Dear Neighbors,
I feel like we had this conversation last year. I've tried to hold on and not complain, but I just can't take it anymore.
Your flowering tree is full of beautiful flowers. That means it's OK to take down the Christmas garland still wound around the pillars on your front porch.
Really.
It's OK.
Don't make me come over and do it myself.
Thanks so much!
Your pal,
Jill
Showing posts with label Massachusetts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Massachusetts. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
Postcard from the Ether Dome
The "Mass" in "Mass. General Hospital" stands for "Massachusetts," though it could stand for "Massively confusing," since it's one of those really old hospitals that has a bunch of additions, with none of them really labelled well, making it really hard to find anything and necessitating a well-staffed information desk.
Recently, the Boy took the day off for a doctor's appointment, so we decided to head to the Ether Dome, where anesthesia was first successfully used in an operation. The dome is the operating theater where it happened, and the hospital now has it set up as a museum that you can visit. During business hours. When there aren't any meetings in there. Not that they'd tell you the schedule or anything.
This is, of course, what happened when we visited. Once we actually found the right entrance that would eventually lead us to the right building and got to the Ether Dome, there was a meeting going on (that I sort of walked into, since the door was open, and it certainly felt a little bit "tour guidey" to me). Dome off-limits to the general public.
One would think the visit was a failure, but not really. We did get to poke through the random tiny museum behind the operating room that you entered through a Jill-sized door, which meant the Boy had to pretty much double in half to get through it. This, of course, is a phenomenon I haven't experienced since we went to Japan, so I was pleased.
The museum contained random examining chairs and tables, none of which were labelled, so you didn't know what the heck you were even looking at--it kind of felt like they cleaned out old Dr. Morton's office in the 1980s and decided just to shove the contents back there. It also contained the wedding clothes of J. Masson Warren, who got married on April 30, 1839. Warren, I learned as I was writing this, since the few faded information panels along one wall were too boring to read and I don't have extensive knowledge of medical history, performed the first nose job and also developed surgeries for closing cleft palates. How his wedding clothes ended up framed and tucked behind an old operating theater in a hospital is a mystery.
Even though the museum took all of five minutes to look at, I was strangely transfixed. "This is a bizarre little museum," I said to the Boy.
"I know. And it's probably full of germs! Germs from a thousand years ago that they don't know how to cure anymore!"
I opened up a drawer on an examining table. The Boy got disgusted. "Don't touch anything! You're like a little kid!"
For the record, the drawer contained a used rubber glove.
To make it feel like we totally didn't waste the afternoon, we looked at all the (unlabeled) pictures lining the stairwells and flipped through the guest books. Although we'll have to go back to see the main attraction, the whole experience felt like this entry:
Recently, the Boy took the day off for a doctor's appointment, so we decided to head to the Ether Dome, where anesthesia was first successfully used in an operation. The dome is the operating theater where it happened, and the hospital now has it set up as a museum that you can visit. During business hours. When there aren't any meetings in there. Not that they'd tell you the schedule or anything.
This is, of course, what happened when we visited. Once we actually found the right entrance that would eventually lead us to the right building and got to the Ether Dome, there was a meeting going on (that I sort of walked into, since the door was open, and it certainly felt a little bit "tour guidey" to me). Dome off-limits to the general public.
One would think the visit was a failure, but not really. We did get to poke through the random tiny museum behind the operating room that you entered through a Jill-sized door, which meant the Boy had to pretty much double in half to get through it. This, of course, is a phenomenon I haven't experienced since we went to Japan, so I was pleased.
The museum contained random examining chairs and tables, none of which were labelled, so you didn't know what the heck you were even looking at--it kind of felt like they cleaned out old Dr. Morton's office in the 1980s and decided just to shove the contents back there. It also contained the wedding clothes of J. Masson Warren, who got married on April 30, 1839. Warren, I learned as I was writing this, since the few faded information panels along one wall were too boring to read and I don't have extensive knowledge of medical history, performed the first nose job and also developed surgeries for closing cleft palates. How his wedding clothes ended up framed and tucked behind an old operating theater in a hospital is a mystery.
