I’m sitting on the patio off of my room in the Paramount Hotel watching the world go by as I sip on some Hot and Sour Soup from the Vietnamese restaurant around a few corners. I am shadowed by a large towering building that sits diagonal and right in-line to a series of apartments that sit above a variety of shopping outlets. Within a half-mile radius I can eat Indian, Lebanese, Persian, Thai, Japanese, Vietnamese, Mexican, Seafood locally from Oregon or otherwise and restaurants that cater to the local farmers. I’ve been to the library, Powell’s books and walked past so many shops I can’t recall what they sold.

The people. I’ve never seen so many people just walking. In Phoenix not only is it too hot most of the time, the city is just not pedestrian friendly. I don’t see the aura of pollution hovering over the city and I don’t miss it. The sky is blue, the air is crisp and the sounds are beckoning. The streets are lined with trees and bistro tables of people who sit and chat while having coffee or their afternoon meal. There are the homeless to the wealthy, all walking and being.

I love this place.

As of late I just don’t feel like blogging. Between taking care of work, school, the family and all of my other interests - meh.

So, until I feel like it. Please hold. Or not. I think I have 2 readers.

Yesterday morning as I walked into the office I made a comment about my dismal score on the 1930’s housewife test. I must have had a boastful tone in regards to my failing score as a co-worker of mine (I’m not 100% sure if he reads this site) seemed a little surprised that I was “proud” of such a score.

I’ve thought about it a bit and after reading Cathy’s comments I thought I’d post a little more about my thought process.

A lot of the questions were incredibly sexist, including the example previously listed:

• Reacts with pleasure and delight to marital congress.
• An active member of some women’s organization.
• Asks husband’s opinions regarding important decisions and purchases.
• Corrects husband’s speech or actions before others. How DARE she.
• Cries, sulks, or pouts too much. Be feminine and sub-standard but please be stoic about it.
• Eats onions, radishes, or garlic before a date or going to bed.
• Fails to sew on buttons or darn socks regularly.
• Gives husband shampoo or manicure. Dream the fuck on.
• Greets husband at night with a smile.
• Has a pleasant disposition in the morning–not crabby.
• Has pleasant voice–not strident.
• Has spunk–will defend her ideals and religion. This was a negative. Of course I seleted that answer.
• Healthy or courageous and uncomplaining.
• Insists on driving the car when husband is along.
• Is more than 15 pounds overweight.
• Is unselfish and kind-hearted.
• Keeps hair neatly combed or shampooed and waved.
• Keeps husband’s clothes clean and pressed.
• Keeps self dainty, perfumed, and feminine.
• Laughs at husband’s jokes and his clowning.
• Makes evening engagements without consulting her husband. Heaven Forbid.
• Often comments on husband’s strength and masculinity.
• Often tells husband she loves him.
• Polite and mannerly even when alone with husband.
• Praises marriage before young women contemplating it.
• Slow in coming to bed–delays til husband is almost asleep. Maybe because her douchebag husband is a crap lay.
• Tells risque or vulgar stories. FAIL
• Tries to become acquainted with husband’s business or trade. *gasp*
• Uses slang or profanity.
• Wears pajamas instead of nightgown. Nice in public but husband’s whore when no one is looking. Double standard.
• Wears red nail polish. As Cathy stated - that hussy!
• Writes often and lovingly when away from husband.
• Writes to husband’s parents regularly. Are you kidding me?

So, according to this test a woman is someone who should bow down to her husband and do whatever is asked of her without being the slightest bit of an inconvenience to her husband. She should be his slave in the kitchen and in the bedroom and be sure to tell everyone how wonderful he is because he is a big baby without self-esteem who needs his slave-wife to fluff his ego on a regular basis.

In my viewpoint that is not a real man, more like a sissy-boy.

Well, I failed this test miserably.

-24 As a 1930s wife, I am Very Poor (Failure) Take the test!

My favorite:

• Reacts with pleasure and delight to marital congress.

When I say this I don’t say it with an air of judgment but rather a simplistic lack of understanding. I don’t get parents that get bent out of shape about their young children getting dirty.

If I may backtrack:

Richard and I watch Jon and Kate Plus 8 every once in a while and in multiple episodes Kate is screaming at her children for getting dirty. Why dress them so nicely if you know they will be playing? For church or going out…dress them in nice clothes. However, when it comes time for everyday play and if you know you are taking them to the park…PUT THEM IN SOME OLD CLOTHES.

Maybe I’m too country to get it but it seems to be a simple solution. Think of all the fun times and memories that are missed because your Mom is too busy harping on you for having the nerve to roll in the grass. When else do you get to roll in the grass without someone looking at you funny?

I’ve been computer-less since Friday, May 23 and I have to admit I was a little antsy about the situation. Dare I admit that I’ve not missed it?

We had planned on going to St. Louis at the end of the week but I kind of like being out in the middle of no-man’s land (Ok, town of 18,000 just 8 miles up the road) and the sea of green. I’m not quite ready for the concrete jungle.

I’ve taken a little over 220 photos but without my computer available there are a lot that I’d rather crap prior to posting. My connection is a little slow here so uploading to Flickr is a little painful. I have uploaded roughly 30 photos but most need to be rotated.

Just livin’ the slow and simple life, it is fantastic!

I am loving the heeled shoes with the buckles on them and these…oh how I love these! I’d probably wear these with a black skirt and black top and POW these bad-ass shoes. Those studs are kickass.