Andrea is Leaving Me for Europe

Yes it’s true, Andrea, my sister-in-law (and blogging partner) along with her husband, my brother, just recently left the comforts of home to head out into the great unknown that is Europe. For THREE months. I haven’t really decided yet how I’m going to cope with not having them in my life until June, and also with the insane jealousy I feel towards them for the opportunity.   But I wish Andrea and Caleb an abundant and life-changing time on their travels. My only prayer (and I say this with nothing but love) is that they do not return more Obama-loving and socialistic than they already are. Heeheehee. Anyways, you can follow their adventure vicariously here.  Andrea and Caleb, I love you both so much. Please come home safe. I’ll need someone to argue with soon.

-Johanna

Abstinence Education…WORKS?

At least in delaying teen sexual activity. The study comes after Obama cut funding from the abstinence-only education early last year.   Of course pro-abstinence advocates have been touting data like this for years. From the Washington Post:

Sex education classes that focus on encouraging children to remain abstinent can persuade a significant proportion to delay sexual activity, researchers reported Monday in a landmark study that could have major implications for U.S. efforts to protect young people against unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

The “landmark study” was conducted in both 6th and 7th graders, and found that 2/3 of the children receiving abstinence ed waited longer to become sexually active where as half of the 11-13 year olds attending “other classes” became sexually active.  Who’d a thunk it?

I mean, who in their right mind would have ever thought that if we told our young children NOT to have sex, as opposed to giving them condoms and practically saying, “have at it kiddies,” it might actually delay their sexual behavior… and pregnancies… and sexually transmitted diseases.

Now I don’t have kids yet, but if given the choice I would much rather them hear this: (Psst, I know its Zac Efron and 17 Again, but still!)

than this:

*Sigh.* I guess I’m just an old fuddy-duddy after all.

-Johanna

Palin and the “R-word”

I can’t do it any better than Lewis Black:

Vodpod videos no longer available.

R-word aside, what’s most interesting about this debate is how Limbaugh said something against FoxNews corespondent Sarah Palin, essentially ridiculing her for making this such a big deal. What will this mean to the right, who love them some Palin and Limbaugh? More division. Exactly what the party needs.

Apparently There are Such Things as Demon Sheep

Carly Fiorina is a RINO running for Senate in CA.

Last night she released this ad which does actually include *demon sheep* which you most certainly MUST watch.

No, this is not a joke. Yes, it is a real live ad. Yes, those really are red eyes.  Yes,  it has to be the worst idea in the history of campaign ads. And no, Fiorina doesn’t regret it. Is she trying to lose? The only positive,  is that the ad has gotten quite a bit of press, even if though most of it has been b-a-a-a-a-d. (Forgive me!)

We have had a lot of fun with it on Twitter though. From CNN:

Twitter has also been buzzing with chatter about the new Fiorina video since its release Wednesday. The Twitter hashtag “#demonsheep” is currently a trending topic for Washington, D.C.-based tweets, according to the site. And a Twitter account called @demonsheep has been set up and currently has roughly 800 followers.

-Johanna

PS: h/t Leon Wolf

PPS: Here’s some more fun with Carly’s ad:

Jim Treacher is Welcomed to Washington, the Hard Way

One of my very favorite bloggers, well besides this guy, was involved in a hit and run last night. Jim Treacher of the DC Trawler, was crossing the street when a government vehicle slammed into him and then DROVE OFF! Sheesh, Treacher has only been in Washington a month and already *they* are trying to kill him. I can’t believe he could piss Washington off so fast. Crybabies. Anyway, you can read all about it in Jim Treacher’s own words here. And here’s to wishing Mr. Treacher a speedy recovery and revenge.

-Johanna

PS. Here’s the latest update.

Groundhog Day?

Is anyone else wondering how on earth we began the tradition of pulling a groundhog out of his hole and predicting future on whether the thing sees its shadow or not?

