Libertad's Journal

08/28/2007 23:14 #40795

Misc

My Buddhist organization wants us to discuss Nuclear Abolition in our next meetings. If you want to see the flier check out this gather file. Just use this tracking number to download. 0381773001188355247
The Soka Gakkai became prolific after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The first Soka Gakkai president died in prison at the hands of the Japanese government.

I took some pictures at dusk, my favorite time. If I were up a sunrise, that would probably be my preferred time. Mike asked what I was taking pics of but I wasn' t sure what to say.

I have the cutest wab in the world. I have never seen him lay like this.

The Scajacuada is so nasty.

Park bench tranquility.

Motion

My leg looks like a tasty chicken wang.

Don't step on the crack you'll break your mother's back!

Buffalo tranquility.

From buffalorecylces.com

Household Hazardouse Waste Day September 8, 2007 9am - 2pm Honeywell Inc., 20 Peabody St. and Elk St. near Smith St Exit off I-190

Residential Waste Only Items accepted include: Pesticides, Fertilizers, Pool & Household Chemicals/Cleaners; Oil-based Paints, Spray Cans; Oil, Gasoline, Antifreeze; Paint Thinner, Stripper & Solvents; Lead-Acid & Rechargeable Batteries; Mercury: Thermometers & Thermostats;Propane tanks & cylinders. - Not accepted: Tires,Latex Paints, Computers; Appliances; Commercial/Industrial waste. Call 858-6800 for more infomation Sponsored by: Erie County and the City of Buffalo

tinypliny - 08/30/07 22:58
I think my favourite among today's shots is the park bench. How lovely it might have been to sit on that bench and enjoy all the sunsetting glory on your face!

libertad - 08/29/07 13:21
felly: Great quote~!

thee: I need to get up earlier

lady: Your awesome!

hodown: I knew you would get excited about my rabbit. and that is not a euphemism.

James: From Dennis Kucinch's website---

"I think that the United States must lead the way for nuclear abolition." He went on to say, "I think we have to get rid of nuclear weapons. The idea that somehow by having nuclear weapons you make the world a safer place is essentially insane... Under my administration, we will work to abolish nuclear weapons and engage every nation which is a nuclear nation to do the same and every non-nuclear nation not to develop nuclear weapons."

and I bet that Edwards does look great with his perfect golden locks at sunset!

libertad - 08/29/07 13:17

james - 08/29/07 13:01
I think John Edwards is the only chap to come out and say we should work towards global nuclear disarmament.

He also looks good in photos taken at sunset.

hodown - 08/29/07 09:03
I love your rabbit. It's so adorable!!!

ladycroft - 08/29/07 03:38
Robin Williams in that one about the fotomat.

theecarey - 08/29/07 00:29
Yes, before 10am and just before sunset are the key times for taking advantage of the best light.

I like the sidewalk- the perspective and light/shadows.

fellyconnelly - 08/28/07 23:57
"Most people don't take snapshots of the little things. The used Band-Aid, the guy at the gas station, the wasp on the Jell-O. But these are the things that make up the true picture of our lives. People don't take pictures of these things."
name that movie/actor

08/26/2007 22:40 #40749

Post Graduation

Wow, I can't believe how much you can actually earn from an associate's degree. I would say that this salary isn't too shabby for such a small amount of schooling. This job posting is from roswellpark.org

Clinical Research Associate I (#820)
Position Details

Shift: Days, Full-Time

Salary : $36,229 - $46,042 (salary is based on related experience). Includes a comprehensive benefits package.

Applicants must reference posting #820 when applying.
Eligibility Criteria:

Applicants must possess an Associate's degree in a health or science related field.
Nature of Work and Responsibilities:

The Clinical Research Associate I supports the clinical research mission of the Institute and Clinical Research Services (CRS) through one of the following areas: maintenance of research regulatory documents and the submission of new studies, amendments, continuing reviews and all other study documents; data collection and entry; or data management and study compliance; adheres to the Code of Federal Regulations (Title 21) and guidelines set up by the International Committee for Harmonization for good clinical practices.

