"remember the future" written by Ladycroft on estrip.org

Category: space

01/28/06 02:26 - 44ºF - ID#25323

remember the future

I cannot believe it has been 20 years.

I remember sitting in my 5th grade classroom at Maryvale watching the launch live. When it exploded all the teachers ran out into the hallway to discuss, they didn't know what to do. All us kids just sat quietly in our seats; we didn't know what to do either. We were supposed to watch the launch and then get a lesson from the teacher in space, Christa McAuliffe.

The great space race is over and so many people don't pay any attention anymore. I find space exploration fascinating! I'm always wondering what's shakin in the galaxy and what not. Therefore, I got up early on the morning of February 1, 2003 to watch Columbia land.

I was not going to get a front row show because I was in Corpus Christi, but Texas channels were poised to give us the best re-entry viewing we could get. Sadly, instead of watching the bird glide in safely, it disintegrated in a shower of flame over the lone star state.

Did anyone read about this new planet

Maybe it's just the adventurer in me, but how fascinating! I mean there is so little that we know about our very own solar system, let alone our galaxy, let alone other galaxies! How I wish I could transcend the space/time continuum and visit other planets, see what they are really made of, what life exists in what form, new compounds, new elements...anything, everything! Ok, I really need to get some legitimate homework done. Ciao.

andromeda

Permalink: remember_the_future.html
Words: 282
Location: Niagara Falls, NY

Category: auntie

01/24/06 03:16 - 40ºF - ID#25319

baby bungee

I made my nephew a few onsies for Christmas. My sister just sent me this photo. Seriously, this little guy is going to have great fun with his Auntie Mika! He looks too cute with his little baby mowhawk. Ciao!

Permalink: baby_bungee.html
Words: 42
Location: Niagara Falls, NY

Category: potpourri

01/20/06 11:40 - 41ºF - ID#25317

look at those weird people

(e:Jason) and I went to check out the Albright-Knox Art Gallery today because it says it's free after 3pm on Fridays. I can't remember the last time I was there, maybe I was 9? I didn't realize just how small the place was. It looks pretty sizable on the exterior but not so much inside. As I looked at some of the art though, I couldn't help but think some of it was just crap. No, I'm not an art snob. I really do appreciate art in so many forms and mediums; but nothing really moved me. Then we were looking at one piece and this guy totally snubbed us. He turned to his kids and said, "Look at those weird people looking at art". I was like, WTF??? I figured it must have been my hair. Some folks get so bent out of shape over fun hair.

So, we couldn't seem to read the map correctly and kept missing what we really wanted to see, the Chinese contemporary exhibit. Then we realized we missed a staircase, got excited that we had finally located it, only to find out it wasn't actually free and we had to buy a ticket. I thought, ok, maybe it's a few bucks for the special exhibit...not so much. More like $12. I was disappointed. (e:Jason) thought he might be able to charm the pants off the old ladies working the ticket counter, but we just gave up. We did get to the see the main hall though, which consisted of foam blocks creating the Great Wall, and these transparent tapestries hanging all around the room. I thought they were some kind of rice paper at first, but we discovered it was actually human hair.

jason writes at 06:02:14 01/24/06 - Comment #3867: Actually, Liberals do consider conservatives to be evil, or at least not human.

And, I do enjoy being mean to Ajay. I give him some credit, he takes as good as he gives.

metalpeter writes at 05:47:00 01/21/06 - Comment #3808: Sorry you and Jason didn't get to see what you wanted to. I thought it was free but I saw an ad for a passport that gets you into all 3 sites. I havn't seen your hair in person but it looks great that guy can go fuck himself. All I remember about being there is the cool miror room with miror chairs and floor and a couple opitcal illusions that come out towards you. the thing with art is that it is verry, whats the word I'm looking for one person perspective. What people in the artworld look at as genius I go what the fuck is it. Abstract art makes no sense to me, You make a picture of something that is something else but dosn't look like etiher thing. Some art I love and some is like I could careless. Hope you at least had some fun.

salvatore writes at 12:41:45 01/21/06 - Comment #3796: "Look at those weird people..." that's funny! I love your hair, it's so neat. i dunno though, i like the albright quite a bit actually, maybe I just like the pretty colors!

jenks writes at 12:02:02 01/21/06 - Comment #3793: speaking of children's art... you may have seen it, it circulated a few years ago, but check out :::link::: It's mean, but very funny...

ajay writes at 11:38:18 01/21/06 - Comment #3791: The AK "free" admission thing is a scam.

