Again, not a huge update. All presentations are DONE!!! I did well on all of them I believe and take much comfort in that. I am currently taking a break from a lovely little something called comprehensive exams. Essentially, it is an exit exam of essays that I am required to pass in order to graduate. Two down, one to go. I'm feeling good about them, so can't complain about that!
Otherwise, tomorrow I have one paper to finish and during the week next week, I have two papers to write. Then... done! For the semester that is. All I have next semester is applying for jobs during the year, one class, writing my thesis, working a job, and hopefully picking up another one. Not too busy at all! Really!
Time to go bang... out the last essay. What did you think I was going to say??? I have no life for such things. Please. Keep it clean people.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Insert Witty Title Here
There is not much wittiness to post on.
Four presentations, three papers, and a test all before Thanksgiving.
My exit exams the weekend after.
I don't believe complete insanity explains it well enough...
Four presentations, three papers, and a test all before Thanksgiving.
My exit exams the weekend after.
I don't believe complete insanity explains it well enough...
Sunday, October 11, 2009
NEM: After
I walked a total of 4.5 miles.
My feet are dirty. My body hurts. I have a major sunburn. I had a fiasco of a time finding the guys and gals I am ever proud to march with. I was hungry.
But every single minute of this day was worth it.
Not a spot of rain since yesterday. A beautiful day. And in the midst of this beautiful day with no rain was a rainbow.
I stood in awe looking at this sight. I sat in church this morning, teaching Sunday School, thinking about hatred and whether or not there is a place for it in this world. And I looked at this rainbow shining high above the sun and I knew that there simply isn't a place for that hatred. Sadly, it exists, but its use is very little.
I wish I could share with you the power of being in this place at this time. Regardless of whether you agree with LGBTQ rights, the moment was one of strength and solidarity. Every single one of these people was there to show support for equality, for rights, for justice. They stood up with one voice and demanded that this is their time.
And I am imminently proud that I stood with these all of these people and demanded it for my fellow man and woman who do not have the rights I do. Gay, straight, Black, white, Christian, Jewish, punk, classic, big boobs, little boobs, ba-donk-a-donk butts, flat butts... you name it, somebody was there representing it, standing in solidarity for equality.
Yes, every moment was worth whatever I may be physically feeling now because I stood with a great many people who inspired me and reminded me that we will have a better tomorrow because of the amazing people fighting for it.
My feet are dirty. My body hurts. I have a major sunburn. I had a fiasco of a time finding the guys and gals I am ever proud to march with. I was hungry.
But every single minute of this day was worth it.
Not a spot of rain since yesterday. A beautiful day. And in the midst of this beautiful day with no rain was a rainbow.
I stood in awe looking at this sight. I sat in church this morning, teaching Sunday School, thinking about hatred and whether or not there is a place for it in this world. And I looked at this rainbow shining high above the sun and I knew that there simply isn't a place for that hatred. Sadly, it exists, but its use is very little.
I wish I could share with you the power of being in this place at this time. Regardless of whether you agree with LGBTQ rights, the moment was one of strength and solidarity. Every single one of these people was there to show support for equality, for rights, for justice. They stood up with one voice and demanded that this is their time.
And I am imminently proud that I stood with these all of these people and demanded it for my fellow man and woman who do not have the rights I do. Gay, straight, Black, white, Christian, Jewish, punk, classic, big boobs, little boobs, ba-donk-a-donk butts, flat butts... you name it, somebody was there representing it, standing in solidarity for equality.
Yes, every moment was worth whatever I may be physically feeling now because I stood with a great many people who inspired me and reminded me that we will have a better tomorrow because of the amazing people fighting for it.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Marching for an Equal Tomorrow
Tomorrow is a big day for DC and for the country. The National Equality March is happening, marching from downtown to the Capitol. Throughout this weekend there are numerous events, panels, and social hours taking place - quite the undertaking.
I read in someone's facebook status yesterday that "marching for gay rights is passé." I also received an e-mail from the church I teach Sunday School at that I will be recognized at the 11:00 a.m. service as a new member of the church.
I will not be going. I will not be going because marching for my brothers and sisters is not passé. I will not be going because I believe in equality and I belive in love. We must stand together to fight bigotry and hatred. Rich, poor, Asian, African, Caucasion, handicapped, male, female, gay, straight... whatever stratifications we fall into, there are still people who are being treated as second-class citizens in a country that purports to be free.
There are those out there that use the Holy Books (place your religion of choice here) as a shield for their hatred and wield a sword of prejudice to cut people down. I refuse to do so. If you want to talk to me about religion, I'll talk to you about love. If you want to talk to me about spirituality, I'll talk to you about love. If you want to talk to me about being an aethiest, I'll STILL talk to you about love. Because I believe in the tenets of this country and the religion I practice (one that I will never boost onto another). I believe in equality and love. We won't hold a shield because we don't need one. We won't hold a sword because our hands will be held together and high in the air because we are proud and we believe that justice will someday stand for us.
I am proud to be called a straight ally. I am proud that tomorrow I will march to continue to bring attention to a plight that is not dead and certainly is not unfashionable. Because this is not about the cause of the moment, this is about people.
If you'd like to march with me (and thousands of others) tomorrow, send me a message. If you can't march with me tomorrow, then think of those thousands of people who will be and hope for a peaceful standing of what is right.
If you'd like more information on the event itself, please go to: www.NationalEqualityMarch.com
I read in someone's facebook status yesterday that "marching for gay rights is passé." I also received an e-mail from the church I teach Sunday School at that I will be recognized at the 11:00 a.m. service as a new member of the church.
I will not be going. I will not be going because marching for my brothers and sisters is not passé. I will not be going because I believe in equality and I belive in love. We must stand together to fight bigotry and hatred. Rich, poor, Asian, African, Caucasion, handicapped, male, female, gay, straight... whatever stratifications we fall into, there are still people who are being treated as second-class citizens in a country that purports to be free.
There are those out there that use the Holy Books (place your religion of choice here) as a shield for their hatred and wield a sword of prejudice to cut people down. I refuse to do so. If you want to talk to me about religion, I'll talk to you about love. If you want to talk to me about spirituality, I'll talk to you about love. If you want to talk to me about being an aethiest, I'll STILL talk to you about love. Because I believe in the tenets of this country and the religion I practice (one that I will never boost onto another). I believe in equality and love. We won't hold a shield because we don't need one. We won't hold a sword because our hands will be held together and high in the air because we are proud and we believe that justice will someday stand for us.
I am proud to be called a straight ally. I am proud that tomorrow I will march to continue to bring attention to a plight that is not dead and certainly is not unfashionable. Because this is not about the cause of the moment, this is about people.
If you'd like to march with me (and thousands of others) tomorrow, send me a message. If you can't march with me tomorrow, then think of those thousands of people who will be and hope for a peaceful standing of what is right.
If you'd like more information on the event itself, please go to: www.NationalEqualityMarch.com
Monday, August 10, 2009
A Letter From an American Mother
This letter touched me in a way I cannot describe and I found myself nodding my head in agreement to the sheer ignorance that supposedly accepting and open people possess.
Sunday, April 30, 2000
By SHARON UNDERWOOD
For the Valley News (White River Junction, VT)
-----
Many letters have been sent to the Valley News concerning the homosexual menace in Vermont. I am the mother of a gay son and I've taken enough from you good people.
I'm tired of your foolish rhetoric about the "homosexual agenda" and your allegations that accepting homosexuality is the same thing as advocating sex with children. You are cruel and ignorant. You have been robbing me of the joys of motherhood ever since my children were tiny.
My firstborn son started suffering at the hands of the moral little thugs from your moral, upright families from the time he was in the first grade. He was physically and verbally abused from first grade straight through high school because he was perceived to be gay.
He never professed to be gay or had any association with anything gay, but he had the misfortune not to walk or have gestures like the other boys. He was called "fag" incessantly, starting when he was 6.
In high school, while your children were doing what kids that age should be doing, mine labored over a suicide note, drafting and redrafting it to be sure his family knew how much he loved them. My sobbing 17-year-old tore the heart out of me as he choked out that he just couldn't bear to continue living any longer, that he didn't want to be gay and that he couldn't face a life without dignity.
You have the audacity to talk about protecting families and children from the homosexual menace, while you yourselves tear apart families and drive children to despair. I don't know why my son is gay, but I do know that God didn't put him, and millions like him, on this Earth to give you someone to abuse. God gave you brains so that you could think, and it's about time you started doing that.
At the core of all your misguided beliefs is the belief that this could never happen to you, that there is some kind of subculture out there that people have chosen to join. The fact is that if it can happen to my family, it can happen to yours, and you won't get to choose. Whether it is genetic or whether something occurs during a critical time of fetal development, I don't know. I can only tell you with an absolute certainty that it is inborn.
If you want to tout your own morality, you'd best come up with something more substantive than your heterosexuality. You did nothing to earn it; it was given to you. If you disagree, I would be interested in hearing your story, because my own heterosexuality was a blessing I received with no effort whatsoever on my part. It is so woven into the very soul of me that nothing could ever change it. For those of you who reduce sexual orientation to a simple choice, a character issue, a bad habit or something that can be changed by a 10-step program, I'm puzzled. Are you saying that your own sexual orientation is nothing more than something you have chosen, that you could change it at will? If that's not the case, then why would you suggest that someone else can?
A popular theme in your letters is that Vermont has been infiltrated by outsiders. Both sides of my family have lived in Vermont for generations. I am heart and soul a Vermonter, so I'll thank you to stop saying that you are speaking for "true Vermonters."
You invoke the memory of the brave people who have fought on the battlefield for this great country, saying that they didn't give their lives so that the "homosexual agenda" could tear down the principles they died defending. My 83-year-old father fought in some of the most horrific battles of World War II, was wounded and awarded the Purple Heart.
He shakes his head in sadness at the life his grandson has had to live. He says he fought alongside homosexuals in those battles, that they did their part and bothered no one. One of his best friends in the service was gay, and he never knew it until the end, and when he did find out, it mattered not at all. That wasn't the measure of the man.
You religious folk just can't bear the thought that, as my son emerges from the hell that was his childhood, he might like to find a lifelong companion and have a measure of happiness. It offends your sensibilities that he should request the right to visit that companion in the hospital, to make medical decisions for him, or to benefit from tax laws governing inheritance.
How dare he? you say. These outrageous requests would threaten the very existence of your family, would undermine the sanctity of marriage.
You use religion to abdicate your responsibility to be thinking human beings. There are vast numbers of religious people who find your attitudes repugnant. God is not for the privileged majority, and God knows my son has committed no sin.
