Geese: They're What's For Dinner

These geese were crossing my parking lot Monday, which led to my excitement about getting a really good photo. Sadly, I didn't get their best sides as they rushed to escape the paparazzi. 

Recently, two hundred fifty Canada geese were captured at Birmingham's East Lake Park and killed. East Lake is close to the Birmingham airport so they were deemed a potential hazard, citing the Hudson River landing incident in New York. If that was not bad enough, we were reassured that they had been taken to a processor and were on their way to feed the hungry at the United Way Food Bank. (Really!?! I said in my best Amy Poehler voice.)

I attempt to write a food blog so I am always looking at recipes. I don't recall ever seeing a recipe for Canada Goose Casserole, but apparently there are a few recipes available. I have to wonder if these were really meant for a farm raised goose and not the ones with the charming personalities.

I am trying to work out how I feel about this practice.

1. They are my neighbors. It just seems so wrong.
2. So what if they are considered loud, pesky poop machines? Babies can be loud, pesky poop machines, too.
3. Just because someone is poor and/or hungry does not mean that one can just feed them anything and expect gratitude. If I wouldn't eat it then I don't believe a poor and/or hungry person should have to eat it either.

I would not want an airplane to crash because of an influx of geese but there should be a better method of controlling the population. What would a Canadian do, I wonder?

Debt Ceiling and the GOP

Let's see.....I wonder what happened in 2009 that made the debt ceiling of such grave concern to the GOP? Especially after they had eight years to destroy a surplus and spend us into debt with such wild abandon? Calling them out and comparing them to undisciplined children who take too much time off work, as President Obama did in his press conference today, won't work. Even calling them out on their hypocrisy, as I am trying to do here, won't work. A 2' x 4' over the head won't work, either.

It would be interesting if one or two (or more) Republicans would just stand up and say they were not going to hold this process hostage and would support raising the ceiling. The party might not like it but this citizen would have a lot more respect for the GOP Congressman/woman who would be willing to take the job seriously. I am probably not the only one who feels this way, either.

Dressing for UA Football Games, Part III

I have added my Countdown Clock to the first University of Alabama football on September 3, 2011 above. I'm not ready for summer to be over by any means; here in the southern US we talk about football all year, every year.

With that in mind, do you need more suggestions for UA Game Day this season? Well,  you're in luck! I've been web shopping!

You can find these houndstooth shoes for $25 at Famous Footwear.

The following four photos were seen in Vogue.
Designer: Salvatore Ferragamo
Expensive, but great.

In one word: Gorgeous!

Great jacket to take with you on a trip after a football game to somewhere cooler than here.

Maybe a shopping trip to New York or a championship game in a climate-controlled indoor facility?
For anyone unfamiliar with the southern US, it is rarely cool enough for a jacket during football season.

Houndstooth fabulous!

I love this clutch.

I included this just because I love, love, love it. If I was still thin, I'd own this right now.

The Pink Tulip

Red houndstooth, somewhat vintage look about it.

Etsy

Can you see why The Pink Tulip is my favorite clothing store??
UA fans occasionally wear white (remember the game in Oklahoma?). This would be GREAT!

The Pink Tulip

 

Crimson or any shade of red thereof is always the perfect color for a Bama game!

Forever 21

Strictly eye candy! 

Christian Louboutin

If you can afford this clutch, do not take to a football game! Repeat - do not take to a football game. It's great, though, isn't it? What makes it even better is that it has RED lining!

It would be a perfect accessory with the above red dress.

Who says you can't carry a $1200 handbag with a $22 dress?

Actually, this handbag is on sale for 50% off (here).

See my other posts:

Dressing for Fall Football Games, Part II

Dressing for UA Game Day

Roll Tide, Roll!

The Story of My Life

Not exactly sure of the source of this cartoon so apologies. Will be happy to link if advised.

Sadly, this is SO me!

What's The Colbert Bump?