Even though the museum took all of five minutes to look at, I was strangely transfixed. "This is a bizarre little museum," I said to the Boy.
"I know. And it's probably full of germs! Germs from a thousand years ago that they don't know how to cure anymore!"
I opened up a drawer on an examining table. The Boy got disgusted. "Don't touch anything! You're like a little kid!"
For the record, the drawer contained a used rubber glove.
To make it feel like we totally didn't waste the afternoon, we looked at all the (unlabeled) pictures lining the stairwells and flipped through the guest books. Although we'll have to go back to see the main attraction, the whole experience felt like this entry:
3 cheers for the either [sic] !!! :-) :-) :-)
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Expiration Date?
Dear Gas Station in Central Massachusetts,
I stopped in this weekend to grab a Coke and a Sprite, and I noticed that prominently displayed on your main counter was a box of Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs.
Um, it's August. Are these eggs really old or really new?
Because even though I love a good peanut butter egg, the idea of one in August is frankly a little disturbing.
Your pal,
Jill
I stopped in this weekend to grab a Coke and a Sprite, and I noticed that prominently displayed on your main counter was a box of Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs.
Um, it's August. Are these eggs really old or really new?
Because even though I love a good peanut butter egg, the idea of one in August is frankly a little disturbing.
Your pal,
Jill
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
How Much Do You Recycle?
Dear City of Cambridge, MA,
Today I got an e-mail newsletter from a green-products shop in Cambridge, promoting Cambridge's efforts to become a 50% recycling city. It noted that currently, the good folks of Cambridge recycle about 35% of their garbage, but they could do better.
I'd agree with that statement -- the Boy and I were just talking the other day about how easy it is to recycle around here (we're not Cantabrigians, but we're big on recycling), and we wondered why people don't recycle everything they possibly can. It's easy, it saves on trash disposal, and we don't have to spend as much money on trash bags. Win-win!
However, as much as I admire your campaign, I don't think it'll be effective for two reasons:
1. Self-enforced pledges don't always mean that much. I don't know if they had this in your high school, but mine participated in Red Ribbon Day, a day where pretty much everyone had (or maybe was strongly encouraged) to sign a piece of paper saying they'd never abuse drugs or alcohol (including caffeine). Needless to say, I'm not sure how many of us actually stayed true to this pledge. I know I didn't, but then I pledged before I knew what a finely-crafted cocktail tasted like.
Anyway, my point is that if I (a) lived in Cambridge, and (b) took the pledge, would you recognize me without checking up and seeing if I'm being true to my word?
2. It needs a cute character. I would've included "catchy tagline," but you do have "Recycle More. Trash Less." Which works. Kind of. It's not quite as catchy as "Get hip to the hep," a hepatitis-C awareness campaign from the late 90's that I still remember.
Nor is it as catchy (to me) as "L.E. Jack is back!" a Chicago Transit Authority campaign also from the late 90's that promoted the reopening of the Green Line. But then, it also incorporates a cute character, one L.E. Jack. The name stood for "Lake-Englewood-Jackson Park," the 3 main junctions of the Green Line, and the character was from a route realignment that took place in the early 90's. I liked Jack--he was cool. I think he helped the cause.
Seriously though, a mascot makes all the difference--it's something people can connect with. Just look at all of the Japanese corporate mascots. People love Domokun--and buy all sorts of Domo stuff--and this guy's the face of a satellite broadcasting company. You guys can't come up with Binny the recycling bin, or something?
These points aside, I do hope your campaign goes well, and I look forward to reading about its success (and hopefully not about any sort of disappointment). I'll even try to do better with my recycling to help out my community as well.
