tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74492555409517663632024-03-12T19:40:29.432-04:00Elizabeth DownieElizabeth Downiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985143085882983821noreply@blogger.comBlogger1168125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449255540951766363.post-36995051435304192362017-06-16T11:25:00.001-04:002017-06-16T11:36:38.492-04:00Angry eyesThe official White House page on Facebook has had a strange tone lately. It's very different than before and I guess I'll just leave it at that. It's not a place I feel like lingering or where I feel any sort of calm or reassurance.<br />
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They shared this video of Trump giving his weekly address and I had some thoughts when I saw it.<br />
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Here are my initial thoughts:<br />
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1. Angry eyes<br />
2.<i> No way could I un-mute this.</i> It looks like he's yelling at me.<br />
3. Angry mouth (I imagine he's probably saying something is unfair - I'll read about it later.)<br />
4. Forget about his tax returns, I still want to know the truth about this hair.<br />
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5. Angry eyebrows<br />
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In closing, I guess now we know now that this is Ivanka every morning to her dad:<br />
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<br />Elizabeth Downiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985143085882983821noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449255540951766363.post-55709233506486241932017-03-08T12:24:00.001-05:002017-03-08T12:39:29.275-05:00National Women's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I forgot today was National Women's Day. I got on Facebook this morning and saw a couple articles about it and against my better judgment, read a few comments. Of course the comments started with, "get a job." or, "they should be fired for being unreliable." or, "I'm a woman and I went to work today and I pay my own bills. You should too."<br />
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So many assumptions being made in these comments. Just so many. But the underlying sentiment seems to be, "your cause isn't valid." or "you don't represent me as a woman." and/or, "I'm strong and you aren't." or maybe, "I'm behaving and you're not."<br />
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After the women's march in January, I heard a lot of similar comments. The most common complaint I heard was, "Please tell me what rights women don't already have." Some women even posed this question to me assuming I would agree. But you get the distinct impression that they don't actually want to hear what you have to say. I get the impression that many people of both genders think, "you can vote, you can work, you can own property, that's enough. Be happy with what you have and<b> </b><i><span style="font-size: large;">be quiet</span></i>."<br />
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Meanwhile, the other headline I saw this morning was titled, "<a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/dispatches/2017/03/02/devos-employee-likes-shake-wife/">Devos employee likes to 'shake' his wife</a>." His comment seems to have been made in passing - meaning it was so casual to him it didn't cross his mind he shouldn't say it:<br />
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Does he really shake his wife? Maybe, maybe not. But either way, the language is damaging and dangerous. But oops, I shouldn't complain about that because women have enough.<br />
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Ignore the statistics about violence against women and young girls. Ignore the rape statistics. Ignore the lack of funding for rape kits. Ignore the messages in the media women read and hear all the time making us feel less-than. Ignore all the challenges women face because um, helllloooo we can vote now! Also, did you hear that some women littered at a rally? INVALID! (Not that I'm ok with littering.)<br />
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I relate it to something I hear other white people say sometimes about black people. Because I am white too, these things are sometimes said around me with the assumption that I will be on board. Things like, "Black people need to get over it. Slavery ended a long time ago." Or, "If black people don't want to get arrested/shot, maybe they should behave."<br />
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My blood boils. And I speak up. <br />
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I'm not black and I could never pretend to know the challenges African-Americans face. But when they tell me they face challenges I wouldn't understand, <i>I listen</i>. And I<i> believe them</i>. I don't think, "slavery is over. Jim Crow laws are over. Most states have integrated proms now. Get over it. We're all equal now. You're just looking for something to complain about."<br />
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Am I saying we all have to agree with each other? No. But I wish we would <i>listen </i>better. And maybe not <i>immediately</i> speak out against each other. Maybe <i>try to understand</i>, try to find the parts we agree with, try to build bridges, try to feel more love instead of hate.<br />
