Notes on Change.

I'd like to make just a few observations.

We've all seen the "Only Change is Constant" bumper stickers.  And yes, change is constantly occurring.  But I think our perception that "everything" changes is part of our downfall.  Not everything changes, but most things change considerably over the course of time which leads us to believe that literally our whole world is adjusting and adapting.  Please see a small sample of things that do not change, despite being adjusted slightly:

1. If you have a boyfriend who is a crappy boyfriend.  Changing his status in your life, from boyfriend to baby daddy, is not going to change the adjective before his title.  Let's have some self-respect, ladies.

2. If you are in a particularly glum stage in your life changing your status to find support within your online social network is not going to change the fact that your actual lifestyle needs an adjustment.  Get off your behind and go do something to make a change, don't just wait for it to inevitably fall on your head and give you another excuse to be a victim of circumstance.

3. Changing the nouns used in your insult does not change the fact that it is a fact-less claim.  Calling me a "racist" one day and "small minded" the next still doesn't provide me with any, either quantitative or qualitative, corroborating evidence.

4. Changing the skin color of your President doesn't change the way politicians, and the whole political landscape, operate.  If only it were that easy.

 That is all.



 

If it looks like a duck...

...and it walks like a bailout, and it talks like a bailout.  Don't put a cow costume on it and think that I'm stupid enough to think it's a "Jobs Plan". 

And while we're on the subject... the "Buffett Rule," really?  Let's have everyone who's making more than a million dollars sacrifice more of their income in order to support a culture of give-aways that is enabling millions of people to be lazy, do-nothing, moochers. 

Let's use this amazing research tool that gives us billions of pieces of information at the touch of a button and do some research.  It is an absolute myth, an urban legend, a wives tale, call it what you will, but rich people paying the least amount of tax is a populist's lie.  And look, when you move past the emotional fear-mongering and marketing ploy to make you believe that you're being subjugated by millionaires, there is actually quantitative evidence to prove it.  It's something that those on the government waybill would like to believe because it gives their victimhood credibility.  But it's a lie.  Read 'em and weep.

Now, go get your own job, make your own damn money, and save it. 

How to Be a Psychopath

There is news about the 2012 Presidential election everywhere you turn.  And, true to form, the media is tearing apart every single one of the candidates bit by bit so even the slightest gaffe becomes a faux pas of galactic proportions.

Everyday I receive a "Today's Top Stories" e-mail from PwC's central office and on 6September the "Must Read" at the bottom (which is always the best one because it's the story that's the most light-hearted and usually just for fun) was titled One in 25 business leaders 'could be a psychopath'.  Here's a snippet that explains the headline:

As many as one in 25 company bosses could be a psychopath, according to a new study.
Psychopaths are defined by their lack of moral instincts, but many are able to hide this by a natural ability to charm and manipulate both their seniors and subordinates.
While some psychopaths are outwardly aggressive and destructive, factors like a happy upbringing can help others to mimic colleagues and fit in at work.
The capacity of the 'successful psychopath' to identify and outwardly display the qualities corporate leaders admire helps them climb the career ladder quickly despite being poor managers.
This makes it virtually impossible to tell the difference between a psychopath and a genuinely good boss, leading psychologists said in a BBC Horizon programme to be screened on Wednesday.


Essentially, psychopaths are excellent at emulating what they see as model behavior and convincing everyone around them that they are genuinely great leaders with a resume to back it up.  I got to thinking, "Hmm, I wonder if there are any major politcal figures I can think of who look and talk the part but have a really hard time walking the part?" 

And then I stumbled on this gem in the Wall Street Journal (which I love, by the way).  How to Look and Act Like a Leader explains how adopting an "executive persona" can help you advance yourself through the business ranks.   

So, is WSJ trying to breed psychopaths?

No, I decided, they're not.  What they're doing it trying to help people who have genuine abilities to be more aware of what they are non-verbally communicating to the rest of the world.

However, how many politicians are there that have no abilities what so ever but a slew of advisors providing them with all of the answers so they can play the politician?  So they look the part?

I know, I sound like a conspiracy theorist.  But I think it's important to point out that people with a flawless image... they might not be real people.  Apparently studies have proved they could just be psychopaths who are excellent at picking out the best qualities in people and emulating them.  And now I get to the point where I tell you why I've written the worlds longest introduction to get down to my actual point.

I like my politicians with a few mistakes.  I like them to occasionally pronounce something wrong when they're a little nervous, I like for them to forget the microphone is on when they're swearing, I like to think that they, too, cannot eat spaghetti without getting sauce on their last clean white shirt.  I want a real person to be our President.  I want someone who is extraordinary at what they do, but still an actual human being underneath it all.  I don't want someone to be the Great Pretender.

I haven't chosen who I'll be voting for yet.  In fact, I haven't even seen the most recent debate yet (we have to load them on YouTube to watch them).  But when I do make a decision and decide to plaster their name, with all sorts of positive connotations, all over my blog, you can bet it will be because I feel like I can trust them with my rights and freedoms, and at the same time believe that they'd be the kind of person I  could sit and have a laugh with over coffee.

It's so easy to pretend.  With our online communities giving us a buffer and all the tools to be our own personal PR team, is it too much to ask for a President who doesn't prove the statistic?

Grand Old Loophole?

For reasons unknown to me there is still a debate raging in various parts of the country over the Pledge of Allegiance.  One particular debate that caught my eye is going on in Eugene, Oregon where the City Council has decided that instead of not saying the Pledge of Allegiance at all they're going to recite it four times a year (around July 4th, Veterans Day, Memorial Day and Flag Day). 