Stephen Colbert: Are the Black Belles ready for the Colbert bump?

Jack White: They are, they are. What's the Colbert bump?

Stephen Colbert: You, you motherf***ker, are about to find out!

If you happened to miss last week's StePhest Colbchella '011, go to Colbert Nation to watch videos. Then, head over to lll Third Man Records lll to order the single by Stephen Colbert and The Black Belles, produced by Jack White. Good luck in the future to the Black Belles, who appear to be excellent musicians.

For a more low-tech way of spreading the word, you may download this flyer to staple to wherever you find viewers of The Colbert Report and anyone interested in hearing more from a good band.

I'm not a New Yorker, but I play one in my mind.

Celebrate Good Times, New York!

It is not often that one has the opportunity to watch history being made in real time. MSNBC and The Rachel Maddow Show stayed with the live vote from Albany, New York last night for the passage of the bill legalizing same-sex marriage in New York, the sixth and largest state to do so.

The above photograph went viral on Twitter, which included my retweet from Think Progress. It was such a symbolic image, as were the photos of celebrations inside and outside Stonewall.

Get married, don't get married, I don't care about that part personally. What I care most about is equality under the law for all citizens, gay and straight. So, dear President Obama, evolve already.

Weekend Cat Blogging #316

Jules prowls the thick woods, stopping for a drink of water in the creek but resisting the urge to have baby duck for lunch. He proceeds to the perimeter to watch a brief tennis match as, unlike a dog, he can see a tennis ball without losing his mind. Soon a lizard catches his eye. He playfully chases the lizard through the woods.

Noise! Jules checks to make sure the sliding glass door is still open before returning to his daydream.

Jules, the baddest black cat in the complex, shows his prowess while still remaining respectful of all living creatures...

This week's Weekend Cat Blogging is hosted by Pam at sidewalk shoes.

Feel Good Friday

Is it Friday already?!

Financially Fragile or Bum?

Question: “If you were to face a $2,000 unexpected expense in the next month, how would you get the funds you need?”

This was a survey question posed in a paper published by Annamari Lusardi of the George Washington School of Business, Daniel J. Schneider of Princeton University, Peter Tufano of Harvard Business School, and the National Bureau of Economic Research. Here's what they found for the United States:

24.9%  certainly able
25.1% probably able
22.2% probably unable
27.9% certainly unable

This is not money for a vacation or a larger television or Christmas. This is an extensive automobile repair, a health crisis, a home repair, or such. This is an unexpected expense that could affect your basic survival ability. This shows that 50% in the U.S. could not or would have trouble coming up with $2,000 when in need without resorting to what some might consider drastic measures: selling possessions, taking out a high interest payday loan, taking out other loans or credit cards, borrowing from family and/or friends. 

The point here is that this is not just lower-income people or families. I know several families who consider themselves comfortably middle-class who would have to resort to the above measures to come up with actual cash in a crisis. Some live above their means but most do not. Many live on not what they have been able to do but what their parents before them were able to do.

I fall into the financially fragile category. My wages have not gone up but my expenses certainly have. I have bought lunch with the loose change from my car's ashtray. I juggle what I can and can't do without. I have worked from home because I didn't have the money to buy gas to drive to the office. To date, a payday still arrives to just get me by.

Yet, many of us who are struggling are still portrayed to be and believed to be without a good work ethic or living beyond our means or just bums. The idea of  "bums" helps divide us politically and set us up against each other. Fifty-percent of the country can't all be bums, guys. Doesn't this say much more about the state of our country than about it residents?

Happy Fathers' Day

My father, the Baptist minister

He's the one with his right arm raised.

circa before I was born

My dad died in 1973, when I was 19.  I was a sophomore in college and ten days away from getting married to my high school sweetheart. My father and I had written the vows together (mostly him) and he was to perform the wedding ceremony.