I agree with you about some of the "art" in there. I've seen better stuff from kids.

robin writes at 01:17:46 01/21/06 - Comment #3785: Ub's gallery in the cfa has some Chinese contemporary art right now.

uncutsaniflush writes at 12:26:40 01/21/06 - Comment #3784: [code][oliver stone]

the way (e:jason) and (e:joshua) talk, one would think that "all libs" consider conservatives to be evil or is it just weird. I get so confused.

perhaps, y'all experienced one of (e:ajay)'s secret "all lib" agents trying to mind-fuck (e:jason) to punish him for being a conservative and not saying nice things about (e:ajay).

And you, (e:ladycroft) with the fun hair, sorry to deflate your ego, were just co-lateral damage in the culture war between the "all lib" and the "all con" political gangs.

[/oliver stone][/code]

Permalink: look_at_those_weird_people.html
Words: 291
Location: Niagara Falls, NY

Category: potpourri

01/18/06 09:26 - 30ºF - ID#25315

the most productive human being

Ever have those days when you suddenly become the most productive human being to walk this rock? Of course you have! Today I had the privilege of being one of those human beings. Honestly, I think it's because my boss is gone on a trip and for once my phone wasn't ringing off the hook all day. For the first time in a long time I woke up entirely motivated to get things done. I scrubbed my bathroom from floor to ceiling and got up the shower curtain liner I'd been meaning to hang for ages. As a side note, I think I'm allergic to bleach. It causes a horrible reaction. I get near it and my eyes turn red and leak, my lungs seize up, I can't stop coughing and my nose starts running profusely.

Next I tackled the mountain of laundry on my floor. Granted, it had already been washed, but putting it away was a chore for which I cared not. So at last all the shirts are hanging together in the closet, socks all snuggled in the drawer. Then I changed my sheets. Hell yah! Who doesn't LOVE clean sheet day!? If you say you don't, you're a liar. Everyone loves clean sheet day. It's the best night's sleep you have in [insert frequency of your own sheet changing here]. Is there a greater comfort than the smell of fresh fluffy sheets to caress your body and cradle you to sleep? Well, maybe someone to snuggle with....mmmm.

Then I vacuumed my apartment and dusted every square inch of surface space. I put away the lingering holiday decorations, re-organized my storage bin, and organized all my drawers...[break into song and dance of your choice here]. Oh happy day!

You see, even the simple things of every day life mean something. If you can't take the time to enjoy something so small, yet so great, such as the splendor of clean sheet day, I pity you. It's taking time to enjoy these small elements of day to day life that make you feel alive! So keep posting estripers, this IS what it's all about.

Permalink: the_most_productive_human_being.html
Words: 358
Location: Niagara Falls, NY

Category: hair

01/17/06 01:11 - 38ºF - ID#25314

i feel like a car

So the Kamikaze Raspberry has had it's run. It had gotten to a point where it just looked gross. I needed to take action. I thought about just revamping the pink, but I really only have 6 weeks left to have 'fun' with my hair. So - I topped it with Huckleberry Blue. It resulted in a very interesting purpley-blue colour. It reminds me of that car colour that changes in the sunlight. It's a little darker than I had hoped for, but I like it and that's all that really matters. Ciao.

before

during (i tried to save a few streaks of pink, but i screwed up)

after

Permalink: i_feel_like_a_car.html
Words: 114
Location: Niagara Falls, NY

Category: tv

01/15/06 08:41 - 13ºF - ID#25313

24

The season premier of 24 is on right now. The first 15 minutes have already blown me away!!! I LOVE this show!!! Turn on FOX right now, do it! Ciao.

