Life, no shoes, and stuff

It's not that I don't have shoes (I have so many shoes! 😬)...I just won't be posting about them.

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Life - for the ladies 

When my back decided to betray me last summer (I herniated a disc), my chiropractor lent me a TENS machine (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation). It sends electrical impulses via little pads you place on your back (or wherever's in pain) that disrupt the pain signal to the brain, cutting or eliminating the feeling of pain. HelloGiggles posted an article about a machine that uses TENS technology called Livia that, using pain signal blocking electrical impulses, helps minimize or eliminate cramps from PMS. 

From what I can tell, a big difference between the TENS machine I used and Livia is the TENS uses batteries, while Livia is chargeable and can be used continuously. The TENS machine can be used intermittently during the day, but is not recommended for continuous use (I think up to 60 minute increments?). Livia claims to be optimized for menstrual pain specifically, though I haven't seen what means exactly. If that's true, it would explain the price difference - the TENS machine ranges anywhere from $24-$95 (the one I used is listed for $26.99) and Livia is $149. 

I'm tempted to order a TENS unit and see if intermittent use helps in the monthly pain department. I can justify spending $27, while $149 is a bit out of my price range. 


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Not Shoes - life at the Nebraska Legislature 

Yesterday was the 32nd day of the Legislature's 60 day session, so thankfully we are now more than halfway done. While I'm always grateful that we wrap things up in April instead of June, short sessions are tough because of all the work, upset, petty shenanigans and drama are squished into 60 days instead of 90. The last two weeks have been a bit much in the shenanigans and drama department, which worries me since things tend to spiral more of out control the closer we get to sine die.

There was outrage expressed yesterday, some justified and some a bit over-dramatic, regarding general safety concerns, death threats and the open carry policy in the Capitol. "A number of senators rose to talk about the threats they've received recently and not so recently. They said the Legislature needs to get more serious about protecting its lawmakers and their staffs." 

It's good to hear more senators getting on board with the idea that the Capitol needs to be a safer place to visit and work. Right now, you are not allowed to conceal carry in the State Capitol, but you can open carry. There are calls for this to change, banning all firearms, which I have a problem with since it merely pays lip service to making this building safer. If you ban firearms but don't provide a way to actually keep them out, what's the point? Only law abiding citizens are going to follow the rules, which means the crazies and those with nefarious intent will still be able to walk in the building with guns, knives or explosive devices. There are no metal detectors at our four entrances, nor are there guards standing near the doors, monitoring who and what is entering the building. You literally just walk through the doors, with nothing between you and hundreds of people. 

And did I mention Capitol security are unarmed? Scratch that...they do have baton they can wave threateningly, but that's it. 

To be fair, the last couple of years there has been an increase in State Patrol presence in the building, but off session it's cut back to four troopers and I don't believe they walk the building like they do this time of year. That visibility makes a difference, reassuring staff and giving pause to those who might otherwise cause a disturbance or do something threatening. 

Staffers have said for years that nothing's going to happen (to increase security) until something horrible happens. Hopefully with more of the higher ups adding their voices to the concern about the safety of people in the Capitol, something will finally be done. 

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And Stuff - Rant Corner 

Sarpy County judge bans word from being used at trial

By Mike McKnight | 

Posted: Thu 6:12 PM, Feb 20, 2020  | Updated: Thu 7:34 PM, Feb 20, 2020

PAPILLION, Neb. (WOWT) -- The judge for a sexual assault trial in Sarpy County set to begin in April has issued an unusual order to keep the jury impartial by banning a word from being heard in court.

Creighton University Law Professor Raneta Mack said the order from District Judge George Thompson means the prosecution and witnesses must not say the word “rape” during trial.

6 News is not identifying which trial to avoid possibly tainting the proceedings.

Mack said using the word in a trial is considered a “legal conclusion,” which the court’s order will help prevent jurors from jumping to conclusions.

“Until the prosecutor has proved the elements beyond a reasonable doubt, we don’t want any word that would suggest that the crime has occurred,” Mack said.

Thomspon sustained the defense’s motion and ordered that the state - and its witnesses - are prohibited from using, soliciting or otherwise utilizing the word “rape” at trial.

Mack said the word can have an effect on the mindset of a juror.

“If I hear the word ‘rape’ then there must be a rapist. If there’s a rapist, the prosecutor said that person is the rapist and that’s the person I’m going to send to jail. So again we don’t want jurors making those easy connections,” she said.

But a prosecutor already preparing for an emotional trial must now be careful they and witnesses like the alleged victim don’t say “rape.”

Mack said the prosecution cannot let it slip, as the defense attorney will then ask for a mistrial.

Excuse me, what?! In a trial where someone is suspected of intentionally killing another person, the word "murder" isn't banned. Or if a person is accused of stealing something - a car, a painting or the Declaration of Independence - the word "theft" wouldn't be censored due to the possibility of swaying the jury. It's a statement of the charge, the thing the prosecution is trying to prove to the jury. If you're not "suggesting that a crime has occurred," what the hell is everyone doing in the courtroom?! This is ridiculous to the point of being offensive. 😠



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Any life or non-shoe stuff going on in your life? I'm still waiting on some new "Ruin a Date in Four Words" options! 😎 Add your contributions in the comments! 




~ Katie Q. 🐧


YouTube Bonuses 

"Guys Quizzed on Their Ladies Fail Miserably"
The grandparents question was reasonably hard, but I feel you should know your wife is deathly allergic to penicillin. I think the favorite meal question was my favorite ("Honey, I'm wearing a clue."). 😆  

How would you fare if asked about your significant other?

IKEA Husbands
The "Midwest Voice Translator" is also really funny, but this is my favorite of Charlie Berens' videos. Cracks me the heck up!