Blech

I really like the gym we go to. I enjoy the workout, I get a rush from the exercise, and I feel much healthier than I used to feel. It has been a very pleasant experience. All except for the weighing part. I have made ABSOLUTELY no progress in the 4 months that we have been going. No progress in the sense that my measurements have all stayed the same or gone in the WRONG direction. Fortunately, I know that I have improved my cardiovascular a great deal, and I can look in the mirror and be happy with what I see. That was my goal when I started. It sure would be nice to have those measurements head in the right direction, though. Even just a little bit.

And another thing...

We also paid $30 to go on a boat ride in the bay. The boat had an underwater observatory and we got to see...smelt. Yes, we paid money to look at smelt. The boat ride was worth it, though.

Jig-a-dee-jog

Damn computer. I had a post about our trip 1/2 done when everything locked up and went to hell. I am exhausted after a 6 hour trip home from SLO - I HATE CALI TRAFFIC - but here are the highlights:

***first stop - Denny's. I know, that sounds pathetic, but it was a yummy meal, with great service. Plus there were HUGE sunflowers growing along the front path.

***Super 8 - clean (but small) room, average price, TINY pool, plenty of parking, free continental breaky that we did not partake of, and several channels covering the DNC.

***FOOD - we ate so much that we finally had to skip a meal to recover. There were gigantic burritos, a delicious mushroom/tomato risotto, omelettes, pancakes, Killer Cornbread, fried sushi rice balls, garden burgers, garlic bread and roasted corn fresh off the grill, waffles, salt water taffy, french toast, and snacks from our picky-nicky basket. Sheesh. And I have to get weighed tomorrow.

***Exercise - we walked up and around a big hill. We walked all over the Botanical Garden. We walked up and down the boardwalk in Morro Bay. We walked along every street in downtown SLO hundreds of times (although we didn't go into Bubblegum Alley - yuck) both before and during the Farmer's Market. We walked along the beach in Avila Beach. We walked through every aisle of several used bookstores (Oh, for a bookstore of that caliber in our area...). We walked up the three flights of stairs to our room. There was much walking to be had.

There is much more to say. But my head hurts enough to prevent me from articulating it. Time to stop staring at this screen and lounge in front of the idiot box.

PS - the kitties all survived, seemingly unharmed, although they are all a little desperate to keep us in sight, and I don't think they are happy with another open suitcase in the living room.

Har Har Har

Thanks for the laugh, Amy.  :)

I'm not dead yet...

Okay, so I couldn't resist one more post.  I had to tell you about the AMAZINGLY HUGE spider that attacked me last night.  Well, by attack, I mean ran past me while I was lying on the couch.  But I think he made a face and I am SURE that he said something rude.  Or maybe that was me when I levitated to safety upon seeing him.  I can't remember.  It's all a blur.  Anyway, Mikey quickly came to my rescue and Mr. Wolf Spider was sent back outdoors where he belongs.

Regarding family vacations:

When I was a kid there were 6 of us in my family.  Our family vacations usually went this way...
*pack everything we owned into about 835 suitcases
*play a wicked Tetris-like game in which the object is to somehow stuff all said suitcases into the Stationwagon
*wake up at the crack of dawn, run around frantically for about 30 minutes, then shove the children into the 4 remaining holes in the back of the car
*drive non-stop for 12 hours (We stopped when the car needed gas and that was it. You learned to hold it
*tumbled out of the car and into the hotel bed
*repeat until we reached our intended destination - usually Manasquan, NJ

During the 12 hours drives,  my siblings and I would keep each other entertained by throwing snackfoods, not-quite-touching each other, making faces, and playing the license plate game.  My sister and I pretended we were royalty stretched out on the bench seat in the back of the car.  At least that is where *I* stretched out.  She, being lesser royalty, got to stretch out on a blanket on the floor in front of the bench seat.  (Being the oldest has a few perks!)

Our meals were provided by Mom, who would open up the cooler (usually placed under the feet of the youngest) and make pita sandwiches complete with mayo, sprouts (YUCK), pickles, bologna, your choice of cheese, and anything else we could possibly want.  Not only did she manage to make these gourmet sammies in a moving car filled with hungry kiddos, but she also
managed to make each one to memorized specifications.  I got swiss cheese, mayo, no mustard, no sprouts, bologna, and a couple slices of salami.  My brother got cheddar, no mayo, mustard, pickles, and as many kinds of meat as she would give him.  (I don't remember specifically what the other two liked.  But I know Mom did.)  Wash it all down with a frozen juice box or YooHoo and you were set.  Just don't spill!

So...what does this have to do with the current family vacation?  Not much.  Our trip is only going to be the two of us.  We will only be in the car for 5 hours.  We plan on eating out as much as possible.  SO WHY AM I PACKING ENOUGH FOOD TO FEED 6 PEOPLE ON A CROSS COUNTRY TREK?  Because apparently it has become ingrained in me that that is how you do a vacation trip by car.  When Mikey (the voice of reason) says something like "Do we really need a gallon of milk with us?", my chest tightens up and panic sets in.  What if we are driving and we don't have something we want?  What would we do??
Hehehe.  Should be a fun trip.

Update:  Mikey has taken our list of things to do/see/eat and turned it into a detailed itinerary.  I am not the only freak in this family.

Time for a Station Break

The hubby and I will be going on a mini-vacation for our 2 year anniversary (the COTTON anniversary) this week.  He is finally taking me on the long promised adventure into San Luis Obispo, where he attended college at Cal Poly.  We have already created a huge list of things we plan to do, see, and eat.  As we are going to be driving ourselves up there, I am packing a picky-nicky basket AND a cooler full of goodies. 

Today, I spend the day doing those "we're going away" chores.  The bathrooms are clean, the garbage taken out, the kitty potties tidied up.  Tomorrow, I have a gazillion errands to run, including getting a pre-paid internet card (No more lying to AOL - how cool is THAT?), handing the keys over to our wonderful cat/house sitter, buying the perishable goodies for the cooler, and whatever else pops up.  Then, Tuesday, we get up at the crack of dawn (or as near as possible) to begin our journey.  Hoorah!

I will not be posting at all until after the 30th.  I will be home for one whole day, and I will be headed off on my second big adventure for the summer, my trip to MN.  I will be there for two weeks.  I will only be posting if I have minutes left on my pre-paid card, I find the time, AND I feel like it.  So there.  Please check in occasionally, but don't expect anything special until after the 15th of August.  Then, I promise to post many facination things about my preparations for and introductions to my new class.  Hoorah, again!

Until then, have a wonderful August and don't forget to be nice to your neighbors.  Peace be with you.

To My Planet:

"I will go down with this ship
and I won't put my hands up and surrender.
There will be no white flag above my door.
I'm in love and I always will be."

Dido, Life for Rent

All the fun, none of the waste

Who can resist popping the bubblewrap that provides such wonderful protection to valuable mailed items? 

"But Soleil," you protest, "that is such a waste of plastic, and indirectly our non-renewable resources."

