From my FB post today:
I think it is time I wrote about something ... something that might benefit others: Gender Reassignment & the Media. Seriously.
Since I declared myself a MALE to Pandora the experience is just so, well, more natural. Pleasant. No more cleaning product ads, no more incessant feminine product or hair goo ads. Now my Roxy Music & Janelle Monáe , with Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings for soulfull variety, stations are fabulous. There is a flooring sale at Home Depot, some cars sound cool ... brain exercise ads that my maleness would appreciate.
I recommend this switch Highly.
{Please don't take offense if gender reassignmnet is an issue you/your's face. This is meant to be only slightly serious ... and more about how the media markets to genders. Cool?}
22 April 2014
26 November 2013
Gratitude Attitude What~for.
Gratitude for the tea party solicitor who called today. Unwillingly he let me tell him why I support President Obama & the way he talks to hecklers & people who really disagree with him. Just before the TP bozo hung up he said, "do you won't be making a donation today?" Uhh, no.
10 January 2013
15 November 2012
Comment to NPR/comments re: CAPTIONS
NPR is working hard to make it accessible to the deaf. This is VERY COOL.
They are talking about ASL and Interpretations. They announced a live caption stream: http://captions.npr.org/captions/
Here is my comment for suggestions:
Make it Mobile! My children are deaf ages 12 and 8. I recently told my son about the NPR transcripts and he really liked reading one of the stories. He hates that I listen to the radio/podcasts so much. I LOVE radio. The biggest blow for me when he was born, and we learned that he is deaf, is that he wouldn't be able to hear/understand/enjoy the radio as I do.
They are talking about ASL and Interpretations. They announced a live caption stream: http://captions.npr.org/captions/
Here is my comment for suggestions:
Make it Mobile! My children are deaf ages 12 and 8. I recently told my son about the NPR transcripts and he really liked reading one of the stories. He hates that I listen to the radio/podcasts so much. I LOVE radio. The biggest blow for me when he was born, and we learned that he is deaf, is that he wouldn't be able to hear/understand/enjoy the radio as I do.
14 May 2012
G is for Grief for Ginger & C is for Celebration
Hello Dear Friends and Family,
This is a sad email.
Tonight [5/13/12] we put Ginger, our beloved +14 year old beagle, to sleep. This past week her kidneys and liver were rapidly shutting down, but her heart had a hard time letting go. We have too.
She couldn't move very well but continued to watch me in the yard, the house, upstairs. I wanted to give her space and some peace and yet wanted to stay with her as she has stayed close to me through happy times, illness and heart ache. The last two nights I spent a lot of time with her outside, where she wanted to be in the 43º mountain air. I don't know how she survived the cold, damp and breezy nights. It must have been hard on her. She returned to the house early Saturday morning only to go out again a few hours later. Dogs often leave their pack when they know it is their time. The bittersweet irony of our yard being more beautiful than ever: it made a heavenly place to try to convalesce. Each child quietly visited her, lay down next to her, sang to her, prayed for her, cried over her and gently pet her incredibly soft fur and velveteen ears.
Ginger was an unusually sweet, kind, smart, beautiful and patient friend. She was a one dog welcoming committee with a special howl, wag and dance routine. She was a natural vocal coach. I love that she perked up a bit tonight when I sang a beagle version (howl on the Oos) of "Tell Me Why." She was also exceptionally helpful cleaning the kitchen floor and somehow the table tops, even recently! In her prime she was a marvelous, tireless, and curious walking companion -- this last year she loved walking with Christopher almost every day. She helped raise S, K, J, N and M and has taught all of us many lessons of love, service, understanding and compassion. Today we learned about real pain and what a broken heart truly is.
When I was so busy this past year in the mornings I really missed her. I missed letting her out in all sorts of weather and missed her incredible enchanting eyes lovingly and patiently watching me as I made lunches. Many pieces of sliced turkey or chunks of tuna somehow fell off the counter onto the floor where Ginger enthusiastically cleaned them up. She could tell when I was going to work or going on a walk at -5:00 in the morning and lately chose to stay in her extra comfy bed on the floor by the head of my bed, preferring to wake up later with Christopher. Often I just wanted to be home to be with her, her sweetness and softness. The walks I wanted to go on with her were replaced by tandem naps ... I'd return home and flop onto my favorite chair, then she would jump onto her favorite chair, next to mine, I'd put on my eye shades and we'd both snooze. She has followed me everywhere for years, making a parade when the children were little: Mom + Child + Dog. She loved picking up the kids from school ... she always got "shotgun!" It was touching that she seemed very content in the family van this evening.
