I thought Valentine's Day would be a good day to write my reaction to the reaction gay unions, marriages, civil joinings are causing. Whether or not being gay is a biological necessity or a psychological choice is really irrelevant. What is relevant is that there are people in this world who are gay and they would like the same rights and entitlements as people who are not. Trying to figure out whether homosexuality is environmental or inherent is not the point. Why is this even a debate? I feel that if people live by the rules laid out in the Ten Commandments then they are generally living good lives. I don't recall any of those commandments forbidding same sex unions.
Some people might argue that to be gay does not honor your mother and father. Well, if someone's mother and father accept their child's gay lifestyle than that person is not dishonoring his/her parents. If someone's lifestyle is not causing harm to another person's body or another person's relationship (as in killing another person or coveting a neighbors property or life partner) then they are still living by this basic decency outline.
People use the bible as evidence that homosexuality is immoral, that it is a sin. Whether that's true is irrevelant and most likely outdated. I always find those arguments weak. If you're trying to increase your tribe and multiply your numbers, you might make rules preventing same sex unions but believe me, we have enough tribe members all over this planet. So I could see people preventing that like they might prevent people from eating pork for fear of trichonosis. People. Procreation is no longer an issue.
What are gay people supposed to do? Go underground? Eject themselves into space? Live in special colonies on special islands in the South Pacific? No. Of course not.
If you are straight and celebrating your Valentine's Day with your love one, think about how nice that is; how special you feel; how fortunate you are. Now imagine that heterosexuality has been deemed immoral and even showing the slightest affection offended the family next to you, so much so that people were covering their children's eyes and gasping at your lack of self control.
In a world full of hate, love should be encouraged. Life time unions should be encouraged and permitted. Gay people should have the same right to marry, have children, put their partners on their life insurance, give their partners Power of Attorney, plan their estates, etcetera, as the Breeders.
Not being gay is my choice for my own personal reasons but those are my reasons and mine alone and they are none of anyone's business. As a woman, I have power over my body with regard to reproductive rights. If I lost those rights I would be devastated. If I were around when those rights were changing for women I would have been very excited.
Just imagine how many people's lives would improve if gay unions were made legal. I think opposing gay marriages, unions is a waste of time. If anything, allowing this on a large scale will only help to reinforce family values and encourage tolerance.
Happy Valentine's Day.
February 14, 2004
February 13, 2004
Friday Five
Friday Five
1. Are you superstitious?
Yes.
2. What extremes have you heard of someone going to in the name of superstition?
Paying a psychic thousands of dollars to remove an "alleged" curse.
3. Believer or not, what's your favorite superstition?
I don't have one. It's too hard to choose.
4. Do you believe in luck? If yes, do you have a lucky number/article of clothing/ritual?
Yes and no. Yes, I believe in luck but I believe it is random and not up to a number of article, or piece of clothing or a ritual.
5. Do you believe in astrology? Why or why not?
Yes and no. Yes, the Chinese Horoscope seems to work well for me. I find that the personality descriptions of the signs, fit people I know to the Tee. No. Western Horoscope doesn't work for me because at the time that the stars were identified, the sky was different, meaning that the stars have shifted because the universe is contantly in motion.
1. Are you superstitious?
Yes.
2. What extremes have you heard of someone going to in the name of superstition?
Paying a psychic thousands of dollars to remove an "alleged" curse.
3. Believer or not, what's your favorite superstition?
I don't have one. It's too hard to choose.
4. Do you believe in luck? If yes, do you have a lucky number/article of clothing/ritual?
Yes and no. Yes, I believe in luck but I believe it is random and not up to a number of article, or piece of clothing or a ritual.
5. Do you believe in astrology? Why or why not?
Yes and no. Yes, the Chinese Horoscope seems to work well for me. I find that the personality descriptions of the signs, fit people I know to the Tee. No. Western Horoscope doesn't work for me because at the time that the stars were identified, the sky was different, meaning that the stars have shifted because the universe is contantly in motion.
My Nine Year Old Self
Dawn has a great entry today about an event she attended yesterday.
