All I wanted to do this morning was to not shave my legs, as it's not supposed to get above 85 degrees today. I tried on various pants (oops, stain), jeans (got too hot), and then realized that cowboy boots in summer can cover (mostly) your leg grooming laziness.
Thanks for your thoughts about my housing anxieties. I know that actually I am doing quite well. I'm not housing insecure, as I have to resources to move if I need, I just don't want to spend them. And I swear I don't have resentment to those richer than me (except when they don't want to pay their share of taxes, which I believe should be more, because they think it's unfair, but that's another rant), but I don't want to get kicked out of our place. I've read (and taught) Mike Davis' Planet of Slums, and I realize that majority of the urban world lives with far greater precariousness than I. My 45 minutes commute is nothing in the larger context. And I realize that even affluent upper middle class suburban families are pretty close to the edge (says Elizbeth Warren), with the 75% increase in health care and housing costs, as well as the individualized risk of the "modern" retirement (defined contribution) plan. I am grateful for many things, this blog being one of them.
I'm off to have a casual meeting and hopefully do lots of brilliant writing today. Have a lovely Tuesday.
(In case you were wondering how I can commit myself to sewing so many hours to make a dress like this: I listen to academic lectures on YouTube or various podcasts/radio interviews with intellectuals. So it's really work).
45 minutes? Yeah, I'd LOVE that commute. This urban gal spends roughly 3 hours commuting to and from the office (thankfully only 3 times a week). I've just accepted it though.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to get some perspective and remind yourself that, of course, it could always be worse. But that doesn't mean that you don't have a valid concern right now. I hope everything works out. And I agree, people with more money should indeed pay more taxes. But yes, that's another rant :)
I DEFINITELY employ boots when leg shaving laziness hits its peak!
ReplyDeleteI always am jealous of ladies who can get away with not shaving every day.
ReplyDeleteI like reading your thoughts about housing. Very interesting.
@Rebecca: In polite company, I would probably be advised to shave everyday (it grows fast) but I am stubborn and lazy at times. And it's my way of saying that I don't care that much (just a little) about norms about being completely smooth shaven. I'm not as defiant as Mo'nique, but she is a bit of a role model:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2010/01/18/2010-01-18_did_monique_spend_so_much_time_on_golden_globes_speech_she_forgot_to_shave_her_l.html
"I'm not housing insecure, as I have to resources to move if I need, I just don't want to spend them."
ReplyDeleteAmen! I can't tell you how many times I've had this conversation.
I have repeatedly been told I could afford better rent in a nicer apartment but honestly I feel like paying $1400 MYSELF is QUITE ENOUGH.
The apartment hasn't been updated (or repaired, or painted) in the 7 years I've been there and I've paid for all the minor repairs over 7 years (new toilet, drain clogs, exterminator, painter, security window guards, smoke detectors = $1200 give or take) specifically so they don't raise my rent to market value, which is about $1,800 if they put the money into repairs and updating the cabinets/floors. ($1,200 total or an extra 1-2 hundred per month over several years? I know the better deal.)
I just think I should be able to save money while renting AND I think that if I was forced to go on unemployment payouts, I would want my non-negotiables (such as rent) to be as low as possible with a decent yield.
Also, I love Elizabeth Warren.
And I like this outfit, too.
I love your kicks :)
ReplyDeleteRad, don't your feet get hot in the summer boot? Tell me the truth.
ReplyDeletep.s. will send email to you of my horror story
@SU: Yeah, maybe a little bit. I underestimated the humidity today.
ReplyDeleteUm, this is the best outfit ever. Ever. I love the top and how you somehow don't look like you are wearing some sort of cowboy outfit for a theme party like I always seem to when I wear my cowboy kicks.
ReplyDeleteYou know, this reminds me of a mannequin I saw the other day wearing a cute western inspired outfit too! well, as in they had dressed her up as, but you look so cute! It's been so ridiculously hot in Vegas Im tired of shaving my legs and I think Ive gone past the point of caring and just hoping no one will notice
ReplyDeleteUm, this is the best outfit ever. Ever. I love the top and how you somehow don't look like you are wearing some sort of cowboy outfit for a theme party like I always seem to when I wear my cowboy kicks.
ReplyDelete