Today is the last day of Women's History Month. I encourage you to take a moment and think about a woman who has blessed your life.
And also take a moment to think of a woman who has helped the world.
Tags: Women's History Month, feminism, woman helped world
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Monday, March 31, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Professional Blogging Round-Up: March 28, 2008
It's been quite a week. Without further ado:
Tags: professional blogging, Twitter, Feed the Pig, negative equity,
saving money
- Over at WorkShak I talk a little bit about Twitter. It's actually this fun little social networking site. Go ahead. Head on over and follow me on Twitter.
- Saving money is important. At Lending Leaves, I share a video from the Feed the Pig ad campaign.
- It's not just subprime borrowers having problems. Negative equity can strike anyone.
Tags: professional blogging, Twitter, Feed the Pig, negative equity,
saving money
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Women in Science (Part 2)
This is the second part of my women in science post. As we head into more modern times, there are more women:
Émilie du Châtelet deduced the conservation of energy.
Sibylla Merian acted as a ship's botanist as it sailed to the New World. Unfortunately Linneaus devised classification on sexual characteristics. That meant that women could no longer be exposed to botany, for fear nature would teach them the wrong morals.
Caroline Herschel provides an example of a woman scientist who was actually paid for her work. She discovered several comets and was the first woman to present a paper at the Royal Society.
Mary Fairfax Somerville experimented in magnetism while advocation for women to receive better education. She, along with Caroline Herschel, was one of the first women elected to the Royal Astronomical Society.
Elizabeth Blackwell was the first qualified woman doctor in the US. She helped found a Women's Medical College.
Marie Curie is well known as a Nobel Prize winner in physics and chemistry.
Lise Meitner wrote the equation that served as the first step on the path to split the nucleus of the atom.
Emmy Noether helped more precisely define conservation laws in physics. Of course, a man had to read her paper, because, as a woman, she was not allowed to present.
Inge Lehmann was the first to suggest a solid inner core (within the molten core).
Leona Woods Marshall, Katharine Way and Chien-Shiung Wu all contributed to the Manhattan Project.
Grace Hopper was among those working on the Mark I computer.
Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin gave the first demonstration that starts are mostly H and He. It became fundamental to astrophysics work.
Rosalind Franklin is famous mainly because she wasn't credited, even though she did the work that led Watson and Crick to "discover" the double helix.
Deborah S. Jin led the team that produced a new state of matter -- fermionic condensate
There are plenty more, but I really just don't have time to list them all. I do think that the book Athena Unbound is worth a read as it pertains to women in science.
Émilie du Châtelet deduced the conservation of energy.
Sibylla Merian acted as a ship's botanist as it sailed to the New World. Unfortunately Linneaus devised classification on sexual characteristics. That meant that women could no longer be exposed to botany, for fear nature would teach them the wrong morals.
Caroline Herschel provides an example of a woman scientist who was actually paid for her work. She discovered several comets and was the first woman to present a paper at the Royal Society.
Mary Fairfax Somerville experimented in magnetism while advocation for women to receive better education. She, along with Caroline Herschel, was one of the first women elected to the Royal Astronomical Society.
Elizabeth Blackwell was the first qualified woman doctor in the US. She helped found a Women's Medical College.
Marie Curie is well known as a Nobel Prize winner in physics and chemistry.
Lise Meitner wrote the equation that served as the first step on the path to split the nucleus of the atom.
Emmy Noether helped more precisely define conservation laws in physics. Of course, a man had to read her paper, because, as a woman, she was not allowed to present.
Inge Lehmann was the first to suggest a solid inner core (within the molten core).
Leona Woods Marshall, Katharine Way and Chien-Shiung Wu all contributed to the Manhattan Project.
Grace Hopper was among those working on the Mark I computer.
Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin gave the first demonstration that starts are mostly H and He. It became fundamental to astrophysics work.
Rosalind Franklin is famous mainly because she wasn't credited, even though she did the work that led Watson and Crick to "discover" the double helix.