Your pal,
Jill
Today I got an e-mail newsletter from a green-products shop in Cambridge, promoting Cambridge's efforts to become a 50% recycling city. It noted that currently, the good folks of Cambridge recycle about 35% of their garbage, but they could do better.
I'd agree with that statement -- the Boy and I were just talking the other day about how easy it is to recycle around here (we're not Cantabrigians, but we're big on recycling), and we wondered why people don't recycle everything they possibly can. It's easy, it saves on trash disposal, and we don't have to spend as much money on trash bags. Win-win!
However, as much as I admire your campaign, I don't think it'll be effective for two reasons:
1. Self-enforced pledges don't always mean that much. I don't know if they had this in your high school, but mine participated in Red Ribbon Day, a day where pretty much everyone had (or maybe was strongly encouraged) to sign a piece of paper saying they'd never abuse drugs or alcohol (including caffeine). Needless to say, I'm not sure how many of us actually stayed true to this pledge. I know I didn't, but then I pledged before I knew what a finely-crafted cocktail tasted like.
Anyway, my point is that if I (a) lived in Cambridge, and (b) took the pledge, would you recognize me without checking up and seeing if I'm being true to my word?
2. It needs a cute character. I would've included "catchy tagline," but you do have "Recycle More. Trash Less." Which works. Kind of. It's not quite as catchy as "Get hip to the hep," a hepatitis-C awareness campaign from the late 90's that I still remember.
Nor is it as catchy (to me) as "L.E. Jack is back!" a Chicago Transit Authority campaign also from the late 90's that promoted the reopening of the Green Line. But then, it also incorporates a cute character, one L.E. Jack. The name stood for "Lake-Englewood-Jackson Park," the 3 main junctions of the Green Line, and the character was from a route realignment that took place in the early 90's. I liked Jack--he was cool. I think he helped the cause.
Seriously though, a mascot makes all the difference--it's something people can connect with. Just look at all of the Japanese corporate mascots. People love Domokun--and buy all sorts of Domo stuff--and this guy's the face of a satellite broadcasting company. You guys can't come up with Binny the recycling bin, or something?
These points aside, I do hope your campaign goes well, and I look forward to reading about its success (and hopefully not about any sort of disappointment). I'll even try to do better with my recycling to help out my community as well.
Your pal,
Jill
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Coming Out Ahead?
To the man who's digging through the recycling bins, looking for deposit bottles:
I kind of admire your chutzpah. It's recycling day, and you're driving up and down streets, collecting the deposit bottles that people have opted to recycle rather than haul back to the grocery. It's kind of like found money.
But when I think about the time it takes to go through said bins and haul the recyclables to a redemption center, I start thinking that you're doing this out of necessity, and that makes me sad. Hopefully I'm wrong, and this is just one of your many hobbies.
However, your actions disturbed me on a different level today. While you're going through the bins, you're letting your car idle. Um, gas is close to $4/gallon now. Are you really making enough money off your deposit bottles to offset the amount of money you save on gas?
I really hate to see you working so hard for a few nickels, only to put that money right back into your gas tank. Maybe if you just park your car and walk up and down the block with a big trash bag for your collecting, you won't have to spend this extra cash so quickly.
Just a thought.
Your pal,
Jill
I kind of admire your chutzpah. It's recycling day, and you're driving up and down streets, collecting the deposit bottles that people have opted to recycle rather than haul back to the grocery. It's kind of like found money.
But when I think about the time it takes to go through said bins and haul the recyclables to a redemption center, I start thinking that you're doing this out of necessity, and that makes me sad. Hopefully I'm wrong, and this is just one of your many hobbies.
However, your actions disturbed me on a different level today. While you're going through the bins, you're letting your car idle. Um, gas is close to $4/gallon now. Are you really making enough money off your deposit bottles to offset the amount of money you save on gas?
I really hate to see you working so hard for a few nickels, only to put that money right back into your gas tank. Maybe if you just park your car and walk up and down the block with a big trash bag for your collecting, you won't have to spend this extra cash so quickly.