I was born and raised in a military community where everything that has to do with your country is treated with the utmost respect and we take every opportunity possible (even playing the National Anthem before movie showings) to express that loyalty and respect.  With that said, how anti-America do you have to be to not want to pledge your allegiance to the greatest country in the history of mankind?  I don't care if you're an Atheist and don't believe in God, you can simply skip those words.  I don't care if you morally oppose for some other crap reason.  If you are a red-blooded, American citizen with all of the rights and privileges that come along with it you should be happy, joyous to be able to say the Pledge of Allegiance.

And now the Mayor of Eugene Kitty Piercy is saying, “If there’s one thing the flag stands for it’s that people don’t have to be compelled to say the Pledge of Allegiance or anything else.”

Since when has Old Glory been a symbol of "do whatever the hell you want"?  When did our Star Spangled Banner become a free pass to disrespect everything the Founding Fathers thought it stood for?  The American Flag, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights are not bits of historical literature that are meant to be bent, skewed and walked all over until they mean whatever you want them to mean.  They are the written evidence that men acknowledge and respect the concrete principles of liberty, justice, honor, commitment, and loyalty.  

I'd like to motion that the Eugene, Oregon City Council be removed from office and deported until they can pass the Citizenship Exam that all immigrants are required to take.  Along with that, if they do pass they must recite the Pledge of Allegiance just like every other naturalized immigrant who is proud to be a part of a country that allows for free speech, and freedom of religion; a country that actually has unalienable rights when so many others are rioting in the streets for those basic rights.


Take a look at the Pledge of Allegiance, recite it in your head.  Now take a minute to wonder what our country would be like if more of us actually believed in those words.  What would happen if Americans actually pledged their undying loyalty?  What would happen if the Pledge inspired everyone to be pro-American?  It makes me heart so incredibly heavy that people believe the words of the Pledge are just something school children should recite at the beginning of the day.  Everyone, and I mean every single one of us, should remind ourselves on a daily basis (right after you thank God for another beautiful morning) of how grateful we are to our country and then remember that our loyalty is the least we can offer in return for our rights, freedoms, and liberties.

The day that the American Flag stands for anything other than liberty, justice, honor and bravery will be the most sad day in history.  But as long as there are a few Americans who are willing to stand up and say, "I love my country and everything it stands for, not just the parts that suit me" then that day will never come.

There is no "compromise" for the flag or the Pledge of Allegiance; as soon as you compromise on those things you compromise your rights, and you weaken the integrity of everything this country stands on (or at least used to).

Lastly, I'd like to say that I do pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands.  One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for every single American... even the ones who don't deserve it.

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In Other News, well, this really isn't other news just a continuation of my previous thoughts.  

Move to the Middle East.  Move somewhere that you aren't so damned privileged and the local citizens consider you as beneath them where you have to ask to be allowed to stay in country every 30 days and while you're there you are expected to obey some very specific rules with no leniency if you don't.  And then tell me you don't passionately wish you could be back in your own beloved country despite whatever amount of ridiculous is going on there right now.  

Unless you already have a grateful heart in your chest and thankful words in your mouth for the privilege you've been given to be American and live in America...Do it.  Or shut your mouth.

A Few of My Favorite Things.

1.  Recently, For the past three years, Sarah Palin has been tarred and feathered by the media. With her entire e-mail history floating around the internet everyone seems to have an opinion.  As I was reading up on the debacle I stumbled upon one particularly misleading article that I thought would be an objective review of what the e-mails mean in respect to the current political scene, but instead it was an unnecessary diatribe detailing everything this author thought she had done wrong with e-mail quotes to prove it.  At the end of his article he creates a list of quotes organized by their context.  One of the many quotes that he has judiciously pulled from hundreds of thousands of e-mails in order to slander Mrs. Palin is a comment by Palin on the guidance she receives from God.

On God's guidance
"I have been praying for wisdom on this ... God will have to show me what to do on the people's budget because I don't yet know the right path ... He will show me though." 

Oh, the horror!  A politician turns to God for financial advice?! Wait, you mean the same way that so many families turn to God for guidance in every facet of their lives?  You mean, she's actually using the divine resources that 2.1 billion people on the planet believe in to solve a political issue? 

I think the anonymous person, who doesn't even have the guts to put their own name on their article, should take his personal opinions and shove them somewhere that is completely un-Christian of me to mention.  This is number one on my list of favorite things today because its one of the the first times I really have true respect for Sarah Palin.   I don't believe women should be allowed to be President, and I don't believe she's doing right by her family to be working constantly.  But anyone who consults God for their decisions has my respect.  And people who quote those God-fearing people as if their beliefs can be used against them can go to Hell.  

2.  I know little to nothing about Mr. Pawlenty.  I know he is from Minnesota, I know he has a last name that is hard to pronounce and I know he is running for president.  However, this quote from an interview with Bill O'Reilly shows more about his character than any fact sheet.

""I'm not running for comedian- in-chief, or entertainer-in-chief. If people want that, they should go to the ball park or Broadway play or a Las Vegas show. ... Being strong is not the same as being loud. ... So, if you want the clown-in-chief, vote for somebody else. That's not me."

Amen.  Mr. Pawlenty is calling out all of the politicians who think their smile and charm will get them through anything, all of the politicians who think they can do a little song and dance for the American people and with the other hand rob us of our rights. (Read the link about being robbed of our rights, its about the 5 freedoms Obama's healthcare legislation completely strips from us.)  Mr. Pawlenty, you have my attention.

3.  Last, but most certainly not least, a very good friend introduced my to Laura Wood's blog recently.  The Thinking Housewife is brilliant for a number of reasons.  First, she has an amazing mind.  She is objective and succinct, all while being considerate and polite.  Secondly, she has the gall to stand up for what she believes in, no wavering, no platform changes, no "that depends on what the definition of is is."  Finally, she forces you to review your own position, forces you to actually use the brain God gave you.  

