Displaying 1,921 To 1,950 Of 2,240 Comments Hello to all: Alpha Pup (formerly known as Bamiyan boy) is here!!!! He is great, and I am over the moon happy to have him “home/here”. We’ll try and put something togethr for a formal meet n greet. Cheers to all! -AB » Posted By AlphaBitch On December 13, 2010 @ 6:26 am HEY Boomer! Geez, I check out for a while (YGM) and come back to see videos of the Beckster posted at the PLANET of all places! Seriously? Reminds me of my cousin Bubba’s (no lie) little boy, David, who could really mount a tantrum. Bubba would grab a beer, stand over him, and say things like “Come on, son. I know you can do better than THAT. Scream louder. Your face isn’t red enough.” (etc etc) After a few minutes, David would get up and stomp away. He grew up to be a nice young man, and it gave us all laughs at the holidays. Moral: It’s not ALWAYS about YOU! » Posted By AlphaBitch On December 10, 2010 @ 6:17 am Kesmarn and Bito: Grace was 10 years old when this was made. Her father works for Glimmer of Hope Foundation – one of the most amazing non-profits I have ever encountered. Their purpose is to transform Ethiopia by building water wells, schools, clinics, vet clinics, etc. They are TRULY wonderful. Grace is a sweetheart, very very loving and giving. She performed at a benefit last night in a home near mine, and I had been invited by a former host mom for one of my Afghans. While she samg, people wept. A very important and very influential man must have taken 10 photos on his phone. His wife sat next to me, squeezing my arm and we both were wiping tears. This child has a real gift. She was selling CDs for $50 each with ALL proceeds going to help buld a school (buying desks for it once finished) with Glimmer. I’ll keep you posted. In another life, I worked with the music industry and have many friends still in “the Biz”. I expect great things for Grace. And Glimmer. I’ll send you an email about them soon. » Posted By AlphaBitch On December 8, 2010 @ 12:27 pm JUST had the most amazing experience – check this out. I got to hear this 11 year old girl LIVE tonight. Unbelievable. Also, learned about Glimmer of Hope Foundation. Would love to write more, but can’t now. PLEASE listen to this child!!
» Posted By AlphaBitch On December 7, 2010 @ 7:17 pm Hey Pepe! Congrats on your new citizenship. I’m just pea green with envy. I used to think – “hell, I’ll just go to Mexico” (I love to snorkel). Now? Not so much. Given I’d rather face a Talib than an airplane (that fear came loooonnnnggg before 9/11), I’m limited to refugee status at bordering countries. Damn! Why oh why are the countries bordering the US so damn BIG? » Posted By AlphaBitch On December 1, 2010 @ 5:37 am Up Against An Uncompromising GOP Brick Wall BOOMER! You go girl! I love to fax things; it wastes paper, for which I am really, truly sorry. But it also means some schlub (like myself) has to get up when they hear “incoming” and get the damn thing. I always read them, unless it starts with huge letters and “Caribbean vacation”. I want SOME pair of eyes – and maybe not the trained assassins on the internets tubes – to SEE my anger. And it can only be tossed, not “deleted” or “vaporized” before ONE MORE pair of eyes can perchance see it. Fax away, dear one. Love you for it! » Posted By AlphaBitch On December 1, 2010 @ 5:57 pm Mid-Atlantic Trip Part 8: Chesapeake Bay Hey Khirad. Thinking of you and hoping things are going well for your grandmother. I love your travelogues. But I’m going to have to dispute what tacky Christmas lights are: we OWN that title in my hometown. I’ll have the Blov paste you a photo that will set you and Mightywoof’s teeth on edge. An old man (and I mean, like in his late 80s) has transformed his little subdivision non-descript home into a psychodelic Christmas cornucopia. Will post tonight in O/T for your viewing pleasure. Thanks for the trip notes – I’ve saved them all for my east coast trip someday. Give your grandmother some love from the Planet, and know she is in our prayers. » Posted By AlphaBitch On November 26, 2010 @ 12:00 pm A Thanksgiving Tradition – 2010 Happy Thanksgiving, dear Planetarians! Picked up the Baby Girl from airport last night; she was told a DRIVER had been hired to pick her up and drive her out to her host family’s ranch. Had the Blov wear big shades, fake moustache, and some REALLY bad Billy Bob teeth w/ gold caps (homage to the Beckster). He