I feel decently satisfied by my accomplishments this evening. I took my second test in Texas Government, and aced it; then came home and finished another chemo article for Suite 101. Then I took out the garbage--two bags full, to paraphrase "Baa Baa Black Sheep." And now I am even making a blog entry.
Recently I applied for a different position within the same health care company where I work now. If I get it--and if the pay is enough--I will be a research nurse. I believe in research; I believe there would be more growth opportunity in the new position, plus more experience with which to ensure I never have to work nights on a hospital floor ever again. Plus, I would get to use my writing skills as a research nurse. I would still (probably--unless I really can't endure chemistry next semester....) apply to the nurse practitioner program. But who knows if I'll succeed? In the meantime, this might well be a good move.
I am somewhat embarrassed to admit, however, that some of the things about the new position that really excite me are as follows: I would be salaried instead of hourly. I would get sent to conferences in cool cities at company expense. I would get to wear real clothes to work instead of scrubs. Not that working in your pajamas doesn't have its good side....
I would have said uncategorically that the interview went well. They looked at the education I already had and the education I am working towards, plus all my writing, and called me "driven." But then I left my purse in the interview room and had to come back for it. I told them: "I will remember the lab values of every patient you ever give me, but I will occasionally leave my purse in odd places." I hope that worked. P assures me that the purse thing won't matter. They told me I should find out this Friday--i.e., within two days. Reita tells me our company does not usually move that fast, and advised me not to be surprised if it takes longer than that. I hate suspense.
In other news, my historical romance got rejected by one small publisher, but I have already submitted it to another small publisher. This one allows you to submit the whole manuscript, but promises a much longer response time--12 to 16 weeks. More suspense. I am hoping, however, for a positive Valentine's surprise.
Elizabeth
(without her glasses)
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
School, or; With Apologies to Jonathan Swift
I started my first pre-requisite that I must finish before applying to the nurse practitioner program. Texas Government, believe it or not. Understandably, perhaps, my Aunt Sharon asked me on Facebook what that had to do with nursing. I replied that it was to teach me just how much trouble I would be in if I handed out condoms to teenagers. I turned in my first paper for the class a few days ago, and I am sufficiently proud of it to post it here. I apologize for the "rant" nature of it--I've mentioned before that I do not approve of rants, but, hey, it's a government class and they WANT me to have opinions. Thank God my professor has a sense of humor. Ah, well. It follows:
Looking over the statistics on how Texas compares with the rest of the states that compose our country is an interesting experience. Some figures do not surprise me—for instance, learning that Texas tax revenue per capita is among the lowest in the nation did not raise my eyebrows at all. On the other hand, I was shocked to see that Texas releases more carcinogens into the environment than any other state. Yet, so far, it has not resulted in a corresponding rise in new cancer cases or cancer deaths. One wonders, however, if we will see a higher correlation between these statistics in the future.
The facts and figures that truly concern me, though, are some of those about children and young people in Texas. In the 2009 edition of Texas on the Brink, Senator Eliott Shapleigh asserts that Texas ranks first in the nation when it comes to teenagers giving birth (4). This rank is even higher than Shapleigh reported it to be in 2007, when Texas only came in fifth in this category (5). In both the 2009 and 2007 editions of Texas on the Brink, Shapleigh quotes from a 2001 study revealing that nearly half of Texas teenagers had had sex at least once during their lifetimes, and that only a little over half of the Texas teens who were currently sexually active had used a condom. Only ten percent of them said that they or their partner had used birth control pills (16-17), (19). I cannot help believing that these statistics have a direct bearing on the fact that in 2009, Texas ranked seventh among all the states in the percentage of its children who live below the poverty level (3). Though this is an improvement over the 2007 ranking, in which Texas placed fifth (3), it is still unacceptable.
I feel that the only way to make any change in the first group of statistics is to repeal the bill passed by the seventy-fourth Texas legislature in 1995 making it mandatory to teach abstinence in sex education. Shapleigh's statistics on the number of teens having sex mean that the abstinence message is not being taken to heart by the adolescents of Texas; his statistics on the use of any reliable birth control methods mean that far too many teenagers are left without the knowledge of how to effectively prevent pregnancy.
