L .comment-link {margin-left:.6em;}

Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde

A fun, relaxing place to rant, rave, highlight interesting finds on the web, and initiate discussion on topics large and small. You may not agree, but you won't be bored! Take a look, feel free to comment, and enjoy your stay. You will also find several resources for creating your own website, blog, and web identity.

Join Associated Content Check out my published content!
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Does It Get Any Better Than Google?

FOXNews.com - Google's Rumored GDrive May 'Kill' the PC

Personally, I can't wait! I do most things online anyway. I seriously can't wait until this comes out (if it is true). It is amazing how far technology has come, even in the last five years.

Amazing.

Lindsey

Labels: ,

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Sometimes A Comment Can Make You Stop and Think

Turner Syndrome and Sex - Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde

The above link actually goes to a "shadow" blog I use on Wordpress. Essentially, I import all of my posts from blogger into my Wordpress account. There are several reasons for this. 1. I can reach more people. 2. I have a back up version of my blog if something ever happened to Blogger. 3. I wanted to learn how to use Wordpress.

Well, from time to time, I get an e-mail saying that I have a comment on the Wordpress version of my blog. Sometimes it is spam, sometimes it is a nice note. This time, it was a revelation.

Here is the comment I received from Actorgirl:

"As someone who also only recently found out that some people are calling TS an 'intersex' condition, I'm with you. Not only puzzled, but really kind of offended. I am female, as is every other woman I know with TS. It's bad enough having my doctor (who I really do love, but she occasionally blew me away when I first starting seeing her) say, "You know, you've really changed my mind about TS." She had also been under the impression that women with TS were mentally retarded. This bothers me even more than that-- almost as much as the 'professor' in the graduate level Child Development class who called girls/women with TS 'creatures.' ::SIGH::

You are SO right about the questioning whether you are a 'real' woman, and it does NOT make it any easier to be told that you really aren't even FEMALE. Particularly for those of us who are mosaic or who are not 45X but who have one partially missing or partially repeated X chromosome... as you stated, no confusion about genitalia, no confusion about chromosomal gender. But a LOT of possible gender identification issues when you're told you're NOT what you ARE. I really honestly don't think TS meets the definition of an intersex condition, and we are all most assuredly females!"

This is what I wrote in response:

"Actorgirl, thank you so very much for commenting. I couldn't agree with you more. It seems to me that the most likely people to treat us (Turners women) as anything other than the women that we are are in fact doctors. It seems as though all too often doctors can’t get past the diagnosis to see that a human being is there right in front of their eyes.

How on Earth anyone could characterize Turners women as retarded is beyond me. Quite frankly, I don’t know any Turners women who haven’t at least earned a bachelors degree. I say that because it means that despite the fact that some may have learning disabilities, they are more than capable of managing the educational system.

Lindsey"

(You can read the original post here.)

As you can see, I have some definite views on the subject of intersex conditions and how Turners Syndrome is perceived by many people. What angers me is that there are so many people who want to label it a disability. A disability? What has it prevented me from doing in my life, besides reaching things on high shelves and having children the old fashioned way?

1. There are a lot of short people out there who don't have Turners Syndrome. Are we going to consider everyone who is short disabled?

2. The same thing goes for men and women who are dealing with infertility. There are many, many people who are unable to have children naturally.

I realize that there are a whole host of issues that can arise with Turners Syndrome, but most of the women and girls affected do not have serious physical disabilities (if any). With regards to mental disabilities, aside from very specific learning disabilities related to math and spatial reasoning (which are not always present), the rate of mental disability is comparable to the rest of the population.

Why then do we try to put artificial limitations and labels on individuals because we perceive them as different? I know that it is a human trait, but it has serious consequences. It just goes to show you that a simple comment can make a person angry all over again. I just wish that there was something constructive that I could do about it (aside from correcting misinformation when I see it).

Lindsey

Labels: , , ,

Thursday, January 15, 2009

File This Under "Why Didn't I Think of That?"

