Archive for September, 2009
The other day the topic came up in english, using male form of words to generically refer to all people. Using the word “guys” for a group of people, or “mankind” to refer to all humans.
A friend referred me to this article that used was written using “white” as a generic term for all people instead of “male”.
To me the article was a real eye opener. I began to understand how women feel when being refered to as a guy when in a group of people.
On the other hand tho, there was one thing that I did not agree with at all in the article. The term “white” is not at all in any way shape or form meant to include any other races, while the terms “guys”, “mankind” are.
Recently I bought a Roomba and this weekend I finally had the chance to open it and try it out. Oh the joys and happiness that this little robot has given me in the past 3 days. I realized why the roomba made me so happy. I don’t have to choose between cleaning the entire house by my self and relying on my straight boy roommate for help. Things I love about my new roomba: It cleans! It cleans up things when I ask it to! Doesn’t wait till later but cleans then. It keeps my cats entertained… or freaked out! It cleans my bathroom floor and all the kitty litter that the cats kick out. Things it doesn’t do so well: The first few days the brushes needed frequent cleaning with the carpet, my hair, cat fur tangling up in it. It seems to get lost if it makes it to the other end of the house sometimes, or it runs out of batteries before it finds the charging station again. It doesn’t do well under my desk where all the wires are… I wish it also mops the floor but it doesn’t. At some point I will actually read the user manual to see how to actually properly set up the roomba, but as of today, I am happy to have someone that will reliably help me clean the house.