Just a thought.
Your pal,
Jill
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Snowy Wisdom
Dear Readers,
On this week's edition of "If It's Tuesday/Wednesday, It Must Be Snowing".....
We've had a serious amount of snow, and honestly, every week we have a big storm that involves spending major amounts of time shoveling and figuring out where to put the snow. By now I feel like I'm supposed to have acquired some sort of sage wisdom that I can impart on all of you--wisdom so wonderful that even people in warm climates would wish they had snow storms and could gain this knowledge.
Sadly, I haven't.
But after another typical two-hour stint of shoveling during a storm, where once I've finished doing a pass, it doesn't look like I've even shoveled at all because the snow is coming down so hard, I do have one thought:
If I'm shoveling for two hours, I can eat and drink whatever I want.
That counts for something, right?
Off to eat a bit of whoopie pie. Stay warm!
Your pal,
Jill
On this week's edition of "If It's Tuesday/Wednesday, It Must Be Snowing".....
We've had a serious amount of snow, and honestly, every week we have a big storm that involves spending major amounts of time shoveling and figuring out where to put the snow. By now I feel like I'm supposed to have acquired some sort of sage wisdom that I can impart on all of you--wisdom so wonderful that even people in warm climates would wish they had snow storms and could gain this knowledge.
Sadly, I haven't.
But after another typical two-hour stint of shoveling during a storm, where once I've finished doing a pass, it doesn't look like I've even shoveled at all because the snow is coming down so hard, I do have one thought:
If I'm shoveling for two hours, I can eat and drink whatever I want.
That counts for something, right?
Off to eat a bit of whoopie pie. Stay warm!
Your pal,
Jill
Friday, January 21, 2011
Checking Out to Checking In?
Dear Readers,
It's been a while -- whew! And you might be wondering why it seems like I've checked out, but I can answer that in one word: Shoveling.
Last week we had an official blizzard, which dumped a good foot of snow on our lawn. It snowed again throughout the weekend, and then two days ago things were a little melty. In a sense, that was kind of nice because there is literally nowhere to put anymore snow. On the flip side, when it got colder yesterday, it started to freeze up (and where the water pools at the bottom of the driveway, it's not pleasant -- I shoveled water just to try to get it out of there). Today we're getting more snow.
All of this means that the Boy and I have become fanatical about the condition of the driveway and sidewalks. This is an undertaking -- even though we don't have much in the way of sidewalks, our driveway is probably nearly 70 feet long (I just learned the dimensions of our building--I'm blown away by how long it is). The other day it took me 1 1/2 hours to get through it all. Luckily we've got a downstairs neighbor, so we don't have to do it all. However, when everyone else is at work, I'm the one who's responsible for making sure the driveway's clear enough for the cars.
Shovel, salt, sweep, shovel some more. Try to clear out a path to the garbage cans and recycling bins. Shovel again. Go buy some more salt. Needless to say, our sidewalks and driveway are among the best on the block.
While my brain is pleased about this, my back is starting to get tired of the constant shoveling. I'm nervous about what this new snow will be like. Will it be nice and powdery (and light)? Or wet and heavy (and hard on the body)? And can I get to the spa for a nice soak anytime soon?
Only time will tell. Anyway, I just wanted to check in. I'm hoping that at some point I stop having snow on the brain!
Hope you're doing well--how's winter in your part of the world?
Your pal,
Jill
It's been a while -- whew! And you might be wondering why it seems like I've checked out, but I can answer that in one word: Shoveling.
Last week we had an official blizzard, which dumped a good foot of snow on our lawn. It snowed again throughout the weekend, and then two days ago things were a little melty. In a sense, that was kind of nice because there is literally nowhere to put anymore snow. On the flip side, when it got colder yesterday, it started to freeze up (and where the water pools at the bottom of the driveway, it's not pleasant -- I shoveled water just to try to get it out of there). Today we're getting more snow.