As you know, I am a fairly opinionated person and Mrs. Wood's blog has succeeded in inspiring me, making my heart race and causing me to groan with frustration.  But through the whole journey she is causing me to check my premises.  While Ayn Rand and Mrs. Wood have little to nothing in common I believe that their dedication to the highest moral standard and the most objective assessment possible put them on common ground.  At the very least they both hold a very high position in my mind for their inimitable dedication and philosophy.  I'd also like to note, if Ms. Rand and Mrs. Wood were to have a tea party with the other women who I respect as much, they would be in very good company.

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In Other News, things in Doha are going quite well.  No job yet but I have gone on a few interviews.  I've been baking a lot and going to the gym, it's too hot out to lay by the pool (the pool, by the way, heats up to about 104 F so it isn't exactly refreshing).  I've gotten some really great reading in (mostly Mrs. Wood's blog) and my floors are clean so life is good.  Doha has been practically empty when we go out at night.  Everyone is 'on holiday' for the summer since its too hot to hang around.  Despite the lack of company, it is really nice being able to get a parking spot when we head to dinner without having to walk a quarter-mile.

I'd also like to note, while we're listing favorite things, I'm in love... again.  (See here, here, and here for previous lovings.)

Belly Laugh of the Day

 I received an e-mail notification from my blog when I signed on about ten minutes ago.  It reads as follows:

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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "A Very Dirty Word.":

Lady, I mean this in the most insulting and patronizing way possible: leave your backwards suburb sometime. You sound like a sheltered hack with a myopic worldview.



Posted by Anonymous to I Don't Like Men Who Own Cats. at May 26, 2011 11:49 AM 

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First, I'd like to say... thank you for your impeccable grammar.  It is the worst when the people attempting to insult you have awful grammar so I'd like to express my sincere appreciation.


Secondly, I don't live in a suburb. Nor, for that matter, have I ever really lived in a suburb.  I'm actually quite well traveled and  currently live in what might be called the anti-thesis of a suburb.

Thirdly,  your criticism is exactly what I am constantly railing against.  Nothing factual, nothing objective, simply a name-calling, knee-jerk reaction to an idea that is differing from your own.  And that, my anonymous friend, merely proves my point.   


Finally, you have provided me with a much needed laugh for the day.  I would like to personally invite you back to 'argue' further with me because I actually appreciate opposing view points and a good, blood-pumping discussion is the whole reason I do this.  However, you're a coward who decided to comment anonymously so my only hope is that you come back hoping to see my equally immature response to your comment and, subsequently, this post infuriates you to the point of another wonderfully literate comment.

In the words of my generation... 

 

A Very Dirty Word.

I'm trying to be very careful with these first few sentences because if I'm not I'm afraid a lynch mob of hateful Liberals will fly to Qatar, come to my house and beat me to pieces because of my gross violation of people's human rights.  Don't be too frightened, you're just reading.  You can say, "oh gracious, she's awful!" any time you would like... or just tacitly agree and the angry Liberals will be none the wiser.  Today's subject? Profiling and the damned dirty Liberals who won't let us use it.

I was in Germany last week for a volunteerism and leadership conference that was wonderfully educational.  However, one of the most eye-opening things that happened that week was in the jet-way between my plane from Doha to the Frankfurt airport.  As far as getting off the plane was concerned I wa the middle of the pack.  In front of my was a mix of German nationals returning to their country and a few GCC citizens catching connecting flights, but mostly Germans (you could tell by the blonde hair).  Behind me were a number of GCC citizens and some Indians (this, not that [don't shoot me]).  As I walked past the first German police man (who by the way was only armed with one pistol in a holster... no AK-47 or anything drastic) in the jet way he smiled and said "guten tag" and then immediately followed with "May I please see your passport?"  Quickly I reach into my carry on to pull out my wallet and thus my passport, but as I'm looking up to hand him my documents I realize he's not talking to me... he's talking to the very stereotypical Arabic looking man directly behind me.  And then I start really paying attention...

Ahead of me the German police have a number of Arabic men pulled out of the line and are checking their documents.  I was witnessing the most blatant exhibition of racial profiling I had ever seen and no one was throwing a fit.  No one was being rude, no one was indignant that they had been singled out.  Everyone was just handing over their passports and, as far as I could tell, waiting patiently to be approved.  My first thought was, "I have to tell everyone who reads my blog about this... this is amazing" (no joke, by the way).  My second thought was, "Why does the rest of the whole world use profiling and Americans run away from it like it's a racial slur during a primary?"

And before you argue with me... yes, it is a world wide practice.  

Americans are the only ones who find it offensive.  Wikipedia even says so.  

At some point during the 20th century *cough the 1960's cough* Americans started a trend toward political correctness that has quickly spiraled into a mire of illogical protocol that seems practically irreversible.  Anything that can even be remotely construed as a violation of our personal rights or as offensive is quickly labeled unacceptable no matter how useful or accurate the original 'offense' was.  On top of that, sometimes it is blatantly in violation of someone else's rights when the human rights violation flag is thrown.  You can't refer to someone as Black anymore, they're African-American despite not having any African citizenship or even having set foot on the African continent ever in their entire lives.  Do not even try to offend Buddha, Mohammed, Allah, or the Nature Goddess of the Elements... but, that parody on Jesus?  Have at it.  Stop me in the JFK because I'm a late-twenties/early-thirties Middle Eastern man with traditional dress on and someone will call the ACLU, and they will be all over your racially insensitive ass.  Stop me in Heathrow because I'm a late-twenties/early-thirties Middle Eastern man with traditional dress on... well, here's my passport and have a good day. 

