Subjective Response

Even though it's a ways off, I just registered for the Walk to End Lupus Now 2019. Here's my fundraising page:
https://support.lupus.org/site/TR/WTELN/General?px=2354626&pg=personal&fr_id=1465


For those of my friends who want to join me in walking I started a facebook group for our team, too.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1074957292708052/

I've been wanting to do this ever since I heard about it in 2014, and now finally have my chance. When I shared a post about the walk on facebook, a bunch of friends said they would join me, and so I signed up, and am totally going for it!

Stay tuned for updates, as I will also be posting my personal lupus story about my own journey with lupus that began in 2012.

An Unfit Parent blog responds to the right's shaming phrase, "Get Over It" in a post reacting to hypocritical language after the 2016 election outcome.

"Trump Protest Los Angeles" by waltarrrrr

This was my favorite image that resulted from a Google search for "year of the monkey." It's a detailed graphic by Yunnan Sourcing in the papercut style, most likely done in Photoshop or Ilustrator. I like how the twin monkeys are looking off in either direction, and the way their tails loop together.

Then there's this cheeky little buddy hanging on a branch of ripe peaches, which made me smile (Exxorian/Getty Images), grabbed from latimes.com.


According to China Highlights, in 2016 those born in the year of the monkey "should guard against untrustworthy people and discipline themselves in order to avoid trouble." Also they"should avoid gambling" ... and "should not show off their wealth, or they will be persecuted by others." Good advice for everyone, I'd say, but there's more. Monkeys should "be aware of traffic safety.... Great attention should also be paid to food safety to ensure illness is avoided." The most common-sense advice for them seems to be: "remember to take breaks to save their energy" and "pay attention to safety [doing outdoor activities], and while traveling or driving." 

As for the rest of the zodiac animals, Julia Zhou of NBC News reports that Fengshui master Chen Shuaifu predicts a "generally" good year for the Snake, Sheep, and Dragon but unlucky for the Tiger, Rabbit, Pig and Dog. So what are Chen's tips for those unfortunate ones? Stock up on red apples and wear more green.


Well, regardless of your zodiac year, I hope everyone has a Happy Year of the Monkey!

For your crafting pleasure, I leave you with two tutorials of Chinese New Year decorations you can make yourself.

This is on my must-see list of Fun Campy Adventures. A trip to Cabazon for the 20-year-old in all of us. Just so we can go in the T-rex's mouth and say "Everyone I know has a big but. C’mon Simone, let’s talk about your big but." Then reenact the chase scene with Andy and Pee-wee, run around screaming Aaaaaah! Classic.

Banners waving, shouting slogans, fists raised
What do they want? When do they want it?
Voices bark in unison

How many hours a day can a person stand to be tied
To a job?
Tied to machines, concrete, smoke and fumes

For slop on the table
For food in baby's belly
They hammer and pound week after week

All that's left at the end of the day
Pockets full of broken matches that will
Not light

Support breastfeeding! Tips from And baby makes four: World Breastfeeding Week: How YOU Can Help

Photo from The Department

Seeing one in my house
Get a cup to capture him
This process causes my mouth to taste of metal
Afraid spider may run onto my hand
Carry the critter outdoors quick before tang of aluminium engulfs

Seeing one outside I'd never be bothered but
Spiders indoors are another thing. Besides
I'm paranoid
What if
While I'm asleep a spider
Might crawl up inside me
Like the old woman who swallowed a fly