The event was a panel discussion on love sponsored by The Week and featured as one of the speakers, Farrah Fawcett. Dawn writes that this was a special gift for her year old self who desired to look like Farrah Fawcett when she grew up. I was also invited to this event by publicist Matthew Caldecutt, but unfortunately, due to my work schedule I was unable to attend.
Reading Dawn's entry I was reminded of what my nine year old self wanted to be when I grew up. 50% of me wanted to be Jamie Sommers from the Bionic Woman. Like Dawn, who owned a Farrah Fawcett doll as a little girl, I owned a BIONIC WOMAN DOLL. The doll was great. It was a great likeness to Lindsay Wagner and had removable panels on her arm and legs. Removing the panels revealed decals of bionic circuitry. I always wanted to have special powers when I was a little girl. Dawn grew up to be a beautiful woman just as she desired. Sadly, I was not able to grow electronic circuitry to improve the strength of my thighs and forearm. Nor was I able to develop super duper hearing. Also, when I run, there is no music playing in the background and if you look at me when I'm running, it appears that I am running in real time and not in slow motion.
The other person my nine year old self wanted to be when she grew up was Nadia Comanici. I was obsessed with her the year she won the olympics and most of my playing was centered around walking back and forth on a picnic bench at my friends house. In my mind, I was performing a balance bar routine. For your amusement, I scanned the photo my mother took during one of these play sessions.
The event was a panel discussion on love sponsored by The Week and featured as one of the speakers, Farrah Fawcett. Dawn writes that this was a special gift for her year old self who desired to look like Farrah Fawcett when she grew up. I was also invited to this event by publicist Matthew Caldecutt, but unfortunately, due to my work schedule I was unable to attend.
Reading Dawn's entry I was reminded of what my nine year old self wanted to be when I grew up. 50% of me wanted to be Jamie Sommers from the Bionic Woman. Like Dawn, who owned a Farrah Fawcett doll as a little girl, I owned a BIONIC WOMAN DOLL. The doll was great. It was a great likeness to Lindsay Wagner and had removable panels on her arm and legs. Removing the panels revealed decals of bionic circuitry. I always wanted to have special powers when I was a little girl. Dawn grew up to be a beautiful woman just as she desired. Sadly, I was not able to grow electronic circuitry to improve the strength of my thighs and forearm. Nor was I able to develop super duper hearing. Also, when I run, there is no music playing in the background and if you look at me when I'm running, it appears that I am running in real time and not in slow motion.
The other person my nine year old self wanted to be when she grew up was Nadia Comanici. I was obsessed with her the year she won the olympics and most of my playing was centered around walking back and forth on a picnic bench at my friends house. In my mind, I was performing a balance bar routine. For your amusement, I scanned the photo my mother took during one of these play sessions.
February 12, 2004
Who Loves Me?
I'll tell you who.
| 88% Of The Internet Loves Me! |
| I am loved by 88% of the population, including: 2111 people who love feminists 2128 people who love morning people 2129 people who love windows users In return, I love 65% of the population, including: 1168 naked people 764 masochists 140 politicians |
| show the love at spacefem.com |
Holly Hostess
This adorable site, Parasite Pals, comes to us via Human Oddities via her friend Red Tide (no link available).
I am particularly fond of Blinky, the Eyelash Mite.
I am particularly fond of Blinky, the Eyelash Mite.
More Obvious Stuff
In this article, entitled Breast for Success, from the msn.com website, Dahlia Lithwick talks about the reason for the women's team's success on the NBC show The Apprentice (which I will be staying home to watch tonight by the way).
Yes. She is correct that some of the women were hustling their sex appeal to win some of the contests but not all of them are. I can tell you in one episode while a few members of the women's team were shaking their asses to get a vendor to lower the price of gold, in the same episode, there was one woman who actually negotiated down the price of a golf club and all she did was talk. I was quite impressed with her and I continue to be. I hope she stays on the show for a while.
And besides, the women actually have been using strategies that extend past their cleavage. To say they have been relying purely on their sex appeal is unfair. This team works well together, they plan well and then do a good job of executing those plans.