Profiling is a scientific principle defined as "the extrapolation of information about something, based on known qualities."  Did you catch the part about known qualities?  Because that means that when we know, for a fact, that an overwhelmingly large portion of the people who intend to hurt, maim, kill and ruin the lives of Americans come from Middle Eastern Countries.  Why wouldn't we want to pay a little extra attention to them when they fly into the airport?  Why wouldn't customs take a closer look at the suspicious things in their bags?  Why do we not seem to care about our own well-being and safety?!

There's even more evidence than just the photos of the 9/11 hijackers.  Ever heard of the Manchester document?  It is an al Qaeda training manual that explains how to get weapons through airport security, how to kill as many people as possible while on your mission and explicitly states that the United States is enemy number one. 

Could we please actually make national defense a real priority?  Please? 

Profiling seems like a dirty word because of the connotation it is given through the media.  But the honest truth is that it, flat-out, isn't.  It's a scientific protocol that can be beneficial when used in a number of industries.  Marketing uses it to focus on specific demographics, scientists use it to categorize information based on the facts they already have, and the TSA could use it to make us all just a little bit safer because of the information they already have. 

So go ahead, America.  I am giving you permission.  Love everybody, treat everyone with the respect that each and every human deserves; which includes being polite when asking to see someone's passport on their way into your country.

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In Other News, being back in Qatar is wonderful.  Although AWAG was great it didn't take me a whole week to start missing my amazing other half.  I've been particularly motivated since I got home from my trip but being around my Mommy (and some other very successful, motivated ladies) will do that.  I feel like I'm out of the "I can't get a job to save my life" slump.  Not because I got a job but because I have other things to fill in the gaps again... and I really feel like I've gotten an answer (not always the one I wanted) to some of my more frequent prayers, which is always helpful. 

I'd like to note that any feedback you guys could give would be much appreciated.  I'm trying to expand on this whole blog thing and would love your input.  Right now I have an interview with a very interesting fellow blogger that I'm working on... stay tuned.  Until next time, faithful readers. 

p.s. Does anybody know how to make your photos fit into the text margin and then zoom-in when you click on it?  I'm at a loss... thanks!

Inconsistency

The news is a constant source of inspiration for me, as I'm sure it is for many amateur bloggers.  This particular article struck a chord with me because it is so painfully obvious that this crap is getting out of hand.

Some kid posted up a huge message asking a girl to prom on the front of his high school.  He didn't deface any property.  He didn't do it in spray paint.  He took the time to cut out, and then tape up 12" high cardboard letters to the front of his high school... and now he's being banned from going to his prom for it.  A bit harsh right?  I mean, why not just make him take it down and then explain the proper procedure for requesting permission to do this kind of thing?  Or detention?  Or have him pick up litter on campus?

The Mayor of the Connecticut town this happened in said, "Based on what I know, I'm not sure that the punishment fits the crime. This may very well be a situation that needs a second look. Part of the problem in today's world is that we make policies or recommendations without common sense or flexibility built in and we lose sight of the big picture. This may be one of those situations."  Which makes perfect sense, particularly when you apply it to, oh I don't know... everything.  The big picture is that there are people in this world who are actually doing things that are wrong.  No matter what moral code you live by some things are just wrong.  And they're getting by with hardly a slap on the wrist.  And then this kid does something that the romantic in me considers pretty darn cute and he's barred from a major milestone in what's left of his childhood.  There is this knee-jerk reactions that says, "Oh no!  We have to take a hardline stance on this because what if it happens again!"  Why not take that stance on everything then?  Apply it in situations that actually matter.

For instance, please see exhibits A - Lord, there are too many of these below.

A.  Timothy Geithner does something that sends a number of people to jail, or at the very least into bankruptcy, and instead he gets to be Secretary of the Treasury... with maybe a smudge on his reputation.

B.  Rod Blagojevich abuses just about every bit of privilege and power that comes with being a governor and he gets charged with lying to Federal agents and then is given his own TV show.

C. Some of the largest corporations in the world run their business with such poor practices that they bleed themselves dry... and then convince the government to hand over billions of dollars to them so they can try again!

D. Bill Clinton decides to be completely inappropriate while still being the leader of the free world and is impeached.  Then, not only is he acquitted of the charges but nobody really remembers it any more.  The president of the United States of America committed adultery and now it's a joke.

E.  Men who were detained under suspicion of terrorist activity who swear up and down that they were just small town bakers, or tailors, or shopkeepers, or something innocuous are released from being held... and all of a sudden they're leaders in the al Qaeda network. Huh?  Who would have thought they ever had those kind of connections?

The list goes on and on.  Somehow the people who have done the most wrong are the most heavily defended.  The those whose crimes are minor (at best) get the book thrown at them by an MLB-quality pitching machine.  And it's because its easy.  It is so, so simple to look like you're tough on crime because you sentenced that pickpocket to a year in jail.  And that kid who graffiti'd the underpass?  Oooh, that 500 hours of community service will do him good!

But you catch the Mayor of DC doing crack and nailing whores?  *insert him-hawing, an awkward cough and some legal jargon that makes it sound like some serious consideration is going on* Let's re-elect him!

It's like there is a completely different set of rules for those in the lime-light versus the rest of us.  Scratch that.

There is a completely different set of rules for those in the lime-light versus the rest of us.  And it's unconscionable the things that they get away with.  Why do we allow our society to build divisions like that?  Since when is justice not only blind but deaf and dumb?  And why on Earth is justice allowed to yell, "look a diversion!" for people who have been on the cover of People and not anyone else?    The blatant hypocrisy is nauseating.  Add to that the fact that it is right in front of our faces, all over the media (all you have to do is use a little Google) and hardly any one takes notice, and you've a perfect recipe for complete and utter annihilation of any legal integrity left in this country.

