MBC1

05 Mar 2013 Leave a Comment

by Cocktails With Hemingway in A woman's Right to choose, Anxiety, Birth control, Blogs, Child 'Protective' Services - CPS, Child Abuse, Death Penalty, Etc., Facebook, Feminism, GLBT issues, Goals, Guilty Pleasures, Injustice, Kids, Legal, Passion, Race, Reproductive health, Sloane, Social Justice, Women

• March Blog Challenge •
Day 1: A self portrait + 5 random facts

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My friend, Preston, captured this image in 2005 during a spring photo shoot at the historic Peabody Hotel in Memphis. Megan Childers [favorite roomie and actual roomie at the time!] served as my partner in crime. We frolicked around downtown, laughing and feeling famous as we played model. I adored my strapless , formfitting dress. It made me feel glamorous and feminine– a radical departure from my tomboy style– and I distinctly remember a sense of maturity that was otherwise foreign to my 19 year old college self. The red dress with black polka dots gave me a figure [prior to my childbearing curves I rocked the physique of a fifth grade boy], much to my delight. Overall I felt stylish, elegant, sassy, playful…and exhausted. This was one of the last pictures Preston snapped. I love the way my multicolored bracelets [to this day I still wear dozens of them] are visible. Getting dolled up without compromising my identity created lasting memories. It was a fun day during a very fun time in my life.

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If the phone rings at my favorite newspaper, I answer it, regardless of employment status. Maris took this picture of me at my old desk taking a call during my last trip home [December 2012]. Note the Jersey Shore shirt.

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I uploaded a “25 Random Facts About Me” note to Facebook three years ago. Ten items didn’t make the cut whereas I copied the rest. Present day commentary is italicized.

#1) In case you haven’t noticed, I live on my own planet most of the time. My little universe consists of a plethora of books/magazines [I'd rather read than talk], abundant internet usage, and immersing myself in whatever captivates me at the moment….but I always come back to reality and get things done. Well, most of the time.
I cringe now as I read that statement. While every word is true, it is not immediately clear that I am describing ‘me’ time versus family time. My children get 100% of my focus 100% of the time. I just can’t say the same for adults. ;)

#2) Two of my worst vices are celebrity gossip [I check Perez Hilton religiously- heaven forbid I miss out on important news] and really bad television. Especially MTV. 16 & Pregnant, Teen Mom 1 & 2, Jersey Shore, True Life– I can’t get enough. For the longest time I tried to keep this ‘problem’ under wraps. Yet one day during a 3000-level philosophy class on campus an Us Weekly fell out of my backpack. Busted. I decided then to embrace it.
It’s been almost a year since I’ve had cable and the funds for magazines so I’ve learned to do without…except People magazine and the free TMZ app.

#3) I was adopted at birth. Overall I’m quite indifferent to this fact. I’m not upset or harboring resentment, I’ve just never really cared. However, I am currently in the process of obtaining medical records for the sake of Adam.
Those efforts were suspended due to an unexpected fee and will continue as soon as I am able.

#4) Through my family I can claim Reese Witherspoon, Mark Twain, and John McCain as my relatives or people that have married into our cozy bunch.
That hasn’t changed.

#5) Sports are not my cup of tea. But I do enjoy playing hockey and water polo and watching motocross.
That hasn’t changed either.

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#6) I am a sucker for a Bloody Mary or a Red Stripe beer.
Mmm….

#7) If I could have any ‘superhero power,’ I would choose to be fluent in every language that ever existed and would speak them all frequently.
I wish.

#8) Cotton balls terrify me and I refuse to touch them. As for other phobias, I hate flying, but I have to do it…I’m a nervous wreck on board an aircraft vessel. You do not want to sit next to me.
Oprah had a woman on her now defunct talk show who shared my irrational fear. Oprah also said San Luis Obispo was the happiest place in America. Boy, do I have some bombshells for Ms. Winfrey….

#9) Communication is my weakest link. I hate talking on the phone. I won’t call you unless it’s an emergency. Texting isn’t my forte either. Please don’t ever take it personally if I’m not the best at speaking with you and can never initiate a conversation.
Why can’t we all just email each other?