Permalink: 24.html
Words: 29
Location: Niagara Falls, NY

Category: weirdness

01/15/06 01:42 - 16ºF - ID#25312

weird weekend

Friday the 13th was a full-moon shenanigans festival. Hell, this whole weekend has just been full of the bizarre and unusual. I went to a rock show at The Palace to see Displaced D. Unfortunately, the clientele have changed over the years. Last time I went with my sister it was predominantly Goth and punk rock. This time, I think myself and two other people had fun hair. It was mostly filled with teenagers using fake ID's to drink shitty beer. Not that it was ever a high caliber type of joint to begin with, but sometimes crap-hole places are fun. Somehow, at the end of the night I ended up with a giant safety cone in my car.

kyle and jen

the boys

the girls

me and jen

kyle

As (e:Jenks) mentioned [inlink]jenks,40[/inlink] , Saturday night I experienced the most bizarre waiter I have ever encountered. We ate at Towne, but I have to say I was not impressed. They didn't really have much for me to eat. The spinach and feta melt didn't do much for me and the lentil soup was bland. Maybe their breakfasts are better.

Today I had to make a run to Tops to get snacks and things for my two day refresher training with my CA's. As I approached the intersection I hit a 10ft sheet of ice and skidded right through it. I'm just so thankful no one was coming!!!

Then I had to do laundry. I had bought a fabric softener replacement carton since they did not have Method brand. I thought I still had my old container, but somehow accidentally threw it out. Well, as I was walking to the washer I tripped and dropped my basket. Yah, green fabric softener spilled out on my white shirt. Stained forever. Then as I was loading the washer, I dropped another shirt right into the fabric softener dispensing tank. Another one bites the dust! Meep.

Oh - and my stove stopped working to boot!

Permalink: weird_weekend.html
Words: 342
Location: Niagara Falls, NY

Category: question for you

01/12/06 12:37 - 45ºF - ID#25311

is my thinking elitist?

So I got into a debate the other day about something. I wanted to put it out there just to get some other views on the topic. When living as a student on a college campus there are certain rules in place. As a professional employee of that institution, when the job requires you live on site, should you be required to live exactly like a student? Should this professional be seen as a student or as their own separate entity as an employee of the institution?

My argument is that the professional is absolutely a separate entity and should be entitled to live their life as 'normal', not bound by those rules set in place for students. As a live-in professional, this place is your home. You don't have anywhere else to go, you LIVE there. Now don't get too excited, I'm not talking about breaking the law - I'm talking about small simple things, like the ability to have a shot of vodka in your cranberry juice, or burn incense while doing yoga. I think there is always some hierarchy in the working world, and you earn and deserve certain privileges.

The opposing argument was that this view of small privileges is elitist and that every human being on that campus should be treated exactly the same. That the professional should not have one ounce of luxury above what any student has. That my privilege in this situation is that I get paid to live here. I disagree a thousand percent.

Perhaps I am simply biased because I actually LIVE this scenario. Yet even when I was a student in the residence halls, I didn't have an issue with the fact that my Hall Director was allowed to have a candle burning, so maybe I'm not biased after all.

What's your take on it?

P.S. Jim, I'm a hall director (the professional in charge of the RA's).

james writes at 01:34:29 01/15/06 - Comment #3616: I think the only problem in this issue is that you are a woman. Men can, and theology will back me up on this, deserve superior treatment to all other living (play)things. By virtue of your inferior status you should not be allowed that shot of vodka in yoru cranberry. In fact, the only thing you should be allowed are maternity cloths and a hot stove.

that being said, I am incredably kidding. This conversation just seemed to need a little levity.

metalpeter writes at 02:47:44 01/14/06 - Comment #3600: First of all Ladycroft sorry, I slightly misunderstood you. I thought you oversaw the RA's or where the equalant of head RA. I didn't know that you where incharge of 5 buildings on campus. That changes everything. In that case You should have your own private place or housing that is the equalant of the school paying for an apartment. In this case you can do anything that dosn't break the law or school policies that would apply to teachers.