Writing usually energizes me for the rest of my day.  But this wears me out. Long story short...

Leave that poor kid in Connecticut alone.  Let's take the advice of Mayor Lauretti and give a couple of things a second look.  A little common sense and flexibility would go a very long way toward giving justice her blindfold back.

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In Other News, I'm going to Germany for about a week for a volunteerism and leadership conference.  I get to see my Mommy so I'm very, very excited.  When I get back I have a few job interviews coming up, so please keep your fingers crossed.  Good news seems to be coming in waves lately (my baby sister graduated from college, my brother-in-law got engaged to the most wonderful girl, hearing back from prospective employers) so I can only hope it continues.  Doha is still wonderful.  Although the weather is taking a turn for the "Holy humidity, it's sweltering out here."  We got our snorkel gear in so I believe we're going to head to the in-land sea this weekend and do some looking around.  

Until next time, most wonderfully faithful readers.

View of West Bay at night from the 9th floor of the Pearl.

Come Back, Condi

If you've been on my Facebook you've probably seen the video I'm about to wax poetic about.  You've also probably noticed my unabashed adoration of Condoleeza Rice.  I've always thought she was an amazing, accomplished, brilliant woman but she has rekindled my passion for her sort of poise, decorum, and ruthlessness.

The video is a portion of her interview with Lawrence O'Donnell.  He's trying to act like the serious journalist that he thinks he is by asking hard-hitting questions.  He uses words like, "the biggest mistake in the history of statements made by Secretaries of State" and throws around glittering generalities like they're beads at a Mardi Gras parade all while keeping on his serious "this is an intense interview" face.  Then after he's done making accusations instead of asking questions he proceeds to not allow Ms. Rice to actually answer any of them until she puts her foot down and basically says, "What on Earth are you doing?  Is this an interview or do you just want to hear yourself speak?"  They go back and forth, and back and forth, and it is riveting.  She is eloquent and uses facts, and names real names and places and events from history to support her point.  Whereas Mr. O'Donnell likes to use popular opinion, widely-held almost entirely false concepts and the crap his bosses told him to spew.  Also, the only time she even remotely raised her voice was when he had to stop him from continuing on his ego-stroking diatribe against the answer of her's that O'Donnell already knew he wouldn't agree with.

After watching the video I mentioned to my husband that I sincerely wish a woman like Condoleeza Rice would run for President.  I mean who needs jack-of-all-trades, "I'm going to pretend like I'm a politician and a housewife" Palin when you've got the business-minded, incredibly focused, logic driven Condoleeza Rice?  He laughed and told me in no uncertain terms that there's no way that's going to happen.  He explained that after what the media did to the entire Bush Administration there is no possible way that they're going to throw themselves into the Lion's Den again only to be torn to shreds for the very qualities that the Liberals would love and adore about whomever they endorse.  Democrats would kill for a Black woman who is a University Professor, has her Doctorate, and is an acclaimed concert pianist.  They loved Bill Clinton's saxophone (no innuendo there, I swear) and he couldn't even play that well.

But Condoleeza doesn't share their self-loathing, hypocritical, uninformed view of the realities of the World... so they butcher her.

In a perfect world they'd appreciate her for being the incredible woman she is, and would be begging for her level-headed, well informed, educated opinion and influence at every turn. But, I guess, in a perfect world we wouldn't have a Community Organizer turned Senator as President.

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In Other News, speaking about Condoleeza makes me wonder if you can be a successful, conservative woman who is taken seriously... and have a family.  A number of the women in my life that I believe to be the most successful have wonderful husbands and homes but no children.  Is it possible to get your Master's degree, move on to a Doctoral program, all while working with a multinational corporation and have a few children through it all?  And don't tell me, "Oh! Marie Osmond and Sarah Palin did it!" because they didn't.  Marie Osmond was an entertainer... that's not nearly as difficult as earning your doctorate, occupying political offices, teaching at a University, running a company and writing a book.  And Sarah Palin... well, don't even get me started.

I'd like to thank @PatDollard for the tip on the Condoleeza Rice interview video.  Good looking out.

Anyway, I'm going to go make a pie.  Seriously.  And contemplate the complexities of gender and it's effect on perceived levels of success. 

Proud.

First, my most sincere congratulations to the team of Americans who went into Pakistan and risked their lives to kill one of the most heinous men that was left on the face of the planet.

Next, in his announcement of the death of Usama bin Laden President Obama said, “Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader. He was a mass murderer of Muslims, so his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity.”

Amen, brother. 

I hadn't ever thought of it that way but it is so very true.  Most people think that the suicide bombers have been volunteering as an act of jihad to kill themselves but the truth of the matter is that a large number of those people are simply victims of a manipulative terrorist group that preys on their uneducated naivete.

Lastly,  President George Bush also said something that stuck out amid the tidal wave of news stories.“The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message:  No matter how long it takes, justice will be done.”  Yes, we do have to continue fighting but there are high points in this fight.  I know lots of Americans who think the US needs to quit 'policing the world.'  But eradicating the people who dedicate their lives to ruining the lives of Americans isn't policing, that's called protecting yourself.  And there is absolutely nothing (as in not a single damn thing in the entire universe) wrong with protecting yourself.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the men and women who have suffered and died in the long process of fighting terrorism and those who will put themselves in harm's way in the future.  Please know that when we say you will never be forgotten at least a few of your fellow American citizens believe that "never" means "not as long as there is a breath left in my body."

It is always a good day to be an American... 

but today, it is a great day.

Attack of the Environmentalists.