By the time I was a teenager, he had mellowed somewhat, although he remained a minister until he died. He had begun to look at retiring and at what he was going to do in that second half of his life. He was taking an accounting class through Ole Miss by mail.

We were pretty good friends. He was my primary caregiver during most of my life. It took me a long time to forget and forgive having to live a profession that was not of my choosing. I'd like to talk to him today. I think we'd still be good friends.

Photo found on Facebook and forwarded to my sister (Springhill Baptist Church, Alabama)

RIP: Clarence Clemons

Following is the statement of Bruce Springsteen on the death of Saxophonist and E Street Band member, Clarence Clemons:

"It is with overwhelming sadness that we inform our friends and fans that at 7:00 tonight, Saturday, June 18, our beloved friend and bandmate, Clarence Clemons passed away. The cause was complications from his stroke of last Sunday, June 12th.


Clarence lived a wonderful life. He carried within him a love of people that made them love him. He created a wondrous and extended family. He loved the saxophone, loved our fans and gave everything he had every night he stepped on stage. His loss is immeasurable and we are honored and thankful to have known him and had the opportunity to stand beside him for nearly forty years. He was my great friend, my partner, and with Clarence at my side, my band and I were able to tell a story far deeper than those simply contained in our music. His life, his memory, and his love will live on in that story and in our band." (Source and Photos)

"....and The Big Man joined the band...."



Music is visceral. It paints our personal landscapes and journeys. The loss of a musician hurts every time.

The Treadmill Desk

TrekDesk
Amazon Customer Reviews

I suppose everyone has seen this except me, right? What a great idea...in moderation, of course. I have this vision of overzealous, greedy and shallow employers whipping their employees into shape by making them walk eight hours a day to save a few dollars in health insurance premiums!

I will admit that when I had a hospital job where I walked or stood most of the day and took the stairs because I did not have time to wait on an elevator, I did not have a weight problem. Only after I took a job sitting eight hours a day did I start to have weight issues, muscle atrophy, and joint pain. Of course, I aged during that time as well.

This indeed would be a "luxury" but could be worth it in the long run. I'd love to hear from you if you have one or have tried one. What say you?

Weekend Cat Blogging #315

 

Reasons one and two for working at home. Jules and Vincent are the best co-workers.

(It is obvious how Vincent feels about the camera, isn't it?)

This week's Weekend Cat Blogging is hosted by Mind of Mog.

Feel Good Friday

April Tornado: At The Traffic Light

I have not taken any photographs of the devastation done to Tuscaloosa during the April 27th tornado. I have tried to stay out of the way of the generous people working tirelessly every day. Today, as I sat at the traffic light a couple of blocks from my office, I snapped these shots from the car of what I saw around me. At the intersection, the restaurant to the right and the oil change to the left are flattened. There has been an incredible amount of debris removal already in this area and a long way to go before we sleep.

Obama, The Democrat?

Joel Pett's Editorial Cartoons 

I know several people who fear President Obama for whatever reason. I've heard him accused of a lot of things, including extremist, socialist, Muslim sympathizer, to name a few. It has been hard for me to understand this because, to me, he is an intelligent version of someone staying the GWBush course. 

I believe in President Obama. No one can lift me up like he can when he speaks of the potential of the American people. But, geez, where is he when it comes to the Democratic platform? I know it is in him somewhere. I hear it. I feel it. I believe it. I'm ready for it. I'm ready to move on from the failed policies of Reagan/Bush/GOP.

How Low Will They Go: Racist/Sexist Ad Hits Web

Is this what we have to look forward to over the next year of campaigning? This is the worst I've seen (so far). From what I read (here, here, here), it originally was a web ad released by Turn Right USA* targeting a female Democratic candidate for a house seat in California.

I was reluctant to give this any space but decided it was a good example of just how far the right will go sometimes to demonize the left and others, as well as its use of blatant racist and sexist themes. It is also of interest to me because this is the same producer who targeted an Alabama candidate for Agriculture Secretary.

