We The Parents...Of a 21st Century Student in the US of A

Today The Psycho's school started two hours late today, not because of weather but because some student had posted a threat of some sort. Last week, a 20 something intruder made his way into the school as it was starting. Though he had not ill intentions it was still scary to a point. What the fuck has happened to our world.

This past Friday, I helped her put a Kevlar clipboard in her backpack. After adding a extra ~5 lbs to her backbreaking backpack I instructed her that if a shooting ever happens, to run hide and put your head and chest behind her bag. Her legs and arms can be fixed but not the important bits.

It's fucking ridiculous.

I remember the fear we shrugged off from the cold war, from the racial tensions of the late 80s/90s, and the scariest thing I could think of, asking a girl on a date. But I am staggered by the grace and at ease that my Psycho displays while trying to learn, keep her grades up, work as a lifeguard, and put up with this shit. I don't know how I would have. I take the time, more often than not, to look and be in awe of the fucking amazing woman she has become.

The one saving grace is these idiots need to post/text their threats. Of course, we used to do stuff like this.  Diaries, journals, dark prose, bad poetry, black nail polish even over masturbation. I wrote some dark stuff, some of was okay but most of it was crap.  I remember thinking about even hurting myself.  It was some rough times.  At least I thought so.  I didn’t do it, much. Hell, I acted out. Allot.  I mean I was in trouble quite a bit.  I raged against the system.  I still rage against the system, but it is rage.  Even in the death throes of “love,” I wouldn’t have considered violence toward my former significant other or the rest of my high school/college peers.  More likely I but that is a different matter, all together. If they were like us with a pen and paper like us "old" people did, the administrators and police wouldn’t stand a chance.  I’m fucking thankful for this, of course.   

If we look back at all of this, there are surely some coinciding factors.              Obviously, mental health is a problem that needs to be addressed with action and not platitudes. School safety is important but why are more schools resembling prisons more and more.  Why on earth is there a need for a full-time armed police officer on staff at The Psycho’s school?  Obviously, I am not so stupid to not know the answer to that but what brought us here.  I remember the days after I left school behind when zero tolerance policies were in place.  It had kids so wound up with no outlet for mischief so eventually it burst out in overkill.  Now our education system is under attack.  While the have and have nots being an issue.  I’m sure there are some violent thoughts to our wealthier and (in)famous citizens that have recently used their money and resources to cheat their way to have progeny in the college of their choice.  This can only put more stress on our children as they try hard to earn their way into a place that others can just bribe their way into. Stress is an obvious factor that comes from both academic and social directions but is it that much different than in our day.  I fucking wonder. 

Okay, I’ve been beating around the bush enough.  Fucking guns seem to be the most common factor.  It is this country and our collective insistence that we have an ease of access to firearms.  Why on earth do we have this love affair with guns.  Are we trying to compensate for something.  I admit in my youth and ignorance I had an affinity for guns.  I grew up.  I know that as I am writing this we are also heading toward our eventual revolution/civil war and taking up arms against our fellow Americuns is inevitable. Is anything just evitable.  Kind of like being whelmed.  Our second amendment doesn’t mention firearms.  I know it probably meant it but it doesn’t refer to hunting, home security, or for today’s purpose killing children while they should be safe in school.  Despite what we might want to believe it is a plague that should be excised from our being.  At the very least limit the type of armament and monitor all transactions regarding all guns and ammunition.  Though I know background checks cannot catch a potential threat it is still a first line of defense regarding these horrors and terrorizing times.  FUCK!(for consistency)

I swear at this point; my already questionable sanity is a little on the precipice.  This sink hole will swallow us whole as well as our progeny. What ever it is we decide I will not sacrifice my Psycho in the process.  Why can’t I go back to the good old das when I was worried about her dating and a younger version of me showing up at the door.  Why isn’t that the worry of us Parents.  Why is it now powered to the extreme?  Why the fuck is it that I felt compelled to buy a Kevlar (fuck your trademark DuPont) clipboard form my Psycho’s backpack and this is not a FUCKING OVERREACTION! We the parents should demand better.  The Grandparents should demand better.

 Our children should have better.

P.S. Buy the children in your life a bulletproof clipboard.

Letter to Congress about Infrastructure

 I got into a detailed conversation with an old buddy of mine this evening on facebook.  It was about special interests and lobbyists.  In the end, it got me the idea to send a letter to congress so I did.  Here it is.

