I shall think all day of a topic for my last blog of 2009.
So I went shopping today. Furniture shopping. My living room is about to be transformed and transforming a room is one of my favorite things in the world. I love that I get no resistance on my color choices which run from chocolate brown to copper. After the furniture comes on Saturday and the curtains are up, I get to start the search for the things that make it me.
Other than that I have nothing.. Well, actually I'm too lazy to blog and don't have the energy. I hope that one year from now I have less regrets than I do right now. But I don't seem to improve with age and I don't believe in resolutions. They are just promises I never seem to keep. I have too many people doing that to me. I won't do it to myself.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Polyamorous (NSFW)
So I'm a reality show junkie. I was watching Million Dollar Listing one day and Madison (the LEAST annoying agent on the show) is bisexual. I tend to not believe in certain things if I've never experienced them which is ignorant on my part, I get that. I completely recognize it. I don't believe in PMS because I will be a beyotch any time of the month. So there you have it.
I understand heterosexuality and homosexuality but bisexual?? Seriously. Pick a team. So Madison doesn't like the label bisexual. He calls himself "polyamorous". The prefix poly means many or much. The word amorous means "inclined or disposed to love, esp. sexual love". There are 2 genders so bisexual is what it is, like the word or not. So if you are in an intimate relationship that goes beyond male and female, where does that take you??
My cat Charlie (even after being neutered) is always trying to get busy with our male cat, our female cat, my girls' stuffed animals (horses), and their bath robes. THAT sounds more like polyamorous to me. Ya know??
I understand heterosexuality and homosexuality but bisexual?? Seriously. Pick a team. So Madison doesn't like the label bisexual. He calls himself "polyamorous". The prefix poly means many or much. The word amorous means "inclined or disposed to love, esp. sexual love". There are 2 genders so bisexual is what it is, like the word or not. So if you are in an intimate relationship that goes beyond male and female, where does that take you??
My cat Charlie (even after being neutered) is always trying to get busy with our male cat, our female cat, my girls' stuffed animals (horses), and their bath robes. THAT sounds more like polyamorous to me. Ya know??
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
They reviled him..
Why do people feel it necessary to prove things that other people believe are wrong? Okay, I do that, I know. But, like matters of faith. I've watched scientists try to disprove or explain many of the well known Bible stories. Who funds that research? Isn't there something to dedicate your life to that IMPROVES the world somehow?
I belong to a message board (yes, unlike some people I play well with others and haven't been banned, yet :P ) that has a board dedicated to religion. I'm mostly wise enough to stay away from it and the one on politics (mostly) and the atheists are there always spreading their good cheer. I have nothing against atheists except why are they on a religion board? So I look up what they say is how they got here (I say "they" because God put ME here)actually spend some time reading the more believable theories. Every one of them needs a "spark" an unknown energy source to even come up with some facsimile of DNA.
In a season of magic, it's difficult to be around people who feel reality is a necessity. I think we need magic and we need miracles.
I'm reading a book called Hallelujah obviously about Handel though it's a novel and fictionalized. Soooooo GOOD! But I was looking around and came across a thing about Handel. "Researchers" finding out that all we think we know about Handel may NOT be true. He began with saying that Handel didn't write the Messiah for Christmas time, it was performed during Lent. Okay the Messiah is timeless. It's the past, the present, and the future. It spans the birth, the life, the ministry, the crucifixion, and the resurrection of Christ. When is that NOT relevant. Not to mention that MOST everyone knows that he was actually born in the spring. I stopped reading the article immediately. I've sang in the Messiah 5 years. Not a year goes by that I don't learn something new about Handel from the music. His artistry is unbelievable as I've mentioned in previous posts. And IN all these years I've known from my interest in Handel that he was painfully human, with real problems, real emotions, and real faults. That makes the music THAT much more incredible to me. If at the end of every person's life there was any small thing that makes the world a better place because of their contribution it would be a beautiful thing. I wouldn't want mine to be the destruction of magic, of faith, of inspiration. Yet there are those who will continue to do so throughout their lives. Sad.
I belong to a message board (yes, unlike some people I play well with others and haven't been banned, yet :P ) that has a board dedicated to religion. I'm mostly wise enough to stay away from it and the one on politics (mostly) and the atheists are there always spreading their good cheer. I have nothing against atheists except why are they on a religion board? So I look up what they say is how they got here (I say "they" because God put ME here)actually spend some time reading the more believable theories. Every one of them needs a "spark" an unknown energy source to even come up with some facsimile of DNA.
In a season of magic, it's difficult to be around people who feel reality is a necessity. I think we need magic and we need miracles.
I'm reading a book called Hallelujah obviously about Handel though it's a novel and fictionalized. Soooooo GOOD! But I was looking around and came across a thing about Handel. "Researchers" finding out that all we think we know about Handel may NOT be true. He began with saying that Handel didn't write the Messiah for Christmas time, it was performed during Lent. Okay the Messiah is timeless. It's the past, the present, and the future. It spans the birth, the life, the ministry, the crucifixion, and the resurrection of Christ. When is that NOT relevant. Not to mention that MOST everyone knows that he was actually born in the spring. I stopped reading the article immediately. I've sang in the Messiah 5 years. Not a year goes by that I don't learn something new about Handel from the music. His artistry is unbelievable as I've mentioned in previous posts. And IN all these years I've known from my interest in Handel that he was painfully human, with real problems, real emotions, and real faults. That makes the music THAT much more incredible to me. If at the end of every person's life there was any small thing that makes the world a better place because of their contribution it would be a beautiful thing. I wouldn't want mine to be the destruction of magic, of faith, of inspiration. Yet there are those who will continue to do so throughout their lives. Sad.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
What's my problem??
I am NOT feeling Christmas this year. I think for the first time in my life I'll be glad when it's over.
However (comma) I AM excited about this : *Disney FINALLY rights it's wrongs* (Well, at least one of them!
However (comma) I AM excited about this : *Disney FINALLY rights it's wrongs* (Well, at least one of them!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
My passion for Handel and the Messiah
Last night was the final performance of my fifth time singing alto in the Messiah. I had taken a few years off retreating to my dark house and not leaving for anything unless I had to. My family was open mouthed in surprise at my ready even enthusiastic agreement to be at the first choir practice that night (6 weeks ago). I stopped, selfishly, contributing to the choir when there was a bit of a conflict over the practice choir director. I had practice and learned and LOVED Adrienne Tawa. A woman so remarkable, talent, and bizarrely humorous yet always reverent that I, as well as anyone in that choir, would do anything she asked us to seemingly oblivious that we aren't doing HER a favor, her time and teaching is so precious to us that we'd be there every week of the year. I guess it's her humility that is so amazing. Her approval is golden. The weeks leading up to the point we are handed over to Xun Sun, director of the Orchestra of Southern Utah, are breathlessly anticipated and when it comes time for Professor Sun to take over it has it's own kind of magic. I find him to be remarkable in his extracting exactly what he wants from us (he IS discerning) and we do it again and again until we get it right. Yet there is no sign of impatience from him.
This year I think I gained a new appreciation for the entire process. Handel moves me in a way no classical composer does. It's not his life experiences or that I particularly love his compositions better than any of his contemporary Bach or other composers of eras gone by. I've picked up things through the years that touch me in ways that many people who know me and love don't understand. I remember reading once that his production of the Messiah in Dublin for a charitable benefit concerts at the Foundling Hospital (an organization for underprivileged children, and which still exists today as The Thomas Coram Foundation). Our production is free of charge (thanks to State Bank of Southern Utah and The Leavitt Group) in the spirit that Handel intended it to be.
Yet another remarkable part of my experience is that we are a fairly small Mormon community. A cow-town, if you will. Yet we are known as the 'Festival City' with our Tony Award winning Utah Shakespearean Festival that was the dream of Fred Adams who founded it in 1961 building an amazing replica of the Globe theater. For more info on Fred Adams click *here* Or the USF *here*. More info on our other festivals click *here*.
Back to Messiah. So this year my oldest daughter through much begging on my part to sing with me and reluctantly agreed. In the end she enjoyed it and I'm pretty sure she'll keep doing it. My youngest can't wait. She has 3 years. It was especially meaningful to me. She learned to appreciate the technical challenge of the music, the joy of working with Adrienne but most of all the force of nature that is Xun Sun. He's no taller than we are and he manages to conduct each section of that orchestra with a precision that is unbelievable. His happiness when we succeed is apparent. His reverence for the music is palpable and sometimes I think he's going to explode in his energy of conducting it.
Having taken a few years of I've noticed more that is the genius that IS George Fredrick Handel. In the tenor aria Every Valley Shall Be Exalted, Handel displays a technique called "word painting" with its visually apparent in the score as well as the sound AND the movements of Xun.
Handel is famous for employing word painting – the musical technique of having the melody mimic the literal meaning of its lyrics – in many of his works. Perhaps the most famous and oft-quoted example of the technique is in Every valley shall be exalted, the tenor aria early in Part I of Messiah. On the lyric "...and every mountain and hill made low; the crooked straight and the rough places plain", Handel composes it thus:
(Source: Wiki)
The notes climb to the high F♯ on the first syllable of mountain to drop an octave on the second syllable. The four notes on the word hill form a small hill, and the word low descends to the lowest note of the phrase. On crooked, the melody twice alternates between C♯ and B to rest on the B for two beats through the word straight. The word plain is written, for the most part, on the high E for three measures, with some minor deviation. He applies the same strategy throughout the repetition of the final phrase: the crookeds being crooked and plain descending on three lengthy planes. He uses this technique frequently throughout the rest of the aria, specifically on the word exalted, which contains several 16th-note (semiquaver) melismas and two leaps to a high E:
We are often told to sing certain selections as if we are socializing and, in effect, gossiping of the news that For Unto Us A Child is Born. And that we are reacting to it all by exclaiming independently Hallelujah This year I noticed that toward the end of the Amens that the bass's reverence is passed in a wave to the tenors, then the altos. It's simply stunning and timeless.
Our first performance was preceeded by a prayer by a female reverend (unknown denomination) that said something that I will always remember. How blessed we are to be performing music inspired by God and that it's message will touch our past present and future regardless of religious affiliation. Handel knew this.
Xun certainly knows what Handel spoke of, often taking a moment before the performance or a movement to bow his head and commune with God or perhaps Handel himself.
More info on Xun Sun, click *here*
More info on Adrienne Tawa click *here*
This year I think I gained a new appreciation for the entire process. Handel moves me in a way no classical composer does. It's not his life experiences or that I particularly love his compositions better than any of his contemporary Bach or other composers of eras gone by. I've picked up things through the years that touch me in ways that many people who know me and love don't understand. I remember reading once that his production of the Messiah in Dublin for a charitable benefit concerts at the Foundling Hospital (an organization for underprivileged children, and which still exists today as The Thomas Coram Foundation). Our production is free of charge (thanks to State Bank of Southern Utah and The Leavitt Group) in the spirit that Handel intended it to be.
Yet another remarkable part of my experience is that we are a fairly small Mormon community. A cow-town, if you will. Yet we are known as the 'Festival City' with our Tony Award winning Utah Shakespearean Festival that was the dream of Fred Adams who founded it in 1961 building an amazing replica of the Globe theater. For more info on Fred Adams click *here* Or the USF *here*. More info on our other festivals click *here*.
