Today, I am 51

I’ll be awaiting your presents by the post, so do be prompt.

I’m kidding. I’m going to spend the day wandering around with Mr. DJ, and I hope everyone here does something equally cool. Go out, gather an adventure, and then come back here and we’ll compare notes.

Oh, but before you go, do enjoy these photos, sent by Bro. ChrisB. Aren’t they fabulous?

Now, don’t tarry. Go outside! Have adventures!

My completely honest update on Total Disclosure Day

I have to say that a couple of times, I forgot I’d declared today Total Disclosure Day, and I didn’t take time to run the tape backward so I’m not sure I was completely, unvarnished-truth honest, but here’s something funny that happened, anyway:

I was on a radio show today (mentioned earlier, whatever, lemme stop flogging that, ‘k?) and as I adjusted the headphones, I thought, “Oh, no! I have to tell the truth!” I wasn’t like I’d planned to lie while on-air, but it’s a funny time to try to be honest, participating in a public forum that generally requires not so much that you are Honest, but that you are Interesting.

So. The three others on the show are far, far, far more culturally savvy than I. They certainly know their movies and books, and I found myself sitting quietly while they talked because honestly? If I’d tried to add anything, I’d either have to pretend I knew what I was talking about, or I’d say something egregiously dumb. So I said nothing. I’m not sure I was a fabulous radio talk-show-guest, but I was an honest one.

That photo of me? That was shot by the fabulous and ever-talented Chion Wolf. When it was shot, I believe I was chanting to myself, “Don’t lie, don’t lie, don’t lie” but you can’t tell because I’m all cool and stuff. Anyway. I find these little exercises to be interesting, because even though tomorrow is not Total Disclosure Day (it is, as I’ve mentioned earlier, my Own True Birthday), I will probably be a tinge more honest all day. Probably. This probably makes me sound like I rack up fibs every day. I don’t, but I do manage to skim the truth more than is probably decent.

Anyway: Onward to Fairly Honest But Not All Bent Out of Shape About It Day.

Is there a stigma to being a housewife?

Jezebel sez yes.

Personally, I’ve always thought “housewife” is a dumb word. I mean, the wife isn’t precisely married to the house, now, is she? Just as “house husband” doesn’t mean the husband is in a legally-recognized union with a dwelling. But the point is well-taken, because the sentence “I’m a housewife” often includes the word “just.” Or someone who’s staying home adds quickly that while the children are young, while the degree is gained…why do we feel we have to qualify that, I wonder?

Justice deferred, justice finally

Sixty years, Mary Jean Price finally got her (honorary) college degree, the awarding college’s first.

In 1950, Price was denied entrance to Southwest Missouri State University — now Missouri State University — because she is black. She decided to skip college and her girlhood dream of being a teacher.

And thanks, Bro. Jay, for the link.

A doctor’s letter to patients with chronic disease

Right here. It’s heart-breaking. And it’s an eye-opener for people (like me) who don’t live with chronic diseases.

And thanks, Sis. CTLW, for the link.

Is white privilege a myth?

And can we talk about that without shouting?

Sen. Jim Webb explored this in a Wall Street Journal piece, and Terence Samuel at The Root wants to know. He writes:

Jim Webb may be right about diversity programs, but his arguments are politically nuanced and historically layered, and as a result will not matter. The discussion of race is America has a long history of impermeability to nuance and subtlety: The history is long and painful, and the arguments on each side are too sharply honed and too well-refined to admit any common ground with the opposition. There remains a huge empathy gap about what is important to the other side.

Can that be true? That discussions about race in America are impermeable to nuance and subtlety.

And now for something from a manly man

Here’s more on Big Bad John. And thanks, Sis. Gina, for the link.

Mixing politics with religion

Some Democratic political leaders have asked God-botherers to step up their pressure in relation to social justice issues.

But…but…but: Won’t Glenn Beck be angry?

Live, from the great state of Missouri:

On Tuesday, my home state is voting whether to say no to health care reform.

As you might imagine, some of the attendant activity has been less-than-informed.

And thanks, Sis. Gina, for the link.

Boycotting Target and Best Buy

Target and Best Buy have given political donations to MN Forward, a PAC that supports Tom Emmer, Republican candidate who wants to unseat Minn. Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Emmer has close ties with a homophobic (and self-identified Christian) punk rock band, You Can Run But You Cannot Hide. Emmer is not the only politician who enjoys the band’s music. Minn. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Moonbat) has raised money for the group, whose frontman, Bradlee Dean, isn’t necessarily bright.

Here’s the band’s explanation of one of its more controversial statements. Points must be taken off for the band’s uninformed mischaracterization of Islam. Here’s an interesting exploration of that topic. Upon further reading, Dean may one day have to admit that homosexuality is as much a nuanced topic in Islam as it is in his own Christianity.

But that’s another blog post.

Back to the topic: Here is an interesting response to the discussion, a letter Target sent out to employees as the controversy heated up.

Not to get too complicated, but the donations were made possible by the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision.

This could be an interesting dust-up: Free speech? Meet free enterprise.

And thanks, Sis. Kick, for the link.