To Prove I'm Productive
Friday, February 27, 2004
.. This is my response to this whole NS Sex Book Scandal. If you don't know what I'm talking about, see one of my ealier posts, or look on the Internet. This will hopefully be published in our newsletter in a few weeks (but you lucky cats get a special sneak preview).
Are Nova Scotians Scared of Sex?
If the recent decision of several Nova Scotian School Boards to ban a sex education booklet in schools is any indication; the answer is a resounding
yes.
There have been several items regarding the so-called ‘sex manual', designed by the province's Office of Health Promotion, in the news over the past few months. Most of these stories call the sex guide "racy", "graphic", and even "shocking".
So, what's so shocking about the booklet? Masturbation? Homosexuality? Oral Sex?
Perhaps. However, take a moment to ask a typical 14-year old student if these topics are ‘shocking' or ‘offensive'. Chances are, it is his or her answer that will be shocking.
One of the main arguments against this booklet is that the students are simply too young to read about the various activities mentioned in the booklet. They are not, it would seem, too young to
engage in these activities. In 2002, a survey in Nova Scotia found that 8% of grade 7 students had already engaged in sexual intercourse. This increased to 21% in grade 9; 34% in grade 11; and 58% in grade 12.
Nearly 40% of these young people did not use a condom. Now
that's shocking.
Contrary to what you may have heard in the media, the booklet is not a sex manual that teaches adolescents how to have a better sex life. The booklet, titled "Healthy Sexuality For Adolescents" seeks to answer questions many teenagers may already have. Some topics addressed are Avoiding Sexual Assault and Date Rape, Avoiding STI's, and "16 Good Reasons NOT to Have Sex". Clearly, this booklet was designed by concerned, responsible parties such public health nurses, parents, sexual health educators.
This book was created for students, but also as a valuable tool for parents. Many parents are not comfortable approaching the subject of their teenage son or daughter's sexuality. This booklet will hopefully be a starting point for open communication. It is the hope of XXX that this booklet will become freely available to our community, and will be used by students, teachers, and parents.
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Jenn's Top 10 List of Song Titles That Would Make Good Sex Store Names
10. Sex and Candy
9. The Space Between
8. Kiss
7. Pump It Up!
6. Bad
5. The New Pollution
4. Invisible Touch
3. Satisfaction
2. All Shook Up
And the best name ever is...
1. Good Vibrations
..It's Friday, did I mention that?
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Take that, Virus
I'm almost over my cold. I'm still a little stuffed up, but all in all, I've moved on.
So, this whole pension money I was supposed to get. Well, I was on top of it.. I really was. I got the envelope back with all the infomartion I needed.
But now I can't find it. Damnit.
In other hilarity, I got a rejection letter from the Government of Nunavut a few days ago. I applied for some job there a few months ago, but I guess I didn't meet their requirements. I can't say I'm heartbroken, really.
I stayed up last night and watched three hours of reality TV (Survivor, The Apprentice, and Super Millionaire) and now my brain is mush. After a quite productive day yesterday, I feel so unproductive that I want to undo my productivity from yesterday, except I won't, because that would be, actually, productive.
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I'm Giving Up Sex For Lent
Thursday, February 26, 2004
Yeah, right.
I took the day off work yesterday. It was very nice. I slept till 1pm, then fell asleep again sometime around 4pm. There's something about Dr. Phil that puts me to sleep. Must be the way the stage lights rhythmically reflect of his bulbous, shiny head.
Yawn.
With all the sleep and drugs from yesterday, I do feel somewhat better today. I still feel like garbage, but it's more blue-bag than green-bag garbage (ha ha.. Moncton humour!).
I'm looking forward to the weekend. Jana will hopefully be coming down. She's also feeling under the weather, so we'll see. In either case, we have an appointment for a spa day in Flax on Saturday, so that's where I'll be. I'm looking forward to human touch again, even if I had to pay for it.
It's a cold and blustery day here today. Between the wind and my hampered immune system, there were a few moments where I had to stop and catch my breath. No fun. However, I hadn't walked since last week, so it felt nice to fill my lungs with something other than phlegm.
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Marry Me, Will!