Back to Messiah. So this year my oldest daughter through much begging on my part to sing with me and reluctantly agreed. In the end she enjoyed it and I'm pretty sure she'll keep doing it. My youngest can't wait. She has 3 years. It was especially meaningful to me. She learned to appreciate the technical challenge of the music, the joy of working with Adrienne but most of all the force of nature that is Xun Sun. He's no taller than we are and he manages to conduct each section of that orchestra with a precision that is unbelievable. His happiness when we succeed is apparent. His reverence for the music is palpable and sometimes I think he's going to explode in his energy of conducting it.
Having taken a few years of I've noticed more that is the genius that IS George Fredrick Handel. In the tenor aria Every Valley Shall Be Exalted, Handel displays a technique called "word painting" with its visually apparent in the score as well as the sound AND the movements of Xun.
Handel is famous for employing word painting – the musical technique of having the melody mimic the literal meaning of its lyrics – in many of his works. Perhaps the most famous and oft-quoted example of the technique is in Every valley shall be exalted, the tenor aria early in Part I of Messiah. On the lyric "...and every mountain and hill made low; the crooked straight and the rough places plain", Handel composes it thus:
(Source: Wiki)
The notes climb to the high F♯ on the first syllable of mountain to drop an octave on the second syllable. The four notes on the word hill form a small hill, and the word low descends to the lowest note of the phrase. On crooked, the melody twice alternates between C♯ and B to rest on the B for two beats through the word straight. The word plain is written, for the most part, on the high E for three measures, with some minor deviation. He applies the same strategy throughout the repetition of the final phrase: the crookeds being crooked and plain descending on three lengthy planes. He uses this technique frequently throughout the rest of the aria, specifically on the word exalted, which contains several 16th-note (semiquaver) melismas and two leaps to a high E:
We are often told to sing certain selections as if we are socializing and, in effect, gossiping of the news that For Unto Us A Child is Born. And that we are reacting to it all by exclaiming independently Hallelujah This year I noticed that toward the end of the Amens that the bass's reverence is passed in a wave to the tenors, then the altos. It's simply stunning and timeless.
Our first performance was preceeded by a prayer by a female reverend (unknown denomination) that said something that I will always remember. How blessed we are to be performing music inspired by God and that it's message will touch our past present and future regardless of religious affiliation. Handel knew this.
The startled composer, tears streaming down his face, turns to his servant and cries out, “I did think I did see all Heaven before me, and the great God Himself.” George Frederic Handel had just finished writing a movement that would take its place in history as the Hallelujah Chorus.
Xun certainly knows what Handel spoke of, often taking a moment before the performance or a movement to bow his head and commune with God or perhaps Handel himself.
More info on Xun Sun, click *here*
More info on Adrienne Tawa click *here*
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Wisdom in Pooh?
A couple of books that I keep in my (most likely worthless, but priceless to me) private library are an interesting approach to Taoism. They've been brought to mind twice, recently and so I pulled one of them out to find my favorite story. Before I share it or the name of the books, I'd like to explain how I first heard this story. I have mentioned that there are very few things I am good at but once my sisters-in-law and I agreed that we would join something together. The first idea was kickboxing but it settled on yoga. My one sister in law was pregnant and they didn't recommend that she start practicing yoga in an advanced state of pregnancy (however it IS remarkably beneficial if you are practicing yoga before and continue through, pregnancy.) I digress. I ended up taking the class alone. I join mid-session and then continued on with a new teacher for my first full beginning session. My first teacher's name has slipped from my memory, but she never will. Yoga became the one thing I truly was accomplished at. I lack balance but I was advanced in the other 2 areas and my balance improved (so did bouncing off the floor on my butt)over time. One day as we sat in lotus position clearing our minds and lungs with pranayama my young teacher pulled out a book and read us this story:
I stayed after class to find the name of the book. It was called The Te of Piglet by Benjamin Hoff. I found the book and read it, I was delighted to find out that it was actually a sequel to The Tao of Pooh(also by Benjamin Hoff). I went on to come to a place in yoga when my favorite teacher, who was more advanced than my first teacher, came to me after class and told me he couldn't teach me anymore. I was equal to him in ability. (I taught on my own, and substituted taught for him.) I so love yoga and I don't practice at all anymore, my excuse is that inversions hurt my head, too much. But I think about the events that brought me to such a peaceful place in mind and body. I never lost my interest in Taoism, either. One of my teachers called me The Buddhist Mormon. It freaked my mom out because she thought I was changing religions and I assured her that they were compatible. I think that the Headache is like a cancer. Not terminal, but it eats away my qi. I'd probably pick kickboxing now because my soul feels black and angry. I'm way beyond Eeyore but I still recognize the wisdom in Pooh. Perhaps someday I'll get back to my path of...
Namaste.
An old man and his son lived in an abandoned fortress on the side of a hill. Their only possession of value was a horse.
One day, the horse ran away. The neighbours came by to offer sympathy. "That's really bad!" they said. "How do you know?" asked the old man.
The next day the horse returned, bringing with it several wild horses. The old man and his son shut them all inside the gate. The neighbours hurried over. "That's really good!" they said. "How do you know?" asked the old man.
The following day the son tried riding one of the wild horses, fell off, and broke his leg. The neighbours came around as soon as they heard the news. "That's really bad!" they said. "How do you know?" asked the old man.
The day after that, the army came through, forcing the local young men into service to fight a faraway battle against the northern barbarians. Many of them would never return. But the son couldn't go, because he'd broken his leg.
I stayed after class to find the name of the book. It was called The Te of Piglet by Benjamin Hoff. I found the book and read it, I was delighted to find out that it was actually a sequel to The Tao of Pooh(also by Benjamin Hoff). I went on to come to a place in yoga when my favorite teacher, who was more advanced than my first teacher, came to me after class and told me he couldn't teach me anymore. I was equal to him in ability. (I taught on my own, and substituted taught for him.) I so love yoga and I don't practice at all anymore, my excuse is that inversions hurt my head, too much. But I think about the events that brought me to such a peaceful place in mind and body. I never lost my interest in Taoism, either. One of my teachers called me The Buddhist Mormon. It freaked my mom out because she thought I was changing religions and I assured her that they were compatible. I think that the Headache is like a cancer. Not terminal, but it eats away my qi. I'd probably pick kickboxing now because my soul feels black and angry. I'm way beyond Eeyore but I still recognize the wisdom in Pooh. Perhaps someday I'll get back to my path of...
Namaste.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
My moment of Zen..
I haven't been feeling myself lately. I find myself wanting to leave my dark house less and less all the time. My husband (after many years of nagging) finished a room downstairs and let me decorate it as I wanted to. He did an awesome job (Thanks hubby, now about the doorbell...) I put up a table long enough to hold a small tabletop ironing board, iron, sewing machine, and the serger that I am clueless on how it works. The colors are earthy with splashes of surprising color here and there. I have a bamboo screen and a futon. The bamboo shade on the window hides cardboard I've used to make it dark and cold. It's my escape. The zen room. No one opens the door without quietly asking permission first.
My love of all things Asian isn't new nor is it surprising. I'm fascinated by the serenity, beauty, and dignity of each country's culture that makes up the whole. I discovered my fascination of the beauty that often hides breathtaking horror of Asian movies (culturally) when I watched Curse of the Golden Flower. It wasn't the first movie of it's kind that I'd seen and loved, but it was the realization that the traditions and culture of people who have been so advanced and yet so backward in our estimation. Truly, it's a veneer that happens everywhere, even right next door. Naturally after the amazing performance of Gong Li, I searched for more and discovered that I love the movies directed by Zhang Yimou and Gong Li was frequently in his movies (as is Zhang Ziyi of who I'm also a huge fan). I can't say I've loved everything I've seen by him but he never fails to surprise.
More recently I watched one of his movies that was called Not One Less. I've come to appreciate the difference in subject matter used in Asian films as opposed to American films which are often the same story different actors. The last movie I watched (not a Zhang movie) was called Letter From An Unknown Woman I was curious because the young actress looked familiar. So I looked on IMDb and it wasn't the same actress but it made me look deeper into something I'd noticed before in the movie Not One Less. The majority of the characters were played by actual people in occupations similar to if not THE one they portray in the movie. They even used their real names. The story is remarkable as are so many of the movies I've watched lately, but even better. The young girl who is the lead in the movie went on to leave her poor village and get a full scholarship to BYU Hawaii. Amazing. I'm going to post the Wiki entry and more info on the director, the movie plot, and the young girl. I highly recommend the movie.
Not One Less Wiki Link
Minzhi Wei
I am truly inspired by this. I am inspired by my day at church where I experienced love and forgiveness from an unlikely place. I wish I had the strength of character of the people who bless my lives. I wish that my anger and bitterness stemming from the pain of my daughter wasn't making me more angry and miserable. I wish I was a person more deserving of these friends and family. I wish I could truly find a moment of Zen.
My love of all things Asian isn't new nor is it surprising. I'm fascinated by the serenity, beauty, and dignity of each country's culture that makes up the whole. I discovered my fascination of the beauty that often hides breathtaking horror of Asian movies (culturally) when I watched Curse of the Golden Flower. It wasn't the first movie of it's kind that I'd seen and loved, but it was the realization that the traditions and culture of people who have been so advanced and yet so backward in our estimation. Truly, it's a veneer that happens everywhere, even right next door. Naturally after the amazing performance of Gong Li, I searched for more and discovered that I love the movies directed by Zhang Yimou and Gong Li was frequently in his movies (as is Zhang Ziyi of who I'm also a huge fan). I can't say I've loved everything I've seen by him but he never fails to surprise.
More recently I watched one of his movies that was called Not One Less. I've come to appreciate the difference in subject matter used in Asian films as opposed to American films which are often the same story different actors. The last movie I watched (not a Zhang movie) was called Letter From An Unknown Woman I was curious because the young actress looked familiar. So I looked on IMDb and it wasn't the same actress but it made me look deeper into something I'd noticed before in the movie Not One Less. The majority of the characters were played by actual people in occupations similar to if not THE one they portray in the movie. They even used their real names. The story is remarkable as are so many of the movies I've watched lately, but even better. The young girl who is the lead in the movie went on to leave her poor village and get a full scholarship to BYU Hawaii. Amazing. I'm going to post the Wiki entry and more info on the director, the movie plot, and the young girl. I highly recommend the movie.
Not One Less Wiki Link
Minzhi Wei
I am truly inspired by this. I am inspired by my day at church where I experienced love and forgiveness from an unlikely place. I wish I had the strength of character of the people who bless my lives. I wish that my anger and bitterness stemming from the pain of my daughter wasn't making me more angry and miserable. I wish I was a person more deserving of these friends and family. I wish I could truly find a moment of Zen.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Isn't this a little hypocritical??
Johanna Krupa did a photo shoot for PETA which has a history of nude celebrities saying they'd rather go nude than wear fur.In fact Krupa has posed for those as well. While Krupa's new ad doesn't say that, it strikes me as odd that she is wearing angel wings made with real feathers. So did the bird that gave up those feathers live through the experience?
She also has a crucifix strategically placed to hide the major nudity and a halo. I'm guessing that is going to ruffle a few feathers (pun intended)in the Catholic church and other christian religions who don't find the crucifix to be a prop.
Here's the ad, but it's not safe for work:
Krupa's PETA ad
She also has a crucifix strategically placed to hide the major nudity and a halo. I'm guessing that is going to ruffle a few feathers (pun intended)in the Catholic church and other christian religions who don't find the crucifix to be a prop.