Yes, you have a point.  For those of you who need the satisfaction of that "snap, crackle, pop", but can't justify it in the name of global protection, I bring you Fun From Hell's version of online bubblewrap.  Have at it.  Guilt free.

Since I am being political

In case you needed a little sarcastic humor in your day...

Overspun is a fun blog with links to lots of interesting news articles.  You must see their page dedicated to the lies of O'Reilly. 

Boing Boing also has a fun tribute to O'Reilly.  It can be difficult to catch, but the very first thing he says is that he has only told a guest to "shut up" once in six years.  Uh huh.

And finally, Capitol Hill Blue investigates America's most dangerous criminal class - the US Congressperson.

Come Fly the Suspicious Skies

I am going to be flying to MN shortly and some of the things I am reading are making me a tad bit nervous.  But perhaps not for the reasons you might think. 

Let's take a look...
A woman and her family took a flight from Detroit to L.A. recently and had an experience that she says "caused [her] to question whether the United States of America can realistically uphold the civil liberties of every individual, even non-citizens, and protect its citizens from terrorist threats. " (emphasis mine) She wrote about this experience in an article called Terror in the Skies, Again? for WomensWallStreet*, an online financial resource/management "destination", where she is apparently a regular contributor.  To fully appreciate what I am about to say, you really must read the article.

On her flight, this woman was forced to spend 4 hours in an airplane with not just one, but FOURTEEN men who looked Muslim.  These men commited such horrible crimes as Going To The Lavatory, Talking To Their Travel Companions, and (what I consider a TRUE crime) Buying Take-Out From McDonald's.  Admittedly, these are nerve-wracking times, what with the Terror Alert bouncing from orange to yellow to orange like an igrob on a rainbow.  Perhaps these men really were up to no good?  Security met them at the gate and questioned them extensively, learning that they were musicians hired to play at an LA hotel.  This would explain those oddly shaped suitcases and their one way tickets (they were headed to yet another gig in another town afterwards).  But it still doesn't explain the McDonald's if you ask me!  Our Ever Alert Journalist wasn't satisfied either.  She sums up her article with the question "if 19 terrorists can learn to fly airplanes into buildings, couldn't 14 terrorists learn to play instruments?"

One other thing. 
In her blather about airport security, she wonders why no one checked their luggage after they had eaten, using METAL utensils, at an airport restaurant prior to boarding.  She is also concerned that no one checked "the folds in [her] newspaper or the contents of [her] son's backpack".  No one demanded to know what they had done, who they had talked to, or what they had purchased while wandering the airport.  Sure, these are legitimate security conserns.  I wonder why they aren't doing those things?  Oh, wait.  I remember.  Because loud-mouthed passengers raised such a ruckus when forced to spend 2 hours going through security.  Whiners and complainers, like Our Ever Alert Journalist, were upset by those investigative procedures that invaded their privacy and wasted their time.  We don't want EVERYONE to have to go through this, just the suspicious looking folks.  People like...

• that long-haired guy with the tie-dyed tee-shirt and hemp sandals.
• those two black guys with the saggy pants and the FUBU baseball caps they insist on wearing backwards.
• that woman wearing the burkha who doesn't speak English.

Those are the ones we should be suspicious of.  We need to quit wasting the time of the Right-wing, God-fearing, Red-blooded Americans**, and start focusing on the real danger - them damn fur-in-ers.
 
Down Soleil.
Oops.  Sorry.  Okay - back to why I am nervous about my trip.  I am not afraid of sitting next to a Muslim.  I know that I will end up chatting with my neighbor no matter their race, color or creed.  They should probably fear sitting next to my flapping jaw.  Nor do I fear getting caught in the triple-uber-mega-super-security check line.  This is something that happens to me.  I am okay with it.  Plus it means I don't have to sit around waiting at the gate with no one to talk to for quite as long.

I am terrified, however, that I will get stuck on a plane with someone like Our Ever Alert Journalist.  Someone who will allow their imagination to run away with them, resulting in a situation where there otherwise would have been none.  I am afraid that some gung-ho, vigilante type will take it upon themselves to "save" us all from an innocent McDonald's eating, turban wearing, Middle-eastern man with a limp***, getting everyone all riled up, forcing the Air Marshals to reveal themselves, getting everyone even MORE riled up, resulting in one of the windows getting accidentally shot out****, sending us plummeting to our deaths over Kansas*****.  All because of some guy's turban.

That is what I am afraid of.

I want to thank Mikey for pointing this whole situation out to me.  I also want to suggest that you read the opinion of an actual author and pilot.  You will have to sit through a short ad to gain a "day pass" but it is well worth it.  And I want to thank you, dear readers, for sticking through to the end of this ramble.  Tag, you're it.  Pass it on. 

A few notes
*Note the absence of an apostrophe, which is just bothersome.  Also - in their mission statement, the name of te group is misspelled "WomansWallStreet".  Ugh.
 
**I don't actually have a problem with Right-wingers, Christians, or Red-blooded Americans individually.  It is when you combine all three into one person and then put that person in what they perceive as a dangerous situation that I get worried.
 
***Our Ever Alert Journalist was concerned that people with orthopedic shoes can't be singled out for screening.  One of her dangerous looking musicians had a limp.
 
****I don't know if it is possible for the windows to get shot out.  Nor do I know what would happen if one DID get shot out.  But I have watched enough cabin-looses-pressure-man-gets-sucked-out movies to be a little concerned.
 
*****I have always been a little afraid of Kansas.

Typical

Today was a pretty quiet day.  I took Bonsai to the vet for another round of vaccinations.  (This is the third time at $50 a pop.  Geesh.)  Then I worked on some cross-stitching and watched a Columbo movie.  Later, Mikey and I worked out before going out to lunch.  On the way home, we did some shopping at Circuit City (yes, I DID swear to never set foot in that store again - blame Mikey.), Orchards, and Petco.  At home, I did some more sewing and watched more suspenseful television.  A mellow, easy-going day.

Oh, and I decided that I am going to have a fishtank in my class this year.  There are just so many cute fish that I can get from Petco for a couple dollars each.  I am definitely having one of those see-through fish.  And a cleaner-upper fish.  And a crab.  And the one that looks a little like Nemo.  And...

Texas Hold 'em

Mikey and I have started a new Thursday tradition.  At 9:00 we turn on the Celebrity Poker Showdown on Bravo and we play Texas Hold 'em along with the famous people.  Of course, we play for glass beads rather than thousands of dollars, but that is okay since neither of us knows what we are doing.  It is fun, though.

You started that book yesterday, and it's, like, 800 pages.**

That is what Mikey said when I finished Song of Susannah.  I read from 6 pm last night until just after midnight.  I woke up this morning and picked up where I left off, stopping only momentarily throughout the day.  I couldn't stop reading.  The story constantly pulls me along, demanding that I read just one more page, promising amazing revelations just around the corner.  And BOY did it deliver.