According to the official Web site of Phil the hedgehog:

The groundhog tradition stems from similar beliefs associated with Candlemas Day and the days of early Christians in Europe, and for centuries the custom was to have the clergy bless candles and distribute them to the people. Even then, it marked a milestone in the winter and the weather that day was important.

According to an old English song:

If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Come, Winter, have another flight;
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Go Winter, and come not again.

Weather, sort of explained, but what about pulling vermin out of the ground? National Geographic answers that one:

Legend has it that the Romans also believed that conditions during the first days of February were good predictors of future weather, but the empire looked to hedgehogs for their forecasts.

These two traditions melded in Germany, and was brought over to the United States by German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania. Lacking hedgehogs, the German settlers substituted native groundhogs in the ritual, and Groundhog Day was born.

So there you have it folks, Goundhog Day, the weirdest holiday celebrated in America.

My “Antidote to this Pernicious Indoctrination into Neurosis”

 Thanks to Dan for the inspiration. 

I googled *dating advice for men* specifically, and it returned 18 million different sites dealing with this issue alone. Good grief, how did things get so fracking complicated? All these rules: be yourself, but not if your *different.* Ask her out, but use this script we provide. Keep it simple just complicates things even more. Make her feel pretty, but don’t stare at her breasts, or legs, or anywhere but her eyes, and on and on, ad infinitum. I don’t know about you, but even as a female, I see all these rules for men to follow, and it’s enough to give me indigestion. How does anyone manage to get together these days with all this madness?

I understand this is the culture we have created, and it poisons both sexes. Even though it’s been a while since I’ve been out there, I remember all too well some of the horrors of dating. So the only anitidote I can think of to give a man is this, ignore all that shit and go it alone. I am convinced you can figure it out by yourself, no matter how “socially challenged” you are.  Do you really need AskMen.com to spell it all out for you?  Now I’m  sure there will be mistakes along the way, and probably rejection. God knows, no one is perfect. But if there is a lady out there for you, it will happen, and get this, without the 18 million pages of rules, advice, and tips. Amazing right?

 Oh yeah, and just one more thing, if I wear a low-cut form-fitting dress it’s BECAUSE I want you to check out my cleavage, dammit.  So there’s that.

-Johanna

Cross-posted at POWIP

Oscar Nominee Predictions for 2010

by Andrea Burke

Let’s see how well I can do with this. Someone keep score.

This year, The Academy is nominating 10 films which I think is a heinous idea, but whatever. The decision has been made. And the nominees will be announced tomorrow. So here goes my best guess for the 10 movies that will be nominated. I’ve also included if directors/actors/etc will be nominated from said movie.

1. The Hurt Locker. Kathryn Bigelow, best director. Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie deserve acting nominations, best actor and best supporting actor respetively.

2. Up in the Air. Note: This movie got big early buzz, and I think its too bad some of it has died out. It deserves it. Jason Reitman, best director, best original screeplay. George Clooney, Best Actor, Vera Famiga and Anna Kenrick, both will be up for Best Supporting Actress

3. Avatar. James Cameron, best director. I’m guess it will win all the nerdy special effects/tech awards too, whatever they are called.

4. Up. Its animated, but it’s great. Best Original Screenplay, Best Animated Film. And if Randy Newman wrote another song (I can’t remember), it’ll get nominated.

5. Inglourious Basterds. Tarantino, for directing and best original screenplay. Christoph Waltz will not only be nominated, but take home the Oscar for best supporting actor. I’m calling it. OH AND he’ll give a terrible acceptance speech.You can bet your life on it.

6. Crazy Heart. Jeff Bridges, best actor.

7. Precious. another win prediction goes to Monique for best supporting actress. Gaby Sidibe, best actress.

8. (500) Days of Summer. This is not a shoe-in. It’s my out-on-a-limb one, but c’mon, they should nominate this excellent movie!

For the last two, it’s a toss up, I would say Invictus and Julie and Julia have a good chance of getting in there, as does An Eduation. And as a fan, I think Fantastic Mr. Fox should be a nominee.

I’ll call it all again before the acual awards, but let me say now, if Avatar wins it’s a crying shame.