Here's the ad, but it's not safe for work:
Krupa's PETA ad
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Fear and Loathing in the Briar Patch...
I grew up a shy awkward girl. I've mentioned the school I went to was more sports oriented and my talents fell into an academic category. I had the best friends in the world, but I felt so average. I really never did, or do now, excel at anything. I've never had much self-esteem and I hated high school. I hated the town I went to school in and though I could never really express it, I hated myself. As I got older, especially after I had kids, I became more outgoing and outspoken. Actually downright blunt, too blunt for some people. I hated that stupid girl from that small town for not having the confidence I had developed later. I was ashamed. I was also determined to make a different life for my kids. They were and are my life. I threw myself into becoming the mom with the coolest treats for their preschool. So cool that the teacher finally let me do all the holiday treats. I volunteered in their classes through elementary school, I joined the PTA, I served as treasurer for 2 years and I can't balance my own checkbook! I did this so I could choose the best teachers for them. They tested off the chart (12th grade+)in the Star Testing before they left elementary school. I taught them to be kind and polite to the best of my abilities. I also managed to teach them to love themselves. YEARS of it and it's so easily swept away.
It turns out that mean girls exist everywhere. Even right next door. At church. They have stayed at your house. You might even be the reason they can read. And they can sweep away YEARS of dedication. I didn't help my daughter. In fact, it may be all because of me.
And I have no idea how to fix it. I just make it worse. I wish they has someone else for a mother. It seems I've done everything wrong.
It turns out that mean girls exist everywhere. Even right next door. At church. They have stayed at your house. You might even be the reason they can read. And they can sweep away YEARS of dedication. I didn't help my daughter. In fact, it may be all because of me.
And I have no idea how to fix it. I just make it worse. I wish they has someone else for a mother. It seems I've done everything wrong.
But what did they SAY??
Variations on Martin Niemoller's famous quote but all make the point that if you stand idly by, you're no less guilty. In fact, to those who have a brighter future because our paths have crossed, you are the worst offenders of all...
Oddly this parallels ANOTHER situation I've had to deal with recently. A difficult decision I had to make that cost me dearly. It would have been easier to stay silent, but for the person I spoke up for... I hope that it will make a difference. A BIG difference.
First they came for the Communists,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me,
and by that time there was no one
left to speak up for me.
~ Rev. Martin Niemoller, 1945
Oddly this parallels ANOTHER situation I've had to deal with recently. A difficult decision I had to make that cost me dearly. It would have been easier to stay silent, but for the person I spoke up for... I hope that it will make a difference. A BIG difference.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Does anyone speak Becklish?
Because he's never going to understand the words "fact checking."
The country's greatest resource is our future. Because honestly they will be our new government. You know "drill baby drill" our "mavericks" or "hope for change." This girl is an intern with the Michigan Republican Party. She's 17 not 13. Very politically active and that is admirable. Our youth need to learn moderation in politics on both sides because it's our only hope. She's clueless and has not learned both sides of the fence to make an educated decision when she votes (less than a year). Choose your inspiration wisely. And above all, know your facts.
The country's greatest resource is our future. Because honestly they will be our new government. You know "drill baby drill" our "mavericks" or "hope for change." This girl is an intern with the Michigan Republican Party. She's 17 not 13. Very politically active and that is admirable. Our youth need to learn moderation in politics on both sides because it's our only hope. She's clueless and has not learned both sides of the fence to make an educated decision when she votes (less than a year). Choose your inspiration wisely. And above all, know your facts.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
I just saw New Moon..
Yes, I am a renaissance woman, that's why you keep coming back!!☺
Here's my critique:
They need to scrap the first movie and have this director remake it. This movie was WAYYYYYYYYYYYYY better than the book. Suddenly all the Team Edward peoples are feeling Team Jacob. I realize that Robert Pattinson is playing a vampire and can't change the fact that next to Taylor Lautner who put on 35+ pounds of muscle he looks really bad. But he COULD wax the sporadic chest hair. Loved the movie and will be back before the week is out!
BTW I'm Team Edward but Bella doesn't deserve either of them. I dislike her character and the actress who plays her. The casting is only half good but the actors were better under this director and Dakota Fanning was a stroke of genius.
Also on a personal note, they had us cheer for Team Edward vs. Team Jacob. The winner got a tee-shirt. Some (old as me) chick won it but she stood up. I think if I had known that a spectacle was necessary I would have won it for my daughter.
Fun night with my girlie and my sister!☺
Here's my critique:
They need to scrap the first movie and have this director remake it. This movie was WAYYYYYYYYYYYYY better than the book. Suddenly all the Team Edward peoples are feeling Team Jacob. I realize that Robert Pattinson is playing a vampire and can't change the fact that next to Taylor Lautner who put on 35+ pounds of muscle he looks really bad. But he COULD wax the sporadic chest hair. Loved the movie and will be back before the week is out!
BTW I'm Team Edward but Bella doesn't deserve either of them. I dislike her character and the actress who plays her. The casting is only half good but the actors were better under this director and Dakota Fanning was a stroke of genius.
Also on a personal note, they had us cheer for Team Edward vs. Team Jacob. The winner got a tee-shirt. Some (old as me) chick won it but she stood up. I think if I had known that a spectacle was necessary I would have won it for my daughter.
Fun night with my girlie and my sister!☺
Seriously???
My friend Bob just sent me this link. I can't get it to embed so here's the link:
Is It Time to Stop Picking On Glenn Beck?
BTW, the LDS church does not approve of lying, incest, fearmongering, etc. Glenn Becks views are his own and not shared by others of his faith.
And no, if you dish it out be prepared to take it.
Is It Time to Stop Picking On Glenn Beck?
BTW, the LDS church does not approve of lying, incest, fearmongering, etc. Glenn Becks views are his own and not shared by others of his faith.
And no, if you dish it out be prepared to take it.
I saw this some weeks back...
It totally cracked me up then and others have tried to top it. I'm thinking no one can.
Christopher Walken does Poker Face by Lady Gaga:
Christopher Walken does Poker Face by Lady Gaga:
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Awww, a guest blogger!
My daughter chose me as a subject for a report at school. . She gave me permission to post it but I will be removing some place names for those of you who are a bit TOO freaky 'bout the Patch :)
I'm very honored by my daughter's view of me and appreciate the filter her love for me, creates. I would like to be more like her. Maybe we can take the positive from each other. She certainly makes me proud.
[My daughter's name]
November 12, 2009
B3
Win-Win Mentor
My Win-Win Mentor
My Win-Win Mentor is my mom Monica [last name removed]. She is 5'6 and has long red hair. Monica was born in Las Vegas, Nevada, and then when she was four she moved to [Hometown], UT, and later moved to [current location]. I think that she is a very strong, beautiful and opinionated person. Also she is a patient and very friendly. She can strike up a conversation with anyone, and tries to be positive even when she disagrees with people’s ideas or views. My mom attended [Unpleasant place] High School and had ambitions to become a Marine Biologist. Later she decided not to fulfill this dream because of all of the required traveling, and homesickness. However, she still loves Marine life. She loves to learn about the animals because it was a dream of hers.
My mom is a Win-win person because she tries to make everyone’s life better by compromise. She will try to find the best way to make everyone happy wherever she goes. One time we wanted to go on a vacation, and we had already been to Hawaii, but my dad loves it there. The rest of us wanted to do something different. We talked about it and she eventually decided to let us go back to Hawaii. But under the conditions that we would be able to visit a many of the sites we didn’t before. These included: the Sea life Park, Whale watching, and visiting the replica of a Buddhist temple. My dad agreed to let us go visit all of these places and they both won. My parents both got to go where they wanted and my sister and I got to see some really amazing sites. We all ended up really enjoying the trip, because of our parents being Win-Win.
I chose my mom as my mentor because I really look up to her; she is a very inspiring person. There are many qualities that she has that I think if I took them into my life it would
make it better. When I grow up I want to be like her because of her understanding, and patient nature. I think it would make me a more Win-Win person.
I'm very honored by my daughter's view of me and appreciate the filter her love for me, creates. I would like to be more like her. Maybe we can take the positive from each other. She certainly makes me proud.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
People Magazine Sexiest Man Alive??
JOHNNY DEPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah, I know, I keep telling people that, but it often takes a bigger name than little ol' me to get the point across!
Also on the list: My long time fave, LL Cool J! AND Robert Downey Jr!!
People Magazine should hire me :)
Link
Zhang Yimou
So I completely love the work of Zhang Yimou. His visual aesthetic is flawless and he often uses 2 of my favorite actresses: Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi. I watched one today that has been one of my very favorite of his movies this far. It's called "Not One Less". This one didn't have Ziyi or Li in it but his main character was a 13 year old girl with amazing will and determination. I highly recommend it if you like Chinese movies with subtitles.
Also I went to get a book at the bookstore by an author I think I will really like, Lisa See, but have decided that Amazon will save me money. She's written a few but the one I want is called "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan". Imagine my excitement to find out that it's going to be made into a movie starring Zhang Ziyi and it will also be her second foray into directing! YAY!!!
Also I went to get a book at the bookstore by an author I think I will really like, Lisa See, but have decided that Amazon will save me money. She's written a few but the one I want is called "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan". Imagine my excitement to find out that it's going to be made into a movie starring Zhang Ziyi and it will also be her second foray into directing! YAY!!!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
See? We CAN work together! :)
So I've been researching and writing a new blog, but I'm not entirely happy with it. It's been 40 years since the Manson Family killings. It's not ONLY because of it's subject matter, but because it's been difficult for me to sort through the testimony and the repudiations of the various members. I'm almost done but it's not a happy topic.
This is:
Not ONLY was Jon Stewart nice enough to get his crazy on in the absence of Glenn Beck, I don't have to look at the stills of Beck's face everytime I come here :)
This is:
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| The 11/3 Project | ||||
| ||||
Not ONLY was Jon Stewart nice enough to get his crazy on in the absence of Glenn Beck, I don't have to look at the stills of Beck's face everytime I come here :)
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Oh snap!! and the sequel: snap2!!!
It so unfair to have your rallies on things that suck and have someone else pick up some little non-issue to suggest you aren't being honest.
Like this
UPDATE!!!
How funny is Jon Stewart?
Like this
UPDATE!!!
How funny is Jon Stewart?
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Sean Hannity Apologizes to Jon | ||||
| ||||
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Blog
It's not even a nice word. There are so many bloggers online, so many blogs, most go unnoticed. Maybe they want it that way. One of my favorite bloggers is a friend of my nieces. He's a photographer and artistic in nature. His posts are very unguarded, you definitely feel his pain. I'm not sure where he belongs and I wonder if he knows. He's posted entries from Utah and also posted through a time he was living in Vegas. Vegas would be more conducive to his lifestyle (personally and professionally), I would think but he's back here and he truly IS in a Paradox Patch. I'm not sure the general population appreciates the fact that he's not a cookie cut type that you think you are getting what you see. I like him. I like to read when he's happy because he's clever and funny. But he seems to blog more about the pain he feels and I appreciate that as well.
I certainly am not the cookie cut type either, but for the most part people actually appreciate me for that. My personality is handy in some situations and I'm "sent" to take care of things or situations. The problem is, you can't "un-send" me.