I am not going to say anything more.  I don't want to tell anyone (Yes, that means YOU, Mikey.) anything that would make the story less surprising.  All I will say is that I can't imagine what it must have taken to write this book.  That's all.  If you read it, you will understand.  If you don't, then it doesn't matter to you anyway.

Oh.  I will say one more thing.  Even if you think you don't like Stephen King - even if you think you don't like horror - you should read this book.  It is something else. 

**It's actually only about 400 pages.  Nothing compared to some of King's big books.

ROCK!

We earned yet another Amazon reward certificate ($25 they give us because we charge oodles of dollars on our credit card), and Mikey, in his infinite wisdom and eternal good judgement (no really...I'm not kidding) used it to get us a copy of Song of Susannah - book 6 of Stephen King's Dark Tower series.  I was in the middle of a Dean Koontz book and was going to finish it first, but Those Who Make The Rules decided that was the wrong course of action.  My Koontz book accidentally went to Poway in the in-laws vehicle and I am about to fall into Roland's crazy world.  See you when I get back.

I am an activist!

As I promised myself after watching Fahrenheit 9/11, I have begun to participate in the political life of Temecula.  First, there was the envelope stuffing party, which was fun, but not very active.  It did give me a chance to get to know some people and make my face known to some of them.  I even offered to be in charge of making and maintaining a mailing list on computer.  Very productive of me, doncha think?  :)
 
Last night, I took the next big step.  PeaceWorks sponsored a "community meeting" in hopes of creating a dialogue about the recent rise of hate crimes and racial violence in our area.  It was modeled after the "Not In Our Town" actions of Billings, Montana.  We are calling it "Not In Our Valley".
 
Although the turn-out wasn't huge (probably ~ 50 people), it was incredibly diverse.  The meeting was divided into 3 parts.  First we watched the PBS documentary talking about the original NIOT events.  It was quite inspiring to see so many people come together in one small town.
 
Then, people had a chance to stand up and tell about the problems they are seeing.  We had speakers from all walks of life including the NAACP, PFLAG, Muslims, Jews, Hispanics, Special Education teachers, and even an atheist talking about the  discrimination they had dealt with.  Some of the stories were amazing.  We also had a representative from Child Services for one of the school districts, a police officer from the San Diego prison system, and many concerned citizens.
 
Finally, we had a chance to share some of the things that are already being done in an attempt to counteract this violence.  I was in awe of 4 high school seniors who came to tell us about FAD, the group they had founded at their school to Fight Against Discrimination.  Together they wrote and performed skits for middle school classes that approach issues of discrimination and hatred in a humorous and understandable way.  Others talked about the groups they were part of, the churches they attended, and the rallies they had been to.  The peace and love just flowed in that room!
 
Despite the flock of butterflies frantically trying to burst out my chest, I stood up and told them about discussions I have had with my students regarding acceptance and tolerance.  I thanked the other teachers (about a quarter of the group, it seemed) for being there and for everything they are already doing in their classrooms.  At least I think that is what I said.  My heart was pounding so loudly that I couldn't really hear myself.  At any rate, no one threw tomatoes at me.  The high school students even came over afterwards and asked if they could contact me for help with developing skits for performing at elementary schools.  And several of the teachers thanked me for what I had said (whatever that was!).
 
We adjourned the meeting with the plan of meeting next month to form a solid plan of action.  Bumperstickers, rallies, monthly meetings, providing assistance for those who are at risk (for example, an elderly woman who was approached by some young men and their dogs in an intimidating manner and told she wasn't welcome at a city park) - these are the kinds of things we want to do.  If you have ideas for us or stories of things that worked in your town, please let me know. 
 
I am thrilled that I was able to follow through on my promise and I am so energized by the feeling of comraderie and friendship I feel.  It turns out that Mikey and I aren't the only ones who feel the way we do.  It is going to be an uphill battle, but it is one I am ready for!

What HE said...

It is fun to have a thought and then find out that others are thinking similar things.  Helps make me feel less like a freak! 
 
Mikey and I were having a discussion this morning about artistic violence (the kind you find in pictures, movies, television, video games) and its effect on people.  There are many out there who think that these things should be censored more, citing Columbine and the like as evidence that children can't handle seeing violence.  Artists (such as my darling) are understandably upset at the idea of censorship, arguing that their art allows for people to confront and perhaps deal with the emotions that accompany violence, anger, and hatred.  (Okay, so Hamumu is more about having dumb fun than dealing with emotional scars...but you get my point, right?)

Our discussion was inspired by this article from the LA Times talking about the psychological effects of killing people in battle and how soldiers are not provided with enough of an emotional outlet during times of war.  The result is veterans returning home who have buried trauma that spills over to their everyday lives, often resulting in domestic violence, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), or suicide.  In my opinion, providing a debriefing type session when soldiers could express their feelings without feeling ostracized or "weak" would allow them to vent these emotions and keep them from bottling up inside.  Of course, allowing soldiers to explore their real feelings toward killing might allow them to think for themselves and/or break free from the propaganda that makes them willing to do it in the first place.  We can't have that.  Sorry, got a little off topic there for a moment. 
 
We also discussed how open lines of communication between children and the adults who are responsible for them would reduce the desensitization that we are seeing due to unlimited access to artistic violence.  A child of 4, a child of 10, a teen, and an adult all have different levels of understanding regarding violence.  I said that allowing them monitored exposure to a variety of arts/media (movies, books, tv, games, etc) accompanied with adult guidance (answers to questions, pointing out important things, discussion of issues) will allow them to distinquish between right/wrong and reality/fantasy when faced with these things later in life.
 
I was facinated to find that my new friend, CJ, was discussing this very same thing on his blog.  Like I said, it makes me feel like what I am thinking makes some kind of sense.  It also encourages me to know that there are others out there.  Networking isn't just for CEOs you know!  :) 

  
 

PSA #67

If you are a parent and you have adult children who live far away from you, you MUST inform them if you should happen to go into the hospital for some reason.  It is preferable that you do so immediately, because the longer you wait the more upset they will be.  If necessary, you can have a friend or family member call for you.  This is important for the sanity of your adult child.
 
 

And Now, A Word from Our Sponsors

Mikey found and shared this site with me this evening and demanded that I blog about it.    Reading about this man's run-in with Homeland Security, I came face to face with the real consequences of the erosion of our freedoms.  It made me want to run out and take pictures of everything I see.  Of course, that wouldn't make a difference, because I am white.  No one questions MY intentions.  I look like an American is supposed to look.  I can't tell you how sick it makes me to know that there are people who live their entire lives under a blanket of suspicion and restrictions that the rest of us don't have to deal with.  It makes me happy, however, to know that there are people like this guy who are willing to share their stories in an attempt to open people's eyes and make a change.  Share this story with your friends - and if you have other stories of people standing up and telling it like it is, please share them with me. 

I almost forgot...

to wish my baby girl a happy birthday.  Sweet little Pizzazz is 4 years old today.
 
