Indianapolis, IN

Fri 31 August 2007

So, I’m thinking about the Big Ten Network. The Big Ten Network will be showing all Big Ten games on their network only. Subscribers to DirecTV, and some cable stations in Evansville will be able to see the Big Ten Network, but cable networks here in central Indiana (Comcast, Bright House and Dish Network) said no to the deal of charging a $1.10 per customer per month. So, unless you are a cable subscriber in anywhere but Evansville, you won’t be able to watch your games (unless you go to a sports bar or go to the actual game). I just don’t think this is smart on the Big Ten’s part. They say don’t mess with Texas, but they haven’t been to the Midwest during basketball season. There are going to be a lot of IU fans that will eat them alive. See, this is just another plan from Big Business to get our money. There will be tons of people upset when they can’t see their favorite college football or basketball games. In the Midwest, college sports are not just something you watch—it’s something of a tradition. We take it very seriously, and if you mess with our ability to watch it, it’s on. We’re going to be pissed, and you’re not going to like it. So, just beware, Big Ten Network. You may come in with your big corporate attitude of authority, but we are the ones who make the Big Ten what it is. Without us, the viewers, the fans, the players, the parents, the community, there is no Big Ten.

: Big Ten, Big Ten Network, cable companies

Thu 30 August 2007

So, I’m thinking about college admissions. Indiana University announced that it’s making it more difficult to get into IU. They know that Indiana has many bright students, and they want IU to remain a place to go for the really bright students and not just a place to fall back on. Last year, IU rejected nearly 20% of all applications, and this year will be closer to 30%. I understand that IU has some really good programs, like it’s renowned Kelley School of Business or it’s med school. IU School of Music was rated 3rd in the country at one time (it may still be). Or unless you are planning on studying something very specific or rare (like Slavic languages), then there are a plethora of other schools that give just as good (if not more) than super-huge schools like IU or Purdue. I applied to IU’s School of Music and got a rejection letter. So, I ended up at Indiana State University in Terre Haute and do not regret for once that I went there. Most of my classes were actually taught by the professor listed (only a few of my classes were taught by teaching assistants). I went out to get a beer with my professors. I went to their homes for parties and gatherings. I even tutored one of my professor’s son in French horn. I had opportunities at ISU that I wouldn’t have had at IU, and that made me a better musician and student. I liked that fact that I could walk from one end of the campus to the other in about 10 minutes. And I didn’t feel that because I wasn’t at IU, because I was paying less than students at IU, that my education was being compromised. I felt that I probably got a better education at Indiana State. Actually, Time magazine had an article back in the spring about how going to a school just for the namesake isn’t so much of a factor anymore. Students and parents are learning that you can get just as good or better of an education at smaller, less expensive schools. So, my advice is to look elsewhere outside of the huge namesake schools, unless you are going into something specific that’s only offered at those schools.

: college choices, admissions requirements, Indiana University, Indiana State University