She is, and will be, sorely missed. C's and my grief is only compounded by looking at the children's faces at this time. Our memories are full of funny and sweet stories.
This has also been a beautiful time of being together, serving Ginger and each other, talking, holding on, singing hymns, praying and simply loving and remembering Ginger Muffin, our very generous furry sister. Spending time with close family and timely visits from Ginger's favorite people have helped us see connections within the bigger picture.
Today was also S's 20th birthday and Mother's Day -- Ssaid it best:
Today was a celebration of Life.
Many of you are Ginger's friends so I thought you would want to know. As our friends and family we appreciate your love and understanding.
Onward, with a heavy heart and lots of love,
Hailey
02 January 2012
N is for Nixing Netflix's Stream
In reply to ECP's FB post:
We went back to DVDs with Netflix for that reason. Did you know that kids can watch hours and hours and hours of Streaming Pokemon movies and insipid sitcoms that they never knew existed?! Adults can loose all control of kids and selves while hours of life are drained out of them on the altar of entertainment.
We went back to DVDs with Netflix for that reason. Did you know that kids can watch hours and hours and hours of Streaming Pokemon movies and insipid sitcoms that they never knew existed?! Adults can loose all control of kids and selves while hours of life are drained out of them on the altar of entertainment.
21 February 2011
H mouths off at the HuffPost
www.huffingtonpost.comWell, this is unfortunate. It appears that Huffington Post's newest "Hottest Freshman," Representative Kristi Noem (R-SD), is not elated by the accolade.
www.huffingtonpost.com
Well, this is unfortunate. It appears that Huffington Post's newest "Hottest Freshman," Representative Kristi Noem (R-SD), is not elated by the accolade.
06 February 2011
I get it. Really.
Hey JT, in NYC,
[Mid-life crisis] I get it. Really get it.
The other day this guy insulted the needle books that I'm trying to sell on ETSY (Ugh. Long story.) Suggested that I'd sell them for, what?, $5.00 each. I'm thinking +$30.
Then a b*tchmom at ballet asked me if my GRANDDAUGHTER was in the class. I looked pretty damn hep that day too. She was sloppy & preggo but I wasn't going to be so classless as to ask her when she was due. Then, when she found out that darling M is my DAUGHTER she crassly said, "So, tell me about M. What's THAT on her head?" Young idiot.
At a party for the Chinese New Year every single conversation descended into yet another laundry list of C's heath issues. I kept excusing myself, finally just waiting in the car, big day the next day.
On Thursday, coming home from the hospital with C, I saw a huge billboard advertising Blue Oyster Cult! They are playing Wendover, NV. I am NO fan of BOC, nor Wendover, but suddenly it seemed like a great idea. Just get me outta here!
The 40's are rough. That feeling of relentlessly putting one foot in front of the other is wearing on the bones and soul. Greatness though, is wasted on the young and also not exclusively theirs. Keep writing. Keep loving. Keep moving forward.
xoxo
H
Glad you liked the card. Would have liked to see you more while in UT.
[Mid-life crisis] I get it. Really get it.
The other day this guy insulted the needle books that I'm trying to sell on ETSY (Ugh. Long story.) Suggested that I'd sell them for, what?, $5.00 each. I'm thinking +$30.
Then a b*tchmom at ballet asked me if my GRANDDAUGHTER was in the class. I looked pretty damn hep that day too. She was sloppy & preggo but I wasn't going to be so classless as to ask her when she was due. Then, when she found out that darling M is my DAUGHTER she crassly said, "So, tell me about M. What's THAT on her head?" Young idiot.
At a party for the Chinese New Year every single conversation descended into yet another laundry list of C's heath issues. I kept excusing myself, finally just waiting in the car, big day the next day.
On Thursday, coming home from the hospital with C, I saw a huge billboard advertising Blue Oyster Cult! They are playing Wendover, NV. I am NO fan of BOC, nor Wendover, but suddenly it seemed like a great idea. Just get me outta here!
The 40's are rough. That feeling of relentlessly putting one foot in front of the other is wearing on the bones and soul. Greatness though, is wasted on the young and also not exclusively theirs. Keep writing. Keep loving. Keep moving forward.
xoxo
H
Glad you liked the card. Would have liked to see you more while in UT.