All of this means that the Boy and I have become fanatical about the condition of the driveway and sidewalks. This is an undertaking -- even though we don't have much in the way of sidewalks, our driveway is probably nearly 70 feet long (I just learned the dimensions of our building--I'm blown away by how long it is). The other day it took me 1 1/2 hours to get through it all. Luckily we've got a downstairs neighbor, so we don't have to do it all. However, when everyone else is at work, I'm the one who's responsible for making sure the driveway's clear enough for the cars.
Shovel, salt, sweep, shovel some more. Try to clear out a path to the garbage cans and recycling bins. Shovel again. Go buy some more salt. Needless to say, our sidewalks and driveway are among the best on the block.
While my brain is pleased about this, my back is starting to get tired of the constant shoveling. I'm nervous about what this new snow will be like. Will it be nice and powdery (and light)? Or wet and heavy (and hard on the body)? And can I get to the spa for a nice soak anytime soon?
Only time will tell. Anyway, I just wanted to check in. I'm hoping that at some point I stop having snow on the brain!
Hope you're doing well--how's winter in your part of the world?
Your pal,
Jill
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
The Good Samaritans
Dear Torres and the Two Ladies Who Also Stopped to Help,
I'm sorry I scared you this morning, but thanks for calling the ambulance. See, I've been walking the Boy to the train because I'm trying to exercise a little bit more.
We usually cross Belmont street at a stop light, but when we're hurrying to catch the train, we'll cross at a corner when there's no traffic coming. That happened today, but right before I stepped into the street, I tripped and rolled my ankle something fierce. Unlike every other time I've rolled my ankle, I wasn't going to walk this one off.
The Boy asked me if I wanted to go to the doctor, and the pain was bad enough that I did. I also didn't think I was going to be able to walk the few blocks back home to the car. So he ran off to get the car, and that's where you all came in.
I can't remember now if I was clinging to the signpost, or if Torres, you helped me there, but I do remember you helping me lie down....and I vaguely remember passing out from the pain. I assume that's when you all called the ambulance.
I realize I must've looked like a mess--a random girl in big, puffy coat, passed out in the snow, with quite possibly nobody there to help her out. I really appreciate you stopping to help out (and for canceling the ambulance when the Boy showed up to cart me to the doctor). Hopefully we remembered to thank you in person--he was a bit freaked to see me on the ground. Please know though, that we do appreciate your help. If nothing else, I hope you got a decent story out of this morning's adventure!
Everything looks good--I have a sprain, but it's nothing horrible. I'll be fine in a few days. The pain just got the best of me for a few minutes. Thanks for being there for me when it did.
Your pal,
Jill
I'm sorry I scared you this morning, but thanks for calling the ambulance. See, I've been walking the Boy to the train because I'm trying to exercise a little bit more.
We usually cross Belmont street at a stop light, but when we're hurrying to catch the train, we'll cross at a corner when there's no traffic coming. That happened today, but right before I stepped into the street, I tripped and rolled my ankle something fierce. Unlike every other time I've rolled my ankle, I wasn't going to walk this one off.
The Boy asked me if I wanted to go to the doctor, and the pain was bad enough that I did. I also didn't think I was going to be able to walk the few blocks back home to the car. So he ran off to get the car, and that's where you all came in.
I can't remember now if I was clinging to the signpost, or if Torres, you helped me there, but I do remember you helping me lie down....and I vaguely remember passing out from the pain. I assume that's when you all called the ambulance.
I realize I must've looked like a mess--a random girl in big, puffy coat, passed out in the snow, with quite possibly nobody there to help her out. I really appreciate you stopping to help out (and for canceling the ambulance when the Boy showed up to cart me to the doctor). Hopefully we remembered to thank you in person--he was a bit freaked to see me on the ground. Please know though, that we do appreciate your help. If nothing else, I hope you got a decent story out of this morning's adventure!
Everything looks good--I have a sprain, but it's nothing horrible. I'll be fine in a few days. The pain just got the best of me for a few minutes. Thanks for being there for me when it did.