Deborah S. Jin led the team that produced a new state of matter -- fermionic condensate
There are plenty more, but I really just don't have time to list them all. I do think that the book Athena Unbound is worth a read as it pertains to women in science.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Women in Science (Part. 1)
Even for sporadic, I've not posted what I wanted to for Women's History Month. Even in a month that holds a great deal of meaning for me, I've been held hostage by my very status as a modern, working woman. I am the primary breadwinner (although I work from home) while my husband gets his Ph.D., and I must work to keep food on the table.
But even though I work, I must still be the primary caregiver for my son, and do a few household chores (my husband does a lot too, though). Anyway, it means I'm very, very busy.
Today, though, I'd just like to do a quick survey of a few women in science, since that's a subject that is also close to my heart. (I started out as a physics major in college.) Of course, we don't learn about a lot of the women in science because they were often 1. not encouraged to participate, 2. not allowed to get an education, and therefore not taken seriously, 3. contributions were stolen by more prominent men, or 4. just ignored in general by history.
Merit Ptah: earliest record of woman in science, Egypt.
Female contributions were noted in Alexandria ("Mary the Jewess" prominent among them), where gnostics (before they were wiped out) valued women and their contributions.
Hypatia of Alexandria is probably the most famous of women scientists in the ancient world (she invented an astrolabe and a hydrometer).
Dorotea Bucca and Trotula di Ruggiero actually held chairs in universities in the Middle Ages. Something very rare, since women were often barred from university attendance, much less teaching.
Margaret Cavendish wrote quite a bit, engaged in scientific debate and did a number of other things. Unfortunately, as a woman, she was not allowed induction into the English Royal Society. Those nice men did condescend to let her attend a meeting. Once.
Maria Winkelmann contributed to her husband's work and made some of her own discoveries, including a comet. Unfortunately, she was denied a post at the Berlin Academy because she was a woman and "mouths would gape."
That's brought us up to the Enlightenment. Next post will have more women in science.
Tags: women in science, Women's History Month, Hypatia of Alexandria, Royal English Society,
Margaret Cavendish
But even though I work, I must still be the primary caregiver for my son, and do a few household chores (my husband does a lot too, though). Anyway, it means I'm very, very busy.
Today, though, I'd just like to do a quick survey of a few women in science, since that's a subject that is also close to my heart. (I started out as a physics major in college.) Of course, we don't learn about a lot of the women in science because they were often 1. not encouraged to participate, 2. not allowed to get an education, and therefore not taken seriously, 3. contributions were stolen by more prominent men, or 4. just ignored in general by history.
Merit Ptah: earliest record of woman in science, Egypt.
Female contributions were noted in Alexandria ("Mary the Jewess" prominent among them), where gnostics (before they were wiped out) valued women and their contributions.
Hypatia of Alexandria is probably the most famous of women scientists in the ancient world (she invented an astrolabe and a hydrometer).
Dorotea Bucca and Trotula di Ruggiero actually held chairs in universities in the Middle Ages. Something very rare, since women were often barred from university attendance, much less teaching.
Margaret Cavendish wrote quite a bit, engaged in scientific debate and did a number of other things. Unfortunately, as a woman, she was not allowed induction into the English Royal Society. Those nice men did condescend to let her attend a meeting. Once.
Maria Winkelmann contributed to her husband's work and made some of her own discoveries, including a comet. Unfortunately, she was denied a post at the Berlin Academy because she was a woman and "mouths would gape."
That's brought us up to the Enlightenment. Next post will have more women in science.
Tags: women in science, Women's History Month, Hypatia of Alexandria, Royal English Society,
Margaret Cavendish
Friday, March 21, 2008
Professional Blogging: March 21
Highlights from this week's professional blogging efforts.
Tags: interest rates stock market, professional blogging, Fannie Mae Freddie Mac, retirement accounts,
Barack Obama economic policies, real estate blog
- New blog! I'm very excited that Banks.com gave me another blog to write. One of the topics: What does the Fed rate cut have to do with the stock market?
- On Yielding Wealth I answer a question about retirement savings fears.
- I'm still on the fence about Barack Obama, but I'm starting to slide over. I take a brief look at Obama's economic policies at the Personal Finance Corner.