In comparison, you could also go and get your doctorate and make $55k! My dad made close to that before he went to college. Of course that was a different time....the 80's! Now that he has gotten a bachelor's I think he probably earns less.

Translational Research Scientist (#813)
Position Details:

Shift: Full-time; Days

Salary: $55,473 annually. Includes a comprehensive benefits package.

Applicants must reference job posting #813 when applying for this position.
Eligibility Criteria:

Applicants must possess a Doctoral degree in a health or science-related field and 1 year of full-time research or clinical trials experience; or a Master's degree in a health or science-related field and 3 years of full-time research or clinical trials experience.

The preferred candidate will have a Doctoral or Master's degree in Biology, Pharmacology or Molecular Biology, computer and data management skills, and at least 3-5 years of experience in planning, conducting or evaluating clinical trials.
Nature of Work and Responsibilities:

This Translational Research Scientist will collaborate with clinicians, scientists, statisticians, computer programmers, clinical data coordinators, nurses and administrative personnel in the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) Statistical and Data Center to plan, conduct and analyze clinical trials involving translational research. This candidate will review and critique research concepts for scientific validity and feasibility, develop procedures and documents for incorporating high-quality translational research objectives into Phase I, II or III treatment trials, cancer prevention trials or grants, establish criteria for evaluating the validity and reliability of lab data and procedures, and collaborate with clinicians, scientists and statisticians in preparing abstracts, reports, manuscripts, journal critiques and professional presentations. Further responsibilities will include developing seminars and training programs for clinical staff concerning specimen and data collection and quality control procedures, participating in GOG semi-annual group meetings and committee meetings, and participating in professional national and international cancer research and oncology meetings and workshops.

Not that I think $55k is a bad salary or anything. It just seems like it could be a little higher for having those qualifications.

The rest of my student lloans are going into repayment status in a couple of months. I already have been paying on my big one since June because that is the deal when you consolidate. I have to make three payments now which is a pain in the butt, but consolidation isn't an option on those. One of them is pretty much like a car loan because it is private. I guess i wont be getting a new car anytime soon. Now I have to be on my best behavior and make each payment on time for 3 years so I could get a percent off of my interest rate. It make me really annoyed that people who graduated after 9/11 got their interest rates at under 2%. That is really not fair at all to me. Why should they be getting such a good deal? I mean, the life of a loan is for so long and since the economy is so much better now *sarcasm* why do they still get to enjoy those rates and I have to pay so much more?

If I never went to study in Cuba I would be much better off financially, but I don't care. I definitely wouldn't have changed anything even if Cuba doesn't turn out to be a financial payoff. I'm one of those strange people that went to school because I wanted to rather than I wanted to make money. So I made my bed and now I'm going to lie in it, but its soft and comfortable and smells clean so thats OK.

jenks - 08/28/07 15:37
I forgot to say- I'm totally with you though. I would hope that a PhD would increase your salary more than 10k over an associate's.

tinypliny - 08/27/07 23:02
Ok, I read my earlier comment and it reads like total nonsense. But I think what I meant to say is that one Cuba is worth a thousand repentances. It has widened your experience and shaped your views.

tinypliny - 08/27/07 23:00
I totally would take just the clean bed than not going to Cuba.

james - 08/27/07 14:03
How many Americans can say they have been to Cuba? So, the loans are a little rough but the experience sounds awesome.

And ya, as a teacher I will have two graduate degrees and a BA and only start off around 35k a year... grrrr

museumchick - 08/27/07 08:38
Ah, now I'm depressed. Though, I think you are right that sometimes you have to do things like this for the intrinsic benefit of doing it- and not just for the financial gain. Cuba sounded like a once in a lifetime experience not to be missed.

janelle - 08/27/07 07:52
Yeah, I got my MA and then hopped off the academic train to the disappointment of my professors. The payoff of having a PhD wasnt worth continuing to live the poor graduate student lifestyle and all the stress!

jenks - 08/26/07 23:08
loans suck. it's like monopoly money. mine have so many zeros in them i can't even comprehend it. I just keep clicking "defer". I'm so not able to deal with that now. I did, at least, luck out and consolidate when rates were super low.