Your pal,
Jill
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
A Sure Repeal?
Dear Massachusetts Liquor Store Owners,
Congratulations! The ballot question to repeal the state alcohol tax passed! Now comes the interesting part--the part where we voters have to be diligent about making sure this measure benefits us too.
The repeal goes into effect on January 1, 2011. What I hope to see--and I think all of us who voted for the repeal want to see--is that the final receipt is lower than what I've been paying. I don't want to walk into a liquor store in January and suddenly see that all of the alcohol is priced a little higher than what it's priced at now. Then it doesn't matter if the tax is gone--I'm still paying the same amount.
I'm actually worried that you'll pull the whole bait and switch move, so I'll be watching the prices and seeing if the repeal actually makes the difference I voted for. Look, you know I was on your side. Now let's hope that you're on mine. If not, fine. I'll keep taking my money to New Hampshire.
Your pal,
Jill
Congratulations! The ballot question to repeal the state alcohol tax passed! Now comes the interesting part--the part where we voters have to be diligent about making sure this measure benefits us too.
The repeal goes into effect on January 1, 2011. What I hope to see--and I think all of us who voted for the repeal want to see--is that the final receipt is lower than what I've been paying. I don't want to walk into a liquor store in January and suddenly see that all of the alcohol is priced a little higher than what it's priced at now. Then it doesn't matter if the tax is gone--I'm still paying the same amount.
I'm actually worried that you'll pull the whole bait and switch move, so I'll be watching the prices and seeing if the repeal actually makes the difference I voted for. Look, you know I was on your side. Now let's hope that you're on mine. If not, fine. I'll keep taking my money to New Hampshire.
Your pal,
Jill
Monday, November 1, 2010
The Not-In-The-Tourist-Guide Adventure
Dear Readers,
If the Boy and I have nothing planned for the weekend, we like to have an "Adventure." We have a lot of places we want to explore in our new home region, so if we schedule an Adventure, we're more likely to do them.
We've had some good ones so far:
If the Boy and I have nothing planned for the weekend, we like to have an "Adventure." We have a lot of places we want to explore in our new home region, so if we schedule an Adventure, we're more likely to do them.
We've had some good ones so far:
- Freedom Trail
- National Heritage Museum for the Jim Henson exhibit (which is in Chicago now. GO! GO! GO! It's really cool (and made me a little verklempt---I still kind of get worked up over the fact that Henson died way too early))
- New Hampshire for biathlon and America's Stonehenge
- Newport for the fancy mansions
- Providence for Italian and pumpkins in the zoo
- and others!
This Saturday, we were talking about what adventure to have this weekend, when I noticed a scab just below my left knee. I took a closer look--well, I went to pick at it, because that's what I do, and as the Boy was yelling at me not to pick it, I realized it was moving.
I had a tick. A TICK!
Being a mostly city person, I've never had a tick before. We don't live too far from nature now, though, so I've been trying to acclimate myself to becoming a little more outdoorsy, which means more walking among the trees.
On Friday, I had to drive the Boy to work, and on my way home, I stopped at a conservation area to take a little walk. It was nice (we've had gorgeous sunny weather lately--a little cold, but the sun is so nice I don't mind), but uneventful. I wandered through trees and a field. Didn't run into anybody--except a 4 1/2 month old puppy who bounded up to me to say hello.
And 24 hours later, I spotted the tick, happily feasting on my blood.
I'm not going to deny that there was a little freak out on my part. I've never had a tick, and the news around here is that deer ticks with Lyme disease are becoming more prevalent in these parts. Nothing like the thought of a little Lyme to make the morning exciting!
The Boy got the tick out, and we quickly sent it to a boozy death by drowning it in alcohol. The bite immediately looked like a bulls' eye, so we called the walk-in clinic at the local hospital to see what to do.
Of course, this meant that we spent a chunk of the afternoon at the walk-in clinic.