I despair, however, of ever wresting control of these matters—at least in the state of Texas—from the Christian Right. The University of Texas at Austin's Web site Texas Politics, in its “Texas Political Culture” section, speaks of “the deep historical roots” of “culturally conservative social policy in areas such as education, religion, and civil rights,” and asserts that this dominance “has been challenged and modified to some extent during various periods in Texas history, but never substantially overturned.” The only hope of bringing any improvement in the situation is to draw enough outraged attention to Shapleigh's statistics that we might be able to slip in an amendment to the existing bill that would mandate “abstinence plus”(italics mine) programs—i.e., sex education programs that tell teenagers about the various methods of birth control and how to most effectively use them (and maybe even where to get them at low or no cost), but which still state that abstinence is the only certain way to prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases. That kind of compromise is the only way even the smallest progress might be made here—to remove the language of abstinence entirely would draw the immediate scrutiny and all the powers of resistance possessed by the state's Christian conservatives. I fear even the language of “abstinence plus” might only mean the brief beginnings of an improvement in the number of children born to children in the state of Texas—and then, a little further in the future, a decline in the number of Texas children living in poverty. Sooner or later, though, the state's religious conservatives would conclude once more that practical information about birth control would give young people too many options other than embracing their parents' values, and they would find a way to make “abstinence only” the law once more.
I learned other things, however, from the “Texas Political Culture” section of Texas Politics. The urban areas of Texas have a much higher level of income and education than that of the state as a whole. Austin, especially, has always seemed to me personally an oasis of culture and free thought in the middle of an otherwise conservative state. “Texas Political Culture” also taught me that when Texas was admitted to the Union, it came with provisions that it might be divided into a total of five states. It is probably an impossible dream, but if conservatives can talk of Texas seceding from the union, why can't Austin secede from the rest of Texas? Austin itself, however, is probably not big enough for such a move to be practical. But what if we took San Antonio, Houston, and Galveston with us? I can envision a thin crescent of a state, with San Antonio at its southwestern tip, arching up to Austin, then down to Houston (to bring us the oil money!), and then with a little tail to Galveston so we'll have a port. (Sorry, Dallas, you're too conservative. But maybe you can be the new capital of the old state.) The new state of Austontonio would surely rank better among the Fifty-One than Old Texas in many of these categories, especially once we taught our teenagers how to prevent pregnancy. The cultural conservatives of the rest of Texas would probably be glad to get rid of infamously weird Austin and its far too urban allies. Perhaps most fortunate of all, Austontonio would retain the wonderful diversity and flavor that is the best of Texas.
True, the creation of Austontonio would not end the problems faced by the rest of Texas. Then again, what would? At least this way, some of the most promising places in the state could band together and free themselves in order to be able to enact change.
Works Cited
Parents for Truth. What's Happening in Your State?--Texas. 2008. Web. 28 Sept. 2010.
“Seventy-Fourth Texas Legislature.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Jan. 2010. Web. 28 Sept. 2010.
Shapleigh, Eliott. Texas on the Brink, 2007: How Texas Ranks Among the 50 States. Shapleigh.Org, 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2010.
---. Texas on the Brink, 2009: How Texas Ranks Among the 50 States. Shapleigh.Org, 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2010.
University of Texas at Austin. “Texas Political Culture.” Texas Politics. 2009. Web. 28 Sept. 2010.
Looking over the statistics on how Texas compares with the rest of the states that compose our country is an interesting experience. Some figures do not surprise me—for instance, learning that Texas tax revenue per capita is among the lowest in the nation did not raise my eyebrows at all. On the other hand, I was shocked to see that Texas releases more carcinogens into the environment than any other state. Yet, so far, it has not resulted in a corresponding rise in new cancer cases or cancer deaths. One wonders, however, if we will see a higher correlation between these statistics in the future.