smiled at a group of young Muslim women coming from another flight; they were HORRIFIED and giggled all the way to baggage about the horrible looking guy. I hid behind a Safety (TSA??) guy to try and get Baby Girl’s reaction when she saw this weird guy holding up a sign w/ her name. As I explained to the back side of the Safety Man how we were trying to play a joke on my Afghan student by dressing my husband up in a creepy disguise, the Blov turned around and waved. The Safety Guy then turned around – he had the SAME TYPE MOUSTACHE. My bad……. We got to the ranch at 1:00 AM. Slept till 6:00 AM, now headed for a ranch in the opposite direction. AND I have a “man cold” and can’t taste squat. All those calories to be consumed, and no flavor. This sucks. Happy T-day to all, and to all a good night. Or something like that. » Posted By AlphaBitch On November 25, 2010 @ 8:03 am Has Democracy Outlived Its Usefulness? I don’t know, but it makes me feel icky if it has anything to do with David Vitter……. You have to remember, I was in the free-for-all world of Texas politics. I MET Dick Armey and Charlie Wilson. I was there when Henry B. Gonzalez (God love him) punched out a man for calling him a communist because he was a progressive. I once sat behind dear Miss Ann (Richards) at a concert in a “joint”, and she kept asking me if her hair was too big and if I needed her to “pat it down”. I’ve seen the beast of politics and governing up close. Nuthin like the Texas Lege to convince you that true idiots (see Armey and Wilson above and add to that Delay) can get elected and rise to power on the simple premise of bullshit. How do you think Bush was successful? » Posted By AlphaBitch On November 15, 2010 @ 1:55 pm Thanks. Wow – so Kes and I would be some of the prototypical founding “Mothers”. I like that! » Posted By AlphaBitch On November 15, 2010 @ 1:42 pm Great, thought provoking articles, both of you! Having worked for the biggest law firm representing various associations (ie, we were the lobbyists), and having rewritten bills so that our clients were better served: how about no riders on bills? So what if they have beaucoup bills to process? What do you think I’m paying them for? I want a “yes” or “no” vote without all the strings and riders attached. No more “A bill to authorize mandatory jail time for all wife-beaters” with an attached rider “It’s OK to rape young children”. They stand alone or not at all. » Posted By AlphaBitch On November 15, 2010 @ 11:25 am Please, tear that price tag off! Great post, kesmarn! » Posted By AlphaBitch On November 13, 2010 @ 2:17 pm I couldn’t get past the phrase: “get my ‘chinchilla’ shaved” (wink, wink, nod,nod) Dude, that’s just kinky! French or not! Beware of razor burn…… Alpha Bitch NEVER shaves her chinchilla…… » Posted By AlphaBitch On November 12, 2010 @ 1:55 pm He’s a Millionaire Celebrity Pundit, Not Your Boyfriend. An E-cat in a sandbox???? » Posted By AlphaBitch On November 8, 2010 @ 7:47 pm I don’t know who shot JFK, but one of our dearest family friends was a Dallas motorcycle cop in the motorcade at the time. Oh, the stories I could tell!!!! Not sure who shot JFK, but pretty sure the whole kit and kaboodle helped cover it up and deflect the facts. » Posted By AlphaBitch On November 8, 2010 @ 3:14 pm OT – but maybe he and God could do a bit together on “Salt: Not Just for Your Wife’s Prying Eyes Anymore”. Talk to the Big Guy -see what he says. » Posted By AlphaBitch On November 7, 2010 @ 7:36 pm Gawd, let’s hope so! OR maybe – just maybe – you ARE that smart competent wonderfully deserving person. My money is on the latter, FWIW. » Posted By AlphaBitch On November 6, 2010 @ 11:42 am Kes! And it is ALWAYS nice to be here. The “Great Remodel” is finally through. Work at PBS is intense, but really, really fun right now. Frustrated w/ IRS not yet getting around to evaluating our application for the refugee program (hard to fundraise when you don’t have tax exempt status; it used to be they gave you a temporary ruling until the “official” one came out. Now they say it’s about 3 months, but they are three months into it and ONLY up to assigning reviewers to those applications filed in May and we filed in July). In love with my kiddos – will have all THREE of my first year kids here this year -a FIRST. Took my #1 adopted Afghan boy to his first “teeater” (theatre) last night; it was a community playhouse musical review of