The Huffington Post reported the following:
The treasurer for Turn Right USA, Claude Todoroff, confirmed the group is real, but declined to talk about it. "I don't know about the ad but I wouldn't talk to The Huffington Post, anyway. You're a bunch of liberal idiots," Todoroff said, before hanging up. 



*I refuse to provide a link to this organization for obvious reasons on my blog. My readers are certainly welcome to Google this group, if so inclined.        

Dressing for Fall Football Games, Part II

I wrote a post recently called Dressing For UA Game Day with suggestions and ideas for fall football games at The University of Alabama from around the Web. I'm comfortable with jeans and my lucky UA T-shirt. Laugh if you must but that T-shirt has served us well over the last couple of seasons, although I got texts last season questioning whether or not I was wearing my lucky shirt!

These two dresses - yes, one is in Auburn colors - are new arrivals at The Pink Tulip, an absolutely fabulous clothing store in Homewood. Find them on Facebook.

Black and red can be used for the University of Georgia, also. 

I, of course, refuse to accept this and believe it is intended for Alabama fans.

Auburn or Florida.

Too cute! I highly recommend a trip to my favorite clothing store, The Pink Tulip, if you are in the Birmingham area. 

2848 18th St S
Homewood, AL 35209-2510
(205) 870-7258

Film Review: Midnight in Paris

In the eyes of this southern woman, Woody Allen has done for Paris what he did for Manhattan. Allen takes you on the ultimate visual vacation of everything that is enchanting about Paris - the architecture, cobblestone streets, outdoor cafes, lights, flowers in bloom, and even the rain. The Dixieland blues background accompaniment captures the audience in a dream-like state that sets up the film perfectly.

A disillusioned Hollywood screenwriter (Owen Wilson) who is about to marry the wrong woman (Rachel McAdams) finds himself in Paris with his future in-laws and a couple of his fiance's friends. In an attempt to avoid spending more time with her friends, he strolls through the streets of Paris alone and finds himself transported to 1920's Paris when the clock strikes midnight discussing writing, music, art and love with the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, Gertrude Stein, Salvador Dali, F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, and Man Ray. He meets artist groupie, fashion designer and current Picasso lover (Marion Cotillard) who, in turn, is nostalgic for the Belle Epoque period and meets the likes of Henri de Toulouse Lautrec, Paul Gauguin and Edgar Degas.

It seems Allen is less pessimistic in this film, but there certainly is a lesson here about creating a Golden Age in which one lives. I have seen almost all, if not all of Allen's films and I can pick out which lines have been repeated, sometimes even the response. One of my complaints since Allen has stopped being the leading man is that it seems to me the actors try to mimic Allen's acting style. I found Owen Wilson's performance perfect here, believable in his uncertainty and his romanticism without the weight of death and despair.

Being from Alabama, it was a delight to see Alison Pill's portrayal of Zelda Fitzgerald, who was born in Montgomery, and to hear her spot on southern accent. When asked by Wilson's character if she was from America, she responds (paraphrasing from memory): Well, I'm from Alabama. If you call that America, I do. I loved hearing a southern s'il vous plait.

I don't know that I will ever be able to go to Paris but this film helps me feel a little closer. Highly recommended.

5 of 5 stars

Weekend Cat Blogging #314

With a better photographer, I think Jules would make an excellent model. Talk to him and he will change expressions, positions, left, right, coy, sexy, tiger, thoughtful, cute. 

What's that? It isn't just my cat, you say?

 Sometimes Jules just has to taste the props. What's a hungry model to do?

Jules, Vincent, and I are celebrating the 6th Anniversary of Amar and Luna and Luna's Gotcha Day for Weekend Cat Blogging, hosted at catsynth.

Feel Good Friday

For a statement on this week's events, the numerous congressmen choosing to sleep in their offices, and townhouses on C Street, I give you the theme from Animal House. Of course, they probably think this is a compliment. Isn't it interesting that Al Franken turns out to be the adult?