Recently on facebook I passed along a post that asked people to use one word to describe me. The results were very interesting. One person, I've known for around 16 years and I've always gotten the impression that she dislikes me. Not that that is unusual, to the contrary. You love me or hate me, but most of the time I know why you hate me. Her I'm not sure about. She chose the word "intriguing"... I'm a pretty open book so I can't imagine anyone finding me intriguing. Her husband chose the word "mystic". I have NOOO idea what that's about but it may be part of the reason she dislikes me. One friend said "unique" and he stands by it, but I think he could expound and it wouldn't be a pretty sight. I'm glad it was just one word. One long time internet friend chose "bipolar". THAT one I understand even though he was joking. I appear to be one way on the surface and when you know me better you see the other sides of me. I suggested bipolar was an understatement because what you are going to get could be anything. I may open the door smiling (at something one of my daughter's just said). I may open the door crying (in pain). I may open the door furious (it takes very little these days). Often I seem distracted, which I am. I am always researching something. Often multiple things.
When I was 15 I discovered I love Shakespeare, it was like meeting a new person within myself. When I was trying to lose the last 10 pounds I'd gained during pregnancy of my second daughter I discovered that not only do I LOVE yoga, but I'm extremely good at it. There are few things I am good at so that was an exciting new facet to find. I'm very visually stimulated. I love movies by certain directors because, visually, they move me. Yoga is aesthetically pleasing, I was always trying to perfect. Shakespeare is a pleasant assault on all senses, for me. I love to decorate (interior design) and for some people in my life it's fun because they can't see a finished Tuscan kitchen that came from a plate I bought at a second hand store. Kudos to my husband, he listens to what I am trying to achieve and helps me figure out a way to achieve it. Sometimes he looks dubious but in the end he deserves most of the credit. (He was a bit freaked out with the bright yellow shade I asked for in the kitchen and I wasn't sure how my plan to antique it would work out, but he stuck in there and loves it.) My best friend helped with my last room (I call it my Zen room) and the kitchen. He doesn't even try to get me to explain, he just waits to see what I've been seeing for months.
I've mentioned The Headache with a frequency that most people who know probably find tedious. I'm sorry for that, but it's my every waking moment. It's also the reason I haven't done yoga in years, or seen a Shakespeare play. That I've stopped redecorating. That the light I used to awaken early for pouring in my living room window is now blocked with dark curtains that are always shut. The parties I loved to plan with ambitions most people doubted I could pull off are now a shadow of what they were. I'm a shadow. I'm not intriguing or mystic. I'm broken.
I've always written. I always will write. I'm not persistent enough to get my writing published as I would like to. (I am published, though). I think it would be easier if I could draw the images that are in my head that I write about, but I can't do it. I'm not an illustrator and I'm not sure I can even pass what I see in my head onto someone who is. So my artwork will always be words. Often overlooked, in a sea of other wordsmiths.
So to the friend of my niece's whose blog I'm a fan, I feel your blog. You are very good at expressing your feelings. Like you this is often raw and open. Scary to share. I didn't even mean to, it just happened. But with all of us bloggers in the world, with various degrees of writing talent, can't we come up with a better word than BLOG???
I certainly am not the cookie cut type either, but for the most part people actually appreciate me for that. My personality is handy in some situations and I'm "sent" to take care of things or situations. The problem is, you can't "un-send" me.
Recently on facebook I passed along a post that asked people to use one word to describe me. The results were very interesting. One person, I've known for around 16 years and I've always gotten the impression that she dislikes me. Not that that is unusual, to the contrary. You love me or hate me, but most of the time I know why you hate me. Her I'm not sure about. She chose the word "intriguing"... I'm a pretty open book so I can't imagine anyone finding me intriguing. Her husband chose the word "mystic". I have NOOO idea what that's about but it may be part of the reason she dislikes me. One friend said "unique" and he stands by it, but I think he could expound and it wouldn't be a pretty sight. I'm glad it was just one word. One long time internet friend chose "bipolar". THAT one I understand even though he was joking. I appear to be one way on the surface and when you know me better you see the other sides of me. I suggested bipolar was an understatement because what you are going to get could be anything. I may open the door smiling (at something one of my daughter's just said). I may open the door crying (in pain). I may open the door furious (it takes very little these days). Often I seem distracted, which I am. I am always researching something. Often multiple things.
When I was 15 I discovered I love Shakespeare, it was like meeting a new person within myself. When I was trying to lose the last 10 pounds I'd gained during pregnancy of my second daughter I discovered that not only do I LOVE yoga, but I'm extremely good at it. There are few things I am good at so that was an exciting new facet to find. I'm very visually stimulated. I love movies by certain directors because, visually, they move me. Yoga is aesthetically pleasing, I was always trying to perfect. Shakespeare is a pleasant assault on all senses, for me. I love to decorate (interior design) and for some people in my life it's fun because they can't see a finished Tuscan kitchen that came from a plate I bought at a second hand store. Kudos to my husband, he listens to what I am trying to achieve and helps me figure out a way to achieve it. Sometimes he looks dubious but in the end he deserves most of the credit. (He was a bit freaked out with the bright yellow shade I asked for in the kitchen and I wasn't sure how my plan to antique it would work out, but he stuck in there and loves it.) My best friend helped with my last room (I call it my Zen room) and the kitchen. He doesn't even try to get me to explain, he just waits to see what I've been seeing for months.
I've mentioned The Headache with a frequency that most people who know probably find tedious. I'm sorry for that, but it's my every waking moment. It's also the reason I haven't done yoga in years, or seen a Shakespeare play. That I've stopped redecorating. That the light I used to awaken early for pouring in my living room window is now blocked with dark curtains that are always shut. The parties I loved to plan with ambitions most people doubted I could pull off are now a shadow of what they were. I'm a shadow. I'm not intriguing or mystic. I'm broken.
I've always written. I always will write. I'm not persistent enough to get my writing published as I would like to. (I am published, though). I think it would be easier if I could draw the images that are in my head that I write about, but I can't do it. I'm not an illustrator and I'm not sure I can even pass what I see in my head onto someone who is. So my artwork will always be words. Often overlooked, in a sea of other wordsmiths.
So to the friend of my niece's whose blog I'm a fan, I feel your blog. You are very good at expressing your feelings. Like you this is often raw and open. Scary to share. I didn't even mean to, it just happened. But with all of us bloggers in the world, with various degrees of writing talent, can't we come up with a better word than BLOG???
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
It's like an early Christmas!
The Filipino prisoners + Queen medley= Good stuff, right there.
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Oops I forgot the link!
I love them both!
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Oops I forgot the link!
I love them both!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
And Fox decides to help Jon Stewart to rest his case...
Chris Wallace invites Rush Limbaugh to weigh in...
Uh yeah, pulling out the big guns. No pun intended.
Uh yeah, pulling out the big guns. No pun intended.
Super race..
Since President Obama is going to be labeled as the reincarnation of Hitler, I'm thinking an, umm, DNA donation from Johnny Depp would make the world a much more beautiful place. THAT would be a super race.
Sorry.. Edward Scissorhands and From Hell in a 24 hour period will do that.
Sorry.. Edward Scissorhands and From Hell in a 24 hour period will do that.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Halloween History
I thought I'd share this, though it's likely not new info for most people.
My grandmother went into labor on Halloween but my dad wasn't born until after midnight. His mother said though he waited to be born on All Saint's Day, he was more spook than angel.
Americans love Halloween. We as a country spend over $5 billion a year celebrating it. But where did the holiday come from? And how did traditions like asking strangers for food and dressing up as ghosts develop?
Halloween has its roots in Samhain (pronounced sow-in), an ancient harvest festival held at the end of the Celtic year. The festival marked the end of summer and the beginning of the dark wintertime. It was believed the spirits of the dead returned on this eve to damage crops and play tricks on the living. It was also believed that the Celtic priests, or Druids, were able to make predictions about the future, which they did during large bonfire celebrations where they wore animal skins and sacrificed crops and animals to the spirits.
In early A.D., Romans came to the Celtic territories of modern day England, Scotland and Northern France, and were the first people to influence the celebration of Samhain. They brought their own holidays: Feralia, the Roman day to honor the dead in late October, as well as another holiday to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. It is possible that this Roman influence is the reason apples are given out and bobbed for on Halloween.
By 800 A.D., Christianity spread to the Celtic Territories and brought with it another holiday, "All Saints Day." Pope Boniface IV, the designator of All Saints Day, was likely trying to replace Samhain with a similar but holier holiday meant to honor saints and martyrs. Later on, All Saints Day was renamed "All Hallows" and thus the day of Samhain (Oct. 31st) began to be called "All Hallows Eve," and eventually shortened to "Hallowe'en."
All of the holidays that were melded together to create our modern version of Halloween involved dressing up in one way or another. The celebrators of Samhain wore animal skins at their bonfire celebrations and those that observed "All Saints Day" often dressed as saints or angels. Later on men in Scotland would impersonate the dead on the day, explaining the ghoulish tradition we still observe.
During the mid 1800's, Irish and English immigrants flooded the United States and brought Halloween with them. From these immigrants we received the Halloween traditions we recognize today, however skewed they are now. For instance, the first trick-or-treaters were far from today's smiling children with commercialized costumes. They lived in Medieval England, and practiced "souling," in which poor people would beg for sweet breads, in return for praying for the families' souls. Later, the immigrants who brought Halloween to America would develop their own version of trick-or-treating, but it didn't become popular here until the 1930s.
~Katla McGlynn
My grandmother went into labor on Halloween but my dad wasn't born until after midnight. His mother said though he waited to be born on All Saint's Day, he was more spook than angel.
Happy Halloween! I'm blogging about scarey stuff!!!
You've been warned..
Soo... Levi Johnston has agreed to pose for Playgirl. Sarah Palin got a $1.5 million advance on her book "Going Rogue". Their back and forth is childish and horrifying but it all comes down to "My pimp is better than your pimp." I'd quit now young Levi, she's got the best street corner.
I haven't mentioned Jon Stewart in a while but it's not because I don't love him anymore. I'm not that fickle! As always, I warn you that while it is censored, it's evident he's speaking freely:
The moral of today's blog: Consider the source.
Soo... Levi Johnston has agreed to pose for Playgirl. Sarah Palin got a $1.5 million advance on her book "Going Rogue". Their back and forth is childish and horrifying but it all comes down to "My pimp is better than your pimp." I'd quit now young Levi, she's got the best street corner.
I haven't mentioned Jon Stewart in a while but it's not because I don't love him anymore. I'm not that fickle! As always, I warn you that while it is censored, it's evident he's speaking freely:
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| For Fox Sake! | ||||
| ||||
The moral of today's blog: Consider the source.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Matthew Shepard's parents see bill passed into law, 11 years later.
I recently watched a Lifetime movie on LMN about Matthew Shepard who was beaten nearly to death then hung on a fence to die because he was gay. If you haven't heard of this, I encourage you to read more about it. Also the story of James Byrd Jr. the black man chained to a truck and dragged behind it until he died. The 2 cases have been cited as examples of hate crime and the bill that Bill Clinton tried to get passed, George W. Bush promised to veto should it hit his desk and Ted Kennedy fought hard for passed through Congress on the 22nd and signed into law by President Obama today. He had promised the Shepards it would be a high priority and kept that promise. The bill is called Matthew Shepard & James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act
Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/28/hate-crimes-bill-to-be-si_n_336883.html
Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/28/hate-crimes-bill-to-be-si_n_336883.html
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Handel's Messiah and me.
