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The Daily Fixx: Traffic from hell

I’ve recently started a new commute, and while I have only done said commute for all of a week now, I have been heard to whine ever-so-slightly about it—not so much the transportation aspect of it (I take a ferry to work now, how cool is that … free WiFi, comfy seats, water views all around, a snack bar and (adult) beverages if you’re so inclined); no, definitely not the transportation aspect of it. It’d be a different story if I had to sit in my car in traffic every day, but since that’s not the case, what I do have some minor complaints about is the total amount of time I spend commuting—between 3 to 4 hours each day … aka my gym time/relax after work time/spend time with the hubs time.

Essentially, I can expect to spend (on the higher end) 20 hours a week commuting or about 980 hours a year. When I think of how ripped my abs could be, or how much tighter my butt could be after all those squats, leg presses and Pilates classes I’ll be missing out on, it makes me sad enough to want to reach for another donut … or better yet, something sugary and deep fried, like a beignet (nom, nom, nom).

However, all of that pales in comparison to the truly horrendous 10-day, 60-mile, completely bumper-to-bumper, grid locked traffic jam in progress in China. Check out the photo. My good friend Trixie sent me the article today, and at first I thought: This has to be a joke; there’s no way this could be real. How would people eat? How would they go to the bathroom? And, WTH could be causing such a nasty traffic jam?

Well, let’s work backward. The traffic jam is caused by construction … that’s right, good ‘ole road construction. And, it’s not slated to end until September 17, which means there’s many more weeks ahead of making friends with your fellow traffic jammers and car mates ()better hope everyone can make nice). Local businesses have been experiencing an uptick as they sell food to the drivers stuck in their cars (they use bikes to get to people). Though, I’m not sure what drivers and passenger that don’t happen to have cash on them are doing … barter, maybe? I’m not entirely sure how the bathroom issue works, and to be frank, I don’t want to know. Suffice to say, it could kinda stinky out there. Finally, yes, this really is real. So, for all my sadness (real, feigned and imagined), I can be thankful that I don’t have to be in that mess.

Wonder if I’ll nap on the ferry tomorrow ….

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The Daily Fixx: Levi and Wood(s)

Two things caught my eye today: Levi Johnston is officially running for office and Tiger and Elin are officially splitsville (did anyone really think it’d be otherwise?). Does anyone else find Levi’s reconciliation timing with Bristol to be just a little suspect? I mean who would actually elect a trash-talking, Playgirl-posing, wannabe celebrity for public office, when they could elect a reformed, recalcitrant former wild child with a family and a famous soon-to-be mother-in-law? And, it’s not like she can avoid from endorsing him–how petty would that look? Though, it’d probably be more honest. Another moron sure to be elected into office based off of nothing but notoriety, favors and family connection … who knows, maybe Levi will surprise me; he could have a brain with thoughts, ideals and policy in that head. I’ll hold my breath. For the sake of Wasilla and the nation, I’ll gladly take it back if he ends up doing some good. It’s one time I’d be glad to be proven wrong.

As an aside, you’re lucky I couldn’t get my image uploader to work, yet again, otherwise, you would have seen the truly awful cover Levi did for Playgirl … and that’s the future of Wasilla. I bet they’re proud.

Tiger and Elin are divorcing. Can anyone really be shocked? The only thing I’m “shocked” about is that it made the news.

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And you thought I’d gone for good ….

So, life has had many changes for me in the last few weeks, thus the sudden and prolonged silence. But, I’m back! So check back frequently for updates. Pretty soon, I’ll have something new to unveil for all of you out there too .

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It’s a Daily Double … Daily Fixx Times Two: Keepin...

So, two things stand out to me today. The first, on Tuesday, Hawaii’s governor vetoed a bill that would have legalized civil unions between gay and lesbian couples. She said the civil unions are just same sex marriages by a different name. And, she’s against same sex marriages. It’s a shame. However, on a separate but totally related issue, a federal judge in Boston ruled, today, that a federal gay marriage ban is unconstitutional because it would prohibit states from creating the definition and exclude married gay couples from federal benefits. I guess that’s a half-step of progress.

The second thing, an Iranian woman who has served five years in prison and received 99 lashes for having “illicit” relationships with two men after her husband passed away, and supposedly having an affair while still married, was nearly scheduled to be stoned to death. There was no proof or evidence supporting the claims of infidelity except for a judge’s opinion.

There was such an up-roar from human rights organizations, political figures and celebrities that the Iranian authorities released a statement today saying the woman would not be stoned to death—they did not however clarify what would happen to her. She may still end up being sentenced to death, just not by stoning.

In Iran, having sex prior to marriage is punishable by 100 lashes and prison time; having sex with someone else aside from your spouse is punishable by death by stoning. I realize each culture has their own traditions, rules, policy and ideals, but isn’t death by stoning a bit drastic? I’m not sure what I’d thought was involved in a stoning … aside from the whole slinging rocks thing, but I definitely did not think being buried chest-deep in a hole was a part of it. It’s just so brutal … but I guess that’s the point. Rule by fear, right?