There is nothing wrong with you.

It's been a soggy week

Despite the daily rainfall, I'm planning to meet some of the Women's Night gals for Cocktails at the Garden. Of course, we have a plan B on where to go if the sky should fall when we plan to get together.

Meanwhile, I'm taking advantage of wet weather and planting new grass seed whenever I can. It's become a patchwork project around the house, weeding ivy sprouts and scattering grass seed, then covering the seed with straw. I'm sure there are much better ways to do this but I am not very garden and landscape savvy yet.

I've filled my calendar with a lot of social activity this week. Nearly every evening has been spent at a seminar or dinner with friends. That keeps the nearly non-existent amount of work and money I have from making me insane. Activity makes me happy. My professional and creative life are very unsatisfying now. I could really use something to give me a personal sense of accomplishment and worth.

Everything Is Alive

pulled from blogosphere - stem cell research

I intern at a lab that deals with stem cell research, and recently was forwarded the following attached message from the head of our lab. The document linked will explain everything, but the gist of it is that there is currently some regulatory legislation in the works to replace the repealed guidelines on embryonic stem cell research from the Bush administration. The National Institutes of Health are currently running an online comment form which allows US citizens to have their opinions on the matter heard, and such opinions are being heavily considered. If you would prefer not to get involved in a controversial issue like this, I would completely understand. But if it is something that you would be willing to get behind, it would be greatly appreciated if someone of your influence could get this message out. Thank you so much for your time.

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dd5vs2xt_0hkwp6xd8

-Joshua Turner

I think stem cell research is important. (You out there reading this in internet-land do not have to think as I do. You can actively want to ban it if you like.) But having learned that,

*"The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) launched a new
"Oppose Destructive Stem Cell Research" campaign today, equipping citizens
to contact Congress and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to oppose
embryonic stem cell research ." -- WASHINGTON, May 6
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ www.usccb.org/stemcellcampaign

and that

". ..of the 6000 plus comments that NIH
has received concerning the draft guidelines, 99% were from people who
opposed embryonic stem cell research."-Carecure Forum
http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/showpost.php?p=1039001&postcount=12

and given that I do not believe that 99% of the people out there believe that stem-cell research should be banned, I thought, well, my opinion is at least as valid as that of any Conference of Bishops. And I bet I can reach at least 6,000 people...

So, look over the document. If you have an opinion on stem cell research, and would like it expressed, go to:

http://nihoerextra.nih.gov/stem_cells/add.htm

and let them know what it is.

Jayne County at Manuel's Tavern this Friday

She always liked to play with (NY) dolls.

Yes, Manuel's Tavern. Friday, May 8th. 9pm. $15.
The "(You Could Tell I Was No) DebuTAUNT Ball"
with a live full-band performance from Jayne County.
It's a benefit for PAWS Atlanta. Don't miss this!!"
Tickets on sale now at Libertine in Little Five Points.

running away from home

Monster's best friend is coming into town and staying at The Ranch through Sunday at Monster's invitation, while he has a booth at the Scott Antiques Show this week. That means I give up the main bathroom, TV, and all privacy for a week. Monster is still having him stay in the main room for the week rather than preparing a place for him and his stuff downstairs. I want to vacate the house as much as possible this week with activities that don't require me to look so good since I have even less space and time for grooming and dressing.

Avoid Toxic People

I found this at BoingBoing.net -

Posted by David Pescovitz, May 4, 2009 11:37 AM | permalink

Over at Orange Crate Art, Michael Leddy quotes this terrific advice from graphic designer Milton Glaser on avoiding toxic people:

There is a test to determine whether someone is toxic or nourishing in your relationship with them. Here is the test: You have spent some time with this person, either you have a drink or go for dinner or you go to a ball game. It doesn’t matter very much but at the end of that time you observe whether you are more energised or less energised. Whether you are tired or whether you are exhilarated. If you are more tired then you have been poisoned. If you have more energy you have been nourished.