pets. Yes this person was using a bumper sticker to combine two things she felt very deeply about…well enough to display it on her car. Yes she said “Nuts” to having the multitude of witty bumper stickers pasted all over her car. Using funny qups to spell out her anger about dirty sidewalks and an abundance of puppies.. was not this woman’s deal. No, simple and to the point. She has obviously decided her causes. I then watched her pull into a Jack in the Box. So obviously her cause was not health food, workers rights, or enivronmenal responsibility.
Which brings me to my question .. Which causes do you choose? I have environmentally friendly paint, and home cleaners, but I waste tons of water taking my luxsurious showers (~20 mins)…. I have spayed and neutered my pets but, I let my cats out sides.. very bad for the local wild birds ( although I don’t think they can catch them)… I recycle but I get those paper cups with my coffee in the morning instead of using my many reusable travel mugs. I read the BBC but I watch TV shows like Gray’s anatomy and I’m much more up on Meridth’s view on McDreamy then McCain’s view on farming subsidy.
Well I’m just trying to do my best.. I guess that’s all any of us can do. I mean no one is perfect.. everyone does something that’s not great for our plant/popultion/education and so on….
Okay well one person comes to mind…. but Mr. Perfect doesn’t count!
And really who wants to be perfect!
as long as this lady is Spaying and Neutering her pets AND not littering…she can eat whereever she wants…. most likely she’s doing better then most.
Filed under: 11779679, Political Disbelief | Tags: Debates, Sarah Palin, The Stag
Hey all,
Today I met a few other Grad students at a bar called the Stag, a tiny dive bar on YES Main St., to watch the VP debates. The bar consisted of the four of us educated folk… and a few others at the other end of the bar..maybe not so educated. I watched with horror as Palin argued for the wonder of the trickle down theory, quoted Regan on several occasions, and smiled brightly at the camera claiming to be part of Main St. middle America. I need to ask you.. since when is Alaska middle America. As far as I knew it was up on the top, closer to Russia then Georgia/Nebraska/Missouri.. you know those states right in the middle. In fact the on thing this woman was able to say with strong commitment was that she did not agree with Gay marraige. Well thank you for clearing that up! and by the way shame on you Biden for not supporting gay marraige. At least didn’t say Talibanies!!!!
Well not a huge shock… for a month this woman has been training for this debate. She should at least be able to string a few words together. I mean hey, she did preside over Alaska as Governor… what they have all of 15,000 people?? We have more then that in LA.
But on the upside I biked to the Stag..had a few beers.. and biked home without falling over!
I went to the UC Davis Tri team meeting… it had a lot of very young undergrads, very interested in hearing themselves speak… but the coach seemed great… a team in training coach who will coach me on running, biking and swimming… So I get two weeks to work out with them and I get to see how I like it….
We shall see…..
Have a great day
Erin
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I have a new door.. If you remember I had a brown interior door as an exterior door. Now because of my lovely cousin Laura and her amazing husband Andy I have a new door. One that has a key pad so I can get into my house even when I loose my keys! Yeah no more midnight phone calls to friends to come let me in to my house Woo hoo!! I have also finished painting my bedroom… Slowly but surely!
I have rode with the Davis Tri team this morning. I was in a group with mostly freshman. They were happy about Davis and excited to be here. I remember being them.. except I was miserable, missing home and feeling very much alone. I don’t feel quite so alone now, in fact I feel like trying new stuff, living new lives, opening new doors ( see I can tie back to my door). Even though very intimidated I think I will join the tri team.
Main reason fitness… alternate reason I said I would and really feel like I should follow through… So I’m going to try or ‘Tri” HA. I’m working on being a better person lately. Trying to be more understanding, be a better friend, less of a procrastinator, less messy (if that’s possible for me), more assertive and more true to myself. So far I’ve been more understanding and true to myself… It seems to be working. The bubbly, giggly always happy Erin does not exists.. okay, she exists but only in the smallest of senses. I like who I am..
and I love my door!!
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I having been having a delima about ways to spend my time. Do I spend all of my free time sanding, spackling, painting, weed pulling,unpacking and cleaning? Do I spend my free time studying, reading,calculating, writing,grading, absorbing? Do I spend my free time biking, swimming, running, walking my dog, atempting to navigate the confusing UC Davis Tri team website? Do I spend my free time making friends, finding men, socializing????? and what have I been doing? A little reading, a little homework, a little paint prep, a tad bit of biking, some socializing and I hate to say it.. A LOT of TV. It’s a drug.. and it’s easy to do… very little thought goes into it.
I am going to work on being a better student, a better home owner, and GASP maybe a better athalete. Maybe…. I have to start with going to work outs… and none of them seem to fit into my schedule. Or do they not fit in because it’s not something I really feel comfortable doing. If I could easily fit in with this group maybe It would work…. my inner nerd comes out. The girl who never got picked for any sport team… How could I be on the tri team?
Deep breath.. I did fine on the 14 mile bike ride… actually I wasn’t even sore..
maybe I do have what it takes?