The deep-thinking author of a letter on April 12 in the Valley News, who lectures about homosexual sin and tells us about "those of us who have been blessed with the benefits of a religious upbringing", asks: "What ever happened to the idea of striving . . . to be better human beings than we are?"
Indeed, sir, what ever happened to that?
Sincerely,
Sharon Underwood
(Please invite others to read this, if you were moved by it.)
Sunday, April 30, 2000
By SHARON UNDERWOOD
For the Valley News (White River Junction, VT)
-----
Many letters have been sent to the Valley News concerning the homosexual menace in Vermont. I am the mother of a gay son and I've taken enough from you good people.
I'm tired of your foolish rhetoric about the "homosexual agenda" and your allegations that accepting homosexuality is the same thing as advocating sex with children. You are cruel and ignorant. You have been robbing me of the joys of motherhood ever since my children were tiny.
My firstborn son started suffering at the hands of the moral little thugs from your moral, upright families from the time he was in the first grade. He was physically and verbally abused from first grade straight through high school because he was perceived to be gay.
He never professed to be gay or had any association with anything gay, but he had the misfortune not to walk or have gestures like the other boys. He was called "fag" incessantly, starting when he was 6.
In high school, while your children were doing what kids that age should be doing, mine labored over a suicide note, drafting and redrafting it to be sure his family knew how much he loved them. My sobbing 17-year-old tore the heart out of me as he choked out that he just couldn't bear to continue living any longer, that he didn't want to be gay and that he couldn't face a life without dignity.
You have the audacity to talk about protecting families and children from the homosexual menace, while you yourselves tear apart families and drive children to despair. I don't know why my son is gay, but I do know that God didn't put him, and millions like him, on this Earth to give you someone to abuse. God gave you brains so that you could think, and it's about time you started doing that.
At the core of all your misguided beliefs is the belief that this could never happen to you, that there is some kind of subculture out there that people have chosen to join. The fact is that if it can happen to my family, it can happen to yours, and you won't get to choose. Whether it is genetic or whether something occurs during a critical time of fetal development, I don't know. I can only tell you with an absolute certainty that it is inborn.
If you want to tout your own morality, you'd best come up with something more substantive than your heterosexuality. You did nothing to earn it; it was given to you. If you disagree, I would be interested in hearing your story, because my own heterosexuality was a blessing I received with no effort whatsoever on my part. It is so woven into the very soul of me that nothing could ever change it. For those of you who reduce sexual orientation to a simple choice, a character issue, a bad habit or something that can be changed by a 10-step program, I'm puzzled. Are you saying that your own sexual orientation is nothing more than something you have chosen, that you could change it at will? If that's not the case, then why would you suggest that someone else can?
A popular theme in your letters is that Vermont has been infiltrated by outsiders. Both sides of my family have lived in Vermont for generations. I am heart and soul a Vermonter, so I'll thank you to stop saying that you are speaking for "true Vermonters."
You invoke the memory of the brave people who have fought on the battlefield for this great country, saying that they didn't give their lives so that the "homosexual agenda" could tear down the principles they died defending. My 83-year-old father fought in some of the most horrific battles of World War II, was wounded and awarded the Purple Heart.
He shakes his head in sadness at the life his grandson has had to live. He says he fought alongside homosexuals in those battles, that they did their part and bothered no one. One of his best friends in the service was gay, and he never knew it until the end, and when he did find out, it mattered not at all. That wasn't the measure of the man.
You religious folk just can't bear the thought that, as my son emerges from the hell that was his childhood, he might like to find a lifelong companion and have a measure of happiness. It offends your sensibilities that he should request the right to visit that companion in the hospital, to make medical decisions for him, or to benefit from tax laws governing inheritance.
How dare he? you say. These outrageous requests would threaten the very existence of your family, would undermine the sanctity of marriage.
You use religion to abdicate your responsibility to be thinking human beings. There are vast numbers of religious people who find your attitudes repugnant. God is not for the privileged majority, and God knows my son has committed no sin.
The deep-thinking author of a letter on April 12 in the Valley News, who lectures about homosexual sin and tells us about "those of us who have been blessed with the benefits of a religious upbringing", asks: "What ever happened to the idea of striving . . . to be better human beings than we are?"
Indeed, sir, what ever happened to that?
Sincerely,
Sharon Underwood
(Please invite others to read this, if you were moved by it.)
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Hectic Times!
Well, I moved. There'll be pictures soon enough... now that my mom's been here and ensured it was beautiful when she left. No, I haven't totally skewered it yet. Give me some time.
Updates on my life (fun blog to come soon):
*I lost my job because Curves is closing August 14th.
*Curves is not closing August 14th, so I still have a job.
*This semester I have three classes, lots of work hours, a thesis to write, and PhD programs to apply too.
*I'll have no life. But such is life.
I think that about sums it up.
More later :-P.
Updates on my life (fun blog to come soon):
*I lost my job because Curves is closing August 14th.
*Curves is not closing August 14th, so I still have a job.
*This semester I have three classes, lots of work hours, a thesis to write, and PhD programs to apply too.
*I'll have no life. But such is life.
I think that about sums it up.
More later :-P.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Trials and Tribulations of Being An Adult: Having Your Car Towed
I wake up this morning tired as all hell after a bad night of sleeping and really disturbing dreams.
I go downstairs, dying for coffee. I walked round and round... only to not find my car. I walked round and round for a half hour, no car. So I come back upstairs, have an emotional breakdown, call my supervisor and tell her what's up. Suffice it to say, I wasn't at work on time. Hell, I was late for my second shift too!
I go back down, I search for another half hour. Front desk doesn't come on duty until 8:00am. So I go get coffee and search some more... I guess praying it'll just show up? Maybe I'm blind? Or my natural blonde roots are showing through?
I read through my contract. I recall maybe being a little over the line. But really? First offense and tow? Puh-lease, not for the amount of money I pay for this building. But regardless, I read through my contract. All it says is to have the placard posted. Nowhere dose it note what the parking offenses are, that there is the possibility of towing, or if you are towed, whom to contact.
Finally at 8:00am, there's the front desk lady. Lo and behold, my car had been towed. I amble on down to the towing joint, blow $115 bucks and I now have my car.
At 10:00am I will be going downstairs to have a little chit-chat with the manager. Due to the notations I made about my contract above, they are in breach of contract. So either they pay me back the money, give me three months "free" parking, or my attorneys will be in contact with the management company. Forget dealing with these airheads.
But, after my mental breakdown (read: emotional), I realized that I'm lucky enough to have parents to help me out (and who happen to be lawyers), I (for once) have money in the bank to actually be able to deal with this, an understanding boss who is filling in for me (how cool is that?!) and my baby wasn't stolen. So all in all, just a petty annoyance. Pain in the butt, but petty annoyance.
I had to text mom at 3:30 this morning her time and she thought I must be sick before reading the text... so at least I've got my health, nothing drastically wrong, and I'm capable of taking care of it.
I have a confession to make...
I ate. I went way over calories allotted for breakfast. I realize I should learn to not emotionally turn to junk when I'm stressed, but this was really not the morning to do that... so I didn't. And instead screwed over healthy eating and had a fat ol' starbs drink. Yum!
Go me! ;). I'll learn one of these days... maybe...
Teaching an aging dog new tricks... maybe not...
I go downstairs, dying for coffee. I walked round and round... only to not find my car. I walked round and round for a half hour, no car. So I come back upstairs, have an emotional breakdown, call my supervisor and tell her what's up. Suffice it to say, I wasn't at work on time. Hell, I was late for my second shift too!
I go back down, I search for another half hour. Front desk doesn't come on duty until 8:00am. So I go get coffee and search some more... I guess praying it'll just show up? Maybe I'm blind? Or my natural blonde roots are showing through?
I read through my contract. I recall maybe being a little over the line. But really? First offense and tow? Puh-lease, not for the amount of money I pay for this building. But regardless, I read through my contract. All it says is to have the placard posted. Nowhere dose it note what the parking offenses are, that there is the possibility of towing, or if you are towed, whom to contact.
Finally at 8:00am, there's the front desk lady. Lo and behold, my car had been towed. I amble on down to the towing joint, blow $115 bucks and I now have my car.
At 10:00am I will be going downstairs to have a little chit-chat with the manager. Due to the notations I made about my contract above, they are in breach of contract. So either they pay me back the money, give me three months "free" parking, or my attorneys will be in contact with the management company. Forget dealing with these airheads.
But, after my mental breakdown (read: emotional), I realized that I'm lucky enough to have parents to help me out (and who happen to be lawyers), I (for once) have money in the bank to actually be able to deal with this, an understanding boss who is filling in for me (how cool is that?!) and my baby wasn't stolen. So all in all, just a petty annoyance. Pain in the butt, but petty annoyance.
I had to text mom at 3:30 this morning her time and she thought I must be sick before reading the text... so at least I've got my health, nothing drastically wrong, and I'm capable of taking care of it.
I have a confession to make...
I ate. I went way over calories allotted for breakfast. I realize I should learn to not emotionally turn to junk when I'm stressed, but this was really not the morning to do that... so I didn't. And instead screwed over healthy eating and had a fat ol' starbs drink. Yum!
Go me! ;). I'll learn one of these days... maybe...
Teaching an aging dog new tricks... maybe not...
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Trials and Tribulations of Being Female: Being a Bridesmaid
No matter how low cost the bride tries to make it (and most definitely do not try), weddings for the bridesmaid end up costing bank.
First, the dress. Which is never cheap. For the wedding I'm about to be in, the price wasn't a total bank breaker (for which I am forever grateful), but... then you have to fix the dress. And mine were no simple fixes. The shoulder straps needed to be brought up, the waist taken in, shortened, and a piece made to cover up "the girls" (a deep V dress never works on girls who have "girls" - just a word of advice for those dreaming about their weddings). All of this? Cost the exact same amount I paid for the dress. So what was once semi, kind of, maybe, I can barely handle it, reasonably priced, became mucho more expensive.
What's worse? It doesn't fit! My tailor took in the waist, then raised the shoulders. I have an hour-glass shape, meaning my waist is much smaller than my back/bust area. Meaning, the dress doesn't fit. So now I'm on a hardcore healthy living plan. Yes, healthy living. I am NOT dieting. I eat next to no food (compared to before, don't worry, still eating!) and workout twice a day. I'm also considering Spanx so I can eat that night - don't worry, I'll have a whole blog about that alone someday.
Now to continue to the added cost. Shoes are next. And with many bridesmaid dresses, they need to be dyed to match, meaning a very limited choice. Then there's the option of a purse, which I did so I can be the helpful maid of honor and hold her lipstick. And don't forget the nail appointment for tips/nails to be re-done, toes to be done for the open toe shoes, and I, personally, have the added cost of hair because, for those who recall, I have pain-in-the-ass hair.
