Hillary Clinton appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres show today to talk about her plan to find a cure for breast cancer in the next ten years. I am disappointed by this obvious effort to rally her base in what is becoming an increasingly difficult primary campaign for her.
Don't get me wrong - a cure for breast cancer, for any type of cancer, would be wonderful.
I just don't buy Hillary's plan or motive. For example, her plan calls for $300 million annually in increased funds for research. That sounds great until you realize that public funding for breast cancer was already $800 million in 2003. This does not count private funds, such as those raised by the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Public funding for prostate cancer in 2007 was just over half the amount earmarked for breast cancer ($441 million).
I'm not a scientist, and I don't otherwise have the knowledge and resources to validate her plan. The timing just seems fishy to me, and as the old saying goes, "If it looks like a duck and acts like a duck - it's a duck."
Oh, and by the way...I have been rooting for Hillary since John Edwards withdrew from the race. Now I'm not so sure about her.
We need a president with real plans and solid ideas. The run for the White House should not be only a popularity contest.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Favorite Characters
I have read many, many books. Some characters fade into the background of my memory, but others stick with me. Here are a few of my faves:
Anne Shirley - Anne of Green Gables series
Captain Jim - Anne's House of Dreams
Lord Cazaril - The Curse of Chalion
Owen Palmer - Enchanted Inc. series
Harry Potter - Harry Potter (HP) series
Hermione Granger - HP
Professor Dumbledore - HP
Professor Lupin - HP
Professor McGonagall - HP
Ron Weasley - HP
Bilbo Baggins - The Hobbit
Asher - Kingmaker, Kingbreaker series
Jo March - Little Women
Pippi Longstocking
Dirk Struan - Tai-Pan
Francie Nolan - A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
With Gratitude
Our culture is one of complaints. It seems normal to complain and to listen to others do so; people with positive attitudes who express gratitude for the little things are often seen as self-righteous or even delusional. I fall into complaining mode much more easily and often than I like to admit.
Yet there is much to be thankful for, and when I stop to look beyond the bills, the illnesses and the challenges, and quiet the other complainers around me, I find that my life is rich beyond compare. Today I am thankful for:
Loving family
Parents who put in the time and effort to "raise me right"
Good and true friends
Skilled teachers
Great books
Cats and dogs and the vets that keep them healthy
My good health and the use of all of my limbs and senses
Car that runs
Challenging job, smart co-workers, fair boss
Sunshine
Netflix
Coffee
Computers
Faith
Happy Monday,
Cindi
Yet there is much to be thankful for, and when I stop to look beyond the bills, the illnesses and the challenges, and quiet the other complainers around me, I find that my life is rich beyond compare. Today I am thankful for:
Loving family
Parents who put in the time and effort to "raise me right"
Good and true friends
Skilled teachers
Great books
Cats and dogs and the vets that keep them healthy
My good health and the use of all of my limbs and senses
Car that runs
Challenging job, smart co-workers, fair boss
Sunshine
Netflix
Coffee
Computers
Faith
Happy Monday,
Cindi
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
I Always Thought
I always thought I would be married by now. When I was growing up, it just never occurred to me that it would be possible to not be married. I keep trying to figure out why this is and whether or not I really want to do something to change it.
As best I can surmise, my early dating experiences have significantly affected my attitude toward relationships and marriage. In school, I was cursed with the unfortunate combination of smartness and physical awkwardness that attracts bullies like ants to a picnic. Almost always the smartest, or at least one of the smartest, kids in class, I was picked on all the time. Somehow, when I arrived in high school, I thought that having a steady boyfriend would shield me from some of this hostility. Unfortunately, I gained my own personal bully and the hostility from others continued.
And then there was the fact that I didn't really know how to date. If I knew then what I know now, I definitely would have tried to spend time with a variety of boys rather than just one.
My later dating experiences haven't been much better. In fact, I've never dated a guy with whom things "just didn't work out." There has always been drama and anger. On top of this, I hear dating horror stories from my friends and co-workers, and I think, "Why would I want to waste my time just to be treated like that?" I like that my schedule is my own, I control the remote, I can pick up (or not) my own messes - in other words, my life is my own. I find that I rarely feel truly lonely. Good friends and family are just a short drive or phone call away, Jack greets me at the door and keeps me laughing, and there is no shortage of good books to curl up with.
I've also come to believe that another piece of the puzzle has to do with my dad and my grandfather. They are the male role models in my life, and it would be quite a challenge for any guy to live up to the expectations I've developed based on their examples. At least, I think it would be a challenge based on the behavior I most often witness in guys my age.
My grandfather has the best work ethic of anyone I have ever met. He just finally stopped working only last week at age 85! He is utterly devoted to my grandmother, helps with the housework and cooking, lovingly presents her with a bottle of her favorite perfume each year on her birthday, still brings her flowers and just about exhibits all of the qualities I would want a husband to have.
