JK Rowling on Britain's Conservative "nasty' Party (from Boing Boing)

Boing Boing has posted a letter written by JK Rowling, in response to the UK's conservative party, and their views on being a single parent (ie, a woman), poverty, etc. Parallels to neo-cons and right wingers here.

Nobody who has ever experienced the reality of poverty could say "it's not the money, it's the message". When your flat has been broken into, and you cannot afford a locksmith, it is the money. When you are two pence short of a tin of baked beans, and your child is hungry, it is the money. When you find yourself contemplating shoplifting to get nappies, it is the money. If Mr Cameron's only practical advice to women living in poverty, the sole carers of their children, is "get married, and we'll give you £150", he reveals himself to be completely ignorant of their true situation.

The Sarah Palin Network

The Eight Not-So-Wonderful Wonders of the Dating World...

 A very good post for any of you that are still dating:
Receipts of The Boyfriend Shopper: The Eight Not-So-Wonderful Wonders of the Dating World...

Most of the guys on this list can be fun if you are just dating them for fun and not thinking that you may some day marry them.  Two big exceptions I can think of to that though #1 The Lawyer (they are no fun at all) #2 and the worst IMO, the clinger.  There is nothing I hate more than clingers.  You know the ones that call you every 5 minutes to find out what you are doing and have to know exactly where you are going and when you will be back, like you are 5 years old?  If you even speak to another man they pout and whine about how you are going to leave them and you will, but not for another man, just because they drive you away with their constant "love."  You know they go through this over and over and yet they never seem to figure out why they keep getting dumped or keep themselves from doing the same thing all over again.   I am sure there are plenty of women that are the same way, it isn't limited to men.

And this just in...

Princess Sparkle Pony posted this -
Princess Sparkle Pony's Photo Blog: Michael Steele's Latest Indignity? Sarah Palin Steals His Most Famous Line For Keeps, Also Dresses Weirdly

Is Palin trying to go all goth on us?  Seriously, I think I had that black velvet jacket back during my more gothy period in my early 20's.  Really though, she looks like she is ready to attend a funeral -- let's hope she is putting the nail in the coffin of Michele Bachmann.  I can't decide which of them is more annoying.

Dr Oz about Artificial Sweetners and Weight Loss

Although, I disagree with him about no evidence they are dangerous (aspartame wouldn't be banned in so many countries if there were no evidence) he does explain well why it doesn't help you to lose weight.  Personally I think that is true of all diet food (meaning anything that isn't naturally low fat or low calories).  True story -- I did not start gaining weight until several years ago when Britton needed to go on a diet because of blood pressure and cholesterol problems.  At that time I started buying mostly low fat foods instead of the normal types of food I had always bought and that is when I started gaining weight.  Maybe it was just a coincidence, but it is an awfully odd one.  Anyhow, I still think portion control is the key to weight loss rather than what you eat.

From The Larry King Show:

KING: Another question from King's Things, our Twitter: is there any danger in consuming artificial sweeteners.

OZ: I'm not a big fan of artificial sweeteners. I have to be clear in saying that there's no compelling evidence that they're dangerous, or they cause cancer in the doses humans normally take. But here's the real argument, Larry -- I mean, these products, the diet sodas, for example, that are commonly imbibed by Americans, I mean, they are sold by big companies that have marketing budgets. If they truly helped you diet, don't you think they'd present that data and show you can lose weight if you had a diet soda?

The reality is, Larry, you don't lose weight with diet soda. So they don't accomplish their main goal. In fact, if you sat down and had a cup of iced tea and a tablespoon of sugar, you know how many calories you'd get? Give me an idea?

KING: A hundred?

OZ: Twelve, 12 calories? I'd rather you put real sugar in a the tea, enjoy a little sweetness with it. Get your 12 calories. You're going to get your 12 calories anyway. Don't get fooled. When you have an artificial sweetener, Larry, what happens is your brain is smart enough to realize you're giving itself something sweet but no calories with it. It's reminding you, hey guy, you cheated me, give me back the calories you promised me. People who have artificial sweetener in their diet tend to get more obesity.

KING: We will try to be equal to that task. We'll be right back.

Brown Pumps

Bought new shoes today, a sort of Mary Jane style, I mean what the hell why not. They're surprisingly comfortable; I don't usually wear heels but these feel fine. Nothing fancy and certainly not high end in any way; cheap-o Payless shoes but they'll do! I like them too because they're a nice brown; I'm so tired of black!

My Girlie Plans for Today

After more than an entire winter, I think since last August, I am going to get a hair cut.  My friend KC got her license several months ago and she will be cutting it at the salon she works at.  So it is double fun!  I get to have my hair cut and I get to hang out with KC for a bit.

After that I have something else planned, though I am not sure how girlie it is.  I will be shopping for and hopefully buying the 64 gb iPad.  I suppose if they don't have any left at Best Buy I will have to order one, but Albuquerque isn't like big cities (LA and NYC) people weren't camping out over night to get one, so I think my chances are pretty good.

I would take before and after pictures of my hair, but my built in camera on the macbook doesn't seem to be working.  It does that sometimes and then starts working again at a later date -- I have no clue why.  Maybe I will try taking photos with my regular digital camera.

The Teenage Black Widow

This story is just totally sad. This girl should have never been married to be a "black widow" at 17 years old. Not that the men (or boys) they use are much different. You take teenagers that are confused anyway and mix in some religion, make them think they will be heroes and you can probably get a lot of them to do almost anything. Well, especially this girl who was probably not only a normally confused teenager but also grief stricken.

I hope she doesn't end up disappointed when she gets to heaven or wherever only to find hubby is busy with his 70 virgins.