The Collected Notes of Secret Agent Ska

Onward and downward

2012-02-01T15:16:00.001-05:00

CHESTER, PA – Hundreds of people have joined a popular campaign on Change.org calling on Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett to release emergency funds to keep the Chester Upland School District open. The district announced last week it would stop paying teachers today due to financial troubles resulting from state budget cuts.

Danyel Jennings, the mother of two children currently enrolled in Chester Upland School District, launched thecampaign on Change.org after reading reports that some teachers and support staff in the district voted to continue working as long as possible without pay to reduce harm done to students.

“Our kids and their futures are in jeopardy,” said Jennings, who launched the campaign on Change.org. “They deserve to have teachers who actually get paychecks for their work and a school district that will be reliably open for the full school year. We have to get our schools on the right track so kids like mine don't suffer for the mistakes of this school district.”

“During his election campaign, Governor Corbett promised that ‘every child in Pennsylvania, regardless of their zip code or economic status should have access to the best education possible,’” Jennings added. “ChesterUpland needs rescuing right now, and if the Governor can’t find the money to deal with this emergency, he’s failing voters and our state’s children.”

The state assembly passed a budget last summer that included massive education cuts and forced ChesterUpland to lower its operating budget by about $18 million, furlough more than 100 teachers and merge two high schools, among other cost-cutting measures.

In less than 24 hours, hundreds of people have joined Jennings’ campaign on Change.org, asking the governor to release emergency funds to allow the district to fund payroll through the end of the school year.

Jennings’ group of parents and community members, ACTION United, is planning a series of events and online actions to demand the Governor take swift action to fund Chester’s teachers.

“These parents and community members are clearly concerned about the future of children’s education inChester,” said Change.org Organizing Director Katie Bethell. “It’s impressive to watch them take matters into their own hands with this Change.org campaign. With hundreds of supporters signing on in just a matter of days, I’d be surprised if Governor Corbett didn’t respond.”

Live signature totals from Danyel Jenning’s campaign:
http://www.change.org/petitions/governor-of-pennsylvania-pay-teachers-in-chester

*Addendum

2012-02-01T08:11:00.000-05:00

I just re-read this article and it says that their payment schedule is on a 15-year payment plan at an interest rate of 3.29%.

So just double those monthly amounts I came up with and add 3.29%.

Sorry, but the idea that the city is going into this much debt just terrifies me.

-Agent Ska-

Let's say we were buying a 30 million dollar house...

2012-02-01T07:50:00.000-05:00

An average house can cost around 150,000 dollars. So, if you pay it over 30 years, it's somewhere around 1500/mo. Maybe more, maybe less depending on interest rate, changing your payment schedule, etc.

Now, take 30 million dollars. If 150,000 costs 1500/mo then how much would 30 million/mo? Well, leaving out interest rates and I'm not sure how long they think it's going to take the city to pay this off, but it could be around 84,000/mo that's without tax and assuming that they think we can pay this off in 30 years. So by the time I'm like, 50 years old, we might have paid off this bond.

If I'm doing my math incorrectly, please let me know. But it seems about right to me.

12 months in a year, 30 years, 30*12= 360. 30,000,000/360 = almost 84,000/mo. That's without an interest rate.

Yay for debt!

I can't wait until we have to borrow more money for the school district. I'm sure people will be flocking here then.

-Agent Ska-

And now for something completely different.

2012-02-01T04:39:00.000-05:00

For the record, I don't get tons of information about politics and this election because I don't have a lot of time for reading about them anymore given my jobs and school. But I do make it a point to try to listen to the Rachel Maddow podcast everyday.

So, here's my question. We usually have a pretty clear idea of who certain voting demographics are. But I haven't heard one profile of a swing voter in this election. Who are these swing voters? What ethnicity? What income brackets? What genders? What belief systems? Etc, etc, etc.

I would be really interested to read some profiles of swing voters in this election. That way, I could start harassing them early on since I can't go to the Obama campaign office opening in Pittsburgh!

Just jokin...kinda.

Lemme know if you've read one- you can tweet at me (@agentska), leave a comment here or email it to me at agentskamedia@gmail.com.

If all of the other candidates are anti-choice, then there's really no one for me to swing with...hardy har har. Bad joke!

-Agent Ska-

Let me get this straight...(Also, I'm very upset right now).

2012-02-01T04:05:00.003-05:00

So, we've taken out a huge loan and are using the justification of refinancing to explain about a third to a half of it. Then, we're taking out MORE money to pay for other stuff. You can refinance a house without having to build another wing on to it. I read mortgage loans all day long, I'm pretty sure that I'm right about that.

When people think about settling down-- getting married, buying a house, having some kids, etc.-- they often think about the school district in the area that they're going to buy their house in. That also determines the tax base. So, if our public schools aren't as good as ones in the suburbs, then why would people who want to send their kids to public schools buy houses in the city?

So then, it seems that the City of Pittsburgh public schools will have to take out their own loan because they're separate agencies.

This means that city taxpayers would have to pay for the refinanced loan, the new loan and the school loan!

I want my goddaughter to have the same opportunities I did- such as having decent science classes and being able to play an instrument.

I understand that we have infrastructure issues to deal with but do we really need to spend this much money all at once without a dime going to the public schools?

I hate to say it, but I'm pretty disappointed by the City Council representatives who I have supported, volunteered and voted for. You're putting the city under crippling debt and then leaving the city of Pittsburgh public schools out in the cold.

I really do care about the schools and the schools have an impact on our real estate market which also affects our tax base.

So I'm hoping that someone sends me a list of projects and some of those will help the schools. But until then, I'm upset and disappointed.

I don't understand how you stand up and yell at banks for being irresponsible and then put a city under crippling debt. I just don't get it.

Well, if you have a list of projects that will prove me wrong, please send it to agentskamedia@gmail.com. Otherwise, I'm really disappointed by our City Council.

I really want my goddaughter to have science classes so maybe one day she could become an engineer who builds innovative city infrastructures. But that will not happen if we don't help her school to pay for its science classes.

Sincerely,

Agent Ska

Whao..whao...

2012-01-31T20:50:00.000-05:00

So, the city took out this huge loan which seems like a sortof good idea. On the one hand, the refinancing should help out with their last loan but on the other hand, it seems a little like we're still paying off our undergraduate degree in psychology and have decided to get a Master's degree...at 30k/year. I guess I would be less worried if I knew exactly what all of this money was going to be spent on.

Also, Linden Academy has had to cut back on its science program. Seriously.

And none of this huge loan is going to help out with the city of Pittsburgh public schools.

This seems a little crazy to me...but maybe it's just me?

-Agent Ska-

D'Angelo - I Found My Smile Again

2012-01-30T00:10:00.002-05:00

-Agent Ska-

New blog link!

2012-01-30T00:01:00.002-05:00

I have added the link, "A Shot of Incilin", to my blog roll! It's a pretty cool tumblr site.

-Agent Ska-

About that hero thing...

2012-01-29T10:30:00.000-05:00

Oh, Enrique Iglesias, let's be honest...you can be my hero any time you want.

Just a thought.

-Agent Ska-

Brad Paisley - Little Moments

2012-01-21T22:59:00.000-05:00

Don't hate, it's a good music video.

-Agent Ska-

The Round Up

2012-01-21T00:20:00.002-05:00

Wal-Mart names Rosalind Brewer as president and CEO of Sam's Club. Here.
Newt Gingrich's wives: a cheat sheet. Here.
Today is the 39th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. The Frisky expounds here.
Woman hit by 92 bus downtown...that woman was also my first superviser at work. I have no doubt that she will make Port Authority's lawyers wish they had never gone into practice. In other words, she's one tough broad...and they will hear her roar. Also, she's alive but very injured. Last I heard, she was talking. Here.
Karen Santorum's former lover...an abortion doctor. This is one of the best stories I've read in awhile. Here.
6 amazing uses for pallets. Here.
I was glad to see that my congressman, Mike Doyle, is against SOPA. His twitter feed is here.
The upside to anxiety as explained by a senior editor at Time magazine. Here.
Rest In Peace, Etta James. Here.
"Everything you know about corsets is false." Here.

Be careful out there!