Tuesday, February 24, 2004
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"I Want It Big and Hard"
Thursday, February 19, 2004
.....Spoken by my friend, Jana, when talking to her co-workers about the upcoming storm.
Gosh, I
wish that would have been me.
So, I spent the day tending to laundry, and watching the poor seagulls trying to fly against the storm. The lights have flickered a few times already, prompting my boss to call and tell me to fill up my tub with water. I'm not sure what the connection is, as I was pretty sure toilets did
not run on electricity. But, like I've stressed countless times before, this is a strange place.
At the moment, I'm watching some bullshit Oprah show about the sexual habits of Americans. They just have a couple on with a woman who did not want to have sex with her husband. On an academic level, I can understand the reasons for that attitude, but I will never, ever, EVER be that woman. As a matter of fact, it seems that most of my women friends who are in relationship have higher sexual drives than their partners.
But back to these women... all these women who have decreased sex drives... I don't know. It seems like these types of women are the types of women who spend 18 hours cleaning the area behind the toilet, or will fly into a blind rage if the duvet cover they ordered doesn't exactly match their new imported Italian area rug.
Puh-lease.
The day.. no, the MINUTE domestic duties become more important than making myself happy, I will shoot myself in the head. Once you start down that road, it's hard to stop. At least, that's my opinion, it's what I've observed.
Okay, now couples are making sex business plans? What? Complete with missions statements? And contracts? Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
I'm afraid the power will go out on me again, so I'll end it here, less I continue on this rant.
Stay warm, everyone.
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PMS = Post Moncton Syndrome
Wednesday, February 18, 2004
I've been cranky since I've gotten back here (with the exception of yesterday's news about my upcoming business trip). It started Sunday. I felt impatient, agitated, and just crusty.
Now, crustiness has given way to general melancholy. There is a flurry of activity when I go to Moncton. So much that I usually have to 86 a few items from my to do list (sorry, Sarah).
But once I get back here, unpack, and the silence settles in, I feel like it's Boxing Day, and I have to wait another 355 days for the big day to arrive once again. I find myself thinking it's almost not worth going if I feel like this on my return. It's like I have to start at the beginning again. Those first 2 weeks I was here was really tough. Then I started finding my groove. This weekend, though spectacular, just made me realize what I'm missing out on, y'know? I guess in a few days I'll have settled in, once again, but I just hate feeling so
sad. It's just not something I'm accustomed to.
To illustrate my point about all this,
guess who's coming to town?
And why am I the only one who remembers this guy from my youth??
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Yeah, This is More Like It.
Tuesday, February 17, 2004
The first 3 weeks here sucked, I must say. I was the awkward new girl, with no direction. Jeez, not only no direction, but no
desk, office, chair.... I discovered I was a priority for no one. There was very little done in terms of administrative setup in the past, so all of it fell on my shoulders. Well, that's fun for about an hour, but then my eyes start to roll in the back of my head.
I was doubting why I came here. There's no point for me to stay if everything is done half-assed, and I just fill some kind of government grant funding requirement. I was starting to wonder what my role was, and if people actually
did anything around here...
Ah, but then, things start to fall into place. I'm staring right now into my agenda and I'm pleased to report there is
not a whole lot of empty space staring back at me. In fact, I've got a whole whackload of meetings, etc. I even had 4 phone messages on my machine when I came in this morning. I suppose the work I've been doing the past few weeks is just starting show results.
Oh, and I'm going to Toronto, all expenses paid. Did I mention that?
Oh, yes. The good ol' government will be paying for my boss and I to fly to Toronto for 2 nights to discuss such interesting topics and men's sexual health and infertility. But who cares, really? It's in Toronto, and I don't have to spend a cent. I'm at a conference just before that, too, in Halifax, which means I'll be out of "Shit Harbour" (as some of you call it), for nearly a week. Yippee-ki-oh-fucking-kai-ya.
In other news, my Valentine's Day (and my Valentine) was fantastic. Three weeks away is, I think, just about my limit. I was going pretty squirrelly the day before I came down. The problem is that it may be more than 3 weeks before I come down again. Prayers are welcome, folks.