- The new, lax regulations at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac offer yet another example of how the status quo is going to keep our economy unstable.
Tags: interest rates stock market, professional blogging, Fannie Mae Freddie Mac, retirement accounts,
Barack Obama economic policies, real estate blog
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Gas Prices in Logan
As oil prices started falling a couple of days ago, I decided to wait on getting my gas. Today, as oil prices dipped back below the $100 per barrel mark, I could wait no longer. Imagine my surprise when it cost me $40 to fill my tank! My car is a modest, fairly efficient Saturn wagon.
Did Logan gas stations not get the memo that oil prices are falling? I'm glad I don't have a minivan or SUV, because from a personal economic standpoint it would be depressing to pay more per tank, and have to fill up more often. After driving my aunt's minivan for a week, I feel for those who have to try and keep up with keeping their vehicles properly fueled.
Tags: gas prices, oil prices, oil $100 barrel, gas prices Logan,
Logan gas stations
Did Logan gas stations not get the memo that oil prices are falling? I'm glad I don't have a minivan or SUV, because from a personal economic standpoint it would be depressing to pay more per tank, and have to fill up more often. After driving my aunt's minivan for a week, I feel for those who have to try and keep up with keeping their vehicles properly fueled.
Tags: gas prices, oil prices, oil $100 barrel, gas prices Logan,
Logan gas stations
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Gavin Registered for Kindergarten
I've been swamped. I still am. But I thought I'd take a minute to let everyone know that Gavin is all registered for Kindergarten. Anyone else doing Woodruff AM?
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Arizona Women's Festival This Weekend
It has been brought to my attention that there is an Arizona Women's Festival this weekend. It's part of a larger movement of Women's Festivals.
So far, just in Arizona and California. Maybe that will change...
So far, just in Arizona and California. Maybe that will change...
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Women's History Month: Women Monarchs
I've found it interesting that women monarchs have ushered in, or kept momentum going, at the golden ages of different empires. Cairo marked a rise to economic and political power during the era of the crusades with the "Sultan" of Egypt, Shagrat al-Durr. Empress Wu kept the Tang Dynasty's beginning of a golden age in China moving forward and solidified a foundation for continued Tang success. Maria Theresa styled herself as Holy Roman Empress and instituted a period of reform and economic expansion when she took the Austrian throne. And, perhaps most famously, the policies of Queen Elizabeth I brought a golden age to the British Empire.
Of course, women aren't necessarily better rulers than men. And from a moral standpoint nearly all monarchs in times past did ruthless and blood-thirsty things to maintain power (for some reason, though, we castigate women for it more). Mary, Queen of Scots is an example of how women can squander their power as effectively as men. But many among the few examples in history of women monarchs serve to point out that women aren't necessarily worse rulers than men just because they're women.
Tags: Women's History Month, Shagrat al-Durr, Empress Wu Tang Dynasty, Mormon feminism,
Elizabeth I British Empire, women monarchs
Of course, women aren't necessarily better rulers than men. And from a moral standpoint nearly all monarchs in times past did ruthless and blood-thirsty things to maintain power (for some reason, though, we castigate women for it more). Mary, Queen of Scots is an example of how women can squander their power as effectively as men. But many among the few examples in history of women monarchs serve to point out that women aren't necessarily worse rulers than men just because they're women.
Tags: Women's History Month, Shagrat al-Durr, Empress Wu Tang Dynasty, Mormon feminism,
Elizabeth I British Empire, women monarchs
Friday, March 7, 2008
Professional Blogging Roundup: March 7
Another week. Yay. All financial professional blogging posts today. Enjoy!
Tags: professional blogging, credit card interest, paying down credit cards, microfinance,
Homestar Runner, personal finance
- Why does paying down credit cards take so long? Well, as I explain on the Personal Finance Corner, it's because of the way credit card companies charge interest.
- One of the hottest trends in investment right now is microfinance. Whether you do it for folks in the US, or for the poverty stricken in the third world, Yielding Wealth looks at how you can make money by loaning it to others.