-Agent Ska-

The Mary Tyler Moore intro song

2012-01-17T20:05:00.000-05:00

This one put a big smile on my face...thought it might do the same for some of you. :-)

-Agent Ska-

Tree Pittsburgh: An Urban Forest Master Plan

2012-01-15T09:46:00.002-05:00

In the Summer of 2010, Tree Pittsburgh hosted an Urban Forest Master Planning
Symposium, convening over 50 key stakeholders from Pittsburgh, the region, and
nationally, to begin the work of creating a master plan for Pittsburgh’s urban forest—
an initiative that will align the community around a shared vision for protecting,
growing and maintaining our urban forest for future generations, creating substantial
returns from a singular investment.
Pittsburgh’s urban forest—its green hillsides, verdant parks and shaded streets—is a
valuable municipal resource, making our City a more desirable place to live, work, and
play while improving the environment. Our hillsides have become a new symbol for
Pittsburgh, providing an unparalleled—and often surprisingly green—urban experience
for residents and visitors alike.
With proper maintenance, our forest is an asset that gains value as it matures.
According to the US Forest Service, as trees grow larger their ability to provide
environmental services and benefits increases dramatically. David Nowak, of the
USDA Forest Service, demonstrates in his research that, “a big tree does 60 to 70
times the pollution removal of a small tree.”
Unfortunately, Pittsburgh, along with many other cities in our country, has experienced
a substantial drop in the number of trees along its streets due to a variety of causes
including construction, pollution, disease and neglect. Based on outcomes of the City
of Pittsburghs’s 2005 Street Tree Inventory, over 10% of the City’s street tree population
has been recommended for removal and an overall 25% are in poor or critical condition.
Further—and of great concern—Pittsburgh has only 1 street tree per every 11 people,
well below the national average among comparable cities of 1 tree per 3 people.
In an era of increasing environmental awareness and responsibility, we are ready now,
more than ever, to take steps to deepen our understanding of our urban forest resource
as a whole and to create goals and strategy.

Read more here.

-Agent Ska-

Indeed.

2012-01-12T22:47:00.001-05:00

-Agent Ska-

The Round Up

2012-01-12T20:31:00.001-05:00

Women more involved in campaign coverage now! here.

Do 'underwater homeowners' actually stay put? here.

Women 2.0: why learn to code? here.

Will the Supreme Court strike down part of the Voting Rights Act? here.

"Google Maps: designing the modern atlas". here.

Grover Norquest: just how close is he with his taxes? here.

Michelle Obama is now on Twitter!

Ron Paul is lone GOP voice on unequal justice. here.

A few ideas to improve our region in 2012. here.

Breathal Eyes App tells you if you're too drunk to drive. here.

"Just whites, males influential?" here.

PA Progressive Summit 2012. here.

"Rick Santorum is coming for your birth control". here.

The Substratum Series. here.

iStencyl lets you create iOS games without any coding knowledge. here.

Study finds that kids brought up by lesbian couples have a pretty good life. here.

"The paper found that none of the 78 NLLFS adolescents reports having ever been physically or sexually abused by a parent or other caregiver. This contrasts with 26 percent of American adolescents who report parent or caregiver physical abuse and 8.3 percent who report sexual abuse."

Women cancer survivors and supporters are lobbying for a bald barbie doll. here.

World's smallest dog below (and so cute, too!!) here.

Facts about America's warped beauty ideals. here.

Taraji P. Henson can't catch a break in Hollywood. here.

Meete Yvette Miley, vice-president and executive director of MSNBC. here.

Men Can Stop Rape ads are making a splash on the interwebs. Here.

When women do ask, do they actually get a raise? here.

Romney discusses issue of contraception. here. Do states have the right to contraception?

Chris Christie responds to female hecklers with a blow job joke. here.

Last monday, a girl at work confided in me that the guy she'd been seeing flipped out and beat her up-- kicking, hitting and finally choking her. Luckily, she had the sense not to stay with him nor did she live with him. I had just watched William Gay's video about how his mother died at the hands of her physically abusive boyfriend. So if you know someone who is in an abusive relationship, remind them that there's help out there.

The Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh

Remember to donate your cell phones! here.

Rickrolled....

2012-01-12T12:23:00.000-05:00

"This will shut it down, just very...slowly...and peacefully.We're going to liberate that girl...one of these days..."

I miss yinz guy.

2012-01-11T22:13:00.001-05:00

I listen to political analysis podcasts on my iPod almost everyday and then really miss blogging. I find myself glancing at my phone longingly and wishing I had a job where I could blog all day long. Alas, the real world kicks dorks when they're down.

In fact, right after I wrote this, I went outside, slipped, fell down and hit my hip against a brick. If I can't go to work tomorrow because of my hip...then there may be some blogging action coming from over here at Agent Ska HQ. We shall see.

I've got a lot to say about this presidential race and it's not just random feelings attached to the candidates. I've got some analysis of the numbers, projections, predictions and strategy options that I think each candidate might implement.

-Agent Ska-

Decapitated: part 2

2012-01-11T21:00:00.001-05:00

My boyfriend went to Hempfield Township high school which is out in Greensburg (also known as "somewhere out there" or "the boonies"). He found out over winter break that their budget was cut so they got rid of all of their AP classes.

You wanna talk about setting kids back? Yea, get rid of a high school's AP classes, that should help.

-Agent Ska-

A ladder rung missing.

2012-01-10T20:53:00.000-05:00

So, I'm finally beginning to think that maybe I might just want to go back to school for a master's degree (shudder here). But the applications all require professional letters of recommendation from employers which requires finding a stable job.

I'm a 24 year old in the great recession; there are qualified 40 year olds unable to find work. I'm told I'm lucky to just have a temp job at a bank.

Argh.

I know I've been complaining a lot on this blog but it's just really frustrating-- I worked really hard in college.

-Agent Ska-

P.S. I miss blogging every day!

A blog post written while eating Kraft mac n cheese b/c I'm too tired to make anything else.

2012-01-04T19:37:00.002-05:00

I spent all of my breaks today harassing my doctor's office to reauthorize my epilepsy meds. Meanwhile, some white guy in a terrible sweater vest is able to make millions of dollars by prancing around a pseudostate named Iowa- a state in which I've never heard of anything actually being produced/manufactured there besides maybe lettuce- and then telling people that he cares about them because they represent America. I don't even know anyone from Iowa. Here is what I do know: Santorum is a jagoff and got lucky because the media didn't vett him before the caucuses.

Sincerely,

An exhausted Agent Ska.

Funniest local news satire ever.

2012-01-02T23:20:00.001-05:00

A friend of mine wrote this and I thought it might put a smile on someone else's face, too.

OMG: Channel 11 (the shock-horror-fire-and-flood channel) is reporting a fire at a dairy farm in Butler County!! (The cows have barricaded themselves in, and a standoff has developed between them and a SWAT team made up of highly-armed veterinarians, all of whom have outstanding arrest warrants, and the creek has burst its banks and is flooding a nearby adult book store frequented by several local legislators currently being investigated by a grand jury composed of laid-off Channel 11 anchors. Oh, and now the adult book store has been hit by a tractor-trailer, which swung off the road and hit some rabbits who were watching the stand-off between the cows and the SWAT team at the dairy farm – OMG! Live from somewhere on the North Side!!

-Agent Ska-

Obama for America re-election team is looking for interns!

2011-12-29T20:55:00.002-05:00

President Obama’s re-election team in PA is looking for interns!

rjenniferhiggins@gmail.com

OFAPAInterns@gmail.com

-Agent Ska-

The Big Bang Theory - Sheldon and the FBI

2011-12-29T15:48:00.001-05:00

Soo, so funny. Here.

-Agent Ska-

Dearest Santa Clause,

2011-12-26T22:45:00.000-05:00

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Four months ago, I finally stopped having epileptic seizures. I finally got my life back. I was able to get a 9-5 job, take online classes and enjoy life again. It was tough at first, my memory was struggling, I saw very little light in the future but then I started to realize that I wasn't having seizures, I wasn't shaking, I wasn't having day long dizzy spells. I had gotten through the toughest struggle of my life, and if I could do that, I could do anything.

Slowly, but surely, my life has changed. My doctor can't say whether the new medicine will continue to hold up but we're just going to stick with this new cocktail of drugs and see what happens.

Tonight I began to reorganize my bookshelf and I remembered what it had been like to have a life. I put in a huge fight to live the life I wanted and although I feel like I lost a year of my life to constant sickness, I have it back.

On top of which, I have super supportive family and friends.

I had pretty much given up the idea that I might ever get to this point.