      
 

 

This one's for you, Daddy

I was searching for new and interesting things to read online when I came across this blog.  To quote from the tagline... 
 

"This site is created by the Baseball Man, a huge baseball fan and diehard Giants fan. This site will provide insight, analysis, and everything else on the world of baseball."

And they're looking for contributors.  I don't see anyone covering the Mets yet!  :)
 
PS - Is it redundant to have a blockquote AND italics AND quotation marks?

More photographic evidence why I shouldn't have children.

Because I know there are people out there who will get worked up if they happen to come across them...
NO CATS WERE HARMED IN THE TAKING OF THESE PICTURES.
 
I had help with the laundry today.
 

 
At first he was just looking.
 

 
Then, he had to explore a little further.
 

 
The rocking of the wash tub made him a little nervous.
 

 
After his bath, it was time for a dry.
 

 
Again - let me restate that Bonsai was in no danger during this photo session.  I was aware of his whereabouts at all times and normally keep the washer AND dryer tightly closed to avoid mishaps.

New pictures

If you click on the "My pictures" link to the right, you will see that it has been slightly updated.

A big thank you to Mikey for helping me fix the stupid mistakes I can't help making when I mess around with computer stuff.  :) 

Bonsai!!!!!!!!!!!

That darn cat has taken to jumping up onto my new buffet in an attempt to eat the houseplants that reside there.  However, he can't quite reach the top, so he ends up dangling by his front claws, leaving gouge marks.  Grrrrr.

He is so cute when we play hide-and-seek, though.
 

 
How can you stay mad at this adorable face?
 

In case you were wondering...

my sore throat is gone.

Shake it, Baby!

As you know, we are both vegetarian AND working out regularly at the gym.  Because of these two things I was convinced to try a protein shake - something I had previously shunned as appropriate only for muscle-heads.  We discovered that our local Orchards sells protein powder in bulk for a fairly reasonable price (comparatively - have you ever noticed how much people will pay for that stuff?), so I bought some and looked up protein drink recipes.  I have several, but my favorite is quite simple and perfect for a hot summer day...
 
Master Shake
In a blender, combine

• 10 oz of orange juice
• 4-5 strawberries (fresh or frozen)
• 1/2 ripe banana (the riper it is, the more potassium it gives you)
• 1 cup ice

Mix well.
Add

• 1 scoop of protein powder.

Mix well - you want the ice to be broken to smoothie texture, but not melted.
Enjoy.

Poor Me

I woke up this morning with a pain in my throat.  (Before anyone starts suggesting apple cider vinegar, let me explain that this isn't like a normal "sore throat".  It is more like a lump sticking out into my throat from just under my left tonsil.  It hurts and I don't like it.  Blech.

CA Dreamin'

We are planning to take a trip to San Luis Obispo, where Mikey spent his college years , to celebrate our second anniversary.  The original plan was to travel by train, bringing our bikes as transportion once we get there.  I liked this idea because

1. I wouldn't have to drive at all,
2. using bikes/public transportation is better than using the car, and
3.  it felt a little like a backpacking trip through Europe - something I would never have the courage to do.

 
We have now decided that we are going to drive afterall.  This is because

1. the $50 for gas is more affordable than the $200 for the train (although that seemed quite reasonable for two people, roundtrip),
2. it has been hotter than hell here and I was afraid we would be forced to bike around SLO in 90+ temps.  (we would have, in fact, just sat around our hotel room and that is just a waste of money),
3. we can stop to visit Mikey's aunt and uncle, who may or may not be happy to see us since Mikey doesn't write them often enough,
4. it has been long enough that the horrors of being trapped in a car for hours on end have dulled in my memory and I am actually a little enamoured with the idea of listening to travelling music, eating snacks from a cooler, and chatting with my hubby while I sit with my seat reclined and my feet on the dash, and of course,
5. side-trips, baby!

As you can see, the scaled tipped towards driving ourselves.  Perhaps the train trip will happen another time.  (I also looked into it for my trip to MN, but it would waste too many of days in the travelling.)  I am very excited about seeing this town that Mikey loves so much, as well as getting to have 4 days with him away from The Business.  Hooray for anniversary trips!

Random Ramblings

We took a mini vacation today.  The in-laws are out of town, and we have been charged with long distance house-sitting.  Basically that means that if something goes wrong, the neighbors will be calling us.  Not too bad.  Plus, we get to use the pool, which is what we did today.  We stopped at the mom-n-pop taco shop that we used to frequent when we lived in that area on our way down, stuffed ourselves to the gills with delicious vegetarian burritoes, and then alternated between swimming, watching movies, and reading.  It was great.
+++
 
Kentucky Fried Movie was beyond silly.  It made me laugh, though.
+++
 
Even though it is a couple hours before my summer bedtime (or perhaps because of the hours of my summer bedtime), my eyes are burning.  It feels like that I-have-been-up-for-36-hours-straight-and-I-just-want-to-lay-down-in-the-middle-of-this-airport-and-go-to-sleep kind of tired.  Although, I suspect that swimming in the pool with my eyes open may have something to do with it.
+++
 
My calf muscles are KILLING me today.  The trainer lady at the gym showed us a series of cool down exercises that include going up to your toes and back down quickly to the count of 30.  Then repeat with heels out and toes touching.  Then repeat with toes out and heels touching.  IT BURNS!  I can never make more than 25 on the last set.  If you try this, make sure you stretch out really well afterwards, otherwise you will get muscle cramps in the night.
+++
 
Our house is overrun with CA wildlife these days.  In the last 2 weeks we have captured and released easily 10 BIG spiders.  And when I say BIG, I mean bodies the size of your thumbnail.  Normally this is okay, and even a little entertaining (since all three cats get quite excited).  I don't, however, want a repeat of what happened last week when I felt something crawl across my arm just as I was drifting to sleep and turned on the light to find one of said spiders crawling across my pillow.  *shudder*  (I didn't used to be scared of spiders, but CA breeds some deadly types and that makes me nervous.)
+++
 
Speaking of wildlife in the house, last night I was distracted from my bedtime reading when both Bonsai and Zazzy climbed up onto Mikey's bedside table and started chirruping excitedly.  I looked over (expecting a mega-spider, of course) and nearly fell out of bed when I saw that instead they had discovered a frog.  Yes, a frog was climbing the wall next to our bed.  I got a picture but I am not sure how good it will be.  I had to take it through the jar we rescued him with, so as to keep him safe from the froggie-hunting kitties.
+++
 
I haven't touched anything even remotely related to school in several weeks.  And I don't feel guilty.  Or inclined to start.
+++
 
I have noticed a distinct rise in the amount of CNN, FOX (blech), and other assorted news programs that we are watching.  I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing.  Don't worry though.  We are still getting most of our news from Jon Stewart.

We all scream for Ice Cream

Hehe.  I found this photogallery of Japanese ice creams over at Confessions of a Grade School Role Model.  I have to say that I don't think I would be a fan of any of them.  The Tako Aisu (octopus ice cream) made me think of this wacky cooking site that you should also visit.

