Civil War Women

In honor of Memorial Day here is a fascinating article from the Smithsonian Magazine about women who fought in the Civil War. http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/Covert_Force.html?c=y&page=1

There is an interesting synopsis of reasons these ladies fought, including poverty and patriotism, but my number burning question isn't answered. How many of these soldiers were transgender or maybe gender fluid? When someone lives their entire life as the opposite sex I'm inclined to believe their true gender is that opposite sex.

I was also shocked to read the personal account of one of the researchers, who was told women weren't allowed to be civil war reenactors. How ridiculous is that?

Trials and Travails

Earlier this week I was right in the middle of writing a post about Valve was giving away volume one of Portal two soundtrack when I stopped to open a bottle of soda. Normally I don't drink the stuff but it can help ward off migraines, which are always brought on by thunderstorms, so I'd asked Cam to grab one for me on his way home.

The bottle had been sitting for more than hour but when I opened it, holding it well away from my computer, it exploded and soaked my great-grandmother's antique waterfall nightstand, my computer and a breathing machine. Good times. The laptop stayed on for about thirty seconds before shorting out.

The computer was only a few months old. I got it in October. Super sad sigh.

I have been using Drop Box to back up my docs so it's not a total loss but still majorly depressing, not to mention expensive.

I sent it off today to see if it can be repaired. Hopefully the hard drive is okay.

Then we bought an auger and Cullen fixed his bathroom drain, which was blocked for both the shower and the sink. Once he cleared it water started draining through the ceiling downstairs, so that was fun too.

Luckily it was a beautiful day and I spent a bunch of time in the yard, under my weeping something tree, with my Akita. We were out there so long he actually wanted to come back in the house and has been asleep ever since we came in.

I managed to read more of James Joyce's Ulysses than I ever have before, which isn't saying all that much. I find it's easier to read if I think of it as an enormous poem.

Proof of How Crap I am at Angry Birds

I can dent their helmets but not make them go poof.

Super Price Reduction

Last year we went to look at this house, which was quite a lot more expensive. I think it was 199,000 and we saw it when it had been marked down to 189,000. Now it is a Fannie Mae home and they just alerted me that it is 89,900.

http://www.redfin.com/MD/Baltimore/4007-Belvieu-Ave-21215/home/10881146

It's sad. I'm seeing quite a few of these homes that have been for sale for more than a year and are now in foreclosure.

The house I finally bought had been on the market for a very long time and had been reduced by more than a third in price. I love it and it was well worth the wait.

Need to Worm your Grizzly and your Cheetah?

Panacur is the drug for you.

http://www.medi-vet.com/panacur.aspx

FOR THE FOLLOWING CARNIVOROUS/OMNIVOROUS ANIMALS

Lions (Panthera leo), Tigers (Panthera tigris), Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), Pumas (Felis concolor), Jaguars (Panthera onca), Leopards (Panthera pardus), Panthers (Panthera spp.), Grizzly Bears (Ursus horribilis), Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus), Black Bears (Ursus americanus)

CAUTION: Do not use 14 days before or during the hunting season.

It also works for plain old dogs and cats, btw.

Pencil Necked Weasel Thief

I'm equal parts horrified and amused by these odd comments made by MN House Majority Leader Matt Dean, who says he hates Neil Gaiman and calls him a pencil necked weasel, who stole forty grand from Minnesota. (??) He's upset because Neil was paid a substantial fee, although not by speaking fee standards, it's quite a bit less than Sarah Palin gets for talking, to give a speech at a library. The money came from a fund to support the arts and was one of those use it or lose it things. Obviously Neil didn't steal it.

Not only is it bizarre that Dean would insult one of his taxpayers, it's super strange that he attacks someone for doing what they've been paid to do. Don't these kinds of guys usually complain about people who DON'T work?

So anyway, he apologized today, http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/polinaut/archive/2011/05/dean_apologizes.shtml, but it sounds like he only said he was sorry because his mom made him. He sounds like a little kid. Also he states his mom is staying with him because his wife is out of town. Does he need constant female supervision? So many questions...

My accent

This makes sense. I was born in California and lived there most of my life, until I moved to Maryland when I was 21.

What American accent do you have?
Created by Xavier on Memegen.net

Western. Like Midland, Western is another accent that people consider neutral. So, you might not actually be from the Western half of the country, but you definitely sound like it.

And if you're not from the West, you are probably one of the following:
(a) A Pittsburgher - the quiz can't tell the difference;
(b) Someone from Canada (probably southern Ontario) who doesn't have a Canadian accent;
(c) Someone from northern New England who doesn't have a New England accent; or
(d) Someone from Texas or the Heartland who was born after 1980.
You are definitely not from New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Detroit, the Deep South, etc.

Take this quiz now - it's easy!

We're going to start with "cot" and "caught." When you say those words do they sound the same or different?

Same, no wait I mean different, maybe, a little bit different... Same Different