I even had an interview for a programming job recently. Although I didn't get it, it was a step forward, a sign that I could keep moving towards the life I'd worked for.

Thank you, Santa Clause!

Sincerely,

Agent Ska

Petition Signatures have made my day.

2011-12-24T10:39:00.000-05:00

Then one day, Santa came to say, Gingrich and Perry, I'm sorry to say... but you won't lead in the GOP Virginia Primary!!!

BUAHAHAHAHAHA. YESSSSSSS!!!!!!

The story here.

-Agent Ska-

Rihanna - We Found Love (Audio) ft. Calvin Harris

2011-12-21T21:47:00.002-05:00

-Agent Ska-

Why Ron Paul is the evil brother of Ralph Nader.

2011-12-19T23:25:00.001-05:00

Ralph Nader and Ron Paul have a lot in common. They're not very photogenic, they're not very exciting, the mainstream media isn't particularly friendly to them and well, they're kind of boring. Oh yea, and they're good at alienating people.

It's often the liberals who are accused of "alienating" people. But this morning I was scrolling through Twitter when I saw the following tweet.

It was early so I looked again, stared, drank some more hot chocolate and tried to process this. Raw milk? When did raw milk become an issue? Wait, who drinks raw milk? I need to buy some more milk...but wait, that's not relevant. What is going on?!?!

I was, well, dumbfounded. I realized that I was not the target demographic for that talking point. But how many people who live on farms drink raw milk? Isn't that bad for you because of hormones or something?

Then, I remembered something I had read at least a year ago that made me dislike Ron Paul not just for his political views but also as a person.

Back in 2008, Ron Paul's campaign manager, Kent Snyder, died at age 49 due to complications arising from having pneumonia, being uninsured and unable to afford the 400,000 dollars in medical bills that were sent to his aging mother. Ron Paul's people set up a website to try to help raise the funds but Snyder soon passed away.

So how did Ron Paul address Kent's death? Well, he wrote on his website, "Like so many in our movement, Kent sacrificed much for the cause of liberty. Kent poured every ounce of his being into our fight for freedom. He will always hold a place in my heart and in the hearts of my family."

Really? That's how you address his death is by saying that he fought for the liberty to die from a lack of health insurance?

Man, I'm going to re-register as a Republican just so I can vote for Romney.

I have no sympathy, and I never will, for Ron Paul's lack of media attention. It's his own fault that he let his campaign manager, the person responsible for his success, pass away. If Kent were still around, we might actually be interested in Ron Paul's day-to-day activities.

Rest In Peace, Kent.

Sincerely,

-Agent Ska-

Did I do thatttt?

2011-12-11T22:44:00.000-05:00

Found this here.

-Agent Ska-

Clearing something up.

2011-12-11T11:14:00.000-05:00

I want to make something clear: I am not against the 99% movement or don't care about the issues and I'm certainly not part of the 1%. I was brought up Catholic by NPR-listening, charity-giving parents which means that I will for the rest of my life know that somewhere a kid is starving, a tree is being chopped down and a random person is trying to make a living as a ukelele-playing-activist. A friend of mine articulated it very well the other night when he said, "The Occupy movement had so much momentum and then...they put up tents."

I have noticed that they have brought income inequality to the forefront of news in a way that it wasn't before and for that I commend the movement!

-Agent Ska-

Jim Ferlo should be laughing at this one!

2011-12-11T10:59:00.000-05:00

-Agent Ska-

Gary Allan- Right Where I Need To Be

2011-12-10T22:51:00.002-05:00

-Agent Ska-

Ha!

2011-12-10T22:47:00.002-05:00

-Agent Ska-

Sitting this one out.

2011-12-10T21:06:00.003-05:00

The other day, I was having breakfast with a friend and we started talking politics. I was trying to avoid it because I just didn't really want to have the debate, plus, she's always been more conservative than me. Yes, it is possible. She said something like, "I think I skew libertarian." to which I replied, "I'm not sure there's a party that represents me..." and trailed off.

I've been thinking about that ever since. I've figured out why I feel that way and I have to wonder if others feel the same way.

I'm not here to bash Obama, I can't imagine being president right now, it would be awful. He's done some environmental things that really ticked me off while never really standing up for gay rights all that much. But he does have some things that really put him ahead of anyone else: he's actually spent a lot less than many, many other presidents before him; he takes very few holiday breaks; he's got a great grasp on international politics and he handles them very well. But he was promising better public transportation and I haven't seen it happen.

After working at a bank dealing with mortgage loans all day long, I've realized that 1.3 trillion dollars isn't all that much money if you add up the cost of 3,000 loans for $90,000+ houses. Seriously, do the math. Then add a 4% interest rate.

100,000 * 3,000 = 300,000,000

Now multiply 300,000,000 by 5 days.

300,000,000 * 5 = 1,500,000,000

It adds up pretty quickly.

The thing is, is that some banks were really irresponsible and their job is to be the opposite. Yes, they need to make a profit but they shouldn't have done it the way they did.

The democrats created a great sense of place for millenials during the 2008 campaign: they were pro-environment, pro-gay marriage, pro-public transportation, well-informed on global politics, etc.

But then I look around the state of Pennsylvania and I see a very different story.

A prime example is my upcoming CCAC class in the spring. I am taking one, 4-credit programming class at CCAC starting in January. For this one class, it is costing me 500 dollars. Now, compared to a masters program, that's very little, I know. But what bugs me is that many politicians cut CCAC's funding.

These same politicians talk about income inequality but then they turn around and slash the budget of one of the few places that can help people learn new skills, make more money and maybe get a job with benefits, or if not that, they might not have to have two jobs to pay their bills!

How can you sit there, saying that you support working class people and stand with the 99%, and then turn around and cut funding to CCAC? I think they justify it when they stand around talking about how they support labor unions. But CCAC teaches many skills that can help you land a union job! On top of which, university tuition has gone up by almost 40% but wages have only gone up by 4-5%.

And where's that public transportation that Obama promised me? I had high hopes for that. But I know what you're going to say: the Republicans nixed the legislation, it's not the Democrats' fault, they're trying.

But our bus services in Pittsburgh aren't good. Earlier this week, rain started dripping on to me when I was sitting at the back of the bus. Others break down. We're running a deficit, I know. But we could be doing other things to help fund it, and we're not. I'll say what other people will only say in private, how is it that bus drivers are making 100,000 dollars?!?! I support labor unions and many people I know do, but even they agree that we let them go too far- we got screwed and we didn't stand up and fight back.

And god forbid you criticize things like Occupy Pittsburgh. One of the first times I did that, two people called me a Republican. I'm not a Republican, I'm just asking questions. God forbid you question the party that supposedly questions the system.

So, no, I don't feel like there's a place for me in either party. Yes, I will stay registered as a democrat so I can vote in primaries but I really don't feel much allegiance to either party.

Oh and that Obamacare? Yea, I am desperately trying to get a job with health benefits before I'm cut from my parents' health insurance in a year. Obama's plan is actually cutting me off sooner than I would have been before the Obama healthcare plan. Thus the reason that I'm taking programming classes at CCAC!

And let's not forget something else: if you think there's competition right now among unemployed people, just wait for 30,000+ more troops to begin looking for jobs.

I'm not a republican but I'm certainly not feeling the democrats either.

Oh, and one last thing, you can't just go tell a company to create jobs. You can't force them to do that. Companies aren't evil if they're not creating jobs, if they can't afford it or don't need them, then that's just how it is.

And don't get me started on the Republican GOP candidates, they're awful.

But those rainbows I saw 3 years ago sure aren't looking like rainbows anymore.

And now I will step off my soapbox.

Sincerely,

Agent Ska

K-Ci & JoJo - All My Life

2011-12-05T23:38:00.002-05:00

-Agent Ska-

Savage Garden - Crash And Burn

2011-12-04T16:44:00.002-05:00

-Agent Ska-

De-CAPA-tate the arts?

2011-12-04T10:13:00.002-05:00

First of all, I really shouldn't respond to Tony Norman's editorial about the school budget. There are multiple reasons for this, including although probably not limited to the fact that I was head of theatre tech in high school, I work for a bank, I'm still irritated by Occupy Pgh, the CAPA kids at work are always obnoxious in the same way that foodies who discuss the New York Times are, etc.