Wed 29 August 2007

So, I’m thinking about Indiana’s low SAT scores. Our scores have declined in the past two years and generally in the past eight. Why is this? Are our kids getting dumber? Are we not teaching them enough? What is going on? There are many factors and variables to consider. One, I feel that the state (and federal) budgets reflect that our lawmakers don’t really care about education for everyone. We can find funding for a new stadium and new shopping centers, but we can’t find funding for our schools. But not just any schools; there’s not a problem with giving money to the schools that already have money. They don’t want to put money into schools that carry a high percentage of low socio-economic status. They can pad your pockets all they want, but in the end, it’s the students and the teachers and the communities who suffer. Why is it that superintendents make $75-100,000 (or more), but there are teachers who are on food stamps or forced to take second jobs? By not supporting the teachers and paying them for what they’re worth, it eventually trickles down to the students. They say teachers teach because they love it. But the bottom line is that they also need to make enough money to live off of as well. After a while, it’s hard to stay as focused and give that 110%. And then you end up like Mrs. Krabappel(from the Simpsons). Two, there is no reason why there should be a lack of books, materials, computers, etc. in any school today. There should also be no reason why there are schools without air conditioning or working facilities. Some people complain that the students will just tear it up. But if you give students a place worth keeping and show them that they are worth the extra mile, then it gives them a sense of pride. If you invest wisely (in our students and schools), then you reap all of the benefits (students who learn and do well in society). Many students live in such poverty that it’s the least we can do by them to give them a safe and nice place to go and to teach them to learn to help themselves. We need to give these students something to lean on so they won’t have to depend on life in the streets when they get older. We need to change their ideas about education and jobs. Make reading a tool. Make math relative to everyday life. Make learning available and useful. Teach lifelong skills, not just facts they will forget. Why should the rich schools get this and not everyone? So, if you make students feel like school and learning is important and not just busywork, and that there are people out there who care, then perhaps they will do better. But overall, we have to create a better society in order for it all to work. Everything is connected: the amount of jobs, what kind of jobs are out there, the housing market situation, healthcare, taxes, inflation, crime, and education. If one or two go down, they all go down. If a few of those things go up, then the others usually follow behind it. But until we can get our government and communities to realize that we have to put money into social programs and education, our test scores will continue to go down, and crime will continue to rise, and jobs will leave.

: education, low test scores, state budget, making society better

Tue 28 August 2007

So, I’m thinking about drive-in theatres. Last weekend, we went to a car show in Clermont at O’Reilly Raceway Park. On our way there, we passed the Clermont Deluxe Drive-In Theatre. I was excited to know that there was a drive-in so close that was still open. But my excitement didn’t last long. Not a week later, they announced that the last showing was Sunday, August 26. Now, there will be a whole generation who will not know what it’s like to sit in your car to watch a movie. I personally have never been to a drive-in, but I thought it would be a perfect way for us to go to the movies with our young daughter. We really don’t know anyone to baby sit for her. Plus, my husband and I like to talk during movies. Going to the drive-in would be the perfect solution to our movie-going problems. But we will have to drive further on still. I believe that there is a drive-in in Franklin, IN (about 20 minutes south of Indianapolis). I believe that it’s open (at least for the season). Perhaps they are all going out of business because they feel they can’t compare to buying DVDs and getting movies online. But I’m here to tell them that there are people out there who still would go to drive-in theatres if there were more of them around. It makes me kind of sad that this part of American pop culture is fading away. I wish something or someone would come along and build one near me on the north side. (Hint, hint…)

: drive-in theatres

Mon 27 August 2007

So, I’m thinking about health coverage (as opposed to “health insurance”). This Friday, my husband has to have an outpatient surgery. He called our insurance company to find out about how much it’s going to cost and how much of it is covered. They told him that the doctor is in the network, but the facility he’s going to do the surgery in is not. (What the hell??!!) Then they told us that the surgery is going to cost about $950, but we have a $1000 deductible. In the end, we learned that basically we have to pay for this out of our own pocket. I just don’t get it. Why do we even have health insurance? What are we paying these fools $90 a month for? (I know that’s cheap compared to others: my sister pays nearly $200 a month!) Oh, and because they were bought out by some other company, our co-pays went up. Now it’s $25 to see our primary physician, $50 for a specialist, $75 for urgent care, and $200 for an ER visit. We were talking about having another child, but I’m scared to death to get pregnant again. With my first daughter, we qualified for Hoosier Healthwise (Medicaid), and we didn’t pay for anything. (Which in a way was sad that I qualified, because I was a college graduate working in a school and was only making $8/hr. It’s sad because our schools pay so little, that our teachers and support staff can qualify for state aid. But that’s another blog for another day.) I think the whole idea of deductibles is wrong. And I don’t think you should have co-pays to see your primary physician. The only reason why they have deductibles and co-pays is so they can get more money from you. I mean, they’re already making money off of the money you pay them every month. It’s criminal. Think about it: I used to not go to the doctor when I didn’t have health insurance, because I was afraid of how much it cost. And now that we do have health insurance, I’m STILL afraid of going to the doctor because of the cost. In fact, sometimes I feel that I pay more WITH health insurance than I did when I didn’t have it. Actually, I know we pay more. But if something serious happened, many hospitals won’t take you unless you do have insurance. So, it’s all a huge scam against the regular American to milk them for all that they are worth. In fact, the number one reason for bankruptcy is because of medical bills. Something definitely needs to be done. It’s not enough to have health insurance—you have to have health coverage. I don’t want networks. I don’t want someone to tell me which doctor I can or can’t have. I don’t want deductibles. I don’t want co-pays. I don’t want hidden bullshit costs and fees. I don’t want to have to call someone to ask if I’m covered. I don’t want someone WITHOUT a medical degree (i.e. the insurance company) making my medical decisions for me (“you’re not covered for that” or “you didn’t pre-authorize this”). And it’s not just the health insurance industry. Homeowners insurance companies pulls the same crap. (Just look at what happened after Hurricane Katrina.) I have not seen Michael Moore’s new documentary “Sicko,” but I’ve seen bits and pieces of it in an interview with him. It’s definitely on my list of movies to see. I guess we just have to wait until 2008 and hope that someone becomes president who thinks universal healthcare is important.