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#10) To say I am a liberal is an understatement. Women’s issues [especially pro-choice ones], safety for children, rights of LGBT individuals, equality, justice, compassion, kindness, peace, liberty….these things are so important to me.
Add to this list a massive overhaul of Child ‘Welfare” Services. Reforms in Family Court. Protect those innocent kids who did nothing to deserve such a fate.

#11) I am painfully shy. Sometimes it takes me years to warm up to people. But once you get me started, I don’t stop! I’m like a sponge. I sit quietly and absorb everything.
Sarcasm is a virtue and silence is golden. Both are also my defense mechanisms.

#12) If you really want to see me panic, give me ‘bad’ attention. An example of bad attention is a surprise party or servers singing to me in a crowded restaurant. ‘Good’ attention includes public speaking and/or recognition for my accomplishments.
It’s a fine line between praise and panic attack.

#13) Currently I have 9 tattoos and plan on getting at least 9 more. Sorry, Mom and Dad. All of my tattoos are in black ink. I don’t do colors. They are beautiful on others but not for me. My tattoos are words and symbols as opposed to illustrations.
Now I have 13.

#14) Writing is my passion. I will be published. There are too many stories I have to tell and topics to explore for me to remain silent.
AMEN.

#15) I am such a daredevil. This has toned down significantly since I became a mother but I’ll do anything to get an adrenaline rush.
I can’t wait to leap from a plane in the Memphis sky, parachute through the Memphis air, and land on the Memphis ground.

With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,
Sloane

The quest for better schools, ‘loungerie’ for little girls, and overprocessed hair

17 Aug 2011 Leave a Comment

by Cocktails With Hemingway in A woman's Right to choose, Beauty, Child Abuse, Death Penalty, Education, Fashion, GLBT issues, Hair, Injustice, Links, Lookin' snazzy, Motherhood, Outrage, Politics, Schools

Could you even imagine spending 22 years on Death Row– the last 13 of them with multiple sclerosis– for a murder you didn’t commit?

According to Huffington Post:  “Ohio mother of two Kelly Williams-Bolar was released from jail Wednesday after serving nine days for falsifying records…convicted by a jury of using her father’s address to claim residency status that would allow her children to attend a higher-performing suburban school…put on probation for two years, ordered to complete 80 hours of community service, and may threaten her ability to receive the teacher’s license she was working towards.”  While I would never advocate breaking the law, I completely sympathize this mother’s position.  Who doesn’t want the best for their children– especially when it comes to education?  The article touches on the interconnected factors of race and socioeconomic and how can negatively impact a child’s schooling.

Kelly Williams-Bolar

In Kansas, new legislation was passed that covers the termination of a pregnancy only if women purchase a special abortion insurance rider added to their regular insurance policy for an additional cost.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again– a woman’s right to choose is about just that, choice– regardless of your opinions on the actual act of abortion.

A French company now makes ‘loungerie’ for little girls.  Marketing a product modeled after lingerie for adult females for prepubescent and adolescent children [4-12] borders on child pornography.  Creating outfits or pajamas to mimic mommy’s attire is one thing but fancy, somewhat racy undergarments for a young girl is deplorable.

Everything else I’ve discussed in this batch of links has been somewhat somber.  Now I wish to lighten it up a bit with…. overprocessed hair.  While this article caters to those who have bleach damage, I think it’s perfect for anyone who is guilty of too much coloring and/or heat styling.  Products and tips are offered for the repair of your fried locks and there are also two recipes found for treatments that you can find in your kitchen and at your local health store.

With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,

Sloane

Tweakers, birth control, the death penalty, etc.

13 Jul 2011 Leave a Comment

by Cocktails With Hemingway in Controversy, Death Penalty, Drugs, Food, GLBT issues, Health, Links, Military, Planned Parenthood, Pregnancy, Social Justice

5 Ways Methamphetamine Can Make You a New Person

Adam painted these in summer school. Aren't they lovely?

Sick and tired of having to justify your crystal meth habit to those sluggish, slow-brained folk?