In other news, I wrote myself a cheque for a dildo, and bought pregnancy tests. What did you do today?
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I'd Hate to be HIS Wife
This book has been put together with the Office of Health Promotion and Planned Parenthood (though the g'ment underplays PP's actually role). This has been making quite a bit of news in NS lately. This school board is the only school board in the province that is against the book being distributed, yet they threaten to stop the book from being distributed anywhere.
Also, I'm sure Ms. Kehoe is
delighted for him after sharing with the world that his sexual knowledge is limited after 40 years of marriage.
Sex guide too racy - board chairman
By Mary Ellen MacIntyre / Staff Reporter
Giving students a sex education manual designed by the province's Office of Health Promotion would be nothing short of abuse, says the chairman of the Strait regional school board.
"Some people came to the board to give us the rationale behind this document and they wanted to distribute it to students in grades 7 to 12," George Kehoe said. "We were absolutely shocked by what was in it.
"It was frank, cold and told about every conceivable sexual act and it was described in detail.
"They told us they wanted to get the information out because there's too much teenage pregnancy. Well, my take is, there are too many unsupervised teenagers."
Board members voted 6-4 last week against allowing distribution of the booklet in the Strait school system.
Mr. Kehoe said there were things in the booklet he didn't know and he's been married 40 years.
"Our poor little kids should be allowed to grow up without having this information to deal with," he said.
One of the more objectionable parts of the information, he said, dealt with masturbation.
"Masturbation, alone or with a partner, was given as a low-risk activity," he said.
"This is something the parents should be looking at first, and if there's parents out there who want their kids to see these things, then they can give it to them."
Mr. Kehoe said he doesn't have any children left in school but he does have grandchildren.
"Giving that document to kids in Grade 7 is just plain abuse," he said. "If I had all that information when I was 14 years old, my life would've been frigged.
"You don't need to know those kinds of things - they'll learn it soon enough."
Although not all school boards in the province have reached a decision on whether to let the resource booklet into their schools, the Tri-County district school board voted to make sure it is distributed to students in that region.
Wendy Barnable, spokeswoman for the Office of Health Promotion, was saddened to hear of the Strait board's decision.
"We wanted to distribute the resource through the schools because that's where the teenagers are," she said.
"A recent large national study determined there is an alarming lack of knowledge in these age groups and we had hoped to get the information in their hands."
Ms. Barnable said the booklet, which is still in the design stage, gives frank and honest information.
"There are topics like the sexuality issue where the topic is handled in a responsible, mature manner without being preachy, and the topic of date rape and healthy relationships," she said.
As well, self-esteem and how it can relate to decisions about sexuality are discussed at some length, along with contraception and sexually transmitted infections.
"This resource is not meant to replace or supersede a parent's role," she said. "In fact, it would probably open the door for many parents to have discussions with their children."
Mr. Kehoe, meanwhile, figures there will be people who will criticize him.
"We're not a narrow-minded board," he said. "But there wasn't one person on the board who wasn't offended by something in that information."
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Jenn au Gratin
Thursday, February 12, 2004
For all you English types, that's Jenn
with cheese.
Once again, I have to say I was inspired by
Sarah and her recent postings of
really good love songs/poetry. I searched
LetsSingIt for an hour this morning to find the song that most suits my mood this Valentine's Day.
Thing For You
by Jann Arden
La la la la la la la la la
I feel like you know me
I know well I know I know you do
I’ve got this thing going on
Inside my head
I’ve got this thing for you
I like your face I like your body
Like your feet I like your nose
I like your chest beneath the covers
Like your heart I like your soul
I like your life inside me pounding like a heart inside a dream
Inside a dreamer that’s been dreaming of a perfect symphony
I like the way you walk beside me like a paper in the wind
The way you swing your arms so gladly
Where you end and I begin
I like everything
About you
Baby I do
I feel like you know me well
I’ve tried to let you see me for yourself
I feel like I’m…I’m out of my head
I’ve got this thing for you
I like your face I like your body
Like your feet I like your nose
I like your chest beneath the covers
Like your heart I like your soul
I like your life inside me pounding like a heart inside a dream
Inside a dreamer that’s been dreaming of a perfect symphony
I like the way you walk beside me like a paper in the wind
The way you swing your arms so gladly
Where you end and I begin
I like everything
About you
Baby I do
La la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la
I like your face I like your body
Like your feet I like your nose
I like your chest beneath the covers
Like your heart I like your soul
I like your life inside me pounding like a heart inside a dream
Inside a dreamer that’s been dreaming of a perfect symphony
I like the way you walk beside me like a paper in the wind
The way you swing your arms so gladly
Where you end and I begin
I like everything
About you
Baby I do
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
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They're Both Very Good Ideas/Jenn Gets International
Monday, February 09, 2004
I think
this is a great idea. I especially like the last two paragraphs. As a self-proclaimed connoisseur of German Pornography, I can say with confidence that Germans are the best moaners and groaners in the world.