The thing I really would have liked to have seen in Tony Norman's article was some math. How much in taxes do we get back from CAPA versus the taxes that come from someone who is at the income level necessary to be able to shop at Saks during a terrible recession?

I'm not a republican, I'm not a Gingrich supporter but I'd like to see some math. I did some primitive math and here's what I came back with.

One unique snowflake from the suburbs for four years at CAPA at 7k (that's what I remember it cost)= 28,000.

200 unique snowflakes from the suburbs for four years at CAPA = 5,600,000.

See that's what might have made me stop thinking about the obnoxious kids from CAPA at work.

8.6 million going out versus 5.6 million coming in from the suburbs? Yea, that's an interesting point.

Now let's think about that so called 1-3% shopping downtown at Saks.

Do they pay for parking? Maybe, maybe not. They might already have a parking spot downtown. But let's say they'll pay for parking for 4 hours (they'd stay longer but then they'd be late for their pilates class). So, I don't know, let's say their parking comes to 40 dollars.

Then they decide to get lunch with tip= 25.00

Then they drop 500 dollars at Saks + taxes = 520.75

Now we're at:

40.00 + 25.00 + 520.75= almost 590 dollars.

Now let's say they do that four times a year (gotta make an appearance at those nonprofit fundraising galas so the PG can take pictures of you for the PG).

= 2,360

Now let's say that 350 people do that.

= 826,000

Over the course of four years (just like a CAPA student)

= 3,304,000

and now we see why Saks is moving and I'm willing to try to forget how obnoxious the CAPA kids are at work.

I consider CAPA a necessary evil. 3 million versus 5 million means if CAPA keeps bringing in the suburbanites (who aren't paying a lot of city taxes), we could be making more off of CAPA than we could be from Saks.

An "urban" school that's dependent on suburbanites' tuition dollars versus a store dependent on the top 3%?

Welcome to downtown Pittsburgh.

-Agent Ska-

P.S. Suburbanites also send their kids to Central Catholic, Oakland Catholic, Ellis, and Winchester. Winchester actually has won a lot of the high school theatre awards in this city. Just sayin' is all.

Rest in Peace, Lil' Leo.

2011-12-01T23:46:00.001-05:00

My guinea pig passed away today. I know it sounds trivial but he was my pet and I was very attached to him. Together my boyfriend and I put him in his resting box, took him to my parents' house and buried him in their backyard. I'm not particularly religious (as they say, don't discuss religion or politics if you want tips) but I'd like to believe that there's a heaven for animals and that he's up there, just chillin and eating whatever he wants to eat.

It's funny, when I first got him my Mom asked me why I would get a rodent instead of a dog. A year later, he would sit on her lap on Sundays while she read the newspaper. Then, when my boyfriend and I first started dating, he asked me the same thing. Soon he came to view Leo as his little buddy and today he made a wooden cross by hand as well as digging the ditch in the backyard.

I miss you little Leo... we all do.

Rest in peace lil' buddy. I love you and miss you.

Love,

-Agent Ska, family and friends.-

A brief moment of zen.

2011-12-01T07:41:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Early Returns for this picture. Lolz.

-Agent Ska-

Happy Holiday Season!

2011-11-26T08:36:00.000-05:00

I am late in the entire Happy Thanksgiving! thing. I have been in Reading, PA with my parents, my big brother, his fiancee and his fiancee's family. My brother was brought up Catholic while his fiancee is Jewish. So, in order to make all parties feel comfortable, they did the thing that young Pennsylvanians know how to do best and rented an art space in a renovated factory named Goggleworks.

When I first heard that my big bro was going to be getting married in somewhere named, "Goggleworks", I was a little taken aback and suspicious. What is this place? Who are these people? But much like other things in my life, after I walked around in it, felt the happy vibe and saw how happy my brother and his fiancee were, I decided that it was cool.

I began thinking about the metaphor behind this and its tie-in with Thanksgiving. Sometimes, it takes a little time, a lot of love and a couple of minutes of open-mindedness to realize all you have and all you should be grateful for.

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.

Happy Thanksgiving to all and to all, a stress-free and happy holiday season!

-Agent Ska-

Fwded email: Contact Adam Ravenstahl!

2011-11-20T00:44:00.000-05:00

The PA House of Representatives is soon going to vote on House Bill
1950. This bill would take away ALL rights of communities to protect
their residents from gas drilling/fracking. It's 'one size fits all'
legislation that only fits the gas industry.

The driller$ have given so much money to our state reps & senators &
they expect something in return. What? They show up in Harrisburg &
hand our legislators laws they've written & expect them to be passed.

You can read more about HB1950 here:
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/house-gop-leadership-kills-debate-on-amendments-to-marcellus-bill-2011-11-16

Today - please contact Lawrenceville's state rep., Adam Ravenstahl &
tell him to vote NO on HB 1950.
Call him: (412) 321-5523 / (717) 787-5470
Email him:
http://www.pahouse.com/ravenstahl/contact.asp

-Agent Ska-

Lil' Wayne and The Office Theme

2011-11-17T01:32:00.002-05:00

Do I really have to go back to work tomorrow?

-Agent Ska-

Simpsons Opening with Office Theme Song

2011-11-17T01:26:00.002-05:00

-Agent Ska-

Women for Obama launches.

2011-11-14T21:53:00.004-05:00

Agent Ska--

As I have traveled across the country, I have had the privilege of meeting incredible women from all walks of life. From young women paying their own way through college, to moms working the extra shift to keep food on the table, to women struggling to make ends meet during retirement.

We talk about their bills, their children -- how they're constantly striving to strike that balance between work and family. And no matter what kind of challenges they're facing, they don't complain. They just work harder.

This is what we do as women. We persevere. Because no matter our ages, backgrounds, or stations in life, we are determined to leave a better world for our children and give them opportunities we never even dreamed of.

Women have always been the heart of the Obama organization. We make up nearly half of the American workforce and are the majority of students in America's colleges and universities. We're the primary caregivers for our children and seniors. We're the heads of households and workplaces across the country.

And right now, it's time for us all to dig deep, step up, and keep building this campaign together: person by person, discussion by discussion.

Today, we are officially launching Women for Obama -- and I am incredibly honored to be serving as its chair. This is a special group dedicated to growing this campaign from the ground up. Because we know better than anyone that movements for real and lasting change have got to start at the grassroots -- and they're sustained by the relationships we develop with one another. Together, that's what we're going to do -- build relationships with supporters, new and old, and grow this campaign -- one woman at a time.

I wanted to ask you myself if you'll sign on to join us.

The stories of the incredible women I meet serve as a constant reminder of why we're all here: because American families all around the country are facing very real problems. They're balancing mortgage payments and utilities bills with full-time jobs and raising children. They're struggling to make ends meet while still trying to put money aside to send their kids to college one day.

Barack understands these issues because he's lived them. He was raised by a single mother who struggled to put herself through school and pay the bills. When she needed help, Barack's grandmother stepped in, waking up every morning before dawn to take a bus to her job at a bank. And even though she worked hard and was good at what she did, she ultimately hit a glass ceiling and was passed over for promotions time and again because she was a woman.

So Barack knows what it means when a family struggles. He knows what it means when someone doesn't have a chance to fulfill their potential. And today, as a father, he knows what it means to want your daughters to grow up with no limits on their dreams.

That's why, since taking office, he's worked tirelessly to make sure every child and every family gets a fair shake.

The historic health reform he passed is making sure every American family gets the quality and affordable care they need to stay healthy. The crucial investments he's made in our students and workers -- raising the standards in our public schools and building out job-training programs at community colleges -- are investments in our country's economic future. And the very first bill he signed into law -- the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act -- will help make it easier for women to get equal pay for equal work, because he knows that women's success in this economy is the key to families' success in this economy.

But we have so much more to do. And, as women and supporters of this campaign, we need to keep showing up -- and we need to keep fighting the good fight.

So I'm asking you to join me, and women all across the country who support this movement. I'm asking you to say you're ready to work.

Join Women for Obama, and help us grow this organization:

http://my.barackobama.com/Women-for-Obama

Thank you for being a part of this,

Michelle

Rick Perry's Oops moment.

2011-11-11T12:17:00.000-05:00

-Agent Ska-

On The Spot Fundraiser is tonight!!

