I'll be heading to my beloved West Virginia this week and while this would normally bring joy to my heart, this particular trip will be filled with sadness and grief. A dear friend of mine, Margret Ann Smith, passed away today after a battle with cancer. Mags was the chef and owner of The Red Fox, the amazing restaurant I was blessed to work at for several years during the 90's. An amazing woman, Mags always made us feel so welcome and appreciated.
She watched over us all and during the Christmas season, when so many of us were far away from our families, she went out of her way to make us all feel like family. It's been over a decade since I lived there but not a day goes by that I don't think about those beautiful mountains and the place I love so much. I got to see her last October, a little over a year ago, and spent a lovely evening having dinner with her. As always, it was like I had never been away.
I will see many people that I have not seen in years and while it will be great to be with them, I just wish it were under different circumstances. I suspect that there will be a very large turnout this week as she had a large family in Elkins and loved ones all around the east coast. Most of the people I worked with have moved on to other places but I'm sure they will all find their way back to the mountains this week as we say goodbye to a dear friend. We love you Mags!
This is for you kiddo...
I Call Bullshit On This One
I love Salon, it's one of the best sites on the internet, but I have to call bullshit on http://www.salon.com/life/broadsheet/2010/10/13/trans_athletes/index.html. Citing a study, Salon says that...
It's possible I suppose that this is true but I find it very difficult to believe. I've been on hormones for over six years now, take massive dosages of anti-androgens and even though I've lost some muscle mass, I feel pretty confident that there are few women, save for elite athletes, that I couldn't out compete in just about any sport.
I can guarantee you that there is not one single female that I work with, many of whom are much younger and if truth be told, in much better shape than me, that could beat me in basketball, throw a football further, ski better, hit a baseball better, run faster, jump higher or lift more than I can. Not a one. Zip. Zilch. Zero.
I'm not saying this to brag or for any other reason save for the fact that I have the advantage of a body that was built by more than 30 years of testosterone. My skeletal system is bigger and stronger and all those years of living "male" simply conditioned me to be able to do those things. It's the way the human body is built and it's the way that most of our fellow animals are built. In nearly every single instance, the male of a species is bigger, stronger and faster. No amount of estrogen will change that.
I give you as an example my two border collies. Sammy and River are both the same age, separated by only a few months, but Sammy, my male border, is bigger, faster, more agile and a better athlete. He's not necessarily smarter, though he is a genius, but physically, he is built different and it's the same with me.
Okay, feel free to disagree but I stand by what I've said here.
It turns out, though, that there is no proof that transgender women have an automatic advantage. A report released earlier this month on transgender student athletes says...
It's possible I suppose that this is true but I find it very difficult to believe. I've been on hormones for over six years now, take massive dosages of anti-androgens and even though I've lost some muscle mass, I feel pretty confident that there are few women, save for elite athletes, that I couldn't out compete in just about any sport.
I can guarantee you that there is not one single female that I work with, many of whom are much younger and if truth be told, in much better shape than me, that could beat me in basketball, throw a football further, ski better, hit a baseball better, run faster, jump higher or lift more than I can. Not a one. Zip. Zilch. Zero.
I'm not saying this to brag or for any other reason save for the fact that I have the advantage of a body that was built by more than 30 years of testosterone. My skeletal system is bigger and stronger and all those years of living "male" simply conditioned me to be able to do those things. It's the way the human body is built and it's the way that most of our fellow animals are built. In nearly every single instance, the male of a species is bigger, stronger and faster. No amount of estrogen will change that.
I give you as an example my two border collies. Sammy and River are both the same age, separated by only a few months, but Sammy, my male border, is bigger, faster, more agile and a better athlete. He's not necessarily smarter, though he is a genius, but physically, he is built different and it's the same with me.
Okay, feel free to disagree but I stand by what I've said here.
Celebrate Good Times
Today is Native American Genocide Day, also known as Columbus Day. It's pretty much just one more day set aside for white people. In all seriousness though, it didn't have to happen that way.
Cold
It's hard to believe that it was 99 degrees just a little over a week ago. A Frost Advisory has been issued for all of the counties west and south of Louisville. The urban heat island in the city will keep us well above freezing tonight so no frost at my house. I can't remember the last year we had cold temperatures like this, so early in the year. Last year, we didn't get our first freeze of the year till the first week of December.
Great Big Sea
I am so freaking excited about the last Waterfront Wednesday of the summer. On September 29th, WFPK is bringing Great Big Sea to town for a free concert at Waterfront Park. This trio hales from St. John's Newfoundland and are known for putting on a rollicking great show. That it's free is just a bonus.
Here's a taste of some Great Big Sea fun...
Here's a taste of some Great Big Sea fun...
It's Got What Plants Need
It's been a long time since I've seen things as dry as they are right now. It hasn't rained her in at least a month and for the two months before that, we really hadn't had more than a stray thunderstorm here or there. The green long ago left the grass, plants have wilted and died, trees are in total shock and are just dropping their leaves without ever changing colors. The ground, well, it,s about as hard and cracked open as you can get.