ladycroft writes at 11:41:26 01/14/06 - Comment #3594: Peter, what you're describing is the RA position. Those are student leader positions where they monitor a floor. I am a Hall Director. I supervise 6 desk attendants, 8 RA's, 2 RAC's and 2 workstudy students. I manage 5 residence buildings on campus. I am not a student here, I am a staff memeber. :)

metalpeter writes at 06:59:24 01/13/06 - Comment #3572: "So I got into a debate the other day about something. I wanted to put it out there just to get some other views on the topic. When living as a student on a college campus there are certain rules in place. As a professional employee of that institution, when the job requires you live on site, should you be required to live exactly like a student? Should this professional be seen as a student or as their own separate entity as an employee of the institution?" -ladycroft

My beliefs is that you should have to follow the same rules. I do admit that you should be treated better then the students and you should get perks and you should be able to come and go as you please. But I assume that the rules that they have are rules that pertain to the building (the students just stay there). For example no candles and no cooking are both to prevent fires. But rules that have to do with being responseable could be differant. I think one problem with having to sets of rules is that it alienates the students. How can you break up a party where there is drinking when you drink in your apartment. (assuming it is legal drinking) When rules are differant it takes away the creditbilty of the RA.
I don't think the employee should not be seen as a student. I think they should be able to live there during breaks and during the summer as long as there are classes.
I admit that the situation is differant at differant schools. I never lived in the dorms. But My understanding was that Hall Heads where students who showed that could watch over the dorms or at least a floor in the dorms. For doing that they got some kinds of perks.

uncutsaniflush writes at 06:19:11 01/13/06 - Comment #3571: Jim,

you ask an easy question, employment-based health insurance is by definition elitist since it results in a group that does have health insurance and a group that does not merely on the basis of the type of employment one has.

A better question would be - "Is it morally wrong to accept health insurance under such circumstances?"

And before I could answer, I would feel moved ask a question or two more about the exact circumstances.

Historically, some employers have offered health benefits to workers not to join unions. In other words, selective health benefit offers were used as a union-busting weapon. In such a case, it might be wrong if a union is really necessary in that industry to protect employees.

And of course, if unions are good or bad is whole 'nother kettle of fish.

I am sometimes amazed how I can make the simplest thing complicated. Go me.

jim writes at 01:01:49 01/13/06 - Comment #3566: And as a follow, I'll pose a more difficult question:

If someone is offered health insurance through their job, is it elitist to accept it unless everyone is offered insurance?

jim writes at 12:41:05 01/13/06 - Comment #3565: Most of the limitations on the rights of student residents are due to safety issues or liability issues. Hot plates are a fire hazard, as are candles, incense. Colleges get sued for allowing drinking in dormitories. It can also be something that the school's insurance policy prohibits. So, the rules governing student residents are required by the circumstances and legalities involved.

It's vary rare that everyone living in the same space has to follow the same rules. Whether or not that's a bad thing is dependent on the context. I don't think this is a case worth getting upset about.

Ladycroft has a good position to negotiate better conditions for herself. I don't think she should feel bad trying to get a better deal then the student population. She's not one of them, and they're not being treated badly. If she sacrificed their freedoms to further hers, that's one thing.

Solidarity is great and all, but not everything has to be equal. If the President of the college was given a house that was on campus, you can bet he'd have different rules.

I know someone could take my justification for this situation and apply it to other situations where it would make me appear to advocate evil things. But I don't care. Shades of grey and all that.

jim writes at 11:49:25 01/13/06 - Comment #3563: Leetee,

She runs the RA program right? She's a staff member, not a student. She's above them organizationally. What's wrong with that?

jenks writes at 02:18:23 01/13/06 - Comment #3559

Ok, I'm a little sleep-deprived and maybe I'm missing something, but I'm with ladycroft on this one and must admit I'm not even sure what's to debate.

1- most college students are not yet 21, and thus having alcohol would be ILLEGAL. No brainer.
2- My school didn't have RA's, but aren't they usually seniors, i.e. students? If so, I think it's totally reasonable that they be held to all the same rules as the rest of the students. But as an EMPLOYEE (or someone who has already graduated), I think different rules can and should apply.