15 Pregnancy Power Foods

Even if you’re not pregnant you should take a glimpse at these nutritious foods.  Raw broccoli may not be your idea of culinary bliss so be mindful of how to incorporate the items into dishes you enjoy.  I was pleasantly surprised how….common…a lot of these things were and how much of them I already like.  [[Sidenote: While I am on pregnancy and parenting websites daily-- I try to only share the ones I think will be most interesting to my readers-- regardless of whether or

not their uterus has an occupant or they claim a dependent other than themselves on their tax return]]

Innocence and the Death Penalty

I found this article through a link on an Amnesty International Piece entitled ’35 Years Of Death Penalty Regret.’  While I’m against the death penalty– though not for ethical reasons– the thought of innocent people facing execution makes me ill.  “Since 1973, 138 people in 26 states have been released from death row with evidence of their innocence.  Not to imply that a person should be found guilty if there is room for reasonable doubt [though it happens all the time]….but nobody should be sentenced to death without incontrovertible proof of their guilt of a heinous crime.

Lesbian marine in California to be jailed after she and girlfriend ‘faked marriages with male colleagues to pocket $75,000 in allowances’

The headline alone caused me to snicker before I even read this; however, there was really nothing funny in the piece.  To make a long story short the marine wanted to live with her civilian girlfriend off-base but couldn’t afford it, thus prompting her to marry a fellow soldier, a male heterosexual.  Of course– reading only the first few sentences– the rabble-rouser in me said: “Haha, look at them making a statement and calling attention to some archaic limitations our society places on love!“  But then we learn that the civilian girlfriend marries a marine as well…..their living arrangements are questioned, the marines are in lots of trouble and their is possible jail time.  Most shockingly, the female marine seemed blissfully unaware that she could get in any sort of trouble for this.  While I applaud the fact that she did not hide her girlfriend, she should have fully understood the consequences, and been willing to take more of an activist stance.  Overall I felt like her attitude and lack of research made her an inappropriate ‘role model’ [if you can even call her that] for the cause and A) it’s absolutely ridiculous that the military– though they certainly aren’t the only organization guilty of this– doesn’t respect and honor those who serve equally and B) marriage is still defined by gender as opposed to love.

Birth control, exams to cost more at Planned Parenthood

Budget cuts in Davidson County [Nashville, TN] put Planned Parenthood in a bind.  Sadly this is all too common at Planned Parenthoods throughout the nation.  Select staunch conservatives erroneously equate this crucial organization with an ‘abortion factory’– I actually heard that phrase used somewhere!– but your personal beliefs about a woman’s right to choose should not negate the importance of Planned Parenthood.  If you disagree with some of the services they provide, take your business elsewhere.  Don’t forget that they provide gynecological services to low-income and/or uninsured women, contraceptives, and disease testing.  We desperately need this.

With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,

Sloane

Valentina Tereshkova, sterilization, and kick ass geriatrics

23 Jun 2011 Leave a Comment

by Cocktails With Hemingway in Activism, Blogs, Feminism, Giving, GLBT issues, Injustice, Journalists, Links, Politics, Space

Alice’s Bucket List

A terminally ill British teenager decided to make a blog with her ‘bucket list.’ Thanks to the generosity of countless individuals and organizations, so many of her wishes have come true. These are the stories that warm my heart….but when I hear there were impostors pretending to be Alice and her mother it made my blood boil. How disgusting. Shame on those lowlifes.

Let’s make this an uplifting endeavor– even if you are unable to contribute financially or mail an cheerful card to Alice, consider becoming a bone marrow donor. BeTheMatch.org is great place to get started. I am proud to be on our national marrow registry and also a blood donor. Please consider doing something easy, cost efficient, and virtually painless that can save lives.

Adventures in Feministory: Valentina Tereshkova, Outer Space’s First Lady

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that I’m obsessed with space. Another great passion of mine is Russia. Add to that my penchant for feminism and Valentina Tereshkova is one of my personal heroes. Read more about this incredibly lady who beat out more than 400 applicants to be the first woman in space.

North Carolina Faces Sterilization Program’s Legacy, May Offer Compensation

North Carolina is the only state trying to make amends to thousands of people who cannot have children because of eugenics-inspired theories about social improvement that ended almost four decades ago.  Why do we hear only of North Carolina making amends?  Forced sterilization makes me ill.

U.N. Council passes gay rights resolution

“In what the U.S. State Department is calling a “historic step,” the U.N. Human Rights Council passed a resolution Friday supporting equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation. The resolution, introduced by South Africa, is the first-ever U.N. resolution on the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons.” We’re making progress…..