Best Google Doodle Yet

This playable Google doodle guitar has kept me up way past my bedtime. So cool! And, you can record yourself (click on red button on black box). Designed to honor the late Les Paul's 96th birthday. Good job!

PC Magazine posted how to play "Here Comes The Sun" by The Beatles (click here to listen to a much better version than I have been able to accomplish so far):

After toying around with the Doodle for a while, Chris figured out which keys corresponded to which notes. The Doodle works on all four rows of the keyboard starting at 1, Q, A, and Z. On the A row through the semicolon, you can play an octave plus two notes. With that knowledge, Chris set out to play something memorable. A Beatles song was a logical choice.
 
Starting on the A-row, the left plays fifths on A and G. The right hand comes in with ; K L ; K ; L K H ; L K J. For a moving bass line during the melody, the left hand plays F A F A G S G S. The right hand then plays H J K L ; K L ; K ; K L ; K L ; K L ; K ; L ; L K. Then there's a switch to G H K L G K L G K L G K L G K L J A J. A chord comes in with A D K ; and then the left hand bass is A G (x4) F A (x3) S H (x2) A G (x2) F D S A G. A D K ; is the final chord.

Thanks, Chris and PC Magazine!
Try it. It's fun!

Again, Votes Have Consequences

06/10/2011: Update on this vote.

Lawmakers tonight gave final legislative approval to a bill that would ban anyone from performing an abortion on someone pregnant for 20 or more weeks, unless an abortion was needed to avoid the woman's death or serious risk of substantial bodily harm.  (source)

Still disrespectful to women but considering the extreme measures outlined below, it had a very good chance of being worse.
 *****************************************************************************************************

Like those birth control pills? You should have thought of that when you cast that vote.

Since the GOP has regained power campaigning on jobs, they have spent the majority of their time focused on planned parenthood, abortion, and interfering in a woman's health care. Alabama could not wait to jump on that bandwagon.

Alabama is one of several states that is considering the so-called "personhood" language. David White at The Birmingham News and as seen on al.com wrote:

The bill says the term "persons" as used in state laws shall include "any human being from the moment of fertilization and implantation into the womb."

Other states that are considering the personhood legislation, as reported on The Maddow Blog:

Alabama's S.B. 301 (pdf) (just say ok to that pop-up)

• Montana's House Bill 409 (pdf)
• North Dakota's House Bill 1450 (pdf)
• Oklahoma's House Bill 1571
• Virginia's House Bill 1440
• Iowa House File 153
• Georgia's Senate Resolution 153
• Texas House Bill 1109
• Mississippi Initiative Measure No. 26

For a group of people who say they believe the government should trust people to make their own decisions about health care and what kind of health care they want to purchase, they sure don't have a problem not trusting adult women to make their own decisions. In the case of adult women, they are focused on nothing but government all up in our uteri.

Every time I hear some of these things and think this could not possibly happen, it happens. This sounds like one of those things that people without law degrees try to do without understanding any of the other implications (see White's article). When we elect a dermatologist for governor the said dermatologist may not understand the legal implications either.

So, the day of fertilization one can qualify for the HOV lane? Oh wait! Alabama doesn't have HOV lanes.

Did Margaret Atwood's book The Handmaid's Tale not scare the hell out of anybody else but me?

Alabama's Immigration Law

Apparently our 'Christian' governor doesn't mind throwing families out in the streets.

Above is today's headline at Huffington Post Politics. Leave it to Alabama to be so short-sighted and mean-spirited. I have boycotted Arizona since their immigration bill was signed into law. I even skipped last year's BCS Championship game because it was played in Arizona. I can't boycott the state in which I live so I will support the Southern Poverty Law Center in their efforts to fight this in court.