Ich bin eine schmutziges Mädchen!
In other news, I'm fixing for the possibility of going to France in June. I don't have a passport, and my research is showing that the process of getting one is rather expensive and lengthy. It will no doubt be worth it though. France is the land of good food, romance, and good shopping. At least, that's what the
Olsen Twins told me. Vive l'âge de consentement légal!
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This Week's Tarot Reading
Friday, February 06, 2004
If any of your are interested,
Lotus Tarot gives free tarot readings online. Though I am acutely aware of the suggestability of Tarot readings, especially
online tarot readings, these readings in particular never fail to give me, if nothing else, a sense of comfort.
how you feel about yourself now (The Chariot)
You feel everything is a constant battle at the moment, but persevere and you will triumph in the end. Expect some good news that will help you to keep going until you achieve your goals. This is a time of movement and change and of conflicts ending in victory. You may well consider a journey that relates to work or go for that new car you’ve been looking at.
what you most want at this moment (The Emperor)
The cards suggest Jenn, that what you most want at this time is success and achievement, and the support and influence of perhaps your father, husband/partner or a man of significance in your life who you believe could help.
your fears (Wheel Of Fortune)
You are in fear of everything turning for the worse for you, perhaps you are experiencing a run of bad luck. You have to trust that most of what we fear never happens and as The Wheel of Fortune turns downwards against you, the wheel will naturally turn upwards again and bring good fortune to you too. This difficult phase will pass.
what is going for you (Death)
A time of absolute endings and brand new beginnings, your life is going through a period of great transformation. Whilst it may be difficult or even painful you will pull through. You will be free for a brand new phase in your life.
what is going against you (Judgement)
If you allow fear to stop you from taking a chance or a new possibility then you will lose out. Do not ignore the new opportunities being presented to you - a decision, new job or relationship could change your life for the better. Do not refuse change when change at this time is vital - feel the fear and do it anyway. Outcomes may well be delayed, however this is a time for positive action and not passiveness.
outcome (Temperance)
A period of peace and harmony, life will flow and you will find a way of handling any difficult circumstances with calm confidence. This is also a time for patience, so if you are not sure quite what decision to make about any key issue, take your time you’ll know what to do when the time is right.
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Can Someone Please Explain To Me ....
. . . why an out of shape, middle-aged man can walk around butt-nekkid for a half-hour on TV every Thursday night without anyone caring, yet there is a national investigation over a 3 second-glimpse of a woman's right tit?
I know this whole 'controversy' has been beaten to death, but it just dawned on me how absolutely fucking ridiculous American TV is.
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Some Food For Thought . . .
Wednesday, February 04, 2004
"We've created a strange standard in this country. As consenting adults we can have sex because we're horny, because we're lonely, because we're unhappy, because someone buys us dinner, because we want to hook a spouse, because we want to coerce someone into giving us a job, because we want to get revenge - for a million reasons except one: money. We're not allowed to make a mature and perhaps quite responsible decision to sell our sexuality - though we are freely allowed as adults to whore ourselves in any number of other ways. We are also allowed to make decisions about actions that are as morally charged as prostitution, but that are completely without controversy or legal baggage. Right now, for example, I can go on the Internet, find a willing woman in some economically deprived county, and pay her to be my wife. I can't pay for something as inconsequential as safe, recreational sex between two consenting adults, but I can take the tremendously consequential step of paying someone to be my life partner, which has huge sexual and intimacy ramifications, without a single thought. Now that's a strange morality, and an even stranger way to run a country."
