w00t w00t booyah

If you haven't discussed e_moon60's recent jogging with both feet in mouth, popelizbet has a lovely post today on the item, with additional awesome contributed by yuki_onna, to wit: an entirely Arabic/Muslim issue of Apex is on the way. Normally, I would have an eyebrow cocked at anything that excludes so decisvely as this does, without the editor taking a step or two back as well (let's face it, you're defining who CAN submit by ethnicity/religion here) - and maybe I have - but part of me is so thirsty for this, I'm looking forward to seeing it happen.

There's a passage in the Qur'an that warns its faithful about how the Jews and Christians can't decide amongst themselves what parts of their Bible are to be truly holy or not, so don't pay them much heed in such matters, and not to emulate them. I hope someone takes that up and runs with it.

(What, I got a copy of it after 9/11 and read some of it. You didn't? There's a group that gives them away every year at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books - free. No excuse here.)

BTW, Elizabeth Moon will be addressed as Pookie Moon - just like every Elizabeth in my aquaintance - yes, even you - as I hear my anime friends snickering into their lattes. My friends, my DEAR friends - I have two nieces who bear that name, my older sister has it, one of my grandmothers had it and at the time I last counted, there were over twenty female relatives who bear the name Elizabeth in SOME form. Me? I got Elaine and until I have a daughter, I will be the only one EVER to claim it. I can be angry and insulted, or I can be amusing and nutty. I choose the latter. Pookie Moon is not being singled out for special treatment and I expect her to do what every other Elizabeth has done - assimilate. Let's see what she thinks of that. If it ever has any bearing, of course, which is doubtful.

My experience with mezuzas started with Cedars-Sinai, which has one outside every patient room and once I was taught the respectful way to use one, I've kissed my fingertips and touched them to the device each time before entering the room. I always thought it was a lovely tradition, saw nothing wrong with observing it in deed as well as spirit and if that's cultural appropriation, guilty as charged. I love them. And no, my house does not have one yet. I may think they are cool and wonderful, but I'm not brash enough to assume I can obtain one on my own. Like tarot decks and sake serviceware, these things should be gifted, neh? When one appears, that will be when my house has one.

happy_trekmas. Someone talk me out of this. Worse, help me talk Jim out of this. 9_9

Pie. Pie gooooood. Want pie now.

Wil Wheaton, John Scalzi and Subterranean Press are proud to announce the publication of Clash of the Geeks, a special and fantastical electronic chapbook featuring stories by Wheaton, Scalzi, New York Times bestseller Patrick Rothfuss, Norton Award winner and Hugo Best Novel nominee Catherynne M. Valente, Hugo and Nebula Award nominee Rachel Swirsky and others, for the benefit of the Michigan/Indiana affiliate of the Lupus Alliance of America. The chapbook is free to download, but voluntary payment is strongly encouraged, via Paypal or by tax-deductible donation forms, both linked to later in this entry. All proceeds from this chapbook will go to the Michigan/Indiana affiliate of the Lupus Alliance of America. Please enjoy the stories, link your friends to this page — and give! This is me, chortling happily in the corner - as soon as I can find the bucks, I'll be right there.

Ah yes, the bucks. Who the bleep gives live goldfish away at children's birthday parties as party favors? Yes, yes, they sent me home with a bowl with some gravel in it and a wee bit of food too. Just enough to let the poor wee thing suffocate or be poisoned by chlorinated water the first time it was taken out of the plastic bag (from PETCO AUGH). Kid had it named before we got home with it, so yeah. So not ready for goldfish funerals, guys. I'M NOT DOING IT.

So I'm now the owner (proud, not on your life) of a five-gallon aquariaum and a very scared little goldfish by the name of Fish Boy. PetSmart sold me a $10 airpump to keep him going in the 'traditional' goldfish bowl overnight - he moves into his permanent digs tonight when I get home from work. If the cats didn't discover and snack on him, of course. They didn't yesterday or overnight, so I have hope. I don't know much about the really TOUGH kinds of aquariums, but I do know enough to squick about suffocation in a glorified mason jar.

After spending the day before at the Wild Animal Park in San Diego, mind you. I think I was more than a little tenderized. I'm going to have a hard time explaining to kid why any animal is in a cage 24/7, to be blunt.