Signed by Robert Bentley, dermatologist and governor, the law goes farther than Arizona's law:
1. Prohibits the transporting and housing on undocumented residents
    ***Alabama does not require a person to provide papers to get a driver's license and transport themselves, however.
2. Requires schools to check for citizenship
    *** even though undocumented children, by law, are allowed to attend school K-12
3. Police can request legal papers if person is *suspected* to be in the country illegally
    *** remember the saying, "serve and protect"

Apparently, Bentley's plan for jobs was only meant for some of the residents (maybe only his "brothers and sisters" in Christ) and not for others. In fact, the plan appears to be at the expense and well-being of others.

Did Alabama learn nothing from their not so distant past?  Alabamians can comfort themselves in whatever reasoning that helps them sleep at night but bigotry is still bigotry. There ain't nothing 'Christian' about that, Dr. Bentley.

Why Cats Are Not Doctors

 

Only several hours?!        As seen at bizzy b blogs

Mimosas Need Water Too

I've watched the beautiful and blooming mimosa tree outside my home office window go from sprawling and colorful to shrinking and drooping with sad little brown flowers through the record heat. Even the once happy bees and wasps are starting to look for a new location.

The above were from its earlier days of summer. Could we get a little rain, please?

Fabulous Felines

I recently found my way to cat versus human, a blog of delightful and insightful cartoons of cats and those who love cats. A book of the drawings is now available for preorder by its creator, Yasmine.

The cartoon below reminds me of my niece's husband, a dog person who now finds himself living with a cat who apparently adores him....as much as a cat does, I suppose. He commented to me that the difference was "a dog lives to serve you, but you live to serve the cat".  You have learned well, Grasshopper....

This cartoon also demonstrates why I think of all dogs as male and all cats as female! Since I've had cats my entire life, this may explain why I am the way I am as well.

Bad Karma or Cicadas

I have spoken here often of bad karma in Nashville. I was there recently. I was back in Birmingham less than 24 hours when my car had to be towed. Two hundred dollars! Plus, they found another problem that could cost over five hundred dollars. I should have never gone to Nashville. I was cursed or got some kind of voodoo vibes while I was there. Either that or I got a case of the cicadas.

These were found in my trunk. If they could get in the trunk, couldn't they get under the hood and bring my cooling fan to a complete halt?

No. It's the bad karma.

Mamas, part 2

Whenever I get on my soapbox, I don't hear some spiritual voice talking me down. I hear Chris Rock. 

"See everybody expects this holy behavior 'cause he's the President. Expect him to behave this holy way. He's just the President. He ain't Rev. Clinton. lt ain't Pastor Clinton. lt ain't Maharajah Clinton. lt is just Bill Clinton. He's just a man. A man's gonna be a man. A man is basically as faithful as his options. That's how faithful a man is, no more, no less."

Let a player play, Chris? Have you seen these guys? They are so not players.


Scratching my head........

Mamas don't let your babies grow up to be......

...a**holes. Don't let 'em pay hookers or text shots of their junk. Make 'em be decent, respectful and stuff.

This is the very reason women - mature, educated, intelligent women - would make better leaders of places like, I don't know, THE FREE WORLD!

The GOP *members* caught in scandals were worse to me because of their blatant hypocrisies - the family values party, the 100% anti-gay voting records, the sanctity of life - all while trying to prevent the rest of us from living our lives without intrusion from the "smaller government" party. (Sorry, I choked a little with laughter when I said that.)

Anthony Weiner is one of mine, a liberal. I feel a lot like I did with Bill Clinton where the stupidity of it all was so much worse than the offense. If I discover that the late Paul Wellstone was a jerk - or worse, President Obama - I might lose all respect, no exceptions.

It is my theory that the reason this happens is because we attach so much mystery, misinformation and, worse, shame around being sexual. Sexuality is natural and, if treated as such, would make us healthier human beings. If accepted and treated as natural, it would not turn us into liars, cheaters, parentless children, divorcees, perverts, misogynists, predators, and ultimately criminals.