Pointing out that sex sells is pretty redundant which is what this article does for the umpteenth time. Yes. Sex sells and advertiser's and TV producer's use the sex appeal of women to sell lots of stuff 'n' junk. That's why the producers of The Apprentice put pretty women on the show. That's why the show Joe Average features a beautiful woman picking from shlubby guys and not a beautiful man picking from frumpy women. That's why people tuned in to watch that very weird and almost unwatchable Paris Hilton reality show. That's one of the reasons why people tune in to watch the Soprano's (Bada Bing). That's why 3/4 of the women in this country have self-image problems.
Saying that people exploit sexy women to sell their wares is no longer the revelation it once was. It's an accepted reality that most of us have to come to accept and by most of us I mean the general public. The people who have the hardest time accepting this are the ones that write about American culture.
Yes. She is correct that some of the women were hustling their sex appeal to win some of the contests but not all of them are. I can tell you in one episode while a few members of the women's team were shaking their asses to get a vendor to lower the price of gold, in the same episode, there was one woman who actually negotiated down the price of a golf club and all she did was talk. I was quite impressed with her and I continue to be. I hope she stays on the show for a while.
And besides, the women actually have been using strategies that extend past their cleavage. To say they have been relying purely on their sex appeal is unfair. This team works well together, they plan well and then do a good job of executing those plans.
Pointing out that sex sells is pretty redundant which is what this article does for the umpteenth time. Yes. Sex sells and advertiser's and TV producer's use the sex appeal of women to sell lots of stuff 'n' junk. That's why the producers of The Apprentice put pretty women on the show. That's why the show Joe Average features a beautiful woman picking from shlubby guys and not a beautiful man picking from frumpy women. That's why people tuned in to watch that very weird and almost unwatchable Paris Hilton reality show. That's one of the reasons why people tune in to watch the Soprano's (Bada Bing). That's why 3/4 of the women in this country have self-image problems.
Saying that people exploit sexy women to sell their wares is no longer the revelation it once was. It's an accepted reality that most of us have to come to accept and by most of us I mean the general public. The people who have the hardest time accepting this are the ones that write about American culture.
February 11, 2004
Tuesday Night Trivia Wrapup
Caren's guest host was the bubbly Jil.
Round 1 - General Knowledge
Jill picked 10 questions having to do with Black History Month.
Round 2 - Current Events
Caren picked 10 questions having to with Current Events
Round 3- Top Ten
Jill picked the top ten songs picked my Mobil Dee Jays that were the most popular at getting people on to the dance floor at events. We listed these in order from least popular to most popular meaning 10 was 1 and 1 was 10.
Round 4 - Audio Round
Jill has us guess the titles and artists of 10 songs having to do with love in honor of Valentine's Day
Round 5 - Visual Round
Also in honor of Valentine's, co-host Jill had us identify 10 photos of people who had the word Love in their name, including such people as Linda Lovelace, Patty Loveless and Jon Lovitz.
It was packed last night. I was on the third place team which is always nice. We also won for best team name. We were "I'm looking over that old Mars Rover, that I've overlooked before." For that we won a can of sour cream and onion Pringles. Yummers. I also walked away with a movie poster of MONSTER starring Charlize Theron.
The heckling was very special last night. Now I heckle like everyone else, hopefully it is viewed as gentle heckling, teasing of whoever is hosting. Someone crossed the line last night, heckling to the point of hurt feelings. I was very proud of the co-hosts for standing up to the hecklers and pointing out that there is a fine line between heckling and hurting people's feelings.
One of the more fun moments of last night's game was the debate as to what was the capitol of Tennessee. It went back and forth for about 10 minutes as we animatedly argued between Knoxville and Nashville. We found out that it was Knoxville for a while and then at some point the capitol was moved to Nashville. The hosts accepted both answers in the end.
I encourage people to come and play Tuesday Night Trivia as often as possible. It's great fun and thoroughly stimulating and a great, non-pressure way to meet new people. You never know who is going to be there.
Round 1 - General Knowledge
Jill picked 10 questions having to do with Black History Month.
