Running on Hope

You know, I think I'd rather watch these guys deliver the news each morning. Then, maybe it wouldn't sound so depressing.

Running on Hope from Douglas Sarine on Vimeo.

Poor Obama.

Lame Posting...But POSTING, Nonetheless!

I'm finally posting, and posting something I stole from Matt's Animal Mind.

I am waiting for an ice storm to hit our area today, and so far, I've been disappointed. I had planned a day of relaxation and goofing off, but I'm at work and the kiddo is at school. Is it wrong to wish for the power to stay on, yet want them to cancel school so I can shut down my office? I'm a kid in an adult body.

However, I found this gem, which brightened my spirits. Name all the cameos - I dare ya!

HIGH-FIVE INAUGURATION! - watch more funny videos

Here's hoping you are staying warm!

A New Day

When I woke up this morning, I realized that it was THIS DAY. Bush's last day. I bought this mug for Roger when I visited D.C. in 2007...and it seemed so far away then.


No matter your politics, you have to admit that today was historic.


At the time I bought this, I had no idea who our next president would be. I just knew that I wasn't a big fan of the one we had at the time. And I can say HAD ... now that he has lifted off in his helicopter and left the White House behind.


Watching today's inauguration, I was pleased to hear the crowds chanting, "USA! USA! USA!" I'm not sure I've ever heard that chanted outside the Olympics. Congratulations, Mr. President. I hope that the entire country can pull together now and work toward rebuilding all that has fallen apart in the last eight years.

I want to know from you...did you watch the Inauguration? And what is your hope for our nation's future?

NaBloPoMo Day 22 - Winkin' and Slayin'

Day Twenty Two.

I know I could make a drinking game out of this video. However, I just could NOT take my eyes off the guy in the background. Palin is fairly oblivious, but I suppose animal slaughter is a common thing in her world. Just not something I witness on a daily basis. Watch if you dare.

In a weird way, I'm kinda glad to see her again. Brings back memories of the election.

Happy Thanksgiving, Ya'll!

NaBloPoMo Day Twelve - What Does Red Mean?

Day Twelve.

And the Palin interviews continue. It's strange to me that the RNC kept Palin AWAY from the media, in so many respects, and NOW she is on every channel. It might have behooved the Republican ticket if they had let the country see who she was BEFORE the election.

Or not.

Since the election ended, the analysis of the results has been frenetic...have you seen this map?

The colors indicate how 'different' things were in this election, compared to the 2004 presidential election. It was surprising to me for two reasons:

1) The vast majority - VAST - voted more Democratic (Democratically?) than last time.
2) One area of the country voted strongly more Republican than last time.

Guess where I live? Just pick the darkest red state on the map. Yeah, see?

An article in the New York Times commented on the reasons for this shift further right, in what is called the "Black Belt" of America.

I have my theories, especially having lived in the area for 16 years now.

I want to know what YOU think. Why did these states in particular lean MORE toward the Republican side, while the rest of the country shifted in the opposite direction? What are your theories?

NaBloPoMo Day Seven - First Dog?

Day Seven. End of Week ONE.

In the excitement that was Tuesday, I seem to have lost my bearings. Now that it is behind us, let's move on to more pressing matters - the selection of the First Dog.

President-Elect Obama promised his daughters they could get a puppy for their historical moving party. My mother and I had a discussion this week, debating the type and breed of dog the Obama family should acquire. Here's an idea of how the conversation went:

Mom: I think it will be something cute and fuzzy. Cuddly.

Me: Nah, they'll pick something stronger, Mom. Something with character. I'm thinking Beagle. Or maybe Heinz 57 mutt.

Mom: Now, those little girls are gonna pick something small. Something real cute. Poodle, maybe.

Me: Poodle? Are you kidding me? Obama wouldn't own a poodle!

Mom: But the girls get to pick. Not him. I think they'll go for something furry, like a Bichon. Maybe a Lhasa.

Me: Aren't ALL dogs furry?

Mom: Well, they DEFINITELY won't pick a German Shepherd or a Doberman.

(I'm wondering why she is thinking this, but don't ask.)

Me: I doubt he'll get a pit bull, either. It's not like he's Michael Vick or anything. Still, he might get a pound dog.