Then there's my dad. Funny, smart, does all the "guy jobs" around the house and romantic in his own way. And what I cannot overlook is his ability to stick with my mom through an illness that I believe would send most guys packing. That ability to stick around through the "worse" has turned into "better" and I greatly admire the way he has stayed true to his wedding vows.
I look around at the guys my age, and I just don't know about them.
If I do get married, I'm only doing it once. But I'm really not so sure I even want to at this point.
As I've become fond of saying, "If God has someone in mind for me, He'll bring us together when the time is right." Until then, I'm gonna go watch what I want on TV - and it's not going to be baseball!!
Cindi
As best I can surmise, my early dating experiences have significantly affected my attitude toward relationships and marriage. In school, I was cursed with the unfortunate combination of smartness and physical awkwardness that attracts bullies like ants to a picnic. Almost always the smartest, or at least one of the smartest, kids in class, I was picked on all the time. Somehow, when I arrived in high school, I thought that having a steady boyfriend would shield me from some of this hostility. Unfortunately, I gained my own personal bully and the hostility from others continued.
And then there was the fact that I didn't really know how to date. If I knew then what I know now, I definitely would have tried to spend time with a variety of boys rather than just one.
My later dating experiences haven't been much better. In fact, I've never dated a guy with whom things "just didn't work out." There has always been drama and anger. On top of this, I hear dating horror stories from my friends and co-workers, and I think, "Why would I want to waste my time just to be treated like that?" I like that my schedule is my own, I control the remote, I can pick up (or not) my own messes - in other words, my life is my own. I find that I rarely feel truly lonely. Good friends and family are just a short drive or phone call away, Jack greets me at the door and keeps me laughing, and there is no shortage of good books to curl up with.
I've also come to believe that another piece of the puzzle has to do with my dad and my grandfather. They are the male role models in my life, and it would be quite a challenge for any guy to live up to the expectations I've developed based on their examples. At least, I think it would be a challenge based on the behavior I most often witness in guys my age.
My grandfather has the best work ethic of anyone I have ever met. He just finally stopped working only last week at age 85! He is utterly devoted to my grandmother, helps with the housework and cooking, lovingly presents her with a bottle of her favorite perfume each year on her birthday, still brings her flowers and just about exhibits all of the qualities I would want a husband to have.
Then there's my dad. Funny, smart, does all the "guy jobs" around the house and romantic in his own way. And what I cannot overlook is his ability to stick with my mom through an illness that I believe would send most guys packing. That ability to stick around through the "worse" has turned into "better" and I greatly admire the way he has stayed true to his wedding vows.
I look around at the guys my age, and I just don't know about them.
If I do get married, I'm only doing it once. But I'm really not so sure I even want to at this point.
As I've become fond of saying, "If God has someone in mind for me, He'll bring us together when the time is right." Until then, I'm gonna go watch what I want on TV - and it's not going to be baseball!!
Cindi
Driving Me Crazy - Part II
The first thing I would do if I won the lottery would be to hire a chaffeur. I would be perfectly happy having him or her drive me about in my Honda Civic - I just do not like driving. It's not that I mind so much the actual operating of the vehicle or having to pay attention to traffic. What bothers me is the appalling manner in which people drive today. It is as if drivers regard the other vehicles on the road as simply moving hunks of metal with no thought to the safety or sanctity of the lives of the human beings in those vehicles.
When did turn signals become optional? I, for example, have never once witnessed the driver of a Lexus using a turn signal. I am sure many others are guilty, but drivers of this particular brand of luxury car seem to feel they are exempt from using turn signals as a matter of privilege.
When did the practice of drafting (i.e. tailgating) move from the world of NASCAR to freeways and city streets? Pass or take a pill. I don't have time to waste at the repair shop because of your impatience.
If I am stopped at a light in front of you, don't beep at me when you think I should go. I'll go when I'm darn good and ready - I may be able to see something that you cannot. And by the way, the absence of a "No Turn on Red" sign at an intersection does not mean that one MUST turn on red.
Ambulances, police cars and fire trucks are equipped with lights and sirens for a reason. If you are not in a vehicle with lights and sirens - guess what? Nowhere that you have to go is more important than anywhere anyone else on the road has to go, and certainly is not more important than your safety and the safety of others around you. If you feel the need for speed, find a racetrack.
'Nuff said.
Stay safe out there,
Cindi
When did turn signals become optional? I, for example, have never once witnessed the driver of a Lexus using a turn signal. I am sure many others are guilty, but drivers of this particular brand of luxury car seem to feel they are exempt from using turn signals as a matter of privilege.
When did the practice of drafting (i.e. tailgating) move from the world of NASCAR to freeways and city streets? Pass or take a pill. I don't have time to waste at the repair shop because of your impatience.