Rachel Maddow at MSNBC accomplished more visually and entertainingly in the following video what I tried to do in this post. At around 4:25, she breaks down what she calls the "Post-Bill Clinton Modern American Political Sex Scandal Consequence-O-Meter" and adds Anthony Weiner.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
 

A**holes like poorly lit pornos, clear Sunday sermons,
Holding your babies, smiling, and girls of the night,
Them that won't *do* him and them that do 
Sometimes won't know how to please him,
He's wrong and he's different and his penis won't let him
Do things to make you think he's right...... and worthy of the position your vote* has placed him in.
Apologies to Willie and Waylon

If you are gay, be gay. If you are a borderline pedophile, get psychiatric help. If you are a philander, say so and work something out with your family and your constituents. Most of all, move over and let women have a shot at running the country. Not the crazy beauty queens educated in religious colleges - and, yes, you know who I am talking about - but, the real women who can compartmentalize and empathize and promote peace, education and real decency.

All is (not) over but the shouting
Apologies to Rick Bragg

*or, on a more personal level, your TRUST

Weiner. You're a Dick.

Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY).....what were you thinking? Oh, right. See my recent post.

You may live in New York, but I have to live here in Alabama where the Fox News Kool-aid is served and consumed like Dom Perignon 24/7. The GOP can rob everyone in this state blind, beat them with bats, and rip out their fingernails all at the same time and all they will discuss is that you sent a text of your junk. Seriously.

You said what you did was not illegal. That is true. Take it up with your spouse. What you did was not even the creepiest thing a member of Congress has done in our recent past (again, see my recent post). But, as Chris Rock says, "you can drive a car with your feet if you want to but that does not mean it should be done, that it is a good idea".

J-F-C! Someone please explain to me why you guys are so impressed with your penises and why you have to pull it out at every opportunity. Zip it up or at least until you aren't representing the political party in which I belong. Democrats are forever walking a tightrope. Why did you have to make it worse?

J-F-C.

It Was 30 Years Ago Today

On June 5, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) published the first mention of five cases of pneumocytist carinii pneumonia in young men. In 2009, it was reported that 33.3 million people were living with what came to be known as AIDS (acquired-immune deficiency syndrome) and HIV (human-immunodeficiency virus).

Today, we remember those who lost their lives to this disease and its related illnesses. Never forget.

The Last Song by Elton John / And The Band Played On (film 1993)

At the end of 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported 33.3 million people were living with HIV/AIDS.

20 Facts About U.S. Inequality

Fact 15. The ownership of wealth among households in the U.S. became somewhat more concentrated since the 1980s. The top 10% of households controlled 68.2 percent of the total wealth in 1983 and 73.1% of the total wealth in 2007.

Concentration of wealth in the U.S. between 1983 and 2007

To view the other 19, click on the following link:
The Stanford Center for the Study of Poverty and Inequality - 20 Facts About U.S. Inequality that Everyone Should Know

Then, to read why these facts are of concern to me, refer to The Philosophy of Mean by Hunter at Daily Kos.

Weekend Cat Blogging #313

 Jules - Pensive

  Jules - Playful

 This week's Weekend Cat Blogging is hosted by Billy Sweetfeets Gingersnap.

Dressing for UA Game Day

Driving around campus yesterday really put me in the UA football spirit. Okay, it is true. I'm ALWAYS in the UA football spirit! I spent a little time after work today looking for female game day apparel. What do you think? Do you have other links to share? If so, please post in the comment section.

NOTE: I have never used these websites and can not confirm their reliability nor can I vouch for the quality of the clothing. I have tried on the stadium stompers and they feel great. I have also overspent at The Pink Tulip (see links below) - my favorite clothing store - so I can say without question, I love that store!