Mom: THE GIRLS get to pick. He won't have any say.

Me: I still don't think Michelle would stand by and let them get a wussy dog. I think a Labrador would be good. Clinton had one, right? Maybe a hound. I still think it will be a Beagle.

Mom: I'm TELLING you. It will be a small, fuzzy dog.

Me: Oh! I know! He wants to bridge the red and blue states, right? He should get an Alaskan Malamute! Female, if you get my drift! Right? That's a compromise, isn't it?

Mom (staunch Republican): NOT funny.

So, what do YOU think?

NaBloPoMo Day Six - More Art

Day Six.

Since you seemed to enjoy my father's painting a few days ago, I thought I would share a few more of his works with you. And I am trying to distract myself from the post-election coverage, because the over-analysis of the whole process is frightening me. However, I do have to applaud Americans for the huge turnout. You rock.

At any rate - here is the first of the series:A little different feel than his last work. Dad does this as a hobby, but he has about 100 letter-sized sheets of paper with this type of work on it. I'm just sharing the actual paintings that are done on flat canvass. He has LOTS of them:I call this one "Anenome" because the little floweredy things remind me of sea anenomes, opening and closing on the ocean floor:I have no idea what Dad calls these works. He just piddles around with them.

I wonder if there is a market for this type of art? Thoughts?

NaBloPoMo Day Five - It's Not Over, It's Just Begun

Day Five.

An exciting night. An historic election. I hope you made your voice heard, and voted. One way or the other.

We just changed history - and it's only the beginning. Now is the time for everyone to forget red and blue states, and work together to make our nation better.Congratulations, Barack.

NaBloPoMo Day Four - Now with NO Election Commentary

Day Four

My First Ruby Tuesday, and sign up is here.

I am not going to talk about the election. I WILL be attending an election blog party. I will only say this: if you haven't already, GO VOTE.

Today I would like to introduce one of my father's paintings:
I took a trip to California this summer, and was able to take photos of his artwork. He has volumes of sketches, pen and ink creations, and pencil drawings.

If you are interested in seeing more of his work, check out my flickr set of his paintings. I will try to feature more of them during this month!

NaBloPoMo Day Two - Or Is It?

Day Two.

So, are you an election coverage junkie? Or are you just sick of it all?

Do you relentlessly check the various news networks, to see who is making the largest stump speech gaffes?

Do you sneak onto the computer, in the wee hours, just to play with the fancy electoral college magic map like John King on CNN?

Then you might have noticed this new feature:That's right, a few DAYS ago...get that? DAYS AGO, CNN began posting the number of DAYS until the polls close. Remember that they used to only do this on ELECTION DAY? Sometime in the morning, they would let us know how many HOURS until the polls closed. Now, I suppose feeling bolstered by the number of states participating in early voting, they have a countdown in DAYS.

I first saw this when we were 5 days, 23 hours out...I had to blink, reblink, and just laugh. It counts down...second by second. The news media has always astounded me with their extensive use of vocabulary in describing the same event using 42 different adjectives, but this? Oh, this was too good.

And I'm wondering about the chances of this REALLY being over on election night.

Saving it for Saturday

Okay, I know you are used to me NOT posting a lot. So, you probably didn't expect a post from me so soon.

However, I have lots to tell you. I am holding back, in order to spew forth a blog post EVERY SINGLE DAY in order to participate in the insanity that is NaBloPoMo.

Topics will include:

The teenager.

My dog.

Random photos of critters that have been discovered lately.

Music. (duh.)

Random photos of people I know IRL.

Occasional rants about stuff going on in my daily life. On second thought, I think I could post a rant a day, but then you would just think I'm some miserably unhappy person with a fork stuck in her eye.

Television.

THE ELECTION. (Yeah, I figure I can milk this, long after Tuesday.)

Of course, I'll be trying out Fun Monday and Ruby Tuesday, with a little Wordless Wednesday thrown in, just in case I run out of material.

Is there anything YOU would like to see me post about? In particular?? If so, leave a comment. If not, leave a comment.

Wish me luck.

Couldn't Resist

I just absolutely used to LOVE the WAZZUP commercials from Anheuser-Busch. Now? There's another one:

Just couldn't resist sharing this clever take! Have a great Sunday.