I've had a couple of big fears since moving to Boston:
- Which one of us will get the first dings on the car/get into a fender bender
- Which one of us will have to go to the ER first?
Number two's basically been answered: Me. Sure, the walk-in clinic isn't the ER, but it's close enough. It wasn't an awful experience--just a wait, a look at the bite, and a prescription doled out. The doctor didn't think it was anything to worry about, but he wanted to give me a two-pill dose just to make sure it didn't develop into Lyme (because that would be bad. Just ask novelist Amy Tan).
So far, so good. I don't really think anything else will happen with this incident, but it does make me think twice about randomly walking in the woods without making sure a tick doesn't have an easy way to burrow in.
Hope your weekends were better!
Your pal,
Jill
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Shooting for Patience
Dear Readers,
Today was supposed to be some other sort of entry about my and the Boy's gun license applications. We're trying to get gun licenses because we'd like to get our own rifles and handguns for a variety of reasons. Partly, it's so we can get our own biathlon rifles, but there are other shooting sports we'd like to try and other lawful purposes for owning a gun.
The gun licensing process in Massachusetts is fairly involved, and the requirements vary from town to town. One of the requirements in my town is an interview with the police department, and the Boy and I went in for ours today.
It turned out to be a meeting to fill out the online gun application, turn in some paperwork that proves who we are and who vouches for us as responsible people, and get fingerprinted. Now the department will do a thorough background check on us, and then we'll schedule another interview to talk more about our potential licensing.
This means we'll have to wait at least three weeks for this next step. Although it could be a little frustrating--after all, we started this process in the beginning of September--it's kind of a nice exercise in patience. We had anticipated that it would take a while to receive our licenses, but getting confirmation that it actually will take that amount of time (or longer) just gives us the knowledge that we have to dig into our personal stores of patience and wait.
Those that live in states where it's easier to get a license might think Massachusetts is a bit crazy with its laws. However, my state has its laws for a reason, and my police chief has a responsibility to make sure that these laws are carried out in the safest manner possible. If that means I have to wait a little bit longer, then all right. At least I know my application is being taken seriously and that all the steps are done to make sure that the town is being careful with its licensing process.
So we wait.
Your pal,
Jill
Today was supposed to be some other sort of entry about my and the Boy's gun license applications. We're trying to get gun licenses because we'd like to get our own rifles and handguns for a variety of reasons. Partly, it's so we can get our own biathlon rifles, but there are other shooting sports we'd like to try and other lawful purposes for owning a gun.
The gun licensing process in Massachusetts is fairly involved, and the requirements vary from town to town. One of the requirements in my town is an interview with the police department, and the Boy and I went in for ours today.
It turned out to be a meeting to fill out the online gun application, turn in some paperwork that proves who we are and who vouches for us as responsible people, and get fingerprinted. Now the department will do a thorough background check on us, and then we'll schedule another interview to talk more about our potential licensing.
This means we'll have to wait at least three weeks for this next step. Although it could be a little frustrating--after all, we started this process in the beginning of September--it's kind of a nice exercise in patience. We had anticipated that it would take a while to receive our licenses, but getting confirmation that it actually will take that amount of time (or longer) just gives us the knowledge that we have to dig into our personal stores of patience and wait.
Those that live in states where it's easier to get a license might think Massachusetts is a bit crazy with its laws. However, my state has its laws for a reason, and my police chief has a responsibility to make sure that these laws are carried out in the safest manner possible. If that means I have to wait a little bit longer, then all right. At least I know my application is being taken seriously and that all the steps are done to make sure that the town is being careful with its licensing process.
So we wait.
Your pal,
Jill
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Defining Necessity
Dear Vic DiGravio, Treasurer - Committee Against Repeal of the Alcohol Tax,
I got my Massachusetts Information for Voters pamphlet yesterday, and I saw your position on the statewide ballot question that will be on this November's election ballot here in Massachusetts: Should there be a law to remove the state sales tax on alcoholic beverages and alcohol, where the sale of such beverages and alcohol or their importation into the state is already subject to a separate excise tax under state law?