But I do agree there needs to be a certain amount of discretion/propriety etc. E.g. just because you're >21 doesn't mean you should be allowed to be wasted in front of the studs all the time. But duh.

but yeah- i see no problem in a different set of rules for post-graduate students/advisors etc. I don't think it's so elitist and awful to say students can't have stoves but ladycroft can...

ajay writes at 12:45:59 01/13/06 - Comment #3554: Heck, when I was in Governors, the RAs had all the fun. The chicks hung out in their rooms, they had booze, porno movies all the time, funny-smelling cigarettes, etc.

I forget what the question was...

joshua writes at 10:43:21 01/12/06 - Comment #3551: I think that setting an example is why they expect more of a professional appearance. Whether you think thats the proper way to go is your thing though.

leetee writes at 08:43:10 01/12/06 - Comment #3549: ABOVE THEM? (e:Jim)?

I am so fucked here if that is what people think...

jim writes at 08:29:11 01/12/06 - Comment #3547: You need to get together a list of what other colleges allow their staff to do and bring it to your supervisor at Hilbert. Negotiate. You don't want to spend the next semester angry, and you're in a good (righteous) position to argue for better treatment.

Do you have a contract with the college? Does it give any of the particular rules? If it's not in your contract that you have to obey the student rules, then you probably don't.

This doesn't really help you with the question you asked, but I don't think you are being elitist in the negative sense. You aren't a student, you're a staff member. Don't worry about putting yourself above them, you are above them - it's in your job title.

leetee writes at 08:20:21 01/12/06 - Comment #3543: I don't care who knows that it is and was me that you had that discussion with, (e:Ladycroft).

I never once claimed the person who is employed by any school should not be treated like a separate entity. I think everyone should be treated like a separate entity. Hence the reason i think everyone should have the same rights and priviledges that lives in the same space. Whether it is a choice to take a job or be in a chosen feild of employ. Or to live on campus in residence.

Doesn't matter why they are there. That they are a professional. Or a student. Not all proffessionals are resposible. And not all students are irresponsible. The rules apply. To all people. Period. Anything else is elitist, by definition.

The students live there, too. Is a home any less of a home because it is temporary? Do they deserve less from the temporary home they are trying to create simply because they will be there less time? I don't think so.

If a student is 21, they should be able to have the same shot of vodka in their cranberry juice as anyone else who lives there.

Because you lived both sides and didn't have a problem with being a resident student and not having the same things your hall director had doesn't mean you don't have a bias. It just means that you were ok with the status quo, and still are. Doesn't make the status quo any more right or even wrong.

Because i didn't live it, do not live it and can't live it, i see from the outside perspective how unfair it is. Life is unfair. Why perpetuate that? Why not give students the same little things that make a home a home that would make your home a home?

(e:Kangarooboi) -- Just because grade 9 students got treated like shit, does it mean they have to turn around and treat grade 9 students like shit in later years? I mean, who cares if resident life was crap then. More reason to make it better now.

uncutsaniflush writes at 07:48:39 01/12/06 - Comment #3542: Apparently I am a sloppy reader - I didn't realize that (e:ladycroft) was posting a common from (e:Kangarooboi).

Thus the bulk of previous comment should have been addressed to (e:Kangarooboi) and not (e:ladycroft).

My apologies to both worthies.

uncutsaniflush writes at 06:52:26 01/12/06 - Comment #3540: ladycroft,

You say that you deserve more priviledges than the students you oversee because you are adult, because you "already paid your debt society," because you have several degrees, etc.

This is prima facie evidence of elitism.

The dictionary defines elitism as "The belief that certain persons or members of certain classes or groups deserve favored treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources."

On the other hand, elitism isn't necessarily always negative. In our society, we act as if we believe that excellence and achievement SHOULDbe rewarded - in other words our society tends to be meritocratic. Meritocracy is, of course, elitist. But how many of us really believe that the achievement and excellence shouldn't be rewarded? Shouldn't the best and brightest be rewarded for their achievements?

"elitism" is a sticky wicket, indeed.