So Wil Wheaton and John Scalzi are going to have to wait. Goldfish ate my lunch money.

dracowayfarer went with us Saturday, and took many pictures - right now, we know where the video camera is, but not the still camera. Ugh twice, but there you go. I swear, kid was going to jump out of his skin the first time he saw birds that were not seagulls, sparrows or crows. MOMMYMOMMYMOMMYTHATBIRDHASAREDHEADANDANDAND.... The mammals, yes that's nice - but. BIRDS MOMMY! BIRDS!

We got close enough to a cheetah to smell her. And lions close enough to use them as counting lessons. "How many of them have a bone in their mouth?"

Weather perfect.

Also, San Diego? WTF? One, put the damn phone down if you're going to drive 80 MPH in the slow lane with all your friends, okay? And two, if I'm occupying your screaming child in the mall because you're tired of doing it? You might acknowledge me when I address YOU, not just the fellow yuppie scum who praises your choice in strollers. I'm throwing you a bone, dude. I've got one of those - and yours is pretty awesome too, but I suspect she's more fun when she's not recreating the Exorcist in this year's faboo kiddywagon. Just saying.

Feel like I went to Florida, somewhat.

Went to church Sunday, and the centerfold was about my denomination's efforts to fight Wage Theft (people not getting paid minimum wage, overtime or the like) through three different faith-based justice groups. And the reading was from Luke 16:1-14, which was welcome in the light that in today's CW, you only hear about Christianity in terms of teh gay, teh babies or teh rich peoples telling you what to do, because they rich. Not so much. I love my church. And the best part was how much kid enjoyed it as well and absolutely looked forward to it. For an experience that requires a lot of compliance on his part? That's saying something. And the congregation loves him too - this is a total win.

I'm tired, but it's a good tired. I'll take it.

If you haven't discussed e_moon60's recent jogging with both feet in mouth, popelizbet has a lovely post today on the item, with additional awesome contributed by yuki_onna, to wit: an entirely Arabic/Muslim issue of Apex is on the way. Normally, I would have an eyebrow cocked at anything that excludes so decisvely as this does, without the editor taking a step or two back as well (let's face it, you're defining who CAN submit by ethnicity/religion here) - and maybe I have - but part of me is so thirsty for this, I'm looking forward to seeing it happen.

There's a passage in the Qur'an that warns its faithful about how the Jews and Christians can't decide amongst themselves what parts of their Bible are to be truly holy or not, so don't pay them much heed in such matters, and not to emulate them. I hope someone takes that up and runs with it.

(What, I got a copy of it after 9/11 and read some of it. You didn't? There's a group that gives them away every year at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books - free. No excuse here.)

BTW, Elizabeth Moon will be addressed as Pookie Moon - just like every Elizabeth in my aquaintance - yes, even you - as I hear my anime friends snickering into their lattes. My friends, my DEAR friends - I have two nieces who bear that name, my older sister has it, one of my grandmothers had it and at the time I last counted, there were over twenty female relatives who bear the name Elizabeth in SOME form. Me? I got Elaine and until I have a daughter, I will be the only one EVER to claim it. I can be angry and insulted, or I can be amusing and nutty. I choose the latter. Pookie Moon is not being singled out for special treatment and I expect her to do what every other Elizabeth has done - assimilate. Let's see what she thinks of that. If it ever has any bearing, of course, which is doubtful.

My experience with mezuzas started with Cedars-Sinai, which has one outside every patient room and once I was taught the respectful way to use one, I've kissed my fingertips and touched them to the device each time before entering the room. I always thought it was a lovely tradition, saw nothing wrong with observing it in deed as well as spirit and if that's cultural appropriation, guilty as charged. I love them. And no, my house does not have one yet. I may think they are cool and wonderful, but I'm not brash enough to assume I can obtain one on my own. Like tarot decks and sake serviceware, these things should be gifted, neh? When one appears, that will be when my house has one.

happy_trekmas. Someone talk me out of this. Worse, help me talk Jim out of this. 9_9

Pie. Pie gooooood. Want pie now.