Ch-ch-ch-changes

Blogger has done it again.  The page on which I format my posts is once again changed.  Although it threw me for a loop at first, I see that there are a variety of new things that seem to be available to me.  Excuse me while I play with my new toys for a moment...
 
I looks like I can change the font in my posts now.  How exciting. 
 
I can also change the size much more easily.  Very convenient.
 
There have been times when I really wanted to make things a different color so they would stand out.  Looks like I can do that now, too!
 
But the thing I like best is the button that adds numbers or bulletins to my lists.  Because you know how I like to make lists.  I can make lists about...

1. chores
2. wishes
3. frustrations
4. positives
5. books I've read

• kids' books
• adult books
• non-fictional books

This is SO much fun!  Thank you, Blogger!  I knew that sticking with you through the shaky times would pay off.  If only I could trust that you wouldn't eventually turn on me and start charging for this service.  Because at that point, I will be in big trouble.  And you, my devoted readers, will have new, interesting visuals to help you better enjoy my rambling!

Puzzling Times

Mikey and I have spent quite a bit of time doing puzzles lately.  For some reason, once we start one, we become obsessed with finishing it.  It is impossible to walk past the makeshift table (a former cabinet door laid across two TV tables) without trying to put in at least one piece, and it is impossible to put in one piece without trying for more.  The only problem, besides cats napping and chewing on the pieces, is that it is very anti-climactic.  One you fill in that last spot, there is nothing left to do but take it apart and put it back in the box.  I guess we could leave them out for awhile, but there isn't much point.  I have seen people mount and frame finished puzzles...but that always seemed a tad wacky to me.  Not to mention that it means you can never to that puzzle again.  Oh well.  I guess I will undo the hours of work we just finished and get ready to do another one.  It is a sickness, you know.  :)

Bill O'Reilly is the Devil

Okay, maybe not. But he IS one of the worst human beings I have every come across. Ugh.

Update:
Mikey suggested that I post some of the other links I have gathered (and previously posted on) regarding O'Reilly and his Spin Zone Of Evil, so here they are...

In June of last year, I discovered the PocketO'Reilly site. You can actually download your very own Pocket O'Reilly! The most important thing there is the link the the Jeremy Glick interview. Be sure to check it out.

Around the same time he was attacking children who had recently lost their fathers, he was also attacking the internet. Apparently, no good can come of it and it is the source of all that is wrong with the world.

And finally, O'Reilly's behavior during the C-SPAN coverage of a book convention featuring Bill O'Reilly, Al Franken, and Molly Ivans. You can find more information regarding the events of this face-off in Franken's latest book.

Federal Follies

"The Senate dealt an election-year defeat Wednesday to a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, rejecting pleas from U.S. President George W. Bush and fellow conservatives that the measure was needed to safeguard an institution that has flourished for thousands of years." GlobeandMail.com

Is there anyone else out there who is terrified at the thought of a constitutional amendment that specifically takes away the rights of a specific population? Whether you agree or disagree on the issue of gay marriage, you have to admit that this would set a very dangerous precedent. I am thrilled to see that our senators are still capable of making their own decisions. Bush's crew doesn't have the strangle-hold they think they have.

Teaspoons

I never know what I am going to find when I stop in at All Blogged Up, but I know it is going to be interesting. Today it was so much more. All I can say is that it is easier to wield my teaspoon knowing that I am not the only one. Check it out.

Matron of Honor

My baby sister is getting married next summer!! I am so excited for her. She has struggled for a long time to find a guy who is worthy of her (and her adorable kiddos) and this seems to be the one. Totally different from everyone she has ever dated, he is polite, hard-working, caring, and totally devoted to her. Her son even likes him, and that is a major accomplishment!

So now I get to help her do the planning and organizing required for putting together the best darned wedding in the world (since my own, of course!). I have a feeling that I will be backing her up in making her own decisions when her "friends" piss and moan about it not being the way THEY want it. That's what I am here for. Bring 'em on! She is going to have EXACTLY what she (they) wants and anyone who doesn't like that will have to deal with me.

Yes.

I know just how she feels here. She could have been writing about my trip in August.

Day-yum!!

It was "HOT, HOT, HOT" here today. (10 bonus points if you can name the movie and character I am quoting.) In the house it reached 88*F and it was by far hotter than it has been all summer. From what I can find, we reached the low 90's outside and we have 100*F in the forecast for the next couple of days. The kitties and I just laid around panting today. Ugh.

The Blogroll

I have my blogroll set up to announce new posts from the last 6 hours. This doesn't work right on most of the blogs on my list, I am not sure why. What I really want is to have it set so that it shows if there are new posts from the last time I visited that site. *SIGH* If you know of a way to do this...will you help me out?

You have GOT to be kidding me.

Warning! Political Ranting Ahead!
At first, I thought this was a joke. You know, one of those satirical websites like The Onion. So I googled it. No joke.
*My responses are in italics below.

From USATODAY.com:

"Counterterrorism officials are looking into the possibility of postponing the November presidential election if there is a terrorist attack at election time, Newsweek reported Sunday.

Newsweek said DeForest Soaries, chairman of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, wants Ridge to ask Congress to pass legislation giving the government power to cancel or reschedule a federal election.

The disclosure comes only a few days after U.S. authorities said they believe that al-Qaeda is planning a "large-scale" attack in the USA aimed at disrupting the presidential campaign and November elections."

Holy crap! I have heard speculation that Bush and his cronies would refuse to give up office if voted out or declare martial law or something, but this is crazy. Do they really think we are going to allow this to happen? In fact, this may be an issue we can all get behind, no matter which side of the fence we usually stand. No way in HELL would I stand by while GW is handed the right to decide when the election can be held.

Also, it is rediculous to say that we are going to allow a breakdown in our election process so that we can prevent Al Qaida from breaking down our election system. Hey! I know how to keep them from hurting us...let's do it for them! Sheesh.

From WashingtonTimes.com:

"While a local primary election in New York was postponed during the Sept. 11 terror attack, federal election officials have told the Homeland Security Department that no agency currently has the authority to put the brakes on a national vote."

This gives me hope that the Radical Right hasn't completely taken over.

From CNN.com:

"We hold elections in the middle of war, in the middle of earthquakes, in the middle of whatever it takes. The election is a statutory election. It should go ahead, on schedule, and we should not change it." ~Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)

"We've had elections in this country when we were at war, even when we were in civil war, and we should have the elections on time. That's the view of the president. That's the view of the administration. No one is thinking of postponing the elections." ~National Security Advisor, Condoleeza Rice

I wish I believed that this were true. Oh how I wish it.

"So what Secretary Ridge has asked the Justice Department to do is, 'Give me a legal memo, tell me what will be necessary. Do we need to go to Congress and get legislation?' " ~Rep. Christopher Cox (R-CA)

Does it strike anyone else as odd that this is coming just as Kerry's numbers start to climb?

