I have never seen the movie, but a few things today made me laugh and cry at the insanity of modern times.
Wagons - First, from today's WSJ comes an article about "the manwagon". Quoth the story:
“Seeking to lure speed-crazy guys with kids, car makers are trying to transform the dowdy old family hauler into something new: the manwagon. In perhaps the most extreme sign of the industry's horsepower race, some of these wagons are quicker than a Porsche Boxster. They have monstrous engines, giant brakes, track-ready suspensions and race-car-style seats -- plus prices up to $30,000 higher than the base versions. But unlike a sports car, these wagons can fit strollers and coolers in the back.
This melding of speed and sippy cups may seem unlikely, but car makers say their consumer research has unearthed a surprising number of family men who thought wagons could be cool, if only they had more guts.”
It goes on to discuss vehicles like the Dodge Magnum wagon SRT8 with 425 horsepower, the Volvo V70 R (300hp), the Audi S4 Avant (340hp), the Saab 9-3 SportCombi (250hp), and the Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG (469hp). It then closed with a brief summary of the manly editions of the so-called crossover vehicles, for those still too allergic to being seen in a wagon (gasp). Unless I get a burning desire to buy a Civic Hybrid or a VW TDI series, for now I'll stick with my '98 Accord EX-V6 (200hp).
Netherlands - Here, not far from the beltway of east coast elitism, we're often being reminded how progressive Europeans are. “Why can't we be more like the country of …” Earlier this week came news that in the Netherlands they are seriously considering forced abortion and contraception on "Antillean teenage mothers; drug addicts and people with mental handicaps". I seem to recall the famous (and controversial) papal encyclical Humanae Vitae predicted this sort of thing. Ahh yes, here were Pope Paul VI's words:
“Finally, careful consideration should be given to the danger of this power passing into the hands of those public authorities who care little for the precepts of the moral law. Who will blame a government which in its attempt to resolve the problems affecting an entire country resorts to the same measures as are regarded as lawful by married people in the solution of a particular family difficulty? Who will prevent public authorities from favoring those contraceptive methods which they consider more effective? Should they regard this as necessary, they may even impose their use on everyone. It could well happen, therefore, that when people, either individually or in family or social life, experience the inherent difficulties of the divine law and are determined to avoid them, they may give into the hands of public authorities the power to intervene in the most personal and intimate responsibility of husband and wife.”
Women - While on the topic of how progressive Europe is perceived to be, this week's Newsweek has a cover story about how women's equality in Europe hasn't kept pace with that of the US.
“Here's a pop quiz on gender equality. In which part of the world are women most likely to reach the highest rungs of power? Choice A offers new moms 12 weeks of maternity leave, almost no subsidized child care, no paid paternity leave and has a notoriously hard-driving business culture. Choice B gives them five months to three years of paid time off from their jobs after having kids. Millions put their offspring into state-sponsored day-care centers for several hours a day. Government agencies, full of female directors and parliamentarians, protect workers at the expense of business and favor a kinder, gentler corporate culture. So which place is better for women who want to make it to the top? If you guessed A, the United States, you'd be right. If you chose B—Europe—think again.
It sounds impossible, but it's true. For all the myths of equality that Europe tells itself, the Continent is by and large a woeful place for a woman who aspires to lead. According to a paper published by the International Labor Organization this past June, women account for 45 percent of high-level decision makers in America, including legislators, senior officials and managers across all types of businesses. In the U.K., women hold 33 percent of those jobs. In Sweden—supposedly the very model of global gender equality—they hold 29 percent.”
A bit counterintuitive to everything you've been taught to believe, eh?
Home - Ahh well, not much news on the home front or job front. We're settling into new habits. I'm learning how to be out the door before 7am. Michelle has been making me brown bag lunches so that I can have a quick lunch at my desk and get home on time (and before rush hour). I'm listening to a lot of podcasts during my commutes to and from Marlboro, MA. Today I got a fast gigabyte SD card for holding those MP3 files and transferring them quickly from my iBook laptop to my Garmin Nuvi GPS. I tried installing the auxiliary input adaptor to my car radio last night but had difficulty getting at the back of the radio. On the plus side, I did fix a problem I had with the car's clock not having a working backlight for nighttime viewing.
Other than that, we are all getting very excited about seeing family in a few more days. I don't have any earned vacation (obviously) but will probably cash in my annual "floater" holiday during their visit. In the interim, it's anticipated that we'll have a few inches of snow this weekend. Mom and dad will arrive just in time to see us recovering from cabin fever. *grin*