: health insurance, health coverage, Hoosier Healthwise, Medicaid, Michael Moore, Sicko

Fri 24 August 2007

So, I’m thinking about hot weather and schools. This has been one of the hottest summers on record. The grass has been brown most of the summer. (The rain we got earlier this week helped some.) State Fair attendance was down this year because of it. But what surprises me the most is that IPS closed early yesterday and will again today due to the fact that 40 of the 78 buildings do not have air conditioning. How do you get to 2007 and not have air conditioning in the buildings? (On the same thought, how do you get to 2007 and not have computers in every classroom either?) Where does all of this money go anyway? I think they have a renovation plan to upgrade the schools and add air conditioning over the next few years. But why has it taken so long? I understand all about budgets and stuff. But what I don’t understand is why adding air conditioning to their buildings hasn’t been a priority. I guarantee that Dr. White’s office is air conditioned. How can students and teachers do the best that they can do when your classroom is 80 degrees (on a good day?) At the same time, I do have a beef about schools who do have air conditioning. Why is it that if you do have AC, then you feel you have to run it at 56 degrees? Don’t you think that it would be more economical and better for the environment not to run the AC that low? I personally think that 74-75 degrees is comfortable. So, I guess until the people who negotiate the budget decides that the education of IPS students are important, then they’ll just have to get used to half-days on hot days. How do you explain to little Mary and little Johnny that the people who run their schools don’t think they are worth having adequate facilities?

: air conditioning, school renovations, Indianapolis Public Schools

Thu 23 August 2007

So, I’m thinking about the police beating of a teenager. During the Indiana Black Expo’s Summer Celebration on July 21, a police officer was filmed beating a teenager. The teenager was initially arrested for public intoxication, resisting arrest, and battery, but no charges were ever filed. The video, filmed by a member of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, showed that the teenager was contained on the sidewalk, but then the officer, Adam Chappell, came back and kicked him again. I can understand if an officer has to use some force to subdue someone who is resisting arrest, but once they are lying there, you don’t need to hit them again. I heard that the IMPD said that the force used was appropriate. How is kicking someone in the head appropriate? Chappell faces misdemeanor battery charges, and the teenager recovers at home (I believe he was from Illinois). I just hope that the teenager knows that even though he wasn’t officially charged with public intoxication, resisting arrest and battery, he should be careful next time. (Why wasn’t he at least charged with underage drinking?) I hope that Chappell knows what an embarrassment he has put on the IMPD. It’s even made national news. But I hope that that teenager know that he can’t go around and do dumb crap like that. He got lucky this time (in a way), that those charges didn’t go on his record, but next time might not be the same. No, it wasn’t right that Chappell was overly-rough with him, but if he hadn’t have been drinking and resisting arrest, then it wouldn’t have risen to the level it did.