Then there's the bachelorette party cost and gift. Luckily I have dresses already for the tea, bachelorette party, and rehearsal dinner or I might just have to pop myself.
Add in a destination wedding, which is the case for some brides. The monstrosity of airline tickets is rather depressing.
But it's all worth it when the friends are happy on the day of, seeing as how it is her day. But the getting there?
Well, hopefully I can find a way to pay my June rent :).
First, the dress. Which is never cheap. For the wedding I'm about to be in, the price wasn't a total bank breaker (for which I am forever grateful), but... then you have to fix the dress. And mine were no simple fixes. The shoulder straps needed to be brought up, the waist taken in, shortened, and a piece made to cover up "the girls" (a deep V dress never works on girls who have "girls" - just a word of advice for those dreaming about their weddings). All of this? Cost the exact same amount I paid for the dress. So what was once semi, kind of, maybe, I can barely handle it, reasonably priced, became mucho more expensive.
What's worse? It doesn't fit! My tailor took in the waist, then raised the shoulders. I have an hour-glass shape, meaning my waist is much smaller than my back/bust area. Meaning, the dress doesn't fit. So now I'm on a hardcore healthy living plan. Yes, healthy living. I am NOT dieting. I eat next to no food (compared to before, don't worry, still eating!) and workout twice a day. I'm also considering Spanx so I can eat that night - don't worry, I'll have a whole blog about that alone someday.
Now to continue to the added cost. Shoes are next. And with many bridesmaid dresses, they need to be dyed to match, meaning a very limited choice. Then there's the option of a purse, which I did so I can be the helpful maid of honor and hold her lipstick. And don't forget the nail appointment for tips/nails to be re-done, toes to be done for the open toe shoes, and I, personally, have the added cost of hair because, for those who recall, I have pain-in-the-ass hair.
Then there's the bachelorette party cost and gift. Luckily I have dresses already for the tea, bachelorette party, and rehearsal dinner or I might just have to pop myself.
Add in a destination wedding, which is the case for some brides. The monstrosity of airline tickets is rather depressing.
But it's all worth it when the friends are happy on the day of, seeing as how it is her day. But the getting there?
Well, hopefully I can find a way to pay my June rent :).
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Welcome to My Dating Life
I can already hear my dad saying, "I'm not going to read this!" and my mom considering the same. I promise, nothing terrible, dirty, or otherwise unreadable.
So I've been internet dating off and on for years - having also studied it. It should come as no surprise that I still do so. Internet dating has many pros and cons, as does meeting people in various other ways. So please, if you're considering it, do not let this story talk you out of it - this is one of those funny exceptions that you simply have to take as a grain of salt.
On this web site I have to email five people per month and so I find this one guy who seems nice enough whom I email. He hits me up while I'm on the site (they have a chatting service) and he gets a bit heavy on the compliments, "Oh you're so pretty, you have such a great smile, yak yak yak." Don't get me wrong, I love compliments as much as the next person, but if it's overboard in person, it's worse on the computer. (And no, this wasn't a plug to share how beautiful I am and how great my smile is)
So later on in the evening we're chatting and he says, "You're going to hate me." I respond, "What? Already? Why?!"
"You turn me on"
I'd like to note to all of you cynical and sarcastic people out there, there are no pictures that even remotely show "the girls" on this web site, so don't you go getting dirty on me and saying, "duh".
Which makes this almost even more hilarious because it's just my face... which means... well... I'll let you fill in the blanks!
Adding insult to injury, I then got contacted on the same site by what is possibly the hairiest man I have ever seen.
And people wonder why I don't get out much?!
I kid. Mostly.
So I've been internet dating off and on for years - having also studied it. It should come as no surprise that I still do so. Internet dating has many pros and cons, as does meeting people in various other ways. So please, if you're considering it, do not let this story talk you out of it - this is one of those funny exceptions that you simply have to take as a grain of salt.
On this web site I have to email five people per month and so I find this one guy who seems nice enough whom I email. He hits me up while I'm on the site (they have a chatting service) and he gets a bit heavy on the compliments, "Oh you're so pretty, you have such a great smile, yak yak yak." Don't get me wrong, I love compliments as much as the next person, but if it's overboard in person, it's worse on the computer. (And no, this wasn't a plug to share how beautiful I am and how great my smile is)
So later on in the evening we're chatting and he says, "You're going to hate me." I respond, "What? Already? Why?!"
"You turn me on"
I'd like to note to all of you cynical and sarcastic people out there, there are no pictures that even remotely show "the girls" on this web site, so don't you go getting dirty on me and saying, "duh".
Which makes this almost even more hilarious because it's just my face... which means... well... I'll let you fill in the blanks!
Adding insult to injury, I then got contacted on the same site by what is possibly the hairiest man I have ever seen.
And people wonder why I don't get out much?!
I kid. Mostly.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
An Answer to a Question
I was asked a question, in regard to the topic of the post below, gay marriage.
Why does it matter so much to me?
I am clearly a believer in free speech, so I will have my voice heard. I am a believer in equality. We must strive to be equal and not allow laws to demean this ideal.
And then there are the more personal reasons. First, I know what it is to be beaten down upon and censured because I am hearing impaired. Why would I perpetuate the wrongs done to me?
But more... my father has been off and on ill in some respect or another for the past 8 years. He has been to the hospital many times. Every time, my mother can walk in those doors and say, "My husband is back there. Please take me to him."
There are people not allowed to do this. People want to make this ultimate commitment to each other, the commitment to stand by each other through thick and thin, sickness and health. Yet they cannot stand by each other in sickness and it brings tears to my eyes.
It breaks my heart that we cannot be there for each other in our times of need. There are people who need to be there for each other in times of sickness and I need to support that.
Ultimately... the words of Martin Niemoller are applicable here.
First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the communists
and I did not speak out because I was not a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me
and by then there was no one left to speak out for me.
Why does it matter so much to me?
I am clearly a believer in free speech, so I will have my voice heard. I am a believer in equality. We must strive to be equal and not allow laws to demean this ideal.
And then there are the more personal reasons. First, I know what it is to be beaten down upon and censured because I am hearing impaired. Why would I perpetuate the wrongs done to me?
But more... my father has been off and on ill in some respect or another for the past 8 years. He has been to the hospital many times. Every time, my mother can walk in those doors and say, "My husband is back there. Please take me to him."
There are people not allowed to do this. People want to make this ultimate commitment to each other, the commitment to stand by each other through thick and thin, sickness and health. Yet they cannot stand by each other in sickness and it brings tears to my eyes.
It breaks my heart that we cannot be there for each other in our times of need. There are people who need to be there for each other in times of sickness and I need to support that.
Ultimately... the words of Martin Niemoller are applicable here.
First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the communists
and I did not speak out because I was not a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me
and by then there was no one left to speak out for me.
Words Fail Me
I had hoped for a better today. I had hoped that doing what is right and what is just would prevail.
It did not.
Today a decision came down from the California Supreme Court regarding Proposition 8. They upheld it. Prop H8 stands, the proposition that bans gay people from getting married.
The proposition that denies equality. The proposition that stands for closed-minded and closed-hearted people.
The justices hide behind their robes. They could have made a statement. They could have upheld that all men (and women) are created equal.
They did not. They upheld that the people have the right to change the constitution through the ballotbox. I was not aware that it is copacetic to change the words of a nation.
We are not equal. We are not even close to equal. It has been handed down that a group of people are allowed to be spit on, stomped on, and otherwise outcasted.
I am not only disappointed in the justices. I find myself disappointed in my homestate's constituents. Those who voted yes stand behind their bibles and their families... they stand behind their fear and their hate. The Bible says a great many things and I could go to every person who quotes me the Bible and show them exactly how they are not living by every word of the Bible. It is a time of change, a time of technology, a time not like written in the Bible. It is not about every word, it is about the root, the lessons. What is at the root of every lesson? That's right - love. So those hiding behind their Bibles should stop. Those who claim they believe in family should go hug and kiss their spouses, look in on their children sleeping, and tell themselves they've ripped this dream that they live in away from thousands of people.
Stop being afraid. Stop being afraid of something different, stop being afraid of your own sexuality. I do not care if you are gay, straight, bi, confused, or anything else. I am straight. I am comfortable being straight. And because I am comfortable, I stand for my fellow man because I AM NOT AFRAID. I am not afraid of me, my sexuality, or my power. I will stand with the down-trodden, with the beaten, because they deserve every chance, every dream that I hold. I will stand, without fear, by my fellow person because we all deserve a chance to live. I have been censured by those close to me and I have every conviction that these very same people are rejoicing in their prejudice as we speak. I will continue to vote, to fight, to offer my voice. I will stand firm for those who need more people, more voices, more love.
Whatever state you are from, I beseech you. Look in your heart. Look in your heart past the politics, past simple words on a page, past fear. Look deep and remember what love means to you and then give somebody the chance to also share their own love. If this is not enough for you, then think about the struggles of our country. Through race and gender, we have become legally equal. This is no different. Continue this vein of equality. Do the right thing by giving every man and woman a chance to be equal.
Do you want to die knowing you hated or do you want to die knowing you loved?
It did not.
Today a decision came down from the California Supreme Court regarding Proposition 8. They upheld it. Prop H8 stands, the proposition that bans gay people from getting married.
The proposition that denies equality. The proposition that stands for closed-minded and closed-hearted people.
The justices hide behind their robes. They could have made a statement. They could have upheld that all men (and women) are created equal.
They did not. They upheld that the people have the right to change the constitution through the ballotbox. I was not aware that it is copacetic to change the words of a nation.
We are not equal. We are not even close to equal. It has been handed down that a group of people are allowed to be spit on, stomped on, and otherwise outcasted.
I am not only disappointed in the justices. I find myself disappointed in my homestate's constituents. Those who voted yes stand behind their bibles and their families... they stand behind their fear and their hate. The Bible says a great many things and I could go to every person who quotes me the Bible and show them exactly how they are not living by every word of the Bible. It is a time of change, a time of technology, a time not like written in the Bible. It is not about every word, it is about the root, the lessons. What is at the root of every lesson? That's right - love. So those hiding behind their Bibles should stop. Those who claim they believe in family should go hug and kiss their spouses, look in on their children sleeping, and tell themselves they've ripped this dream that they live in away from thousands of people.
Stop being afraid. Stop being afraid of something different, stop being afraid of your own sexuality. I do not care if you are gay, straight, bi, confused, or anything else. I am straight. I am comfortable being straight. And because I am comfortable, I stand for my fellow man because I AM NOT AFRAID. I am not afraid of me, my sexuality, or my power. I will stand with the down-trodden, with the beaten, because they deserve every chance, every dream that I hold. I will stand, without fear, by my fellow person because we all deserve a chance to live. I have been censured by those close to me and I have every conviction that these very same people are rejoicing in their prejudice as we speak. I will continue to vote, to fight, to offer my voice. I will stand firm for those who need more people, more voices, more love.