Senator/Congress Person,
It seems like not a day goes by without hearing about another water main busting and flooding someone's home or ruining an intersection.  I know you have driven on the roads.  There has been some good work with resurfacing in the past couple of years but there are far too many patches and holes.  I have a little fear when I am on the Vine St. Expressway and go under 20th St.  What are your plans to help with our infrastructure. It is too important to ignore.  Why do we fund scientists to revolutionize materials and engineering yet continue to patch with 100 year old technology.  Please make this a priority or our first world country will start looking like a third world country.  (To be honest, there are places I drove through just today that already look that way.)
Duff

It wasn't much but it was something.  I sent it to Brendan Boyle, Pat Toomey, and  Bob Casey.  Find your congress people or state rep and write them about something you noticed.  It will be helpful.

Good New! 2016!

Hey there everybody.  It is I Duff with my big time Inner Monologue.  Well last year I just was not motivated and it showed.  I tried to keep up the Good News bloging but I just didn't keep it up.  I want to thank you for your patience, understanding and continued sharing of your tiny victories.  I will try to do better in 2016.  So I asked for some sharing and you guys came through.  So here goes.

Good News for the week of the New Year 2016

• Well I started this off with my own victory by staying out of the hospital over the holidays and of course my Hokies won the Independence bowl.  It was a great send off for Coach Beamer.  I remember way back in 1993 when the Virginia Tech bowl streak started at the Independence bowl.  I had tickets to the game but couldn't make it to Shreeveport, La.  Still a good week.
• Melissa reports that it has stopped raining down in VA.  I tend to like the rain.  It was great to run in.
• Cindy not only had a good time but managed to the survive the 4-H club lock-in.  She even learned so new tips about homemade candies.  I hope you can send some "samples" my way.  For quality control purposes, of course.
• Danielle has her cousin from Argentina visiting and is two weeks into her training for an 8k.  Totally awesome. I always enjoy a visit from family.  I get to show off the city and the food.  Congrats on the training.  Keep it up.
• Donna took the kids to Disney On Ice and is already planning on the runs and the training needed for 2016.  Way to go on the planning, I hope to join you at some point.  I saw Disney on Ice with the Psycho several years ago.  It was fun for all.  I can only imagine how rich with content it is now with all the new Disney stuff like Marvel and Star Wars.
• Josie had a tumor removed from under Max's ear.  The puppy is doing great and recovering well.  
• According to Erin, Dom joined the rugby club and in the winter clinic some of the instructors were members of the All Blacks.  That is amazing.  Is he interested in Rugby 7s or full roster (15) Rugby?
• Donna came back with the last call for good news where a neighbor gave her a beautiful blue and white parakeet.  Nice.  When shall we be expecting parakeet egg omelets?  Oh, that is weird.  Perhaps, I should consider... nah it is there and there it will stay.
• Maggie got a new laptop from Santa and is having fun learning Windows 10.  I like it to.  I just upgraded my laptop to W10 and it is a much friendlier OS than W8.  
• Donna ran her first 5k after a run in with bursitis and didn't take an walk breaks.  Like I said earlier I hope to get out there this year.  So far I am just working on walking a bit.
• Stephanie ran her annual NYD 5k a little faster than she expected and even stomped out the DNF bug buzzing around her head.  It is an even year and perhaps we can get out for a run or two at Conclave in Atlanta.
• Matt and the clan were about to Baymax at Epcot.  I assume it went well.  I love Epcot.  Except in the final mile of the Disney Marathon.  That can make it evil but still awesome.
• And to finish it off Niny was enjoying her last days of vacation on the beach.  Oh, the sand between the toes and the gentle sound of the waves cresting.  I do like the beach.

So I hope to keep this up better this year but I make no promises.  But thank you so much for sharing you good news.  It warms the heart to see the positivity in all of this drama and negativity. Till the next time and watch out for my inner monologue coming out on screen.  This stuff is racing around in my brain and I just need to get it out there.  Till next time.  Toodles.

A Hallowed Good News

Here we go again.  Yes, it is another good news regurgitated.  Perhaps some blood and gore. Or a little trick and we kick off another episode of Good News with some bad news.  How about some drama.  This may get you a little depressed but there will be none of that crap.  This is Good News.  Drama free but maybe some blood, gore and regurgitation.  So take this.