: police brutality, Indiana Black Expo, Summer Celebration

Wed 22 August 2007

So, I’m thinking about the Colts vs. the Bears in the pre-season game. We watched the game last night, and it was something else. See, my husband is a native Chicagoan, and I was born here. But we like both teams. Well, it seems that Rex Grossman (who is from Bloomington, IN) wasn’t quite in his game. Griese and Hester looked like better players to us. All that we were hoping for was a close game, and it was. I think that the Bears and the Colts are pretty evenly matched. One of the reasons why we won the Superbowl was because Grossman wasn’t playing with his head screwed on. I’m actually kind of glad that the Bears won last night. (Now, we’re even.) I mean, I like both teams, but we’re also Bears fans as well. Both teams have some good players and made good plays during the game last night. I’m not worried about the Colt’s performance for this year. The Colts have lost the last 11 of 12 preseason games, and obviously that didn’t impact the season they had last year (or the year before that as well). I don’t know how many more preseason games they have left, but I hope that no one gets hurt and that the Colts gets themselves together to have a good season again this year. And I hope the same for the Bears.

: Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears

Tue 21 August 2007

So, I’m thinking about foreclosure rates. In a recent article from WTHR.com, job losses in manufacturing are one of the leading reasons why Indiana is among the highest in the nation in home foreclosures. Plant closings in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio make up 20% of all foreclosures. At one time, it was possible to get a job in a factory and know that you could raise your family on your income alone. But when people get these jobs now, and the company files bankruptcy, or outsource your job and leave you unemployed, what are you supposed to do? You’ve not only lost your job (and your income), but also your health coverage and your pension. It’s not easy to find those same kind of jobs. But what gets me, is that if you are working in a factory that manufactures something, and you are making $22, and you lose your job, then they tell you, “There are other jobs out there. Like Wal-Mart.” Ok, I doubt that Wal-Mart is going to pay you $22 per hour. In fact they will probably pay you less than half of that. How can you pay your bills if now you are working the same hours, but making half of what you were? It’s no wonder foreclosures are at an all-time high. Besides, I also think that people get talked into buying these brand new houses in these cookie cutter subdivisions, and give you really low payments for the first two years. But then it goes up so high after that introductory period that people can’t pay it and are forced to foreclose. The regular guy is being screwed, and no one is doing a damn thing about it.

: foreclosure rates, job losses, manufacturing jobs, outsourcing, plant closings

Mon 20 August 2007

So, I’m thinking about Truck Bash. This weekend, my husband, daughter and I went to the Import and Truck Bash at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Clermont, IN. (Clermont is just west of Indianapolis.) I had never been there before, but I thought that it was a pretty nice place. They were also doing drag racing there at the same time as the truck show. We went as part of our truck club, United Razas. The weather was much better than the Slamology show we went to back in June. At that show, it rained the whole weekend, and it was cold. But this time, it was 80-85 degrees, and there was a nice, steady breeze. It only sprinkled a couple of times for about 10 seconds. We mostly just sat there under our tent and ate cheeseburgers and drank soda and stuff. Actually, we liked this show better than Slamology in the way that there were less skanky women there. (There certainly were a few who managed to flaunt their way in. I guess the strip clubs weren’t open yet.) What I don’t get is that there are kids there, so why do you dress like a ho in front of all these kids? I don’t know… We only had one incident that made us mad and that was with one of the ladies at the gate. We had to wear these bracelets that came in our packet of participant information. But they never put in one for our daughter. The first day we went to the show, she didn’t have a bracelet, and no one said anything. But the second day of the show, she stopped us and asked us about her bracelet. She made us turn around and go get one. We went to this trailer where you could get them, and he said, “You know, they’re supposed to have them at the gate.” And you know how long she wore it? About 10 minutes. I thought it was ridiculous. (Like she was going to be walking around by herself. Whatever.) And the thing is, my husband told them when he was registering that he was bringing his wife and child, and they could’ve put one in the envelope. Oh, well. Even though we didn’t win anything (but two of our club members won an award), it was a fun weekend.