I've spent a small fortune watering this summer, just to keep things somehow going. I've invested way too much money in turning my yard into a natural setting, buying native species from expensive nurseries, planting numerous shade trees and generally trying to make my little space wildlife friendly, to watch it all just die. So, I have one of the few living spaces left on my street and with no rain in the forecast, coupled with daytime temps in the 90's, things are only going to get worse.
If there is one silver lining, it's where I live. On the south banks of the Ohio River, water restrictions are unheard of around here. We get all of our city water from the big river and while the water level is down a little bit (sufficient rain upstream), it's no big deal. So, I have a reliable and cheap source of water and I'm using it to keep my trees and plants alive.
So, if you have any rain in your parts, please send it our way. It is, Brawndo withstanding, what plants crave.
I've spent a small fortune watering this summer, just to keep things somehow going. I've invested way too much money in turning my yard into a natural setting, buying native species from expensive nurseries, planting numerous shade trees and generally trying to make my little space wildlife friendly, to watch it all just die. So, I have one of the few living spaces left on my street and with no rain in the forecast, coupled with daytime temps in the 90's, things are only going to get worse.
If there is one silver lining, it's where I live. On the south banks of the Ohio River, water restrictions are unheard of around here. We get all of our city water from the big river and while the water level is down a little bit (sufficient rain upstream), it's no big deal. So, I have a reliable and cheap source of water and I'm using it to keep my trees and plants alive.
So, if you have any rain in your parts, please send it our way. It is, Brawndo withstanding, what plants crave.
Okay, I couldn't stay away. So, I got my new Entertainment Weekly on Friday and it's the Fall Television Preview. I've spent an hour or so browsing the upcoming schedule, reading all about new shows and catching up on my old favorites. Needless to say, my DVR is going to be rather busy this fall as there are a lot of very promising shows coming my way. So, without further ado, here is my upcoming viewing schedule (NOTE: College football trumps everything else)...
Monday Nights
Rules of Engagement on CBS at 8:30
The Event on NBC at 9:00
Hawaii Five-O on CBS at 10:00
Castle on ABC at 10:00 (DVR)
Tuesday Nights
Glee on Fox at 8:00
NCIS: Los Angeles on CBS at 9:00
The Good Wife on CBS at 10:00
Parenthood on NBC at 10:00 (DVR)
When V returns in November, I'll be watching it on ABC at 9:00.
Yes, I'm a Gleek...
Wednesday Nights
Well, aside from the wonderful Modern Family, Wednesday isn't a very stellar television night.
Modern Family on ABC at 9:00
I'm going to give The Defenders a try on CBS at 10:00.
Thursday Night
This is the night that is home to the very best show on television, The Big Bang Theory.
The Big Bang Theory on CBS at 8:00
30 Rock on NBC at 8:30
Grey's Anatomy on ABC at 9:00
The Mentalist on CBS at 10:00 Simon Baker is way hot.
Private Practice on ABC at 10:00 (DVR)
Friday Night
College Football on ESPN
Saturday
College Freaking Football
Sunday Night
Sunday Night Football on NBC at 8:00
Mad Men on AMC at 10:00
CSI: Miami on CBS at 10:00 (DVR)
Monday Nights
Rules of Engagement on CBS at 8:30
The Event on NBC at 9:00
Hawaii Five-O on CBS at 10:00
Castle on ABC at 10:00 (DVR)
Tuesday Nights
Glee on Fox at 8:00
NCIS: Los Angeles on CBS at 9:00
The Good Wife on CBS at 10:00
Parenthood on NBC at 10:00 (DVR)
When V returns in November, I'll be watching it on ABC at 9:00.
Yes, I'm a Gleek...
Wednesday Nights
Well, aside from the wonderful Modern Family, Wednesday isn't a very stellar television night.
Modern Family on ABC at 9:00
I'm going to give The Defenders a try on CBS at 10:00.
Thursday Night
This is the night that is home to the very best show on television, The Big Bang Theory.
The Big Bang Theory on CBS at 8:00
30 Rock on NBC at 8:30
Grey's Anatomy on ABC at 9:00
The Mentalist on CBS at 10:00 Simon Baker is way hot.
Private Practice on ABC at 10:00 (DVR)
Friday Night
College Football on ESPN
Saturday
College Freaking Football
Sunday Night
Sunday Night Football on NBC at 8:00
Mad Men on AMC at 10:00
CSI: Miami on CBS at 10:00 (DVR)
End Of The Road?
I've come to the conclusion that I just don't have anything interesting to say. My life is rather boring and I seem to have lost my voice. I'm not sure when I'll be back on these pages, perhaps in a few days, maybe never, but for now, I need a total break from blogging. See you soon, one way or the other.
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