The facts and figures that truly concern me, though, are some of those about children and young people in Texas. In the 2009 edition of Texas on the Brink, Senator Eliott Shapleigh asserts that Texas ranks first in the nation when it comes to teenagers giving birth (4). This rank is even higher than Shapleigh reported it to be in 2007, when Texas only came in fifth in this category (5). In both the 2009 and 2007 editions of Texas on the Brink, Shapleigh quotes from a 2001 study revealing that nearly half of Texas teenagers had had sex at least once during their lifetimes, and that only a little over half of the Texas teens who were currently sexually active had used a condom. Only ten percent of them said that they or their partner had used birth control pills (16-17), (19). I cannot help believing that these statistics have a direct bearing on the fact that in 2009, Texas ranked seventh among all the states in the percentage of its children who live below the poverty level (3). Though this is an improvement over the 2007 ranking, in which Texas placed fifth (3), it is still unacceptable.
I feel that the only way to make any change in the first group of statistics is to repeal the bill passed by the seventy-fourth Texas legislature in 1995 making it mandatory to teach abstinence in sex education. Shapleigh's statistics on the number of teens having sex mean that the abstinence message is not being taken to heart by the adolescents of Texas; his statistics on the use of any reliable birth control methods mean that far too many teenagers are left without the knowledge of how to effectively prevent pregnancy.
I despair, however, of ever wresting control of these matters—at least in the state of Texas—from the Christian Right. The University of Texas at Austin's Web site Texas Politics, in its “Texas Political Culture” section, speaks of “the deep historical roots” of “culturally conservative social policy in areas such as education, religion, and civil rights,” and asserts that this dominance “has been challenged and modified to some extent during various periods in Texas history, but never substantially overturned.” The only hope of bringing any improvement in the situation is to draw enough outraged attention to Shapleigh's statistics that we might be able to slip in an amendment to the existing bill that would mandate “abstinence plus”(italics mine) programs—i.e., sex education programs that tell teenagers about the various methods of birth control and how to most effectively use them (and maybe even where to get them at low or no cost), but which still state that abstinence is the only certain way to prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases. That kind of compromise is the only way even the smallest progress might be made here—to remove the language of abstinence entirely would draw the immediate scrutiny and all the powers of resistance possessed by the state's Christian conservatives. I fear even the language of “abstinence plus” might only mean the brief beginnings of an improvement in the number of children born to children in the state of Texas—and then, a little further in the future, a decline in the number of Texas children living in poverty. Sooner or later, though, the state's religious conservatives would conclude once more that practical information about birth control would give young people too many options other than embracing their parents' values, and they would find a way to make “abstinence only” the law once more.
I learned other things, however, from the “Texas Political Culture” section of Texas Politics. The urban areas of Texas have a much higher level of income and education than that of the state as a whole. Austin, especially, has always seemed to me personally an oasis of culture and free thought in the middle of an otherwise conservative state. “Texas Political Culture” also taught me that when Texas was admitted to the Union, it came with provisions that it might be divided into a total of five states. It is probably an impossible dream, but if conservatives can talk of Texas seceding from the union, why can't Austin secede from the rest of Texas? Austin itself, however, is probably not big enough for such a move to be practical. But what if we took San Antonio, Houston, and Galveston with us? I can envision a thin crescent of a state, with San Antonio at its southwestern tip, arching up to Austin, then down to Houston (to bring us the oil money!), and then with a little tail to Galveston so we'll have a port. (Sorry, Dallas, you're too conservative. But maybe you can be the new capital of the old state.) The new state of Austontonio would surely rank better among the Fifty-One than Old Texas in many of these categories, especially once we taught our teenagers how to prevent pregnancy. The cultural conservatives of the rest of Texas would probably be glad to get rid of infamously weird Austin and its far too urban allies. Perhaps most fortunate of all, Austontonio would retain the wonderful diversity and flavor that is the best of Texas.
True, the creation of Austontonio would not end the problems faced by the rest of Texas. Then again, what would? At least this way, some of the most promising places in the state could band together and free themselves in order to be able to enact change.
Works Cited
Parents for Truth. What's Happening in Your State?--Texas. 2008. Web. 28 Sept. 2010.