Reading is believing. Some obsessed Beatles fan (and I promise that it was not me) ranked 185 songs in the Beatles catalog (most, if not all, of their work as the Beatles). He even took the time to write about each individual song! Of course, everyone has an opinion. I happen to agree with picks for song #185 and song #1. Check it out!

Playing The Beatles Backwards: The Ultimate Countdown | JamsBio Magazine

Labels: , ,

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Contrary to Popular Belief; No, I Never Flashed Bob Schneider!

It is funny how you forget certain things, even regarding very important times in your life. After talking to my pal Cheryl last night (Cheryl is one of my best buds from Austin, Texas), she brought up a cruel joke that we played on our friend Andy (excuse me, Andrew).

Back in 2002, Cheryl, Andrew, and I attended the First Annual Austin City Limits Festival. A wonderful hot summer weekend under the Texas sun listening to great music with great friends. At one point, Cheryl lost her cell phone. As the three of us split up looking for it, somehow Andrew and Cheryl were convinced that they saw me near the stage, if not on it. Cheryl and I were then alone for a minute, and we decided that we were going to play a little trick on Andrew.

You see, Bob Schneider, a famous Austin musician who not only has a solo career, but fronts several great bands, was on stage. I had only recently become acquainted with Bob and his bands thanks to my roommate Karen. Bob's set at ACL Fest was one of the acts that I did not want to miss.

It was conceivable that Andrew and Cheryl thought that I had worked my way up to the stage. Cheryl's idea was this (and yes Cheryl, it was YOUR idea): Hey, let's tell Andy that you flashed Bob Schneider. So, we did. I have never in my life flashed anyone (except maybe my boyfriend Brian). Up until 2006 when Cheryl broke the news to Andrew, he was convinced that he had corrupted me all those years ago.

The sad thing is that I forgot all about this, and I am not even 30 yet! What am I going to remember about my days in Austin when I am 80? I am just glad that Cheryl reminded me, and that we were able to pull one over on a very smart guy for so long. I will never ever forget how much fun I had in those few short months of hanging out with Cheryl and Andrew. And yes, I still listen to Bob Schneider's solo work from time to time.

Lindsey

Labels: , ,

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Technorati Profile!

Technorati Profile

Labels:

Issues with Technorati

I am hoping that I have finally resolved any issues with Technorati. Cross your fingers please!

Lindsey

Labels:

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Is This Some Kind of Cruel Joke?

The fact that Jennifer Granholm would be mentioned for any kind of federal position would be cause for concern, but Commerce secretary?  Wow.  She would be asked to do on a national level what she has failed to do in Michigan:  create new opportunities for business as well as labor.  She has been asleep at the wheel for years, and she'll be rewarded?  I know that she had a very hard job in front of her, but can anyone please tell me what she has actually done for Michigan, other than cause us to bleed jobs at an unprecedented rate?  I bet there are many more Michiganders in Arizona, Texas, and California now than at any other time in our state's history.  There are no opportunities here for people under the age of 50 (unless you want to go into health care).

I apologize if I seem angry, but I am.  The economic depression of this state has profoundly affected me personally.  I hold Granholm at least partly responsible.  She certainly hasn't stepped up to the plate.  I have no idea how she was even reelected governor, much less became known at the national level.

Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm mentioned for Commerce secretary

Thursday, January 01, 2009

A New Website!

Regular readers know that when I come across great websites, I love to share them. Thanks to Brian, I came across a great music site this evening. Check it out here.

I am planning on writing an in depth, personal post regarding the current economic state of Michigan, but it will have to wait until tomorrow or Saturday. I have too many raw feelings on the subject and I need to collect my thoughts. In the days, weeks, and months to come, I plan on launching a new website for myself. Stay tuned.

I hope that everyone is having a wonderful 2009!

Lindsey

Labels: , , ,


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket Photobucket