2011-11-11T12:04:00.000-05:00

On The Spot

Project Helps Local Middle School Girls with Often Ignored Need

When: Friday, November 11, 6:00p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Where: Howlers 4509 Liberty Ave, Bloomfield

A local group is holding an event to raise awareness and funds for an often unnoticed issue for local girls, the irregular and unreliable access to menstrual supplies. For girls in foster care, unstable family situations, economically troubled households and shelters, “that time of the month” brings panic and uncertainty. Many skip school for lack of an alternative. In some local schools local staff provides products out of their own pocket to make sure girls have a back-up.

That’s where On the Spot comes in. On the Spot is a campaign to raise funds to help purchase supplies for local schools and shelters to hand out to girls who find themselves unsupplied and ‘on the spot.’ “Middle school is hard enough, no girl should ever worry because they don’t have access to monthly protection” said OTS co-founder Jennifer England. “Education is the key to their future. We need to make sure girls do not have to skip school and are not so distracted by worry that they aren’t paying attention in class. It doesn’t take much to fix this. That’s why we started On the Spot.”

On the Spot will be holding its third fundraiser event on Friday November 11at Howlers in Bloomfield. The event will include a paper bag auction, a cookie table, a DJ, and drink specials. Admission is $10 or $5 and a box of pads/tampons. This is the fourth event for On the Spot.

So far On the Spot has collected nearly 8,000 pads and distributed them to 40 schools and 29 organizations for girls. The project was also able to put together and distribute several hundred personal care bags for boys and girls in need.

On the Spot also has several collection spots throughout the city so people can drop off supplies in between events.

On the spot is a project of Desiree VanTassel and Jennifer England to address the scarcity of menstrual products for many young girls in low income communities in and around Pittsburgh.

All funds and products are distributed by Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania Education Fund, (a 501c3) in schools that have a demonstrated need for help.

-Agent Ska-

A special election day shout out

2011-11-10T20:54:00.000-05:00

My friend and former Duquesne Democrats member, George S. Zavadak, won a spot on the New Kensington school board on Tuesday night. George is someone who actually cares about the region, is a nice yinzer guy (we used to call him "yinzer yinz") and deserves to have won. Good work, George!

Go git some edumacation funding, George!

Sincerely,

Agent Ska

Top 6 things to vote for/on today

2011-11-08T18:51:00.002-05:00

Library Funding
Write in Jordan Miles in place of Stephen Zappala (we all know Z-Dawg is gonna win anyways).
Chelsa Wagner.
Michael Lamb.
Hugh McGough
Kathryn Boockvar

After that, I just started writing my name in when I got tired of reading names I've seen 10 bajillion times in the past.

-Agent Ska-

If I can remember, you can remember.

2011-11-06T07:21:00.001-05:00

We went aht to the Southside last night. It was at Bar 11 that I had a moment of ahem, genius, and decided to get the word out. You can thank me later.

-Agent Ska-

On the Spot: Upcoming fundraiser!

2011-11-02T20:53:00.003-04:00

On The Spot

Project Helps Local Middle School Girls with Often Ignored Need

When: Friday, November 11, 6:00p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Where: Howlers 4509 Liberty Ave, Bloomfield

On the Spot also has several collection spots throughout the city so people can drop off supplies in between events.

On the spot is a project of Desiree VanTassel and Jennifer England to address the scarcity of menstrual products for many young girls in low income communities in and around Pittsburgh.

All funds and products are distributed by Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania Education Fund, (a 501c3) in schools that have a demonstrated need for help.

http://pghonthespot.wordpress.com/

Best costume ever!

2011-11-02T15:08:00.000-04:00

I just saw this on Twitter and it made me laugh, thought it might make you laugh, too!

-Agent Ska-

DJ Earworm - Like, OMG Baby (Capital FM Summertime Ball Mashup)

2011-11-01T20:37:00.000-04:00

-Agent Ska-

Wait, what?

2011-10-31T21:36:00.000-04:00

All I saw at first was, "It's criminal what counterfeiters are trying to sell you", so I thought it would be for something like Norton security systems or whatever. Then suddenly I saw Viagra. It took my brain a moment to figure out the connection between Viagra and counterfeiting. But I'm not a man so I guess it's not very important. Just thought it was funny, is all.

-Agent Ska-

Leona Lewis / Avicii - Collide

2011-10-31T19:08:00.000-04:00

-Agent Ska-

The art of disagreement

2011-10-28T21:37:00.000-04:00

Do Americans know how to calmly disagree?

Air your thoughts here.

-Agent Ska-

Too tired for The Weekly Round Up

2011-10-28T20:15:00.000-04:00

But I have discovered a new blog named, "Good Girls Finish Last" and it definitely seems worthy of the blog roll. It is written by Jessica Bennett, a senior writer and editor for both Newsweek and the Daily Beast. Here.

Check it aht.

Happy Halloween weekend!

-Agent Ska-

Why don't you tell us how you really feel...lol.

2011-10-27T19:35:00.002-04:00

Alright, I'm going to try this a third time and since it's my blog, I can try as many times as I want.

I know I sounded like Archie Bunker in the past posts about Occupy Pgh. I've given it some time, thought and stuff and I've realized the unspoken part of this.

I'm as angry as they are about the state of things right now. But I take most of that anger out on myself. My brain blames myself for not having a better job and then I see the kids living in tents and think, "I don't understand why you're not blaming yourself for this situation, too. This is my fault that I don't have a good job. Why didn't I major in computer science?!?"

Actually, I tried to major in computer science but I couldn't deal with the hours. My epilepsy plus not-very-good teaching led me to drop out. I'm trying again and I'm having much better results.

I want something better. I see the OccupyPgh people who probably have more degrees than the average population and I wonder,"Why haven't they invented something that can employ millions of people? Stop sitting in a tent! Start saving Americans from debt!"

I want solutions and I'm angry with the world.

My boyfriend and I really want to get a puppy. He's got school loans to pay back and I don't have a great job so getting a puppy isn't going to happen right now. I never thought I'd hit 24 and have to put off getting a freaking puppy.

I don't have the type of job I thought I would be able to snag after college. I worked really hard during college, I didn't go out to frat parties and miss class the following day because I was too hungover to function. I fought through the epilepsy-- which ironically, is suddenly under control (Knock on Wood). They finally added a different kind of medicine to my normal meds and I'm not having day-long dizzy spells and seizures in the mornings. I can finally hold down a full-time job but after all of that, it's a temp job.

I know that the banks f-ed the country over but when I walk out of work, I see these kids with dreadlocks hanging out in tents and I don't understand why their reaction is so different from mine.

I was talking to another temp today during a break and we agreed. Part of the conversation went as follows.

Me: You know, someone asked me why I hated the protesters so much. I realized it's because I'm angry and they're the closest people to take it out on. I'm frustrated, I worked really hard during college and people told me I'd be able to get a better job than this.

Her: *Laughs* Yea..they're just living in their tents..I majored in medical billing. They said there would be jobs in that but I never get past the interviews and I don't have enough experience for some companies. "She looks at another building through a window*...I've had 6 interviews there and yet I haven't gotten any of those jobs. I don't understand what I'm doing wrong.

Me: Yea. I've had that happen, too.

There's a couple of studies out about the wage disparities between men and women in this recession which are also interesting.

The CEOs of Mellon Bank are in NYC right now. For me, it's a lot easier to blame myself followed by dreadlocked kids sitting in tents.

But what can be done except to just keep working and hoping that something better comes along?

All I see is a jobs bill from Obama and then see people who might put that at risk and get angry.

I'm as angry as they are but as that girl said, "What am I doing wrong?". I continually ask myself that question followed by lists of things I could've done better.

On a different note, the mother of one of my oldest friends is dealing with cancer a second time which started 12 years ago as breast cancer. My friend is the type of kid who is really funny and will make jokes without telling you something serious like this is happening. He told me in between making jokes about the protesters over lunch yesterday. They're not sure how bad it is yet but I just wonder why science can't fix this yet, either?!?

Seeing as it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, If you've got an extra 10 dollars, please consider donating to the National Breast Cancer Foundation here.

It's all just so frustrating. So what's easier to do? Make jokes about the protesters or talk about being frustrated that the economy sucks and you actually moved back to Pittsburgh because of your Mom's cancer?

For some people, it's easier to just change the subject and laugh about something else.

-Agent Ska-

..

David Guetta - Without You ft. Usher

2011-10-23T20:24:00.000-04:00

-Agent Ska-

Rihanna - Umbrella (Orange Version) ft. JAY-Z

2011-10-20T23:14:00.002-04:00

-Agent Ska-

Rachel tells it like it is.

