I just want to know when the Sierra Club turned into the Jehovah's Witnesses of the fundraising world.

Oddly, the capstone paper I was referring to a few days ago ("Buffalo Grass Won't You Come Out Tonight?") was partially about how the Sierra Club screwed up getting a chunk of land preserved because the people in San Francisco didn't want to listen to what their local chapters in Oklahoma were telling them. The Oklahoma chapters had no problem with the Osage Nation continuing to extract oil from under the preserve so long as they didn't drill new wells; the wells would be played out within 20 years anyway. The San Fran folks refused to listen and wanted the wells capped immediately after the preserve was declared. Because of their rockheadedness, the Osage leaned on their congressman to pull his support for the project, and the preserve was spiked.

Cindy, join The Nature Conservancy. They leave the small time members alone. They really only pester people who donate $1000/year and up. The $50/year guys get completely left alone.

There were several times in high school when I remember crying and crying, and then being even MORE depressed and pissed, because then I felt physically ill, as well as all upset!

I swear I remember reading about how crying releases all kinds of bad chemicals in the body and is supposed to make you feel better. But it's possible someone was just trying to make me feel better after crying.

They really only pester people who donate $1000/year and up. The $50/year guys get completely left alone.

That seems backwards. (Northwestern has a rule for alumni that donating $1000 buys you the right to never be asked for money over the phone again.)

I swear I remember reading about how crying releases all kinds of bad chemicals in the body and is supposed to make you feel better.

I've read that too -- that crying releases "stress hormones" and is therefore good for you. But I don't think I've read it anywhere other than as hearsay on the internet, so...yeah.

Hello lovely Bitches!

I've been gone all day and what a day it has been. Ellie, who I hope is too young to be teething (14 weeks) is showing all the signs of a teething baby. She gets to re-acquaint herself with her daddy on Thursday and I am hoping she will be her usual pleasant self and not this new, previously unknown, cranky baby.

Thanks for the birthday wishes, everyone!

Fred Pete, my job search is...progressing. It looks like they're going with a more senior person for this position, but they'll definitely keep me in mind for when they need people with my skill level...in three or four months. Meanwhile, I'm being thrust to a hiring manager in Charlottesville, VA, for a medical writing position in another branch. But that guy likes PhD's and shit. So...I hate everything. I need to find more options.

Stephanie, I'm sorry about the cranky baby, but I am so excited for you for Thursday.

Ellie, who I hope is too young to be teething (14 weeks) is showing all the signs of a teething baby. She gets to re-acquaint herself with her daddy on Thursday and I am hoping she will be her usual pleasant self and not this new, previously unknown, cranky baby.

Lillian started teething at about that age...

However, I hope it's not teething. One of us with an early teether is enough.

(And these next ones better hurry their asses up and erupt already.)

Happy Birthday, P-C! Sorry I missed it.

Thanks, sj. I'm very excited myself.

And now, to bed.

eta: Plei, I thought I remembered you saying she was teething early. I can't feel any bumps on her gums, but she acts like her gums are bothering her.

Huh. Entertainment Weekly just pointed out to me an Indy Pop band... that consists of a 10-year-old and a 12-year-old. (I suppose they might be 11 and 13 now.) They are called "Smoosh".

I am listening to previews of their music on iTunes and, though I'm occasionally finding the prepubescent voice annoying, I'm mostly... finding them to be really good. I may have to buy the album.

I know there's a music thread, but I'm scared to go there since I know very little about music, but just wanted to point out the coolness of it. Talented children seems like Bitches territory.

Huh. Entertainment Weekly just pointed out to me an Indy Pop band... that consists of a 10-year-old and a 12-year-old. (I suppose they might be 11 and 13 now.) They are called "Smoosh".

Aah yes, Smoosh. Seattle band; they're opened for a number of big Seattle-area bands (Sleater-Kinney, Pearl Jam). Let me see if I can dig up the Stranger article.

Here tis: [link]