If I am stopped at a light in front of you, don't beep at me when you think I should go. I'll go when I'm darn good and ready - I may be able to see something that you cannot. And by the way, the absence of a "No Turn on Red" sign at an intersection does not mean that one MUST turn on red.
Ambulances, police cars and fire trucks are equipped with lights and sirens for a reason. If you are not in a vehicle with lights and sirens - guess what? Nowhere that you have to go is more important than anywhere anyone else on the road has to go, and certainly is not more important than your safety and the safety of others around you. If you feel the need for speed, find a racetrack.
'Nuff said.
Stay safe out there,
Cindi
Driving Me Crazy - Part I
Yesterday, executives from five oil companies appeared before a House committee to explain why they should continue to receive billions of dollars in tax breaks despite making a profit of $123 BILLION last year. Yup, billion with a "b."
An interesting article about this meeting is here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080401/ap_on_go_co/congress_oil. I especially love the part that references testimony these same executives gave back in November 2005, noting that one of them said, "What goes up almost always comes down." Now, I think I have a pretty good memory, and I can't remember a time that gas prices have ever come down.
Reading this article prompted me to do a little more research. In 2005, the average CEO compensation at the 15 largest oil companies was $32.7 million. Read it again - $32.7 million. I would really like to know what one person can do with $32.7 million.
For that amount of money, I could fill up my Honda Civic 1,090,000 times at the current gas price.
The problem we have here is that someone who makes $32.7 million a year cannot possibly understand the impact that a gas price of $3.29 per gallon has on the average person.
Why can't each of these selfish CEOs cut his salary back to $2 million per year (still plenty of cash, IMHO) and put the rest back into R&D for renewable energy, better wages for the lowest employees on the totem pole, etc.?
I know this is very wishful thinking and will never happen, so instead I'll be writing to my senators and representatives to encourage them to say that enough is enough.
Remembering when gas was $0.99 a gallon,
Cindi
An interesting article about this meeting is here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080401/ap_on_go_co/congress_oil. I especially love the part that references testimony these same executives gave back in November 2005, noting that one of them said, "What goes up almost always comes down." Now, I think I have a pretty good memory, and I can't remember a time that gas prices have ever come down.
Reading this article prompted me to do a little more research. In 2005, the average CEO compensation at the 15 largest oil companies was $32.7 million. Read it again - $32.7 million. I would really like to know what one person can do with $32.7 million.
For that amount of money, I could fill up my Honda Civic 1,090,000 times at the current gas price.
The problem we have here is that someone who makes $32.7 million a year cannot possibly understand the impact that a gas price of $3.29 per gallon has on the average person.
Why can't each of these selfish CEOs cut his salary back to $2 million per year (still plenty of cash, IMHO) and put the rest back into R&D for renewable energy, better wages for the lowest employees on the totem pole, etc.?
I know this is very wishful thinking and will never happen, so instead I'll be writing to my senators and representatives to encourage them to say that enough is enough.
Remembering when gas was $0.99 a gallon,
Cindi
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Why Only Pink?
In October, my grandmother was diagnosed with Stage IV ovarian cancer. She endured a massive operation and six rounds of chemo. The doctors have decided to cease treatment and she is currently at home, doing pretty well and receiving physical therapy.
Two people very dear to me have succumbed to brain tumors, and another is struggling with one. From my co-worker and friend, I have learned how quick and deadly pancreatic cancer is.
And so now I find myself getting annoyed at all of the pink ribbons I see everywhere. Don't get me wrong - I'm glad women are becoming more and more aware of the importance of early detection of breast cancer and I also am glad that fewer women are perishing from it.
My point is that there are so many other types of cancer that need attention. Where are the ribbons, the champions, the fundraisers for them?
Here are a few facts about ovarian cancer:
-It is the most deadly cancer of the female reproductive system
-When women are diagnosed in Stage I of the disease, the five-year survival rate is 90%
-However, only 19% of all cases are found at this early stage
-Learn more about symptoms here
Cancer in all its forms is a terrible disease. Stay informed, hug your loved ones and stay positive:-)
Cindi
Two people very dear to me have succumbed to brain tumors, and another is struggling with one. From my co-worker and friend, I have learned how quick and deadly pancreatic cancer is.
And so now I find myself getting annoyed at all of the pink ribbons I see everywhere. Don't get me wrong - I'm glad women are becoming more and more aware of the importance of early detection of breast cancer and I also am glad that fewer women are perishing from it.
My point is that there are so many other types of cancer that need attention. Where are the ribbons, the champions, the fundraisers for them?
Here are a few facts about ovarian cancer:
-It is the most deadly cancer of the female reproductive system
-When women are diagnosed in Stage I of the disease, the five-year survival rate is 90%
-However, only 19% of all cases are found at this early stage
-Learn more about symptoms here
Cancer in all its forms is a terrible disease. Stay informed, hug your loved ones and stay positive:-)
Cindi
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