2011-10-16T19:02:00.000-04:00

-Agent Ska-

Lolz

2011-10-13T12:38:00.002-04:00

-Agent Ska-

You mean on Twitter?

2011-10-12T22:24:00.001-04:00

-Agent Ska-

Betty White's words of wisdom

2011-10-12T22:15:00.000-04:00

-Agent Ska-

Who made Raja's commercials? And how do I give them a bronze star sticker?

2011-10-11T22:13:00.000-04:00

If only he weren't a Republican, I would really like this man.

-Agent Ska-

Elizabeth Warren tells it like it is!

2011-10-11T21:30:00.002-04:00

Important side note: this is an awesome parody.

-Agent Ska-

Cookies...Nom nom nom...

2011-10-11T21:22:00.000-04:00

-Agent Ska-

Obama in Pittsburgh.

2011-10-11T16:45:00.000-04:00

Campaigning during the middle of the work day: a method for success.

-Agent Ska-

Because people like emailing random things to me. Crisis! In our Federal Courts! Judicial Vacancies! Historic Highs!

2011-10-10T22:13:00.000-04:00

Pittsburgh, PA – On Monday, October 10, 2011, retired Third Circuit Federal Court of Appeals Judge Timothy K. Lewis, co-chair of Schnader, Harrison, Segal & Lewis’s Appellate Practice Group, MSNBC commentator and The Nation columnist Ari Melber, and Pulitzer Prize winning author and Pitt School of Law Professor David Garrow will discuss the crisis in our federal courts, where judicial vacancies have reached historic highs.

For months, Republicans have delayed and obstructed votes on the twenty-six judicial nominees waiting for votes on the Senate floor. There are nine judicial vacancies in Pennsylvania, two of which are emergencies. Three of these nine vacancies have highly qualified nominees waiting for confirmation. All are strongly supported by both Pennsylvania senators. And yet, there has been no movement toward getting them confirmed.

The Senate’s failure to consider nominations is creating a dangerous shortage of judges available to hear cases. From working mothers seeking compensation for employment discrimination to swift injunction of corporate environmental polluters, justice delayed means justice denied. The seriousness of the problem has prompted widespread nonpartisan calls for the Senate to end the gridlock and address the vacancy crisis.

People for the American Way, the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy, the National Council of Jewish Women, and the Pennsylvania Coalition for Constitutional Values are co-hosting “Judicial Vacancies: Justice Denied” event at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts beginning at 6:30 pm on Monday. The esteemed panel will provide insight on how the judicial crisis affects us all and what we can do about it.

“Judicial nominations have been exhibit A in Republican obstruction in Washington. We have three Pennsylvania nominees currently on the Senate calendar that have the support of both of our senators and yet they continue to sit. The Senate is not living up to its responsibility to quickly consider and hold votes on nominees. Monday night’s event will give Pennsylvanians the chance to make their voices heard on this critical issue,” said Jodi Hirsh, consultant for People For the American Way.

Co-host Christine Stone, Chair of the Pennsylvania Coalition for Constitutional Values and national NCJW Board member added, ”NCJW is deeply disappointed that a minority in the Senate has refused to allow the full Senate to vote on the confirmation of three nominees from Pennsylvania. Magistrate Cathy Bissoon, Mark Hornack, and Robert Mariani deserve a vote.”

Local attorney Jennifer Arnette, President of the Homer S. Brown Division of the Allegheny County Bar Association, the voice of local African American legal professionals, will be moderating Monday’s evening’s panel. The event is free and open to the public.

Ha!

2011-10-10T22:02:00.002-04:00

-Agent Ska-

Register to vote NOW! BEFORE I START TALKING IN ALL CAPS LOCK ALL OF THE TIME!

2011-10-10T15:38:00.000-04:00

Dear Agent Ska,
The mail-in voter registration deadline to vote in the upcoming municipal general election in Pennsylvania is this Tuesday, October 11th. Be sure you've registered to vote and mailed in your form by October 11th.
Remember, if you have changed your address or moved since you last registered, you need to re-register. No need to go to an office or wait in line. Just click here to fill out a form.
If you are already registered to vote at your current address, you do not need to re-register, but please forward this notice to all your friends.
- The Rock the Vote Voter Registration Center

Probably NSFW!

2011-10-10T13:54:00.000-04:00

Entertaining picture.

2011-10-10T09:19:00.002-04:00

-Agent Ska-

Some notes

2011-10-06T11:47:00.000-04:00

I'm going to "Off The Record" tonight. Are you?

What is the end result of Occupy Wall Street supposed to be? If people just want to express their anger and frustration, then more power to them. Honestly, I have more respect for people who attend the small (and boring) meetings where important legislative bills are voted on.

The Slackers are going to be here in October followed by Trombone Shorty in November. I'm legitimately excited to see both! They will both be playing at The Rex Theater.

Why is it that CMU kids can't seem to figure out how to take the bus? They are always standing in the front of the bus, even when there are open seats, making it difficult for people to get in and out of the bus. It's really annoying.

My hair is half curly and half straight right now, I'm really confused (as usual). Apparently, there's research going on about why hair changes. It's good to know I'm not alone. Here.

I think this sums up how a lot of people feel. If you can't read it, click on the comic strip and it will expand in another window.

I hear that Luke's going to run again. Who wouldn't in a recession like this? What would he do if he didn't run? He could either run for another office or..... do data entry as a temp?

I'll do a links round up tomorrow. Less than 24 hours until it's Friday!

-Agent Ska-

Trombone Shorty- Neph

2011-10-06T10:53:00.000-04:00

Trombone Shorty will be in Pittsburgh on November 8th. I'm definitely going to go see him. More info here.

-Agent Ska-

Rest In Peace, Steve Jobs.

2011-10-05T23:01:00.000-04:00

It is difficult to actually believe that Steve Jobs is no longer with us. He was a creator who we looked to for ideas, inspiration and guidance.

You will be missed, Steve...you already are.

~Agent Ska~

How to interview an inebriated country singer about national politics.

2011-10-04T10:57:00.001-04:00

"You know-- the three stooges- Boehner, Obama..."

"Uh, that's two."

-Agent Ska-

Hilarious guinea pig commercial.

2011-10-02T22:45:00.001-04:00

-Agent Ska-

Who are these voters?

2011-09-30T15:00:00.002-04:00

I am a 4 star voter, I am a millenial, I voted for Obama, I have given money to campaigns, doorknocked, I live with my boyfriend, I have a college degree, I'm computer savvy, I have a cell phone-- in other words, I'm not out of the usual for a voter my age..and yet, I'm never polled. Ever. Maybe once but that's it.

Who are these voters that newspaper articles are always referring to? Why am I never one of them?!?

And when was the last time anyone ever told you that they went to Quinnipiac University? Hm? I've never had anyone tell me that.

Because, guess what P-G, this voter does NOT think the economic "benefits" outweigh the environmental risks associated with fracking.

WHY AM I NEVER POLLED?!?!

-Agent Ska-

The Facebook Photos Edition

2011-09-30T14:16:00.000-04:00

People upload and share a lot of pictures on Facebook. I thought I'd post some of the best ones here.

-Agent Ska-

CNN's best headlines of the day...

2011-09-27T22:43:00.000-04:00

Finally, someone said what I was thinking!

Thank you, CNN!

Yea, that last armageddon scare musta hit a nerve. (Here's your sign).

Stupid books.

and finally...

Happy Tuesday!

-Agent Ska-

Some Monday afternoon reading

2011-09-26T14:49:00.000-04:00

Who is the sexiest GOP presidential candidate? Make your voice heard! (Here).
Demographics and food preferences. I honestly never thought I'd see anything more specific than whether or not you have a Mac or a PC. Here.
Are the suburbs the next ghetto? Here.
I'm surprised it hasn't been done already. "Porn stars start topless gaming site". Here.
The pets are recession proof. Here.
One step forward in the campaign to cut back on the amount of people in California's prisons. Here.
US gamers help to crack puzzle in AIDS research. Here.
Out of the 11 "Ultimate Political Game Changers" on the HuffPo website, only 2 are women. Here.
Guinea Pig rental service. Genius. Here.
Rick Santorum is trying to get Google to get rid of his bad rap on there. Here.

...and Go Steelers!