I'm tending to think that you should be allowed to have liquior and candles and incense in your "home" at Hilbert even though it leaves me a bit uncomfortable.

ladycroft writes at 06:10:47 01/12/06 - Comment #3539: From Kangarooboi:
My view on this matter is very simple and is actually very similiar to you. As you know, here at UB, the RHD/AHD apartments are considered to be seperate
entities of the Residence Halls. We are allowed to cook in our apartments (ie: they provide us with a stove, fridge etc)whereas the students are not. We are allowed to have and use candles as long as we are not careless with them. We are allowed to have alcohol, microwaves, george forman grills etc.

It is the stance of the Professional Staff here at UB that we are adults. Much like you have said in your post, this is our home. We LIVE here, not just stay
here. With that being said, we are entittled to the benefits and luxeries (sorry for the mispelling) of any home that we would be living in if we were not
working/living here. The same should be allowed for you as well.

You have paid your debt to society. You have gone through the terror of residence hall living, and the perils of achieving your bachelors and your first masters degree. For your institution to tell you that you are unable to excerise your rights as an adult, in your OWN home is ridiculious. I would fight that to the very end. I cannot believe that they woudl expect you to abide by the same rules as the students. Your apartment is that of your own. You do not pay anything to go there. You are doing them a service and get paid for it (if you can call it that). You should be entitles to having the luxeries of a regular home living.

jim writes at 12:49:49 01/12/06 - Comment #3535: What is your position?

Permalink: is_my_thinking_elitist_.html
Words: 320
Location: Niagara Falls, NY

Category: potpourri

01/10/06 12:42 - 36ºF - ID#25310

truffles

I made another lovely trip to Spot last night with (e:Jenks). You're too much fun girl!!! We ran into (e:Salvatore) while we were waiting in line. This made me wonder how many times prior I might have crossed paths with these people and never known. I love great mysteries like that.

Random thought: I spotted truffles at Wegmans, on 'sale' for $799.00 a pound!!! I almost crapped my pants.

P.S. I found a coupon for a buy one get one free piercing. I want to get my eyebrow redone. Anyone interested?

ladycroft writes at 10:26:54 01/10/06 - Comment #3496: read (e:leetee)'s entry :)

jenks writes at 07:47:08 01/10/06 - Comment #3492: I wonder if that (the 'similar to male swine sex attractant') is why pigs are used to sniff them out. I think they're mushrooms, more or less, right? And I think they come in black and white... Yeah I don't really get it. maybe I should taste them sometime.

imk2 writes at 07:40:50 01/10/06 - Comment #3490: the thing with truffles is that they were no where near as expensive just a few years ago (maybe 10 years). i remember the prices being around 100 dollars and then steady climbing to 2 then 3 and 4 hundred dollars. the truffle industry has been experiencing a variety of problems with its supplies over the years and just within the last year, droughts have raised the price well over 20%.

theecarey writes at 06:44:30 01/10/06 - Comment #3488: I was ignorant of truffles until this post. At first I thought, "wow thats some expensive ass chocolate; nasty chocolate at that".. I found myself doing a google search, (to redeem some brain cell dignity) as which was noted that the truffle is the most expensive natural food. There is chemical in the truffle that is "similar to the male swine sex attractant". Not sure if that little peice of trivia will ever come in handy, but hey, now you know :)

jenks writes at 01:14:47 01/10/06 - Comment #3484: aww shucks...

but yeah, truffles are crazy expensive. And I don't get it. Are they THAT good? Truffle oil is like $100/oz...

kara writes at 12:54:49 01/10/06 - Comment #3483: Considering that one pound equals 16 ounces, and a recipe generally wouldn't call for more than an ounce or two, that works out to be about $50 per ounce. All this for a fungus.
I think I'll stick with chocolate "truffles."

Permalink: truffles.html
Words: 93
Location: Niagara Falls, NY

Category: potpourri

01/09/06 06:18 - 36ºF - ID#25309

a sliver of pie

I hauled it to work all the way from Youngstown today. First I had to swing by (e:Leetee) and (e:Uncutsaniflush)'s house to drop off my gear. They've been nice enough to put me up for a few days since I've been booted from my home. They even have the Fox Soccer Channel - woohoo!

So I went into work today and bitched at my boss about how unsatisfactory this situation is. Well, it was much more diplomatic than that, but it yielded results. They filled my gas tank and she's letting me do work from home for two days. Yay me! Ciao.