For a few years I sang in the Messiah with our local orchestra. I'm not musically inclined but I loved it. Part of that experience was the choir director, Adrianne Tawa, we have until it's time to hand us over to the director of the orchestra. She's so fun and has a very comprehensive way of getting us to do things exactly as she wants us to do them. The Orchestra Conductor, Xun Sun, has a way of commanding perfection and when we perform his happiness with us is well expressed on his face for only us to see. It's always been a beautiful thing that I love doing. For a short time there was a different choir director and I lost my enthusiasm. I haven't performed for a few years now and I have lost much of what I had learned. I'm going to have to search for my Messiah alto for dummies cd. I've often said that if my house was on fire, after getting the family out and if I'm lucky all of the photos, I'd run back in for my Messiah score. It's like an old friend and my daughter laughed as she learned why, tonight. My notations over the years are invaluable and consist of odd things to create the mood of the music I am singing but I will often write a note like "Pay attention because you are going to mess up when you turn the page." And I still mess up where I said I would.
Aside from the beauty of the music and being a part of something so profound, I find myself unable to sing certain parts because of the spiritual nature of the words taken from Isaiah. Handel so beautifully managed to express the life of Christ and to sing the words "Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace" is difficult because I am always moved to tears. Tears of gratitude.
Aside from the beauty of the music and being a part of something so profound, I find myself unable to sing certain parts because of the spiritual nature of the words taken from Isaiah. Handel so beautifully managed to express the life of Christ and to sing the words "Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace" is difficult because I am always moved to tears. Tears of gratitude.
Friday, October 23, 2009
40.
Yesterday was my birthday and it was a really great day. I'm not one to stress about the numbers (I freaked at 29 for some reason but not since). With age I find that I am not fond of my birthday or mother's day. I love family holidays where everyone is happy. My youngest gave me a copy of Memoirs of a Geisha and my oldest gave be a bag of Heath bars and this cool mascara I mentioned that I wanted to try. Hubby gave me money for a shopping spree! It was nice to be thought of by my family and friends. It's nice to feel loved :)I guess deep down I do like the reminder that I matter to people, even though they don't see me as much, anymore. What will my 40's bring? One never knows.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Seaworld at my house.
So I haven't talked about my nanos much, that I remember. I have 2 12 gallon nano reef tanks. One is 4 years old, but suffered a monumental crash a while back. The other is just over a year and is ruled by this tiny, cute little ocellaris clown named Napoleon (I just thought of that name.. I tell you, my naming abilities is a gift). I can't get him an anemone because he's so small that it would swallow him in a heartbeat. In the older nano the tank is completely at the mercy of an enormous bubble tip anemone and the maroon clown (which is nameless at this time but he's AWESOME) I had a beautiful feather duster in there for months, but I looked in the other day and LITERALLY like the cat that ate the canary, pulled the crown of the featherduster worm from the mouth of the anemone. Sans the worm part, sadly, but in every casualty there's a lesson. In this case, an anemone WILL eat a featherduster worm should it be foolish enough to leave it's tube and venture near the enormous black hole of the anemone's mouth and I'm pretty sure the maroon clown was an accessory...
Not good, but nature is cruel. That tank has 3 fish and each knows it's place and it's relatively peaceful. Napolean's tank is different because he's small but pugnacious. I don't want to lose him to another fish. I grabbed him the coolest tank mate last week. He's a diamond watchman goby named Cheeto
and he's landscaping and relandscaping the tank. My two chili corals have fallen into his collapsed tunnels twice. He is ALWAYS busy. His cave's are so amazing and he'll come out with a rock as big as his head to line the entrance. He's a groovy fish and he rules the sandbed of the tank and coexists peacefully with Napoleon. I hope all stays peaceful because I'd be a very sad panda if either of them died. AND due to the lack of an anemone the featherduster in there is gorgeous!
Not good, but nature is cruel. That tank has 3 fish and each knows it's place and it's relatively peaceful. Napolean's tank is different because he's small but pugnacious. I don't want to lose him to another fish. I grabbed him the coolest tank mate last week. He's a diamond watchman goby named Cheeto
and he's landscaping and relandscaping the tank. My two chili corals have fallen into his collapsed tunnels twice. He is ALWAYS busy. His cave's are so amazing and he'll come out with a rock as big as his head to line the entrance. He's a groovy fish and he rules the sandbed of the tank and coexists peacefully with Napoleon. I hope all stays peaceful because I'd be a very sad panda if either of them died. AND due to the lack of an anemone the featherduster in there is gorgeous!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Perspective.
Sooo, I have a lot of good friends that I've made online. Some have been onboard the Briar Express for close to ten years. Oddly enough, I answer to the name Briar as quickly as I do Monica once I finally meet my e-friends face to face. It's strange and misunderstood by many people but Briar's friends know me just as well, if not better, than Monica's friends. This is not to say that my lifetime friends aren't treasured, they are. I have been blessed with the most amazing friends in the world. And I believe that most of them would do anything for me as I would them.
The internet is an interesting place. It's a veritable goldmine of information and it's not hard to find people that share interests and don't rot your brain with inane conversation. My interests vary and I love to learn, I always have. It may be a curse or a godsend for a person whose life has been turned upside down by The Headache. I thought I had more courage, but I don't. I don't recognize the person I've become but the people I've met online do. There are no expectations and the longtime friendships I've made (all over the world) are precious in that I have nothing to offer them other than words on the other side of an internet connection. Yet there's something to a friendship that is based solely on communication.
It's an odd thought that the people who know you best may never even meet you face to face. Yet they will never forget your words on the screen.
The internet is an interesting place. It's a veritable goldmine of information and it's not hard to find people that share interests and don't rot your brain with inane conversation. My interests vary and I love to learn, I always have. It may be a curse or a godsend for a person whose life has been turned upside down by The Headache. I thought I had more courage, but I don't. I don't recognize the person I've become but the people I've met online do. There are no expectations and the longtime friendships I've made (all over the world) are precious in that I have nothing to offer them other than words on the other side of an internet connection. Yet there's something to a friendship that is based solely on communication.
It's an odd thought that the people who know you best may never even meet you face to face. Yet they will never forget your words on the screen.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
In all my almost 40 years..
Monday, October 12, 2009
My take on the Nobel Peace Prize
So I've been asked repeatedly my opinion on why President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize so early in his Presidency without having realized all of the goals that he has set or when he has achieved more for what he's done. I can't honestly say why he won. He didn't ask for it and is genuinely humbled and honored to be the winner. My shock comes from the fact that ANY American was even mentioned in the same sentence as peace. Quite frankly, for the 8 years before President Obama took office we've been a tad bit warmongering.
I'm not going to do a huge history lesson on the Nobel prizes , but there are 5 categories and the candidates are chosen by criteria set up by Alfred Nobel in his will in 1895 along with a sizable amount of prize money. (For more details look it up. It isn't becoming to people who are going to criticize if they have no clue what it's all about). The committee that chooses the most qualified candidates is in and of itself a group of intelligent people that make their choices with care. Oslo Norway is the place that was chosen by Alfred Nobel for the award to be bestowed.
The requirements set by Alfred Nobel for the Peace prize is the following:
Colombia Senator Piedad Cordoba, Sima Samar, Chinese dissident Hu Jia, and Prime Minister of Zimbabwe Morgan Tsvangirai (which is, brace yourselves, BLACK).
Rumored nominees are: French President Nicholas Sarkozy (remember when we were boycotting all things French because their country wasn't convinced that we were fighting the right enemy? Freedom fries and the taint of Tar-jay??), Ingrid Betancourt, the Cluster Munitions Coalition, Zivko Popovski-Cvetin, SOS-Kinderedorf International, Greg Mortenson, Thich Quang Do and Pete Seeger.
Sooooo, MY opinion as to whether it was too soon or jumping the gun? No. President Obama was put into office by grassroot groups of people. Little people, little voices like my own who cried out for the America President Obama envisioned. He inspired enough hope in America to win the election. He's inspired the world to believe peace isn't an impossible dream. His country may not be willing to stand behind him but he represents hope for the rest of the world. No it wasn't too soon or undeserved. The dissidents in our country who want his failure so badly, don't deserve the freedoms they enjoy. Who wishes for the failure of a President at the expense of their own country. It's just unfathomable.
I'm not going to do a huge history lesson on the Nobel prizes , but there are 5 categories and the candidates are chosen by criteria set up by Alfred Nobel in his will in 1895 along with a sizable amount of prize money. (For more details look it up. It isn't becoming to people who are going to criticize if they have no clue what it's all about). The committee that chooses the most qualified candidates is in and of itself a group of intelligent people that make their choices with care. Oslo Norway is the place that was chosen by Alfred Nobel for the award to be bestowed.
The requirements set by Alfred Nobel for the Peace prize is the following:
...one part to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity among nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.The official list of nominees will not be released for 20 years but some of the known nominees are:
Colombia Senator Piedad Cordoba, Sima Samar, Chinese dissident Hu Jia, and Prime Minister of Zimbabwe Morgan Tsvangirai (which is, brace yourselves, BLACK).
Rumored nominees are: French President Nicholas Sarkozy (remember when we were boycotting all things French because their country wasn't convinced that we were fighting the right enemy? Freedom fries and the taint of Tar-jay??), Ingrid Betancourt, the Cluster Munitions Coalition, Zivko Popovski-Cvetin, SOS-Kinderedorf International, Greg Mortenson, Thich Quang Do and Pete Seeger.
Sooooo, MY opinion as to whether it was too soon or jumping the gun? No. President Obama was put into office by grassroot groups of people. Little people, little voices like my own who cried out for the America President Obama envisioned. He inspired enough hope in America to win the election. He's inspired the world to believe peace isn't an impossible dream. His country may not be willing to stand behind him but he represents hope for the rest of the world. No it wasn't too soon or undeserved. The dissidents in our country who want his failure so badly, don't deserve the freedoms they enjoy. Who wishes for the failure of a President at the expense of their own country. It's just unfathomable.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Odd day...
I tend to be wrapped up in The Headache which makes me self absorbed. I have a name for The Headache but I've been told that to speak the names of demons from hell aloud isn't good mojo.
I was at church today and I was watching a close friend of mine. I can see that she hurts but she internalizes it. In all of the time that I've known her she's never really told me what SHE is feeling. We used to be assigned to visit a few ladies in our ward. We were partners for a few years and I have to say that sometimes I was the cool head of reason in one particularly difficult lady's house. That, right there, is a frightening thought but it's true. I was assigned because I am not easily offended and I play well with others. Anyway, sometimes my friend would be silent and I'd give up early on trying to talk. I tiptoed through our visits and carried the conversations. When she'd drop me off at home or vice versa, I'd say "If you want to talk about it, I'm always here." She never called. One day I was told that I was going to be released from the calling to visit because of the number of other church callings that I had and the number of people doing it. I felt I should be the one to tell her. She was upset and for the first time I realized she considered me a friend. So I went to the leaders and ask that they keep us together for a while longer. About a year ago I WAS finally released. For months she wrote these cards to me and sent them to me in the mail. I realized then that I was her best friend. I treasured each card because I struggle, too, with life's ups and downs and B... The Headache. I make it a point to seek her out at church and talk to her for a bit and occasionally we have family get togethers. Today she was seated a few rows in front of me and I wrote her a note in our first meeting. It said what I always do, "I'm always here for you. I'm a phone call away and I love you." She finally left the meeting early and never glanced my way. I could literally feel her pain. Her daughter is in my Sunday School class and I gave her the note because I never saw my friend again. She won't call. I wonder what it's like to keep your pain and troubles bottled up... I guess I'll never know because I'm just the opposite. But for today, I actually thought I was fortunate to have The Headache. I'm not sure I could deal with whatever it is that is hurting her.