music from the 1950s, which I thought would be a good introduction. He SO loved it that he spent the night at our home and we were up till 3AM, watching videos of the “real” Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Everly Brothers and his favorite, Elvis. I had notified the house manager and cast that I would be bringing my boy (the theatre is on the military base); they were so welcoming. They knew he loved Elvis, so at the close of the show, they did the Elvis tribute, and the lead cast male did a spiel on what freedom means. He then said he had been told there was a very special person in attendance, came over and draped “Elvis'” scarf around his neck (after calling out his name). I thought he would die! He chattered about it for hours afterward. The Elvis pump. This morning, I had to wake him up at 5AM to go open the family store. Being a good mom and southern girl hostess, I got up to make him breakfast. He took a quick shower, and came out with his scarf on! “Elvis is IN the building this morning!” he pronounced. AND he wants to go to the closing show tomorrow night and take his younger brother AND his sister (ages 16 and 11). Even though tickets cost $11/apiece. It is worth their hard earned money. Who KNEW that you could go to such a thing, and see people with their talent right there, doing so many different types of talent (his words). And that, my dear, is theatre. Now I’ll spring for the “professional” shows. And this is what keeps me going, even though I want to quit sometimes or hide under my bed. The hell with them. I just keep my head down and PUSH. Hard, but so rewarding when there are times like last night. How did your review go????? » Posted By AlphaBitch On November 6, 2010 @ 10:35 am Hey everyone – logging in to read all the posts on ONE topic for the first time in what seems like months. So sad and so annoying, both. I worry about the whole idea of “dumbing down” our education system, and now the assault on the system itself. Keeping critical thinking out of schools is the easiest way to control what people will think. I know, from working with my Afghan kids, that THIS is the ONE tool that gives them true freedom and the ability to discern right from wrong. If all you do is memorize what you have been “taught” and never bother to do the research on your own, why – how easy it is to control you, whether it is by Glenn Beck or the Taliban. I’m with Kalima – that’s why I wrote I was crawling under my bed for a few days, kitty style. The election and the whole process gave me a tummy ache. But as I always do, I found strength in thinking of how very lucky I am – even with the Tom Tancredos, Michelle Bachman, Marcia Blackburns, et al – compared to what I know for a fact is happening in Afghanistan right now. I tell my children- Trust NO ONE – not even me. Learn to find the truth for yourself. It’s not easy to go in search of the facts, but it is the only way you can be sure you have the truth and not the truthiness. (We watch Stewart and Colbert) I also tell them to look at everything from ALL perspectives, learn about it from walking around the whole issue, and THEN decide which perspective fits them. Like walking around the statue of the David; if you only see one side, you haven’t really seen it. Good news for my buddies here – my boy I’m working so hard to bring back for school PASSED his visa interview, first try. A rarity indeed. PLUS the interviewer (who is the most difficult one and who had turned down or made my others re-interview and who has denied many applicatios) said this boy’s interview was the BEST she has conducted so far! She stood up to congratulate him and shake his hand. So with any luck, my boy comes in early December and the Blov and I become real “parents” (albeit of a now 20 year old young man – missed the diapers and most of the teen years – Whew!). I may be busy, but I’m with you all. Keep it up. And if you want an AMAZING book about the Afghan conflict and about the role of Special Forces (you’ll be astounded) in that conflict after October 2001, read “The Horse Soldiers” by something Stanton. I’m having trouble wanting to read anything else right now, to be truthful. But when it ends, I’m baaaccckkkkk!!! » Posted By AlphaBitch On November 6, 2010 @ 8:49 am Join Us For Election Day 2010: Live News Video and Live Chats! Hey Bit’o et al! I’ve been a Headless Mike the Chicken of late – not knowing where