I'll be back for Fun Monday.

Random on a Dreary Thursday

If you're coming here, expecting the usual coherent post, might as well click away now. I'm sleepy. My thoughts are disjointed after a night of vivid, realistic dreams and a morning that did not include enough coffee. But I MUST get in gear for the insanity of blogging that is NaBloPoMo, which still sounds like something nasty you do to clowns.

First of all, don't you know "Joe the Plumber" was cringing last night? Someone told me his name was mentioned 26 times in the debate. Joe Six Pack's day in the sun is officially over.

Today, if you have never done so, I encourage you to play this game:

Warning: it can be addictive. Good news: your addiction will make a difference, and very well may save someone's life.

Grr...I was DVRing "Project Runway" AND "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" last night. DVR went awry. Boo. Hiss.

Major congratulations to my kiddo for making the SATB All-Region Choir as a FRESHMAN! She is the second alternate for All-State auditions...and I just couldn't be any prouder. Who knew that all those hours I spent listening to her bellow out songs from "The Little Mermaid" would actually pay off someday?

Oh, and her yellow pants are in high demand. Had a friend and his daughter visit last night, so that she could borrow them to wear at today's pep rally.

Last, but not least - a triple thank you to Swampilicious. Not only did she send me a beautiful, Swampy-made card the other day, but she awarded me with this:I know I lot of you bloggers have had this for a while, but not me! Swampy is a special lady - a survivor of breast cancer, and a big advocate for breast cancer awareness. If you have never been to her site, GO NOW.

I am supposed to award this to other bloggers, but Swampy has given it to all of you already, methinks. However, if you don't have it, and want it, GET IT! Put it in your sidebar...but one catch, you MUST VISIT SWAMPY FIRST.

Okay - all my energy is gone. And I must do some work. Remind me not to play drinking games during presidential debates.

Hypocrisy?

Okay, I TRY not to get political on this blog, but this was just too poignant not to share. It's not so much a commentary on the presidential candidates themselves, but more of a honest look at how some in the media tend to "flip flop," depending on the party of the candidate of which they speak.

If you don't watch ANYTHING about politics this season, you really don't want to miss THIS:
Somehow, it would be more amusing, if it wasn't so terribly true...

Hey - What Are You Doing?

If you're in one of the 24 states involved in Super Tuesday - get away from your computer and VOTE! I don't care WHO you vote for - JUST DO IT! I will, as soon as I finish visiting the Fun Monday participants...but I WILL DO IT.

I try to stay away from politics on this blog, and I'm not going to tell you what party or which candidate I plan to vote for. However, I received this in an email and had to share it. I heard one of the media pundits speaking about Barack Obama's way with words - how his speeches are poetic. This video seems to substantiate that claim. Sometimes the words are difficult to understand, so I have also copied the transcript of the message underneath the video. Keep in mind, I'm not endorsing Barack, or un-endorsing Barack - but I thought this video was worth sharing, if for no other reason than for its uniqueness.

It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation.

Yes we can.

It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail toward freedom.

Yes we can.

It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness.

Yes we can.

It was the call of workers who organized; women who reached for the ballots; a President who chose the moon as our new frontier; and a King who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the Promised Land.

Yes we can to justice and equality.

Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity.

Yes we can heal this nation.

Yes we can repair this world.

Yes we can.

We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change.

We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics...they will only grow louder and more dissonant ........... We've been asked to pause for a reality check. We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope.

But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.

Now the hopes of the little girl who goes to a crumbling school in Dillon are the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of LA; we will remember that there is something happening in America; that we are not as divided as our politics suggests; that we are one people; we are one nation; and together, we will begin the next great chapter in the American story with three words that will ring from coast to coast; from sea to shining sea --

Yes. We. Can.


Your thoughts are encouraged...and if you want to have a political discussion in the comments, have at it....but VOTE!