Round 2 - Current Events
Caren picked 10 questions having to with Current Events
Round 3- Top Ten
Jill picked the top ten songs picked my Mobil Dee Jays that were the most popular at getting people on to the dance floor at events. We listed these in order from least popular to most popular meaning 10 was 1 and 1 was 10.
Round 4 - Audio Round
Jill has us guess the titles and artists of 10 songs having to do with love in honor of Valentine's Day
Round 5 - Visual Round
Also in honor of Valentine's, co-host Jill had us identify 10 photos of people who had the word Love in their name, including such people as Linda Lovelace, Patty Loveless and Jon Lovitz.
It was packed last night. I was on the third place team which is always nice. We also won for best team name. We were "I'm looking over that old Mars Rover, that I've overlooked before." For that we won a can of sour cream and onion Pringles. Yummers. I also walked away with a movie poster of MONSTER starring Charlize Theron.
The heckling was very special last night. Now I heckle like everyone else, hopefully it is viewed as gentle heckling, teasing of whoever is hosting. Someone crossed the line last night, heckling to the point of hurt feelings. I was very proud of the co-hosts for standing up to the hecklers and pointing out that there is a fine line between heckling and hurting people's feelings.
One of the more fun moments of last night's game was the debate as to what was the capitol of Tennessee. It went back and forth for about 10 minutes as we animatedly argued between Knoxville and Nashville. We found out that it was Knoxville for a while and then at some point the capitol was moved to Nashville. The hosts accepted both answers in the end.
I encourage people to come and play Tuesday Night Trivia as often as possible. It's great fun and thoroughly stimulating and a great, non-pressure way to meet new people. You never know who is going to be there.
Pulling it Together
I'm writing this with this with the hopes of pulling it together for work. I'm gathering my strength, collecting my thoughts, forcing the issue.
I went to Trivia last night for the first time in weeks. A break in the weather allowed me to end my winter hibernation early. I didn't get in too late. 11pm to be precise, but if you figure in time for unwinding, catching up on some phone calls and checking the blogs, I didn't get to sleep until after midnight.
Then I had a strange dream. One where I figured out a way to travel back into time. But I didn't go as far back as one would think. I went back to 1986 and hung out with people I know now but didn't know me back then. I think it was just an excuse to see my grandmother again because she popped into the dream at the end. We walked, talked and flew because I convinced my grandmother this was an alternative realty and we wouldn't get hurt if we jumped over the ledge to floors below. As in many of my dreams, I was in a large structure with many floors, doors and no exits.
Calling Dr. Freud. Calling Dr. Freud.
It was nice to visit with my grandmother again. She passed away over a decade ago. I really miss my grandparents sometimes.
I went to Trivia last night for the first time in weeks. A break in the weather allowed me to end my winter hibernation early. I didn't get in too late. 11pm to be precise, but if you figure in time for unwinding, catching up on some phone calls and checking the blogs, I didn't get to sleep until after midnight.
Then I had a strange dream. One where I figured out a way to travel back into time. But I didn't go as far back as one would think. I went back to 1986 and hung out with people I know now but didn't know me back then. I think it was just an excuse to see my grandmother again because she popped into the dream at the end. We walked, talked and flew because I convinced my grandmother this was an alternative realty and we wouldn't get hurt if we jumped over the ledge to floors below. As in many of my dreams, I was in a large structure with many floors, doors and no exits.
Calling Dr. Freud. Calling Dr. Freud.
It was nice to visit with my grandmother again. She passed away over a decade ago. I really miss my grandparents sometimes.
February 09, 2004
The Bus Ride To Atlantic City
So. I gave you the general version of our great trip to Atlantic City. Here is one of the more fun of the details.
We arrived at Port Authority just in time for an Academy Bus. Our timing was pretty good because we made a bus that was leaving in five minutes. We found a seat together all the way in the back, yes by the bathroom, but I wasn't too worried figuring most people are like me and would only use a bus bathroom in a dire emergency. We were enjoying a quiet but bumpy trip there in the back and the privacy was pretty nice. Along the way we stopped at a rest stop a one person got on.