02 February 2011
RFH
Hi Richie, Kerry, Bill and Gina,
Last year I remember there was a ban on glitter on Valentines entered into the Mile High contest. Is that the same this year? The rules don't mention it but I don't want to get on RFH's bad side.
I like glitter, to put it mildly, but it is never loose and no confetti, ever. I'd love to win this contest yet more importantly I'd Love to make Radio From Hell valentines that you Love, and show my love and appreciation for the many sorely needed laughs you've given me this last year.
Tuesday's Boner #3, the German dork who tattooed his "mini", and Bill's delivery of the story, nearly killed us. Really! While driving to school I was laughing so hard when I looked at my sons' expressions in the rear view mirror and lost it! They are 15 and 13 and they had crooked facial paralysis; stuck in shock and laugh. Suddenly their stunned faces broke and we all busted up ... I slowed down, though should have pulled over, to sop up the tears of laughter. Thanks!
--- Perhaps RFH needs yet another warning/disclaimer? Simmons takes no responsibility for any real or implied opinion, humor or creativity, RFH is not intended for children, and RFH assumes no responsibility for impaired driving caused by excessive laughter.
Valentimely hugs & squishes,
Keep up the great work!
Hailey
A fan in Lindon
25 January 2011
Disney style princesses on/in everything from toothbrushes to elaborate festivals, isn't helpful for a young girl's concept of femininity. Girls who are showered with princess hullabaloo are more shallow, dress too mature for their age, are less athletic and less creative and often the more rude. They act as if they are entitled to what ever their heart desires & shouldn't have to work. I see this with my 7 year old & her sweet, cute & funny chums -- not handmaidens!! (Somehow we haven't gotten around to watching Cinderella with her.) Being feminine is powerful. I feel that the princess movement negates a lot of our strength.
17 December 2010
Wow. Cochlear implants in children are a "pipe dream" for success? From personal experience (my two youngest children are deaf & have cochlear implants) I Know that is completely biased, out of date and simply wrong. Radio West really needs to cover the other side of that issue. May I suggest you invite Dr. Karl White, Dr. Cache Pitt at USU's Sound Beginnings on Radio West? Another point of view would be from Utah's own Signing Time creator/presenter Rachel Coleman. Hmmm, how about even hearing parents of deaf children?
We love and use sign language but it is only one language ... That is why we are hoping to raise happy, productive, multilingual children.
Thanks for the show. Deafness, as a disability, doesn't get very much attention.
We love and use sign language but it is only one language ... That is why we are hoping to raise happy, productive, multilingual children.
Thanks for the show. Deafness, as a disability, doesn't get very much attention.
31 October 2010
Tomorrow & Today
1stly: Tomorrow N has surgery for his second implant, bilateral. We leave our house at 4:30 in the morning.
The doctor, the doctor's office and the hospital haven't really told us anything to expect. This is disappointing. I've been reading things online, some is very out of date. Sigh.
2 Facebook comments I left at 2 different places:
Andrew, you are right. On my list of things I don't get: why DO (many) women run around 90% naked. If it is that comfortable why don't men, aside from legal restraints, do it too? AND! Why would there be the double standard legally for men? Must be like TV and politics ... men must be in suits, big, pasty & nasty while women have to be rail thin, in tight suits, and have (usually long) hair, show legs, and feign sweet bitterness.
RE: Rally to Restore Sanity:
--> "Hard times and not end times."
AND! I love that Tony Bennett sang. This is the team I want to be on. Let's make America better, not just bitter. And, let's laugh a little on the way.
27 October 2010
H is for Happiness is ...
tie dye
clay
clean house
friends' phone calls (maybe too many)
24 October 2010
05 October 2010
A FB post from H to STurley
re: General Conference & BKPacker's remarks re: same-sex marriage.
I really do Love conference. In many ways it is the best that the church offers. B.K. Packer, G. Von Harrison, McConkie and even E.T. Benson's views of/approach to the Gospel, this life, other people, and maybe even JC, differ from mine. {{No, I have no idea how I got stuck in Utah Co.--there are some mighty cool people here though.}}
I really do Love conference. In many ways it is the best that the church offers. B.K. Packer, G. Von Harrison, McConkie and even E.T. Benson's views of/approach to the Gospel, this life, other people, and maybe even JC, differ from mine. {{No, I have no idea how I got stuck in Utah Co.--there are some mighty cool people here though.}}
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