I want the world to be better for everyone

I'm an economist. Now I hate economics. Don't get me wrong: it's why I am the way I am, and for that I'm thankful. Problem is this field is the study of limited resources. And this definition flies in the face of the one resource on our planet that has no limit - us. And that's only 1 unlimited resource! I want to harness these unlimited resources, because it will mean "standards of living" are also unlimited - to us! And that will mean the greed will go away. Nothing to do but blog.

Name:
Location: Texas, United States

Thursday, July 03, 2014

On the Hobby Lobby decision

I think it's safe to say since humans walked upright, men have been the aggressors and women the deferrent. So a day dawns many eons ago, and one of those males figures out "hey, how do I know this woman is pregnant with my child?!"

Well the wheels start turning and caliphates come and go, kings rule and are overthrown, presidents are voted in and out, PRIESTS, lead the church and die. That last one is the MOST important, because this MAN - well you see - THIS man has a mystery to sell you! See, HE has this book that was written MANY MANY years ago, but, see, it's an INSPIRED book. In fact, ya know, he's pretty sure God inspired it!

Some more millenia pass and BY GOLLY THAT'S RIGHT! This book WAS inspired by God! Why wouldn't it be?! Do you think HUMANS could have come up with, DAW, "The Golden Rule" all by themselves!? Those are INSPIRING words! Of God they must be!

Well this "religion" splits and fights and conquers its "children" over some more millenia and here we are, some 6000+ years into the "religious" age, with patriarchy shoved down our throats (and, awe, say 10 or so slightly different but no less HIGHLY patriarchal "religious" books) - practically into our DNA sequences really - and women, having schooled themselves, have begun to get a little suspicious of this whole thing!

So they begin asking for the right to vote, the right to own property (see all of these things were taken away so we men could make DAMN sure there was NO REASON for our wives to EVER leave the house and get pregnant by another man!! You remember that way back in the eons, right?).

And then comes blood testing! Well, we men can have a pretty good idea NOW that, yeah or no, she was/was not pregnant with my child. Women gain some rights - the men are no longer really paying attention with the blood tests and all, see.

And then DNA testing hits! Well now there's NO QUESTION who's the Daddy! Men are just watching the Football game at this point - nothing to see here, have another beer!

And then, long about here, men realize that women are putting up a little more fight about the housework that they've grown used to seeing at their Father's house (plus wages are stagnating, so, yeah, women, gotta go out and get a job now!).

And ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE! ESPECIALLY in very conservative, very religious households following that book we talked about awhile back - remember that book? The no doubt INSPIRED one?

It's not that simple a story, but it roughly touches the paradigm shift eras. And so here you are, pro-life atheist Erin, SO bamboozled by 6000+ years of patriarchy shrouded in "religion" that YOU can't even see what's going on! I don't blame ya! I have eyes too, so lean on me, friend!

You can show me 1000 pictures of tennis ball sized fetuses in the dumpster, but the fact is, and will remain (unless Viagra does WAY more next version than it does now) it took egg AND sperm to make those tiny human beings! And that gets us to a crossroads, Erin: how do we hold men AND the women they impregnate responsible should anything go wrong or not according to plan in the pregnancy, and so much so that it ends with a dead child? Well 2 options (neither of which we're willing to choose): 1. 5 years to life in prison for the mother AND father should there be any "malice" or unhealthy behaviour (smoking, drinking, etc in the presence of pregnant women), NO MATTER the actual offender, causing this child's death, or 2. men STFU and leave the birthing - or not - decisions to women WHILE baring SQUARELY on their shoulders the responsibility THEY DO OWN for deciding she should be pregnant in the first place! NO MATTER if the condom leaked! NO MATTER if it was just a blissful night of thoughtless sex! It MEANS NOTHING that men have excuses! If in doubt, don't whip it out!! OWN UP!! Which do we choose, for these are the ONLY fair options!

Sunday, April 13, 2014

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Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Summer Salsa (Salsa, salsa, salsa, Bachata!? What? Bachata?! How'd that get in here?!)