Freed Journalist’s Letter of Thanks to Amnesty Activists

Azerbaijani journalist Eynulla Fatullayev was released from captivity due largely in part to letters written on behalf of those for Amnesty International. In high school I was very involved with the group and hope to continue doing so in the near future. Your letters DO make a difference.

6 Old People Who Could Kick Your Ass

Remember in my previous post where I mentioned that awesome old woman? Don’t mess with her or any of her friends!

With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,

Sloane


Spoons, poverty, and the narrow miss of Judgment Day

05 Jun 2011 Leave a Comment

by Cocktails With Hemingway in Being broke, Culture, Food, Gender, GLBT issues, Health, Humor, Links, Memphis, Politics, Quacks, Religion, Sickness, Vegetarian

Taking a break from washing the car

The Spoon Theory

One of the most insightful articles I’ve seen in a very long time, Christine Miserandino– who struggles with Lupus– poignantly explains her sickness to a friend who is not ill.  This is a must-read, even if you don’t know any people suffering from serious ailments [whether they make you look 'sick' or not], it is sure to make you appreciate your good health if you are one of the lucky ones in terms of health…..and it will strike a chord if you’re not.

Victoria, have we got a secret for you…

The paragraph beneath the beautiful woman on the runway says it all:  “Andrej Pejic is a willowy blond Eastern European model who has appeared on John Paul Gaultier’s catwalks, starred in Marc Jacobs campaigns, and graced international editions of Vogue.  And this month, Pejic truly arrived– first with a topless magazine scandal and then by sharing FHM’s 100 Sexiest Women in the World list along with the likes of Mila Kunis, Brooklyn Decker, and Megan Fox.  Pejic, by the way, is also a man.”

Poverty stricken and bitter  [and funny]

Being broke sucks any way you spin it.  Climbing out of the hole can be a vicious catch-22.  Banks adore expensive loopholes.  Your job doesn’t pay enough but it costs an arm and a leg to further your education to get better work.  And then your engine blows which drains even more of the cash you don’t have.  I hope good fortunes rain on the snarky John Cheese in the form of an entire orchard of money trees.  At least he can laugh at his misfortunes!

Veggie Tales

During the months where I was a vegetarian [and especially for the few weeks I managed to be vegan], I never felt better– light, fresh, and healthy– and I have made the decision to abandon my carnivorous ways once and for all.  I’ll blog more about my personal food choices at a later date but I encourage you all to read this article from Zenhabits.  While it does require some extra diligence, being a vegetarian can be so easy.  Reasons why it’s good to eliminate meat, tips for becoming a vegetarian, and further resources are provided.

Memphis and the Fords

Those of you from Tennessee are familiar with the Fords, a prominent political family.  John Ford’s ['Operation Tennessee Waltz'] daughter, Victoria, earned the prestigious Scholastic Art and Writing Award upon her graduation from high school.  “Unlike others

Breezing by us at The Little Gym

here who recorded rough childhoods and tragic experiences without distance, perspective, or insight, this writer emerges from abuse and tragedy with a lucid vision, a clear and original voice,” says judge and writer Melissa Fay Greene on Victoria Ford’s writing.  She’ll be one to watch….for all the right reasons.

Outrage:  Jose Guerena

Yet another revolting story from the state of Arizona– this time involving a former Marine who was shot during a SWAT team raid of four houses allegedly involved in a marijuana trafficking ring, one of those being the home Guerena shared with his wife and four-year-old son.  The Pima County Sheriff’s Office, not surprisingly, has tried to cover this up as much as possible and distort the story to their benefit.

Fish oil’s numerous benefits

Most people are cognizant of the fact that fish oil is good for your heart but it can also help with your mood and reduce alcohol cravings.

Get thee to a museum

Enjoying the finer things in life makes for happier men.

The world’s not ending after all, oopsie

If you are alive and reading this post, chances are May 23 was a normal day for you.  Harold Camping is an elderly Christian radio host who predicted this date would in fact be Judgment Day.  After missing this elusive event in 1994 due to a ‘mathematical error’ he is now covering his tracks by saying that 200 million folks will ascend to Heaven in October because this was an ‘invisible’ judgment day.  Don’t feel too bad for Mr. Camping, though…..his organization’s only worth $104 million dollars.

With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,

Sloane