- It's Friday, and I like to have a little fun on Friday. Many of my blogs, including Lending Leaves, get a dose of a funny video. This week it's Senor Cardgage Mortgage from Homestar Runner.
Tags: professional blogging, credit card interest, paying down credit cards, microfinance,
Homestar Runner, personal finance
Thursday, March 6, 2008
March is Women's History Month!
As a feminist (did I just call myself that "F" word? Yes. Yes, I did.), I have to recognize Women's History Month. There are great things women have done throughout history. Much of the time (like Einstein's first wife or the woman -- yes woman -- who influenced the work that led to discovery of the double helix), their contributions have gone unnoticed or even stolen by men. I'll share some info on famous and/or contributing women throughout history sporadically over the month.
For today, I offer this. A blog post by a man in one of my blogging communities. Is this really what the feminist movement has wrought? Is this true liberation?
Enjoy Cosmopolitan Magazine is For Whores and Idiots. I sure did.
Tags: Women's History Month, woman double helix, feminist, Cosmo Whores and Idiots,
feminist movement
For today, I offer this. A blog post by a man in one of my blogging communities. Is this really what the feminist movement has wrought? Is this true liberation?
Enjoy Cosmopolitan Magazine is For Whores and Idiots. I sure did.
Tags: Women's History Month, woman double helix, feminist, Cosmo Whores and Idiots,
feminist movement
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
I've Been...Tagged. More Than You Wanted to Know About Me
The Alvords tagged me. Sort of. But beyond that, I've had a few people ask why I haven't done one of these. So here you are.
Where were you born? Iowa
Middle name: Jean
How old will you be this year? 29
Nicknames: Josh used to call me "Maganda" (It means "beautiful" in Tagalog)
Are you taller than your mother or father? yes for mom, no for dad
Do you cry often during movies? No
What is your biggest pet peeve? Smart people acting stupid.
Favorite color: Dark green (almost black)
Favorite foods: Italian, dark chocolate
Favorite restaurants: Logan: Le Nonne, I.F.: The Cellar, Syracuse NY: The Clam Bar, I also enjoy the Rodizio Grill when I'm in the mood to make a complete pig of myself.
Favorite beverage: water, milk, hot chocolate
Favorite cold cereal: Raisin Nut Bran
Favorite smells: the desert after rain, french vanilla candles, lilacs
Favorite time of day: mid-morning
What brand of shampoo/conditioner do you use? Shikai
Favorite make-up products? Whatever's on sale...don't wear it much
How many pillows do you sleep with? one
Do you play an instrument? Piano, clarinet, saxophone
Have you ever been skinny dipping? no
Did you do any sports in High School? swimming, tennis
What was the last movie you saw in the theater? Bee Movie with Gavin
What is your favorite article of clothing? this beautiful scarf I bought as a splurge
What is your dream vacation? tour Europe and/or Australia
What was your first impression of your spouse? When he said he was from New York, I knew I would live there some day (and I did).
If you were an animal what would you be? a dragon
What is your favorite "me- time" activity? reading, taking a walk
Favorite TV shows: The Office, Futurama, Scrubs
What is your dream car? Don't really care. Cars aren't overly important to me. I'd like decent public transportation here, though...
What is one of your weaknesses? A too-practical view of people.
What do you fix for dinner when there's nothing to fix? I eat meat, cheese and bread. Or get one of the frozen meals that we keep on hand for just such occasions.
If you could live in a different decade/era which one would it be? Gah! This one's fine. If the Middle Ages were really as cool as they are represented in fiction, maybe. But I am aware that they were dirty and disgusting.
Do you consider yourself outgoing? Only with people I know.
What is something you are constantly working on? Increased patience
Any hidden talents? Not really. Unless the ability to blind others with the whiteness of my legs counts.
What is a word or phrase you overuse? "Too bad for you"
What was the hardest thing that happened to you this past year? Seeing how much I owe in taxes.
What is the best thing that happened to you this past year? Feeling like I'm "arriving" as a blogging professional.
What is one thing you hope to accomplish this year? Learn to play the guitar
The best piece of advice you learned this past year? Relax about what you, personally, can't affect.