-Agent Ska-

September by Earth, Wind and Fire

2011-09-23T11:05:00.000-04:00

-Agent Ska-

The Christina Hendricks Effect

2011-09-21T17:20:00.001-04:00

One of the goals of this blog is to not only tell you how to find the latest density maps of dorkiness but to also make sure to bring my experiences with me to this blog. As much as I hate to say it, I want to use my experiences to have a voice that seems to be almost nonexistent in many of the, often times political, blogs I read. I don't blame this on many of the male writers because I suspect (let's be honest, I'm pretty much assuming) that they did not have some of the same experiences I had. Many of my experiences are pretty typical of many women my age.

One of the major things I go back and forth about discussing on this blog is body image. But it's been a part of my life as well as many other women's lives. So while I'm happy to discuss my newest programming classes at CCAC (which I'm really enjoying thus far), I wanted to write about body image and social media today and since it's my blog, I was going to do so. If people don't want to read it well they most certainly don't have to. But I do want to make it clear, this is not going to become a sob story, in fact, it's going to become quite the opposite.

We've all heard it, fashion magazines are self-esteem killers for every woman around. But what about the internet? And I don't mean porn (although that has certainly had its effects)-- I mean things such as the "pro-ana" websites. I'd forgotten about these until I read an article discussing the role of body image websites today.

Pro-ana websites are where girls go to discuss their newest strategies for losing extreme amounts of weight, providing one another with "trigger" pictures which help to motivate a girl to stop eating and generally create a feeling of support for other girls who are anorexic and really seem to have no interest in not being anorexic. They're pretty awful, I've read them. Yes, I've read them more than once. Part of me feels that I shouldn't admit to that but I know that since these websites still exist, I'm not the only one. I've also read Cosmopolitan Magazine more than once. I'm not anorexic and I don't take Cosmopolitan Magazine seriously, I'm just curious along with the five other people waiting in line ahead of me at the Giant Eagle.

I was not aware, and I think they are more recent, that pro-body image websites have become popular on the web including, "Operation Beautiful", "Stop Hating Your Body", "Curve Appeal" and a couple more. I'm really glad they are around because they are a welcome change.

I decided over the past week that perhaps my hip bones aren't going to move and my skeleton isn't going to get smaller no matter how much I tell myself the opposite. Then I sat there and thought, maybe this is the size I'm supposed to be. I looked at the direction of my hip bone to double check. Nope, I'm really not able to be a size 6 because of my hip bones and skeleton. It is scientifically impossible. That's when it hit me. It really is impossible.

I began to think about this and wonder what that acceptance meant. Did that mean that I didn't care how I would look? That I would stop eating healthy? But, it's actually done the opposite this week. I've lost weight, I'm not beating myself up every time I eat and that, in turn, doesn't make me want to eat as much because I'm happier. I'm actually happier.

That said, it sure isn't easy to re-program your brain. When I see one of the girls who live a couple houses down walking past my house in size 4 running shorts, that feeling that I should still be trying to be a size 6 quickly begins to creep back into my head. Creep is too slow of a term, perhaps "jump back in a very visceral way" is a better term to use. But that's not really it, that's not what the voice actually means, it's a feeling similar to that of reading between the lines of a Fox News article. What the voice is actually saying is that I should continue hating my body. That's what the voice really is implying. I'm not an unhealthy person, I go for a long walk every day, I don't eat junk food and I'm often a vegetarian. I remind myself of this and then tell myself that my hips can't move, also she's about 5'2.

This whole revelation was what led me to begin reading articles about body image blogs, plus sized models and the Christina Hendricks effect on the entertainment and modeling industry . I found this interview with model Velvet d'Amour about an issue of Vogue magazine that featured plus sized models to be interesting.

I never thought I would actually stop hating my body. I seriously never thought it would happen. But it has and it's pretty awesome. Dare I say, it's actually, well, exciting? Because to be honest, it really is. :-)

Happy fall!

-Agent Ska-

A slice of fabulous!

2011-09-21T00:39:00.000-04:00

A friend of mine works for ReedSmith and the PSO had a special event for ReedSmith employees tonight. The employees could bring a couple of family members and/or friends to hear the symphony play. The symphony played a selection of songs from their upcoming season as a preview event (and to inspire people to become members). She invited me and we had a wonderful time tonight. Hearing the symphony never ceases to remind me how lucky we are to have them in our city-- I know it sounds cliche but it is really true!

If you are interested in subscribing you can do so on their website here. I encourage everyone to do so! The performances are really fantastic.

Cheers!

Agent Ska

Prokofiev - Dance of the Knights

2011-09-20T23:05:00.002-04:00

-Agent Ska-

Nelly - Just A Dream

2011-09-19T14:46:00.002-04:00

It's catchy. Don't judge.

-Agent Ska-

Dearest Christina Hendricks,

2011-09-19T10:22:00.000-04:00

You are awesome. Please continue to do so.

Sincerely,

Agent Ska-

...and all that.

2011-09-16T22:50:00.001-04:00

I just saw Miranda July's movie, The Future, at the Melwood Screening Room. I'm not sure if you need or want my criticisms so in the interest of sparing both of us some kind of awkwardly worded review, I will say that it is worth seeing. There were parts that were very honest and funny and parts that made you feel like you were in a stereotypically independent film. But in the end it is worth seeing and I was genuinely interested to learn more about the writer and other reviews. This interview with her is great.

-Agent Ska-

Women & Girls Foundation event!

2011-09-16T15:52:00.000-04:00

White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley to Speak at Event Honoring Women Greening the Pittsburgh Region

Awards will honor women who through their actions, words and work are leading the way in green energy, green policy, green technology and green innovation in our region

PITTSBURGH—The Women and Girls Foundation (WGF) and presenting sponsor FedExGround are proud to announce the fifteen honorees to be celebrated at this year’s “Women Greening the Pittsburgh Region” event on Saturday, November 19th at the August Wilson Center for African American Culture. The fifteen honorees were selected from over fifty nominees and are listed below.

Heidi Bartholomew, Board Chair of the Women and Girls Foundation explained, “This year the WGF board decided to honor women who through their actions, words and work are leading the way in green energy, green policy, green technology and green innovation in our region.” Continued Bartholomew, “We hope the honorees will serve as inspirations to young women in our region to consider the multiple career options available to them in the green sector.”

“We are thrilled to announce that Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, has agreed to be the keynote speaker for our November 19^th Event,” said Event Chair, Suzan Lami, Founder and President of Lami Grubb Architects.

In her role at the White House, Chair Sutley serves as the principal environmental policy adviser to the President. The Council on Environmental Quality coordinates Federal environmental efforts and works closely with agencies and other White House offices in the development of environmental policies and initiatives. Prior to her appointment as Chair of CEQ, Sutley served as Deputy Mayor for Energy and Environment in Los Angeles. There she pursued a goal of transforming L.A. into one of the greenest big cities in America. As a result, Sutley retrofitted 500 of the city's oldest buildings to make them more energy efficient and imposed environmental standards on new large community developments.

Women Greening Pittsburgh 2011 Honorees

Beverly Braverman - Mountain Watershed Association, Inc.

Zelda Curtiss - Retired Attorney, Department of Environmental Protection

Patricia M. DeMarco - Rachel Carson Institute at Chatham University

Janice Webb Donatelli - Artemis Environmental

Rachel Filippini - Group Against Smog and Pollution, Inc.

Ann Jones Gerace - Conservation Consultants, Inc.

Caren Glotfelty - Environmental Program at the Heinz Endowments

Kim Kipin-McDonald - Bayer Material Science LLC

Chris Koch - GTECH Strategies

Vivian Loftness - Carnegie Mellon University School of Architecture

Kelly Ogrodnik - Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Allison Robinson - Environmental Initiatives at UPMC

Brenda L. Smith - Nine Mile Run Watershed Association

Dianne B. Swan - Rosedale Block Cluster, Inc.

Linda Wigington - Affordable Comfort, Inc.

In addition to these honorees, two West Greene High School Students, Kara Curry and MiKayla Sonneborn, will receive a Special Award of Distinction for their work advocating for enhanced diesel emission regulations in their school district.

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-Agent Ska-

Souf Oaklin is back!

2011-09-15T10:09:00.001-04:00

I used to read a blog named Souf Oaklin and then I thought they had disappeared. Well, it turns out that they are still around as hilarious as ever.