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Or at least not make hate and anger our first reaction.Elizabeth Downiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985143085882983821noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449255540951766363.post-65794143444858159132017-02-09T13:05:00.000-05:002017-02-09T13:05:51.813-05:00Fighting backWhat if this was Trump's plan all along? What if he and his team just said, <i>"Let's make the first three weeks absolute chaos? Just everything that can go wrong, will? After awhile people will get so tired of it, we'll be able to do whatever we want. They won't have the will to care anymore?"</i><br />
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That's obviously flawed logic on my part. It would mean 1) planning ahead and 2) that they aren't already doing whatever they want with no regard for laws. I mean.... it's exhausting. It feels like there's at least three terrible things per day that this administration does.<br />
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Well, I'm not going to stop fighting. Just last night, I lay in bed with my mind swirling from the day's events. So I made some extremely controversial artwork on my phone to show how annoyed I am. Hopefully blogger won't censor these works of art:<br />
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I sent all these to my sisters last night. In response I got one "ha" and the other sister never responded. I can only assume because her mind was blown and she was speechless. <br />
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I laughed much harder than a grown woman should then went to bed.<br />
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Trump 0, me 1. Elizabeth Downiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985143085882983821noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449255540951766363.post-11193341271306571972017-02-06T15:48:00.002-05:002017-02-06T15:48:44.482-05:00The WallI've been <i>all fight</i> these days. Push me even a little bit and I don't hold back on my distaste for how things are going with the new president.<br />
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I am trying to find more humor to balance the<strike> rage</strike> <strike>anger</strike> news, so here's something I saw today that made me laugh. Enjoy!<br />
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Elizabeth Downiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985143085882983821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449255540951766363.post-77262385899791966122017-02-03T13:00:00.000-05:002017-02-03T13:00:48.764-05:00Week 2I gotta hand it to the Trump presidency for teaching me some bits of history this week that I never heard about. For one thing, great news! Frederick Douglass is still alive!<br />
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<i>"Frederick Douglass is an example of somebody who's done an amazing job and is being recognized more and more, I notice." -Trump</i><br />
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I assume he's just as proud of Harriet Tubman for not giving up her seat on the bus. <br />
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Also, there was a horrible incident called the <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/mbvd/kellyanne-conway-referenced-a-fake-bowling-green-massacre?utm_term=.en8qwLJrQ#.qtxmyQNag">Bowling Green Massacre</a> that I can only assume we've never heard of because the <i>liberal media</i> chose not to cover it! <br />
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Here is a great clip from Seth Meyers summarizing some of the gaffs this week:<br />
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I've seen some Republican friends get really, really mad on FB this week. They hate the articles criticizing Trump. They want people to get over it and "be nice" again. I'm not sure what that means. I've seen some people be very, very mean but I'm not sure they're referring to that or just people not disagreeing. They even say, "stop posting - no one cares about your opinion!" (Which is definitely a nice thing to say.) I don't know. I can't stop and I won't stop. If I do stop, it means something is seriously wrong with me and you should call 911. <br />
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I don't think posting anything on FB or here or Twitter is going to change anyone's mind. I don't think that's why I share articles. I think I share them because I'm just so outraged, I can't not share them. But people can do what they want with their own FB. I don't care. I don't like to set arbitrary rules for other people to follow. That's also why I don't care if you listen to Christmas music in October or consider "<a href="http://www.glamping.com/what-is-glamping/">glamping</a>" camping. You do you. As long as it's not hurting anyone else.<br />
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If you're feeling absolutely overwhelmed, I thought I'd share some of my favorite tweets from this week. People are funny and laughing is better than crying.<br />
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Can't wait to see what week three holds...Elizabeth Downiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985143085882983821noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449255540951766363.post-70487783449117455362017-01-31T14:01:00.000-05:002017-01-31T14:01:20.457-05:00BalanceThe other day someone asked me how I'm doing besides politics. I had to think really hard. Besides politics? Uh.... <i>who am I</i> besides politics now? A week and a half ago, I was a whole person who had interests and slept well. Now I'm just in a constant state of worry.<br />