Newsweek Poll (July 8-9, 2003)
Kerry/Edwards, 51%
Bush/Cheney, 45%

Newsweek Poll (May 2004) (without running mates)
Kerry, 46%
Bush, 45%

The current administration has consistently tried to maintain power through scare tactics and fear mongering. This is just another example of how they are trying to convince us to hand over our constitutional rights in the name of "patriotism" and "freedom". I don't know about the rest of you, but I certainly don't feel safe or protected by their actions.

Welcome to the World!

I would like to give a warm Hommel/Hunt welcome to Miss Avery Lynn Hunt who arrived via birthing tub early this afternoon. I hope that my cousins are very happy with their new arrival, and I wish them all the best. Click the link to Dragonfly Baby on the left for more news.

PSA #368

If you use shampoo with a pop-up lid, be sure to point the little hole away from you when you open it. If you forget and have the little blert of shampoo that comes out somehow land DIRECTLY in your eye, rinse your eye repeatedly until the burn goes away.

**This PSA brought to you by Hamumu Software.

What's Worrying Me?

Just ask the creeps that run my sub-conscious mind. They played a real doozy of a worry for my viewing pleasure this morning just before I woke up.

Open scene.

Doting Granddaughter is walking down a well-lit hallway filled with doors. She stops at one, knocking loudly as she enters.

DG: Hello!! Is there anyone home?

Suddenly she realizes that things aren't as they seem. Instead of a cheery little room filled with familiar furniture, she sees a darkened hospital room divided in two by a heavy grey curtain. Beloved Gramma is lying on her stomach, covered with a thick, green army blanket. She stares blankly towards the floor.

DG (determined to make the best of this strange turn of events): Gramma? Gramma...it's me.
BG (dully, without looking up): Oh, hello dear.

This is not the response Doting Granddaughter was expecting. She has been away for some time and had looked forward to this surprise visit. Where were the hugs? the sparkling eyes?

DG: Do you know who I am?
BG (indignant at being questioned, but not very convincingly): Of course I do.

Doting Granddaughter looks around, frightened, for a doctor or someone who can explain what is going on. How could Beloved Gramma not recognize her? Something was very wrong.

End Scene

This doting granddaughter woke up not a little worried that this was some kind of foreshadowing for her not to distant visit home.

Grandkit Update

Bonsai has figured out a new game. We have one of those cat fishing poles - you know, the ones with a fuzzy little mouse on the end of a string? Anyway, he really likes to play with that mouse. If no one is available to work the fishing pole, he will just grab that mouse and use his huge kangaroo feet to kick it into submission. Occasionally he will grab that mouse in his teeth and run for it, often yanking the fishing pole right out of my hands. This morning, he started running around the house with the mouse in his hand. This caused the pole on the other end to fly willy-nilly, smacking into walls, furniture, and other cats. Hooray! A new way to play and torture the housemates at the same time.

Out and About

What a fun day. My mother-in-law gave us a set of theatre tickets that she wasn't going to be around to use, so we wandered our way down to San Diego today. On the way, we stopped at Circuit City to see if we could find any $5 games. Due to the poor handling of the sale, they were all out. Then we grabbed a bite to eat at the huge Horton Plaza mall before settling into our seats for the musical Hairspray. What a hoot. I laughed myself silly and got to see lots of singing and dancing at the same time. Afterwards, we stopped by to check on the in-laws' house (and pool) and then headed home. I have managed to make it sound decidedly uninteresting, but that wasn't the case at all.

A few random ramblings gathered today:

*I saw a guy get really mad and start cursing when he thought the chef was making his lunch incorrectly at the La Salsa where I bought my taco salad. I wonder if he knew I was laughing at him when it turned out to be someone else's lunch he was so concerned about? I hope he was embarrassed about being such an ass.

*When did it become standard for performances to receive a standing ovation? I thought that was something that signaled a really amazing show. Seems like people give the old standing "O" for anything these days. (Not to imply that the show we saw today wasn't good...just made me think of this is all.)

*Although I thought I was becoming more "citified" living here in Temecula, it turns out that I am not. Being in San Diego for 4 hours was nearly more than I could handle. The following things freaked me out:
1. feeling penned in from every direction by tall, grey, dirty buildings
2. homeless people on every other block
3. crazy people, homeless or otherwise, on the remaining blocks
4. a wall with the message "unsafe wall - park at own risk" spraypainted all over it
5. the sidewalk full of people right next to the wall
6. nothing but one way streets, all going the wrong way
7. traffic
8. TRAFFIC
9. TRAFFIC!!!

We got home safe and sound anyway. It is time to see if I can catch the tail end of the Law and Order marathon they are running today. You can never have too much Law and Order, you know! :)

Can I get a "Whoop- Whoop" ??

I have finished the collection of completely useless classes I am taking to make myself a CLAD certified teacher. Don't get me wrong - I think multiculturalism is vitally important, especially in the classroom - but this series of classes was a total waste of my time. It was 120 hours (4 classes X 10 tapes X 3 hours) of repetitive platitudes like "learning a second language is hard" and "teachers need to be understanding of cultural differences". DUH. Do people really need to be taught this???

The first class in the series actually had a bunch of technical information and helped me learn the lingo of CLAD, and the last class contained several guest speakers and presentations of cultural art/dancing/music, but the rest of it was a waste of time. When the teacher wasn't repeating what she had already said, she was padding her time with "um"s and "ah, well"s. Blech.

At least I am done and I can have CLAD certification on my resume now. And it takes me one step closer to being a "qualified teacher" under the No Child Left Behind joke. Stupid bureaucrats and their freakin' hoops.

Poor Baby

Somewhere between smacking headfirst into the walls and dementedly attacking a cat four times his size our baby Bonsai has gotten a bloody nose. Poor little guy. As they say:

Life is hard.
But life is harder when you're dumb.

Experimentation

I have asked my siblings to join me in a blogging adventure. I have set up a new blog where we can all post odds and ends about our lives in an attempt to get us a little closer together. I have no idea if any of them will be interested in this. I have e-mailed them and I am hoping that they will at least give it a chance. If I had my druthers* I would have all of my family members posting on blogs together - this kind of communication is what blogging is all about as far as I am concerned. Unfortunately, most of my family members are quite nervous around computers and those who aren't prefer to communicate in other ways. Which is fine. Just not my druthers.

*I first heard this phrase when I watched my high school and elementary teachers put on a Lil Abner play. For some reason it has stuck in my head ever since.

Blogs of Note

It has been a long time since I have found a new blog I really enjoy reading. I have had the same blogs on my "Check Daily" list for some time now:

Amy
Coffee Achiever
Defective Yeti
Dooce
Dragonfly Baby
Impending Distractions
Moody Mama
Not So Simple
Sugarmama
The Back Forty
Utter Wonder
WilWheatondotnet

I read other blogs, mostly the ones on my blogrolling list, sporadically, but nothing has captured my attention for extended periods of time. I think I have found one that will make the list. It is called MaineLine and the voice is something else. His ability to tell a story and make you feel like you aren't just there, but are somehow an important part of it, keeps me checking for new posts on a daily basis. Give it a read. If you have the time, I would suggest going back to the beginning and starting from there. He hasn't been posting for long and it is well worth it.

