That Subway's 'meats' are all (lower quality) turkey-based substitutions?
Yes, even the 'ham' and the 'roast beef'.
Subway is one of those places that I have always disliked and felt strange about for some reason. Maybe it's the fact that all of their vegetables look oddly colored and wilted. Maybe it's the fact that the 'meat' just sits there in its plastic container and when they make your sandwich, they pull it out in its little pre-arranged cardboard box and stick it in the microwave. Even the 'toasted' subs. Toasted to me does not mean stick it in a microwave.
You never see them actually preparing the meat. I did a little digging into some websites and found that even the Subway employees don't know where the meat comes from. It just arrives.
I don't consider myself a healthy eater, in general. I love McDonald's breakfasts and of course I love cheeseburgers.
There is just something weird about Subway though. I feel like all of it is just...fake. And they do so much to promote their healthy image, but really, they are worse than almost all of the others!
This is why I have not actually eaten at a Subway in at least 2 years, possibly more. And I will never eat there again.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Something New
I tried something new last weekend....because I am don't like the process of waxing, I decided to try eyebrow threading. They have this booth at the mall in Chambana where a woman does it in about 7 minutes. Basically they twist thread and shape your eyebrows. I always wanted a nice arch to my brow. Threading is a process that comes from India or thereabouts. It was quick, and while it was a bit painful, I can't argue with the results. Plus, it was cheap! $10! No appointment needed!
Not really bad, but I am too unskilled to try to pluck enough to create the arch that I like. And waxing can burn!
I do like this arch!
Not really bad, but I am too unskilled to try to pluck enough to create the arch that I like. And waxing can burn!
I do like this arch!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Just So You Know...
American Idol is a sham. The whole thing, from the way they chose contestants, to how they are marketed, to how they win, and how their contract plays out.
Example: people try out for American Idol. You think that what they show you on TV is how it works? Nope. What happens is that you go in, sign up, get your number...and go into a room where 3-4 "producers" evaluate you. Most of the time, the producers dump the really good singers and chose only the absolute freakshows (people who you know will never make it) or the ones who are reasonably good but also reasonably marketable. Then, and only then, do those people get a chance to sing in front of Simon and the gang. Sometimes, I hear that they have to go through several rounds before making it to the big guys. So don't think that what the TV shows is in any way close to the truth. You are being manipulated from the start. All the slick productions-the sob stories, the stories of divorced parents, children, diseases, hardship. Those people were picked precisely for those reasons. American Idol is not about talent. It's about marketing.
Everything on American Idol, from the way it is introduced, to the inane, annoying, scream inducing blathering of Ryan Seacrest, to the order that the singers are presented on stage once they hit the final 12 or 10 or 13 or whatever is calculated to influence you and get you to buy things-to buy into the idea that these people are actually worth listening to, when in fact they are the most over produced, over marketed, manipulate saps ever. I feel sorry for them. Sorry for the fact that they weren't good enough to 'make it' through legitimate means. And sorry that their lives will be signed away into a restrictive contract that severely limits their abilities as singers and songwriters.
No, I won't be watching this show. Not now, not ever. This is the only post you will see from me on it.
Now of course, everything is a sham. I know that marketing makes people buy things. But to do it so blatantly and to lie about it, to deceive people into thinking that it is actually something more than a giant ploy....no.
I guess this is one of the reasons I don't really watch TV all that much. I haven't watched a regular show except for random throwaway stuff on the Food Network in almost a month, and I don't really miss it.
The reason I was motivated to write this was because I did, in fact, watch about 5 minutes of the show last night to see a former student from my school audition. He made it to Hollywood. Five minutes was enough for me.
Example: people try out for American Idol. You think that what they show you on TV is how it works? Nope. What happens is that you go in, sign up, get your number...and go into a room where 3-4 "producers" evaluate you. Most of the time, the producers dump the really good singers and chose only the absolute freakshows (people who you know will never make it) or the ones who are reasonably good but also reasonably marketable. Then, and only then, do those people get a chance to sing in front of Simon and the gang. Sometimes, I hear that they have to go through several rounds before making it to the big guys. So don't think that what the TV shows is in any way close to the truth. You are being manipulated from the start. All the slick productions-the sob stories, the stories of divorced parents, children, diseases, hardship. Those people were picked precisely for those reasons. American Idol is not about talent. It's about marketing.