Judith March, Style #379D Red and Houndstooth Dress - Regularly $98, Sale Price $68

Alabama Gameday by APreppyPrincess featuring flat shoes

Dorothy Perkins black dress
12 GBP - dorothyperkins.com

Vivienne Westwood Anglomania flat shoes
$100 - zappos.com

Crystal ring
$110 - fansedge.com

Charm jewelry
$13 - fansedge.com

Red Purse (seen above):

• coach red purse | PicsDigger
• inkfrog.com 

  

Stadium Stompers  - Adorable, comfortable rain boots, $50.00

Note: If you like these, contact me by email and I will send you information on where you might find these for less than $50 per pair.

Matching  Umbrella  $20

Love this top! It's called Taking Time and is available for $38.74. Click here to view details.

I actually like the necklace with this, but I relate black and red to UGA. A different necklace might work better for a BAMA game! May I suggest the

Elephant Necklace and Matching Earrings.

Now, this is perfect game day attire!

Untitled (clipped to Polyvore.com)

This is cute, but not too practical for the temperatures during an Alabama ballgame! It might work for an after game party.

The Courtney Dress has Alabama Game Day designed all over it! Here's the product description from Adabelle's Fashion Lounge:

No one does game day dresses like Judith March and The Courtney Dress is certainly a stunner. Small measures 35"bust. 25" waist. 33" shoulder to hem. 100% Polyester. Fully lined. Dry clean only.

*The proceeds from this dress will be donated to the Red Cross tornado relief efforts in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

 

See above. The idea of anything long-sleeved, even on one arm, seems too hot for the usual Bama game to me.

Description:

Here is a super adorable crimson one shoulder dress with a houndstooth ruffle at the neckline and a super cute bow on the sleeve. This is the perfect dress to wear to the fall football games in Tuscaloosa this season. Don't miss out on it! 

(400D Crimson One Shoulder)

Judith March

Not too crazy about this dress but it might work with the right accessories.

Yes, another Judith March design.

Gameday Outfits: Alabama Addition by jennblack8 featuring a black necklace

Forever21 dress
$19.80 - forever21.com

Skin and Threads cotton tank
$14 - im-hm.com

Navy blue top
$12 - blnts.com

J crew shorts
$80 - jcrew.com

Forever21 skirt
$16 - forever21.com

Metallic shoes
$208 - thecorner.com

Stuart Weitzman floral shoes
$179 - endless.com

Guess Shoes ankle wrap sandals
$61 - heels.com

Kate spade handbag
$197 - katespade.com

Logo tote
$195 - lagarconne.com

Ben de Lisi black bag
20 GBP - debenhams.com

By Johanne Mills beaded jewelry
210 GBP - kabiri.co.uk

Betsey Johnson handcrafted earrings
$22 - nordstrom.com

Avalaya black necklace
30 GBP - avalaya.com

Avalaya plastic necklace
14 GBP - avalaya.com

Avalaya dome ring
9.95 GBP - avalaya.com

Forever21 earrings
$9.80 - forever21.com

Avalaya plastic bead bracelet
6.50 GBP - avalaya.com

Eyewear
306 EUR - dsquared2.com

University of Alabama Tervis Tumbler® 16oz Boxed Set of Four -...
$46 - luxuryimprints.com

Bama Bell<3 by ℓive ℓife and dare to ℓive!!! featuring nike tees

Nike tee
$32 - nike.com

Nike
$28 - nike.com

Victoria s secret
$45 - victoriassecret.com

Victoria s secret
$5.99 - victoriassecret.com

Jeffrey Campbell ballet shoes
$52 - lorisshoes.com

Wedge boots
$115 - endless.com

Alabama, Univ. of - Ice Bucket Tumblers, Mugs, Cups | Tervis Tumbler...
$50 - tervis.com

Here are two of four locations in the Birmngham area that carry Judith March, as per the website:

MIGI'S 220 SUMMIT BLVD., BIRMINGHAM Like them on Facebook
THE PINK TULIP 2848 18th STREET SOUTH, HOMEWOOD Like them on Facebook