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Sunday evening I was looking for a way to relax and take my mind off things. I thought maybe I'd watch tv or Netflix for awhile. The first thing I browsed that looked good was "The People VS OJ Simpson." I decided that wouldn't be the best way to decompress so I instead started a movie about the Japanese tsunami. About three seconds into that, I remembered that I was trying to find some peace for my mind so I turned it off and read a book.<i> The Girl on the Train </i>- which was 100% not relaxing to read (but it was pretty good).<br />
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I'm not doing very well with self-care but I know I need to work on it. Here's a little brain storm:<br />
<ul>
<li>Baths - (these are supposed to be relaxing, right? I'm not sure I buy it but I might try)</li>
<li>Naps</li>
<li>More humor, less fighting</li>
<li>Read books that don't fill me with anxiety (my friend suggested a book about ants - her dad's favorite book. That or War and Peace.)</li>
<li>Get a boyfriend (in brainstorming, there are no wrong answers)</li>
<li>Get a dog</li>
<li>Wait, I'm stuck on get a dog.... Should I?</li>
<li> </li>
<li> </li>
<li><br /></li>
</ul>
I'm open to other ideas. Besides worrying about the state of the world, I'm pretty busy with work and school and trying to survive a sunless winter.<br />
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What I'm trying to say is, I'm just a real delight to be around right now. But I want to go from this: <br />
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and this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J-Fiw1mvaSM/WJDcvtB8OWI/AAAAAAAAPDc/6UaLEQjZvpE9_Xs8yH0p5RcHH7_R7VRKQCEw/s1600/gif%2Bfingers%2Btyping.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J-Fiw1mvaSM/WJDcvtB8OWI/AAAAAAAAPDc/6UaLEQjZvpE9_Xs8yH0p5RcHH7_R7VRKQCEw/s320/gif%2Bfingers%2Btyping.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
To this:<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YvdVlTM-ORs/WJDdush6n4I/AAAAAAAAPDg/4RXMM-EzonUDHM4MVWQXnYtliLb5LjJyQCLcB/s1600/gif%2Bkimmy2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NVnsxyhy-r8/WJDea2UzGFI/AAAAAAAAPDs/kpPHR3HsMIoFUc82g6F20XQdJa8qI-8JwCLcB/s1600/gif%2Bkimmy1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NVnsxyhy-r8/WJDea2UzGFI/AAAAAAAAPDs/kpPHR3HsMIoFUc82g6F20XQdJa8qI-8JwCLcB/s400/gif%2Bkimmy1.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I feel better already.<br />
Elizabeth Downiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985143085882983821noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449255540951766363.post-27810469147394337912017-01-30T12:48:00.000-05:002017-01-30T12:48:16.905-05:00The ButtonA friend of mine who is a bit older than me told me this morning that she hasn't seen this kind of political climate since Vietnam. And even then, she said, this is different.<br />
<br />
I know people are just beside themselves on social media for a number of reasons. Some are mad that other people are against a man they support. Others are just so upset by the terrible news, they wish they could find a break from it. They want Facebook to go back to puppies, meal pictures, and memes. I felt that way about a week ago. Now I don't. (Though I still watch any and all videos of dogs doing funny stuff.) Now I feel <i>compelled</i> to stay involved. The news is awful, but I can't get complacent.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DaztQp-jKfs/WI94eQhOJdI/AAAAAAAAPCQ/nqQkwtRU1psVv4tNupAkyaOYzlYA1U2vgCLcB/s1600/twitter11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DaztQp-jKfs/WI94eQhOJdI/AAAAAAAAPCQ/nqQkwtRU1psVv4tNupAkyaOYzlYA1U2vgCLcB/s640/twitter11.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Try not to get too stressed out about my battery life in this screenshot.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
It's not just Trump who scares me. It's Steven Bannon, an alt-right conspiracy theorist who now has way too much power. If you're not sure who he is, google him and prepare to be terrified. Bannon, Trump, Ryan, Conway, Pence - - you just know their first year at Hogwarts, the sorting hat yelled SLYTHERIN before it even hit their heads. <br />
<br />
I'm scared that these people are in charge. I've been thinking a lot about a story I heard a couple years ago on of my favorite podcasts, Radiolab. The episode was called <a href="http://www.radiolab.org/story/buttons-not-buttons/">Buttons, Not Buttons</a>. They covered a variety of unrelated stories having to do with buttons. But the one that really shook me was the story about a man named <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Fisher_%28academic%29">Roger Fisher</a>, and in this case the "button" was the nuclear code button.* Fisher was a Harvard law professor who specialized in negotiation and conflict management. He also worked as an adviser for real political conflicts such as the Middle East conflict. Having served in WWII and seeing many of his friends killed in war, he was interested in how to avoid war, which leads me to my point. Fisher had a radical idea for how a US president might avoid nuclear war. And this idea blew my mind: <br />
<blockquote class="templatequote">
My suggestion was quite simple: Put that needed code number in a
little capsule, and then implant that capsule right next to the heart of
a volunteer. The volunteer would carry with him a big, heavy butcher
knife as he accompanied the President. If ever the President wanted to
fire nuclear weapons, the only way he could do so would be for him
first, with his own hands, to kill one human being. The President says,
“George, I’m sorry but tens of millions must die.” He has to look at
someone and realize what death is—what an innocent death is. Blood on