Books

This summer I am spending my book time reading the books from my class library. I like to have an idea what the books are about. I want to be prepared if a parent comes in saying "Why is my child reading a book about such-and-such from your library?" I also like to be able to suggest books to kids as I get to know them better. I have found that a recommendation from me goes a long when when it comes to which books get read and which just sit on the shelves. For example, we read Because of Winn-Dixie out loud together and my entire class just adored it. I had to send home a special book order near the end of the year so they could buy their own copies.

Anyway, I have been reading tons of children's (or should I say young adult) books lately. I have been amazed by how intense they all are. No Dick and Jane plotlines here. I have read about children who have lost their parents, struggled to fit in, narrowly avoided landing in jail, and survived a fire in a California mining town. They all go through life changing events and suffer in ways that I can't imagine. Part of me wants to keep the books in a shelf at my house in an attempt to shield my students from these horrifying realities. Why should they have to feel, even vicariously, what it feels like to lose a grandparent or see, even in their imaginations, the consequences of ignorant bigotry?

But I know better than that. These books that suck me in and make me cry are exactly the ones I am going to recommend the most. My students may be children, but they are not untouched by sadness or fear. Perhaps one of them will make a connection with one of these stories, finding hope in the knowledge that they aren't the only ones to lose loved ones to alcohol or war. Books are therapy and I won't deny that to my students. However, the intensity and depth of these stories does make me glad that I have read through them. These are things that should be talked about. I already know which ones are going to be read aloud to next year's class. I hope they enjoy them as much as this year's class enjoyed Winn-Dixie.

*click the links above to see some of the books I have been reading. I would say that they are appropriate for bedtime read alouds for ages 10 and up and independent reading for ages 12 and up. You should, of course, take your child's reading level into consideration. :)

Thump, thump

Wow. Just the idea of doing something that would get my words published in a place where people would see them makes my heart thump inside my chest. A funny thing to say, given my regular publishing here. This doesn't count, though. When I compare what I write to the other blogs out there, I feel pretty good. Publishing somewhere that has REAL authors is another story entirely.

*Don't ask, because I am not ready to tell. Eventually, I will let you know. If it doesn't get published elsewhere, I will put it here.

PLAY THIS

Did I already tell you about the fun gold mining game that has been eating up my time lately? I guess I could check the archives, but I don't feel like it right now. Go try this game. It is really easy - just push the down arrow on your keyboard to make the line go down. The object is to pull as many goodies as possible up to the surface. Try it. It is fun! Hooray!

Wouldn't you like to have one of these?

I saw a KFC (used to be Kentucky Fried Chicken, and then they just went by KFC and now they are trying to be Kitchen Fresh Chicken, but none of the name changes are fooling me...it is all the same inedible crap) commercial this evening and there was a guy wearing a shirt that said this:

Right Wing,
Left Wing,
Tastes the same to me.

And all I could think is "Man, I wish I had that as a bumper sticker on my car."

Looking for some funny?

If it's the "I laugh so I won't cry" kind of funny you want, then go read this satirical editorial on The Onion.

Rage Against the Machine

"Why stand on a silent platform?
Fight the war.
Fuck the norm."

~RATM, Township Rebellion

Thinkin'

A conversaton with my dad this morning got me thinking. At one point, he said the he had never known me to be lazy. Well, maybe he didn't say "never", I forget. Anyway, I started comparing the me that I am in my head and the me that I am in other people's heads. They are two very different things, you know.

Lazy?
In my head I am a particularly lazy person. I spend way too much time watching television, reading trash, and wandering around the internet. I put off doing things until it is absolutely necessary. I was consistently the last one of our 4th grade team to finish my report cards. I let my grading pile up until the kids start asking "what did I get on that test?". I eat cheese sandwiches for a week so that I don't have to wash the pots and pans. I am lazy beyond belief.

But if you ask my family, my friends, or my co-workers, they will probably tell you that I am an obsessivly hard worker. Because they always see me doing things. After school, it looks like I am hard at work in my classroom, when in fact, I am making up some silly little worksheet or rearranging my filing again. My sister and mother think that I keep a sparkling house, because I am always helping then straighten up their houses. They don't realize that I spend the 24 hours before they come to visit frantically washing and dusting and vacuuming. I give off the impression of activity and organization only because I am so inefficient in what I do!

Intelligence?
My teachers, in both high school and college, thought that I was a smart kid. I managed to get decent grades without seeming like I was working too hard (again, I am lazy!). But in my head, I know that I was just lucky. I happen to be good at guessing the right answers on tests. I was able to regurgitate the information that was poured down my throat in a way that was pleasing to teachers (read: they way they wanted me to). My teachers weren't there when I was unable to tell a friend about a book without practically reciting it. They didn't know how hard it was for me to answer that dreaded questions "So, what happened in school today?" If they only knew how many times I said 300 when I meant 3000, or had to look up a date/name/state capital that I should have know, or quickly counted on my fingers to make sure I was multiplying 6 times 7 correctly. They don't know, though. I work hard to keep up this particular front.

Thoughtful?
My friend, Debbie, is always telling me I am too nice. Since she tells me this after I offer to give up my lunch for a week to do someone else's duty or commit to staying in my classroom for an extra 15 minutes every afternoon because this one family can't seem to pick up their kid on time, she usually has a point. She doesn't know that I am doing it as penance for how selfish I feel most of the time. After all, I have to do something to make up for never remembering to send birthday cards or thank you notes. I have to counteract the guilt I feel for monopolizing the conversation at lunch and being unable to remember the name of that really nice lady I met the other day. I can't just ignore the fact that I have to be told hundreds of times to call my grandma before I do it, even though I want to. I seem like a thoughtful person to some because I am trying to make up for being so thoughtless to others.

I could go on. I could explain how I am not really as peaceful as I seem, what with the anger that rages just below the surface at times. I could give all the reasons why I am less than trustworthy, totally lacking in creativity, and not really all that clever. I don't worry about it too much though. I know enough about people to know that most everyone is hiding the same dirty secrets. So, I just go on the best I can and hope that when I make a mistake, everyone understands, because they are putting up the same facades.

Hope

I don't think that Michael Moore's movie is going to change the minds of anyone who disagrees with him. We have become much to defensive and cynical for that. But I do see it becoming a rally point for those who agree with him. Liberals, especially Democrats have been floundering politically and this is just the kind of motivator we need.

Things I Learned While Waiting in the Movie Theater Lounge

1. Cingular (cell phones) have an ad that looks like a movie poster. It fooled me for a little while.

2. Low cut jeans may look good from the front, but from the back they just make your butt look short and fat.

3. Nothing says "I don't wash my hands" quite like walking out of the bathroom and across the lobby while you are still zipping your pants. (On a side note: When I told Mikey about this, he related his story of seeing a guy come of of the stall with his pants still down around his knees. These people must have been here for a GREAT movie!)