Wil Wheaton, John Scalzi and Subterranean Press are proud to announce the publication of Clash of the Geeks, a special and fantastical electronic chapbook featuring stories by Wheaton, Scalzi, New York Times bestseller Patrick Rothfuss, Norton Award winner and Hugo Best Novel nominee Catherynne M. Valente, Hugo and Nebula Award nominee Rachel Swirsky and others, for the benefit of the Michigan/Indiana affiliate of the Lupus Alliance of America. The chapbook is free to download, but voluntary payment is strongly encouraged, via Paypal or by tax-deductible donation forms, both linked to later in this entry. All proceeds from this chapbook will go to the Michigan/Indiana affiliate of the Lupus Alliance of America. Please enjoy the stories, link your friends to this page — and give! This is me, chortling happily in the corner - as soon as I can find the bucks, I'll be right there.

Ah yes, the bucks. Who the bleep gives live goldfish away at children's birthday parties as party favors? Yes, yes, they sent me home with a bowl with some gravel in it and a wee bit of food too. Just enough to let the poor wee thing suffocate or be poisoned by chlorinated water the first time it was taken out of the plastic bag (from PETCO AUGH). Kid had it named before we got home with it, so yeah. So not ready for goldfish funerals, guys. I'M NOT DOING IT.

So I'm now the owner (proud, not on your life) of a five-gallon aquariaum and a very scared little goldfish by the name of Fish Boy. PetSmart sold me a $10 airpump to keep him going in the 'traditional' goldfish bowl overnight - he moves into his permanent digs tonight when I get home from work. If the cats didn't discover and snack on him, of course. They didn't yesterday or overnight, so I have hope. I don't know much about the really TOUGH kinds of aquariums, but I do know enough to squick about suffocation in a glorified mason jar.

After spending the day before at the Wild Animal Park in San Diego, mind you. I think I was more than a little tenderized. I'm going to have a hard time explaining to kid why any animal is in a cage 24/7, to be blunt.

So Wil Wheaton and John Scalzi are going to have to wait. Goldfish ate my lunch money.

dracowayfarer went with us Saturday, and took many pictures - right now, we know where the video camera is, but not the still camera. Ugh twice, but there you go. I swear, kid was going to jump out of his skin the first time he saw birds that were not seagulls, sparrows or crows. MOMMYMOMMYMOMMYTHATBIRDHASAREDHEADANDANDAND.... The mammals, yes that's nice - but. BIRDS MOMMY! BIRDS!

We got close enough to a cheetah to smell her. And lions close enough to use them as counting lessons. "How many of them have a bone in their mouth?"

Weather perfect.

Also, San Diego? WTF? One, put the damn phone down if you're going to drive 80 MPH in the slow lane with all your friends, okay? And two, if I'm occupying your screaming child in the mall because you're tired of doing it? You might acknowledge me when I address YOU, not just the fellow yuppie scum who praises your choice in strollers. I'm throwing you a bone, dude. I've got one of those - and yours is pretty awesome too, but I suspect she's more fun when she's not recreating the Exorcist in this year's faboo kiddywagon. Just saying.

Feel like I went to Florida, somewhat.

Went to church Sunday, and the centerfold was about my denomination's efforts to fight Wage Theft (people not getting paid minimum wage, overtime or the like) through three different faith-based justice groups. And the reading was from Luke 16:1-14, which was welcome in the light that in today's CW, you only hear about Christianity in terms of teh gay, teh babies or teh rich peoples telling you what to do, because they rich. Not so much. I love my church. And the best part was how much kid enjoyed it as well and absolutely looked forward to it. For an experience that requires a lot of compliance on his part? That's saying something. And the congregation loves him too - this is a total win.

I'm tired, but it's a good tired. I'll take it.

"Being right is not as important as doing the right thing."

(My immediate snark is that if you are doing anything, you'd better be sure you're right beforehand, but that's for another day.)

Always do your best.
If you make a mess, clean it up.
And always, always, ALWAYS be aware of your impact on others.

(And blaming the victim is big bad joo-joo and full of what.)

On 'The Princess & the Frog' -

NK: How did you feel about Tiana being a frog for so much of the film?

AP: I think that critique is utter bullshit.

I love this blog so much it hurts. In a good way.

On 'The Princess & the Frog' -

NK: How did you feel about Tiana being a frog for so much of the film?

AP: I think that critique is utter bullshit.

I love this blog so much it hurts. In a good way.