Whatever state you are from, I beseech you. Look in your heart. Look in your heart past the politics, past simple words on a page, past fear. Look deep and remember what love means to you and then give somebody the chance to also share their own love. If this is not enough for you, then think about the struggles of our country. Through race and gender, we have become legally equal. This is no different. Continue this vein of equality. Do the right thing by giving every man and woman a chance to be equal.
Do you want to die knowing you hated or do you want to die knowing you loved?
Monday, May 25, 2009
Another Month!
Has gone by! Amazing how time just flies. Let's see if I can lay out the last month in an expeditious, non-blabbing fashion... although this is me we're talking about... Chatterbox isn't my middle name for nothing!
I went home on my mother's birthday to spend the weekend with her, dad, and cousin Meredith. Meredith, mom, Sharon, and I all went to the spa one day of the weekend - that will be my second luxury splurge when I get a second job - more massages! Otherwise, it was tons of fun to see my peeps and get to hang with them. Something new... was the Renaissance Fair! Granted, it has been around for years, but I've never been. I ended up going with Lynn, Shelly, and Nick and had a blast! Our feet were disgustingly dirty (that's what flip-flops in dirt will do for you), and we were beyond tired on the way home (Lynn and I slept - yes, there's incriminating evidence of this), but it was all insanely worth it.
I came back and had a 20 page paper due and my stats final. All of it went incredibly well, much better than I had anticipated. So school remains good and classes next semester look like they'll be fun.
Now I'm gearing up to FINALLY take and pass my NASM (personal training) exam. As I'm working a ton of shifts in the next few days, I have chosen to break up the studying into only a couple chapters a day and do it that way. Then job searching it is!
On the other search front, the apartment one, mom was here last week and we found one! Beautiful place in Arlington, Virginia that's bigger, cheaper, closer to the metro, and right by a mall. One problem. It's right by a mall... and I have a smaller closet. This could be potentially life-threatening.
More exciting news is that I'm a team leader for the upcoming Race for the Cure in Washington DC. I work at Curves and my boss and I thought it would be fun to actually have a team this year as she wasn't planning on it because of a whole assortment of issues, but since active little me is here, why not? I have to admit to being a wee bit disappointed though. We set the team goal at $1,500. In the whole scheme of things, not all that much. We get about 50 people a day in here, if all 50 gave a dollar a day, we'd come pretty darn close! Much less if some folks gave more. I'm not sure if it's because of the recession or because they have other charities they are giving to, but not very much has been raised and I just feel that, if we have even a few dollars to spare, give it to something that will last and that will help. The monies go to research and lobbying and all sorts of fun stuff. But, to me, the most important? Monies go to women who need treatment and cannot pay for it. I paid $45 to enter the race and walk 3 miles. I, admittedly, do not really have that kind of money to spare right now. I have June rent to pay and still need to pay my test fee. But, I have a job and I have my health and for this I'm lucky. So if you're feeling like you have even $5 to spare, please donate. http://globalrace.info-komen.org/site/TR/GlobalRaceForTheCure/GlobalRace?px=5289471&pg=personal&fr_id=1140
See you all soon!
I went home on my mother's birthday to spend the weekend with her, dad, and cousin Meredith. Meredith, mom, Sharon, and I all went to the spa one day of the weekend - that will be my second luxury splurge when I get a second job - more massages! Otherwise, it was tons of fun to see my peeps and get to hang with them. Something new... was the Renaissance Fair! Granted, it has been around for years, but I've never been. I ended up going with Lynn, Shelly, and Nick and had a blast! Our feet were disgustingly dirty (that's what flip-flops in dirt will do for you), and we were beyond tired on the way home (Lynn and I slept - yes, there's incriminating evidence of this), but it was all insanely worth it.
I came back and had a 20 page paper due and my stats final. All of it went incredibly well, much better than I had anticipated. So school remains good and classes next semester look like they'll be fun.
Now I'm gearing up to FINALLY take and pass my NASM (personal training) exam. As I'm working a ton of shifts in the next few days, I have chosen to break up the studying into only a couple chapters a day and do it that way. Then job searching it is!
On the other search front, the apartment one, mom was here last week and we found one! Beautiful place in Arlington, Virginia that's bigger, cheaper, closer to the metro, and right by a mall. One problem. It's right by a mall... and I have a smaller closet. This could be potentially life-threatening.
More exciting news is that I'm a team leader for the upcoming Race for the Cure in Washington DC. I work at Curves and my boss and I thought it would be fun to actually have a team this year as she wasn't planning on it because of a whole assortment of issues, but since active little me is here, why not? I have to admit to being a wee bit disappointed though. We set the team goal at $1,500. In the whole scheme of things, not all that much. We get about 50 people a day in here, if all 50 gave a dollar a day, we'd come pretty darn close! Much less if some folks gave more. I'm not sure if it's because of the recession or because they have other charities they are giving to, but not very much has been raised and I just feel that, if we have even a few dollars to spare, give it to something that will last and that will help. The monies go to research and lobbying and all sorts of fun stuff. But, to me, the most important? Monies go to women who need treatment and cannot pay for it. I paid $45 to enter the race and walk 3 miles. I, admittedly, do not really have that kind of money to spare right now. I have June rent to pay and still need to pay my test fee. But, I have a job and I have my health and for this I'm lucky. So if you're feeling like you have even $5 to spare, please donate. http://globalrace.info-komen.org/site/TR/GlobalRaceForTheCure/GlobalRace?px=5289471&pg=personal&fr_id=1140
See you all soon!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Home Run
Holy cow! It's been more than a month since I've written. Blame, I mean, thank, Lynn for reminding me this thing still exists.
It has been a somewhat insane month. Between going home, getting back, doing school, double shifts at work, and navigating having a life with all of this, I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I look forward to pulling an almost all-nighter, before yet another shift tomorrow and Friday mornings (I'm currently at work waiting for this shift to start). I have a presentation tomorrow night on a 20-page paper that I have yet to start (yes, I do know my topic and have done minimal research). I am trying to find time for friends here and for remembering to stay in touch with ones from home. I fell down the stairs and have a severely sprained ankle, which is causing my bad hip to yet again muck up.
And I am entirely grateful and thankful. Today is the day of a very intense and life-saving surgery for a young man who I graduated with from Mira Costa High School. Not too many days ago he was in a car accident. He was with three other people (including another old schoolmate, the Angels pitcher, and a young girl) - all three perished, but him. A young drunk driver hit them and then ran. He was caught. Jon has now a condition called "internal decapitation". Look it up on wikipedia - it's scary stuff. But he somehow lived and I am rooting for him to live a long and happy life, regardless of this injury. Regardless of what you may believe, I do have to admit to believing in something bigger than me and I do not know why he lives and why the others passed, but I have hope for him since he's made it this long and this far.
So I sit here with my mass amounts of work where I don't get paid much, my schooling that is putting me more in debt everyday, my sore ankle and hip, and I think how lucky I am that I have a job to go to (yes, I will continue to bitch, so deal with it), that I have a brain that is fully functional to find wonderful aspects of an otherwise inept program (I do like to learn, now we just need to find my fit to do so), and a working body (for the most part...).
So I'll limp around at work today chatting with folks because I can and I will. I'll stay up most of tonight before doing that again to write a paper that I know can be wonderful and I'll make sure it is so because I can. Because I'm lucky enough to have this ability today and now.
So think of Jon please, hope for him, and if it suits you, pray for him. He's a young man who's surrounded by love, but needs every good vibe we can give him.
Jon loves baseball - so here's to hoping for a home run.
It has been a somewhat insane month. Between going home, getting back, doing school, double shifts at work, and navigating having a life with all of this, I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I look forward to pulling an almost all-nighter, before yet another shift tomorrow and Friday mornings (I'm currently at work waiting for this shift to start). I have a presentation tomorrow night on a 20-page paper that I have yet to start (yes, I do know my topic and have done minimal research). I am trying to find time for friends here and for remembering to stay in touch with ones from home. I fell down the stairs and have a severely sprained ankle, which is causing my bad hip to yet again muck up.
And I am entirely grateful and thankful. Today is the day of a very intense and life-saving surgery for a young man who I graduated with from Mira Costa High School. Not too many days ago he was in a car accident. He was with three other people (including another old schoolmate, the Angels pitcher, and a young girl) - all three perished, but him. A young drunk driver hit them and then ran. He was caught. Jon has now a condition called "internal decapitation". Look it up on wikipedia - it's scary stuff. But he somehow lived and I am rooting for him to live a long and happy life, regardless of this injury. Regardless of what you may believe, I do have to admit to believing in something bigger than me and I do not know why he lives and why the others passed, but I have hope for him since he's made it this long and this far.
So I sit here with my mass amounts of work where I don't get paid much, my schooling that is putting me more in debt everyday, my sore ankle and hip, and I think how lucky I am that I have a job to go to (yes, I will continue to bitch, so deal with it), that I have a brain that is fully functional to find wonderful aspects of an otherwise inept program (I do like to learn, now we just need to find my fit to do so), and a working body (for the most part...).
So I'll limp around at work today chatting with folks because I can and I will. I'll stay up most of tonight before doing that again to write a paper that I know can be wonderful and I'll make sure it is so because I can. Because I'm lucky enough to have this ability today and now.
So think of Jon please, hope for him, and if it suits you, pray for him. He's a young man who's surrounded by love, but needs every good vibe we can give him.
Jon loves baseball - so here's to hoping for a home run.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Trials and Tribulations of Being Female: Shaving Legs
Hairy legs. For women, not the fashionable accessory to have. In fact, if these particular appendages are hairy, said women will likely be subjected to snickers, comments, and overall disgust. Unless, of course, you live in France. (Can't have a blog about leg hair without a dig on France - it's against the rules).
Yet, it is a total pain to shave. First there's the process: wet the legs, lather up the legs (must have the right soap to ensure no burning or bumps), run the razor over the long expanse, rinse off the razor, do the next strip, rinse off, repeat however many times, rinse off the legs, checking for missed spots or blood, if there's a missed spot, re-lather, re-shave and if there's blood, getting it to stop is always fun, dry legs, lotion legs, and then you're done. For all of two days. Longer than two or three days and then the itching starts. Then the prickly little black stubs show through and G-d forbid a man run his hands over your legs in this state or he's likely to run screaming from the room (unless he's married and knows better than to piss his wife off like that -- he might still be encouraged to sleep on the couch though).