the White House carpet. It’s reality brought home.<br />
When I suggested this to friends in the Pentagon they said, “My God,
that’s terrible. Having to kill someone would distort the President’s
judgment. He might never push the button.“<br />
<div class="templatequotecite">
<cite>— Roger Fisher, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, March 1981<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-10"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Fisher_%28academic%29#cite_note-10">[10]</a></sup></cite></div>
</blockquote>
As they said on Radiolab,"the strongest objection is it might work."<br />
<br />
I'm not saying I'm for or against this idea. But I've been thinking about it the last few days as I've thought about all the refugee children dying, starving, scared. Their parents beside themselves and hopeless. I've felt sick and disheartened. I wonder how someone could feel good about making this call - turning away these people who are desperate for help. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tsmZ4KaXeKQ/WI98NzI0IqI/AAAAAAAAPCc/lEznRfhjNxsgT2hCE2Qc0wDJmRPCBqU2gCLcB/s1600/refugee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tsmZ4KaXeKQ/WI98NzI0IqI/AAAAAAAAPCc/lEznRfhjNxsgT2hCE2Qc0wDJmRPCBqU2gCLcB/s400/refugee.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
In the midst of all this I've also felt motivated to work harder, love harder, look for more opportunities to reach out to people in positive ways. I've been encouraged by the many, many people out fighting against these policies. I have to do more. Do I think posting a meme or a status update on Facebook is going to change anything? No. But am I going to stop? No. It's important to me to express these feelings. <br />
<br />
I don't want to be angry all the time. But I also don't want to stop caring. This is all just too important. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>*There really isn't a single button - it's more of a metaphor for making a call to go to war.</i></span>Elizabeth Downiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985143085882983821noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449255540951766363.post-57411391207753671572017-01-27T14:37:00.000-05:002017-01-27T14:37:14.340-05:00Resist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xlR0iJ-2Z9E/WIuf0rAVruI/AAAAAAAAPB8/d_E5vJmL8aAEUHN_auob8PJVCEcM5taTQCLcB/s1600/resist1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xlR0iJ-2Z9E/WIuf0rAVruI/AAAAAAAAPB8/d_E5vJmL8aAEUHN_auob8PJVCEcM5taTQCLcB/s400/resist1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_Tgc">"<b>When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty</b>."</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_Tgc">-Thomas Jefferson </span></span></div>
Elizabeth Downiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985143085882983821noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449255540951766363.post-9427411619754184132017-01-26T15:26:00.000-05:002017-01-26T17:32:49.421-05:00El GeneralissimoSo far, things have been <i>much, much, much</i> worse than I expected since Trump became president. I read an article last night on Slate titled, "<a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2017/01/25/today_in_trump_s_america_was_the_worst_day_yet.html">Wednesday was the worst day yet</a>," which listed all the terrible things Trump has been up to this week. (Click the link for more info.)<br />
<br />
The White House website en espanol has been taken down. Thankfully, a spokesperson said it would be back up eventually, but you can't blame people for freaking out about this when Trump has come out so hard against Spanish-speakers. (Has anyone told him about Puerto Rico yet?)<br />
<br />
Also, I'm just putting this out there for all the people who say, "your in America, learn English." I know that's the wrong "you're" but they almost always use the wrong your on their signs so I'm just being accurate.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mys6aaS75pE/WIpAAXC4XjI/AAAAAAAAPA0/IRjRh7fvI9EA3o6yY0G8irv9-YH-4n_EQCLcB/s1600/language.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mys6aaS75pE/WIpAAXC4XjI/AAAAAAAAPA0/IRjRh7fvI9EA3o6yY0G8irv9-YH-4n_EQCLcB/s400/language.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Because I'm elderly, I sometimes google entire sentences</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Today, to just kind of work some things out, I made a word bubble with just some of the words or feelings that have been on the forefront of my mind in the last six days or so. The word cloud makes it look cute instead of terrifying.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0lR3KLpUWdA/WIpBYL42VUI/AAAAAAAAPBA/84RFcFiBKDctek8l3O4T7AIIAhjVdcgcACLcB/s1600/wordle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="391" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0lR3KLpUWdA/WIpBYL42VUI/AAAAAAAAPBA/84RFcFiBKDctek8l3O4T7AIIAhjVdcgcACLcB/s400/wordle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I could have kept going but each new word was just a synonym for a word already on there: terrified, scared, frightened, etc... I forgot some key ones such as the fact that <a href="http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/01/merriam-webster_trolls_trump_adviser_on_alternate_facts.html">Merriam-Webster</a> and the <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2017/01/25/511664825/rogue-national-park-accounts-emerge-on-twitter-amid-social-media-gag-orders">National Parks Services</a> are leading the resistance - who would have thought!? Well, them and Greenpeace:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pIRyNLP-Hwc/WIpFcNSkChI/AAAAAAAAPBM/nYeZxGKFIxIPK6je13ZlZ0aPUXUUs-aUwCLcB/s1600/resist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pIRyNLP-Hwc/WIpFcNSkChI/AAAAAAAAPBM/nYeZxGKFIxIPK6je13ZlZ0aPUXUUs-aUwCLcB/s400/resist.