Everything on American Idol, from the way it is introduced, to the inane, annoying, scream inducing blathering of Ryan Seacrest, to the order that the singers are presented on stage once they hit the final 12 or 10 or 13 or whatever is calculated to influence you and get you to buy things-to buy into the idea that these people are actually worth listening to, when in fact they are the most over produced, over marketed, manipulate saps ever. I feel sorry for them. Sorry for the fact that they weren't good enough to 'make it' through legitimate means. And sorry that their lives will be signed away into a restrictive contract that severely limits their abilities as singers and songwriters.
No, I won't be watching this show. Not now, not ever. This is the only post you will see from me on it.
Now of course, everything is a sham. I know that marketing makes people buy things. But to do it so blatantly and to lie about it, to deceive people into thinking that it is actually something more than a giant ploy....no.
I guess this is one of the reasons I don't really watch TV all that much. I haven't watched a regular show except for random throwaway stuff on the Food Network in almost a month, and I don't really miss it.
The reason I was motivated to write this was because I did, in fact, watch about 5 minutes of the show last night to see a former student from my school audition. He made it to Hollywood. Five minutes was enough for me.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Small Towns: The Real America?
I didn't grow up in a small town, but I think there's a lot to be said for the reality of this comment, which I found while perusing one of the many websites/blogs that I peruse. This is one person's experience, of course, and I hate stereotyping, but I really hate the myth that conservatives use when describing the "Real America." Real America is everywhere-it is in small towns and it is in big cities. And in between! Why must we make such distinctions? To me, saying that "Real America" is in the small town folk is implying prejudice and even racism. Why? Because most small towns are filled with Caucasians. There is (relatively speaking) no diversity in small towns. If you say you want to live in a small town, fine. But think about the reasons why. Consider what "community" really means to you. And diversity-is it better to have your kids grow up sheltered and limited rather than be exposed to all kinds of viewpoints?
I believe the person that wrote this comment lives in Chicago, which is nice.
Oh, and I freely admit my own prejudices here. I don't ever want to live in a big city. I want to live in a diverse city though. I want to live in a place where people of all kinds of races, genders, sexual orientations, class levels can be accepted without fear. And I want to raise my kids to appreciate that diversity. I just feel that small towns, far removed from any large city(also not counting university towns, because they can be quite diverse), don't really do that so well.
Here is the quote:
"The one thing that I hate is that small towns are supposed to be real America. I grew up in a small town and have since chosen to go to the big city. I don't believe that people are nicer in small towns or more willing to help their neighbor or more moral. In fact for me, I've always found the opposite to be true. Growing up in a small town, I found people there, small minded, short-sighted, judgmental, viciously guarded against "outsiders" and highly immoral. Also, there were huge, I'm talking epic issues with drugs and alcoholism there. Many of my classmates grew up to be meth addicts or have serious issues with addiction. When I go there, I am constantly made to feel judged and that I'm strange because I'm a career-oriented woman. The people in my life who have gone out of their way to help me and care for me are people from big cities. I've found some of the nicest, most moral people I've ever met to be native San Franciscans. I've met highly family oriented people in Chicago and had a greater sense of "community" there than in the small town I was raised. I knew my neighbors and would babysit for them and sit out on their porch and have a glass of wine or beer, something that never happened in my small town. It's just bizarro land to me that small towns are held up and bastions of "America.""
So whatever. Live where you want to live. But don't say that where you live is superior to somewhere else. It can be highly offensive to a whole lot of people who do make their homes there.
Everyone should have the choice of where they want to live without being judged for it.
I believe the person that wrote this comment lives in Chicago, which is nice.
Oh, and I freely admit my own prejudices here. I don't ever want to live in a big city. I want to live in a diverse city though. I want to live in a place where people of all kinds of races, genders, sexual orientations, class levels can be accepted without fear. And I want to raise my kids to appreciate that diversity. I just feel that small towns, far removed from any large city(also not counting university towns, because they can be quite diverse), don't really do that so well.