I was at church today and I was watching a close friend of mine. I can see that she hurts but she internalizes it. In all of the time that I've known her she's never really told me what SHE is feeling. We used to be assigned to visit a few ladies in our ward. We were partners for a few years and I have to say that sometimes I was the cool head of reason in one particularly difficult lady's house. That, right there, is a frightening thought but it's true. I was assigned because I am not easily offended and I play well with others. Anyway, sometimes my friend would be silent and I'd give up early on trying to talk. I tiptoed through our visits and carried the conversations. When she'd drop me off at home or vice versa, I'd say "If you want to talk about it, I'm always here." She never called. One day I was told that I was going to be released from the calling to visit because of the number of other church callings that I had and the number of people doing it. I felt I should be the one to tell her. She was upset and for the first time I realized she considered me a friend. So I went to the leaders and ask that they keep us together for a while longer. About a year ago I WAS finally released. For months she wrote these cards to me and sent them to me in the mail. I realized then that I was her best friend. I treasured each card because I struggle, too, with life's ups and downs and B... The Headache. I make it a point to seek her out at church and talk to her for a bit and occasionally we have family get togethers. Today she was seated a few rows in front of me and I wrote her a note in our first meeting. It said what I always do, "I'm always here for you. I'm a phone call away and I love you." She finally left the meeting early and never glanced my way. I could literally feel her pain. Her daughter is in my Sunday School class and I gave her the note because I never saw my friend again. She won't call. I wonder what it's like to keep your pain and troubles bottled up... I guess I'll never know because I'm just the opposite. But for today, I actually thought I was fortunate to have The Headache. I'm not sure I could deal with whatever it is that is hurting her.
Friday, October 9, 2009
And the winner is...
Nobel Peace Prize winner President Barack Obama says he was surprised and deeply humbled by the honor. This is a good sign of the world's view of our new president. Oslo Norway's Nobel committee look favorably on the approach President Obama has taken to improve global relationships with a call for peaceful cooperation. He has also been applauded for his work to reduce nuclear weapons around the globe.
There are a few groups that are outraged by the committee's choice:
Mainly war mongering people in the Middle East and here and there around the world,
the Hamas,
terrorists
the Taliban,
and the GOP. Yes, stupid people our OWN country wanted some other country to win the prestigious award. Next they'll be cheering if we aren't chosen to host the Olympics. Oh wait. That was last week.
Meanwhile in my tiny hometown they are still having tea parties. Yeah, like, that is soooo beginning of summer. Move on people. Where's your patriotism?
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Okay, okay, I'm sorry!
I has no idea so many people care about my crazy rants and opinions so because of overwhelming response (my daughter started to cry) , I'm back. Sometimes I can sit and type whatever is in my head and just post it. I often don't even notice or care that there are typos and that I am only making sense to me. I feel a bit of pressure if I don't blog often enough and that kind of freaks me out.
I have written several blog entries about my and my daughter's Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder, but haven't published any of them. I'm not sure why I can't seem to express this subject in a way that I want to publish it. Hopefully I eventually will.
I also don't spend a lot of time discussing the Black Dahlia case that I've studied for years now, but that may change. In fact the frustration I'm feeling right now is part of the reason I took my blog down. That and so many things that I can't change.
It's frustrating to try to explain why I think or feel the way I do, just that I think and feel STRONGLY. Some people find me too opinionated, some agree. Some find me obnoxious, others call it passion. I can only say read it at your own risk.
I have written several blog entries about my and my daughter's Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder, but haven't published any of them. I'm not sure why I can't seem to express this subject in a way that I want to publish it. Hopefully I eventually will.
I also don't spend a lot of time discussing the Black Dahlia case that I've studied for years now, but that may change. In fact the frustration I'm feeling right now is part of the reason I took my blog down. That and so many things that I can't change.
It's frustrating to try to explain why I think or feel the way I do, just that I think and feel STRONGLY. Some people find me too opinionated, some agree. Some find me obnoxious, others call it passion. I can only say read it at your own risk.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Hmmm. Scary or not.?
My mom is always freaking out that Glenn Beck is going to hire a hit man and have me killed for my blog. I haven't been concerned. I have, however, irritated a nut job that seriously makes me nervous. And no it's not TimFinnegan :P Just teasing you there, Matthew!
So I've felt pretty safe on the Black Dahlia boards because quite frankly, it's never going to be solved and if it was, the murder is dead by now. The Zodiac on the other hand... So I irritated the egomanical owner of a website I don't even belong to because of a stupid theory that threw our crimes together. I'm debating whether or not to lead him here so I can find out more info... He DID serve time for stalking. Freaky, freaky..
So I've felt pretty safe on the Black Dahlia boards because quite frankly, it's never going to be solved and if it was, the murder is dead by now. The Zodiac on the other hand... So I irritated the egomanical owner of a website I don't even belong to because of a stupid theory that threw our crimes together. I'm debating whether or not to lead him here so I can find out more info... He DID serve time for stalking. Freaky, freaky..
Saturday, October 3, 2009
To blog or not to blog..
Life is not on an upswing lately, personally speaking. I need to blog on the complete disappointment and shock that came from a book I've been long awaiting, but I can't even make myself read it. Pointing out what a complete tool, Glenn Beck has become like shooting fish in a barrel. So I'm going to let Jason Linkins update us on the latest in the Glenn "I INVENTED the language of idiots" Beck.
Internet Finally Discovers Glenn Beck Photoshoot Video, Freaks Out
By Jason Linkins
Link to Jason Linkin's blog entry from HuffPo
It's not news to me and, if you've frequented my blog, it's not news to you, either. The White House has grown tired of his antics even the GOP is disowning him. Lindsay Graham who is running for the position of McCain's new wife actually said something that rings genuine to ME:
More on that and a video clip of Graham Lindsay here: Link
There's a time and a place for sarcastic criticism and political humor. Even acting or whatever it is that Glenn Beck does on Fox News, as inappropriate as that is. But there should be a disclaimer that says that he is disingenuous. That he doesn't even believe what he's saying because it's not true. In the current climate, his antics are dangerous.
Internet Finally Discovers Glenn Beck Photoshoot Video, Freaks Out
By Jason Linkins
Your interwebs are blowing up today at a YouTube clip that documents a Glenn Beck photo shoot, where the Fox News host has a substance, presumably Vicks VapoRub, applied to his face so that he can manufacture some tears for the photographer.
Depending on your point of view, this is either the object demonstration of a time-tested photographer's trick, or the SMOKING GUN THAT WILL BRING DOWN GLENN BECK'S EMPIRE OF FAKE TEARS! As you might surmise, I am opting to err on the side of calmness and serenity, because Gawker posted this video about two weeks ago, and the Republic survived.
WATCH:
Nevertheless, here's a point well worth underscoring again: let's note that the photographer you see in the video is the controversial Jill Greenberg, who got in trouble after she shot John McCain for The Atlantic, after which she talked a lot of smack about purposely making McCain look bad and posting Photoshopped versions of those images on her personal website, which further lampooned the senator. Beck said this, of Greenberg, way back when:
The Atlantic is sending a letter of apology to McCain. They will not be paying [Greenberg], and they're considering a lawsuit. Good, they should. Greenberg said that, since some of her artwork was anti-Bush, quote, "Maybe it was somewhat irresponsible for them to hire me." Wait a minute. Let me see if I have this right. She does a horrible job and then she blames her employer? That's right, I forgot. She's a liberal.
By the way, this isn't the first time this photographer has been in the middle of controversy. In 2004, to describe her political helplessness, she took a series of supposedly artsy photos of toddlers crying. How did she get this shot? Well, she gave the kids candy, and then she snatched it away from them. They'd cry uncontrollably, and she'd just click away. Isn't it just fantastic art? Nothing more beautiful than a child being terrorized.
You'd have thought that the candy-snatch technique would have been sufficient to bring tears to Beck's eyes as well.
Link to Jason Linkin's blog entry from HuffPo
It's not news to me and, if you've frequented my blog, it's not news to you, either. The White House has grown tired of his antics even the GOP is disowning him. Lindsay Graham who is running for the position of McCain's new wife actually said something that rings genuine to ME:
"Only in America can you make that much money crying," Graham said of Beck. "Glenn Beck is not aligned with any party. He is aligned with cynicism and there has always been a market for cynics. But we became a great nation not because we are a nation of cynics. We became a great nation because we are a nation of believers."
More on that and a video clip of Graham Lindsay here: Link
There's a time and a place for sarcastic criticism and political humor. Even acting or whatever it is that Glenn Beck does on Fox News, as inappropriate as that is. But there should be a disclaimer that says that he is disingenuous. That he doesn't even believe what he's saying because it's not true. In the current climate, his antics are dangerous.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Yeah there no problems with the people in this country.
Obama Facebook Poll: "Should Obama Be Killed?" Pulled From Site, Secret Service Investigate - UPDATED (PHOTOS)
A poll was posted on Facebook asking users to vote "should Obama be killed?"
The responses include: "yes," "maybe," "if he cuts my health care," and "no."
See a screen shot of the poll below:
Over 730 people had taken the poll, which was later removed from Facebook. The poll is now being probed by the Secret Service, reports the Associated Press. Read more about the investigation here.
Included on the list of the top 100 most popular polls on Facebook was a poll responding to the "should Obama be killed" query, and which asked users to vote, "Should the creator of 'should Obama be killed' be arrested?"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/28/obama-facebook-poll-asks_n_301860.html
A poll was posted on Facebook asking users to vote "should Obama be killed?"
The responses include: "yes," "maybe," "if he cuts my health care," and "no."
See a screen shot of the poll below:
Over 730 people had taken the poll, which was later removed from Facebook. The poll is now being probed by the Secret Service, reports the Associated Press. Read more about the investigation here.
Included on the list of the top 100 most popular polls on Facebook was a poll responding to the "should Obama be killed" query, and which asked users to vote, "Should the creator of 'should Obama be killed' be arrested?"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/28/obama-facebook-poll-asks_n_301860.html
Friday, September 25, 2009
Appreciation is priceless.
For years I've been an armchair detective on a cold case murder board. I moderated for a long time and felt that I was underappreciated. I asked to be removed from that board and moved to another, more progressive board. I feel like it's a ...better site with more appreciation for the work we all put in. Today I was honored with my own forum. It's an odd hobby but I'm proud of the work I've done and to be appreciated is priceless. Here's the link to my forum there:
Briar's Corner
Briar's Corner
Thursday, September 24, 2009
There ARE somethings we agree on...
That's what I was clinging to.
Is the GOP a Cult? ~Gene Lyons
My answer to that? Not all of them, Mr Lyons, but I'm surrounded by the ones who are. It's hard to speak out because even I'm becoming afraid.
Is the GOP a Cult? ~Gene Lyons
My answer to that? Not all of them, Mr Lyons, but I'm surrounded by the ones who are. It's hard to speak out because even I'm becoming afraid.
So sad..
The loss of some of my favorite icons through the 80's and 90's has left me saddened. I recently read an article about Patrick Swayze with so many beautiful quotes and words from the people who were his friends and co-actors.