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/greenpeace-resist-banner-above-whitehouse-2017-1">I love this so much.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And what about this stupid meme I've been seeing?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-809xEvoQdmg/WIpFyQ30t2I/AAAAAAAAPBQ/UQU9J5ISSfYgeUboqbAWygcgpNmVczebgCLcB/s1600/trumpplane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-809xEvoQdmg/WIpFyQ30t2I/AAAAAAAAPBQ/UQU9J5ISSfYgeUboqbAWygcgpNmVczebgCLcB/s400/trumpplane.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This is just<b> dumb</b> (oh no --- I'm starting to talk like a third grader --- I'm following the example of the Cheeto!!). We don't <i>want</i> Trump to fail or "crash the plane." Resisting Trump isn't <i>wanting </i>the pilot to fail. What we are trying to do is to reach someone on the radio and shout, <span style="font-size: large;">"Our pilot doesn't know how to fly! HELP!"</span> or <span style="font-size: large;">"He's flying us to a place we don't want to go!!!!"</span> Either that or we're desperately t<a href="https://qz.com/889950/scientists-in-the-us-are-running-for-office-to-combat-the-science-denial-descending-on-dc/">rying to learn how to fly a plane</a> ourselves so we don't crash. <br />
<br />
Oh and don't get me started on the people against the women's march. Who needs rights, amiright?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ks66oHCyaF4/WIpX2GvVheI/AAAAAAAAPBo/Xlli-Wr292w_bX_Wh80LldDf95vpCtBbQCLcB/s1600/suff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ks66oHCyaF4/WIpX2GvVheI/AAAAAAAAPBo/Xlli-Wr292w_bX_Wh80LldDf95vpCtBbQCLcB/s400/suff.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It's telling that George Orwell's book <i>1984</i> has been fly<a href="http://www.pbs.org/newshour/art/george-orwells-1984-best-seller-heres-resonates-now/">ing off the (Amazon) book shelves</a> this week. And how disturbing is it that this is the quote resonating with us this week?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." - George Orwell, </i>1984<i></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The other quote from that book I've thought of a few times this week is this one: </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"The essential act of the Party is to use conscious deception while
retaining the firmness of purpose that goes with complete honesty." -</i>1984<i></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Will things get better? I don't want the plane to crash. But I do <i>not</i> trust our pilot. </div>
Elizabeth Downiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985143085882983821noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449255540951766363.post-85054421520384986962017-01-24T12:53:00.000-05:002017-01-24T12:53:35.220-05:00I'm just so annoyed.Facebook is terrible these days. People are SO combative and mean. But I guess I'm a snowflake for saying that?<br />
<br />
I actually got into an argument with someone last night and to everything I said, he would post some stupid meme in response. Finally I said, "I can see this is going nowhere." And he said I obviously "got confused and had to give up." I mean... how do you argue with someone like that??? Got confused by what I was supposed to say to a meme??<br />
<br />
So many of the statements I've seen are just so asinine and unrelated to the topics at hand. <br />
<br />
Then there's this post that I've seen going around from women who disagreed with the women's march on Saturday. It's fine if you don't agree with it - but why are you so threatened by it?<br />
<br />
Today I wrote my responses next to the statements it made. Not every statement because some didn't warrant a response. Here are my responses if you want to see them.<br />
<br />
I'm just so annoyed.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Sorry it's small (just click on it to make it bigger).</i></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E0oegRqj3VY/WIeTsRECMwI/AAAAAAAAPAg/D5Dyvsg7B1ckLIMyiADbCApdKA1VAZynQCLcB/s1600/womens%2Bprotest%2Bwhole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="584" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E0oegRqj3VY/WIeTsRECMwI/AAAAAAAAPAg/D5Dyvsg7B1ckLIMyiADbCApdKA1VAZynQCLcB/s640/womens%2Bprotest%2Bwhole.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Elizabeth Downiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985143085882983821noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449255540951766363.post-53363948038449820422016-08-26T12:26:00.003-04:002016-08-26T12:28:05.107-04:00Laying lowHas Trump been laying low this week? I don't feel like I've been outraged on a daily basis and I'm not sure how to feel about that. It's like when a toddler is quiet for too long. Something's up.<br />
<br />
Or have I just gotten so used to his antics that I'm becoming numb to them?<br />
<br />
Or maybe he just set the bar really high for crazy and now when he does something moderately crazy, we just can't get worked up about it.<br />
<br />
