A little foreign politics for something new…An AP story says that France’s Union for a Popular Movement party is hading out condoms with the party’s logo and flip-flops that stamp UMP in the sand. Highly creative.

They are finding that young people who don’t’ usually get involved in politics (see it happens in other countries too) are very receptive to the goodies. We will have to wait and see if it creates actual votes.

I’m a bit of a Francophile, so I like to keep track of the goings-on there. Sarkozy is the front-runner for the UMP party, but I heard some uncertainty from a French woman who teaches French online. He’s quite conservative by French standards, and it sounds like there is some hesitation to allowing France to go in that direction. This is the same politician whose comments inflamed Muslims during the Paris riots.

Think those same tactics could work with young voters here? I wonder. I would bet it would cause quite a stir. I don’t think the Republican Party would be handing out condoms. I can just see the media frenzy that would happen here if a politician or political party tried the same thing. At least it would get the Ramsey case off the air…

Technorati: France, condoms, UMP, Sarkozy

I have been reading quite a few blogs lately. I’m surprised by the number of “mommy” blogs. I try to keep from writing about my son and my pets (4 cats and a very large dog). Apparently not today though. I have little to write and I wanted to explain further some comments from a few days ago.

My son would be mortified by anything I wrote. He’s just starting high school. There are lots of funny stories to tell about a budding teenager, like the day I found my VS catalogs under his bed, but again, mortifying. So, it will be a rare occasion when I write about him.

I had him when I was quite young–younger than most people are today when they have their first child. Thus I’m still in my 30s, but look like I’m in my 20s. Lucky me…at least that is what everyone says. I didn’t feel so lucky when I was in high school looking so young. I got carded at the movie theater at 17 and 18. Ticket taker thought I was 12. Talk about mortifying.

While my pets require quite a bit of time and are fun, not everyone wants to see pictures or hear about their latest antics. I do often write with a cat in my lap. It seems that whenever I’m in front the computer, one or two of them must block the screen or try to get into my lap.

Tonight is hula class. I’m looking forward to it. I’ve practiced, but my legs just scream. I keep wondering when my thigh muscles will be strong enough that they don’t complain after a couple of minutes.

Technorati: pets, hula, mortifying

I thought I would explain my blog title. I don’t think I ever did that. When I first started this blog, I was new here–fresh out of graduate school in Missouri. I had never been to California except for the job interview that enticed me to move here. Things were pretty strange. Of course the rest of the country thinks we are the land of the fruits and nuts. They aren’t always wrong. Look who the crazies put into office as governor. So life in Silicon Valley seemed pretty foreign to someone born in Nebraska.

Now to the “intelligent” part…I’m really not as frivolous as most women. I can talk your ear off on almost any subject. I thought I’d meet intelligent people out here. I have…for the most part. Some not so intelligent. Some real geeks. Oh, and the intelligent descriptor comes from having been over-educated. Nothing like trying to get to know some guy who thinks he’s brilliant until he finds out you have a doctorate–in chemistry of all things. Some guys don’t mind–until they do mind. Then they whine that I make them feel dumb…lesser. And it’s the single life again.

Then I noticed how much people work here…and commute. It’s nuts. People vary as to when they get to work, but nearly everyone works too much. I don’t see much great family life here. I see lots of very stressed people. Companies squeeze every drop of productivity they can out of people for as little cost as possible since the bust.

In case you wonder where I stand in the fruits or the nuts…I’m a nut. I love it out here. The weather. The fresh produce. The craziness. The fruits and nuts aren’t bad either.

Technorati: chemistry, intelligent, Silicon Valley

I’ve been spending my morning looking at blogs, but then I got sidetracked by other links in those blogs. Like another blogger, I also don’t have a job at the present time. However, it sounds like she will be busy working starting next week. I hope she continues to post regularly because I’ve enjoyed reading her posts.

I quit my job to spend time with my son for summer. I hated the job anyway. I was nauseous every morning before going for 3 to 4 months before I left. They wanted me to come back, but I couldn’t. I wish I remembered everything I thought while I was working. The posts would be entertaining.

I wish I had worked harder on this blog when I was last out of work. I started it sometime before then…writing political commentary. I enjoy reading it, but I no longer enjoy writing it. I’m so fed up that my writing would be full of expletives. So now I just write about drivel.

I have spent a lot of time on the internet since the beginning of August. My son is here part of the time, so since he’s not here now, I have loads of free time. I’ve been figuring out ways to get my blog read by more people. I spend some time looking for job, but it takes far less time than one would think. It’s time for me to get ambitious…the long vacation needs to be over soon.

I have wanted to find some writing or editing projects that I can do from home, but I haven’t had a great deal of luck there just because of the specific things that are requested. I’m best at editing and helping write scientific and technical papers or presentations. Why? Because I went to school for more years than I can remember. Because I have degrees in journalism and chemistry…and there’s that Ph.D. I got in chemistry.