5/25/2013, Saturday night SHORT NOTICE dancing event
(Rachel and Chuck ARE going; otherwise, comments for intentions SOP):

Salsabrosa at Mediterraenan Cruise Cafe!

  • $5 cover w/ dinner, $10 cover w/o dinner
  • 10:00pm - 1:00am (lessons from 10-10:30pm, dancing after)

Mediterraenan Cruise Cafe
12500 Nicollet Ave.
Burnsville, MN 55337
(952) 641-6222

This is Reade's neck o the woods, troupe (Reade's a 5 minute bike ride away)!  Trust me, here in the burbs it's FREE PARKING AND PLENTY OF IT!


6/7/2013, Friday night dancing event (comments for intentions SOP):

Lesson 1 Intermediate (or Lesson X Beginning if you still have punches left to go on your card :) - Salsa at Four Seasons Dance Studio!
Beginning (Basic) 7:00 - 8:00pm (don't forget your card)

Intermediate 8:00 - 9:00pm (buy a new card)


Four Seasons Dance Studio
1637 Hennepin Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 342-0902

Then put to test what Salsa we learned at any of the now several venues we've found over the months:


The Cedar
Mango Bar and Grill
Paraiso Lounge
Bar Abilene
Famous Dave's BBQ & Blues
Loring Pasta Bar


6/28/2013, Friday night dancing event (comments for intentions SOP):

Lesson X Intermediate (or Lesson X Beginning if you still have punches left to go on your card :) - Salsa at Four Seasons Dance Studio!
Beginning (Basic) 7:00 - 8:00pm (don't forget your card)

Intermediate 8:00 - 9:00pm (buy a new card, don't forget your card)


Four Seasons Dance Studio
1637 Hennepin Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 342-0902

Then put to test what Salsa we learned at any of the now several venues we've found over the months:


The Cedar
Mango Bar and Grill
Paraiso Lounge
Bar Abilene
Famous Dave's BBQ & Blues
Loring Pasta Bar

Monday, May 13, 2013

Advance the Salsa!


Some of us are getting pretty darn good at this Salsa thing!  Thanks, friends who are girls, for being especially patient!  I only speak for Reade though!

5/17/2013, Friday night dancing event (Timmo and Reade there for sure - see comments for any updates):

Lesson 5 (or less for those few who've missed) - Salsa at Four Seasons Dance Studio!
7:00 - 8:00pm (don't forget your card!)

Four Seasons Dance Studio
1637 Hennepin Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 342-0902

Then put to test what Salsa we learned at Cedar Cultural Center!  $12 entry fee (can be bought in advance through the "Ticket Counter")
8pm - ????
After lesson, we'll make our way to The Center and dance the night away!

Cedar Cultural Center
416 Cedar Ave S,
Minneapolis MN 55454
612-338-2674


Beyond 5/17/2013 plans:

We've discussed advancing our classes to the next, uh, Salsatic level:  intermediate lessons.  Please comment on the when/where/etc.


Tuesday, April 09, 2013

Troupe's busy with Salsa (with sprinkle of Polka)!


Wednesday, 4/10/2013, last minute (sorry, Reade's bad!) dancing event:

Mango Bar and Grill - Ladies night - no cover!  Guys $?
music starts 9:30, grab food/drink at 8:30ish

Mango Bar and Grill
501 East Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN, 55414
(612) 331 3360



4/12/2013, Friday night dancing event:

Lesson 2 - Salsa at Four Seasons Dance Studio!
7:00 - 8:00pm (don't forget your card!)

Four Seasons Dance Studio
1637 Hennepin Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 342-0902


4/18/2013, Thursday night dancing event: (CANCELLED)

Bar Abilene Salsa Night!
7:00 - ????

Bar Abilene
1300 Lagoon Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55415
(612) 825-2525


4/19/2013, Friday night dancing event:

Lesson 3 - Salsa at Four Seasons Dance Studio!
7:00 - 8:00pm (don't forget your card!)