My three favorites are about the fight between Ravenstahl & Peduto over UPMC (here), Sombrero Man (here) and going Green in South Oakland (here). I could barely breath from laughing so hard.

-Agent Ska-

The Round Up

2011-09-14T16:39:00.002-04:00

Groupon is now working with nonprofits. This is a great idea! Here.

I finally bought a subscription to Rolling Stone yesterday. They had some really great articles in their August edition and was annoyed with reading New York Times articles about what Liberals do and don't understand about the world. Some interesting articles in RS are "The GOP War on Voting" (here) and a profile of David Guetta who I like (here).

I just joined the Stand By Task Force and am slowly figuring it all out. Two of its projects are described here and here.

The Explorers Club of Pittsburgh's Mountaineering school kicks off in October. You can sign up now here.

14 year old girl makes NHL video game history. Here.

Cancer finger prick test? It might be a reality in the future. Here.

You can pay for girl scout cookies by credit card now. Yum. Here.

I wish this was... Here.

LMAO dot Com. Here.

Another new teaching tool. Here.

How to make solar-powered laptop chargers. Here.

NPR web app. Here.

1 in 6 are living in poverty. Here.

Devlpt grants secured for downtown and east liberty. Could you bring back Borders, please? My book will arrive sometime between Sept. 16th-October 3rd.

In a bleak world, this made my day. More benefits found for eating chocolate. Here.

The Pittsburgh Mini Maker Faire is looking for more applicants! Here.

Visualizing the future of American Jobs. Here.

Woman caught naked on her porch on a random google cam picture. Ouch. I feel bad for her. Here.

Newt Gingrich runs after the ice cream truck yelling, "Hey, wait! I'm here! Slow down! I'm running to get to you! Wait for me!". In other words, he keeps having to tell people that he's still running for president. Here.

ttyl!

-Agent Ska-

Smile, you're on candid camera!

2011-09-07T17:20:00.001-04:00

The mainstream media has been publishing some fantastic pictures recently. Here are two favorites.

(From the PG).

"Listening"...so that's what you kids call it these days...

-Agent Ska-

The Presidential Circuit

2011-09-07T10:20:00.000-04:00

My friend's Dad is an electrician so I often go with my friend, her Dad and her sister to the Labor Day parade. He explained to us that often accidents on the job for electricians happen because there was one team who went in and either left something unfinished, didn't do something or did something incorrectly and then a second team went in later without having talked to the first team. Often it's the second team who are the ones who get hurt, if anyone gets hurt, because they don't know where everything is that was left unfinished, done incorrectly or was never done.

That is how I see Obama's presidency. He went into a building where a team had done a lackluster job of wiring the building and tried to do things without knowing where all of the problem areas were and had few people who could really tell him where all of problem areas were going to be.

And that's how he got electrocuted...multiple times.

Sincerely,

Agent Ska

Labor Day Parade pictures!

2011-09-05T22:57:00.000-04:00

Cheers!

-Agent Ska-

Happy Labor Day!

2011-09-05T20:03:00.001-04:00

If ever there were a city where you can see the powerful effects of labor unions and the importance they still have, it's in Pittsburgh, especially on Labor Day. Unions have helped many friends and loved ones live better lives and I couldn't be more grateful. Being down at the parade really drives it home how important they truly are.

Happy Labor Day.

Sincerely,

Agent Ska

What Obama should be doing.

2011-09-02T10:44:00.002-04:00

-Agent Ska-

Where's zorro when you need him?

2011-09-02T10:01:00.002-04:00

Talking Points Memo had a blog post today about Obama's polling numbers among women. It seems that we have been the ones who stuck with him during good times and bad and are only now starting to voice our discontent. I must say that I fit within this polling data.

I have held the line, "I will support him because in the end, I know I'm not going to vote for any of these loonytunes on the right so I might as well just stand by my person and be done with it."

But I'm frustrated right now. The main reason is how his healthcare plan will affect my healthcare plan. Federal trumps state which means that instead of being able to stay on my parents' health insurance plan until 28 or 29, I'm getting kicked off of it when I turn 27. It's tough to say, I LOVE HIM!, when I'm freaking out about finding a job with health insurance in the next two years.

Secondly, his willingness to acquiesce to the abusive jerk. Come on, Obama. You're supposed to be the nice guy in shining armor on the horse. You know, the one we go to after having been with a jerk for 8 years. You're supposed to be the nice guy who we tell all of our problems to and then he treats us well.

Here's what you need to do, Obama, to win my love back. Take out your knight-in-shining-armor armor, and go show the GOP who is boss. Stick him through the heart with your sword and then take us out to dinner. We voted for a knight-in-shining-armor who would stand up to the ex boyfriend who was a jerk. You're not doing that! Where's your armor?!?! You're letting the abusive ex push you around! This was not a part of the plan!

Women have also been labeled as "power users" of social media which means that when we're upset about something, like lack of regulations, then we are more likely to use a social media site to voice that discontent and then everyone finds out about it very quickly. Take for example this status update from a woman whom I respect a lot. I still remember this update because it really raised a red flag when I read it.

I didn't have the time to click the article and read it but I saw the status update and became worried and I still am to this day.

Obama, I'm trying to stay positive about you but it's tough right now.

Also, don't back down to Boehner ever again, it's not what knights in shining armor do. You should have said, "Sir, you have insulted my honor. I challenge you to a duel on the 7th of September." According to the rules you're supposed to use a white glove but given the references to Michael Jackson, that could go all kinds of wrong, so let's just skip the white glove part. Then, you should have ridden away on your knightly horse before he could pull out his blackberry and weasel out of it. If you need to know the rest of how to go about challenging the GOP to a duel, you can inform yourself here.

Sincerely,

Agent Ska

Days of our not so exciting lives.

2011-09-02T00:04:00.000-04:00

I wrote this letter in my handy dandy notebook while in the waiting room of the ER because I couldn't blog because my cell phone doesn't receive a signal in Shadyside hospital. I also wrote a blogpost letter to Obama but I thought I would share this one first.

Dearest readers,

At some point in our lives, we will or we already have been in a hospital, whether for a friend or for ourselves. Although you may view your life as a melodrama only comparable to Days of our Lives, it is most likely not full of compelling plots and ridiculously attractive people. How do I know this? Because I have looked at you and then looked up at the TV and then back at you. That sounds mean but after years of waiting around in hospitals to hear the same things from doctors, it's really struck me how rude people are to the staff at hospitals. I just want to go over, tap them on the shoulder and say, "There's a cafeteria about 27.25 seconds away from here. Go eat your feelings like the rest of us and stop embarrassing yourself because that's what you're doing when you're rude to a nurse or receptionist." But I've learned over time that my best offense is to just chill out. I've noticed that when I'm nice to the nurses and staff people, they're more helpful to me. In hospitals, help is the most valuable commodity.

So readers, what I'm trying to say is this. Just because you're in a hospital does not give you the right to be a jerk. Your rudeness only works against everyone there, including yourself. You want help? Let the desk girl eat her rice out of her tupperware container and come back in 5 minutes. You'll be happy you did.

Sincerely,

Agent Ska

P.S. My doctor tonight was a condescending jagoff. But I could also tell that he was exhausted and really had no solutions to offer. So it just kinda sucked for both of us and I was happy when I could leave and go get a frozen yogurt with 17 toppings. It turns out that graham cracker dust doesn't really mix with every single type of fruit. But I'm away from rude people and he's still stuck there talking to yinzers with awful hair cuts. I guess science can't fix everything.

You Don't Own Me- The First Wives Club

2011-09-01T11:07:00.000-04:00

Do you ever wake up and suddenly start humming a tune while brushing your teeth? Well, that's what happened this morning and this was the song that my brain decided on.

Bah ba ba ba baa baaaaa

-Agent Ska-

Happy Birthday, Mike. RIP.

2011-08-29T18:26:00.000-04:00

-Agent Ska-

The round up

2011-08-29T15:05:00.000-04:00

Dipity - make your own interactive timeline. Here.
Could your future car run on your old newspapers? Here.
Best to-do list. Here.
New perspectives on the future of LA. Here.
Drupalchix. Here.
Colin Powell criticizes Dick Cheney. Here.
If people were music symbols. Here.
The Los Angeles river takes on a new role. Here.
Life lessons learned while working a minimum wage job. Here.
Young and jobless. Here.
The gender debate takes front and center at gaming conference. Here.

-Agent Ska-