Either way, we have to be on guard until November. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMRaJmcZZlQ/V8BtcnAaudI/AAAAAAAAO6w/iSRrc2vRTTEzqVLrBI-v4c0J-mKproUXQCLcB/s1600/gif%2Bgange.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMRaJmcZZlQ/V8BtcnAaudI/AAAAAAAAO6w/iSRrc2vRTTEzqVLrBI-v4c0J-mKproUXQCLcB/s400/gif%2Bgange.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Us in November if we're not careful</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Elizabeth Downiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985143085882983821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449255540951766363.post-34920427920024905442016-08-24T13:20:00.001-04:002016-08-25T12:35:07.090-04:00Pumpkin spice and everything niceThis morning when I stopped at the local farm stop (indoor, year-round farmers market), I saw something that made me smile. There, tucked between the zucchinis, watermelon, and onions was a sure sign of fall; a reminder that it's just around the corner.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PyiSnFaueT8/V73UBx70FdI/AAAAAAAAO6c/63ArB2BOkjMxe7dmt12Cp28VoosaXQr1gCLcB/s1600/farmstop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PyiSnFaueT8/V73UBx70FdI/AAAAAAAAO6c/63ArB2BOkjMxe7dmt12Cp28VoosaXQr1gCLcB/s400/farmstop.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
I smiled as soon as I saw them. I thought about all my fall-loving friends and decided I should post the picture on Facebook to get them as pumped as I am. Then immediately I felt self conscious - why? Because getting excited about fall is such a "basic white girl" thing.<br />
<br />
The last few years there have been a ton of memes and jokes about white girls loving fall. Here's an example of some that get heavily circulated every fall:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OD-Sl7GlP88/V73SoHKm6aI/AAAAAAAAO6I/qhaaweAyeQk3-XlgNB7YyFbz1jmCkFc3QCLcB/s1600/whitegirlfall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OD-Sl7GlP88/V73SoHKm6aI/AAAAAAAAO6I/qhaaweAyeQk3-XlgNB7YyFbz1jmCkFc3QCLcB/s400/whitegirlfall.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xTyKhKHZS0E/V73TPDj8meI/AAAAAAAAO6M/hdBbjvtqYvwBlgJNNnJEKgHm33d7C53IgCLcB/s1600/whitegirlfall3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xTyKhKHZS0E/V73TPDj8meI/AAAAAAAAO6M/hdBbjvtqYvwBlgJNNnJEKgHm33d7C53IgCLcB/s400/whitegirlfall3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qlQsUWMNkKk/V73TUM2u0NI/AAAAAAAAO6Q/t2PU2rAhGP4Jh6nHW-UFEs-ra3NIMjYOgCLcB/s1600/whitegirlfall2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qlQsUWMNkKk/V73TUM2u0NI/AAAAAAAAO6Q/t2PU2rAhGP4Jh6nHW-UFEs-ra3NIMjYOgCLcB/s400/whitegirlfall2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The trend of teasing white women about loving fall doesn't offend me - in fact, many of these make me laugh! But I find myself more confused than anything. Some questions I have:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Why just white girls? Don't other races like crisp weather, colorful leaves, caramel apples, and cozy sweaters?</li>
<li>Does it have something to do with white privilege? </li>
<li>Does it have something to do with wealth? </li>
<li>Is it because we use too much pumpkin spice? </li>
<li>What is "white" about liking apple cider, the smell of smoke coming from a distant chimney, sleeping in a cozy, cool bedroom, carving pumpkins, eating pumpkin bread, making pumpkin pie, etc...? Many of those seem more American to me than white. </li>
<li>Is it because other countries don't celebrate Halloween (to the extent that we do) or Thanksgiving?</li>
</ul>
I truly don't know. <br />
<br />
Like I said, I'm not offended by it. There are far worse racial stereotypes out there and being made fun of for loving fall is about as inoffensive as they come. No one gets shot for loving fall, or falsely accused of committing a crime for eating too much pumpkin spice. No one discriminates against someone for wearing a cable knit sweater with leggings. Parents don't worry about sending their children out in Uggs and scarves.<br />
<br />
Just know that every time I post about loving fall (which I will - <i>A LOT</i>), I realize I'm a stereotype. I'm just not sure why.Elizabeth Downiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985143085882983821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449255540951766363.post-68530865129782340452016-08-22T12:53:00.001-04:002016-08-22T12:53:43.906-04:00Immature behavior Sometimes I just can't wrap my head around the fact that Trump is actually the Republican candidate. How did this happen?? There are a lot of theories around that question and most of the answers I've heard are unsettling.<br />
<br />
Just a reminder that THIS is the man who could be the US president:<br />
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Immature and shocking behavior unbefitting a presidential candidate. Or any adult.<br />
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I was recently talking to a friend who is much younger than I. She's 24, to be precise. She told me that one of the most interesting things she's learning as she grows up is how immature some adults can be. She always thought that all adults at some point became mature or at least pretended to be mature and well behaved. But now she is realizing that some people never mature and she's finding it unsettling.<br />
<br />
I remember making that same realization when I was her age and being just as unsettled. There's something comforting in the thought that older people are using their wisdom and experience to help, to lead, to teach. Yet others never learn, but remain in the emotional state of a petulant child. But they can rise to such a high level of leadership? Unsettling, for sure.<br />