You've got to be f*&#ing kidding me. The basis of the article (linked in the title above) is that some hippie-freak-pink0-commie-tree-hugger who used to advise the leader of the free world is a major part of an organization who plans to unveil a 'cause' to give Mother Nature her own human-rights. Yes, you read that correctly, folks. The Earth gets human rights. Who cares about the Chinese, oppressed people in Africa, women all over the world who are viewed as incubators and not humans... we've got to give Mother Earth her rights. When the hell did we all become freaking Druids?

This is ridiculous. It trivializes every bit of work any humanitarian has ever put into providing human rights to any one on the inanimate object that they're trying to give rights. If you want to recycle, go ahead. Want to turn the medians in your neighborhood into a raised bed? Please do. Lets even work on technologies that do really cool 'eco-friendly' things. But human rights to a planet? And don't start giving me that awful argument about how the planet can't fight for itself. It's ridiculous. It's insane. It makes me so damned angry that this is even an issue. I can't even actually describe how frustrating this is in the face of every other actually relevant thing that these great minds should be worried about solving. I'm actually half-surprised I can even type because after somebody from some worthless South American country said that capitalism is the enemy of the earth I started spitting tacks.

I'm reading Michael Chrichton's "The State of Fear" and it is fabulous. At one point one of his characters says, "the only thing worse than a champagne-liberal is a Gulfstream environmentalist." And what is Mr. Jones doing? He's headquartered in LA and jet-setting off to Rio for an environmental conference planned on a date suspiciously close to Festival.

Yes, we should be considerate of our environment... after all, we don't want to look like we live on the set of Idiocracy. But do we really need to spend millions of dollars trying to pass legislation and spearheading and international initiative to give Mother Nature, the Earth, this really large piece of gravitationally controlled rock human rights? I know, and fully believe that God gave us this Earth and it is ours to take care of but... c'mon people.

Plant your trees, recycle your water bottles, but please for goodness sake... drop the get-the-whole-world-involved-so-the-cause-will-make-money marketing crap.

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In Other News, I made home-made donuts today. That is all.

(No really, that's basically all I've done today.)

What Tolerance Looks Like

With Easter upon us, and many people looking forward to adding whatever they gave up 40 days ago back into their lives, its amazing how much of it I’m surrounded by here in Doha.  It’s a Muslim country, right?  Then why the Easter sales?  Why the Easter brunches?  Why the chocolate bunnies and eggs?  Because it’s just another commercial holiday that has nothing to do with the resurrection of Christ… partially.

The other part is that the Muslims are actually quite tolerant of Christianity.  Crazy, huh?  My American friend and I went shopping today on the Pearl and realized that there were all kinds of Easter things going on.  When we discussed this with one of the shop girls (Indian) she said “Just wait until Christmas.”  We both said, “Wait… what?”  Apparently Christmas is lights, and pageantry and Christmas trees in all of the shopping malls and gifts, gifts gifts.  Sure, they miss the whole point of it being the celebration of the birth of Christ and one of the largest events on the Church calendar but… they still do it.  We asked if anyone tries to stop the celebrations, or if they’re offended, and she said, “No, why would they?”  like we had just asked the dumbest question ever.

Tolerance isn’t what the US makes it out to be.  It isn’t welcoming everyone and everything with wide open arms no matter how it affects our society, and then throwing a fit when something offends our delicate sensibilities.  Tolerance is saying, “Yeah, we’re a Muslim country.  Cover your shoulders up but please, have the Christmas tree… oh, and do you have enough plastic colored eggs for this weekend?”  They even had a Muslim man on a sign at the mall handing a presumably English man an Easter egg.

When we thanked the girl and left the store she said, “enjoy your religious festival!” (her English was great… but some things just sound funny).  If everybody in Qatar has that attitude then this may be the greatest Easter and then, eventually, Christmas ever.  Sure they use X-Mas to write everything but in chrismons “x” is the symbol for Christ so I’m not too worried about that.  And maybe they’re into the commercial side of it but they’re going to let me have my Christmas… no matter what they personally believe.  And, this Easter, I get to go to Church and celebrate who we want… because this Muslim country is tolerant.  No making concessions for their feelings or being careful not to offend because they know we won’t.  They know if they’re polite about it we will be too. 

Take note, liberals.  I’m feeling more tolerance for our beliefs in the Middle East than I did in the states.

In Other News, I walked around in a $2300 pair of heels for about half an hour today.  They were the “standard” heel height (15cm, which is 5.9in) and were covered in grey crystals (the pink ones are pictured).  The sole of the shoe was coated in silver glitter and I was in love (to be honest, the picture online does no justice to the shoe itself… they’re sparkly and decadent and amazing and not nearly as clumsy as the picture makes them look).

  They let me “try them out” and just asked me to bring them back when I had decided.  Life, and shoes, is good.

Statistical Observations

William showed be how to view the stats on my blog today (how is it that he's been on here just a few months and I've been writing for years and didn't know these existed?).

I'd like to state for the record that 15 people in Iran have read my blog and I haven't received a single angry e-mail from any of them. All the angry e-mails I've ever received have been from Americans (and always from people I knew personally).
Also, the ways that people have found my blog are pretty amusing as well. Why would anyone Google "men who own cats"? I really don't want to be a link in someones search for their cat-owning soul-mate or creepy Google image search.









Also, Staci... you're practically my publicist. I'm not sure if you should be concerned that people are googling you so often or excited that you are such a popular google search. Either way... thank you. :)

Acclimating.

It has been freakishly rainy over here lately. Instead of the two days a year of rain that usually occurs we've had ten days of rain. Granted, they count anything that drips from the sky as rain but still... a little drizzle out here goes a very long way toward flooding the streets to a remarkably high level.

Because of the rain the weather has been a bit cooler (read: absolutely lovely) and just about everyone is taking the chance to be out during the day for a bit longer than is usual this time of year. I've been told, though, that this won't keep up and within another week or two we'll be back at 98degrees (Fahrenheit) and I'll have to turn our A/C on again.