There were a few empty seats on the rest of the bus so when that one person got on I told Jon not to make a contact and not to move his stuff. And wouldn't you know it. This big pant load of a guy asked Jon to move his stuff so he could sit. Actually he said "Could you move your stuff? I need to sit there." He NEEDED to sit there as if it were some kind of weird gambling ritual. This portly man, squeezed into the small seat next to Jon with his knees in the way of the bathroom door and remained there, motionless staring foward for the remaining half hour of the trip.
I couldn't figure out whey he needed to sit there but in the end we did get some good advice from him. He told us to go to the SANDS because they gave a bigger redemption than the other Casinos. So that's what we need and we each got $20 back.
I was just so annoyed that he had to squeeze in there when there was a comfortable and roomy seat next to the woman who was sitting in front of us. Most annoying was that he held that woman's seat with his left hand for the whole trip meaning that his left arm was kind of in Jon's face. Of course, we are both so nice we didn't say anything. We just worked on the Sunday Times crossword, played tic tac toe, played hangman and wrote nasty notes to each other about the guy sitting next to us.
Ultimately, we had a nice day. But I wanted to remember every detail about the bus ride in so I could write about it here. And now I've done that.
Now, I am going to work on a Powerpoint presentation for work tomorrow. Actually, I'm just using Powerpoint for this presentation because ultimately, it's going to be printed and bound but it is a good design program for organizing such thoughts.
We arrived at Port Authority just in time for an Academy Bus. Our timing was pretty good because we made a bus that was leaving in five minutes. We found a seat together all the way in the back, yes by the bathroom, but I wasn't too worried figuring most people are like me and would only use a bus bathroom in a dire emergency. We were enjoying a quiet but bumpy trip there in the back and the privacy was pretty nice. Along the way we stopped at a rest stop a one person got on.
There were a few empty seats on the rest of the bus so when that one person got on I told Jon not to make a contact and not to move his stuff. And wouldn't you know it. This big pant load of a guy asked Jon to move his stuff so he could sit. Actually he said "Could you move your stuff? I need to sit there." He NEEDED to sit there as if it were some kind of weird gambling ritual. This portly man, squeezed into the small seat next to Jon with his knees in the way of the bathroom door and remained there, motionless staring foward for the remaining half hour of the trip.
I couldn't figure out whey he needed to sit there but in the end we did get some good advice from him. He told us to go to the SANDS because they gave a bigger redemption than the other Casinos. So that's what we need and we each got $20 back.
I was just so annoyed that he had to squeeze in there when there was a comfortable and roomy seat next to the woman who was sitting in front of us. Most annoying was that he held that woman's seat with his left hand for the whole trip meaning that his left arm was kind of in Jon's face. Of course, we are both so nice we didn't say anything. We just worked on the Sunday Times crossword, played tic tac toe, played hangman and wrote nasty notes to each other about the guy sitting next to us.
Ultimately, we had a nice day. But I wanted to remember every detail about the bus ride in so I could write about it here. And now I've done that.
Now, I am going to work on a Powerpoint presentation for work tomorrow. Actually, I'm just using Powerpoint for this presentation because ultimately, it's going to be printed and bound but it is a good design program for organizing such thoughts.
February 08, 2004
Atlantic City
Atlantic City was great!! First time I've been there, ever. Jon and I took a bus from Port Authority which dropped us off at The Sands. As soon as we walked in, I was awed by the noises and flashing lights of the slot machines. There were so many. Jon saw I was overwhelmed, so he suggested we walk on the boardwalk down to the Playcade where we could play some Skee Ball. I can't remember the last time I played that but that was incredibly fun. That may have even been the first time I played. Wow. We won enough tickets to buy a miniature travel size Connect Four game.
Walking back to the Sands, we noticed some cool things. A lot of the streets have state names so at the end of the streets, where they meet the boardwalk, the city planners placed a state related object. For example, at the end of Florida Street are two enormous flamingos. At the end of Missouri street is an Arch. Arkansas street only had the state symbol. I guess a full size reproduction of Bill Clinton would have been a little much.