Truck and Import Bash, O’Reilly Raceway Park, mini-trucks, sport trucks, import cars, tricked out cars, custom cars

Fri 17 August 2007

So, I’m thinking about Good Samaritans. In Greensburg, about 40 miles southeast of Indianapolis on I-74, a couple of women on their way to their 3rd shift job stopped and helped another couple who was hurt in a motorcycle accident. After they comforted the injured and even helped clean up debris on the road so other cars wouldn’t drive through it, they arrived at work an hour late. They were later fired because they had taken more than the allotted time off for the year. Later the plant manager recanted and said that what they did was heroic and that they still have their jobs. Well, doesn’t that make for just a happy ending? One of the ladies was quoted in the Indianapolis Star as saying that she was still mad but glad that she got her job back. Forget that, I would’ve settled. I’m not sure if I really wanted to work at a place like that, if that’s the way they’re going to treat me. I can see what kind of people they are, and I don’t want any part of it. You know they are just looking for any reason now to fire them. (I already worked for a place like that. And I wouldn’t go back there if they paid me $100/hour.) The only reason why they are still at their jobs is (perhaps) that there aren’t that many jobs in Greensburg. So, even though they could retain their jobs, I think there is a part of them that will never fully trust the bosses. I know I wouldn’t.

: good Samaritans, unfair firing

Thu 16 August 2007

So, I’m thinking about school boards. In light of the recent problems with Perry Township and their school board firing the superintendent, it got me thinking about school boards. According to an article by WTHR, the superintendent was fired because he was “insubordinate” and “used threats” to get what he wanted. So, basically in other words, he pissed off the people who hold his job. And unfortunately, they didn’t renew his contract, and it went to court and there was a settlement, and so on. The people of Perry Township are embarrassed and wonder where they will find teachers and administrators and coaches. And it makes me wonder if school boards have too much power that cannot be checked? Whatever happened to that “check and balances” we learned about in government class, so that no branch or government body can have too much power? Why isn’t there anyone to check school boards? Well, supposedly we do have the power to vote them out, but you’ll find that doesn’t work. Many people vote for the same idiots just because they are the incumbent. Or they think, “Well, they’ve always been in the school board. So, why not again?” Why don’t they have a limit to how many terms a school board member can hold? The way the system is set up is that if any employee of the school system complains about the school board or crosses them in any way, they hold their job over them. I know this personally from another school in central Indiana. I’ve seen them bully teachers and coaches and administrators and force resignations because they cross paths with them. And everyone is afraid to stand up to them. If they could figure out a way to fire everyone in the corporation, they probably would. Some of their ideas aren’t even education-oriented (or even legal!) So, what are school systems supposed to do when the people voted to make educational decisions aren’t even interested in education and just enjoy the power of knowing no one can check them? I guess it’s true what they say: “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

: school boards, Perry Township schools

Wed 15 August 2007

So, I’m thinking about working moms vs. stay-at-home moms. I saw a repeat of the Oprah show about this debate, and it hit home. I was working in a school when I found out that I was pregnant. During the summer, I found out that I wasn’t going to be called back in the fall. So, I was out of work from the time I was 5 months pregnant, and now my daughter will be two next month. Well, now that we want to get a house, we’ve started thinking about me going back to work. Since I can’t get my old job back (nor would I want to), I need to do something else. I feel that by having a child, it’s making it really hard to get back into the workforce. One, I feel that employers unfairly judge women of childbearing age, because of the increased chances of taking off work to stay home with sick kids. In fact, one lady said on an Elizabeth Vargas story that she is in charge of hiring and specifically avoids hiring women who might have children (which is illegal, by the way). Two, the cost of childcare is the main reason why I didn’t go back to work sooner. Vargas says that there are only four countries that do not have a paid maternity leave. (They are the US, Lesotho, Swaziland, and Papua New Guinea—all poor countries with the exception of the US.) So, why if we have all of this money, do we not take care of our mothers and children better? I think it’s because the people who control the money want to keep their money and not spread it out to the people who could benefit from it. So, basically I think that if you have a baby while you are working somewhere, then it’s easier to get back into working. But if you are like me, and you lose your job while you’re pregnant (I still believe it’s because I was pregnant and not due to budget cuts), then it’s really hard to get back into work. But I am glad that there are more Internet and home-based business opportunities available to those who want to have the best of both worlds.