I have to say, even though I'm pretty much for eliminating the tax because I'd like my beer, wine, and liquor to be a little cheaper, I don't exactly buy the whole "double tax" argument presented by the Frank Anzalotti from the Committee To Repeal the Alcohol Sales Tax. See, I'm a recent transplant from Chicago, and even though the locals like to call this state "Taxachusetts," I laugh at them. Sales tax?! You don't know what sales tax is until it hits 10.25%! And then for booze, let's add more on for liquor taxes! 6.25%?! I laugh at how cheap that is!
However, Mr. DiGravio, your argument does less to convince me to vote no:
Now let's take a look at what you claim are necessities:
I got my Massachusetts Information for Voters pamphlet yesterday, and I saw your position on the statewide ballot question that will be on this November's election ballot here in Massachusetts: Should there be a law to remove the state sales tax on alcoholic beverages and alcohol, where the sale of such beverages and alcohol or their importation into the state is already subject to a separate excise tax under state law?
I have to say, even though I'm pretty much for eliminating the tax because I'd like my beer, wine, and liquor to be a little cheaper, I don't exactly buy the whole "double tax" argument presented by the Frank Anzalotti from the Committee To Repeal the Alcohol Sales Tax. See, I'm a recent transplant from Chicago, and even though the locals like to call this state "Taxachusetts," I laugh at them. Sales tax?! You don't know what sales tax is until it hits 10.25%! And then for booze, let's add more on for liquor taxes! 6.25%?! I laugh at how cheap that is!
However, Mr. DiGravio, your argument does less to convince me to vote no:
Alcohol is not a necessity and does not deserve a special tax exemption. The only goods in Massachusetts exempt from the sales tax are necessities like food, clothing, and prescriptions. If anything should be taxed, products like cigarettes and alcohol should be.Let's stop right there. Not a necessity? Have you seen the wine brand "Mommy's Time Out"? The people behind the wine didn't come up with that because moms never need to take the edge off every now and then. Those of us who aren't moms can vouch--life can be stressful, and a responsible drink every now and then is quite refreshing. Not all of us are boozehounds.....should we pay the price?
Now let's take a look at what you claim are necessities:
- food: Not necessary if you're anorexic! Or, if you think I'm being too harsh, let's look at the obesity rate. Maybe if we started taxing food, we wouldn't eat so much.
- clothing: Not necessary if you're a nudist!
- prescriptions: How many prescriptions are lifestyle drugs? Or drugs for conditions that could totally be prevented due to poor lifestyle? I've heard countless stories about people who've lost weight and are shocked and excited to discover that they no longer have to take their blood pressure medication. That prescription then is a lifestyle choice. You choose not to lose weight; you take a prescription. If alcohol is taxed because it's a lifestyle choice, shouldn't these prescriptions be taxed as well?
You claim that revenues from the alcohol tax provide funding for healthcare services for alcohol and drug abuse. And that Massachusetts has some of the highest rates of alcohol and drug abuse in the country. And that this tax helps save lives by reducing teen drinking. Isn't teen drinking a parenting problem? I'm also against drug use--why does my alcohol tax have to pay for drug abuse treatment and prevention? Start taxing prescriptions (since I'd bet that a fair amount of drug abuse is prescription abuse)!
Then you end with the old, Everyone else does the sales + excise tax, so we should too. Massachusetts should dare to be different! The American Revolution started here, for crying out loud! Let's revolutionize how tax money is collected and spent!
In addition, you say, we've got a big budget deficit, so if you take away this tax, we'll be in worse shape. No worse than hurting small business owners by taking my money to New Hampshire to buy liquor and wine (tax-free), I'm sure.
You lost me, Vic. Question is, did you lose other Massachusetts voters too?
Your pal,
Jill
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