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<br />Elizabeth Downiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985143085882983821noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449255540951766363.post-48315278798939614332016-08-11T11:58:00.002-04:002016-08-11T11:58:26.482-04:00When a political article looks real but turns out to be satire<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm MAD!!! Oh... wait. Ok, cool.Elizabeth Downiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985143085882983821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449255540951766363.post-63685304635157244052016-08-10T10:59:00.002-04:002016-08-10T10:59:35.688-04:00News overloadI'm getting exhausted with the daily debates over what Trump meant or didn't mean.<br />
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"He was JOKING when he said people could/should kill Hilary."<br />
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Um... ok...... <br />
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It's draining.<br />
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<br />Elizabeth Downiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985143085882983821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449255540951766363.post-71918566809448730172016-08-08T12:36:00.001-04:002016-08-08T12:36:27.105-04:00Slap fightingThere's little more depressing than reading the comment section on political posts. Friends turn against each other, strangers attack each other, and readers lose hope in humanity. And in the end, the comments simply look like this:<br />
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(Sigh.)Elizabeth Downiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985143085882983821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449255540951766363.post-43763517152099071502016-08-05T10:34:00.004-04:002016-08-05T10:34:59.507-04:00He who must not be named<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm sorry this blog has turned into an outlet for me to express my fear over Trump. I'll try to blog about something else eventually but oh my goodness, I need an outlet during this election period and this is a safe space.<br />
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I almost hate to waste any energy on him but at the same time, anyone paying attention should be terrified. (My opinion.)<br />
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I've always tried to understand where people with different opinions than my own are coming from. I don't assume they're stupid or incapable of critical thinking. With Trump supporters, I try to understand what appeals to them about his "message" (which I think is something vague about making America great again though it seems his actual plans for that involve racism, fear, finger-pointing, war, condescending speeches, painting/accusing with a broad brush, and childish reactionary behavior).<br />
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A friend of mine who is not a Trump supporter herself described to me what some of her Trump supporting family members see in him. It's a bit complicated to get into here, but it did help me understand a bit. Not agree - oh no, not agree in the slightest - but understand. And I'm sure Trump supporters have varying reasons to support him, many of which I simply don't know about or understand. <br />
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But I can't in the tiniest bit get on board. From kicking babies out of rallies to much more upsetting behavior, I can't get on board.<br />
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We are at an extremely interesting place in history. We just had (have) our first black president (who I adore) who, by simply being who he is brought many things to the surface of our culture. Racism, for one thing (I do not believe he is racist, nor is it his fault that his presence brought this out so much - it's simply an observation). The civil rights movement was not too long ago, and boy do we still have a long way to go. Feminism still has a long way to go. We have an increasingly diverse society which makes many people uncomfortable. We're still not comfortable talking about race.<br />
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We have a nonstop news cycle. We have so many "news" websites - some more reliable than others. We have one website that cites "facts" that another website denounces. Who is right?<br />
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We have social media which tells us exactly where our friends alliances fall - something we could have been blissfully unaware of before. It's a unique and difficult time we're trying to navigate. <br />
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So, what's the solution? Listening would be a good start. Trying to understand. Giving people the benefit of the doubt. Treating each other with respect. Having patience. <br />
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I'm talking to myself here. I should work on those things. <br />
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I'm sorry if this is a bit disjointed. Oh no... have I started using my blog as a journal? I guess not because I <i>do</i> want to engage with others who may be feeling similar things or just want to get through this political cycle with me.<br />
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Can something be called a cycle if it never ends? Elizabeth Downiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985143085882983821noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449255540951766363.post-44263898201382891252016-08-03T13:52:00.001-04:002016-08-03T13:55:06.988-04:00Just in caseI read an opinion today which warned that people railing against Trump so much may actually be strengthening his base. <br />
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I don't want to be a part of that at all. So, just in case, I'll post this.<br />