I realize many men shave daily and I'm sure it can be a chore. But they are not required by societal boundaries to shave. If a man has hair on his face, he is not subjected to scorn, ridicule, and general disgust. Therefore, women have it worse.
What brings this up you ask? I will admit it. It has been longer than three days and I'm wearing short workout pants in public. That's right, the little black stubblies are showing through and I can only pray that they aren't a beacon to look at me. In perusing my legs as I sit at my computer at work, I began to think about how often we must shave, how quickly we go through razors, all of that fun stuff. Then I can only be happy that there are no men running their hands over my legs (granted I would probably say this anyways as who knows when my dad or Grandma decide they want to start reading this thing, but it's sadly enough true -- I mean, it's fabulously enough true...).
Now I love being a woman, but these little trials and tribulations always make life fun. So the next time your friend, wife, sister, mom, whoever is a little cranky, don't blame it on pms...
Blame it on hairy monkey legs.
Yet, it is a total pain to shave. First there's the process: wet the legs, lather up the legs (must have the right soap to ensure no burning or bumps), run the razor over the long expanse, rinse off the razor, do the next strip, rinse off, repeat however many times, rinse off the legs, checking for missed spots or blood, if there's a missed spot, re-lather, re-shave and if there's blood, getting it to stop is always fun, dry legs, lotion legs, and then you're done. For all of two days. Longer than two or three days and then the itching starts. Then the prickly little black stubs show through and G-d forbid a man run his hands over your legs in this state or he's likely to run screaming from the room (unless he's married and knows better than to piss his wife off like that -- he might still be encouraged to sleep on the couch though).
I realize many men shave daily and I'm sure it can be a chore. But they are not required by societal boundaries to shave. If a man has hair on his face, he is not subjected to scorn, ridicule, and general disgust. Therefore, women have it worse.
What brings this up you ask? I will admit it. It has been longer than three days and I'm wearing short workout pants in public. That's right, the little black stubblies are showing through and I can only pray that they aren't a beacon to look at me. In perusing my legs as I sit at my computer at work, I began to think about how often we must shave, how quickly we go through razors, all of that fun stuff. Then I can only be happy that there are no men running their hands over my legs (granted I would probably say this anyways as who knows when my dad or Grandma decide they want to start reading this thing, but it's sadly enough true -- I mean, it's fabulously enough true...).
Now I love being a woman, but these little trials and tribulations always make life fun. So the next time your friend, wife, sister, mom, whoever is a little cranky, don't blame it on pms...
Blame it on hairy monkey legs.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
In Memory: Zachary Michael Cruz
I didn't know Zachary. I knew of him, but I didn't know him.
I know his father. I met him in my Education class while I was at Cal. This young man was passionate about the things he was doing, always kind and supportive, wanting to do something to make his place in the world. I tend to be a bit cynical and think, when somebody sits here and says they want to change the world, that they might be a little delusional. I thought this was a young man that could make a difference. I was impressed by him, something I'm often not at first meeting.
He's 27 years old. And today... he's burying his five year old son. My heart just breaks for him. His son was killed crossing a street in Berkeley by a truck (yes, he was with adults at the time). As of this point, a tragic accident - the truck driver did not flee the scene, he was not speeding, he was not under the influence.
All I can think is that this little boy had this wonderful father (as I'm sure Frank was and is) and I'm sure he was just as bright and lively.
There are not words to express how sad I am for Frank and that I know whereever this child has gone onto, he was loved. And will always be remembered.
www.zacharymichaelcruz.com
I know his father. I met him in my Education class while I was at Cal. This young man was passionate about the things he was doing, always kind and supportive, wanting to do something to make his place in the world. I tend to be a bit cynical and think, when somebody sits here and says they want to change the world, that they might be a little delusional. I thought this was a young man that could make a difference. I was impressed by him, something I'm often not at first meeting.
He's 27 years old. And today... he's burying his five year old son. My heart just breaks for him. His son was killed crossing a street in Berkeley by a truck (yes, he was with adults at the time). As of this point, a tragic accident - the truck driver did not flee the scene, he was not speeding, he was not under the influence.
All I can think is that this little boy had this wonderful father (as I'm sure Frank was and is) and I'm sure he was just as bright and lively.
There are not words to express how sad I am for Frank and that I know whereever this child has gone onto, he was loved. And will always be remembered.
www.zacharymichaelcruz.com
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Eve of Justice
Recommendation - watch this first: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csuNCukWCe8
On Thursday, there will hopefully be another unprecedented day in history. A day when the California Supreme Court votes to uphold the Constitution as I believe in it - one that protects minorities, one that does not take away fundamental freedoms, but gives them, one that gives the opportunities that some enjoy to all.
I speak of the day that the California Supreme Court will hear oral arguments regarding Proposition 8, which was passed this last election day. This country voted for change when they voted for Barack Obama, but took a giant step backward by passing this horrendous constitutional amendment. It was passed by a slight majority, but with its passing, came a great many consequences.
There is now a group of people who are maligned, who were given the opportunity to have something beautiful and have it ripped from them, who are treated by a Constitution as separate, other, different, and not of the state. It is a despicable travesty of what the Constitution stands for and what it SHOULD mean. The Constitution (herein referring to the California version) is supposed to stand for all people, it is supposed to fight for all people, and yet it fails miserably.
I am appalled that people are working against making all people equal, well, as equal as they can be as we all know this country remains mired in hatred and prejudice - but the law must stand for all peoples, it must make the first the first step to unite, to give freedom, to give hope. Instead of fighting against each other, these groups should be finding away to gain common ground. I've said it before and I will say it again: make a new plan for the state. In the eyes of the state, everybody has a civil union (i.e. all the current benefits of marriage are now awarded to civil unions) and put marriage back where it came from - in the church. It is a construction of the church and can remain there - then it is up to the pastors/priests/dude or dudette in charge whether they want to marry a couple (since churches get exempt from everything anyways...).
I digress. Go to this web site:
http://eveofjustice.com/
and learn how you can help. How you can make a difference. If anything, take the time to learn. See what the briefs have to say, open your minds and your hearts and realize that we all deserve the chance at something special. Take a moment to realize that you do not have to perpetuate hatred and prejudice, that you can make a difference by standing for the minorities, the maligned, and the hopeful.
Give this state (and country) a chance to truly "let freedom ring".
On Thursday, there will hopefully be another unprecedented day in history. A day when the California Supreme Court votes to uphold the Constitution as I believe in it - one that protects minorities, one that does not take away fundamental freedoms, but gives them, one that gives the opportunities that some enjoy to all.
I speak of the day that the California Supreme Court will hear oral arguments regarding Proposition 8, which was passed this last election day. This country voted for change when they voted for Barack Obama, but took a giant step backward by passing this horrendous constitutional amendment. It was passed by a slight majority, but with its passing, came a great many consequences.
There is now a group of people who are maligned, who were given the opportunity to have something beautiful and have it ripped from them, who are treated by a Constitution as separate, other, different, and not of the state. It is a despicable travesty of what the Constitution stands for and what it SHOULD mean. The Constitution (herein referring to the California version) is supposed to stand for all people, it is supposed to fight for all people, and yet it fails miserably.
I am appalled that people are working against making all people equal, well, as equal as they can be as we all know this country remains mired in hatred and prejudice - but the law must stand for all peoples, it must make the first the first step to unite, to give freedom, to give hope. Instead of fighting against each other, these groups should be finding away to gain common ground. I've said it before and I will say it again: make a new plan for the state. In the eyes of the state, everybody has a civil union (i.e. all the current benefits of marriage are now awarded to civil unions) and put marriage back where it came from - in the church. It is a construction of the church and can remain there - then it is up to the pastors/priests/dude or dudette in charge whether they want to marry a couple (since churches get exempt from everything anyways...).
I digress. Go to this web site:
http://eveofjustice.com/
and learn how you can help. How you can make a difference. If anything, take the time to learn. See what the briefs have to say, open your minds and your hearts and realize that we all deserve the chance at something special. Take a moment to realize that you do not have to perpetuate hatred and prejudice, that you can make a difference by standing for the minorities, the maligned, and the hopeful.
Give this state (and country) a chance to truly "let freedom ring".
Friday, February 27, 2009
Hollywood as a Standard of Beauty
It is a joke.
This standard of beauty: to be tall(ish at the very least), thin (actually, emaciated), over-processed hair, whiter than paper teeth that are perfectly straight, with at least 20 botox treatments under their belt (okay, I may exaggerate just a tad...). Regardless, this is a basic overview of what the Hollywood standard of beauty is and it is shown in most Hollywood stars.
This standard is absolutely unhealthy, not to mention unobtainable to those who have no money for trainers, nutritionists, and stylists. Yet... why do we, as a society, continue to play into this notion of beauty?!
First off, it must be said. I personally find this notion of beauty butt-ugly. Now that that has been said...
Over the past few weeks there has been a bru-ha-ha over Jessica Simpson gaining weight. The first picture of her with this weight gain appeared weeks ago and yet, it is still somehow relevant? I was watching CNN this morning and the outgoing Miss America, Kristin Haglund, appeared on the show. She was the first Miss America to make eating disorders her platform and appeared on the show to discuss eating disorders and Jessica Simpson - well, as much as she can discuss in the all of seven minutes they gave her (just to note, she was quite well-spoken, I was most impressed), which simply ticked me off all over again about the issue. I haven't bought a trash mag since this nuttiness because I was so annoyed by such negative coverage.
When I look at these pictures of Jessica Simpson, I still see a healthy woman. She's, what, a size 4? 6? Oh wow, obesity clinics around the country should be calling her. I mean, what is this?! She's the epitome of a normal, healthy woman - hell, even "skinny" based on the national average of 12-14 (don't quote me, it's been a while since I looked up that statistic). So how is it that she is fat? And why is it that we all play into this disgusting standard of beauty that is not reasonable or healthy? We should be taking pride in what the body can do and pushing to be as healthy as possible for your lifestyle and interests, not judging or being overly critical.
Upshot is? My new thesis will involve this bs standard of beauty. How? You'll be finding out when the sucker is written - guess you'll just have to wait and see!
This standard of beauty: to be tall(ish at the very least), thin (actually, emaciated), over-processed hair, whiter than paper teeth that are perfectly straight, with at least 20 botox treatments under their belt (okay, I may exaggerate just a tad...). Regardless, this is a basic overview of what the Hollywood standard of beauty is and it is shown in most Hollywood stars.
This standard is absolutely unhealthy, not to mention unobtainable to those who have no money for trainers, nutritionists, and stylists. Yet... why do we, as a society, continue to play into this notion of beauty?!
First off, it must be said. I personally find this notion of beauty butt-ugly. Now that that has been said...