The family of the alleged Fort Hood military base shooter held his mother's funeral at the same mosque that two Sept. 11 hijackers attended in 2001, at a time when a radical imam preached there.

I think this says much more about the expectations of church attendence right now than anything of substance.

Like, you only attend with people of your own political leanings and all that, and don't question them.

And people who attend on a regular basis are nuts, anyway.

...

I can count the number of mosques I know of on less than two hands, and I'm in Los Angeles.

I seriously doubt they are swimming in them in Virginia to the point where if you're devout, you have much choice about where you can participate and with who.

And I've said something about being poked with privilege sticks already.

Just, tuck it away. Food for thought, that kind of thing.

Whole house is snuffly now. Tell my boys to keep their fingers out of their mouths, yes I do. Now, both of them have colds - I think. Could still be allergies, but my money is on URI - transmission method shared. They've spent a lot more time together than I have as of late, so wherever they picked it up - they did at the same time.

Xander does NOT like me telling him - and reinforcing with a tap on the paw at times - to keep from nibbling, biting or sucking on fingertips. And if the shoes are off, and the fingers are sore - you got it. Even that got a 'OH HELL NO' from Jim.

This was present from the beginning, and since it is a clear sign of self-soothing, did nothing to curb it for the first month. Now, it's the first boundary being set. You need to keep your fingers out of your mouth.

Oh, such a mean Mommy. I also make you eat your breakfast and stop watching television. If you won't settle yourself to sleep, I swaddle and rock you until you drop off, too. AWFUL.

My last dose of antibiotics was this morning, and I'm not done - improved, but not done. I see a trip to urgent care for the entire family tonight.

Los Angeles Times Festival of Books was lean and mean, and it showed. No color-coded pennants flagging routes overhead (oh dear, they were missed), and I had one panel that was at least 33% overbooked for the facility it was in. (Turn away over 90 people - oh, I was not liking that one bit.) I need to drop an email with some more thoughts - to be blunt, I am happy we had an event at all, considering, and I said as much to people who asked 'why the cuts?' Keep it possible for us to have another one economy, k thanx bye.

The Mrs. Meyers Clean Day soap people had the best booth of the day, right next to Dodd Hall - HUGE bottle of soap, free samples, sign up for email goodies...and super people working there. WIN.

Air America was across the way - and the Ron Paul people crashed the event, brought placards and squatted under the trees. Welcome to UCLA. (They also did it across the way from the New Age Spirituality booths, which amused me as well. Want to be seen as a group of entitled, pinhead brats? Yeah, that.) People watching. Gotta love it.

Sunburned my arms and a bit of my face. The Fair's artwork/theme this year was done by Eric Carle, who illustrated the Hungry Hungry Catepillar, so my thank you present? Is a mug with the caterpillar on it - reading a book. WIN AGAIN.

I would have preferred the volunteer shirt - it is screaming pumpkin orange with yellow print on it that says 'BOOKS RULE' - the Bookworms (me) got a maroon t-shirt with a small logo on it that will go very well with the old Fanime ballcap from the year we did Security for them.

I *did* get to see Stephen Cannell, as he went in to the panel - and I have aged better. (Did get to say Good Morning, but he didn't look left or right, which is acceptable as you are rushed into the building, through the ticket lines. WRONG - and another thing for the email.) He's even gotten smaller (shorter?), thin and worn-looking. Hell, it's been 21 years. I'm still proud as hell of him for becoming a novelist - he's dyslexic almost to the point of illiterate, did you know that? And he *still* went into writing as a profession.

And that was about the entire fair for me. I did try to jump out and catch a few booths, but it was so packed and the booths near Dodd didn't have anything I needed, so nothing was purchased. Never did get near the Food Stage, or any of that - and the booths near the kids stage had *nothing* for Xander.

I was so tired I forgot about Pico Iyer. But it was a good tired.

Went home, found Jim about ready to hang kid from the rafters - suggested Chinese buffet and that was all win. Except for a kid who has decided it's okay to push us on 'I'm playing, not eating now that it's time and there's food in front of me.' Did I mention I'm a MEAN mommy?

Playing was okay until he started choking on what he had in his mouth - now, it's off the list. UH, three year old? And once he gets it that Mom's Serious, he eats just fine for me. He may need a little help putting it on the fork, but from there - all good.

