Celebrity Look Alikes II

Andrew McCarthy

Andre Breton

Ramblings

I know guns exist, but I've never thought they were close to me. This past week I've read more about guns than I care to. From the news it's seems obvious to me that Jared Loughner was mentally disturbed. I don't consider that unusual. What is maddening is that he had access to a semi-automatic Glock with a 30 bullet clip and was legally permitted to carry it. After the events of last weekend, I would think that people would acknowledge that we can work to tone down our political rhetoric, but what we can realistically limit is the easy access to firearms/the kinds of arms sold. I would expect our Congress to at least be able to put together a bill - not a bill to limit firearms within 1000 feet of just THEM (good one Rep Peter King!)- but a bill that protects everyone. Why is this so hard?? Especially important since new reports out show gun sales increasing nationwide with particular increases for the gun and magazine that Loughner used. The NY Times has an article out today to basically kill all expectations of that - New Gun Control Limits are Improbable Lawmakers Say. The NRA is too powerful, having more guns make people safer, people are scared of losing their 2nd amendment rights, etc ETC. Am I taking crazy pills? Hunting rifles are one thing, easy access to semi-automatic weapons whose sole purpose is to kill and injure people quickly are another. In an Op-Ed on Sunday, Gail Collins posed this question regarding gun control, "The difference is not about the Second Amendment. It’s about a technology the founding fathers could never have imagined." Very true! Did James Madison predict semi-automatic weapons? I doubt it. I didn't even imagine Khloe Kardashian marrying Lamar Odom! I feel legit scared thinking about weapon-laden citizens that have been overloading on partisan political rhetoric walking around the grocery store with me. This quote from the director of Gun Owners in America also stood out, "Having lots of ammunition is critical, especially if the police are not around and you need to be able to defend yourself against mobs." Mobs? What mobs do we come across on a daily basis? The mob at Target for the latest Twilight dvd??

I don't believe the argument that if the criminals are going to have guns, then we should be armed to protect ourselves too. If criminals are going to do something bad they are going to find a way around any law. I feel like that's my inherent definition of criminal. Does that mean I should be armed just because someone might do something bad in my vicinity? Doesn't it make more sense to take away the danger of excessive weapons so that a citizen doesn't do something reactionary that could have life and death consequences?

A co-worker came in on Monday and said that his laptop had been stolen. He called the police, but he felt like they didn't do a thorough job of investigating his neighbors. He had a hunch that the thief was a neighbor and that he might come back for something else. As a precaution - he slept with his gun under his pillow and told his friends not to come over because he was going to shoot at the slightest sound in the event the thief came back. Again - am I taking crazy pills? This was literally a story related to me on Monday as if the events of last Saturday never happened. I am uneasy around this co-worker now. Maybe I've been naive, but the thought that everyone has a gun in my immediate circle of acquaintances never occurred to me. It truly scares me. Not enough to arm myself though. I think that even though we're all a bit crazy at times, for the most part our rational sides prevail. Maybe I'm the one that's crazy???

Who am I?

2011 is not looking good so far. After spending my life as an Aries, I was dealt a HUGE BLOW yesterday when I realized that I'm actually a Pisces. The moon looks to be the cause of this development. Going from a ram to a fish? Are you kidding me? What am I going to do about the daily horoscope emails?? Bigger question - what does this mean about my Zodiac compatibility? Also, I'm not ready to give up being a fire sign and the first sign of the Zodiac. No offense to Pisces, but I'm not keen on "constantly trying to adapt itself to its ever-changing feelings and to the moods and whims of other". I've spent my life ruled by Mars being "energetic, vibrant, and lively". They don't even have cool tattoo designs!

The New Signs:

Capricorn: Jan. 20-Feb. 16

Aquarius: Feb. 16-March 11

Pisces: March 11-April 18

Aries: April 18-May 13

Taurus: May 13-June 21

Gemini: June 21-July 20

Cancer: July 20-Aug. 10

Leo: Aug. 10-Sept. 16
Virgo: Sept. 16-Oct. 30

Libra: Oct. 30-Nov. 23

Scorpio: Nov. 23-29

Ophiuchus:* Nov. 29-Dec. 17

Sagittarius: Dec. 17-Jan. 20.
* Discarded by the Babylonians because they wanted 12 signs per year.

STFU, Parents

The New York lady over at STFU, Parents has done a fine job cataloging the craziness that is 21st-century parenting. All posts come from user-submitted Facebook updates, photo albums, flame wars, rants, etc., and some commentary on each. She does a good job reacting the way (childless) people like me would react.

Want copious photos of poop, vomit, snot? She's got it.

Did I know some stores have "expectant mother" parking spaces? I do now.

Do you know what a placenta looks like? Parents on Facebook want you to find out!

STFU, Parents offers excellent linkage to old posts. You can journey along it like a winding country road, marveling at the landscape you don't get from your urban penthouse that you can afford because you're a childless asshole! Sorry, I'm reading too many instances of Mommyjacking.

The blogger points out moments when parents (mostly mothers, it seems) hijack a friend's status update to inform everyone about the well being of their kids. The world revolves around your baby!

Ours is a sharing culture these days, at least online. Would baby boomer parents behave this way if they had Facebook/Tumblr/Blogger in the 1970s and 1980s? Or is this a generational thing?

Celebrity Pregnancy

Natalie Portman has never really held my interest. Until now. I'm more tempted to click on a People Star Tracks when she's listed now. Her pregnancy wardrobe is interesting. Her outfits before were just standard, but I feel like she's really taking some risks now...or just trying to hide how pregnant she is. Either way - she looks great!