In the Dry, and In the Guilt

Here it is, at the 9 1/2-week mark, and we are "in the dry," which means that all the plyboard is on the roof - along with tar paper. So, it can rain all it wants, and our studs are safe. Here they are, hefting the HEAVY sheets of plyboard to form the basis of the roof:Next, they rolled tar paper over the plyboard, and nailed it down with these orange tacks. Ronald and Tony did most of the tacking, while Cavin (pronounced like "Kevin") did the rolling and holding of the tar paper:Jackie would lift them up to the roof, but they couldn't come down until he fired up the machine again...can you tell that they were done for the day, and READY to come down?But with all this progress, I am racked with guilt, realizing that today is the two-year anniversary of the day that Hurricane Katrina devastated the lives and homes of thousands along the Gulf Coast. I am horrified that more hasn't been done to alleviate their situation, and as I watch the house I have dreamed of rise into the sky - I think of the poor folks in this video:
I also reflect on a moving HBO documentary regarding this subject. I hope that you will take some time to watch, reflect, and count your blessings. There are tens of thousands of families without homes. 30,000 families are scattered across the country in FEMA apartments, 13,000 are in trailers, and hardly any of the 77,000 rental units destroyed in New Orleans have been rebuilt.

I know that I haven't lived like a queen, in my tiny little house, for the last 14 years - but I consider myself humbled by the strength of others. May they be blessed as well.

I Agree With Al

Sometimes, Tiggerlane just CAN'T keep her mouth shut about politics. I am forced to share this with you, because it shows a woman with a lot of class, going up against a woman who, IMHO, has very little. Ann Coulter makes a lot of money by being abrasive, hateful, and skinny. Whatever you feel about politics, please watch these clips, and let me know your thoughts:
Just another short tidbit, so you might understand more of what was referenced:

Surely you've heard the famous quote from Ann Coulter as such: "I was going to have a few comments on the other Democratic presidential candidate, John Edwards, but it turns out you have to go into rehab if you use the word ‘faggot.'" (You Grey's Anatomy fans will get that reference.)

As for Al Franken, he had a chapter in this book entitled "Ann Coulter; Nutcase," followed by another chapter entitled, "You Know Who I Don't Like? Ann Coulter."

For some reason, this song from the South Park movie is coming to mind, with a few name changes to identify the guilty. (WARNING, don't click if you are easily offended - but then, Coulter is somehow worse than the boys from South Park!)

Getting Down and Dirty...aka Political

You know I hate to muddy the pristine, cheery waters of the Neophyte blog with atrocity, but a situation has been on my mind that just won't go away. An article written by Nicole Belle on March 25th, 2007, describes something that seems abhorrent to me. Entitled, "You'll Never Look at Potholes the Same Way Again," it details how "the pulverized remains of bodies from the World Trade Center disaster site were used by city workers to fill ruts and potholes." This is according to a city contractor statement in a sworn affidavit filed in a Manhattan Federal Court.

According to the article, which you can read in its entireity here, "Eric Beck says debris powders - known as fines - were put in a pothole-fill mixture by crews at the Fresh Kills landfill on Staten Island, N.Y., where more than 1.65 million tons of World Trade Center debris were deposited after the Sept. 11 attacks."

"I observed the New York City Department of Sanitation taking these fines from the conveyor belts of our machines, loading it onto tractors and using it to pave roads and fill in potholes, dips and ruts," Eric Beck said.

Thanks go out to Mugsy for bringing this to my attention.

Tagged, Because I'm the Slowest Runner

Many months ago, the lovely Desert Songbird tagged me in this post, and I got horribly busy and didn't respond in the time dictated by good blogger etiquette. Luckily, she is forgiving, so I'm just now completing my assignment. Better late than never!

It's been really hard to top my previous admissions of weirdness. However, the post is only supposed to be "five things about me that I haven't revealed in previous posts." If you know me, you know I'm the Queen of T.M.I. - making this assignment even more difficult. But, here goes:

1. I recently discovered that I tend to hold my breath while taking a shower. Most likely due to the fact that I had severe hydrophobia as a child, and still can't swim very well. I've been doing deep breathing in the shower now - so I'm not in danger of passing out and leaving a messy scene for Roger to explain to the authorities.

