02 December 2010

"I'm sick but I'm pretty, Baby" --Alanis Morissette

Hi there. I'm writing you from bed. Because I'm waaaay sexy that way.

Okay, I'll admit it. I'm sick.

Why are you holding a bowl of mashed potatoes and a cat o' nine tails?

No, I don't mean sick. *perverted hand gesture* I mean sick. *pathetic face* *

I have a cold. I've had all the popular symptoms: the clogged ear, the scratchy throat, the muzzy eyes, the sneezing, the nose like a faucet, and now the congestion and low-grade fever. Niiiiice. Happy Chanukah to me.

Speaking of Chanukah, I'm not sure Walmart is clear on the concept...

iagh.jpg

I have to get rid of this cold toot sweet as we've booked a trip to St. Thomas for a friend's wedding and it is fast approaching. At least, thanks to Pardis Parker, I feel secure...



I've taken a few security classes through the years (both cyber and personal) and one of the key things they stress is the illusion of safety. The idea is that you can't plan for all possible threats but you can put in some safeguards and provide the appearance that you're paying attention.

Which brings us to the question du jour: Do you feel safer thanks to the TSA?



* Awwww, you're adorable when you pout. And you get extra points for keeping the potatoes warm.

21 comments:

VEG said...

Hey feel better you! Ugh, sickness.

On the other thing, I was doing some research lately on TSA procedures and full body scanners because I'm all for improvements based on safety, but those things are pretty shocking. Now I didn't complain when they wouldn't let me bring my water bottle or shampoo through checkpoints anymore at the airport because if it helps with safety it's no big deal.

But with the scanners they can see way more than you think they can. Way more than they officially TELL you they can. It truly is an invasion of your privacy rights. You are entitled to refuse to go through a full body scanner but the alternative is the pat down which is done in public and they do touch everywhere. I want us to be safe but I'm not sure invading everyone's basic civil rights is the way to go. I mean there has to be a better way to fly than having to appear naked in front of a stranger before you can board the plane, don't you think?

Plus despite these machines I don't feel any safer particularly. Plus travelling is just a hassle now with all the dos and don'ts and charges and lines.

Have some dude see everyone, including little kids, naked before they can go anywhere? The terrorists already won.

the dogs' mother said...

I feel like the whipping boy. Terrorists try something and our gov't turns on us and beats the crap out of us. And keeps doing it. How long has it been since an overseas terrorist has put a bomb in his shoe? Has any other terrorist flown in from overseas with explosive skivvies?
I dread the day the terrorists decide to stuff explosives up some orifice...

the dogs' mother said...

PS - feel better!!

magnolia said...

leave it to wal-mart to totally miss the point of a non-christian holiday... sigh...

the TSA's entire existence is a really good example of closing the barn door after the horse has gotten out. it's all window dressing.

Liebchen said...

Hope you feel better soon. Being sick's no fun, and even less so when you're traveling.

As for TSA, in short: no, I don't feel any safer. I feel like people who *do* want to sneak stuff on are going to find a way and be more resourceful, and these measures won't stop that. But what do I know?

Unknown said...

NOPE! I just feel like they're going to look at my lady parts in ungentlemanly ways now. SO, that's great. It's like a bad date. A very, very bad date. At the airport.

Titania said...

arrrghhhh, I know exactly how you're feeling, and I am so sorry... Get better soon, and get da man to spoil you in the meantime! (and after too).

Oh, TSA... I am dreading my encounter with them. I don't think their current policies make anyone safer, and in turn they make us feel violated. However, I do think that most of them do not enjoy doing the searches either; because, seriously, who in their right mind would like to be touching random people all over... Now, the question is, are they in their right mind? What I think some of them may enjoy the most is to humiliate poor passengers, and to feel in power and control of those feelings. Sick. Ugh.

Hopefully you'll be spare the pat down though...

The Bug said...