The title of my blog doesn't entirely apply to the weather though. I'm getting used to running around not understanding half of what anyone (including the English) says, being treated differently because I'm a white woman, and being called 'madame' by everyone who's from any country besides the UK, USA and Qatar.

As far as the language barrier is concerned it is amazing how vastly different the English language is depending on where someone learned it. We have friends from Yorkshire who are harder than Eliza Doolittle's father to understand and then another friend from Nigeria who is the funniest, sweetest man but is nearly impossible to understand. On the other hand, my usage of context clues in order to carry on a conversation has increased exponentially. It's fascinating how varied the vocabularies are as well. You think that everyone knows what s'mores or molasses is, and that everyone knows the "six of one, half dozen of another" figure of speech but... they don't. It's cultural. Every version of the English language is influenced by so much more than your region, what languages your parents speak. It takes a huge hint from the culture you grow up in. We have a Dutch friend who says "shall" and "oughtn't" like they're words that everyone in the world uses everyday. But, often times, the only times you'll hear words like that in a conversation is if you're speaking to a very polite Southern lady in a very proper situation or someone is speaking Legalese.

Granted, I feel like I knew all this before... I just hadn't sat down to examine in. It's like this place puts a magnifying glass on everything that was, prior to coming here, just part of traveling. Or, possibly, this is the first time I've lived overseas since we were in Iceland (and I was 5). Other than that is was a month or so here, and a month or so there. Either way, I'm appreciating the differences, appreciating the culture I've grown up around and (inevitably) expanding my vocabulary.

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In Other News, we got our household goods shipment today so I need to go unpack! I'm so excited to have my guitar back. If you need me, I'll be in the backyard playing. Don't bother calling... I can't hear the phone from there. :)

A Whole New World

There is a lot about my world that has changed lately. First and foremost, I packed my bags and moved to Doha, Qatar where my civil-engineer of a husband is working for the Army Corps of Engineers. Second, I'm back in the job market and searching has never seemed so tedious. Finally, after only having spent about two weeks together this entire year we're now up to three weeks. Being the individualists that we are, living together again is requiring some adjusting... but that's not the big story here.

I've never been quite this culture shocked before. Amazed at the differences, yes. But truly surprised? Not until now...

The first night I was here the call to prayer woke me up at about 4:30am. Granted, I had heard the sound before but it gave me the same eerie feeling it had previously. The first time I had heard it was in Guantanamo Bay as I was coming out of the water on Windmill beach just a stones throw from the detention camps. It was about 3:00pm, the sun was still pretty high, there was little to no wind but you could hear the Azan (call to prayer) very clearly. My bikini-clad, red-blooded, American self fully appreciated the irony of being scantily clad on some of the best beach real estate in the world in the midst of the Muslim call to prayer. But the sound still gave me goosebumps.

Since then I've heard Azan five times a day for the past six days and it has become quite commonplace. My husband likens it to hearing the liturgical singing that is done in a lot of Christian churches, particularly the very traditional Lutheran ones I've suggested we attend. It really is fairly similar. Sure, the cadences and language are different but the concepts and the intent both encompass the same things... solemnity, respect and spirituality.

A large number of Americans find the call to prayer as unusual as I used to, some think its a sign of fanaticism. I've had people tell me that they believe only an extremist religion would require the followers to pray five times a day. But the Azan is just a reminder to Muslims that they need to pray, whether it be at that exact moment or not makes no difference. Now, I really enjoy the call to prayer, the song is a nice familiar part of my day and often I take that time to say a little prayer of my own.

There is another axiom of Islam that I'm having a lot more trouble with than I had thought I would.

We all know the women have to be covered. Their varying degrees of cover are decided by their families. Some women are allowed to go out in blue jeans, long sleeves and a head covering while others absolutely must be covered head-to-toe with black fabric, including gloves and shoe-coverings in the same material. I find myself trying to look past the veil over their faces and see if there really is a person in there. With the women who only have to cover their heads, and wear modest clothing, its obvious that they're individuals. They're all on their hot pink cell phones, wearing Louboutin heels, walking up and down the main drag in the Souq like they're trolling for fish. They've got spark to them, they laugh, they're beautiful. But it's the women who walk two steps behind their husband, fully covered, holding a squirming child's hand and not saying a word that bothers me.

Now, I've never been much of a feminist. Yes, I have always wanted to build a career, an impressive resume and be respected for my professional skills but if my husband wants pie with dinner then I'm going to make sure I have all of the ingredients necessary for homemade pie crust and filling and by the way, would you like some coffee with that, honey?

But these women just seem so hidden. No one is, legally, allowed to look at them but they stare to try and discover even a fragment of a figure under the burqas. They shuffle around in small groups, usually with a few small children with them, and seem to come and go like ghosts. I know they're there, they're obviously standing in the grocery line in front of me, but it doesn't seem like there is an actual person there. I know it's just clothing, it is just a few layers of fabric but I feel like there's an entire universe separating myself from these women.

It makes me wish I could do something for them. Introduce myself to them and be a friend. Give them someone or something outside of their sheltered world. But that's not my place. And that's not the way the Middle East works. Partially because I'm stared at and ignored as well.

The other night a man asked if he could use the extra chair that was at our table while William, our neighbor Harry and I were out to dinner. He specifically said, "Sir, would you mind if I used this chair?" and I answered "Oh of course not." But he wouldn't take the chair until a second later when William spoke up and said "Of course". I didn't even notice the man's hesitation until William explained to me that not only was the man definitely not talking to me, he wasn't going to take an answer from me either.