The staff there must have all been Taiwanese (or nearly so) - they thought Xander was the best thing they'd seen all day, complimented us, complimented him and spoiled him rotten. Girl magnet.

Which is a nice way to introduce this little bit - has anyone else seen the Newsweek article about transracial adoption - done from the perspective of POC Parents/White Child?

As Yale historian Matthew Frye Jacobson has asked: "Why is it that in the United States, a white woman can have black children but a black woman cannot have white children?"

That question hit home for the Ridings in 2003, when Terri's mother, Phyllis Smith, agreed to take in Katie, then 3, on a temporary basis. A retired social worker, Phyllis had long been giving needy children a home—and Katie was one of the hardest cases. The child of a local prostitute, her toddler tantrums were so disturbing that foster families simply refused to keep her. Twelve homes later, Katie was still being passed around. Phyllis was in many ways an unlikely savior.

Twelve homes before she was Xander's age. Yeah, my temper would be 'disturbing' too by then.

Having been working this subject for over five years, I know those families are out there - this is not the only one, but it's entirely true that the ratio against POC Parents/White Children is rare, uncommon and so on. Frankly, I'm delighted to see this. It's a gimme with folks who claim that transracial adoption is just another priviledge grab (Co-opt my culture, take my kids, take it ALL, and then toss it in the trash when you get tired of it being 'strange'), and for some cultures? There's a real expectation some of the race priviledge will rub off. And that makes it okay - not that the kids need homes, this is a lucky situation because you get 'better' parents (ie, white) this way.

It feeds into the whole 'be grateful' mentality - and what I think of THAT isn't printable.

The truth is, kids need homes with good parents. And both sides come in all colors. Why make it even harder to get the kids mated up with parents by trying to match them like socks? (Think of it. But when it's clearly NOT HAPPENING, do what these guys did. Drop it.)

It's pointless to try to hide the adoption, guys.

Thinking about it, we got plenty of race training in all parts of our education provided by both DCFS and Heartsent - if it's banned, I wouldn't have known it. Heartsent, in addition - urged us to join Families with Children from China, and that group is ALL about integrating, celebrating and educating with regards to race and culture. We listen to the Korean adoptees, because they have a lot to say about what To Do and what NOT To Do. (You've heard about 'Adopted: The Move?' 'Daughter From Danang? (Vietnam Baby Airlift)' ?)

The magazine also has a nice piece that warms my heart - if you know me, it's obvious why.

Dillon is marching with a group called Catholics United who carry a banner that says: "CONGRESS: SUPPORT PREGNANT WOMEN AND REDUCE ABORTIONS NOW!" This is the first time that Dillon has seen any mention of abortion reduction; the battle has always been about Roe and bans. "We need to start thinking in practical terms: what can we do now to reduce abortions?" she says. "And I think that is very pro-life, if we can lower the numbers," she says.

Heresy. It just isn't as much fun to work at reducing numbers instead of getting together with your friends and hating on implied abortionists (those who know you can't keep a woman from having an abortion, you can only try to make it possible for her to chose NOT to have one). I'm old enough to remember - and had a mother in nursing, a father in pharmacy - years before Roe. Abortions were NOT stopped because it was illegal. Work at something that actually WORKS, k thanx bye (again).

Supporting women. What a concept. *eyeroll*

Your Monday, now in progress.

Whole house is snuffly now. Tell my boys to keep their fingers out of their mouths, yes I do. Now, both of them have colds - I think. Could still be allergies, but my money is on URI - transmission method shared. They've spent a lot more time together than I have as of late, so wherever they picked it up - they did at the same time.

Xander does NOT like me telling him - and reinforcing with a tap on the paw at times - to keep from nibbling, biting or sucking on fingertips. And if the shoes are off, and the fingers are sore - you got it. Even that got a 'OH HELL NO' from Jim.

This was present from the beginning, and since it is a clear sign of self-soothing, did nothing to curb it for the first month. Now, it's the first boundary being set. You need to keep your fingers out of your mouth.

Oh, such a mean Mommy. I also make you eat your breakfast and stop watching television. If you won't settle yourself to sleep, I swaddle and rock you until you drop off, too. AWFUL.

My last dose of antibiotics was this morning, and I'm not done - improved, but not done. I see a trip to urgent care for the entire family tonight.

