Mason hit 2 pounds today. We took him back to the SPCA to be neutered and adopted out. Since he is a gorgeous fluffy tabby, he should be out of there in just a few days. Aaron is still with us; he’s not big enough to go back yet.
Back To School Prep
Last semester, I had to drop close to $600 on textbooks, which seemed a bit excessive. Imagine my surprise when checking the required books for my courses this semester: I found only 2 books on the list. Buying both used on Amazon cut my textbook bill to less than $200. I was so sure that was a mistake that I went over to the campus bookstore yesterday to see if perhaps the online list was wrong. But no, only two textbooks.
One professor has not submitted a book list to the store, so he may hit us with a big list the first day of class. Even so, it’s nice to not have to drop that much cash on books this semester.
I’ve sent in all my paperwork, written a tuition check, and gotten a nice new notebook for classes. I even bought a cute new shirt yesterday. And the weather here seems to be changing over towards September-in-San Francisco – our eternal summer fogbank seems to be lightening up.
Summer is winding down. I’m ready.
Oh, the Horror!
Israeli paper cups in a Saudi hospital! Cue the outrage – It must be a Mossad plot!
Riyadh, 22 August (AKI) – Paper cups made in Israel have caused a storm of protest in a Saudi hospital, the Saudi newspaper Arab News reports. Officials at the King Khaled National Guard Hospital says they are investigating after the catering subcontractors for the coffee shops in the hospital ran out and began using Israeli paper cups with Hebrew writing on them, sparking outrage among the customers.
What’s sad is that someone, somewhere, probably does think that my opening joke is for real.
Time Passages
One year ago today we brought Gimi home from the SPCA.
Gimi when we brought him home:
Gimi now:
What can I say? He’s a great big goofy cat. He loves people and other animals. I sleep better when he’s cuddled up next to me; his big old purr is very soothing. He’s not much of a lap cat, but I suspect in a couple more years he will be. In short, I’m so glad we brought him home.
Oh, and next Monday, my fall semester starts. It’s been a long and overall not very thrilling summer, I’ll be glad to get back to school.
Well So Much For Feeling Good
No sooner do I put up a faintly hopeful post about things today than Atrios pointed me to something else that turned my mood right back around.
I think it’s important to remember that in the year 1900, for example, in the United States, it was a democracy then. In 1900, women did not have the right to vote. If Iraqis could develop a democracy that resembled America in the 1900s, I think we’d all be thrilled. I mean, women’s social rights are not critical to the evolution of democracy.
WTF?!?!
[rant mode = on]
I hope Reuel Marc Gerecht never, ever gets laid again for his insane supposition that it’s OK to disenfranchise Iraqi women at the cost of some 1,800 American lives and god knows how many more wounded. What kind of a delusional sexist jerkoff thinks that’s a good thing? What an egregious overprivileged f*cktard!
AARRGGHH! It makes me want to knock heads together.
[end rant]
For more substance and less ranting, go read what Digby has to say about this. I’m too annoyed.
Hagel: Iraq = Vietnam
Initially, when I read this, I was a bit annoyed. “He’s only getting coverage for criticizing the war because he is a Republican,” I though. But upon further reflection, I’m glad it’s in the news. If even mainstream Republicans are ready to openly criticize our involvement in Iraq, that’s a net positive.