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Trump is great. <br />
<br />
Likable guy.<br />
Strong vocabulary.<br />
Morally superior.<br />
Not a loser.<br />
Other people are losers.<br />
He's strong.<br />
Makes things great again.<br />
Cool dancer.<br />
Women love him.<br />
Mexicans love him. <br />
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<br />Elizabeth Downiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985143085882983821noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449255540951766363.post-28897416115204489002016-08-02T14:17:00.001-04:002016-08-02T14:17:21.322-04:00Political discourse on social media<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Elizabeth Downiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985143085882983821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449255540951766363.post-18754086439897659362016-08-02T13:53:00.002-04:002016-08-02T13:54:22.615-04:00More political frustrationI TRY to not post political things on FB but I have been failing miserably. I can't help it - I find Trump terrifying. (Terrifying doesn't seem like a strong enough word.)<br />
<br />
But when I voice this the first thing my Trump supporting friends say is something bad about Hillary Clinton. Well guess what, I'm not really on board the H. Clinton train either! So if I post something about Trump, that doesn't mean I'm ready to defend Clinton. ALSO, if you can't answer to the criticism of Trump without redirecting the criticism at someone else... maybe that should tell you something?<br />
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The candidate I liked the best is not one of the nominees.<br />
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So.... how does one navigate social media these days?<br />
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I don't have any answers.<br />
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Besides maybe avoiding it. <br />
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Elizabeth Downiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985143085882983821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449255540951766363.post-68140119537354598752016-07-22T14:36:00.001-04:002016-07-22T14:36:33.814-04:00Trying to argue politics this election season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Elizabeth Downiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985143085882983821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449255540951766363.post-46168633082656399762016-07-22T11:19:00.000-04:002016-07-22T11:19:45.609-04:00When I think about Trump being president<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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(Let's hope it doesn't happen!)Elizabeth Downiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985143085882983821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449255540951766363.post-25715382375534191542016-07-21T14:34:00.000-04:002016-07-21T14:34:08.352-04:00My face when Cruz gets booed for saying "Vote your conscious"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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...Isn't voting your conscious a good thing? Elizabeth Downiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985143085882983821noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449255540951766363.post-5237612095917937822016-01-26T13:04:00.002-05:002016-01-26T13:04:33.699-05:00Nude giraffe descending a staircaseSome of you artofiles (is that a thing?) may have seen this painting by Marcel Duchamp before. It is called "Nude Descending a Staircase" (don't worry, there's no visible bosoms):<br />
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Well, the talented artist, Katherine Downie (no relation*) made this version of it with a balloon animal giraffe descending a staircase. It makes me laugh every time (there ARE visible bosoms on this one - you just have to look closely**):<br />
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Katherine is auctioning this original painting of the giraffe descending a staircase over on <a href="http://paintingsspeak.blogspot.com/2016/01/auction-time.html">her art blog (link)</a>. All the info is over there too.<br />
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If you are looking to buy a very affordable piece of original art to impress all your artofile friends, head over and try to outbid me! You won't regret it. It looks even better in person. It's rated PG-13 for nude giraffe bits. <br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">*jk</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">*jk again</span></i>Elizabeth Downiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985143085882983821noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449255540951766363.post-57585253779852370582016-01-25T13:42:00.002-05:002016-01-25T13:42:52.036-05:00Art giveaway!If you have a blank wall in your:<br />
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<ul>
<li>nursery</li>
<li>play room</li>
<li>oval office</li>
<li>library</li>
<li>bedroom</li>
<li>bathroom? (I don't know about that one.) </li>
<li>zoo</li>
<li>living room....</li>
</ul>
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basically anywhere? You should enter Katherine's giveaway! <a href="http://paintingsspeak.blogspot.com/2016/01/giveaway-1.html?m=1">Here's the blog post with instructions! </a>And here's the piece of art you could win a free print of!<br />
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<br />Elizabeth Downiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14985143085882983821noreply@blogger.com3