Four Seasons Dance Studio
1637 Hennepin Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 342-0902

Then put to test what Salsa we learned at Paraiso Lounge!
9pm - ????
After lesson, we'll make our way to Paraiso, grab something to drink and snack on, and just plain brag!  I mean - - we got this!

Paraiso Lounge
3003 27th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 703-7417


4/25/2013, Thursday night dancing event: (CANCELLED)

Bar Abilene Salsa Night!
7:00 - ????

Bar Abilene
1300 Lagoon Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55415
(612) 825-2525


4/26/2013, Friday night dancing event:

Lesson 4 - Salsa at Four Seasons Dance Studio!
7:00 - 8:00pm (don't forget your card!)

Four Seasons Dance Studio
1637 Hennepin Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 342-0902

Then put to test what Salsa we learned at ??


4/30/2013, Tuesday night dancing event (we've missed you, FD, old friend!):

Salsa Night / DJ Factor Latino Angel ($5 cover - no cover if you get there at 7pm!  Salsa starts around 9pm)
Famous Dave's BBQ & Blues
3001 Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55408
(612) 822-9900
See April Calendar for details.  Let's hit the floor with our new Salsa skill and psyche up for SHTA weekend!



5/10/2013, Friday night dancing event:

Lesson 5 - Salsa at Four Seasons Dance Studio!
7:00 - 8:00pm (don't forget your card!)

Four Seasons Dance Studio
1637 Hennepin Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 342-0902

Then put to test what Salsa we learned at ??



5/11/2013, Saturday night (could be dancing??) event:

60's Fondue Party at Zeke's house (Timmo should be there, Zeke, the dog, let's him in occasionally.)
8902 138th St. West
Savage, MN 55378



Monday, March 25, 2013

The Troupe is just gettin' started!


3/26/2013, Tuesday night dancing event (Joe for sure, not Reade, who else?  Post in comments below):

Salsa Night / DJ Factor Latino Angel ($5 cover - no cover if you get there at 7pm!  Salsa starts around 9pm)
3001 Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55408
(612) 822-9900
See March Calendar for details.  This (Salsa) appears to happen every Tuesday.

The Troupe @ Famous Dave's

4/5/2013, Friday night dancing event (Timmo, Reade, probably Steph, Mountain Joe, Susanne Nee, Suzanne H and Sheryl, who else?  Post in comments below):

First, Salsa Lessons at Four Seasons Dance Studio!
7:00 - 8:00pm (be there 15 minutes early for registration, etc)

  • There are a total of 5 Friday classes for the $40 discounted "Group" rate per person (cash or check - NO credit cards!)
  • All are Basic Level and must be taken within 8 weeks of first lesson.
  • 2nd and remaining lessons are from 7 - 8 pm.
  • Tentative plan is for us to take these lessons consecutive Fridays until done minus May 3 which is SHTA weekend.
  • Important:  See Timmo's comments below for other important details!

Four Seasons Dance Studio
1637 Hennepin Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 342-0902

Then put to test what Salsa we learned at Loring Pasta Bar!
10pm - ????
After lesson, we'll make our way to Loring, grab something to drink and snack on, and brag about how good we are at Salsa dancing while we wait for the band!

Loring Pasta Bar
327 14th Ave SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
(612) 378-4849
The Troupe @ Loring Pasta Bar




Saturday, March 02, 2013

Pause dancing and suggestions on lessons/venues/dance/dates/times?


Awrighty troupe, how about let's pause for a week or more and regroup?  I know my job has been pretty demanding and will be for the next couple weeks from now.  Also I'm post-MRI and awaiting Orthopedist's diagnosis on 3/7/2013.

Why not take that time and brainstorm venues etc as well?  Timmo has suggestions and some feedback on them has come in.  Lessons for one:  Exciting to Reade for sure!

What's more and to the point are we going too often?  Even with bum knee I was wearing a little thin by Sunday afternoon, 2/23!

What ya think - WAAAY open ended question?  Post answers in comments.