Here is the quote:
"The one thing that I hate is that small towns are supposed to be real America. I grew up in a small town and have since chosen to go to the big city. I don't believe that people are nicer in small towns or more willing to help their neighbor or more moral. In fact for me, I've always found the opposite to be true. Growing up in a small town, I found people there, small minded, short-sighted, judgmental, viciously guarded against "outsiders" and highly immoral. Also, there were huge, I'm talking epic issues with drugs and alcoholism there. Many of my classmates grew up to be meth addicts or have serious issues with addiction. When I go there, I am constantly made to feel judged and that I'm strange because I'm a career-oriented woman. The people in my life who have gone out of their way to help me and care for me are people from big cities. I've found some of the nicest, most moral people I've ever met to be native San Franciscans. I've met highly family oriented people in Chicago and had a greater sense of "community" there than in the small town I was raised. I knew my neighbors and would babysit for them and sit out on their porch and have a glass of wine or beer, something that never happened in my small town. It's just bizarro land to me that small towns are held up and bastions of "America.""
So whatever. Live where you want to live. But don't say that where you live is superior to somewhere else. It can be highly offensive to a whole lot of people who do make their homes there.
Everyone should have the choice of where they want to live without being judged for it.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Books
Well, I am not all about make up and shoes, ya know.
My other great love is books. Books, books, books.
I have the unfortunate habit of reading multiple books at once. I can't help it, I just get really interested in a variety of topics. I used to read novels almost exclusively, but I have been expanding my interests in the area of non-fiction works, especially history.
Here is a short survey of what I am currently reading:
1. Thunderstruck, by Erik Larson. He wrote The Devil in the White City. I loved that book. This one is ok. It contrasts the story of Marconi, who is credited as the inventor of wireless technology (although we all know that technology innovation involves a lot more than 1 person saying "Ah-ha!" and then reaping all the credit. Unless they're Archimedes or something, but I digress) with the story of H.H. Crippen, who was a murdering doctor. So far, I find the Crippen story more interesting. I do like that the book takes place during one of my favorite time periods-late 1800s/Early 1900s US and Europe. I am about half way through.
2. The Star Machine by Jeanine Basinger. I got this from Jim for my birthday. I love all things old Hollywood, and this book is no exception. Full of lots of interesting stories of movie stories, both famous and not-famous. After reading the section on Lana Turner, I am inspired to watch The Postman Always Rings Twice. I got it on Netflix, we'll see when I find the time to watch it.
3. Pretty Monsters, by Kelly Link. A collection of quirky short stories. I heard about it after attending a seminar on modern science fiction. This book falls in the middle-not really sci-fi, but makes use of supernatural elements. A fun read, geared towards YA audiences.
4. The Accordionist's Son, by Bernardo Atxaga. A story about a Basque man during the Spanish Civil War. I haven't really gotten into it....I've had it checked out since June, and I read a bit, and I want to read more, but I keep forgetting about it. Luckily, I have unlimited checkouts at school. :-)
And a few random others that I have started but have abandoned/will return to eventually.....
I did finish one book over break though: The Secret History, by Donna Tartt. Man, that book blew me away. It's about college students, and a murder, and relationships and how everything is hidden.
Fantastic. I am excited, because we will be discussing this book with some high achieving Juniors. This book has so many layers. I am sure I would like to read it again and discover new things.
A book that I am itching to start: U.S. Grant: American Hero, American Myth, by Joan Waugh. I read a review of this book in the Trib, and it sounded really interesting, especially as I was working with students on the Civil War, and all you seem to hear about is how Grant was a great general, but a bad president. This book seems to dispel those myths. Also, I mentioned it to the teacher I was working with, and as a Christmas present, the kids chipped in and gave it to me! So, I am definitely looking forward to reading this book. It always help to keep up on American history. Sometimes I wish I could take a class...oh wait, I will be doing that in March. Hooray!
Lastly: here are some pics of my book shelves. I don't really buy a lot of books, as I have pretty much unlimited access at work, so when I do buy a book, it usually has a lot of meaning for me.
I don't like to buy books that I haven't read, for one thing. I also kept a lot of books from undergrad and grad school, so I have a lot of historical academic press types of books.
This is the main shelf. It is roughly organized by topic. The top has a combination of some library school books, my Junior Great Books collections, and some random books from my youth, including The Devil's Arithmetic, Ragtime, and Brave New World.
