In the news: Virginia and transvaginal ultrasound

Posted by random olio

I am not a huge fan of politics. I can have really strong views on things and find it sometimes hard to have an amicable conversation with someone that is adamantly on the other side of a debate. So, often I keep my mouth shut. However, I have to speak up on this topic. There have been so many “women’s” issue in the news and up for debate lately. My recent blog post is another women’s related issue currently in the news.

I believe in a woman’s right to choice. Especially in a situation where she has been raped. I agree with Cassie in her blog on this topic: “Your body, your decision.” Imagine if women got to decide what happened to men’s bodies? Wow, what a revolution that would bring! I am not sure how many of you are following what has been in the news about the Virginia debates on transvaginal ultrasound. I have found many things pop up online on news sites, blogs, and all over Facebook. I am grateful that the law was passed in Virginia with an amendment that women have to undergo an ultrasound before having an abortion, but it can be an external one.

I wanted to share Cassie’s blog that I think was well written about this topic, a video a friend shared on Facebook, and a Jon Stewart excerpt from The Daily Show.

I urge you to read the above blog link, watch the two videos, and do your own research. Talk about this debate with others. Even if this conversation is not happening in your state, the issue needs to be discussed, as it could move to your state. This Mother Jones article shares more about what is happening on this topic in other states.

A woman should not be required to have a transvaginal ultrasound without a choice.

Authenticity

Posted by random olio

Authenticity. It is something I believe we are losing more and more of in our society. At times, I am not sure we are even present in our conversations due to the instant gratification of checking our smart phones to log onto Facebook, Twitter, emails, texts, LinkedIn, the list goes on. (I am just as much to blame, so do not feel I am on a soap box). So if we are not present and in the moment in our conversations, how are we being authentic? Are you focused on what your significant other, partner, friend, sibling is saying, or are you thinking about the work your boss just added onto your plate? Or the latest gossip from your friend? If we cannot focus, how can we truly be ourselves?

On top of our distraction, our focus tends to be about when we are going to get the next greatest job, or the next best car, or the newest iPhone or iPad (we are a Mac house, so I only talk in “i’s”). I am grateful to live in a community that does not focus so much on material wealth. One that cares about relationships and connections. I have been networking these past few weeks, and one thing I have learned about Portland is that we are a very connected town. I knew that in certain ways, but I did not know it was so important in finding a job. Most everyone I have talked to speaks to how forming relationships and connections is really the only way to get something done in Portland.

part of sign in Amsterdam

We need to be more authentic with each other. Are you being authentic in your daily life? With your spouse, partner, friends, family? By taking a stand for what you believe in, and acting in those ways, are you impacting those around you? Do you inspire them to embrace their own authenticity? If so, I can assure you – you will be happier.

The Lost Art of Letter Writing

Posted by random olio

I am old school about letter writing. A good friend and I were talking recently about writing letters, and how we used to write to each other all the time. I truly think it has become a lost art. Do you own any stamps? I do. Yes, I need them for the occasional strange bill that takes forever to pay online, and I need them for the cards and letters I send in the mail. Regardless of what popular opinion says, I believe there is something that is still precious about receiving a letter in the mail.

Yes, it takes more time than Facebook, or an email, or a Tweet. Yes, it takes a stamp (I cannot seem to even keep up with what a stamp costs, now that they sell the ‘Forever’ stamps). Yes, it require paper and an envelope. It also requires a bit of thought, a little love, and possibly a little creativity. I promise that you have what it takes. You can occasionally break the techno-mold (no not the green furry stuff), the I am in a rut and always do things electronically. Try it. Take out a piece of paper, or go to a fun stationary or paper store and purchase a card. Or, heck, cut up your empty cereal box. Decide who you would like to send a little love to this week, this month, this year, and write a note of what they mean to you. Be honest, be real, be direct. Be you. Put it in the envelope, address the envelope, and put a stamp on it. Then drop it in the mail.

Result: A happy friend, family member, lover. A happy recipient of a few extra minutes of your time. It will show. They may never tell you, but it will mean something to them. Then (oh my gosh yes) do it again. And again, and again. It will then be easy for you to resurrect the lost art of letter writing.

This individual took a month off from the Internet and corresponded with folks via paper mail. Now, I am not sure I could go that far (a month without the Internet would be like a month without water). What I can do is to try to continue to resurrect this lost art. Are you with me?

add a little "amore" to your letter

I am off to write a Thank You note.

Dr. Seuss and Read Across America

Posted by random olio

Whew! What a full week of creativity, exploration, and friendship. I just woke up from a 3 hour nap, so this blog post is just now coming out of my finger tips. I have LMFAO’s Party Rock Anthem on in the background, because I need something to wake me up. Today is the Annual “Read Across America” Day, sponsored by the National Education Association. It is a day to motivate and encourage children across America to celebrate reading. They chose March 2, as the day to celebrate each year in honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday. You can read more about this special day at the NEA website link above.

What I have noticed this week (thank you Facebook) is how so many of my friends that are teachers have been doing activities and reading events to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday. What a fun way to encourage reading and honor a man for the many books that he wrote that inspired us all. What individual has not read a Dr. Seuss book? Or who does not know what Green Eggs and Ham is? The Cat in the Hat is one of my favorites. Today The Lorax movie is also launching in theaters nationwide.

Oh the Places You'll Go

One of my more adult favorites (that a friend gave me before high school graduation) is “Oh, the Places You’ll Go.” I like:

“You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself

any direction you choose.

You’re on your own. And you know what you know.

And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.”

For more fun sites for those of you with kids, click here and here to enjoy. In honor of Read Across America and Dr. Seuss go read your favorite Dr. Seuss book today!

Mmm…Girl Scout Cookies

Posted by random olio

You are in for a treat! Well, that or a good laugh. It is Girl Scout Cookie time! Yes, I was a Girl Scout. I went on the camping trips, did the work for badges and patches, rotated bringing the ‘treat’ to meetings, and sold Girl Scout cookies. I think my favorite part of all was selling cookies. Our troop was quite the adventurous bunch. After doing our regular door to door sales in our neighborhoods, many of us ordered cases and cases of extra boxes and we took them to local University dorms, fraternities, and grocery stores. This was successful because folks would purchase more when we had actual boxes in hand. One year I think I sold close to 3,000 boxes. The more you sold the better prizes you won (a trip to Kings Island, a 10-speed bicycle were two that I remember). I wonder if that would be the equivalent to a Wii or iPad today? I think when I started selling cookies they were $2.00 a box, now I think they are up to $4.00. Does that make me ancient?

Due to my many years of selling Girl Scout cookies, I can never resist buying a few boxes each year. The nostalgia I have of their taste is not the same, but I still cannot resist. I learned a lot about working an angle, selling, counting money, finances, sales goals, etc from my many, many years (was it 8 years, I cannot remember) of selling cookies. My one and only pain point for girls selling cookies today, is that each year I feel like the parents are doing the selling, taking the money, making the change. If I could give any piece of advice to troop leaders and parents, it would be to stop doing it for them. Let the girls do these tasks. I learned a lot and it made me that much savvier, smarter, and more knowledgeable about business transactions.

So now are you ready for your treat? The below video is me, age 9, on the local news channel. (It was a small town, so the news channel was small and very local). Be sure to watch to the end, and check out the old school computer and phone in the background.