08/17/2007 22:09 #40603

It was a beautiful day

metalpeter - 08/19/07 12:29
Great Pictures.

museumchick - 08/18/07 21:02
awesome pics as always!

tinypliny - 08/18/07 20:40
Pile of dirt, overnight growth... all the signs!!! They are beanstalks! I knew it!!

libertad - 08/18/07 20:18
thanks guys. the purple finger installation is definitely new. there was still a pile of dirt next to it like a freshly dug grave.

lizabeth - 08/18/07 12:46
Ooh, yeah, the purple pointy thing picture is like, whoa. Very qoo!

fellyconnelly - 08/18/07 10:50
yeah ditto on the purple finger thingie... great photos!

jenks - 08/18/07 10:42
Boy, I'm so glad I didn't kill you yesterday! Nice pix!

tinypliny - 08/18/07 07:35
They look like a whole bunch of bean stalks in a sinuous dance, reaching high up and up and up... steadily reaching toward the blue vastness of the sky. Yearning to be part of it, yet rooted in the earth beneath; in the process, losing the very form they were born in. It reminds me of something else I saw a while back.

terry - 08/17/07 22:22
very nice pics

funny that we drove by that purple many-fingered thing near the art gallery today, and (e:matthew) was like, what is that thing? Is it new? But it looks really neat in that pic.

08/13/2007 16:38 #40517

The value of a woman

I watch television in Spanish whenever I can. They have this commercial on either Telemundo or Univisión for some type of cookware. Anyways, the jingle goes something like "Una mujer que sabe como cocinar vale más que oro." "A woman that knows how to cook has more value than gold." I really can't imagine a commercial such as this being played on the English speaking channels. Maybe in 1950 that message was tolerated but today not a chance. Anyways the commercial to me represents how quickly things can change and also shows the huge gap in the progression of feminism between cultures.

metalpeter - 08/14/07 17:52
"what is so dangerous about making observations on the difference of two cultures? I''m not proposing cultural superiority or suggesting ethnic cleansing here. I'm just noting the disadvantage that latina women face in comparison to other women in our country who are beginning to learn that there are other options for them rather than what is "traditional"." :First of all there is nothing wrong with comparing cultures on there own. However most people my self included mostly then look at ones that are different as being less then there own. I'm not saying that in this case you are doing that. However when saying latina women are at a disadvantage then that is making a Judgement on there culture. One from another culture could say that Americans (what ever that is) where women work and the men cook is awefull. They would have some valid points about the high divorce rate and broken families and how no one sits down to dinner togather and how it is bad for the kids. The point that I was making is that comparing culture is fine. But that it is important to remember to try not to judge one as superior to another or one as repressed to each other. I didn't say that it was possible I just said to try. As an example there are somethings in some cultures that I like and that I can't stand but i try to think that as long as that is someone culture than that is fine as long as it doesn't impede me.

tinypliny - 08/14/07 17:09
I agree with everything you say here and I *really* admire your views. I wish more men were as egalitarian, pro-active and environmentally conscious as you are. :)

I am not very familiar with the structure of hispanic households, and I am also not very familiar with the level of female emancipation in such societies, or the relevance/centrality of gold. If I were to assume that female emancipation is very low in hispanic societies, I could definitely view this tagline as being unfair to the women because it weighs the value of women in comparison to a mere precious metal - not societal/political leverage or economic/intellectual/emotional freedom.

But I think we were on slightly different frequencies before. I come from a matriachal/matrifocal family (and a civilization where gold holds an entirely different meaning!) and to me, calling the shots anywhere in
the household/beyond is a female role. Since my viewpoint is completely and culturally very different, the tagline didn't strike me as being sexist - just cleverly targeted. If a muscled guy sold the cookware and the tagline were - "The man who cooks has more value than gold", where I am from, people would be deeply suspicious - for the very same reason that you mention, its disrespectful to the women who run the households and attempts to devalue women via the suggestion that men who can cook have more political/economical/personal leverage. The ad would be viewed as sexist, lose popularity and might have serious impact on the brand!