Also, the continuing circus that has ensued since the passing of Michael Jackson. Career tainted by rumors of pedophilia, his children seemed well adjusted though completely heartbroken by the loss of their father. The press and attention seekers with their claims of being their actual biological father seems to me to be more likely to cause them emotional damage than anything that has been a part of their lives thus far. Freedom of speech is a right and a privilege, but when it becomes abusive and destructive to someone else, especially children, it's just not right. I ran across this video clip this morning. Filmed while working on his upcoming tour, it's hard to believe he's gone. He sings Human Nature and it takes me back to my early teens. Has human nature changed so much or did I just grow up?
Michael Jackson Human Nature
I'll be adding to this throughout the day.
Also, the continuing circus that has ensued since the passing of Michael Jackson. Career tainted by rumors of pedophilia, his children seemed well adjusted though completely heartbroken by the loss of their father. The press and attention seekers with their claims of being their actual biological father seems to me to be more likely to cause them emotional damage than anything that has been a part of their lives thus far. Freedom of speech is a right and a privilege, but when it becomes abusive and destructive to someone else, especially children, it's just not right. I ran across this video clip this morning. Filmed while working on his upcoming tour, it's hard to believe he's gone. He sings Human Nature and it takes me back to my early teens. Has human nature changed so much or did I just grow up?
Michael Jackson Human Nature
I'll be adding to this throughout the day.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Congrats!!
Congratulations Jon Stewart and the writers at The Daily Show for 2 Emmys!!! See? It's not just me :P
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Oh the pressure of a topic.
My blog is many things to me. It's where I go to vent. The online version of screaming into a pillow. Sometimes it's something I just found out and I'm instantly happy, sad or angry and it's where I need to release that emotion. Sometimes something interests me and I want to know more so I spend days researching and then blogging on it. Those can take me a day or two. Sometimes it's personal and I feel like I am exposing myself by writing about these moments in my life. I have a few subjects I've written blogs on and saved them, but not published them because they are too much a part of me.
There are days that I crank out 3 entries in a day and times I have nothing to say. But this is my haven. I NEED it. I need to have an outlet and I can't be told to lighten up on what I talk about. It was never intended to have a following, but it does. I can't blog to entertain and I can't hold back what I feel. It's self indulgent and I won't be stopping anytime soon.
That being said, I'm not here to provide a topic for other people to write about. My blog is going to be a mishmash of topics and though I will write about some things several times, like Glenn Beck and stupid people, it's truly a reflection of how I think. My mind skips from topic to topic and I'm interested in a variety of things. If my readers are going to blog about me it would be nice if they stuck to the facts. I realize that anyone who has so little in life to do that they hit my blog upwards of 10 times a day is going to have an opinion of me and it could be a negative one. I would think that after all this time, though, they wouldn't have to make things up. It's truly a sign of sour grapes and I recognize that. Many people believe that I've been naive in my choice to be friends with this person I am alluding to. I've been told that the fascination is unhealthy, even stalkerish. I've mostly disagreed but when I pop up often as a topic and the references are a bit personal I have to wonder, myself. Is it healthy for someone to obsess over some random chick online?
There are days that I crank out 3 entries in a day and times I have nothing to say. But this is my haven. I NEED it. I need to have an outlet and I can't be told to lighten up on what I talk about. It was never intended to have a following, but it does. I can't blog to entertain and I can't hold back what I feel. It's self indulgent and I won't be stopping anytime soon.
That being said, I'm not here to provide a topic for other people to write about. My blog is going to be a mishmash of topics and though I will write about some things several times, like Glenn Beck and stupid people, it's truly a reflection of how I think. My mind skips from topic to topic and I'm interested in a variety of things. If my readers are going to blog about me it would be nice if they stuck to the facts. I realize that anyone who has so little in life to do that they hit my blog upwards of 10 times a day is going to have an opinion of me and it could be a negative one. I would think that after all this time, though, they wouldn't have to make things up. It's truly a sign of sour grapes and I recognize that. Many people believe that I've been naive in my choice to be friends with this person I am alluding to. I've been told that the fascination is unhealthy, even stalkerish. I've mostly disagreed but when I pop up often as a topic and the references are a bit personal I have to wonder, myself. Is it healthy for someone to obsess over some random chick online?
Saturday, September 19, 2009
I'm thinking of running away from home...
My mom is driving me nuts. My kids are driving me nuts. My kid's friends moms are driving me nuts.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Finnegan's Wake
There is always a sadness when someone you care about leaves your little world. But in this case it's not sad. It's a relief. Matthew got himself banned from yet another message board. This time I tried to help but he made it clear he wants no part of my friendship. So farewell, Matthew. Your closed mind and lack of experience has limited you to your redundant blog. I see you've had all of 4 people vote on your last poll. 2 of them were me and one was you. You have no one to blame but yourself this time.
Weird!
I'm in the middle of a blog, but I'm out of town. I'm at the library and had to Google my blog. I come right up, don't I? Oh AND guess who's back tonight?!?!
YAY Jon Stewart!!!! How will he ever do his thang in one measly half an hour?? That's just not right. Doesn't Fox have a slot available?? Oh, almost. The Color of Change just sent out wave #2 of letters. Mine was a dandy. I should have put a copy here. Anywhooo, Jon's back and somethings are right with the world.
Update: Jon Stewart was on last night??? I checked my DVR and thought it was tonight. It better not have been bumped by Hannah Montana!
Nother update: It wasn't bumped. He rocked the house!
OH SNAP!! I just read this at HuffPo:
During a CNBC interview on Monday, President Obama called Kanye West a "jackass" regarding his behavior at the MTV Video Music Awards. (Watch the video of Kanye interrupting Taylor Swift's acceptance speech at the VMAs here and read about his first apology.)
Obama's colorful remark was actually made in an off-the-record portion of the interview that was tweeted -- and then deleted -- by ABC News reporter Terry Moran.
"Pres. Obama just called Kanye West a 'jackass' for his outburst at VMAs when Taylor Swift won. Now THAT'S presidential," Moran wrote.
Politico's Michael Calderone has ABC's statement apologizing for Moran's journalistic breach.
*Link*
Never apologize for speaking the truth Mr. President. We've known that about Kanye for years now. Joe West, on the other hand, even surprised his wife.
YAY Jon Stewart!!!! How will he ever do his thang in one measly half an hour?? That's just not right. Doesn't Fox have a slot available?? Oh, almost. The Color of Change just sent out wave #2 of letters. Mine was a dandy. I should have put a copy here. Anywhooo, Jon's back and somethings are right with the world.
Update: Jon Stewart was on last night??? I checked my DVR and thought it was tonight. It better not have been bumped by Hannah Montana!
Nother update: It wasn't bumped. He rocked the house!
OH SNAP!! I just read this at HuffPo:
During a CNBC interview on Monday, President Obama called Kanye West a "jackass" regarding his behavior at the MTV Video Music Awards. (Watch the video of Kanye interrupting Taylor Swift's acceptance speech at the VMAs here and read about his first apology.)
Obama's colorful remark was actually made in an off-the-record portion of the interview that was tweeted -- and then deleted -- by ABC News reporter Terry Moran.
"Pres. Obama just called Kanye West a 'jackass' for his outburst at VMAs when Taylor Swift won. Now THAT'S presidential," Moran wrote.
Politico's Michael Calderone has ABC's statement apologizing for Moran's journalistic breach.
*Link*
Never apologize for speaking the truth Mr. President. We've known that about Kanye for years now. Joe West, on the other hand, even surprised his wife.
15 years ago..
I became something new. I became a mother. It's a funny thing being a mother, you never know if you are doing the right things or if you are doing things right. Fifteen years later, I'm still not sure. I am not your average person so it only stands to reason that I am not your average mother. I take a little here and there from the people in my life that I observe. I have 3 older sisters who I have from the age of 3 to this day, be mothers. I have friends that are all kinds of different mothers. I've borrowed ideas (my favorite being 'free secret'. If you did something you feel was wrong and you tell me before I find out, the punishment is less severe if not waived altogether.) Sometimes I just think "What?" I have found if I am not a Nazi mom, there is less reason to rebel. So far so good, but I'm not stupid. I'm just getting to the hard part.
Of course, the pattern I started with was and is my OWN mother. I feel I had a great childhood and a GREAT mom. I had no confidence, and I felt I didn't belong in my school, but that was more to do with me. My mom fostered in me, above all else, an imagination, thus I was never bored. My kids have misplaced theirs. It could be under the wii or TV.. Yeah, that would be my fault (and yes I do listen to President Obama.) My mom tried very hard to give me every opportunity (available within the rural area): piano lessons, tap, ballet.. I'm not coordinated, I have no musical talent, and I was picked last in every sport at school. It was after I was 15 that I discovered that my interests were more academic and not offered at my high school. I had to sacrifice growing up in the best place on Earth for a child, for a school that allowed me to customize their education in exchange for major PTA volunteer work. I was by far the youngest and I was spoiled, but I loved my mom and dad very much. I wanted them to be proud. I think I've fallen short within the last 8 years, but that's another story.
It's funny how you go along, doing what you do, same rules, same genetics, same sex, even same astrological sign if that helps, but waaaaaay different kids. In fact I was getting smug. So smug, in fact, that I felt I was an authority on the subject and could see plainly what I'd do different. I am no longer judging other mothers, I'm saying "uh oh!" Nothing major, yet. A bit of lazy (that came from me), a bit of ingratitude (that didn't), but I am scrambling to address these things as they come my way and while the little squatters still listen to me.
No, I'm not judging anymore. Only to say this: a good mother has no definition. You can be a good mother and have a stellar child, you can be a good mother and have a serial killer. Mostly we fall somewhere in between. I think the only thing we CAN judge is what we did to try. Not how much money, not how we look to the outside world, just within yourself. How much did you try to give your child all the things they needed? How much did you love them? I've tried very hard and will continue to try. It ain't over 'til it's over*. I'm just going to wait and see. Hope they are happy, well adjusted people, then laugh at them when THEY have kids. I can't wait for grandbabies.. Well, I CAN. NOOOO free secret on THAT one! I just like the idea that I get to love them and they take them home!!!
I guess I take comfort in my faith here. I think always of what Joseph Smith said, "teach them correct principles and they govern themselves."
*Okay, I got some advice from Yogi Berra too...
Of course, the pattern I started with was and is my OWN mother. I feel I had a great childhood and a GREAT mom. I had no confidence, and I felt I didn't belong in my school, but that was more to do with me. My mom fostered in me, above all else, an imagination, thus I was never bored. My kids have misplaced theirs. It could be under the wii or TV.. Yeah, that would be my fault (and yes I do listen to President Obama.) My mom tried very hard to give me every opportunity (available within the rural area): piano lessons, tap, ballet.. I'm not coordinated, I have no musical talent, and I was picked last in every sport at school. It was after I was 15 that I discovered that my interests were more academic and not offered at my high school. I had to sacrifice growing up in the best place on Earth for a child, for a school that allowed me to customize their education in exchange for major PTA volunteer work. I was by far the youngest and I was spoiled, but I loved my mom and dad very much. I wanted them to be proud. I think I've fallen short within the last 8 years, but that's another story.
It's funny how you go along, doing what you do, same rules, same genetics, same sex, even same astrological sign if that helps, but waaaaaay different kids. In fact I was getting smug. So smug, in fact, that I felt I was an authority on the subject and could see plainly what I'd do different. I am no longer judging other mothers, I'm saying "uh oh!" Nothing major, yet. A bit of lazy (that came from me), a bit of ingratitude (that didn't), but I am scrambling to address these things as they come my way and while the little squatters still listen to me.