Good News from way back in the week of 17 Oct 2015

• Melissa reports that Ethan took forth place in Feis (Irish Dance)  So awesome.  Proof positive that if you put forth the effort you will get the prize. (pun intended)
• Niny tells us that she made it through the 5 mile mark at the Tough Mudder.  That race is no joke.  I am sure mud is still being found weeks later.
• According to Josie that it has been 6 months since Max's bad diagnosis and he is still with us.  Way to go Max.  Forget what the diagnosis says.  That is what I always say.
• Donna is giving big props to the coaches that are getting her ready for the Philadelphia Marathon.  She completed her 15 mile run and walked another 2 miles the next day.  Evidently, her legs are still attached.  I start off by saying Go Team and then Go Donna.  You are doing great and I will be out there cheering you on.  Remember as one of Duff's Donnas we say "eff cancer."
• Danielle set a PR at Frank Loyd Wright race.  This time the time was recorded under her name where the previous PR was under a friends name.  Congratulations on the PR.  It seems like some sort of theme in today's good news.  Spooky, isn't it.
• Cindy celebrated her fathers 80th birthday with many of his friends and family.  One day I will be that young.  
• Stephanie logs in with an 8 mile run.  I need to get myself out there and put on some miles as well.  Good on ya.
• Space, the Psycho and I spent the weekend in NYC where we stayed a cute little B&B.  We toured around SOHO which included a personalized BirchBox and custom lipstick among other things.  All topped off with a visit to the Bronx Zoo and a little party at my sister's boyfriends place.  We had a cool yet exhausting weekend.

 What a great bunch of good news.  About that theme it seems best said that with hard work come the reward.  Keep up the hard work and the tiny victories.  I miss these little reminders and need to work harder at getting them republished.  Thanks everybody and Boo!

Planned Parenthood Letter to Congress

So I was sitting in the car in Atlantic City and read some article about the defunding of Planned Parenthood and some bullshit about selling aborted fetal tissue.  It made no sense.  So lets think about what fetal tissue is used for.  Things like HIV and Alzheimers research.  See the bit about this on Larry Wilmore's Nightly Show.

Get More: Comedy Central,Funny Videos,Funny TV Shows

Another thing is that abortion only represents about 3% of Planned Parenthood's business and none of that is funded with federal dollars.  I don't know how that figure works out.  Is it 3% of patients or is it 3% of budgeting.  What ever it is really small and that means that 97% of there work is dedicated to women's health and the reproductive rights of all of our citizens.  It also, goes to health education and std testing.  Those sound like some important things.  Actually, that idiot Bobby Jindal cut medicaid payments to the two Louisiana Planned Parenthood facilities so that do not perform abortion services.  So in one of the poorest states with some of the highest unemployment rates has cut healthcare payments to the sanest of women's health clinics.
So, what did I do?  I wrote to our congressmen in the House and Senate on my phone.  I kept it short because I was on my phone but I wrote to Senators Pat Toomey and Robert Casey and Congressman Brendan Boyle.  Here it is and I will post their response when it comes.  I recommend you do the same.  Look up your congress persons at house.gov and senate.gov.

Please don't vote to defund planned parenthood. They perform such a great service to women's health. Those alleged videos of bad actors doing bad things with fetal tissue do not represent the organization. Their the whole organization and those that benefit from their services do not deserve this punishment. Please stand for women's rights and health by letting them make their own educated decisions. Thank you.Robert Duff

 So far it has failed.  I hope it continues to fail.

And big thanks to Comedy Central for posting good clips and their code to embed videos.

Letter to Congress About GMO free Labeling (with response)

So I was going through Facebook this afternoon while I was waiting for my Micafungen infusion and I saw a link about Congress voting on a bill to have the USDA develop guidelines for labeling for products as "GMO free." It is good to have standardized guidelines especially if they help the consumer and general public. This does not do that so I decided to write my congressman instructing him to vote know. We must stop this madness/stupidity. So here it is. I am sure there are typos but I wrote it on my phone so....

I have read a notice that the house plans to view on a bill to have the USDA develop guidelines for "GMO free" labeling of food products. Please vote no to this idea and consider more a set of guidelines for labeling some food products and "organic." There are several reasons for this and they are listed below in no order of importance:1. Organic labeling is more of a marketing ploy to have producers sell more and charge more for their low yield product that is generally no more healthy than its noon-organic counterpart.2. There is no such thing as a"GMO free" food product on our modern society. The food we have eaten in the more recent past was genetically modified by what I call blunter processes like selective breeding and hybridization. The fact that we can now perform that work with better precision and accuracy at the generic level actually makes the foods product safer.
3. There is no evidence that GMO for products are unsafe. In reality, many "GMO" crops are safer because less pesticides are used because part of the genetic modification addresses pest control.I am sure there are other reasons and many more facts to add that shoulder convince you to not only reject this bill but also I would expect you to champion the effort to encourage your colleagues to reject this pandering.Thanks you for your consideration.Robert Duff

So here is the reply from our great Congressman.  Or at least a staffer.