From "The Naked Truth: The Untold Story of Sex in Canada" by Chris Gudgeon
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Women are Lazy
Tuesday, February 03, 2004
My first impression of this place was that it was very laid back and casual.
Maybe I'm missing something, but this is the third day that I've been the first one into work (at a respectable 8:40am, which is still a little later than I like), and the last one to leave (4:30pm). It seems everyone else here comes in at around 9:30 and leaves at 4pm; and let's not forget the constant breaks in the kitchen.
Woa, yea. I guess I sound a little harsh, but I just find it a little shocking. I'm so used to people in this field complaining about how overworked and underpaid they are, only to see that the people here... well.. I'll shut up. Yes, it's true I only work 4 days a week, but I only get
paid for those four days. Blah, anyway, I'll for sure stop now.
Another thing about adjusting to rural life: I went down to the kitchen today to eat my lunch with my co-workers. I got into my second bite of Black Pepper Chicken with Green Peppers and Spanish Onions I so lovingly prepared for myself the night before when the conversation moves to how their pets like to eat small animals, how they like to eat everything but the stomach, how they like to crunch the skull bones, how gross a dead mole feels under bare feet.
I have a pretty strong stomach, but I almost lost my lunch, literally.
I think I may reconsider eating lunch in the kitchen again, or maybe tomorrow I'll just have a salad.
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Money, Money, Money, MUH-NEY..... MUHNEY!
Monday, February 02, 2004
Woo.
Hoo.
1) A few days ago, my parents told me I got a letter from the Co-operators. Apparently, one of the 'benefits' included in the benefits I had at PPT was a pension plan. Now that I no longer work there, they gave me a cheque for the balance of what I had paid into it - about $600. They also told had I stayed there, I would have been able to retire in 2039, which would put me at the ripe old age of 60. Anyway, my financial advisor (aka: Daddy), informed me that if I just cashed the check, I'd have the money, but I'd have to pay half of it back in income tax. If I put it into an RRSP, I can keep it all, and claim it on next year's tax. Apparently $600 can add up over the years. The best thing is that I'll never miss it, because I never knew I had it. Beauty.
2) I heard some pretty horrible things about applying for Interest Relief. I heard it was along, arduous process. However, I filled in my forms, and just got a letter today saying that I was approved! This means I have some extra breathing room while here. It means I can have a bit of fun, instead of monitoring every last nickel. It means I can pay off my Visa! Woo!
So, despite being a little insecure and crazy in certain aspects of my life, at least I feel secure in my financial situation. I know money can't buy happiness, but it does serve as a mild anti-depressant.
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I Love Mondays
I could get used to this.
I woke up at 10am, and started doing laundry. I've been shuffling around my house in my kerchief and slippers and hospital pants. I've been on the internet, trying to tweak my blog comments, but to no avail. Sarah, I need help.
So, it's about 1pm now. My afternoon will probably consist of more laundry and shuffling about.
Having no work on Mondays also afforded me the pleasure of staying up late last night to watch Survivor AllStars last night. I like the fact that they are given nothing, but I think some of the fun of watching the show is meeting the people, getting to know their personalities. It's a little strange to already know the people who are playing. It makes for a completely different game. I'm glad I'm not in a pool because there's no way I could predict a winner.
Hm. I don't know why, but it seems like ever since I've gotten here, my blog writtings have be disjointed and random. It could be because I write at home, and am conscious of the time I spend online, on the other hand, I've been online for 2 hours now, so I can't be
that worried, right?
So, I bought a new porno. SuperGirl. It's a German porn, which is the most unsexy language ever, but that's why God invented the mute button, right? The grand finale is SuperGirl giving some guy a hummer in MID-AIR. Oh yeah. We're talking blue-screen and wires. They really went all out with that. Oh, and lets not forget the stock footage of arial East German factories. I haven't watched it end to end yet (so to speak), but I'll save it for some enchanted evening.
I hope to have BlogBack up and running soon. I miss your feedback!
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