The second shelf has a lot of books from Undergrad-Freedom From Fear, The Seventies, The Age of Extremes, American Genesis, The Mismeasure of Man, plus my London book and The Devil in the White City.
The third shelf is books from my youth: several books from the Dear America series, my AP English books, and A Little Princess, Little Men, and some other classics.
The fourth shelf is my Agatha Christie collection, comprised of almost all used books. I enjoy searching for them in used book shops.
The last shelf is more random stuff-Little House Books, Simpsons books, and several books from my Europe in the Inter War Years class, like Artificial Silk Girl and Little Man, What Now?
This is my little shelf. It is double stacked, for the most part. It has a lot of random books that my mom gave me-the Angelique series. I have never read them, but they are huge historical epics. Then I have A Light in the Attic, and most of the books from when I was a lot younger-stuff like The Indian in the Cupboard, random Babysitter's Club books. I also have my galleys here-those are Advanced Reader Copies that I got for free from the Center for Children's books. I am particularly proud of my galley copy of Gossip Girl-on the back cover it details the original amount of copies to be printed and the marketing plan. And we all know how that turned out!
Lastly, here is my notebook shelf. I have kept every class notebook going back to 8th grade, although only my favorites are on this shelf. I am especially proud of my AP US notebooks. Those things are golden...I have 4 of them. I essentially outlined the whole book, and I have found them immensely helpful for reviewing key facts. I also have every year book from 6th grade on, plus the 2005 Illio, where I am pictured. And then, one of my favorite books ever, perhaps the one that got me into history: We Americans. Fantastic book, full of wonderful photos and essays.
So...that is my collection. Highly personalized, focused, and very dear to me!
My other great love is books. Books, books, books.
I have the unfortunate habit of reading multiple books at once. I can't help it, I just get really interested in a variety of topics. I used to read novels almost exclusively, but I have been expanding my interests in the area of non-fiction works, especially history.
Here is a short survey of what I am currently reading:
1. Thunderstruck, by Erik Larson. He wrote The Devil in the White City. I loved that book. This one is ok. It contrasts the story of Marconi, who is credited as the inventor of wireless technology (although we all know that technology innovation involves a lot more than 1 person saying "Ah-ha!" and then reaping all the credit. Unless they're Archimedes or something, but I digress) with the story of H.H. Crippen, who was a murdering doctor. So far, I find the Crippen story more interesting. I do like that the book takes place during one of my favorite time periods-late 1800s/Early 1900s US and Europe. I am about half way through.
2. The Star Machine by Jeanine Basinger. I got this from Jim for my birthday. I love all things old Hollywood, and this book is no exception. Full of lots of interesting stories of movie stories, both famous and not-famous. After reading the section on Lana Turner, I am inspired to watch The Postman Always Rings Twice. I got it on Netflix, we'll see when I find the time to watch it.
3. Pretty Monsters, by Kelly Link. A collection of quirky short stories. I heard about it after attending a seminar on modern science fiction. This book falls in the middle-not really sci-fi, but makes use of supernatural elements. A fun read, geared towards YA audiences.
4. The Accordionist's Son, by Bernardo Atxaga. A story about a Basque man during the Spanish Civil War. I haven't really gotten into it....I've had it checked out since June, and I read a bit, and I want to read more, but I keep forgetting about it. Luckily, I have unlimited checkouts at school. :-)
And a few random others that I have started but have abandoned/will return to eventually.....
I did finish one book over break though: The Secret History, by Donna Tartt. Man, that book blew me away. It's about college students, and a murder, and relationships and how everything is hidden.
Fantastic. I am excited, because we will be discussing this book with some high achieving Juniors. This book has so many layers. I am sure I would like to read it again and discover new things.
A book that I am itching to start: U.S. Grant: American Hero, American Myth, by Joan Waugh. I read a review of this book in the Trib, and it sounded really interesting, especially as I was working with students on the Civil War, and all you seem to hear about is how Grant was a great general, but a bad president. This book seems to dispel those myths. Also, I mentioned it to the teacher I was working with, and as a Christmas present, the kids chipped in and gave it to me! So, I am definitely looking forward to reading this book. It always help to keep up on American history. Sometimes I wish I could take a class...oh wait, I will be doing that in March. Hooray!
Lastly: here are some pics of my book shelves. I don't really buy a lot of books, as I have pretty much unlimited access at work, so when I do buy a book, it usually has a lot of meaning for me.
