hard times

Today at the bank someone made a comment about how they're keeping large bills in a cash box at home because of how the economy is going. I thought of two things - 1 being that this is the stupidest possible thing to do right now (instead, think debt repayment and real estate investing!), and 2 - why are you telling me this? I could come rob you! Instead of giving her an economic lecture, I nodded and asked if she wanted an account balance on her receipt. Then she said "Well, it's not like YOU'VE faced any hard times so you're probably too optimistic or naive to know what I'm talking about." I've never been on the streets or wondered where my next meal would come from, so I can't really say that I've experienced horrible times in my own life, but all I could think of was how that lady had no clue what my life has been like until now and it was probably the most insensitive thing anyone could ever say. How would she have any idea about whether my life was hard or easy or what I have experienced? We never know what anyone has gone through, especially in that sort of context.

today

In order to assuage the few readers of this blog, I will give you a quick update about my day.

I ran after work OUTSIDE because it was so beautiful and the dog came with me again! I was SO HAPPY about it. I told him to go home when we passed the farmhouse but he wouldn't listen and followed me to the apartment. Aaron came up a few minutes after me and said "Hey, did you run outside? That dog is down there whining for you at the door." I want a dog very badly. I am working on a possible puppy name list. The names need to be classic/literary/nerdy/smart, easy to yell, and to weird to ever give a child. So far I really like Icharus. Nicknamed Ike because Icharus isn't easy to yell, naturally. Someone came to the bank today at the drive-up with a golden retriever puppy named Sandy. Cute, but not very original.

Right now Aaron and I are arguing about who would have to teach our kids' science lessons. We would leave this responsibility up to me because... ?

I have a goal of running 4 times a week and studying for the GRE a little bit every day until I take it on March 7. It's coming up kind of soon!

Iowa is really beautiful. That's what I was thinking about as I was chasing the sunset on the dirt road surrounded by miles of crop fields. This is beautiful. I like Iowa, but I'm still struggling with the idea of Iowa. It just seems so midwestern, countryish, boring and corny. If I truly let myself like it here, I'm afraid I will be midwestern, countryish, boring and corny. Ick.

the morality of pop radio

you make me want to be brave

I wish christmas lasted forever. Specifically, I wish that Christmas music was on the radio year-round. Certainly everyone has heard "Santa Baby" five too many times, but I far prefer the overall moral quality of Christmas songs to the overall moral quality of regular pop radio songs.

There are about eight songs that play oovveerr and oovvvvvvver and oo-ooooooooovvvvvveeerrrrrr on the radio station at my job. I don't mean to sound like a total homeschooler or a mom about this, but I also can't believe this stuff comes out on the airwaves and that people who consider themselves to be "decent" actually listen to it.
1. Kid Rock's "All Summer Long"
It was 1989, my thoughts were short my hair was long
Caught somewhere between a boy and man
She was seventeen and she was far from in-between
It was summertime in Northern Michigan

And we were trying different things
We were smoking funny things
Making love out by the lake to our favorite song
Sipping whiskey out the bottle, not thinking 'bout tomorrow
Singing "sweet home Alabama" all summer long

Um... MY SISTER is seventeen and I am SO NOT OKAY thinking about some long-haired perv trying different things, smoking funny things, sipping whiskey out of the bottle and ...making love out by the lake with someone like her. I believe that is against the law. Or at least it should be.

2. Pink "So What"
Lyrics:
I guess I just lost my husband
I don't know where he went
So I'm gonna drink my money
I'm not gonna pay his rent(nope)
I got a brand new attitude
And I'm gonna wear it tongiht
I'm gonna get in trouble
I wanna start a fight

Divorce, spite, financial irresponsibility and bar fights. Great.

3. Saving Abel's "Addicted"
Lyrics - reader discretion advised.
I'm so addicted to
All the things you do
When you're going down on me (edited version: When you roll around with me)
In between the sheets
Or the sound you make
With every breath you take
It's unlike anything
When you're loving me

So now we have porn on the radio?!

4. Katy Perry "I kissed a girl"

Ya know, homosexuality.

5. T.I. "Whatever you like"

These lyrics are way too graphic to put on this blog - even compared to the stuff on song number 3.

And to take a break from the immorality, there's also lots of Taylor Swift and Britney Spears, whose latest song is also less-than-okay for more conscientious listeners. I would prefer Santa Baby or the even more annoying "Christmas in Iowa" song to any of these. Even better if it's a true christmas carol, so we can sneak in singing about Jesus.