Comparison of Presidental Voting Results & Poverty

While reading the headlines on Yahoo.com this morning, I came across this article regarding the staggering increase in people living in poverty since the recession began in late 2008. Included in the article was this map:

And, as I looked at the map, it occured to me that the heavy areas of poverty were pretty much along the "Red State/Blue Lines" of recent presidential elections. But I wasn't sure, so I searched the web for a map of the last presidential election, and found this one on NPR.org:

Okay, so, looking back and forth at the two, there did seem to be some kind of correlation... so I overlaid the poverty map onto the elections map and got this:

What does this tell me and/or anyone? You notice where the really dark sections denoting poverty are? With the exception of the poverty noted in New Mexico, the darkest sections are in solidly "Red" states. One stand out, to me, anyway, was the more than 25% poverty rate among children age 5 and younger in the state of Texas. Also notable, to me, again, anyway, is John McCain's home state of Arizona, which has put the whole "illegal immigration" thing as their #1 priority... um... maybe it ought to be the poverty rate of kids 5 and younger that is nearing 25%, as well? I know, I know. Some people would argue that it is illegal immigration and those darned immigrants that are causing the poverty rate. Uh huh. I have a bridge to sell you. It's located in Brooklyn. Look for my ad on Craigslist.

Maybe it means nothing, but I get the sneaking suspicion that conservative politics lead to conservative social programs that don't really help anyone. Not like that's some big revelation or anything, though.

The Thesis is DONE

Amid all the crap I am dealing with, I finished the thesis.

I should be proud of myself, I guess.

Some Good, Some Bad...

The Good:

I took a copy of the CD to a radio station in Sandpoint, and they said that they would probably have the band in and start playing it the Sunday prior to the CD release party. I hope that I hear from them before that.

This was my Dad's idea. He's been listening to KPND while at work, and noticed that they have a local music radio show on Sundays. He suggested that I send it to them and see what happens. At first, I was like, yeah, but AFTER I get the professional CDs from the replicator. And that's when Dad said that he thought I should give it to them earlier so that they might be able to help me promote the CD release party. I thought THAT was an awesome idea, so, when I went shopping up at Sandpoint yesterday (on no sleep), I stopped by there and met with the station manager. Nice lady. Named Diane. Conversation didn't last too long, but I didn't expect that. I included a press kit booklet that I had printed that morning and an invitation to the CD release party with all the pertinent info included along with the CD. I also affixed a business card to the booklet, just in case.

The Bad:

The checker at Wal-Mart was a BITCH. She was snarky and rude and I gave her a bad review on Wal-Mart.com this morning.

I looked into the total costs to apply to law school. It's over $300. The application fee is $50. Some kind of required "verification service" is $121. The LSAT is $132 (but that's not until June, anyway). And then there's transcripts from the 6 colleges I've attended, totalling just over $40. Total? $343.82.

Anyway, so there's what's going on. I have to go work on my thesis now. I have about three weeks to get done, and then I can relax. I should mention that I actually got up about an hour ago; I'm not just still awake. LOL. Hopefully, I can stay on a day schedule now.

Grrr...

I went to do the t-shirt silk screening tonight. The tutorial on the Internet looked really easy and like it would work well.

Let me just say this:

It. Did. Not. Work.

I am so glad that I used old t-shirts to test on before I got into doing the ones I bought. Now, I am PISSED I spent money on the ink and screen and glue and embroidery hoop and everything the tutorial said to get. The first shirt had splotches all over where the glue developed little holes while drying, and there was ink running off the letters, but I figured that might just be due to the fact that the brush I used was damp when I started.

So, I wiped off the screen, fixed the holes in the glue, dried out the brushes, and then went away for a while (colored my hair, took a shower, watched some TV) while the new glue dried. Looked for holes in the glue when I came back (the glue is supposed to keep the parts you don't want colored from getting colored). No holes. Used a dry brush on another shirt from the rag bag. The ink would BARELY go through the screen. Ended up only partially colored (though the lines were better without the water).

But I am not going to attempt this at all on the shirts I bought. I would probably only end up with a few decent ones. I am going to have to call a silk screening place to find out what they would charge to just do the silk screening. I even already have the ink and the shirts. Just slap on the freaking design. Grr. It better not be much.

I'm Tired, But I Did It...

I am finished with my 504 class, so I can focus on other things. I am really tired right now and feel a headache coming on. I'm still going to take a shower after writing this, though. I've earned it.

I also finished the scope and methodology section of my thesis today, got David to send all my graphics for the CD in to the replicator's FTP site, and worked on the song for a friend's movie. Everybody who's heard it so far seems to like it. I'll probably record a demo over the weekend.

I am hoping and praying that the CDs get here in time for the CD release party. Disc Makers has me worried what with getting different turnaround times everytime I talk to them. As it sits, I think that I am going to end up paying for overnight shipping on part of the CD order to make sure I have some CDs in time for the show. Here's hoping.

Show Went Well...

There were a lot of people there (about 100), and the crowd was receptive. We didn't play our most awesome show ever, but it wasn't our worst, either. Also, not using my own PA SUCKS ASS.

Made some contacts about playing weddings and more shows, and "You Suck More Than I Do" went over REALLY well. I knew it would. It's funny.

Mister Fish... RIP

I just found my betta, Mister Fish, dead in his bowl.

Miscellaneous Stuff

So, Monday and Tuesday, I'll be working on my Literature Review for my thesis, Wednesday I'll be playing at a show in Spokane, Thursday and Friday of next week I'll working on my Lit Review again, as it is due next Saturday. In the meantime, somewhere in there, I have to keep up with this other class. I do know that it is over on March 4th, so that'll be a relief.

I have everything I need to send the CD off to the replicator, so I guess it is going out in the mail on Monday. Thirty working days later, I should have the CD. I guess we're looking at early-to-mid April for the CD release party, now.