Los Angeles Times Festival of Books was lean and mean, and it showed. No color-coded pennants flagging routes overhead (oh dear, they were missed), and I had one panel that was at least 33% overbooked for the facility it was in. (Turn away over 90 people - oh, I was not liking that one bit.) I need to drop an email with some more thoughts - to be blunt, I am happy we had an event at all, considering, and I said as much to people who asked 'why the cuts?' Keep it possible for us to have another one economy, k thanx bye.

The Mrs. Meyers Clean Day soap people had the best booth of the day, right next to Dodd Hall - HUGE bottle of soap, free samples, sign up for email goodies...and super people working there. WIN.

Air America was across the way - and the Ron Paul people crashed the event, brought placards and squatted under the trees. Welcome to UCLA. (They also did it across the way from the New Age Spirituality booths, which amused me as well. Want to be seen as a group of entitled, pinhead brats? Yeah, that.) People watching. Gotta love it.

Sunburned my arms and a bit of my face. The Fair's artwork/theme this year was done by Eric Carle, who illustrated the Hungry Hungry Catepillar, so my thank you present? Is a mug with the caterpillar on it - reading a book. WIN AGAIN.

I would have preferred the volunteer shirt - it is screaming pumpkin orange with yellow print on it that says 'BOOKS RULE' - the Bookworms (me) got a maroon t-shirt with a small logo on it that will go very well with the old Fanime ballcap from the year we did Security for them.

I *did* get to see Stephen Cannell, as he went in to the panel - and I have aged better. (Did get to say Good Morning, but he didn't look left or right, which is acceptable as you are rushed into the building, through the ticket lines. WRONG - and another thing for the email.) He's even gotten smaller (shorter?), thin and worn-looking. Hell, it's been 21 years. I'm still proud as hell of him for becoming a novelist - he's dyslexic almost to the point of illiterate, did you know that? And he *still* went into writing as a profession.

And that was about the entire fair for me. I did try to jump out and catch a few booths, but it was so packed and the booths near Dodd didn't have anything I needed, so nothing was purchased. Never did get near the Food Stage, or any of that - and the booths near the kids stage had *nothing* for Xander.

I was so tired I forgot about Pico Iyer. But it was a good tired.

Went home, found Jim about ready to hang kid from the rafters - suggested Chinese buffet and that was all win. Except for a kid who has decided it's okay to push us on 'I'm playing, not eating now that it's time and there's food in front of me.' Did I mention I'm a MEAN mommy?

Playing was okay until he started choking on what he had in his mouth - now, it's off the list. UH, three year old? And once he gets it that Mom's Serious, he eats just fine for me. He may need a little help putting it on the fork, but from there - all good.

The staff there must have all been Taiwanese (or nearly so) - they thought Xander was the best thing they'd seen all day, complimented us, complimented him and spoiled him rotten. Girl magnet.

Which is a nice way to introduce this little bit - has anyone else seen the Newsweek article about transracial adoption - done from the perspective of POC Parents/White Child?

As Yale historian Matthew Frye Jacobson has asked: "Why is it that in the United States, a white woman can have black children but a black woman cannot have white children?"

That question hit home for the Ridings in 2003, when Terri's mother, Phyllis Smith, agreed to take in Katie, then 3, on a temporary basis. A retired social worker, Phyllis had long been giving needy children a home—and Katie was one of the hardest cases. The child of a local prostitute, her toddler tantrums were so disturbing that foster families simply refused to keep her. Twelve homes later, Katie was still being passed around. Phyllis was in many ways an unlikely savior.

Twelve homes before she was Xander's age. Yeah, my temper would be 'disturbing' too by then.

Having been working this subject for over five years, I know those families are out there - this is not the only one, but it's entirely true that the ratio against POC Parents/White Children is rare, uncommon and so on. Frankly, I'm delighted to see this. It's a gimme with folks who claim that transracial adoption is just another priviledge grab (Co-opt my culture, take my kids, take it ALL, and then toss it in the trash when you get tired of it being 'strange'), and for some cultures? There's a real expectation some of the race priviledge will rub off. And that makes it okay - not that the kids need homes, this is a lucky situation because you get 'better' parents (ie, white) this way.