I’m “headed” next. The Blov and I worked phone banks. Now I feel like crawling under the bed and hiding for 2-3 days. I still think White will carry the metro areas of Texas. We’ll see. I’ll peep in now and then. No TV – only Little Mosque on the Prarie or Malcolm in the Middle tonight. Tomorrow I awaken as a goose, in a brand new world. I’ll write you an email soon, Bito. Time is a short commodity at present. did you get the last one w/ photos of Baby Girl? I had read of the server crash, so I can resend to you if needed. -AB » Posted By AlphaBitch On November 2, 2010 @ 2:40 pm A Problem with ‘Original Intent’ Hi Miss K! That’s a good one. Can’t remember if I already told you this, but my #1 refugee son and I were chatting about likes and dislikes when he sweetly looked at me and said: “Oh, and I LOVE whores!”. Since he is a good Muslim and an Afghan to boot, this caused me to spew coke and try to regain composure. “Whores?” I asked. “Really? Do you know what that word means?” “Sure” he replied. “It’s that animal that cowboys ride.” Not going into the imagery but instead trying to ascertain what he was going for, I gently told him the word was “horse”. I then explained the difference to him, at which point he turned beet red and said he was thankful he had not made this comment in front of “other Americans”. Today – a year later – it is one of our funniest memories. » Posted By AlphaBitch On October 22, 2010 @ 6:06 am Khala (that’s Auntie in Dari) Christ: thank you for your explainification of what our Foundling Fathers meant. You are to be commanded for you’re ability to show that unless all bears become “bearn again yourlastnameians”, then we stand to be in cereal danger of having Wahabeari Mooslims that are angry that George and Tom gave us the right to shoot off their arms! -ZetaBitch » Posted By AlphaBitch On October 21, 2010 @ 4:13 pm Flog That Lame Duck For All We Are Worth For Bito: No pay needed, dear one. Kes: Seriously? A nightie? Shades of college days….only if Bito is that marauding armadillo (he can wear a suit) that scared me to death that night! But I’ll gladly try and get sombreros to those who are going, provided they post video here of wearing it at the rally! (You are on your own as to Walmartian patriobilia) » Posted By AlphaBitch On October 20, 2010 @ 7:52 pm I know, Kes. I also worry about becoming that which I criticize too harshly as well. I knew I hated bigots, but found I have my own bigotry against “them”, and against stupidity, etc. I try to keep as open minded as I can for an individual, to try and see something good within a person; but I don’t back down and I do speak up. It’s that short ride, I’m afraid. I think what is most helpful is divorcing myself from the “I’m right, you’re wrong” path and instead keeping a close watch on my own intentions. If my intent is just to speak the truth as I know it, while offering to listen to opposing views politely, (a principle of dialogue) then I’m OK. If I am not even listening deeply to what someone is saying but instead thinking about how I can rebut them and make them look foolish/wrong, then I try and pull back. Of course, that being said, tonight I told the Blov I want to make a tee shirt that says “I’m with the moran” with the arrow pointing up towards my own head. For Jon Stewart’s rally, you know. I’m trying to figure how to go. I so want to, and I have dozens of friends in/near DC. I wanted to dress in a HUGE sombrero w/ tea bags hanging off of it in the most outrageously Walmarty (oops – there’s some of my prejudice peeping out) American patriot gear, with flags of ….I dunno – France? Switzerland? Sigh. So many choices. Shame on me. I probably won’t let myself go, naughty girl. – AB » Posted By AlphaBitch On October 20, 2010 @ 6:27 pm Hi Kes. I think what we can do – without stooping at all – is to stand up straight, and speak the TRUTH. Period. I’m not thrilled w/ the health care bill – to me, the public option (either opt-in OR opt-out) WAS the compromise. And I say it. But I also say – out loud and quite proud, I must admit – that it’s a heck of a lot better than what the other guys and our own conservadems were willing to give us. I have to say it, Blanche Lincoln will be one Dem senator I won’t be sorry to see go, even if it lowers our overall number. Don’t reward bad. Also = my dad’s saying (which I misspoke last night) was “It’s a short ride between brave and