I don't like to buy books that I haven't read, for one thing. I also kept a lot of books from undergrad and grad school, so I have a lot of historical academic press types of books.
This is the main shelf. It is roughly organized by topic. The top has a combination of some library school books, my Junior Great Books collections, and some random books from my youth, including The Devil's Arithmetic, Ragtime, and Brave New World.
The second shelf has a lot of books from Undergrad-Freedom From Fear, The Seventies, The Age of Extremes, American Genesis, The Mismeasure of Man, plus my London book and The Devil in the White City.
The third shelf is books from my youth: several books from the Dear America series, my AP English books, and A Little Princess, Little Men, and some other classics.
The fourth shelf is my Agatha Christie collection, comprised of almost all used books. I enjoy searching for them in used book shops.
The last shelf is more random stuff-Little House Books, Simpsons books, and several books from my Europe in the Inter War Years class, like Artificial Silk Girl and Little Man, What Now?
This is my little shelf. It is double stacked, for the most part. It has a lot of random books that my mom gave me-the Angelique series. I have never read them, but they are huge historical epics. Then I have A Light in the Attic, and most of the books from when I was a lot younger-stuff like The Indian in the Cupboard, random Babysitter's Club books. I also have my galleys here-those are Advanced Reader Copies that I got for free from the Center for Children's books. I am particularly proud of my galley copy of Gossip Girl-on the back cover it details the original amount of copies to be printed and the marketing plan. And we all know how that turned out!
Lastly, here is my notebook shelf. I have kept every class notebook going back to 8th grade, although only my favorites are on this shelf. I am especially proud of my AP US notebooks. Those things are golden...I have 4 of them. I essentially outlined the whole book, and I have found them immensely helpful for reviewing key facts. I also have every year book from 6th grade on, plus the 2005 Illio, where I am pictured. And then, one of my favorite books ever, perhaps the one that got me into history: We Americans. Fantastic book, full of wonderful photos and essays.
So...that is my collection. Highly personalized, focused, and very dear to me!
Friday, January 8, 2010
I'm feeling bored...
Well, it's Friday night and I'm awaiting the arrival of my other half, so I am having some fun with pictures and posting.
Anyway, this picture of me, from my dear Laura's wedding, is one of my favorites. I think it embodies me quite well, from the Dior eyeshadow, to my lovely hair, one of my favorite attributes, to the fact that I am wearing a hoodie and loose jeans.
Interpret that as you see fit.
Shoes
I have lost track of how many pairs I have...probably around 60 at this point. I am a shoe fiend. Shoes are perhaps my favorite thing to collect, aside from purses, I suppose.
So, without further ado, I present....the shoes.
My boots....I have about 11 pairs pictured here. I have a few more that are not pictured because I never wear them. Yes, that is my kitty in the corner. She loves shoes, just like me!
High heeled shoes and sandals....17 pairs pictured here.
Flats, sandals, and sporty shoes. About 19 pairs.
These are what I call the "auxiliary shoes." I keep them under my bed. Some are just for nostalgia's sake-the chunky Docs, or the black and white flats that I got in London, for example. Others were worn for a costume (the black ones on the upper left.) And others, well, I just don't want to get rid of them.
And then I have 2 pairs of running shoes, some other Dansko chunky shoes that I wear to work and 3 pairs of Birkenstocks-1 pair of clogs and 2 sandals.
But I didn't feel like rounding those up.
So, without further ado, I present....the shoes.
My boots....I have about 11 pairs pictured here. I have a few more that are not pictured because I never wear them. Yes, that is my kitty in the corner. She loves shoes, just like me!
High heeled shoes and sandals....17 pairs pictured here.
Flats, sandals, and sporty shoes. About 19 pairs.
These are what I call the "auxiliary shoes." I keep them under my bed. Some are just for nostalgia's sake-the chunky Docs, or the black and white flats that I got in London, for example. Others were worn for a costume (the black ones on the upper left.) And others, well, I just don't want to get rid of them.
And then I have 2 pairs of running shoes, some other Dansko chunky shoes that I wear to work and 3 pairs of Birkenstocks-1 pair of clogs and 2 sandals.
But I didn't feel like rounding those up.
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