So you see, beauty (or in this context, meaning) lies in the eyes (or the culture and background) of the beholder. :)

drew - 08/14/07 16:27
Tinypliny, I like your take.

libertad - 08/14/07 15:19
(e:tinypliny), you wouldn't even be here right now as an unaccompanied woman studying here to do a traditionally "man's job" if it weren't for a feminist victory in this country. Of course women still make less than men for the same work, but progress has been made nonetheless.

My parents are divorced and my father has been single for years. He cooks his own meals and likes to talk about his cookware and even bought me a great piece. I'm not against traditional male/female roles if that is what you want, but I am against suggesting that you are less of a woman if you don't know how to cook. It's sort of like saying that you are not a woman because you are studying to be a scientist which again is traditionally a "male" job.

(e:metalpeter) what is so dangerous about making observations on the difference of two cultures? I''m not proposing cultural superiority or suggesting ethnic cleansing here. I'm just noting the disadvantage that latina women face in comparison to other women in our country who are beginning to learn that there are other options for them rather than what is "traditional".

All of this being said, I do believe that a significant other being able to cook is a definite bonus. Who doesn't want that?

tinypliny - 08/13/07 22:04
And here's something interesting, if I were to translate that line into some other languages, it could mean, "The woman who can cook is more powerful than gold." Imagine the political implications of such a statement if you think about old civilizations whose entire economies ran on gold - there was no other currency, no credit, just gold. Puts a devious spin on the entire thing, doesn't it? :)

tinypliny - 08/13/07 21:45
I think this is overthinking the ad. When I read it first, I thought, "What a poetic line!". The whole idea of it being sexist didn't strike me till I actually read the comments. Food is such a key driving force in our lives that anyone who can cook appeals more to people. Traditionally, in many cultures (and I don't include those fancy French chefs in this generalization), daily cooking is done by moms and wives or the spouse who looks after the children (mostly moms, and maybe dads on holidays!). To me it seems like a beautiful (and very clever) tagline for selling cookware. Honestly now, can you recall your dad ever deciding (and winning the argument about) which particular cookware and kitchen coordinates went into your "mom's kitchen"??

lizabeth - 08/13/07 19:49
I think the whole notion of political correctness hasn't really penetrated Spanish-speaking culture yet, in many ways.

Here's an example for you: we got the circular for a Spanish grocery in the mail a while back, and one of the items advertised on special was a brand of rice. Its packaging featured a caricature of a knock-kneed, slant-eyed, bucktoothed, pigtailed Chinaman as its mascot. Like, whoa! I'm half Chinese, so I found that rather distasteful. But I'm sure most people who shop at that store and buy that rice don't think anything of it.

I think political correctness can be overdone, but a complete lack of it is not okay, either.

metalpeter - 08/13/07 19:35
First of all I think comparing cultures can be very dangerous. The reason being is that often when we do that we assume that people who don't have the same culture as ours are unhappy. I think that as long as a women wants to there is nothing wrong with her doing the cooking. There is this new movement in Feminism where women choose to stay home raise the kids and do all the housework and cooking. This being said that ad wouldn't fly with most Americans. But the thing is it would be true but no one would except it. I know that If was invited to a ladies house to hang or what ever and she took the time to cook me something that I liked just for me I would really be surprised and like it. Hey there is a reason why sometimes those dark skined Italian girls get men to marry them :} and give them huge rings. But seriously the saying of a way through a mans heart is through his stomach get him a nice drink and then watch the game or a movie you both like and you will lock him up for good.

museumchick - 08/13/07 18:22
I hate saying this... but I think that in any culture, there are some men who still think that way.

drew - 08/13/07 17:15
I agree with you. I just like it when women (and men) cook.

libertad - 08/13/07 17:05
exactly drew. I would agree with the statement if were to say "Someone who knows how to cook has more value than gold." That would be a more appropriate slogan if we didn't want to devalue women and say that they are worthless if they don't know how to cook. Obviously women have shown that they are quite capable of contributing to society in many different ways not all necessarily being a servant to her husband.