The other thing I'm getting used to is the social hierarchy. The Qataris are at the very top of the food chain. You cannot get any higher in status unless you're a Qatari with "His Highness" or "His Excellency" in front of your name. The second tier? White people. Whether you're American, Australian, British, Canadian or any other variation of White you've got privileges. Privileges that I'm not quite used to. The other day we were in the VIP box at the Racing and Equestrian Center for H.H. the Emir of the State of Qatar's Swords and Trophies Race. I had such a hard time giving orders to the Phillipino girl's waiting on us that I couldn't bring myself to hand the girl my half-empty plate and ask her to take it away because I was done. I wanted to find somewhere, a table or bus-cart or something, to leave it. I didn't just want to hand it over and say, "Oh and could you bring me another mango juice?" (p.s. Not even kidding about the mango juice, it's delicious) I wanted to be the one who was being nice to them, who was treating them like more than the help. But by doing so I was making myself look silly because over here there's still a caste system that is alive and well. Not just well, it's thriving. Everything from public beaches to the Souqs to places of employment works the same way. I can't get a job as a cleaning lady because that is reserved for the Ethiopian or Syrian women, I can't work as a nanny because that's a job (along with waitstaff) for Phillipino women. The public beaches charge 3,500 QR (Qatari Riyal) for 'tickets' to the beach so that the 'riff-raff' can't just come and flood the beaches. Otherwise you would have thousands, literally, of Southeastern Asian men crowding the beaches. William says that they cordon off the malls and lock certain doors so that the day-laborers who go on their day off can only be in certain areas and not bother the rest of the population. The Qataris don't want to be bothered by the help and so the help are all corralled like cattle and that's just the way it works over here.

I think I'm going to continue to grapple with the idea that the only reason I'm given any luxuries or leeway is because I'm white and my husband is a white male. My post-civil rights-movement sensibilities all tell me that this is wrong (we're all humans aren't we?) but it's just the way life is over here... and not just here but in a lot of other places in the world. I guess, no matter how much traveling I've done I'm still astounded at how incredibly naive I can be.

This is my first experience outside of the normal North American travel spheres (Eastern Asia to Western Europe) and I'm going to make the absolute best out of every moment we have here whether its for a year or five. However, that doesn't mean that I'll ever truly assimilate. Keep an eye out for my name in headlines... I can't guarantee there won't be an international incident or two.

Also, yes, I will probably be making Aladdin references from now until the day we move out. You might as well go watch the movie with your kids so will have the same song stuck in your head, too.

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In Other News, our house is amazing. We're turning one of the three bedrooms into an office/computer room and the second bedroom will still be a guest room (come visit!). Our bedroom is so great, it's almost like two adults live here. :) We've already gotten to go out and experience so much. This weekend we're going to go camping. I think I'm going to talk William into heading to the Singing Dunes. I've heard they're just beyond belief. Finally, we have a MagicJack now so once the internet is a bit more consistent I'll be sure to make some calls!

Weather in Doha today: High of 84, 57% humidity. Low of 73, 55% humidity. Slightly overcast.

Facebook

Earlier this week Facebook really made me angry. Not so much the entity itself but the people who use it and how it's being used. I swear I'll explain but let me say this first. Yes, I am the girl with the Facebook app on her Blackberry, and yes, I do check it at work... occasionally.

I posted the following as my status announcing my frustration:

"Emily Hall

is going to delete Facebook off my phone and will not be signing on anymore. I just cannot handle seeing you post your for all to see horoscope again, or spell "this" without an 'h', or whine... for the hundredth time today. This is ridiculous. Does no one have anything relevant to share?"

And in return, a number of people commented but one in particular stuck out. (Ahem, Mr. Director-Man):

"Its your fault for thinking you need to have mind-blowing material every second of everyday in the palm of your hand... Stop checking facebook so much. Remember when there was no facebook? Get back to that, and you'll be happy."

I'd like to point out, I don't actually check my Facebook that much. Daily? Yes. Hourly? No. Also, I have a bachelor's in Communication with about 27 hours of that degree consisting of media literacy classes. The point of media literacy is to understand and be able to communicate effectively via any medium... social networking included. As such, I firmly believe and do not expect that anything (read: anything) with user generated content will never, in it's entire lifespan be comprised of "mind blowing material." And please allow me to clarify what I meant by "relevant." Relevant = something that anyone other than yourself and your mother care about; including but not limited to photos of your kids, interesting articles, something you're thankful for, trip plans, trip photos... anything other than you having something to whine and complain about.

What I do expect is for the people I choose to surround myself with (even in the online setting) to not suck so much. And that's exactly what they're doing. I do not care what your horoscope has planned for you today, I hate the way you type/speak, I really don't like any of the songs your 'deep and meaningful' lyric posts come from, and you couldn't come up with something witty if your life depended on it.

On top of that, I do not want to see your vague "if I post this people will ask questions and make me feel loved" status updates, I do not want you to justify your drama with your baby daddy's other baby mama, and I do not want you to give me updates on whatever MTV/BET bullshit you're watching right now.

I love my Facebook. I get to talk to my Mommy on it, I can keep tabs on my little brothers, I get to laugh at my little sisters pictures, the ladies in my family and I even have a little book club going and when I feel all warm and fuzzy I can view the myriad of pictures of me and my husband at the drop of a hat.

I will not allow you to ruin this for me. Hence, you will be deleted.

If you would like to petition your deletion from my page that would be fine, and might even amuse me enough to make you not-deletable. In the mean time, "but we had chem together!" isn't a good enough excuse to keep you around. People and their hurt "but I thought we were friends?!" feelings be damned.

This is not a "beware you will be deleted!" blog. This is a "I'm reformatting those I surround myself with and don't feel like having all your crap in the electronic version of my life."

In short, I will not be completely signing out of Facebook... I will simply be improving my own experience.