Over the past few weeks there has been a bru-ha-ha over Jessica Simpson gaining weight. The first picture of her with this weight gain appeared weeks ago and yet, it is still somehow relevant? I was watching CNN this morning and the outgoing Miss America, Kristin Haglund, appeared on the show. She was the first Miss America to make eating disorders her platform and appeared on the show to discuss eating disorders and Jessica Simpson - well, as much as she can discuss in the all of seven minutes they gave her (just to note, she was quite well-spoken, I was most impressed), which simply ticked me off all over again about the issue. I haven't bought a trash mag since this nuttiness because I was so annoyed by such negative coverage.
When I look at these pictures of Jessica Simpson, I still see a healthy woman. She's, what, a size 4? 6? Oh wow, obesity clinics around the country should be calling her. I mean, what is this?! She's the epitome of a normal, healthy woman - hell, even "skinny" based on the national average of 12-14 (don't quote me, it's been a while since I looked up that statistic). So how is it that she is fat? And why is it that we all play into this disgusting standard of beauty that is not reasonable or healthy? We should be taking pride in what the body can do and pushing to be as healthy as possible for your lifestyle and interests, not judging or being overly critical.
Upshot is? My new thesis will involve this bs standard of beauty. How? You'll be finding out when the sucker is written - guess you'll just have to wait and see!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
A Trip Home
I took a weekend trip home. A weekend trip that turned into 6 days, including travel days (i.e. part day on the trip to CA and a full day on the trip back to DC - don't you love how that works out?!).
I took this random trip home because I had a random moment of homesickness. About two days after booking the flight (two weeks before the weekend might I add), I lost that homesickness and was wondering why in the world I'm still taking this trip. Maybe I should just just cancel the flight and save the $220 for a future flight (can you believe it was that cheap?! I spent near enough to that just getting to Nor-Cal back in the day). But... I went home.
And loved every minute of it. I reconnected with a ton of people and was reminded of what I like about LA (don't get me wrong... there's still much of LA that can just finish going to the rats). I enjoyed it enough that I will most likely be applying to UCLA this year.
I flew in Thursday and got picked up by Sena. We went and picked out what shoes I'll be wearing for her wedding, then had lunch. It was great getting the chance to catch up in person and see how things are going. I then got to go shopping with Dad for his renewal of vows shirt. Him being male means that it really didn't take us all that long, so we managed to have a drink and an artichoke while waiting for mom for dinner.
Friday held a real exciting day - I had a doctor's appointment! Whoo! Or not? One thing DC has done for me is taught me to get off my lazy ass. Back in the day I parked in the lot and just paid for parking. Not anymore. I found street parking and hoofed it in. I'll have to keep this up in the future. But Friday night was a very enjoyable evening out. Lauren and I ended up at Hennessy's with Shelley, Lynn, Dan, and Eric joining the party. Shells and I got the brilliant idea that the next time I come home we're going to have an 80's prom - the pictures alone (and the boys dressing like dorks) will be totally worth it.
Saturday was another incredibly full day, more full than I had anticipated, but super fun. I saw my godmother for breakfast, hung with Mikey for a good chunk of the day, then came the evening.
Yes, the evening gets its own paragraph. A crew of us went to Daikokuya (if I spelled that right, then I'm a Goddess... just sayin'). I picked up Shelley, Beverly, and Nick and we set off on our adventure. Yes, adventure. As Nick and I had a bit of trouble navigating (are we surprised?!), we were off and on freeways and turning around more than once or twice. Whoops. Dinner was quite fun and yummy (thanks for the tip Adam!) and then... the salami experience. Adam and Joanne walk to Adam's car -- the plan is that I'll follow them to drop off Joanne, then go see Rocky Horror at midnight in Pasadena with Adam. I get in the car. I look down at the passenger seat and see on the floor of the passenger side a roll of dry salami. That's right. This big ol' hunk of meat that was soooooo not there before. I immediately twist around to see if there's somebody hiding in my backseat -- about two seconds away from diving bombing out of my car and running helter skelter. I lock the doors, pull out after determining that some crazy person isn't out to kill me, then start following Adam (no, they have no clue what's going on). I call Nick, who has no clue what I'm talking about when I ask him if it's his salami (yes, start the dirty jokes now). Then I call home.
It was my dad's salami. No joke.
Rocky Horror was a treat. I got to hang out in the lighting section! I got to hang with Adam... wait... does this deserve an exclamation point too? I kid, I kid! I've seen the midnight showing of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, but not The Rocky Horror Picture Show, so it was definitely an experience. Getting to drive fast in LA was also definitely an experience. If you go 20 mph over the limit here, you risk getting arrested and for sure a misdemeanor. Clearly, I've learned how to get my dang foot off the gas. But not if I don't have to!!!
Sunday proved to be a day for the ages. I took my folks to the airport (yes, I took THEM to the airport, not the other way around... mama's a little confused these days apparently and forgot what weekend they were going to Vegas... dad was right... which is infrequent at best, so he was quite pleased with himself on this one). I hung with Lauren, did the grocery shopping for my dinner party that night and then home to get some stuff done.
More people showed up than I expected. People stayed way later than I expected - the last leaving around 1:30am. Christina made amazing porkchops and I made crack sangria (Eric's name for it as it was... strong... to say the least). It was an enjoyable evening with random moments of, "what just happened there?!" and other moments of, "when do we start asking questions?" Upshot was: I wasn't going to be making my flight in the morning. So I changed my flight at 3:30am and slept in. Dinner with Christina was yummy (Mama D's tortellini in pink sauce... mmmm... I want more!). Leaving dinner, there's this middle-aged couple that looks vaguely familiar. I figure I must be nuts, but the guy stops me. I'm thinking he'll tell me who he is... not so much. He said that I looked very pretty that night, very classy and his wife just smiled and nodded. I decided not to try to figure out what was going on and just said thanks and ran. No make-up and my hair in a sloppy bun and I look CLASSY? Since when? Geeez.
I caught my flight Tuesday. I missed one class of each of my classes. Guess I can't be sick for the rest of the semester!
I'm working a double shift today and seven shifts over the next two weeks (as opposed to four).
Why did I come back?!
I took this random trip home because I had a random moment of homesickness. About two days after booking the flight (two weeks before the weekend might I add), I lost that homesickness and was wondering why in the world I'm still taking this trip. Maybe I should just just cancel the flight and save the $220 for a future flight (can you believe it was that cheap?! I spent near enough to that just getting to Nor-Cal back in the day). But... I went home.
And loved every minute of it. I reconnected with a ton of people and was reminded of what I like about LA (don't get me wrong... there's still much of LA that can just finish going to the rats). I enjoyed it enough that I will most likely be applying to UCLA this year.
I flew in Thursday and got picked up by Sena. We went and picked out what shoes I'll be wearing for her wedding, then had lunch. It was great getting the chance to catch up in person and see how things are going. I then got to go shopping with Dad for his renewal of vows shirt. Him being male means that it really didn't take us all that long, so we managed to have a drink and an artichoke while waiting for mom for dinner.
Friday held a real exciting day - I had a doctor's appointment! Whoo! Or not? One thing DC has done for me is taught me to get off my lazy ass. Back in the day I parked in the lot and just paid for parking. Not anymore. I found street parking and hoofed it in. I'll have to keep this up in the future. But Friday night was a very enjoyable evening out. Lauren and I ended up at Hennessy's with Shelley, Lynn, Dan, and Eric joining the party. Shells and I got the brilliant idea that the next time I come home we're going to have an 80's prom - the pictures alone (and the boys dressing like dorks) will be totally worth it.
Saturday was another incredibly full day, more full than I had anticipated, but super fun. I saw my godmother for breakfast, hung with Mikey for a good chunk of the day, then came the evening.
Yes, the evening gets its own paragraph. A crew of us went to Daikokuya (if I spelled that right, then I'm a Goddess... just sayin'). I picked up Shelley, Beverly, and Nick and we set off on our adventure. Yes, adventure. As Nick and I had a bit of trouble navigating (are we surprised?!), we were off and on freeways and turning around more than once or twice. Whoops. Dinner was quite fun and yummy (thanks for the tip Adam!) and then... the salami experience. Adam and Joanne walk to Adam's car -- the plan is that I'll follow them to drop off Joanne, then go see Rocky Horror at midnight in Pasadena with Adam. I get in the car. I look down at the passenger seat and see on the floor of the passenger side a roll of dry salami. That's right. This big ol' hunk of meat that was soooooo not there before. I immediately twist around to see if there's somebody hiding in my backseat -- about two seconds away from diving bombing out of my car and running helter skelter. I lock the doors, pull out after determining that some crazy person isn't out to kill me, then start following Adam (no, they have no clue what's going on). I call Nick, who has no clue what I'm talking about when I ask him if it's his salami (yes, start the dirty jokes now). Then I call home.
It was my dad's salami. No joke.
Rocky Horror was a treat. I got to hang out in the lighting section! I got to hang with Adam... wait... does this deserve an exclamation point too? I kid, I kid! I've seen the midnight showing of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, but not The Rocky Horror Picture Show, so it was definitely an experience. Getting to drive fast in LA was also definitely an experience. If you go 20 mph over the limit here, you risk getting arrested and for sure a misdemeanor. Clearly, I've learned how to get my dang foot off the gas. But not if I don't have to!!!
Sunday proved to be a day for the ages. I took my folks to the airport (yes, I took THEM to the airport, not the other way around... mama's a little confused these days apparently and forgot what weekend they were going to Vegas... dad was right... which is infrequent at best, so he was quite pleased with himself on this one). I hung with Lauren, did the grocery shopping for my dinner party that night and then home to get some stuff done.
More people showed up than I expected. People stayed way later than I expected - the last leaving around 1:30am. Christina made amazing porkchops and I made crack sangria (Eric's name for it as it was... strong... to say the least). It was an enjoyable evening with random moments of, "what just happened there?!" and other moments of, "when do we start asking questions?" Upshot was: I wasn't going to be making my flight in the morning. So I changed my flight at 3:30am and slept in. Dinner with Christina was yummy (Mama D's tortellini in pink sauce... mmmm... I want more!). Leaving dinner, there's this middle-aged couple that looks vaguely familiar. I figure I must be nuts, but the guy stops me. I'm thinking he'll tell me who he is... not so much. He said that I looked very pretty that night, very classy and his wife just smiled and nodded. I decided not to try to figure out what was going on and just said thanks and ran. No make-up and my hair in a sloppy bun and I look CLASSY? Since when? Geeez.
I caught my flight Tuesday. I missed one class of each of my classes. Guess I can't be sick for the rest of the semester!
I'm working a double shift today and seven shifts over the next two weeks (as opposed to four).
