Advantages and Disadvantages

Late last week, the IAAF released the results of the genetic identity test of South African runner Caster Semenya. As a female, she was breaking world records. They found internal male parts and an absorbent amount of testosterone. They're saying, she's male ... she's at least a hermaphrodite.

They said all this in a very public way, which I think is a shame. But it's out there, so let's talk about it.

Husband and I were discussing it yesterday morning and he seemed to think that she shouldn't be allowed to run. (She's pulled out of the Olympics, so perhaps it's a moot point - side note, I had this as "mute point" and thought it didn't look right. Now that it is right, I'm wondering why it isn't MUTE point. I may protest this moot v. mute business. Oh, I love the English language.)

I'm not certain, but I sort of think she should be allowed. Scientists have found that Lance Armstrong breathes more efficiently than most humans. Also, Michael Phelps' body is uniquely built for swimming - his huge feet and hands, long torso, and short legs make him, essentially, a fish. These athletes aren't punished for being at a physical advantage to their competitors - things they were born with. Also, say, Semenya was missing an arm. We wouldn't call for her to quit because she had a disadvantage.

Semenya was raised as a girl. To date, we haven't heard of her having a gender identity crisis. She's only 18, but it seems most transgendered people have known even before the onset of puberty that there was something out of place.

It's another interesting story adding to the debate that gender is not so black and white.

Another "Snow" Day

A sheet of ice covered the area last night, but we should warm up to the 40s today and to the 60s by this weekend. Despite that, school is canceled* and so are many activities around town. Husband had a delay at work, but it now there slaving away (I'm sure).

Unannounced to anyone, Bean headed outside this morning to "make a snowman." He was wearing his PJs with a light jacket and shoes. Needless to say, he came back into the house wailing and moaning. I got him into the bed, and it took a good 10 minutes to finally get his hands warmed up again. Bean said that his dada let him outside, but Husband (who was in the shower when the incident occurred) said that he left him eating waffles. I can find no traces of a snowman, so I guess his hands froze before much work got done.

We're planning a visit to House of Toys this afternoon. Moose is supposed to be napping (he's not).

*It should also be noted that our local news channels does not know how to spell canceled ... in all cases it was spelled with two Ls. They also struggled with the word buses, using two Ss in many cases. Don't they pay people to catch such things? I'm just a stay-at-home mom, though, what do I know.

Full Circle

Last night, Moose spun himself around an entire 360 degrees. He was laying on the floor babbling LOUDLY and just scooted himself around in a big circle ... never bothering to roll over. Pretty cool trick, I suppose, but he might burn a bald spot in his head doing that too much!

This morning he was babbling to himself and the babbles sounded remarkably like "Da da." And I know he doesn't know what he's saying, but I used it as a reason to pass the morning diaper* duty onto Husband.

*Morning Diaper (n) A diaper saturated with a night's worth of pee pee. Tis stinky. And sometimes there's poop. See also: Usually the worst diaper of the day -or- not the best way to start your morning.

Dear Blog

Dear Blog,

I believe you are finally beautiful enough to share with the world. Now, I'm not all about outward appearances ... but a book is judged by its covered. You are also, I believe, appropriately named. It was a tough choice. I want to be family-friendly, but I'm sort of tired of being so censored (which, granted, no one asked me to be, but I'm from the Midwest, and we're raised politely up there ... not loudly like my southern counterparts or boldly like my coastal complements).

Side note: Compliment and complement ... not the same word! Similar (complementary, you might say), but not the same.

Thank you,
MelissaInk

I should also mention that Project Mouse appears resolved. No more hanging wires ANYWHERE in the damn pantry. No more holes. No more signs of mouse poo-poo. I replaced the trim that night (after Husband schooled me in the ways of the nail gun) and Husband (after a, umm, fight discussion) painted it up. Fresh and new and clean and once again housing lots of canned and dry goods ... and cookbooks ... and small appliances ... and big serving dishes ... and tempra paint ... and Play-Doh. You see what a big part of my life this little space is? Now you can understand why having a mouse desecrate the space was so traumatic. Oh, and my mom theorized that the random wire was an old TV antenna wire - good call, Mom.