[tags:] working moms, stay-at-home moms, child care costs, maternity leaves, work from home [/tags]

Tue 14 August 2007

So, I’m thinking about child care. I applied for a job, and if I get it, I will need child care. The reason why I’m getting a job is so that we can save up to get a house. Therefore, spending my entire paycheck on childcare doesn’t make any sense. I went to one place that was near where I live. She took us on a tour, and everything was really nice. It was very education-oriented, nice child-teacher ratio, clean, organized. And then she gave me the rates page (which I had an ill feeling about after the tour). They wanted $828 per month for a full time toddler. Plus a $100 application fee. Plus a $350 security deposit. (I have a real problem with paying more for child care than we do in rent. ) I was appalled. I was floored. I wonder if she knew my heart stopped for a minute. I wonder if she realized that as cute as my daughter is (since she told me several times), she’s too “poor” to play with all of the other rich kids. (She did say that we could make payments on our security deposit. Oooh, like that helps.) What I don’t understand is why does it have to be so much? Maybe I’m not in the right circles, but all of the people I know can’t afford $828+ for child care. Shoot, for that price, she might as well live there. Hell, we ALL better be living there. (For that price, we pay our rent and pay on my husband’s truck.) I’m not even sure all of our bills add up to that much. One of the main problems is, is that where are the places that charge only $100 or less a week? Why isn’t there subsidized child care for normal working parents? If I was making what I was making at my last job, I would only bring about $850 a month (and that was working in a school!) It almost makes it impossible for women to go back to work, unless you know someone. So, I suppose that I need to just go find a home-based job.

: affordable child care, stay-at-home moms, work from home

Mon 13 August 2007

So, I’m thinking about the Indiana State Fair. My husband and I took our 2-year-old daughter to the State Fair. First of all, my husband listened to me this year about parking at the Deaf School (which is free) instead of someone’s yard (which cost us $10). It was so hot, but then again, it’s August in Indiana. So, we walked in and the first place we went to was the Cattleman’s Club for a rib-eye sandwiches. It was good, but it didn’t seem as good as last year. My piece was a little gristly, but it was still good overall. Then we walked around and ended up on “Main Street” with all of the food vendors. (We actually should’ve started there.) We got some Dippin’ Dots, which is one of my favorite treats. This time I tried the banana split. And we finally tried one of the famous fried candy bars (which are now fried transfat-free!). We got the fried Snickers. For those who don’t know, it’s a Snickers bar that has a skewer in it and is frozen. Then it is dipped in funnel cake batter and fried and sprinkled with powdered sugar. It was so hot outside that it was melting really fast. We both decided that it was really good, but all you want is two or three bites, and that’s enough to last you until next year. Next, we found ourselves at the Midway. My daughter lost her mind over this ride in the shape of bumblebees. So, we got in it and went up, and she then she cried. After that, we decided that we’ve been there for nearly two hours, it was hot, and we were starting to get tired, and we were out of money. We didn’t even get around to see the animals. But I suppose that’s ok. She’s still young enough not to know we didn’t see them. Another year at the State Fair, and it was enjoyable. It means something to me to take part in this tradition. And so until next year, we will keep our memories of the food, and maybe save a couple hundred dollars to spend next year.

: Indiana State Fair, fried candy bars