Dear Mr. Duff,

Thank you for contacting the office of Congressman Brendan Boyle to express your support for labeling genetically modified foods (GMOs). My name is Helena Mastrogianis, and I am Congressman Boyle's Legislative Director. He asked that I respond to your inquiry on his behalf. The Congressman highly values the input he receives from citizens like you because the concerns that you express to him inform his decisions on policy and votes. This type of feedback allows Congressman Boyle to maintain an open discussion with those he represents and it is the top priority of our office.
As you may know, the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015, H.R. 1599, was introduced with the intent to prevent states from requiring GMO labels on foods and other products. Congressman Boyle voted against the bill on July 23, 2015 because he believes that consumers have a right to make fully-informed decisions about the products they purchase. Many states have passed their own laws requiring labeling of genetically modified food and ingredients. Congressman Boyle believes that these states should not be prevented from enacting reasonable legislation in the interest of consumer protection and choice. There needs to be more research on the long-term effects of eating and using GMOs. Since we have yet to determine the long-term ramifications of genetically-modified food, Congressman Boyle will support the open disclosure of genetically modified food to the public
H.R. 1599 passed by a vote of 275-150. Again, thank you for contacting our office and sharing your concerns.  Please do not hesitate to contact us again regarding this or any other matter.
Sincerely,
Helena Mastrogianis

Well, he voted my way but for a different reason.  Still, the vote went down party lines and will probably get killed or radically changed in the Senate.  We will see.   

Good News: Eventually Posted with Classic Good New Thrown In

Hey everybody.  It is about that time that I sit down and get some good news out.  I know that 2015 has been a sporadic year for my good news posts.  I try to remember to ask for these tiny, non-drama related victories on a regular basis but again that is not to be.  Well, things have been going great for me these days.  I have stayed out of the hospital for over a month.  The psycho finished the seventh grade and is now a teenager.  I guess I should expect some new drama in my life but I think I can handle it.
The weird part is that I am writing this from the blood and marrow transplant unit here at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital where I recieved my stem cell transplant and where I am usually taken when I have complications.  Unlike other times in the past, I am just here as a visitor to say hi to the staff of physician assistants, technician, doctors and ,of course, the Rescue Ninjas (RNs).   They got startled when I came by because they thought I was sick again but instead I just wanted to visit and used there family lounge for some piece and quiet.  Either way, it is great feel so welcome and realize that there are people that truelly care about my well being.  That is those beyond my family that are legally required to care no matter what a jerk I become.  Either way, I should get on to some good news that was share with me in the past few weeks.

Good News for the month of July 2015 with some classic good news thrown in as well.:

• Josie spread the news that it was Dave's birthday.  Way to go.  You survived another revolution around the sun.  I sure miss running with you dude.  I know I was slow but you were amazingly patient.  Our last run was a blast through the double scissors (I think that was the name) course.
• Mandy reports that her step daughters and her all set new PRs at the 5k that weekend.  The icing on the cake was coming in 1st and 2nd in the age groups.  Also, a negative (clear) report came from the bone growth biopsy on her step son's femur.  Those may be beyond the category of tiny victory.  In the spirit the Tour de France lets call them HC tiny victories.
• Sherrie saw Violent Femmes, Barenaked Ladies and Rolling Stones all live in Raleigh last week.  Once again another HC tiny victory.  I am so jealous.
• Danielle completed 4 weeks of C2 5k training without the need of an inhaler.  Also, she tried kayaking for the first time.  So cool.  Keep up the good work.
• Time for some Classic Good News:  Maggie and Chuck finnaly joined the 21st century and got smart phones with data plans and everything.  It is awesome to be able to connect the world with such ease.
• Donna has had some knee trouble but got a new knee brace and gutted out a good six miler with TnT.  She also took the kids to Shankweiler's Drive In Theatre to see Minions and Terminator.  So awesome.  Space, the Psycho and I love drive in theaters.  We will have to check it out soon.  Even more to add, she got some dictation work which always helps but she is having some trouble with some oddball friend that keeps asking for good news.  What a jerk. He must be tired of all the drama in the world and the media that covers it.
• Cindy was helping with finding that special one to say yes to the dress with her daughter.  I know the perfect dress is out there and you guys will find it if you haven't already.
• Maggie came back with the countdown for her granddaughter coming to visit.  I believe it is only 3 weeks now.  I know you guys will have fun but remember she is a teenager now and remember how I was at that age.  I guess the real good news is that you get to put back on a plane to her parents afterwards.  

What a great batch of good news.  Oh, damn I forgot.  My good news is that I ran.  That is right.  I ran for a grand total of a quarter of a mile with walking warm up and cool down added on.  It was short and my lungs burned but it felt good.  It felt so awesome to just move the feet and see the world through the runners eyes again.  Again, I think we may have to categorize this as a HC tiny victory. 
Well, that is it for now and thanks so much for sharing.