It feeds into the whole 'be grateful' mentality - and what I think of THAT isn't printable.

The truth is, kids need homes with good parents. And both sides come in all colors. Why make it even harder to get the kids mated up with parents by trying to match them like socks? (Think of it. But when it's clearly NOT HAPPENING, do what these guys did. Drop it.)

It's pointless to try to hide the adoption, guys.

Thinking about it, we got plenty of race training in all parts of our education provided by both DCFS and Heartsent - if it's banned, I wouldn't have known it. Heartsent, in addition - urged us to join Families with Children from China, and that group is ALL about integrating, celebrating and educating with regards to race and culture. We listen to the Korean adoptees, because they have a lot to say about what To Do and what NOT To Do. (You've heard about 'Adopted: The Move?' 'Daughter From Danang? (Vietnam Baby Airlift)' ?)

The magazine also has a nice piece that warms my heart - if you know me, it's obvious why.

Dillon is marching with a group called Catholics United who carry a banner that says: "CONGRESS: SUPPORT PREGNANT WOMEN AND REDUCE ABORTIONS NOW!" This is the first time that Dillon has seen any mention of abortion reduction; the battle has always been about Roe and bans. "We need to start thinking in practical terms: what can we do now to reduce abortions?" she says. "And I think that is very pro-life, if we can lower the numbers," she says.

Heresy. It just isn't as much fun to work at reducing numbers instead of getting together with your friends and hating on implied abortionists (those who know you can't keep a woman from having an abortion, you can only try to make it possible for her to chose NOT to have one). I'm old enough to remember - and had a mother in nursing, a father in pharmacy - years before Roe. Abortions were NOT stopped because it was illegal. Work at something that actually WORKS, k thanx bye (again).

Supporting women. What a concept. *eyeroll*

Your Monday, now in progress.

There's a Media Action Network for Asian Americans (MANAA) meeting tomorrow, April 16th in Chinatown, Los Angeles-- where they will be discussing next steps to take for THE LAST AIRBENDER.

When: April 16, 2009 at 7:30PM
Where: Chinatown Public Safety Association, 823 N. Hill Street (between Alpine and College Streets) Los Angeles, CA

I've been working with MANAA over the last few months on this topic and there is a lot they talk about at these meetings that cannot be discussed online. If you're interested in making a tangible difference, and in getting the inside scoop on their communications with Paramount and Nickelodeon, this is the meeting to attend.

MANAA has told me that they would like to see more Avatar fans attend to gauge how many people are genuinely interested in working this issue. I think they're kind of skeptical about the fact that I'm literally the only one who ever shows up. Los Angeles is a huge city. It really makes us look bad--like only a handful of people genuinely care about the issue and are willing to work for it.

It would be me, except for the hour. About that time, a very adorable small child goes to sleep in my house, primarily because I'm bedside insisting on it. I'm VERY certain this is not going to change in my favor, so if anyone else can go - PLEASE DO.

This is one of those times geographic proximity will be in our favor - so if you're as pissed as I am about the whitewash of Avatar, SHOW UP.

Thanks.

Another magazine site for me to read on a regular basis.

At lunch at a San Mateo, CA, ramen shop the other day I shared my new way of thinking with a dear friend from the gym. “You know,” I said to Junko while slurping a spoonful of shio ramen, “I don’t want to be called ha-fu anymore. Ha-fu makes it sounds like I don’t belong anywhere, like I’m not part of any race, like …”

Junko, who was born in Japan, gently cut me off and smiled. “You’re not ha-fu,” she said. “You’re a Double.”

I paused for a moment, surprised that Junko knew the term I had learned in 2001 while studying in Japan on a research grant. The term came from a 1995 documentary called “Doubles,” which chronicled the lives of children born to Japanese and American couples after WWII.

“Exactly. I am all black … and all Japanese,” I said. “I’m a double.”

It isn't priviledge to know where you belong. Just tuck that away somewhere. It's sheer, unmitigated happiness.

(People wonder why I'm always 'outside the box' - dudes. Every time I went to 'the box' it was empty. It's not priviledge to decide that I'm not my race or 'my box" - nor it is always easy, friendly or comfortable. It's just me. And at some point, I simply stopped caring what other people thought, if I was comfortable within my own skin. I have to live with it - not them.)