I haven't been on a plane in years - & have no plans to be on one. I'm hoping by the time I travel that way again they'll have eased up some. Or, you know, become even more crazy. What's next - truly naked flying? They'd better keep those planes warm!

P.S. Feel better - I'm not nearly as sick as you. Don't know why I had to tell you that. Heh.

Mike said...

Funny meat picture. They misspelled cham, right?

Tania said...

Just don't throw up your Chanukah ham on the airport security staff and you'll be fine.

Cyndy said...

Those Walmartians are so clueless! But so am I. I went looking on Youtube for some other Chanukah songs besides the two I know already to play at all the upcoming holiday parties. Then I discovered JewTube. Check it out - it will cheer you right up! I hope you feel better soon.

Bilbo said...

If anyone wants to look under my clothes with a full-body scan, they deserve the horrifying shock. That said, I'll go with the scanner...only my wife and Edyta Sliwinska are allowed to grope me. And no, TSA doesn't make me feel safer. Staying at home in bed with the covers pulled up over my head makes me feel safer.

Toe said...

I got to go through a scanner on my way back to Cancun and then they pulled me aside and did a pat down. You know what the TSA agent said to the other TSA agent when I was waiting for my half ass pat down "Tell Theo to stop sending girls through here this is the 6th one!" So they were getting their jollys off of me. I don't know if I should be flattered or insutled.

spleeness said...

I LAUGHED MY ASS OFF at that Hanukkah ham. Fantastic find.

I'm mixed about the TSA. If procedures are followed properly, they're probably protective, but I don't know that they always are.

Feel better! Forget the ham and get some chicken soup. ;)

Brutalism said...

If mashed potatoes and cat o' nine tails are wrong...I want to be very, very wrong...

Too far?

Feel better and have a good trip!

Narm said...

I'm on the fence about this...

are the mashed potatoes lumpy or creamy?

Barbara said...

I've had a doozy of a cold too. I want to start Hanukkah all over again when I'm well. Maybe the next time around I would light the candles and make some latkes. Feel better soon!

Pauline said...

Feel better soon! That ham photo is hilarious! It reminds me of a time when my husband and I went out to eat and he asked for a veggie burger. The waitress came back with a veggie burger topped with bacon! LOL. Are pigs now considered a vegetable? ;)

I'm not so sure about these new security measures. They should reduce the risk but terrorists might just become more creative.

lacochran's evil twin said...

The Vegetable Assassin: I'm feeling much better, thanks, and thanks for weighing in. I figured the terrorists had already one with the introduction of The Jersey Shore.

froggy: *shifts uncomfortably in seat*

froggy*2: Thanks! I do!

magnolia: If only it was as cheerful as a Macy's display.

Liebchen: Thanks. You're smarter than the average bear, Yogi.

Vivian: Wow. And they don't even buy you dinner at the Moe's first.

Titania: Thanks. Hopefully we both will.

The Bug: Thanks for sharing your thoughts. PS Show off. :)

Mike: I see what you did there.

Mac and Cheese: They'd prefer Christmas latkes, maybe?

Cyndy: Thanks for the tip. The name alone is fabulous!

Bilbo: Or at least more snuggly.

Toe: Wow, you got both. Lucky you.

spleeness: Feeling good now, thanks. Glad you were amused.

Brutalism: "Too far?" Never!

Narm: Doesn't matter to me. I never met a potato I didn't like. In fact, some of my best friends...

Barbara: I'm feeling good again and hope you are, too!

Pauline: *snort*

At dim sum:

Husband: We don't eat meat. These don't have meat in them, do they? *pointing*
Waiter: Meat? NOOOOoooo. Just tiny bits of pork.

Alice said...

uughhhh. hope you're feeling ALL BETTER. and also in st thomas right now. although then i'd also be a liiiiittle jealous. but still hope it's the case. AM SO SELFLESS.

repliderium.com said...

Is there a universal hand signal for "perverted"??? How do I not know it?