9/30/2008 04:33:00 PM - Posted by dmaismith - 0 comments
"Main Street" Update

I asked a retired History/Government professor (my sister's father-in-law) to define Main Street America and this is his reply:

"The press uses the phrase "Main Street America" inaccurately now. It used to be that on "Main Street" of most towns you had the local businesses, banks. There were no malls, Wal-Marts, etc." These were mostly people who didn't have heavy investments in stocks, (especially Wall Street which has a negative connotation for most people because of the Great Depression). This is no longer true because when you walk down "Main Street" now, you don't have just local businesses. You have national and international chains. He also thinks the media did a disservice by labeling the efforts to get out of the financial mess we're in as a "Bail Out". No wonder most people are so opposed to it. No one likes the idea of bailing out someone or some corporation. It would be impossible to determine the exact origin of both these terms, but most likely, it was someone in the media."

I think the term is being used for "non-Main Street America" to appear in touch with the average American.


9/28/2008 10:08:00 PM - Posted by dmaismith - 0 comments
Kissing

My husband claims dementia whenever I ask him about his experiences as a kid or in high school. Tonight, I was reading a book where a 12 year old girl is tricked into a kiss by a 14 year old boy. I started thinking about first kisses and asked Russ when his first kiss was. Now, I've posed this question to him before but he becomes uncooperative, stating he doesn't understand why I'd care for all the details. I always have to explain that it's probably because I'm a female and think these stories are fun, all the while thinking,"I need to ask my mom about her first kiss. Maybe dad too."

After grilling him for details, I heard a different story tonight. Russ' first kiss was not at age 19 but was actually in the fifth grade. It was a girl named Natalie. He liked her and apparently she liked him back since she asked him to kiss her when they were alone by the fence on the playground. He said they were "together" for about a month but he never kissed her again. He did kiss girls in high school but only on the forehead--yes, I married a true gentleman.

I remember Becky C and I taking turns kissing Richard on the cheek while we sat against the wall at Santa's Secret Shop in the first grade. I was nervous but peer pressure gave me courage. My next kiss was like Russ' fifth grade one--a quickie on the lips--but at the end of tenth grade. Then the next was with a boyfriend my first year of college.

I think someone should publish a book of first kisses. First kisses of regular people. I take an unexplained delight in these stories--they're cute and sometimes a little romantic. Maybe a small book, like the ones you find in the Hallmark store that make good gifts for graduates, friends, or wives.

If a book like this has been published, can someone please let me know?


9/27/2008 12:07:00 PM - Posted by dmaismith - 1 comments
"Main Street America"

What is this phrase I just heard in the debate last night by John McCain? I'm sure it's been thrown around before this; I just haven't noticed it.

Has the phrase "the middle class" become derogatory or is it easier to consider "main street America" than the lowly "middle class" America? Is there an attempt here to seem fresh and hip by coining a new phrase?

As for the debate, in my mind Obama beat McCain. I may be biased because I've agreed with Obama on many issues as opposed to McCain. I've always like what Obama has said about the so-called war on terrorism.

I guess there are terrorists in many countries so we can just randomly select which one to invade at any given time. Was this what George W thought when he invaded Iraq on the coatstrings of 9/11? What was his agenda for invading Iraq? He obviously didn't care to find Bin Laden; that was just an excuse to appease the American people's desire for revenge for the events of 9/11. Otherwise he would have committed more to hunting down Al-Qaeda and not devoted the majority of military resources to Iraq, promoting the growth of this terrorist organization in our so-called allied country Pakistan and elsewhere.

I wonder if McCain will address some of the domestic issues as president or if he'll continue in the tradition of the current administration and pretend all is well in America.


9/22/2008 07:40:00 PM - Posted by dmaismith - 0 comments
Job Update

I knew when I didn't get the jobs I interviewed for at the end of this summer that there had to be a reason, and in the end this has proven true.

I'll be transferring to the main library the end of November to take on the teens who hang out and cause a ruckus. Apparently there are concerns with gangs hanging outside that are trying to "convert" preteens and tweens. Then there are the teens who hang out upstairs and drive the staff and other patrons nuts while they wait for their time on the Internet. I'll be assigned to an area downstairs so I'm unclear as to how I'm supposed to befriend and rein these kids in.

There will be many questions to answer and kinks to iron out but overall I'm pleased that I'll be able to work with the clientele I want to, will no longer have to balance being a manager with being a children's librarian, and will (hopefully) no longer be stressed with the multitude of children's programming throughout the system. And my current boss is moving to the same department as I am, which I was very pleased to hear. Once again my mother-in-law will have to be moved to a different division (as nepotism is a huge no-no) so hopefully she won't regret introducing me to her son since this will be the second time in a year that she has had to change divisions on account of me. (I for one have no regrets about her introducing me to her son :)


9/14/2008 12:11:00 AM - Posted by dmaismith - 0 comments
Floor Potato

Lately I've been a real couch potato. No gym for me. The last time I went was about 2 weeks ago and before that one time it had been a month. Regardless, my butt will remain flat because I watch TV sitting on the floor, where I have my cross-stitch supplies laid out in front of me--"Christmas is coming and the goose is getting fat....".

These are my top 5 TV shows, in random order.

1) Battlestar Galactica (2004): Unfortunately, there is only half a season left. Also, unfortunately we're stuck wondering what happened to Earth for the next 6 months because the season will resume in Jan 2009. This show is action packed, has a huge special effects budget, and the acting is alright. A must see for sci-fi junkies (although sci-fi junkies are probably already in the know). And for people who for whatever reason feel they must be loyal to the old Galatica--this one is soooooooooooo much better!

2) Bones (2005): Loosely based on the works of forensic anthropologist and writer Kathy Reichs, this show has suspense, good acting, and a little grossology. Plus, the show is very un-Hollywood so it's a little more original than the other forensic shows on the air.


3) Burn Notice (2007): I just started watching this one and love it! Even Russ seems to enjoy it. Wit, action, suspense, and great acting. And it's nice to see Bruce Campbell in a regular role again. And I have a little bit of a crush on the main character.

4) The Closer (2005): Another cop/detective show (a guilty pleasure). Also very un-Hollywood, with good acting and suspenseful episodes.
5) Supernatural (2005): Creepy yet often humorous. I can't wait for the season premier to see if Sam can rescue Dean.


9/08/2008 08:18:00 PM - Posted by dmaismith - 0 comments
La-la-la-la...
From the dew-soaked hedge creeps a crawly caterpillar,
When the dawn begins to crack.
It's all part of my autumn almanac.
Breeze blows leaves over, mostly coloured yellow,
So I sweep them in my sack.
Yes, yes, yes, it's my autumn almanac.
 ---"Autumn Almanac" The Kinks

Hubbie and I were walking around Michaels, weaving in and out of the aisles, which were laden with Halloween, Thanksgiving, and, yes, a teeny bit of Christmas decor. And then it hit me.
My favorite season is Autumn.
For the past two years I find myself depressed and refusing to be uplifted in the Spring. Summer is a zoo and way too hot. With Old Man Winter comes the cold, short days, and snow, which is really stressful to drive in, not to mention wet and cold to be out in.
And then there's Autumn.
While wandering around Michaels, I found myself full of hope (which I'd normally attribute to the symbolism of the Spring--renewal, rebirth, etc) and excitement for the Autumn holidays.
But most of all there is comfort and peace in the smells and warm tones of the season.

The scents of autumn
Nutmeg, pumpkin, cider, cinnamon
warm the body, soul.

The colors of fall
Gold, red, orange, and olive
are tranquility.