Potpourri and women in underwear

Okay, a little bit of everything. Walking. Travel. Media. Politics. and the Dove women, pictured here--

Travel/Walking- Went back to Bend last weekend to stay with my parents and help my sister re-paint the apartment over my parent's garage. She will be moving there soon. She will be getting her nursing degree. She rocks and I couldn't be more proud. I helped her paint her son's room, for which I was rewarded with many Taco Bell tasty treats, although for the amount of work, next time I will hold out for the "Nacho Bell Grande" rather than just the "Nacho Supreme" ! She's doing her boys rooms up in a very cool design. She's a great mom, without much help from her ex. I could say a lot of nasty, vulgar things about him, but I won't...at least not here, call me and I'll give you the whole story and the new swear words my husband and I have made up to describe him.

I did walk again down the same trail as last time, but no cougar- though, plenty of interesting wildlife- two deer, the fattest chipmunk on the planet! (I swear, no joke, I actually followed this critter up a hill to make sure it was a chipmunk and not something else) and a very cute bunny. Also, some old people walking that I was very concerned about. It was very hot, like 90 degrees. These people were out for a 10k "Volkswalk" and I would say the median age was 70. Though they did dress for max sun protection in their funny hats and huge sunglasses. I hope they made it! I hope they didn't perish on the trail somewhere....I hope I don't see their sun-bleached bones and funny hats and huge sunglasses strewn about a trail ravine later this summer.

Media- The Dove women (see picture above)- okay, look for the new Dove beauty ads. They feature normal-sized women. Please do comment about this, they are sizes 4- 12! There is a horrible article on Slate.com about how these women are "fat" and how Dove will become the brand for "Fat girls"- and how the author was so surprised to see these "fat women" on billboards for real ads and not something to laugh at. Gee, I wonder why women have body image issues? Gee, I really frickin' HATE that my daughter has to grow up in this media environment!

Politics- Seems my last post (see "Rebranded!") is now null and void. The President has reversed his marketing team and we are back to the "War on Terror"-- it appears that the Iraqi insurgents/Terrorists/extreme violence inflictors, whatever these evil bastards want to be called seem to think it's a war too- 21 Marines killed in the last three days. I guess they didn't get the memo that Amercians are to be greeted with flowers and candy. Once again, brilliant work Mr. President.

Speaking of Marines- only the extreme politics geeks will note that sadly a Marine who served in Iraq went down to defeat in Ohio yesterday in a congressional race in a heavily Republican district. I guess the Republicans "support the troops" but they just don't vote for them. Although, I think this guy, Paul Hackett will be one to watch. The dude has style. He called President Bush and "S.O.B" and a "chickenhawk" * When asked about these comments by the media, he replied, "Said it. Mean it. Stand by it." Mr. Hackett, I salute you.

*definition of "chickenhawk"- Someone who never served in a war when they were young men and had a chance, but now are very "hawkish" and pro-war, and pretty eager to send other young men and now women to war (except of course, their own kids!). President Bush is a classic chickenhawk. In 1968, when Americans were dying at rate of 200 per week in the Vietnam war, Bush had his Dad grease the skids so he could avoid the draft by joining the Texas Air National Guard. You know protecting Houston from that huge Viet Cong threat. But, at least Bush donned a uniform- unlike Mr. Cheney who had 5 academic deferments to avoid Vietnam, when asked why he didn't serve in Vietnam Cheney said he "had other priorities." Gee- what a jerk. But, he is not the record holder for academic deferments to avoid service- that honor belongs to former Attorney General John "Let the Eagle Soar" Ashcroft who had 7!! Also, that paragon of virtue, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, didn't serve because "minorities had already taken all the spots"- which is really weird because there was a national draft- which pretty much says there were "spots" avialable for patriots such as Mr. DeLay. But I'm sure they are sporting those cool yellow ribbon "Support the Troops" stickers on their cars- that TOTALLY makes up for it.