Under the Rug

By now most of us are well aware that there are synthetic chemicals in just about everything we use – even food.  We know about parabens and petroleum-based products, and dyes.  What we don’t look at it who is impacted the most by these products.  Even once we remove the so-called ‘bad’ stuff from them, there are still hundreds, thousands, of unaccounted for chemicals we slather, smooth, rub in, rinse off, lather, and scrub onto our bodies.  While the market is changing (and I’m not sure that’s such a good thing), women often use considerably more products than men.  I did a totally unscientific survey of what products a woman might use in a month versus what a man might use.  And here are my totally unofficial results: Continue reading →

Hello my little dustbunnies!

So sorry for the radio silence, things have gotten crazy over here and it took me off guard.  I’ve recently gotten new floorboards (I moved) and my sister, Sandie Florbjord, is getting married in just over a month which means we’ve got lots to do.  I’m not usually one for the wedding industry but I’m suspending my critical eye for the moment to enjoy the exciting process of melding families and because, even in spite of the commercialization of all that is meaningful in the world, weddings are fun.  Also, my sister is happy, if a bit stressed.  So, I’m holding back my usual rants of fury and rage at our ridiculous lifestyles the first, and considerably less articulate, draft of which my poor sister generally gets the brunt.

Thanks for bearing with me during this absurdly busy time.  Now, back to your regularly scheduled postings.

In Solidarity,

Dusty Florbjord

• Romney will legislate religion.  This is a most basic violation of our rights that has become the norm and will only increase under Romney.  While I know you are a spiritual person, I also know that you understand not everyone is.  Your relative and myself being two at hand examples.
• Obama intends to increase funding for education, scholarships, and support teachers.  It is entirely possible that under Continue reading →

Hello again!  I know, I haven’t been posting as often as I should.  What with the RNC and the DNC and my increased fervor for finding a job I got a bit distracted.  But, don’t worry, I’m back now.

Recently, I learned that my partner’s parents are voting for Mitt Romney.  I was, to say the least, horrified.  At the time I was furious and disgusted and mystified (still am, in fact).  So, I wrote them a letter.  And I will share this letter with you.  I’ve removed all names and identifying items – it would be wrong to share them.  Feel free to use this letter if you have someone in your life that you Continue reading →

People shock me.  I know, I should be over it by now, but I just can’t seem to fathom that some people actually believe this shit.  The myth of the welfare queen is alive and well, married to the belief that people need to earn their basic rights – health care, housing and education.  I always just assume these are fringe beliefs, just a small but loud group screaming hysterics about leeches and drug addicts.  But alas, no.  Regular people, people I associate with, believe it.  Over the weekend I actually heard that some people do not deserve to basic rights unless they “contribute to society” – how you might measure that I’m not sure.  I am sure, however, Continue reading →

Throughout the abortion debate we hear all about exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother.  If a politician doesn’t support these exceptions they are considered particularly horrible – that is more horrible than their counterparts who do support such exceptions but do not support abortions in other cases.  However, in a conversation with my totally badass grandmother – she suggested that perhaps those who do make such exceptions are the wrong ones and, after a long and rambling conversation covering everything from the necessity and ultimate arbitrariness of voting to ancient and modern cultural expectations about love, I came to agree with her. Continue reading →

I’ve been ruminating recently about Romney’s VP selection of Paul Ryan.  I know I’m not alone since the entire Internet has been blowing up over it, dissecting Ryan’s records and views and general way of being.  His stances on reproductive rights, which are horrifying, and his views on the economy, also horrifying, have been covered in great depth on a variety of news media from every conceivable angle.  His love of Ayn Rand and apparent confusion over the fact that her atheist beliefs of selfishness do not comfortably juxtapose Ryan’s Catholicism (would Jesus approve of Ayn Rand, I think not).  And his commitment to selfishness Continue reading →

Dudepins founders, Colin Brown and Kamil Szybalskic. Image courtesy of latimes.com

Apparently there is a new website (or maybe not so new?  I’ve only just heard of it) for finding and curating things you enjoy on the interwebs.  So, basically you find something you like, pin it to an online board, and others can see it, like it, repin it, or follow your boards.  Now, I know what you’re thinking… seriously?  You’re that out of touch that you’ve just discovered Pinterest?!  My response would be no, not quite. Continue reading →

Dear Todd,

I am writing to express my gratitude for sharing the wealth of information you have on female reproduction.  Throughout my Masters education in Human Sexuality, I was implicated in the lie that women ovulate.  It was my understanding that if sex occurs (whether by force or by choice) during this period, there is a high likelihood of pregnancy.  I was taught that women have no control over this phenomenon other than their horrifying use of birth control.  That when a woman ovulates her egg (or eggs, as the case may be) is available for any sperm to fertilize.  But now, now I know that this is not that case.  Now I know, however Continue reading →