Back at the Sands, after a refreshing walk by the beach, I was ready to try the slots. I've never been a casino at first. Jon was very specific about how I should play the slots. He said to play slowly, so I don't lose as fast. This didn't make sense as I thought I was going to win. Sure enough, I lost my 20 dollars in comp quarters rather quickly. But it was fun. Jon was at the roulette table. I couldn't watch. Gambling seems like a waste to me but I have to admit it was awfully fun and it was fun to see him at the roulette table. He looked sexy sitting there, putting chips down, taking a chance that way.
I had so much fun. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the right battery for my 18 year old, Pentax K-1000 non-digital, 35 mm single lens reflex camera, otherwise I would have photographed the cool tackiness of everything.
After getting in I put on the Grammies. The first thing I saw was Beyonce giving her gold medal winning performance in the vocal gymnastics event. Then some more people sang and won awards. It was alright. I'm not that into the Grammies for some reason. Probably because of the 245 commercials CBS played in the hour or so I watched it. The highlight for me was watching OUTKAST perform with Earth Wind and Fire. Of course, that segment died for me when George Clinton came out with P FunK? I don't think one member of that group looked appealing or sang in key. It was actually kind of a depressing segment toward the end. But like I said, I did enjoy I Like the Way You Move. Outkast can rap.
I thought you might all like to see a picture of Jon and Me. He's the handsome one with the glasses. I'm the incredibly happy looking one with the big goofy smile. Thanks to my friend Lilo for sending the pictures from LA. She took this one when we were at the bar with our friends celebrating her birthday. She came in for a few days to be with us and to see the city at Christmas time. Thanks again Lilo. It was so good to see you.
Walking back to the Sands, we noticed some cool things. A lot of the streets have state names so at the end of the streets, where they meet the boardwalk, the city planners placed a state related object. For example, at the end of Florida Street are two enormous flamingos. At the end of Missouri street is an Arch. Arkansas street only had the state symbol. I guess a full size reproduction of Bill Clinton would have been a little much.
Back at the Sands, after a refreshing walk by the beach, I was ready to try the slots. I've never been a casino at first. Jon was very specific about how I should play the slots. He said to play slowly, so I don't lose as fast. This didn't make sense as I thought I was going to win. Sure enough, I lost my 20 dollars in comp quarters rather quickly. But it was fun. Jon was at the roulette table. I couldn't watch. Gambling seems like a waste to me but I have to admit it was awfully fun and it was fun to see him at the roulette table. He looked sexy sitting there, putting chips down, taking a chance that way.
I had so much fun. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the right battery for my 18 year old, Pentax K-1000 non-digital, 35 mm single lens reflex camera, otherwise I would have photographed the cool tackiness of everything.
After getting in I put on the Grammies. The first thing I saw was Beyonce giving her gold medal winning performance in the vocal gymnastics event. Then some more people sang and won awards. It was alright. I'm not that into the Grammies for some reason. Probably because of the 245 commercials CBS played in the hour or so I watched it. The highlight for me was watching OUTKAST perform with Earth Wind and Fire. Of course, that segment died for me when George Clinton came out with P FunK? I don't think one member of that group looked appealing or sang in key. It was actually kind of a depressing segment toward the end. But like I said, I did enjoy I Like the Way You Move. Outkast can rap.
I thought you might all like to see a picture of Jon and Me. He's the handsome one with the glasses. I'm the incredibly happy looking one with the big goofy smile. Thanks to my friend Lilo for sending the pictures from LA. She took this one when we were at the bar with our friends celebrating her birthday. She came in for a few days to be with us and to see the city at Christmas time. Thanks again Lilo. It was so good to see you.
February 07, 2004
Satur - yay!!
Woke up early. Had coffee. Had breakfast out. Came home. Watched a science program on TV about body bugs including photographs of fleas. Started watching my Saturday guilty pleasure Beastmaster, fell asleep for a four hour nap.
Had to bail on visiting new born nephew because of a scratchy throat, sneezing and a sniffly nose. Supposed to be researching busses for our day trip tomorrow to Atlantic City. Feeling overwhelmed by the bevy of non-specific information available on the Internet. Not quite knowing where to start.