“Seventy-Fourth Texas Legislature.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Jan. 2010. Web. 28 Sept. 2010.
Shapleigh, Eliott. Texas on the Brink, 2007: How Texas Ranks Among the 50 States. Shapleigh.Org, 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2010.
---. Texas on the Brink, 2009: How Texas Ranks Among the 50 States. Shapleigh.Org, 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2010.
University of Texas at Austin. “Texas Political Culture.” Texas Politics. 2009. Web. 28 Sept. 2010.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Another Way to Buy My Middle-School Book
I wanted to quickly post a link to my friend Tammy's website. Tammy runs a self-publishing business, and it was with her help that my Confessions of a Mixed-Up Weasel Hater saw print. Also, if any of you want to self-publish, Tammy is a really great person to work with. So explore your options at http://www.fameseternalbooks.com/. Click on "e-shop" to buy my book, and/or look at the others Tammy has published. Civil War buffs may be especially pleased.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Excuses, Excuses
Just wanted to quickly assure you that I am not giving up on blogging. I am going to have to concentrate for a while on my articles for Suite 101 so that I do not get kicked off. I have a quota to meet--8 more articles before September 28th or so. Plus, September 20, I start my class--one of my prerequisites for the nurse practitioner program. So bear with me!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Happy Birthday to Me
Two days ago, I turned 47. I had a great birthday. My co-workers prepared a "graze" for the day, because Tuesdays are often busy, and they didn't know how much time we'd have for lunch. It was a kind of breakfasty graze, with marvelous homemade cinnamon rolls that had chocolate chips in addition to cinnamon and walnuts; there was also plenty of cheese danish for everyone, tiramisu wafer cookies, and wonderful French roast coffee with a choice of caramel macchiato creamer or half and half. Plus, I got lots of gifts--cards for Starbuck's and Amazon, a lovely Celtic candleholder, lotion, and shower gel.
Driving home, I got phone calls from Jeanne, Tammy, and my parents. Throughout the day, I got lots of greetings on Facebook, and even a text (and later another gift card) from my ex-husband. Forgot, too, that I started the morning with an e-mail from Diane. Went to dinner with my kids (and is it too tacky/weird/optimistic to call Nathan my kid-in-law?) and had shrimp and lobster. Came home to the cake Lisa made me--chocolate with chocolate frosting, and candy-store peanut butter cups busted up and sprinkled over the top. Made a wish, but pathetically missed one of the two numbered candles. (Shall have to go back to praying, P! It's certainly not as though I'm giving up...besides, with any luck, I'll have more birthdays, and further shots at the candles...) Lisa got me a CD and a gift certificate to Torrid; Joe got me a lovely cameo bracelet and some black rose earrings. Got an E-card from P with lovely carnations on it. (He gave gifts on Sunday, and actually some before that.) Of course, Mom and Dad sent a check--I can't help being happy I'm not too old for checks from Mom and Dad. The check helped pay for part of my gift to myself. I got myself a brand new desktop computer--the first I'd ever gotten without Mark's help. (Nothing against Mark--he has always been generous about keeping me in computers and tech support. But it is really great to have something brand new!)
Thanks to everyone who helped me have such a wonderful birthday. I feel like the most fortunate person I know.
Driving home, I got phone calls from Jeanne, Tammy, and my parents. Throughout the day, I got lots of greetings on Facebook, and even a text (and later another gift card) from my ex-husband. Forgot, too, that I started the morning with an e-mail from Diane. Went to dinner with my kids (and is it too tacky/weird/optimistic to call Nathan my kid-in-law?) and had shrimp and lobster. Came home to the cake Lisa made me--chocolate with chocolate frosting, and candy-store peanut butter cups busted up and sprinkled over the top. Made a wish, but pathetically missed one of the two numbered candles. (Shall have to go back to praying, P! It's certainly not as though I'm giving up...besides, with any luck, I'll have more birthdays, and further shots at the candles...) Lisa got me a CD and a gift certificate to Torrid; Joe got me a lovely cameo bracelet and some black rose earrings. Got an E-card from P with lovely carnations on it. (He gave gifts on Sunday, and actually some before that.) Of course, Mom and Dad sent a check--I can't help being happy I'm not too old for checks from Mom and Dad. The check helped pay for part of my gift to myself. I got myself a brand new desktop computer--the first I'd ever gotten without Mark's help. (Nothing against Mark--he has always been generous about keeping me in computers and tech support. But it is really great to have something brand new!)
