Galvanized

Here is the culprit to my water damage problem - a very disintegrating old galvanized pipe.



It wasn't the dishwasher connection as originally thought. Heck, that would have been easier to fix, so of course it wasn't going to be that.

So, after new floor joists, new studs, all new plumbing - no water access for three days - and a few kitchen cabinets taken apart - all should be well by Friday. And by Friday, I should be able to use my fancy new dishwasher.

Living in a 61 year old house certainly has its perks, doesn't it. Just for the record, Universe, I could use a break now.

A Modicum of Sense

Well, at least the Academy of Arts and Sciences haven't completely lost their minds. I was appalled when I first heard that the TV show, Family Guy, got an Emmy nod for their song, 'Down Syndrome Girl.'

Haven't heard it? Well, here is a sampling of the lyrics:


And though her pretty face may seem a special person's wettest dream. [...]

You must impress that ultra-boomin', all consumin', poorly-groomin', Down Syndrome girl. [...]

You want to take that little whore and spin her on the dancing floor. [...]

My boy between the two of us we'll get her on the shorty bus and then you're gonna take it on a whirl.

Now go impress that super-thrilling, wish-fulfilling, YooHoo-spilling, ultra-swinging, boner-bringing, gayly-singing, dingalinging, stupefying, fortifying, as of Monday shoe lace-tying, stimulating, titillating, kitty-cat impersonating, mega-rocking, pillow talking, just a little crooked walking, poorly-pouting, poopie-sprouting, for some reason always shouting, fascinating, captivating, happiness and joy-creating, Down Syndrome girl.

According to Newsbusters.com, "The Feb. 14 Family Guy episode, which the song appeared in, sparked outrage after its premiere - most notably from former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin who has a son with Down syndrome.

At one point in the episode, the character with Down syndrome said that her mom was "the former governor of Alaska," a clear reference to Palin and her son, Trig.

Palin quickly criticized the show for the distasteful jab at her son. "[W]hy make it tougher on the special needs community? When is enough enough? When are we going to be willing to say some things just aren't really funny?" she said on Feb. 16."

Mrs. Palin and I almost never agree on anything, but on this item we most certainly do. The song was not funny - it was offensive. And even though, as New York magazine noted, the Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics award, the category in which this song was nominated, has been "gaining a reputation as Emmy's quiet nod to First Amendment rights", this time things went too far.

Thank goodness the song did not win the Emmy.

Sick Ward

Sorry, but I will not be posting for a couple of days. Both Ashley and I have the swine flu, and it's all I can do to get up and sit at the computer - much less think of anything coherent to write.

Hopefully I will be back soon, but in the meantime, be sure to visit some of the special bloggers listed on the right side of this blog.

Today I am thankful for Tamiflu, Gatorade, Ibuprofen, cough drops and Puffs Plus tissues.