Choosing this style of writing because the I's and I AM's are implied. Tired of always starting every sentence with I.
Had to bail on visiting new born nephew because of a scratchy throat, sneezing and a sniffly nose. Supposed to be researching busses for our day trip tomorrow to Atlantic City. Feeling overwhelmed by the bevy of non-specific information available on the Internet. Not quite knowing where to start.
Choosing this style of writing because the I's and I AM's are implied. Tired of always starting every sentence with I.
Mindbending or is it Spoonbending News
In this interview, Uri Geller weighs in on UFO's and extraterrestrials
Area 52
While you're working your way through internet this Saturday, be sure to listen to Tony Hightower's latest installment on Area 52, The Echo Apartment. Mr. Hightower's goal with this site is to post 1 song a week in 2004. He invites people to offer feedback. I find this an exciting idea and encourage you to support this young artist's efforts.
This Morning
Saturday morning . . . again.
Took out the trash . . . again.
Just before the sun started to break through yesterday's clouds, the sky was grey and moody. It wasn't too cold. It wasn't warm. It was perfect. I sat on the front stairs of my building and looked up at the sky and it occurred to me that no matter where you are, if you look up, you will be seeing the same sky as me.
They should work that into the Pledge of Allegiance somehow....
one nation
under one sky
that would make more sense.
Took out the trash . . . again.
Just before the sun started to break through yesterday's clouds, the sky was grey and moody. It wasn't too cold. It wasn't warm. It was perfect. I sat on the front stairs of my building and looked up at the sky and it occurred to me that no matter where you are, if you look up, you will be seeing the same sky as me.
They should work that into the Pledge of Allegiance somehow....
one nation
under one sky
that would make more sense.
February 06, 2004
When Bad Things Happen to Good People
Whenever I hear about a missing child like Carlie Brucia, I think about my own childhood and my overprotective parents. When I was a child, I wasn't allowed to do anything or go anywhere. At 12 years old, I wasn't even allowed to take the city bus. My parents insisted on knowing my friends and their parents before I went to their houses. I hardly ever went to slumber parties and all in all I didn't have a lot of independence. When I was a child, I thought this was the worst of all fates. I had no independence, no privacy. All of my activities were closely monitored.
When my mother started working outside of the home, my father started working from our garage so there was always an adult around. As I got a little older, I had a little independence in the area of walking to and from school. But even then, I had to be home by a certain time if not to practice or do my homework, to deliver newspapers or baby sit or do chores.
When I think back to those walks home from school, I can remember several times when a man would pull up along side me in a car and say he was a friend of my father's and that I should get in the car with him because my father asked him to give me a ride home. I never did. Because we were all so close, granted maybe a little too close, I knew all of my parents' friends and knew when a stranger was really a stranger. There were also a couple times when I was approached while delivering my papers by men who wanted to marry 13/14 year old me to one of their sons in their home country.
My parents were amazing. They were ahead of their time. Anything can go wrong at any time even to children of the most loving and overprotective parents. When I think about the strangers who approached me either on my way home from school or on my paper route, I'm thankful that my parents taught me to be cautious and I'm thankful that they were so careful about screening my friends.
In college, I ran into one of my friends from the block who disappeared the year I turned 10 years old. She told me the uncle of one of our other block friends had molested her and that her family had to move for her sanity and that she had been through years of therapy. Consider that my parents knew the uncle, the parents, the grandmother and the children from that extended family who were my friends. The uncle never laid a hand on me, but how sad for my friend. Remember, I said my parents screened everybody carefully. That could easily have been me.
Anyway, I think you get the point. When I'm a parent, I'll risk alienating my children for the benefit of their safety because one day they will grow up and come back to me and say thank you for protecting them, just like I do with my parents.
Even under the best of circumstances, even if you're doing the best you job you can, even you are the nicest and best people in the world, bad things still happen because life and all it has to offer, both good and bad, is random at best
When my mother started working outside of the home, my father started working from our garage so there was always an adult around. As I got a little older, I had a little independence in the area of walking to and from school. But even then, I had to be home by a certain time if not to practice or do my homework, to deliver newspapers or baby sit or do chores.