Why did I come back?!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
High School Friendships
I was watching this show this morning while munching on my bagel and fruit that was centered around three gals who were high school best friends, but who lost touch almost immediately after graduation. All three noted that losing touch was one of the greatest regrets of their lives.
This, of course, made me think about my own friendships and where they have come from, how they developed, and where they are at today. I have made many new wonderful friends in my post-collegiate career/schooling, as well as some interesting friendships during my collegiate career. But it was in middle school that I was first introduced to some of the women that I still call my best friends. And no, we're not talking "facebook friends" from high school that can be stalked through their pages and you pretend like you have a clue as to what they're up to, we're talking the real deal.
I suppose I do not often think how lucky I am that these people and I have remained friends, much less very good ones. I often see these wonderful people on trips home, and will always look forward to future times that I get to spend with them. The fact that we have remained friends for quite so many years is a feat in and of itself, seeing as how many of us went very different directions for college and then I ended up out here in the boonies (I kid!).
I'd like to take a moment to recognize these ladies, even if for a brief moment, only because I do realize how lucky I am and I don't want to take the friendships they have given me for granted. I have a very large personality and each of these people have accepted it, dealt with it, and made fun of it to their own liking. I'm going to do this reverse alphabetical, just to be funky.
Sena - We have incredibly different personalities, but have always found a way to appreciate the differences in each other and love them anyways. A constant support to me, it is an incredible honor to me to be able to serve as her Maid of Honor in her wedding this coming June.
Lauren - We have incredibly similar personalities, but have always found a way to fight and then make-up. It was at Lauren's house that I spent the day of my father's first kidney surgery (not the last of the surgeries certainly) and to this day, there is nowhere else I'd want to be if I couldn't be with my folks.
Christina - Christina and I ended up at middle school together, became very good friends in high school, ended up at Cal together, and now just may end up in DC together. I think she's following me around! Our appreciation for each others humor and hearts make for a fun and supportive friendship.
Now there are two people who may read this and think, "what about me?!" And those two people are Lynn and Shells - the wonder twins of MB. I purposefully did not include them in the list above because we have not been friends since middle school. We've been friends since Kindergarten. How insane is that?! I can even remember going to parties at their childhood home (which their parents still reside in). And if you all know me, you know I don't remember much! Both of these girls have their own strengths that they use to be supportive, cheerful, and a constant joy in people's lives. They have an incredible bond and when you get one, you get the other - a two for the price of one deal that can't be passed up! Although, I can't imagine why anybody would want to...
I am of the opinion that part of the reason why some of these friendships have remained so strong regardless of distance and time is that I have great role models. Both of my parents best friends they have had since 5 or 6 years old. I see my godmother (mom's best friend from Iowa) everytime I go home and I see my dad's best friend (Gary) and his fabulous wife (Sharon)... probably twice everytime I go home. Both of my folks have taken the time to cherish and nurture these friendships through good and bad - Gary always being at the hospital when my dad is there, being a support to my mom even moreso than my dad.
Such good friends that literally last a lifetime are hard to find and I hope to look back to this blog at 60 years old and still call the ladies mentioned here my friends.
This, of course, made me think about my own friendships and where they have come from, how they developed, and where they are at today. I have made many new wonderful friends in my post-collegiate career/schooling, as well as some interesting friendships during my collegiate career. But it was in middle school that I was first introduced to some of the women that I still call my best friends. And no, we're not talking "facebook friends" from high school that can be stalked through their pages and you pretend like you have a clue as to what they're up to, we're talking the real deal.
I suppose I do not often think how lucky I am that these people and I have remained friends, much less very good ones. I often see these wonderful people on trips home, and will always look forward to future times that I get to spend with them. The fact that we have remained friends for quite so many years is a feat in and of itself, seeing as how many of us went very different directions for college and then I ended up out here in the boonies (I kid!).
I'd like to take a moment to recognize these ladies, even if for a brief moment, only because I do realize how lucky I am and I don't want to take the friendships they have given me for granted. I have a very large personality and each of these people have accepted it, dealt with it, and made fun of it to their own liking. I'm going to do this reverse alphabetical, just to be funky.
Sena - We have incredibly different personalities, but have always found a way to appreciate the differences in each other and love them anyways. A constant support to me, it is an incredible honor to me to be able to serve as her Maid of Honor in her wedding this coming June.
Lauren - We have incredibly similar personalities, but have always found a way to fight and then make-up. It was at Lauren's house that I spent the day of my father's first kidney surgery (not the last of the surgeries certainly) and to this day, there is nowhere else I'd want to be if I couldn't be with my folks.
Christina - Christina and I ended up at middle school together, became very good friends in high school, ended up at Cal together, and now just may end up in DC together. I think she's following me around! Our appreciation for each others humor and hearts make for a fun and supportive friendship.
Now there are two people who may read this and think, "what about me?!" And those two people are Lynn and Shells - the wonder twins of MB. I purposefully did not include them in the list above because we have not been friends since middle school. We've been friends since Kindergarten. How insane is that?! I can even remember going to parties at their childhood home (which their parents still reside in). And if you all know me, you know I don't remember much! Both of these girls have their own strengths that they use to be supportive, cheerful, and a constant joy in people's lives. They have an incredible bond and when you get one, you get the other - a two for the price of one deal that can't be passed up! Although, I can't imagine why anybody would want to...
I am of the opinion that part of the reason why some of these friendships have remained so strong regardless of distance and time is that I have great role models. Both of my parents best friends they have had since 5 or 6 years old. I see my godmother (mom's best friend from Iowa) everytime I go home and I see my dad's best friend (Gary) and his fabulous wife (Sharon)... probably twice everytime I go home. Both of my folks have taken the time to cherish and nurture these friendships through good and bad - Gary always being at the hospital when my dad is there, being a support to my mom even moreso than my dad.
Such good friends that literally last a lifetime are hard to find and I hope to look back to this blog at 60 years old and still call the ladies mentioned here my friends.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
25 Things About Me That I'm Sure You Were Dying to Know
Facebook is a social networking site. There has been a posting going around requesting people to write 25 things about themselves. It's a fun little way to get to know your friends (or acquaintances) a little bit better. I figured you all would enjoy to get to know me a little bit better.
1. I'm an excellent swimmer and could swim all day if I were so inclined (although little things like eating and the need to pee get in the way of that)
2. I have been pierced a total of 10 times. I currently have 7. I hate needles. Go figure.
3. I really dislike math. I'm taking stats this semester. This is my new lover as I'm about to get screwed.
4. My favorite inanimate object is a bed. Take that as you wish.
5. On that note, I've had mono four times. The first when I was 9. Gives wild child a whole new meaning. (I actually got it from swimming)
6. I love to read. I will read over watching tv or movies any day of the week. Well, reading of my choice, not required reading.
7. I have this weird habit of buying workout tapes... and then not working out to them.
8. My favorite art piece of all time is a print of the American flag with the First Amendment written into it. I'm big on free speech. Clearly. If you hadn’t noticed. If you really hadn’t noticed, then you haven’t spoken to me for any length of time. You might want to get on top of that.
9. I try to be positive at most times, yet I am the most cynical person I know. Such contradictions in myself make life fun.
10. I hit a second puberty when I was around 22. My feet grew a half size, I grew two inches, and I got gray hair.
11. I do not know the meaning of tan. If I'm in the sun for longer than five minutes, I go a lovely shade of lobster red. Stop trying to convince me there are ways around this. There are not.
12. I'm training to be a personal trainer. Proof is in the pudding - I've already lost 20 pounds on my own.
13. My hair is curly. It's insanely curly. It takes me hours to do it on my own. Therefore, I get it done.
14. I own thousands of dollars worth of make-up and I do love to play with it.
15. Speaking of thousands of dollars… my shoes ain’t cheap. I do love them, treasure them, and thoroughly dislike those who steal them. Yes, two pairs were once upon a time stolen, she never apologized, therefore we don’t speak.
16. I love tulips – preferable over roses any day of the week. Not that I’d bitch if I got roses or anything.
17. I love my organized chaos. It works for me. I know exactly where everything is, even if it doesn’t have an official place.
18. My closet is anally organized – once I actually get my clothes hung up after doing 10 loads of laundry at one time. It’s organized by ROYGBIV – yes, the order of the rainbow. Black, white, gray, and brown go on one end, then the rainbow, then prints/patterns if there is no dominant color.
19. I’m a list-making machine. It’s a compulsive habit. I NEVER follow the list, but I must make them. I’ll make the same list, but different, many times over.
20. I have an addiction to iced tea. Two packets of Equal stirred in, no lemon. If there’s lemon in it, I’m not happy.
21. Slow drivers on open roads annoy me. Get out of my way. It’s not tough. If I want to drive fast, and potentially get a ticket, that’s my business. If I want to drive fast and you slow me down, I don’t promise to not flip you off.
22. I used to never take pictures. I always had a camera, but never used it. Now I use it for the most inane pictures that are goofy, dorky, and downright scary. Luckily, I have friends that are said adjectives when taking pictures.
23. I am dying to go to Greece. I can’t lay out on a boat all day long due to that lobster problem, but I’d still love to try. Oh, and doing the touristy thing sounds fun too.
24. I collect magnets. I haven’t received one in a while, so if you’re so inclined to get me an “I love you Morgan” present, feel free to give me a magnet. Dirty, nice, funny, whatever.
25. I love the fact that I went to Cal. I hated living in Berkeley. But… GO BEARS! One of the requirements of the men I date is that they didn’t go to the farm and that they can deal with watching football (preferably enjoy it) – that makes two requirements, doesn’t it? You get the gist. If you don’t, then... I can't really help you.
1. I'm an excellent swimmer and could swim all day if I were so inclined (although little things like eating and the need to pee get in the way of that)
2. I have been pierced a total of 10 times. I currently have 7. I hate needles. Go figure.
3. I really dislike math. I'm taking stats this semester. This is my new lover as I'm about to get screwed.
4. My favorite inanimate object is a bed. Take that as you wish.
5. On that note, I've had mono four times. The first when I was 9. Gives wild child a whole new meaning. (I actually got it from swimming)
6. I love to read. I will read over watching tv or movies any day of the week. Well, reading of my choice, not required reading.
7. I have this weird habit of buying workout tapes... and then not working out to them.
8. My favorite art piece of all time is a print of the American flag with the First Amendment written into it. I'm big on free speech. Clearly. If you hadn’t noticed. If you really hadn’t noticed, then you haven’t spoken to me for any length of time. You might want to get on top of that.
9. I try to be positive at most times, yet I am the most cynical person I know. Such contradictions in myself make life fun.