I’ve enjoyed surfing the blogs out there. I like some of the templates I see. I would like to figure out some design for mine, but I also like the simplicity that it has now.

Technorati: work, chemistry, journalism, blogging

Well I’m totally embarassed. I went to a local Hawaiian shop to get a pa’u (skirt for hula practice). I asked if they had any other choices of color and design, since there were only 2 skirts (same design). I was asked what hula school I dance for. Here’s the embarrassing part–I can’t pronounce it nor remember it. But when I gave the kumu’s name (teacher), the guy at the store said he has known her forever. The school is Kawailehua (”ka-vi-lay-hoo-ah”) Hula Ohana.

Anyway, I have a practice skirt, mostly for home, since they have skirts at the school to borrow. I think they like everyone to wear the same colors even for practice. Anyway, I’m still navigating my way around–trying to figure out how they do things at the school. It seems like I stepped into an alternate universe: new words, strange language, food, etc. At least now I have an excuse when I go to the hairdresser’s to complain about how much she cuts off my hair because they require long hair. I’m not sure how long is long enough, but mine (curled) is about six inches past my shoulders. I’m guessing that I need another 4 inches, so that it is mid-back when curled. Of course, it is 4 inches longer if straight. Although straight lasts 15 minutes.

I’m mostly set for practice with the things I need. The sarongs for Tahitian should be here today, and I bought some tops yesterday. I’m ready to try practicing today, since the soreness has finally worn off.

Technorati: hula, long hair, pa’u, Kawailehua

I have been meaning to get a list of my favorite blogs. I haven’t been surfing that much. There are so many blogs out there. So those few readers I do have, do you have any blogs to suggest? Please send some suggestions and what you like about the blog. I will take a look at the blogs you suggest. Thanks.

Technorati: blog

It seems every week I have at least one day where I can’t think of something to write. I was wrong yesterday about feeling sore…it came much later. By the afternoon, I was quite sore from hula. It’s all done with bent knees, which puts a lot of strain on the thighs. Since I’m taller than most–and we all have to dance at the same height–I have to bend more than most. I am hoping to get some practice in today though.

I’ve already had quite a morning. I burnt the rice I put in a pan to boil. Really burnt it. One of the cats decided that it would be fun to chew on my headset wires while I’m doing French online. He has been playing in my sparkling water. My desk is wet, and the computer monitor has water on it. I have no idea why the bubbles are so interesting to this particular cat. Most cats hate that the bubbles spray their faces.

I can’t believe I just wrote about my cats. This is probably the second time. They are a source of great amusement, but how many people want to hear about it. Not many.

Perhaps something will happen later today that will give me something more to write about.

Technorati: cats, hula

I was thinking about what to write today, when I realized that I had plenty to write about–my new hobby. I started hula and tahitian dancing last night. Surprisingly, my legs aren’t that sore. At first while watching the other girls, I thought “I’ll never be able to do this.” Then I tried some moves and thought “I’ll never be able to do this.” After about 15 minutes, then I thought “Well, I can do this…but I have to keep my feet together, knees bent and shoulders from moving.” That last part is the hardest. Then came tahitian…Boy can those girls move! I had the timing pretty good, and I kept up pretty well. But my legs started cramping while dancing, and I had to rest more often.

It was lots of fun, so I’m looking forward to class next week. There’s no set structure. If you want to begin hula, you just jump into the beginners class and start to follow. The ones who have been dancing for awhile are very helpful. The girls are great, but I am the only white girl…and I am really white. My Hawaiian friend is getting a major kick out the whole “white girl does the hula” thing.

So if anyone wants to learn hula, send me some comments. I know a website that gives a list of the schools around the country. And, if you live in the San Jose area, I know a friendly school with a record of winning competitions.

I will keep you posted as to how the hula goes. I know 6 basic moves, which need perfected. It’s really great exercise for the thighs.

Technorati: hula Hawaii

Any serious bargain hunters out there? I’ve never had the chance to go to a sample sale. I don’t live in New York or Los Angeles. Recently I found a website that brings the sample sale to you. It’s by invitation only, which means you have to give them your email address so you can get the sales notices. There is an upcoming sale starting tonight, Wednesday and Thursday. I don’t think it’s a very well known site, so I wanted to share it. You don’t have to be tiny to find a bargain either.

Technorati: sample sales

I’m so excited! My new toy arrived. Many months ago I had wanted a microphone for my iPod. I can’t remember why anymore, but it finally arrived. I ordered it before it came out. It’s called “Micromemo” from XtremeMac. Excellent sound quality. Only problem is it doesn’t fit very well in the slot on the bottom with the iSkin on the pod. I will have to find a way to work around it.

Now I will be able to record my thoughts for my blogs. I like to walk and talk out loud. I sometimes have flashes of brilliance, but when I sit down at the computer, I forget everything. This thing will allow me to record whatever I think about, and I can edit my thoughts when I listen. I don’t even mind the sound of my voice on this thing.

Technorati: ipod, microphone