Did you know that Russia is considering more than doubling the price of vodka? We have dealt with the ramifications of Communism and the KGB but this may be too much to handle.
ABC news ran this report and it does seem like at least an effort to help combat the alcoholism facing our friends in Moscow. Not too mention helping the government financially with this tax.
My concern is a little more personal. How will higher vodka prices in Russia affect us? Will that mean my drink of choice will cost more? I just paid $12 for a martini at one of our favorite restaurants. I'll have to get a job to afford my drinking habit. Think of how much more it will cost me to host a party. In the summer I make these fabulously refreshing vodka drinks. It would ruin the integrity of the cocktail to use substandard US vodka.
Someone needs to keep an eye on this situation. I propose asking Sarah Palin to manage this potential nightmare of high cost vodka. Maybe she could look out of her window and see how much the Russians are drinking ad then skiddo over to the authorities.
In the meantime, we should all contemplate a way to combat high vodka prices, with a pitcher of these:
VODKA Cooler (serves 4)
2 cucumbers
1 cup mint leaves
2 teaspoons sugar
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup vodka
ice cubes
Peel and seed cucumbers. Chop and then puree them until smooth. Fill cocktail shaker with ice and add mint, sugar and lemon. Shake and pour. Garnish with mint, lemon slice and cucumber slice. Enjoy!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Sucking It Up
So here is my most recent dilemma.
A couple of years ago, I was "wronged". A person who I barely knew, made what I consider an professionally unethical move which adversely affected myself and my family. No it was not life threatening but it was insulting, slanderous and caused me a great deal of emotional pain.
Of course, I fought back. I was like a caged wild animal. My fought involved going to her superior to ask for her resignation. That superior agreed that what she had done was wrong, however he felt that any emotional toil I experienced would "blow over" and stated that she was a very difficult person to deal with but she was good at her job. I did not continue this losing battle, simply decided that I (and my family) would avoid her at all costs and I continue to personally despise her very existence.
That stance had been working fine. Although she is friends with one of my friends, I have been able to ignore her at social events, refrain from beating her senseless when our paths do cross and keep her away from my family. Here is where is gets sad.
She is now in a position in which I need to "work" with her. I have no faith or trust in anything she does, regardless of her skill set but I have no choice in the matter. So today I had to write an email to this person requesting necessary information from her. I am stuck with her for the next 4 years and will need to converse regarding this "project" with her during that time frame. Basically she is in a position that is essential to this "project". If I do not, I will be hurting someone I love dearly.
Now what? I did not start this, I tried to take the high road by avoiding her and now I am screwed. This entire situation makes me nauseous and will continue to. I am trying to be the bigger person by feigning respect for her "skill set". I need her at this point and again it makes me sick.
So here I sit full of bile while I write straightforward emails and "beg" for her help. Not sure how I could have done this better. Sometimes you just feel like a punching bag.
A couple of years ago, I was "wronged". A person who I barely knew, made what I consider an professionally unethical move which adversely affected myself and my family. No it was not life threatening but it was insulting, slanderous and caused me a great deal of emotional pain.
Of course, I fought back. I was like a caged wild animal. My fought involved going to her superior to ask for her resignation. That superior agreed that what she had done was wrong, however he felt that any emotional toil I experienced would "blow over" and stated that she was a very difficult person to deal with but she was good at her job. I did not continue this losing battle, simply decided that I (and my family) would avoid her at all costs and I continue to personally despise her very existence.
That stance had been working fine. Although she is friends with one of my friends, I have been able to ignore her at social events, refrain from beating her senseless when our paths do cross and keep her away from my family. Here is where is gets sad.
She is now in a position in which I need to "work" with her. I have no faith or trust in anything she does, regardless of her skill set but I have no choice in the matter. So today I had to write an email to this person requesting necessary information from her. I am stuck with her for the next 4 years and will need to converse regarding this "project" with her during that time frame. Basically she is in a position that is essential to this "project". If I do not, I will be hurting someone I love dearly.
Now what? I did not start this, I tried to take the high road by avoiding her and now I am screwed. This entire situation makes me nauseous and will continue to. I am trying to be the bigger person by feigning respect for her "skill set". I need her at this point and again it makes me sick.
So here I sit full of bile while I write straightforward emails and "beg" for her help. Not sure how I could have done this better. Sometimes you just feel like a punching bag.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Moving Up to High School
Today my son graduates from 8th grade; no more middle school. It's so cliche to say that time goes by quickly and to question how it seems like only yesterday since , but I cannot help but think about the changes we have experienced over the past 4 years.
I was thrilled when he received his acceptance letter from Nichols Middle School. His initial day of 5th grade was a camp sleep over to get to know each other. He couldn't wait to meet the new kids, to have his first camping trip overnight and to start middle school. That morning at 3:00 am he came into our room feeling odd. His left eye, lip and right hand were swelled up like a beaten boxer. He had some allergic reaction and was swelling like mad. After much worry, at trip to the ER and a lot of benodryl, we sent him off. We sat discussing what his next four years would be like if this was the start.
Today he is a different boy. Actually he is much more like a man than a boy. He has established close friendships with good kids and has learned not just about history, math and science but about himself and who his is becoming.
Days were not always good. There was the exercising of self, followed by detention. There was the first lie and ramifications for that choice. There was slipping of grades and painful lessons of responsibility. But there was also the first dance, the winning of the chess tournament, the guitar performance and the science olympiad medals.
I know high school is going to fly by and that we will experience even greater changes. That our young man will become more independent, more serious and more focused. Although today I am nostalgic for 5th grade and my little boy, I am looking forward to what high school will bring and to the man I will be looking at this time four years later.
I was thrilled when he received his acceptance letter from Nichols Middle School. His initial day of 5th grade was a camp sleep over to get to know each other. He couldn't wait to meet the new kids, to have his first camping trip overnight and to start middle school. That morning at 3:00 am he came into our room feeling odd. His left eye, lip and right hand were swelled up like a beaten boxer. He had some allergic reaction and was swelling like mad. After much worry, at trip to the ER and a lot of benodryl, we sent him off. We sat discussing what his next four years would be like if this was the start.
Today he is a different boy. Actually he is much more like a man than a boy. He has established close friendships with good kids and has learned not just about history, math and science but about himself and who his is becoming.
Days were not always good. There was the exercising of self, followed by detention. There was the first lie and ramifications for that choice. There was slipping of grades and painful lessons of responsibility. But there was also the first dance, the winning of the chess tournament, the guitar performance and the science olympiad medals.
I know high school is going to fly by and that we will experience even greater changes. That our young man will become more independent, more serious and more focused. Although today I am nostalgic for 5th grade and my little boy, I am looking forward to what high school will bring and to the man I will be looking at this time four years later.
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