Flu nervousness

I remember when the swine flu hit for the first time, in the early 1970s during the Ford Administration (or, according to Rep. Michelle Bachmann, R-Minn, during the Carter Administration because it's directly linked to the Democrats!).

I was nervous then, largely because it was a new strain and there was no previous experience treating it. Generally, we all panicked, especially since we lived in the fantasy that animal diseases didn't affect humans.

So the swine flu is back again. This time I'm just as nervous as I was the first time. But why? Other than having two children, which changes perspective.

It is somewhat of a Pavlovian response -- hear swine flu and panic. But do we really need to panic? Of course not. Worldwide health organizations and health professionals are aware and actively tryin to prevent its spread. Of course we all wish it would just go away completely, but flus generally circulate and then go away later.

So just stay vigilant. Wash your hands often and avoid putting things into your mouth with your hands unless they've been washed.

And above all, don't panic!

Obama To The Rescue

This afternoon President Obama visited the FBI in DC and spoke to an enthusiastic crowd gathered outside. (No word on how many of the surrounding roofs were lined with security.)

Shortly after he began his speech, he stopped and said, "Did someone just faint? Right there (points) I think someone just fainted. Is there -- is there an EMT somewhere? (pauses) Okay, give him some room, give him some room. This used to happen a lot on the campaign trail. And most of the time, all they need is a little water and some air. People would be gathered outside like this, waiting, and then I'd start talking and talk too long, and people would start dropping left and right."

Then he continued his speech. One can only assume that he had to stifle the urge to rush down and help.

No word on what happened with the fainter, but I assume that he was in good hands.

Those wacky Republicans

Why, Mr. Dickinson, I'm surprised at you! You should know that rebellion is always legal in the first person -- such as "our" rebellion. It is only in the third person -- "their" rebellion -- that it is illegal.

-Benjamin Franklin, "1776"

Isn't it interesting that, in politics, the rules change overnight, as soon as a party is out of power?

Take, for example, the current hubbub over the release of memos detailing the "enhanced interrogation methods" (ie torture) used during the Bush Administration in an attempt to get information about al-Qaeda.

While in office, and (as we now know) as one of the people who approved the methods, Dick Cheney firmly stated over and over again that the information should not be released, that it would jeopardize national security, blah blah blah.

However, now that the memos (which contained a lot of information known publicly already, one of the reasons for releasing them) have been made public, the Republicans, led by Cheney and Karl Rove, are suddenly demanding that even more memos be made public. This from a man who had a man-sized safe in his office.

What changed? Simple! They are no longer in power, and they don't like how the new administration is doing business. Thank goodness Cheney and Rove are not in public office -- they can bluster and condemn all they want to, but they have less power right now than Rush Limbaugh.

I wonder -- in this new zeal for freedom of information, will the former vice president and Mr. Rove eagerly appear in front of a Congressional Committee to talk about what they know about the war in Iraq?

Books don't know everything

One of the suggestions for parents of a daughter on the occasion of her first menstrual period is to celebrate. Have a cake, heap on the praise, perhaps write a note of congratulations. So many daughters have been touched by such thoughtful gestures!

When our older daughter started, she was excited, prepared, a little freaked, but things went smoothly. She declined a celebration. But I was so impressed (although not surprised) by how ably she handled it, I wrote her a note of congratulations and pride, using thoughtful, affirming language, in part to communicate I recognize that she is growing into adulthood. I even pulled out my special note cards made from hand made paper, and beaded. I left it in her room for her to find.

Later in the evening, she looked at me in puzzlement. "Why did you leave me a card about my period?" she asked. "I already knew what to do."

So...who was it who approved that torture and then destroyed memos?

"I don't consider him to be a particularly reliable source of information."
--Hillary Clinton on Dick Cheney

"[the governor of Texas says] Texas may secede. Oklahoma had better start working on its border fence." --Stephen Colbert, The Colbert Report April 20, 2009

Notes from an engagement party

We went to an engagement party tonight. In attendance were two CEOs, a publishing executive, two physicians, a bunch of corporate types, and at least two stereotypical Seattle couples, along with some regular joes and a bit of family. The party was in a home in the U District of Seattle, where all the houses are very close together on awkward hills, but with nice views of Lake Washington.

Pizza and Sangria are an odd choice for an engagement party.

Always make sure your carpets are clean for a party.

Obama is doing a fine job, and is a genius for choosing Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State.

Madeline Albright looked the same 25 years ago as she does now.

There is nothing better than freshly baked Scottish shortbread.

Catching up on the news at a company where you used to work is like catching up on a soap opera after not having watched it in a while.

Obama is a genius for being able to position his agenda for health care, education and tax reform in the framework of solving the financial crisis.

Some people can actually be boring.

People who work in competitive companies can find a surprising amount to talk about without spilling secrets.

There is a reason there used to be those special luncheon plates with the space for a cup.

The table in the linoleum-floored dining room lowers through the floor and blank floor moves into its place, creating a dance floor. One person observed, "I've seen it on a cruise ship, but never on dry land before." Unfortunately, we were not given a demonstration or told how it works.

It is possible to go through a whole evening without mentioning the dog. Or showing photos.

Everyone at the party was a stand-at-the-back-of-the-room type, a phenomenon discovered when everyone gathered for story time and toasts.

Seattle is dumpy.

There is such thing as being too dressed up.

It is a mystery why strong, intelligent, confident, independent women can be clingy and fawny with a man.

Heated seats and steering wheels are not needed in Seattle but people have them anyway.

It is possible to have an interesting conversation with someone without knowing where they work.

There was a sunken square in the corner measuring about 4ft x 4ft lined with a patchwork quilt and with a marled red plastic ball in it, but no one knew what it was for.

