Hariato, tatami. You write well and make sense, with a tone of graciousness. I hope, and believe, that your government (and culture) would assure that public housing there is decent. Here, almost ll off it gets trashed by the residents in short order. It tends to not happen so much in this Northern state, but we have almost no minority residents. It seems also to remain in good condition in the few experiments where public housing residents were helped and encouraged tto become owners of their appartments. Not saying there's a cause and effecct in this, just an observatin, as I've lived in many places. Aa.
Well, perhaps not foreign cards, but one sees lots of gas guzzlers in housing paid for by tax payers. Older Yank vehicles can be bought for next to nothing these days, and parts are still available. So lots of poor folk have them. One saw the same thing years ago driving through US southern states on back roads. Really run down shacks- but each with a beater outside, and a (color) TV antenna on the lealy roof. These trends happen elsewhere? Aa.
Ah, all you great CS bloggers. Thanks for the thoughtful comments. My thoughts are that if she is financially and family/relationship-wise in good stead, it has a chance to be a good thing. Yes there are additional risks of pregnancy/birth as women age, and depending on the type of conception, perhaps increased risks health-wise to the child. Yes, some would say she's a tad bit on the selfish side, and I wonder if this is her first. If not, I am less supportive. But the chance to be a parent is a wonderful thing for many who have, for whatever reason, been childlesss. Besides, modern medical treatments are granting many folks other things they might never have had years ago. Nice if in her connections/extended family, there may be younger caring women who might serve as godmoms. I was almost 50 when we had our girls. Aa.
Thanks for the comments, erudite and otherwise, all. There is science supporting most immunizations, and the data seem good enough to give percentages for mild and severe side effects, as well as for efficacy. The former (sore muscles at injection sites, mild flu like symptoms, etc---usually under 10%) and latter (meningitis, paralysis, death-usually 1-2 per million) should be discussed with our health care providers. As to effectiveness, most have been reported to be above 80-90% protective, but some experience mild illnesss anyway. Also, there is fairly good info on how much of a population should be treated to avoid illness in that group---sometimes called "herd immunuity"---often above 80-90%. So when enough folks refuse, everybody is often worse off. Same with pets, pretty much. Aa.
Alas, she's not my lady, oh you shapley legged man tamer. Yea, to walk the streets of old Edinburgh with such a clever lassie on my arm. But only after a few pints to deaden the ears and eyes, and to bolster the stomach.. Tootles. Aa.
Thanks biff legs. Characteristically, the central point evades you. Disagreement is fine, even if forever. In fact, it can be a source of the spice of life in some couples, providing lots of healthful and holsome banter throughout the extended family. Sometimes for generations. So sad if you never were in on such. Aa.
Love_toothpick is spot on. Vapidly devoid of creative nuance or complexity, AW and her fame are true marks of the times, and the general deterioration of taste and sensibility. Just play any Jimi cut or one by Robert Johnson from decades ago for comparison, lyrically or in terms of the music. Bet she was a fan of rap and hip hop. Aa.
Yes, our country has been saved. But when Mayor Guiliani replaces the current incompetent as US AG, corrupt Hilary and Bill's (and their daughter and Foundation) real woes will really begin. Except for the disaster that is the ACA, Hussein Obummer's only policy changes were by his pen. And that's how they'll return to the bad idea bin of history, with the Donald's pens. Also, say goodbye to sanctuary municipalities, open borders and funding for public broadcasting (National Proletarian Radio). Stay tuned, peebles. Allah-u.akbar. Aa.
Thanks, ladies. One grows up in traditional religious indoctrination, enters adolescence, with the usual tedious identity issues, among those the compulsion to think being different is cool. Explains much of boring new age Sturm und Drang. Thankfully, most folks resolve these teeny obsessions, and advance along the more normative developmental continuum to more secure adulthood. Sadly some folks stay stuck. As do some countries. O Canada! Best wishes with the anger. Aa.
Of course pneumonias can strike at any age. But her docs are starting to show concern about several serious chronic illnesses, some of which can predispose to what we are seeing. More to the point, on deep background, talk is of a search for another Germocrat less than candid-date. Stay tuned, peebles. Aa.
Well, cat, it is a difficult situation with criminals. Many say, that like much in life, it's far easier and cheaper to do things to prevent criminality in the first place. Education, parenting training, nutrition, jobs, etc. But although this makes sense to me, the data are lacking to support the effectiveness of such. So programs to do "secondary prevention", after prison, such as restorative justice, are now the rage. And again, they make sense, and actually do have some evidence supporting their effectiveness. But what is effective? 30-50% prevention of going back to jail. Progress, but hardly stellar.
AM---Astrology has its place. Good topic. But I prefer another method of divination. The ancient Chinese, no fools they, made great use of the patterns on the backs of tortoises to foretell weather, fecundity, fortunes in war and more. We have a big 20 Kg snapper who likes to inhabit areas about the creek behind our home here on the coast. Found her crossing a busy road one day, and picked her up, placed her in the back of the car (away from young twins at the time), and brought her here---been with us ever since. Will probably outlive this curmudgeon. Odd that she doesn't seem to wander---weekly head of lettuce and a carrot might help. One must take care with big snappers, grabbing them in a sweet spot on both sides of their beautiful shells. Too far aft, the formidable hind leg claws will scratch a finger to the bone. Too far fore, and she'll have a thumb for lunch. All artistically told in the song "My Dingaling" by the awesome Chuck Berry, who certainly knew a thing or two about Mississippi snapping turtles. Anyway, I've learned to hypnotize her with an old train conductor's vest pocket chain watch, and she'll stay long enough for me to cop a prediction or two. A refrain of "Waltzing Matilda" always breaks the trance. Not as accurate as throwing the I Ching, but can tell the general direction of the Dow Jones. Pretty good, considering that technically speaking, she's not really a tortoise. We named her Matilda, for reasons of serendipity. Roberto.
Difference between a tragedy and a disaster. Disaster is a charter plane with lawyers returning from a conference, and it goes down in flames. Tragedy is that there were a few empty seats. Aa.
LS. I think cultural differences between East and West in relationships do exist, some of which can cause challenges. Many men in the West find jealousy and enviousness tiresome. As in, some girl, perhaps prettier than I, gets a big boss, wealthy and handsome, and I whine to the world about how sad I am over this. Yes, perhaps it's good to give up on cross cultural beaus. The Asians may be more tolerant of some attitudes. Aa.
Aaltarboy Blog Comments (468)
RE: Car change
Hariato, tatami. You write well and make sense, with a tone of graciousness. I hope, and believe, that your government (and culture) would assure that public housing there is decent. Here, almost ll off it gets trashed by the residents in short order. It tends to not happen so much in this Northern state, but we have almost no minority residents. It seems also to remain in good condition in the few experiments where public housing residents were helped and encouraged tto become owners of their appartments. Not saying there's a cause and effecct in this, just an observatin, as I've lived in many places. Aa.