When I think back to those walks home from school, I can remember several times when a man would pull up along side me in a car and say he was a friend of my father's and that I should get in the car with him because my father asked him to give me a ride home. I never did. Because we were all so close, granted maybe a little too close, I knew all of my parents' friends and knew when a stranger was really a stranger. There were also a couple times when I was approached while delivering my papers by men who wanted to marry 13/14 year old me to one of their sons in their home country.
My parents were amazing. They were ahead of their time. Anything can go wrong at any time even to children of the most loving and overprotective parents. When I think about the strangers who approached me either on my way home from school or on my paper route, I'm thankful that my parents taught me to be cautious and I'm thankful that they were so careful about screening my friends.
In college, I ran into one of my friends from the block who disappeared the year I turned 10 years old. She told me the uncle of one of our other block friends had molested her and that her family had to move for her sanity and that she had been through years of therapy. Consider that my parents knew the uncle, the parents, the grandmother and the children from that extended family who were my friends. The uncle never laid a hand on me, but how sad for my friend. Remember, I said my parents screened everybody carefully. That could easily have been me.
Anyway, I think you get the point. When I'm a parent, I'll risk alienating my children for the benefit of their safety because one day they will grow up and come back to me and say thank you for protecting them, just like I do with my parents.
Even under the best of circumstances, even if you're doing the best you job you can, even you are the nicest and best people in the world, bad things still happen because life and all it has to offer, both good and bad, is random at best
Friday Five
Caren writes in the comment section regarding the below post, "Who do you hope it is?" She asks a good question. I retitled the below post, I Hope It's Not True, because I wouldn't wish her fate on anyone.
On a lighter note, here are my answers to the Friday Five.
1. What's the most daring thing you've ever done?
I ran for Homecoming Queen even though I was one of the less popular girls in my Senior High School class. I did it because I wanted to. Not because I thought I was going to win. It was daring and a little fun because it surprised people that I was running, so much so, that they would ask me with disgust "Why are YOU running for Homecoming Queen"?
2. What one thing would you like to try that your mother/friend/significant other would never approve of?
Be in an altered state for days on end and make art.
3. On a scale of 1-10, what's your risk factor? (1=never take risks, 10=it's a lifestyle)
When you're a timid person, who doesn't like crowds, has low self-esteem and thinks of him/herself as shy, everything that involves speaking to large groups or heading into a large crowd is risk so I would have to say my risk factor is a 10. It's all relative.
4. What's the best thing that's ever happened to you as a result of being bold/risky?
Producing and directing an off-Broadway event with some friends from an acting class was definitely a risk but well worth it. Hosting bar trivia opened up my life to a whole new bunch of friends.
5. ... and what's the worst?
Insulting my mother as a small child in front of a group of other children I thought were my friends in order to impress them.
On a lighter note, here are my answers to the Friday Five.
1. What's the most daring thing you've ever done?
I ran for Homecoming Queen even though I was one of the less popular girls in my Senior High School class. I did it because I wanted to. Not because I thought I was going to win. It was daring and a little fun because it surprised people that I was running, so much so, that they would ask me with disgust "Why are YOU running for Homecoming Queen"?
2. What one thing would you like to try that your mother/friend/significant other would never approve of?
Be in an altered state for days on end and make art.
3. On a scale of 1-10, what's your risk factor? (1=never take risks, 10=it's a lifestyle)
When you're a timid person, who doesn't like crowds, has low self-esteem and thinks of him/herself as shy, everything that involves speaking to large groups or heading into a large crowd is risk so I would have to say my risk factor is a 10. It's all relative.
4. What's the best thing that's ever happened to you as a result of being bold/risky?
Producing and directing an off-Broadway event with some friends from an acting class was definitely a risk but well worth it. Hosting bar trivia opened up my life to a whole new bunch of friends.
5. ... and what's the worst?
Insulting my mother as a small child in front of a group of other children I thought were my friends in order to impress them.
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