Refraction – Page 16 – The Weight of My Days

Day 73: I was a bimbo once, and young

Ah yes, bimbo days. I had ’em. Froofy big hair, shiny fabrics, tight fit, high heels, makeup. Sometimes I cannot believe the things I wore – wore because I thought they made me look sexy, which I understood to be the main purpose of clothes. Here I am on my 30th birthday, wearing a dress … read more Day 73: I was a bimbo once, and young

Day 72: Wearing what I choose

My choices in clothes just never seem to work out. On the last day of kindergarten, Mom allowed me to pick what I would wear. I chose an emerald-green corduroy jumper with little evergreen trees all over it. It was June, too hot to wear corduroy anything. But I insisted on being granted this privilege of choice. As I … read more Day 72: Wearing what I choose

Day 69: Six and nine

Day 69: When I was in high school, any mention of the number 69 would send us into a fit of giggles. We thought we were very savvy and cool for knowing the code number for mutual oral sex. When I first saw the symbol for my astrological sign, Cancer, I did a double-take: The … read more Day 69: Six and nine

Day 66: To the other side, from this side

Day 66 of a fetus: “External genitalia are forming, and after this month, it will have physically developed into either a boy or a girl (though its gender was determined at conception).” So says SheKnows.com, which aims to educate pregnant women about what’s going on inside them. Except: Gender is not determined at conception. A … read more Day 66: To the other side, from this side

Day 65: The browser bully

Today I wanted to give Microsoft some money, but they wouldn’t let me. Because I wasn’t using THEIR browser. I know that sounds paranoid. You decide: I was trying to add credit to my Skype account. The website refused to cooperate. The bottom line from Skype support chat was that I should switch browsers. To Internet Explorer. Owned … read more Day 65: The browser bully

Day 59: Why they hate us (for liberals)

I would not have believed it possible, but I feel sorry for Kim Davis. Not because she’s in jail for refusing to issue marriage licenses to gay couples. Her job is to carry out the duties of her public office, and she is in contempt of court. But oh, the nastiness. Liberals made fun of her denim … read more Day 59: Why they hate us (for liberals)

Day 58: Unsocial

Because I’m a journalist, I’m required to like social media. And I do, for some things. But… Well, social media isn’t worthless. Twitter is ideal for sending and receiving news alerts and story recommends. Facebook is wonderful for getting back in touch with people you haven’t seen in years. LinkedIn is an exceptionally good venue for adding … read more Day 58: Unsocial

Day 56: E pluribus unum

When the penny was redesigned in 2009-10, the new reverse side featured a shield. The slogan E pluribus unum – “from many, one” – became larger. In the last few days, I’ve wondered if there is anything which we all agree on. Surely we all agree that the murder of innocents is wrong and that … read more Day 56: E pluribus unum

Day 49: I’ve seen better

The day started out well enough – extra time in the morning with Tom is the best way I can think of to ease into a new week. Nothing particularly bad happened during the day. Mostly routine, but not boring. But somehow, at 2:30, I felt like I couldn’t really do anything else today. I did, of … read more Day 49: I’ve seen better

Day 48: The tiles of oppression

Dad used to joke that it cost $3,000 to have our living room curtains cleaned. After they were dry-cleaned, the newly bright curtains made the rest of the room look dingy. A few months later, they’d bought new furniture, installed wall-to-wall carpet, and bought a TV with a hardwood cabinet. (You could do all that … read more Day 48: The tiles of oppression