Half-staff

Yesterday I noticed several flags flying at half-mast. It is a sign of the times that my first thought was "who got bombed?". I looked up flag rules and regulations and as near as I can tell, the flags are still at half-mast in honor of former president Reagan. After the death of a president, former or current, the flags fly half-mast for 30 days. You learn something new every day, don't you?

Fahrenheit 9/11

We just got back from watching Michael Moore's latest documentary. I have to say that of all his films, I appreciated this one the most. Usually, although I agree with his politics and agendas, I find his tactics a little heavy handed. Giving the receptionist a hard time because you can't get to the president of a company is just bad manners. Perhaps it is because I am feeling particularly desperate about the state of the world today, but I didn't find this movie heavy handed. I felt that his points were made clearly, calmly and appropriately. Obviously this isn't a movie for children. It is for adults and it is designed to make us feel anger - something that our government has systematically been trying to numb out of us.

I love my country. I have grown up reaping all the benefits of the United States and I know that I don't appreciate them enough. My car, my house, my clothes, my toys, my health, and my education - all are proof that America is a privileged place. I wouldn't want to trade any of it for a minute. There is no other country where I would be as comfortable and free. I am proud to be part of a community of caring, strong, supportive people who demonstrate on a daily basis how truly amazing humanity really is.

One of the things I like best about America is having the right to speak my mind, whether I agree or disagree with the people in charge, sharing my views and having my chance to influence the path we are on. I don't take advantage of that right nearly often enough. I bravely proclaim my beliefs - in my own living room. I present my argument - to my family members, all of who are even MORE liberal than I. I don't hesitate as I call for change - from the depths of my couch.

This has to change. Today I had the opportunity to meet with members of a local peace organization called PeaceWorks. I could have made new friends, shared stories, and gotten involved. The idea of talking to so many people I didn't know made me uncomfortable though, so I stayed home and cleaned my garage. Each time the chance to meet these people comes up, it is something else. "Too many papers to grade." "I want to finish this book." "What would I say anyway?" Each time, I find some excuse to save myself from a couple minutes of awkwardness. No more. As I sat in the dark theater, watching the credits roll on Michael's movie and wiping the tears from my face, I decided I had made my last excuse. "I'm afraid" isn't good enough anymore. Not when I see what so many others are facing.

I know it isn't much, and I know that I should be doing more, but I made myself a promise tonight. I am going to the next PeaceWorks meeting. I am going to take this first step towards being involved and I am not going to stop there. I will act on the advice of my TV (Quit being passive.) and Mr. Moore (Do something.), and I will become someone who practices what she preaches.

Ooooohhh....Aaaaaahhhh...

We just got back from watching the fireworks show at the local casino. They really went all out with about 30 minutes of steady booms and bangs followed by a 60 second stream of non-stop popping and crackling. The grand finale was so grand that it nearly blocked itself from sight with all the smoke. The best part was that we were in a secret spot that only a few families knew about. It was a couple miles from the casino, but there is absolutely nothing to block the view, so you get all the enjoyment with none of the traffic and chaos. My only complaint is that it was quite windy. We had our jackets, but we should have brought a blanket. Tomorrow there is another fireworks display as well as a get-together sponsered and hosted by the local peace group, PeaceWorks. We don't know anyone who is going, but we figure it would be a good place to start looking for likeminded individuals. Temecula is also having a parade through Old Town and a Family Fun Festival at one of the local parks. Should be a fun-filled day!

Quiz Time

Thanks to Jett for directing me to the Better Personality quiz that had the following to say about me...
.........Wacky 36 - Sober 64
......Rational 54 - Emotional 46
..Constructive 68 - Destructive 32
........Leader 50 - Follower 50

You are an SRCF--Sober Rational Constructive Follower. This makes you a White House staffer. You are a tremendous asset to any employer, cool under pressure, productive, and a great communicator. You feel the need to right wrongs, take up slack, mediate disputes and keep the peace. This comes from a secret fear that business can't go on without you--or worse, that it can.

If you have a weakness, it is your inability to say "no." While your peers respect you, they find it difficult to resist taking advantage of your positive attitude and eagerness to take on work. You depend on a good manager to keep you from sinking under the weight and burning out.

Except for the "White House staffer" bit, I would say that is pretty much right on.
Running a close second was this evaluation...

You are an SECF--Sober Emotional Constructive Follower. This makes you a hippie. You are passionate about your causes and steadfast in your commitments. Once you've made up your mind, no one can convince you otherwise. Your politics are left-leaning, and your lifestyle choices decidedly temperate and chaste.

You do tremendous work when focused, but usually you operate somewhat distracted. You blow hot and cold, and while you normally endeavor on the side of goodness and truth, you have a massive mean streak which is not to be taken lightly. You don't get mad, you get even.

Please don't get even with this web site.

Also pretty accurate. I definitely have tendencies towards both of these. My "leader/follower" score was actually a 50, so technically I could go either way, but the "leader" ones didn't fit. One required that I not care what others think (definitely not the case) and the other require that I be charismatic and gregarious. I don't do either of those very well. So I choose to be a follower who is capable of leading in times of need.

So little time...

It's been a while, but here is today's OneWord attempt...

I thought I would hate the class - after all it was listed under the mathematics courses. It turned out to be one of the most interesting classes in my whole college career. Not only was the professor a pleasure to work with, but it turned out that I was actually kinda good at it. (Logic, that is. Not that my husband would believe it. Of course, his logical reasoning rivals that of Data.)

As always the bits in the parenthasis came after the bell. Click the link in the writing to see what other people wrote.

Drats.

I guess the lack of congratulatory phone calls means that we didn't win the all-expenses-paid trip to Cabo San Lucas ebing given away by our gym. Darn. It would have been a great way to celebrate our anniversary.

Huh.

I find a great deal of satisfaction in a clean room. I know I have talked about this enough for you to know that organization is an obsession of mine. Today I whipped two of our rooms into submission - getting rid of things we no longer need and putting the things we DO need in order. Everything looks very nice. But I realized as I was cleaning ALL DAY LONG that there is a reason why I can't keep my things this neat and tidy all the time. I end up doing these very intense cleaning sessions about twice a year because I spend more time living my life than I do organizing it.

I have been in many houses that just squeak with cleanliness and the one thing I always wonder is "where is the stuff?" In my house I have my sewing stuff in one area, my coloring stuff somewhere else, and my current reading stuff all over. Mikey has games, being played and being created, in various stages all over the house. We keep these things out, in plain sight, because they are part of our daily lives. Our belongings aren't here just to make it seem like we are a certain kind of person (Ooooh! These guys really like books!), they are there because we ARE that kind of person. And people who like books (or sewing, coloring, or games) need those things easily accessible. If that means that my house looks cluttered even when it is clean, then so be it. I would much rather live my life than organize it.