People I am going to tag: anyone who wants to share more about themselves
Where were you born? Iowa
Middle name: Jean
How old will you be this year? 29
Nicknames: Josh used to call me "Maganda" (It means "beautiful" in Tagalog)
Are you taller than your mother or father? yes for mom, no for dad
Do you cry often during movies? No
What is your biggest pet peeve? Smart people acting stupid.
Favorite color: Dark green (almost black)
Favorite foods: Italian, dark chocolate
Favorite restaurants: Logan: Le Nonne, I.F.: The Cellar, Syracuse NY: The Clam Bar, I also enjoy the Rodizio Grill when I'm in the mood to make a complete pig of myself.
Favorite beverage: water, milk, hot chocolate
Favorite cold cereal: Raisin Nut Bran
Favorite smells: the desert after rain, french vanilla candles, lilacs
Favorite time of day: mid-morning
What brand of shampoo/conditioner do you use? Shikai
Favorite make-up products? Whatever's on sale...don't wear it much
How many pillows do you sleep with? one
Do you play an instrument? Piano, clarinet, saxophone
Have you ever been skinny dipping? no
Did you do any sports in High School? swimming, tennis
What was the last movie you saw in the theater? Bee Movie with Gavin
What is your favorite article of clothing? this beautiful scarf I bought as a splurge
What is your dream vacation? tour Europe and/or Australia
What was your first impression of your spouse? When he said he was from New York, I knew I would live there some day (and I did).
If you were an animal what would you be? a dragon
What is your favorite "me- time" activity? reading, taking a walk
Favorite TV shows: The Office, Futurama, Scrubs
What is your dream car? Don't really care. Cars aren't overly important to me. I'd like decent public transportation here, though...
What is one of your weaknesses? A too-practical view of people.
What do you fix for dinner when there's nothing to fix? I eat meat, cheese and bread. Or get one of the frozen meals that we keep on hand for just such occasions.
If you could live in a different decade/era which one would it be? Gah! This one's fine. If the Middle Ages were really as cool as they are represented in fiction, maybe. But I am aware that they were dirty and disgusting.
Do you consider yourself outgoing? Only with people I know.
What is something you are constantly working on? Increased patience
Any hidden talents? Not really. Unless the ability to blind others with the whiteness of my legs counts.
What is a word or phrase you overuse? "Too bad for you"
What was the hardest thing that happened to you this past year? Seeing how much I owe in taxes.
What is the best thing that happened to you this past year? Feeling like I'm "arriving" as a blogging professional.
What is one thing you hope to accomplish this year? Learn to play the guitar
The best piece of advice you learned this past year? Relax about what you, personally, can't affect.
People I am going to tag: anyone who wants to share more about themselves
Monday, March 3, 2008
Taxes!
Not too long ago, I took my info to the accountant to have him figure my taxes. The joy. Since I own my own business (I set up as an LLC last year), I, of course, get to pay taxes. I owe more than I thought I would.
In the end, it doesn't really bother me to pay taxes. After all, one expects certain things like road maintenance, and garbage collection and public schools and what-not. And it has to be paid for somehow.
What does bother me is some of the useless stuff that taxes go toward. Pork barrel projects, corporate welfare (which takes more tax dollars than welfare for people) and funding other countries' military endeavors (what I'm talking about goes beyond Iraq).
I think I feel happier about paying my taxes if more of the money went to things like improving education and universal health care.
What would you like to see your tax dollars spent on?
Tags: taxes, tax dollars, universal health care, corporate welfare,
pork barrel projects, LLC
In the end, it doesn't really bother me to pay taxes. After all, one expects certain things like road maintenance, and garbage collection and public schools and what-not. And it has to be paid for somehow.
What does bother me is some of the useless stuff that taxes go toward. Pork barrel projects, corporate welfare (which takes more tax dollars than welfare for people) and funding other countries' military endeavors (what I'm talking about goes beyond Iraq).
I think I feel happier about paying my taxes if more of the money went to things like improving education and universal health care.
What would you like to see your tax dollars spent on?
Tags: taxes, tax dollars, universal health care, corporate welfare,
pork barrel projects, LLC
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