Some people might label me as too politically correct, but really I'm not. I just think that advertisers have a moral responsibility to not treat woman as if they were subservient.

jason - 08/13/07 16:59
A girl who can cook is aces in my book. One time, a girl cooked tuna casserole, my fave, for me, and I was over the moon. Felt like I was being taken care of. It was really nice.

And, with my ex, one time, she made good chicken parm for me. Again, I was over the moon. I don't think too many things please me more than that. Makes me really happy.

Then again, I understand the nuance here, and I agree it would probably never be acceptable on our English channels for a commercial of this type. Probably not in good taste.

drew - 08/13/07 16:54
but isn't it true? I mean, I guess it depends on other things, like the woman's personality and exactly how much gold we are talking about, but aren't all people worth more than gold? Especially people that cook?

08/20/2007 16:59 #40640

Niagara Falls

Mike and I went to Niagara Falls on the spur of the moment. We had such a great time. We don't often get to do things like this so I think we really deserved it. I'm excited to do more stuff like this together.

Mist People. They are so supernatural.

(e:mike)

Moose peeing in the urinal

Hotel People. This hotel is really neat. When you watch it you see people opening and closing their patio entrance ways. Mike loved it.

He is so beautiful.

We went to Rain Forest Cafe for dinner. It is so fun inside. This aquarium was inside. I loved this fish and have never seen it before. I wanted to kiss it. Every 25 minutes they have a thunderstorm inside and the lights flicker on and off. The animals go wild too. The food is really good but expensive. You are paying a lot for the atmosphere. A hamburger costs $18!

Mike and I at the falls

They have a ferris wheel, but at $10/person we skipped it. Someday I would like to do it though.

We also went to Coca Cola. They have a soda bar, but beware....$15 for two cokes and a freaking pretzel. Hershey's, on the other hand, has great chocolate covered strawberries for two for two dollars.

Oh, we also gambled away $20 together on the slot machines. FUN!

jenks - 08/21/07 10:48
whoa! this journal inspired a numbered list of comments, then I open the comments to find not only a numbered list- but that everyone already said what I wanted to! But I'll do it anyway- haha.
1: You are (both) too cute!
2: like the glasses, mikey
3: is the moose chained to the urinal?!

ladycroft - 08/21/07 08:15
1. Yay!
2. Mike looks mature with those glasses, I like :)
3. I miss you.
4. I miss the falls.
5. Holy crap tinypliny could you make more comments on a single journal entry?! haha.

fellyconnelly - 08/21/07 00:41
amazing and lovely pics. i'm glad you fellas had a great time!

zobar - 08/20/07 22:36
. . . is the moose chained to the urinal?

- Z

museumchick - 08/20/07 21:24
You and Mike are so cute together. I'm glad you had fun.

tinypliny - 08/20/07 21:20
So is this glory on the Canadian side?? Woe Woe. :(

metalpeter - 08/20/07 19:58
Great Pictures that moose is funny. I have to admit I haven't been to the Candian side recently, but the one summer when I went a few times Rainforest Cafe was one of the places I went and it is a pretty cool place. I don't think they had the Farris Wheel then. The last time I went to the falls I was on the American side and noticed it so I assume it is new. In terms of that hotel that looks like an amazing place to stay. I have never been in either of the Casino's on that side. I was close since as part of the HardRock Cafe you can see part of the Casino I think you might even be able to exit into it. I believe it is the Falls View Resort Casino that gets a lot of shows up there. I glad you two had a great time.

tinypliny - 08/20/07 18:59
That hotel facade is so surreal. Like a dollhouse or maybe a cuckoo clock.

james - 08/20/07 18:41
That Moose photo is great.

Glad you guys had a good time.

tinypliny - 08/20/07 18:31
You are a beautiful couple. :)

tinypliny - 08/20/07 18:30
BTW, why are all of the mist people in regulation yellow? Aren't personal raincoats allowed?

tinypliny - 08/20/07 18:29
Ooooh, so many new characters for my vacation tonight!