2. I took dance lessons all the way through college, and I still keep up with the latest moves. Wanna go clubbing?

3. I can tie a cherry stem in a knot with my tongue easily.

4. I can't stand the supercilious attitude of George W. Bush and his cronies. Seeing as I'll be in D.C. next week, it's probably not a good time to admit this - the FBI and CIA could nab me while I'm in town for making such an unpatriotic statement.

5. We have a collection of "If" books, which are books of questions - mostly fun in large party groups. The most challenging is Volume 3 - Questions in the Game of Love. These are VERY provocative queries, and I am selecting a tame answer and response, because some of my readers are a little sensitive. I was asked one time if I HAD to sleep with a celebrity of the same sex, who would I choose? There you see her, the lucky Miss Natalie Portman.

Not to change the subject, but WTF is going on with American Idol? Can anyone give me a rational explanation as to WHY this talentless child is still on the show? I enjoyed Idol last year, and had never watched before then - but if this year's idiocy continues, you can count this musician OUT.

Donkey vs. Elephant - Taboo??

You may have noticed that I steer clear of politics and religion on this site. I'm not sure that's the most honest approach to blogging, but hey, I'm not your dancing circus bear. At least I'm raising the bar a tad from our last donkey discussion!

However, the political divide this nation experienced was troubling. And now that the "people have spoken" and voted for change (notice I said, CHANGE, not DEMOCRATS), I'm more optimistic than I've been in a while. Not that I think either party has all the answers. Instead, my faith in the American people has received a boost. We DO have the gumption to get up off our couches and try to change the direction of the country. I was beginning to wonder if we had all been hypnotized by the fancy footwork of Emmitt Smith, and were generally oblivious to the actions of our government.

In college and graduate school, I was taught that there are two topics to avoid discussing in the workplace: religion and politics. In a small town, where our businesses are more like families (crazy and dysfunctional), those rules don't necessarily apply. Or should they? Two of my agents professed their Christianity during the interview process. Oftentimes, a discussion amongst my staff will pit Republican against Democrat, though never to the point of a screaming match. The participants act with dignity and usually "agree to disagree." For the most part, we know where we all stand, who we can talk to about certain issues, and whose toes not to step on. It's an atmosphere of mutual respect.

Unfortunately, something happened at my husband's workplace that could affect his employment. Don't worry, he's not going to be fired. But he is deciding to "opt out" of working on days that a staunchly Republican doctor performs surgery. He had made this request long ago, and yesterday, under great pressure from his manager due to understaffing, broke his own rule and bit the bullet for the good of the hospital. Said doctor has argued with Roger in the past about political issues, and Roger no longer wishes to entertain those discussions.

Our hospital has a new security system in the OR. It involves locked doors that can only be opened by staffers with their ID passes. As Roger was navigating the system to take a patient through these doors, he commented to the patient, "This place has more security than Fort Knox! But that's good, because then no one can come in here and 'get ya.'" Just a little joking demeanor that he uses to put his patients at ease before their procedures. Republican Doctor, far removed from the area, shouted out, "Yeah - that's what we need here to keep the Democrats out!!" Not in a joking manner. In an inflammatory manner. He was decidedly vindictive. Mean-spirited.

If you know my husband, you probably are curious as to what happened next. As he told me this story, I envisioned three possible scenarios:

1. Roger delivering his patient, then going back to Republican Doctor and "giving him the what-for." (This would have been an ugly confrontation, at best.)
2. Roger delivering his patient, then telling the manager, "That's it - I'm out of here," and leaving for the day, refusing ever to work on Republican Doctor days.
3. Roger delivering his patient and holding his tongue.

I am proud to say that he took the high road - choice #3. But at what cost? Should he have to endure verbal jabs? Roger's father is a STAUNCH Democrat, and in a way, the vileness of Republican Doctor's comment was an insult to his family. Allowable, because of the "status" of the one making the comment??

For the record, the definition of "conservative," according to the online dictionary, is "disposed to preserve existing conditions, institutions, etc., or to restore traditional ones, and to limit change." The definition of liberal? According to the same site, "favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs." I have no idea how the term "liberal" became tarnished with such negativity.

So, I ask you for your thoughts. Is it better to keep our mouths shut? Should managers set boundaries for what can be discussed in the workplace? Or is this another form of discrimination that serves to limit free speech? I solicit your discussion, though I request civility among participants.