Thanks to everyone who helped me have such a wonderful birthday. I feel like the most fortunate person I know.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Career Goal Announcement
Besides wanting to become a successful novelist and playwright, I mean. Just wanted to briefly let you all know that I have decided (at least for the moment--who knows how quickly I might become discouraged?) to go back to school in order to become a nurse practitioner. More money, more autonomy, and the power to prescribe medication--what's not to like? I can't apply to the actual nurse practitioner program until next year, but I am going to be taking a prerequisite or two at Austin Community College this year.
Friday, July 16, 2010
P is for Pseudoboyfriend...
...and other things that are personal, but I assure you not intentionally for anyone's private parts or any alliterative euphemisms thereof. Not to disparage those in any way--but I digress.
I call him a pseudoboyfriend, because it's not really a full-fledged relationship even though I certainly consider him my friend. And yes, I have enjoyed carnal knowledge of him. Really enjoyed it, on several occasions. But it is especially not a full-fledged relationship lately, because his nonagenarian father came to live with him in November. Even before this happened, things were not normal. So not normal that I lost patience and went off and tried to have another relationship. Assuming anyone is reading this, I know what you're thinking. No, he is not married. He was married and divorced long before I met him, and had another live-in relationship, also long before I met him. I've been to his house, and there is no feminine influence, no womens' clothing anywhere on the premises. In fact, aside from the first meeting in a public place, I've only ever been to his house--oh, and then most recently at the writer's conference hotel, but that's another story. Anyway, I came to know him when he was going through a phase--a not-wanting-to-go-out-in-public-places-much phase. He likes to shop--no, trust me, he is not gay--but he always wears his mp3 player when he shops so that people don't approach him and try to talk to him. And having his father around has really cramped his style. In his earlier life, however, he was a world traveler, and went to operas in a tuxedo. He is still witty and urbane, if reclusive. He makes me laugh. For instance, when I told him I was starting a blog, I asked him if I could call him Mr. __(first letter of his last name--which, coincidentally, is NOT P...) in it, he said: "I prefer just P, like a Bond villain." I don't know why I found that so hilarious. For now, though, I think I'll close. I'll talk more about P another time.
I call him a pseudoboyfriend, because it's not really a full-fledged relationship even though I certainly consider him my friend. And yes, I have enjoyed carnal knowledge of him. Really enjoyed it, on several occasions. But it is especially not a full-fledged relationship lately, because his nonagenarian father came to live with him in November. Even before this happened, things were not normal. So not normal that I lost patience and went off and tried to have another relationship. Assuming anyone is reading this, I know what you're thinking. No, he is not married. He was married and divorced long before I met him, and had another live-in relationship, also long before I met him. I've been to his house, and there is no feminine influence, no womens' clothing anywhere on the premises. In fact, aside from the first meeting in a public place, I've only ever been to his house--oh, and then most recently at the writer's conference hotel, but that's another story. Anyway, I came to know him when he was going through a phase--a not-wanting-to-go-out-in-public-places-much phase. He likes to shop--no, trust me, he is not gay--but he always wears his mp3 player when he shops so that people don't approach him and try to talk to him. And having his father around has really cramped his style. In his earlier life, however, he was a world traveler, and went to operas in a tuxedo. He is still witty and urbane, if reclusive. He makes me laugh. For instance, when I told him I was starting a blog, I asked him if I could call him Mr. __(first letter of his last name--which, coincidentally, is NOT P...) in it, he said: "I prefer just P, like a Bond villain." I don't know why I found that so hilarious. For now, though, I think I'll close. I'll talk more about P another time.
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