10. I hit a second puberty when I was around 22. My feet grew a half size, I grew two inches, and I got gray hair.
11. I do not know the meaning of tan. If I'm in the sun for longer than five minutes, I go a lovely shade of lobster red. Stop trying to convince me there are ways around this. There are not.
12. I'm training to be a personal trainer. Proof is in the pudding - I've already lost 20 pounds on my own.
13. My hair is curly. It's insanely curly. It takes me hours to do it on my own. Therefore, I get it done.
14. I own thousands of dollars worth of make-up and I do love to play with it.
15. Speaking of thousands of dollars… my shoes ain’t cheap. I do love them, treasure them, and thoroughly dislike those who steal them. Yes, two pairs were once upon a time stolen, she never apologized, therefore we don’t speak.
16. I love tulips – preferable over roses any day of the week. Not that I’d bitch if I got roses or anything.
17. I love my organized chaos. It works for me. I know exactly where everything is, even if it doesn’t have an official place.
18. My closet is anally organized – once I actually get my clothes hung up after doing 10 loads of laundry at one time. It’s organized by ROYGBIV – yes, the order of the rainbow. Black, white, gray, and brown go on one end, then the rainbow, then prints/patterns if there is no dominant color.
19. I’m a list-making machine. It’s a compulsive habit. I NEVER follow the list, but I must make them. I’ll make the same list, but different, many times over.
20. I have an addiction to iced tea. Two packets of Equal stirred in, no lemon. If there’s lemon in it, I’m not happy.
21. Slow drivers on open roads annoy me. Get out of my way. It’s not tough. If I want to drive fast, and potentially get a ticket, that’s my business. If I want to drive fast and you slow me down, I don’t promise to not flip you off.
22. I used to never take pictures. I always had a camera, but never used it. Now I use it for the most inane pictures that are goofy, dorky, and downright scary. Luckily, I have friends that are said adjectives when taking pictures.
23. I am dying to go to Greece. I can’t lay out on a boat all day long due to that lobster problem, but I’d still love to try. Oh, and doing the touristy thing sounds fun too.
24. I collect magnets. I haven’t received one in a while, so if you’re so inclined to get me an “I love you Morgan” present, feel free to give me a magnet. Dirty, nice, funny, whatever.
25. I love the fact that I went to Cal. I hated living in Berkeley. But… GO BEARS! One of the requirements of the men I date is that they didn’t go to the farm and that they can deal with watching football (preferably enjoy it) – that makes two requirements, doesn’t it? You get the gist. If you don’t, then... I can't really help you.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Inauguration Day
What. A. Day.
To put it simply. Before I start commenting, opining, or otherwise sharing a host of random stories, my schedule was easy. I stayed home to watch the speech for one reason - I actually wanted to hear the darn thing. I didn't figure I'd hear it too well on the jumbo-trons the event planners had set up, nor did I want to wait to hear it til much later. Immediately upon the closing of the speech, I headed out to enjoy this day of history and see what it all looked like.
It was incredible, to say the least. Stepping back from the pomp, circumstance, and speech for a moment to consider the moment of history that was created yesterday. Regardless of your opinion of the man, or the presidential potential of him, yesterday was a defining moment in American history with an African-American man being sworn in as president. With the United States being in the unique position of one of the world's superpowers for many, many, many years running, to never have a man of any color (or a woman!!!) in this symbolic place of power is rather appalling. But, it has finally happened and we have all been alive to witness this day. He may not be what you voted for, he may not be what you want, but this is a bold step for our society, one that is necessary and can continue the work that was halted of shaking off the dregs of racial divisions and hatred.
(Below - walking the streets, the crowd coming up... 18th? 16th? The streets started to blur)
The sheer amount of people that came into our nation's capital yesterday was unprecedented. Every guesstimate of how many would arrive so far underscored the actual numbers that it is incredible. Millions of people found their way to DC to give their support, honor, awe, and hope to this one man. It was a peaceful day, a day without hatred, a day without violence, and a day full of smiles -- a phenomenon rare in these times of economic worry, rampant wars, and domestic issues that continue to plague our citizens.
(To the right, walking down the middle of the street!!!)
Monday was Martin Luther King Jr. Day and yesterday I was reminded of him and his words. Yes, the infamous, "I have a dream", but more, "A man who won't die for something is not fit to live". MLK Jr. did die for something; he died fighting for this day to happen. Wherever he is, I hope he can rest in peace knowing that this struggle is still ongoing, but a battle has been won.
I have my cynicisms (noted in the last, and most likely next, blogs) about this man, but I would with any other coming into office. These are troubled times and I do sincerely hope that President Obama can help effect the change that is so direly needed and necessary to help this country bounce back, stand on its on two feet of economic prosperity and pride -- with new additions of humility and hope.
We are all a part of this process and we can only do as much as we can do - which is hopefully everything in our power - because we do have power. This power was represented yesterday in this city of millions. We made our voices heard in the election (yes, I'll note that I did in fact vote for and support Obama - healthy cynicism and all) and we made our voices heard yesterday in showing that he is still the man for the job, that doubt has not prevailed, that hope is still present.
(To the right - the mass of people waiting to get on the Dupont Circle metro station)
Welcome to the White House and Washington D.C. Mr. President... I wish you luck.
To put it simply. Before I start commenting, opining, or otherwise sharing a host of random stories, my schedule was easy. I stayed home to watch the speech for one reason - I actually wanted to hear the darn thing. I didn't figure I'd hear it too well on the jumbo-trons the event planners had set up, nor did I want to wait to hear it til much later. Immediately upon the closing of the speech, I headed out to enjoy this day of history and see what it all looked like.
It was incredible, to say the least. Stepping back from the pomp, circumstance, and speech for a moment to consider the moment of history that was created yesterday. Regardless of your opinion of the man, or the presidential potential of him, yesterday was a defining moment in American history with an African-American man being sworn in as president. With the United States being in the unique position of one of the world's superpowers for many, many, many years running, to never have a man of any color (or a woman!!!) in this symbolic place of power is rather appalling. But, it has finally happened and we have all been alive to witness this day. He may not be what you voted for, he may not be what you want, but this is a bold step for our society, one that is necessary and can continue the work that was halted of shaking off the dregs of racial divisions and hatred.
(Below - walking the streets, the crowd coming up... 18th? 16th? The streets started to blur)The sheer amount of people that came into our nation's capital yesterday was unprecedented. Every guesstimate of how many would arrive so far underscored the actual numbers that it is incredible. Millions of people found their way to DC to give their support, honor, awe, and hope to this one man. It was a peaceful day, a day without hatred, a day without violence, and a day full of smiles -- a phenomenon rare in these times of economic worry, rampant wars, and domestic issues that continue to plague our citizens.
(To the right, walking down the middle of the street!!!)Monday was Martin Luther King Jr. Day and yesterday I was reminded of him and his words. Yes, the infamous, "I have a dream", but more, "A man who won't die for something is not fit to live". MLK Jr. did die for something; he died fighting for this day to happen. Wherever he is, I hope he can rest in peace knowing that this struggle is still ongoing, but a battle has been won.
I have my cynicisms (noted in the last, and most likely next, blogs) about this man, but I would with any other coming into office. These are troubled times and I do sincerely hope that President Obama can help effect the change that is so direly needed and necessary to help this country bounce back, stand on its on two feet of economic prosperity and pride -- with new additions of humility and hope.
We are all a part of this process and we can only do as much as we can do - which is hopefully everything in our power - because we do have power. This power was represented yesterday in this city of millions. We made our voices heard in the election (yes, I'll note that I did in fact vote for and support Obama - healthy cynicism and all) and we made our voices heard yesterday in showing that he is still the man for the job, that doubt has not prevailed, that hope is still present.
(To the right - the mass of people waiting to get on the Dupont Circle metro station)Welcome to the White House and Washington D.C. Mr. President... I wish you luck.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Pre-Inauguration Day Insanity
And we are heading into the final hours of Bush's reign of terror. I kid, I kid. Although the final hours part of that equation is entirely truthful. Being here in DC and seeing the insane mass of people has made things quite interesting - much less getting anywhere takes an extra few hours.
Call me cynical, but I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. Reading articles about people who have all this hope that Obama will be able to turn things around in a heartbeat... he just can't, hell, God himself couldn't. This country is in a hole that is not going to be dug out of particularly easily. There are wars left and right, an economic shithole, and domestic issues up the wazoo. This is not to say that Obama does not have his strong points, but the sheer amount of hope for immediate change seems unfounded. People are hailing his progressive nature, his grassroots connections, and I'm sitting here thinking the man and his team are a bunch of brilliant masterminds because absolutely nobody is capable of being that good to turn this country around in a hot minute. What his true strengths are, we have yet to find out. With so little experience and so little time to know who he is, we'll learn in the coming days what we've gotten ourselves into and whether or not this one man is as good in his actions as he is in his words.
I was going to go to the mall to hear his speech, but I won't be able to hear it in a crowd, so I'll explore, then be home for the actual speech because I want to hear what he has to say (and not a few hours later). After that, who knows what I'll explore. This day is epic, not just where he's at, but for this city as a whole.
I'm interested to see what he does, what decisions he makes first, where he will lead this country.
But at the end of the day, my inclinations are that this is only one man. Yes, he is "in charge" of the "super-power" of the world, but he is still only a man. He is not infalliable and he is not without his faults. We will see them in the days to come, I just hope that people give him enough of a chance to show his strengths... whatever they may actually be.
Call me cynical, but I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. Reading articles about people who have all this hope that Obama will be able to turn things around in a heartbeat... he just can't, hell, God himself couldn't. This country is in a hole that is not going to be dug out of particularly easily. There are wars left and right, an economic shithole, and domestic issues up the wazoo. This is not to say that Obama does not have his strong points, but the sheer amount of hope for immediate change seems unfounded. People are hailing his progressive nature, his grassroots connections, and I'm sitting here thinking the man and his team are a bunch of brilliant masterminds because absolutely nobody is capable of being that good to turn this country around in a hot minute. What his true strengths are, we have yet to find out. With so little experience and so little time to know who he is, we'll learn in the coming days what we've gotten ourselves into and whether or not this one man is as good in his actions as he is in his words.
I was going to go to the mall to hear his speech, but I won't be able to hear it in a crowd, so I'll explore, then be home for the actual speech because I want to hear what he has to say (and not a few hours later). After that, who knows what I'll explore. This day is epic, not just where he's at, but for this city as a whole.
I'm interested to see what he does, what decisions he makes first, where he will lead this country.
But at the end of the day, my inclinations are that this is only one man. Yes, he is "in charge" of the "super-power" of the world, but he is still only a man. He is not infalliable and he is not without his faults. We will see them in the days to come, I just hope that people give him enough of a chance to show his strengths... whatever they may actually be.
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