STUPID.” (not crazy) Off to dinner. Don’t worry about stooping; dog poop doesn’t get cleaned up by standing up straight and looking the other way. Stoop if needed. » Posted By AlphaBitch On October 20, 2010 @ 5:13 pm Adventures in Investigative Journalism, Part II Vol. 2 so just to remind me – WHAT state do you live in???? YIKES. So Slingblade of you, bito! I’ll not come calling unless invited, that’s for dangsure! » Posted By AlphaBitch On October 19, 2010 @ 8:45 pm Daddy used to say: “It’s a short ride between brave and crazy.” » Posted By AlphaBitch On October 19, 2010 @ 8:30 pm Nice boots! I have a collection of vintage Tony Lama and two Lucchese that I still wear. Can’t wear the Tony Lama anymore – feet grew as did my overall girth. The lasso sounds….intriguing. YOU end up lassoed? DO tell! » Posted By AlphaBitch On October 19, 2010 @ 8:29 pm Whew! Thanks, kesmarn, for sharing. A couple of gals with knives.. My decision to arm with knives started in college, too, when I lived out in a small former workshop while my two roomies shared the house. One night, I heard noises – loud, crunching noises – going all along my room. the more it lasted, the more frightened I became. I could hear it get closer and closer to the door. It was fall, and the “thing” was definitely stepping on the leaves. I was a cute little thing way back then, so I pulled on my cowboy boots. I was sleeping in a baby doll yellow short nightie because I WAS young and cute. I grabbed the only thing I had for protection, which was a knife (how this started). I waited for the “thing” to come close to my door, where I could hear it stop. I threw open the door, screaming and slashing to beat the band. A very startled armadillo blinked for a moment before scurrying off to the woods. My next door neighbors, who were having an outside party, seemed much more alarmed. And that’s when it started. Haruko: I have a shotgun, a bullwhip, a Louisville slugger bat and a baton close at hand. And a large hunting knife in the nightstand. The shotgun doesn’t work and I have no ammo, but it looks dangerous. The bullwhip I have used more often than not to whip my face with – I can’t crack it over head, just a straight up technique. the bat? A gift from a departed friend, who did not like me driving cross country alone. And the baton? A tribute to the eight twirling lessons I took when a child (I AM from Texas). The knife, though, is all mine. Sorry if this got OT – I just really wanted Pepe to know I totally got how he felt. This was an amazing article, and an amazing piece of work. » Posted By AlphaBitch On October 19, 2010 @ 7:49 pm Pepe! What a great story and what great work. I once lived in Seattle, and an attorney I worked with was murdered by her soon-to-be ex-husband. This guy was such a sociopath that there were books written about him, and a TV movie to boot. He is a sick mo-fo. Since this woman and I were very good friends, and since I was the one who talked her into getting the divorce (he would have killed her anyways – he was SICK), I was often frightened. I lived on an acre, heavily wooded. Years before alarm systems and cell phones. I would arm myself with a meat carving knife, and run through the house, slashing at the invisible threats, to get to my car, drive down the hill and go stay in a hotel when I got really spooked. Fortunately for me, that only happened a half dozen times. And even more fortunately for the Blov, (who was often away on business) – no one got slashed. But I would have slashed ’em if I’d a seen them. He KNEW better than to “surprise” me and come home without warning. I think the NW can be pretty spooky at times. It’s why I like deserts over forests now…….. And the Blov has tried (in vain) to rid me of the knives. Remind me to tell you sometime about the year we lived with a psychopathic young man. Sigh. I guess life is just scary. At least this comes up near Halloween and not Thanksgiving, eh? » Posted By AlphaBitch On October 19, 2010 @ 5:40 pmComments Posted By AlphaBitch
xo – AB
PS Does that mean Sarah Mama Grizzly Bear might also be in danger of losing HER arms? Where oh where will she write her notes???????
I wish I had Planet bus; I would start in So. Cal right after the elections and drive cross country. Ad Lib: can’t we get a bus for our reward instead of a pony??? Seriously, dude. It would take a Davy Crockett to pull that one off.
-AB
«« Back To Stats Page
Home Stats