Thank Goodness for Susan Boyle!

In case you haven't heard of or heard Susan Boyle, she is a Scottish singer who blew people away on "Britain's Got Talent" recently. I heard about her when I was listening to the Ron Reagan radio show (yes, that Ron Reagan) and he mentioned singer who "sings like an angel."

Later I saw a link to her appearance posted on The Huffington Post, and decided to watch.

While I wouldn't exactly say she sounds like an angel -- my singer's ear detected moments that could benefit from training -- she has a glorious voice, a confidence that gives her the air of a professional/ringer, and the knack for making a song her own when she sings it. (Watch and listen to her appearance here. Really. Watch it.) "I Dreamed a Dream" from "Les Miserables" is not exactly an easy song to sing, but she handled it with the ease of a mature singer.

Did I mention she's 47? Her age has been made much of, almost as if it's impossible for anyone to sing well over the age of 30. Of course, musicians know this is nonsense -- singers whose voices are shot by 40 do so because they abused their voices, or never learned to sing properly and damage the vocal chords. But for most singers, there is still plenty of voice left for years to come.

What has struck me has been the reaction. Not that people are so enamored of her singing, since it is well-deserved, but by how surprised the audience and even the judges were when they looked at a woman who looked like a stand-in for Hyacinth Bucket on "Keeping Up Appearances" and assumed she would be a trainwreck.

Yesterday I read a commentary by a woman who says we women are moved by Susan Boyle's singing because she represents the ability to achieve a dream for women in their 40s and older, as well as for women who are not beauties. She could be right. But maybe we are moved simply because a great song was sung by a gifted singer. Shouldn't that be enough?

So brava to Susan Boyle. For a few moments we are able to relax and appreciate the gloriousness of humanity, without worrying about the economy or education funding or TARP money or teabagging. Let's hope she can parlay this into her dream of becoming a professional singer. If Simon Cowell has any brains at all, he'll do everything he can to help her succeed.

Amusing, no?

Today First Lady Michelle Obama spoke at the Department of Homeland Security as she continues her "thank you" visits to each of the agencies. Included in Homeland Security is the Secret Service.

So what as amusing? When she stepped down to the crowd to shake hands, she had Secret Service behind her. You would think that at the DHS, of all places, they wouldn't need to follow her...

POTUS on Easter Sunday

The answer to the big question, "Where will the Obamas worship on Easter?" was answered when they went to St. John's Church in DC this morning.

The press, of course, followed, and apparently only writers were allowed inside the church, with the rest of the press corps remaining outside.

The Huffington Post has quite a bit of Washington Post reporter Christina Bellantoni'sreport about the morning. The service was filled with great music and discreetly rubbernecking parishoners, as well as little girls in Easter dresses going through metal detectors.

She also commented: "We also could not see if they placed money in the offertory dish as it went by. No one from press pew contributed."

Heh.

Happy Easter, everyone!

Arizona

It's an adventure to book a vacation during Spring Break six days beforehand. But with serindipity and cashable airline miles, we went to Scottsdale, Arizona and spent four days (five nights) at the Fairmont Scottsdale Resort.


The kids just wanted to swim, and at a resort with three pools (four if you count the pool at the Willow Stream Spa) that was no problem. We had a room in one of the casitas, which have a small pool, allowing casita dwellers to avoid the walk to the main pools if they wish. Given that there is a slide pool, we were not always at the casita pool.


One day I had a morning at the spa. The spa at the Fairmont Scottsdale is a top-rated spa, and it really shows. I had (have) a cold virus that started the day before we left, so I had an aromatherapy facial that left my sinuses clear and my body relaxed. I followed it with a pedicure, then had lunch before leaving. I was pleased to get a small discount on my treatments through our membership in the Fairmont President's Club. Then I lucked out when my facialist (apparently) mistakenly extended me a 20% discount on my purchase of facial products. (I bought one. I'm always looking for a good exfollient.) The spa is quite large -- separate men's and women's spas, a shared fitness room, pool, and lounge area that includes juices, teas, muffins and fruit. In the women's spa was a hot/cold pool (with waterfall), steamroom, suiss shower, and an inhaling room, scented with eucalyptus and menthol -- perfect for my sinuses. While I did not take the time to use everything, I enjoyed running around in nothing but a plush robe for half a day. I can easily understand why someone would spend all their time at that spa while on vacation.


We also had the opportunity to visit friends in Fountain Hills, where we had the best gelato. Ever. The woman who runs it spent a year apprenticing in Italy with a gelato maker. I had Tiramisu and Chocolate Hazlenut flavors, and it was amazing. We also had a wonderful visit with them. Plus we saw the famous fountain. Fountain Hills, in spite of being one of the most conservative cities anywhere (someone kept covering the naked bottom of a cupid statue with a napkin because they thought it was inappropriate), it is a city known for its artists, and there is fabulous art there, everywhere you look.

While I was there I felt as if I was continuing the family tradition. Although no one stayed at the Fairmont, for years my great-Uncle Henry, the Norwegian bachelor farmer (ref. Garrison Keillor) drove from North Dakota to Scottsdale before the first snow hit, and didn't return until time for spring's work. For several years my grandparents (Henry was my grandmother's brother) drove to Scottsdale for a month or two.

While we were there, I could certainly understand why people winter in Arizona. If most of the days are less than 80, but the nights are never below the 40s or 50s, it's ideal. (Especially if you golf.)

Will return? Maybe not right away -- we are still very much beach people. But some cold winter, when the kids are away at college, and we are feeling grumpy about the rain, we might find ourselves exploring the sites of Arizona.