No, I'm not judging anymore. Only to say this: a good mother has no definition. You can be a good mother and have a stellar child, you can be a good mother and have a serial killer. Mostly we fall somewhere in between. I think the only thing we CAN judge is what we did to try. Not how much money, not how we look to the outside world, just within yourself. How much did you try to give your child all the things they needed? How much did you love them? I've tried very hard and will continue to try. It ain't over 'til it's over*. I'm just going to wait and see. Hope they are happy, well adjusted people, then laugh at them when THEY have kids. I can't wait for grandbabies.. Well, I CAN. NOOOO free secret on THAT one! I just like the idea that I get to love them and they take them home!!!
I guess I take comfort in my faith here. I think always of what Joseph Smith said, "teach them correct principles and they govern themselves."
*Okay, I got some advice from Yogi Berra too...
Sunday, September 13, 2009
The Price of Prejudice
Once as a young girl I used a big word. Actually it was a fitting word to come out of the mouth of a girl that was too thin, too blond, too awkward to draw notice. My dad didn't see any of that. He saw Polka Dots and Moonbeams. Losing my father just about the time I was going to have him gave me rose colored glasses. (If you are new, my dad worked in Las Vegas and commuted on weekends. He died in a car accident 9 months before his retirement)I DO remember clearly the shock of randomly throwing out the word "gauche" and him telling me it wasn't a word. I argued with him for, seemingly, hours pouring through the dictionary because I could say it and define it but I couldn't spell it. By this time he was confident enough to wager money which I gladly took him up on. (My mama once said "Argue all you want to with Monica but never bet her. If she's accepts a bet, she definitely going to be right." She just never said it to my dad.) So I called my English teacher. Got the spelling and smugly showed him the word. He was a sore loser, getting angry, storming out and all the fun of being right being right drained away as I realized he'd never pay up and I'd never mention it. The lesson in that day (other than my mama's wise observation) was that I'd never be too arrogant to learn something from anyone ESPECIALLY my kids and to never be too proud to admit when I was wrong.
My daughter excels at history, especially American wars. I personally find our history dull and ironic, but my mama says I'm a traitor to my country if I expound on that. We were at her house and my daughter was answering some questions about WWII. She's invaluable to me on two fronts because WWII plays an important role in two of my interests: The murder of Elizabeth Short, and Japanese culture. We were talking about the Japanese-American internment camps and my brother who talks a lot but often says little told me that there was one here in Utah not so far away near a town called Delta. The camp was called Topaz. Having no reason to disbelieve, I put it on my list of things to look up and he was right. I'm always shocked at the horrors people endure and think that it can't be worse than I imagine, but it always is.
Here is the site on Topaz:
Topaz Internment Camp
One of the sources sited was: Leonard J. Arrington, The Price of Prejudice: The Japanese-American Relocation Center in Utah during World War II (1962)
I'll be looking for this book. It's title arrested me as being particularly fitting to the world around me. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be calling my brother to thank him for the info. After all, my mama taught me that it would be gauche to do otherwise.
My daughter excels at history, especially American wars. I personally find our history dull and ironic, but my mama says I'm a traitor to my country if I expound on that. We were at her house and my daughter was answering some questions about WWII. She's invaluable to me on two fronts because WWII plays an important role in two of my interests: The murder of Elizabeth Short, and Japanese culture. We were talking about the Japanese-American internment camps and my brother who talks a lot but often says little told me that there was one here in Utah not so far away near a town called Delta. The camp was called Topaz. Having no reason to disbelieve, I put it on my list of things to look up and he was right. I'm always shocked at the horrors people endure and think that it can't be worse than I imagine, but it always is.
Here is the site on Topaz:
Topaz Internment Camp
One of the sources sited was: Leonard J. Arrington, The Price of Prejudice: The Japanese-American Relocation Center in Utah during World War II (1962)
I'll be looking for this book. It's title arrested me as being particularly fitting to the world around me. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be calling my brother to thank him for the info. After all, my mama taught me that it would be gauche to do otherwise.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Funeral Potatoes
I'm making funeral potatoes and had to do a quick search for oven temp. I thought this was pretty hilarious:
FeministMormonHousewives
I'd take offense but it's too true! I do no measuring. I've cut up a ham steak to put into it. Never heard of the cream cheese. I totally skip the cornflakes because, ewww. My potatoes are fresh. I may be exed but I hate green jello. I can't bake rolls *tear*
I almost forgot to post her link! I think it's a site I need to explore. Oh, and I have 2 kids. I used to have 12 but I locked them outside with a hose and some Nerf balls and.... TOTALLY KIDDING! I had the good sense to know my limits. 2 kids.
Funeral Potatoes, and such . . .
By: fMhLisa - September 3, 2007
I’ve had some requests for my funeral potato recipe, because my funeral potatoes rock! Just be warned, this is a traditional Utah Mormon dish, thus it is a difficult process requiring great skill and patience, only the freshest of ingredients, and yielding a highly nutritious and aesthetically pleasing result.
It is essential that you follow each of these complex steps to the letter!
First, lock your twelve kids in the backyard with a hose and some nerf balls.
Use a mixer to beat together a big tub of sour cream, two cans of cream of mushroom soup, and a brick of cream cheese.
Stir in several big hand-fulls of grated cheddar cheese and two bags of O’Brian Diced (not shredded–too mushy) Hashbrowns.
Dump into a large cake pan.
Sprinkle some more cheese then a bunch of crushed Corn Flakes for the top. (Special K will work in a pinch, it’s a proven fact.)
Bake at 350 until it starts to smell really good and the middle is hot.
Serve with watery ham, fluffy white rolls, green jello, and a big sack of salad with ranch dressing.
FeministMormonHousewives
I'd take offense but it's too true! I do no measuring. I've cut up a ham steak to put into it. Never heard of the cream cheese. I totally skip the cornflakes because, ewww. My potatoes are fresh. I may be exed but I hate green jello. I can't bake rolls *tear*
I almost forgot to post her link! I think it's a site I need to explore. Oh, and I have 2 kids. I used to have 12 but I locked them outside with a hose and some Nerf balls and.... TOTALLY KIDDING! I had the good sense to know my limits. 2 kids.
Monday, September 7, 2009
My experience with my daughter's school and the President's address.
Although I spoke to the school district and they assured me that the kids WILL be able to watch President Obama's speech my youngest daughter's Principal said that they will not be showing it live. Read his letter here (I edited names and places to protect my daughter):
My response:
Mr [Principal] and Mr. [Vice President],
I had the privilege of campaigning AND voting of the President of our Country. I did NOT have a choice in who is Principal and Vice Principal of [name of school], unfortunately. Exactly what makes YOU qualified to decide whether or not the students at XXMS can benefit from the words of our country's President? I called the School District and was assured that my children would be allowed to watch him speak AS he speaks. There was no mention of communistic censorship. I am aware that some parents will opt out of their children watching the broadcast. Apparently I need to keep my child home from school so her education isn't effected by your prejudice. I hope that this isn't a reoccurring problem there.
[My full name].
Here's a link to the speech:
Prepared Remarks of President Barack Obama
Back to School Event
Parents, I am sure most of you are aware that President Obama has asked to be able to speak to the youth of America on Tuesday morning, September 8th. This is not an unusual request. President George Bush (the 1st) spoke to students on a nationally televised broadcast during his administration. However, some have expressed concern about this “captive” format and what might be said. For this reason, XXMS will not be broadcasting this program live. We will, however, be recording it and if we feel the content is something beneficial to our students and is nonpartisan we will be showing it on Tuesday morning, September 15th. If any parents object to having their child view it they need to contact the office and let us know. Parents are welcome to come the morning of the 15th to watch it with their child. I will NOT be requiring teachers to use the Classroom Activities outlined by the USDE (United States Department of Education). If you have any questions or concerns please give me a call. Thanks. Conrad
My response:
Mr [Principal] and Mr. [Vice President],
I had the privilege of campaigning AND voting of the President of our Country. I did NOT have a choice in who is Principal and Vice Principal of [name of school], unfortunately. Exactly what makes YOU qualified to decide whether or not the students at XXMS can benefit from the words of our country's President? I called the School District and was assured that my children would be allowed to watch him speak AS he speaks. There was no mention of communistic censorship. I am aware that some parents will opt out of their children watching the broadcast. Apparently I need to keep my child home from school so her education isn't effected by your prejudice. I hope that this isn't a reoccurring problem there.
[My full name].
Here's a link to the speech:
Prepared Remarks of President Barack Obama
Back to School Event
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Witch Hunter.
Well Glenn Beck successfully brought down Van Jones and via Twitter he's called on his army of ignorant followers to do this: "FIND EVERYTHING YOU CAN ON CASS SUNSTEIN, MARK LLOYD AND CAROL BROWNER."
Well,well,well, what if we do the same?
http://glennbeckrapedandmurderedayounggirlin1990.com/
And that is only Volume 1.
Well,well,well, what if we do the same?
http://glennbeckrapedandmurderedayounggirlin1990.com/
And that is only Volume 1.
Speech to schoolchildren.
President George H.W. Bush's 1991 speech to our nation's school children. I wasn't even married yet, so I'm not sure if there were people who freaked out and made the decision for entire schools the they would NOT have an opportunity to watch, thus giving the children an early taste of Communism.
The first sentence is the link.
The first sentence is the link.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Update on the previous post..
So there is an update on Jason Linkins blog entitled: Obama Schoolchildren Speech Drives Right-Wing Batty. The post in it's entirety is below. I highly recommend reading it directly from his blog. In any case, I think it's unfair to make a decision for the children in these school that could be counter to their parent's wishes. The address is optional. Parents can request that their children be excused but to take away the option is suppression. Communism, so to speak. Here's the update:
*Link, again*
I believe I've mentioned that in high school the superintendent forbid my biology teacher to teach us about evolution. In fact, we were told to rip the entire chapter from our text books. I wish I had had the courage then to confront the school board and demand my right to a complete education. It's insulting to me that I wasn't given the opportunity to process ALL of the information on my own. It's also ignorant to dismiss evolution. It IS a fact and eventually you have to leave the bubble of censorship. I went to college with my mind long set on a biology major. I already had voraciously studied the subject on my own. I was fine, but the choice should NOT have been a personal one made by someone who abused his power. I will be displeased if my daughter(s) are not given the opportunity to watch the address. VERY displeased.
UPDATE, 8:17 P.M. EST: ABC News is reporting that some school districts in six states (Texas, Illinois, Virginia, Wisconsin, Missouri and Minnesota), are refusing to air President Obama's speech to students.
*Link, again*
I believe I've mentioned that in high school the superintendent forbid my biology teacher to teach us about evolution. In fact, we were told to rip the entire chapter from our text books. I wish I had had the courage then to confront the school board and demand my right to a complete education. It's insulting to me that I wasn't given the opportunity to process ALL of the information on my own. It's also ignorant to dismiss evolution. It IS a fact and eventually you have to leave the bubble of censorship. I went to college with my mind long set on a biology major. I already had voraciously studied the subject on my own. I was fine, but the choice should NOT have been a personal one made by someone who abused his power. I will be displeased if my daughter(s) are not given the opportunity to watch the address. VERY displeased.
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