R.I.P. Eartha Kitt

Hard to believe the video clip below is from just two years ago. Eartha Kitt certainly maintained that sultry seductiveness through the years! Her passing on Christmas Day left me at a loss for words.

No one will ever sing "Santa Baby" quite as well as she did...

How do you grow?

There's a bougainvillea growing in my backyard. As spring has revived it the new growth has become so prolific that I can barely get our door open! Carefully weaving our way through the thorn-studded new branches has become something of an obstacle course. ;-P This is our third (and final) spring/summer in this flat and although it grows rapidly and gets pruned back several times a year, I've never seen it quite so determined to grow up the side of the house. It even sent shoots right up through the gutter and now part of our roof is in full bloom!

While contemplating how to tame the beast so the property owner doesn't send someone to rip it out of the yard (she's already threatened to once because she doesn't want to pay someone to prune it twice a year, plant hating bitch) I found my mind wandering back to a conversation I had with a good friend the other day. We were talking about growth and how the places we live and the friends we keep influence our progress (or lack thereof) to a point. Both of us have left behind family and more familiar places for experiences in a world far different from the one we first met in. While thinking of mutual friends still back in that area we wondered, did we change because we left? or did we leave because we needed the change and knew we wouldn't find it if we stayed there?

We've all heard the saying "You've gotta bloom where you're planted!" and for most of my life I have tried to take that sentiment to heart and grow even when I feel like I'm stuck in a place not nurturing me in the way I need. But I think perhaps that phrase is not always accurate. Granted, at times we do need to strive to bloom where we find ourselves, however I can think of instances when I needed more than just encouragement to keep my chin up--I needed to be transplanted to a whole new garden!

So how do we know when to bloom where we're planted versus hoping for a transplant? What about people we know who are stagnant in the environment they find themselves in? When do they (and we) realise you've "...gotta go where you can grow!" as my friend said?

The answer I think comes when we remember that each one of us is a different plant.

Some of us are like hybrid tea roses that need delicately balanced environments in order to flourish or else we suffer from stunted growth and rarely bloom, failing to reach our full potential because we never had the nourishment we needed to do so.

Others are potted plants that live comfortably within the confines of their pot, slowly growing as they go indoors and outdoors, according to the seasons and what suits them best. They may not have the most spectacular growth, but they keep at a steady pace and generally mind their own business, soaking up food and water as they're given and every once in a while they get an upgrade to a bigger pot!

Me? I'm the crazy bougainvillea climbing the side of our flat, bright fuchsia flowers spilling all over the place! Planted in a less than ideal spot I tend to send out feeler shoots that weave their way near and far, looking for solid support. Once I find some I grab on and end up places I'd never dreamed, drinking in sunlight to spur on my growth. At times I get cut back for whatever reason and feel discouraged, but once I've had time to regroup I start all over again (often times stubbornly doing the same thing as before *snort*). Not one to stay in one place, I seem to maintain quite a broad existence as I constantly seek out the things I need to continue to grow--even if it means taking on the roof!

So how do you grow?

It's the end...

....of November as we know it, and I feel fine! *giggling*

I've made it through NaBloPoMo November!! Thank you for reading all my ramblings for the past 2 months! I won't be doing the December one because I won't be in town for a bit around my anniversary and after that we'll be dealing with gearing up for our move! *gasp* We're not going to think that far ahead though or I might go crazy.

On the other hand, NaNoWriMo didn't go so well. BUT my final word count is 12,894, which is more than I had at the beginning of the month!! So I'm counting it a success anyway, even though it's not the 50,000. It's alright, I'll keep working on it though!

I can't believe it's December already! Where the fuck does the time go? I will try keeping my blog up because I think it'll be therapeutic when I'm not trying to get posts in under a deadline.

So cheers everybody and pat yourselves on the back if you even attempted NaBloPoMo or NaNoWriMo! It's the journey not the destination, right? ;-P

Oh the things my mind wonders...

What makes some struggle with so much and still stick their chins out and keep going no matter how hard they get knocked down, while for others one small thing makes them fall to pieces and never try to get up again?

A blog post DinerGirl (you should read her blog, she has a way with words and her posts are shorter than mine!) wrote recently made that question (and others) spring up yet again in my mind. It's a question I mull over all the time and have talked about at length with many friends, we still don't have any firm conclusions. But I wonder do the things we go through have something to do with it?

I think of some of my close friends and wonder what the hell it is that keeps them going, no matter how many punches they take in this world.

P., who struggles with bipolar disorder (a diagnosis that took far too long and whom misdiagnoses and mistreatment almost killed), and yet is bravely fighting through those early twenties years, trying to conquer the things that do their best to knock her down. I see myself in her every time we talk. I remember how bad those years were for me and I'm trying desperately to be for her what I needed so much and no one would be for me. She'll make it through this period in her life and I can't even imagine the places she'll go.

J., who fights with anxiety and depression that try to choke the life out of her. A childhood that gave her many of the same issues I myself deal with, an ex who could have been the death of her, and two beautiful girls she's trying to raise in the midst of it all who she worries every day will grow up to struggle with the same things that haunt her. She juggles a million things everyday and yet bit by bit is getting closer to making a stable life for herself and her girls.

S., whose life experiences should be a best selling book. One minutes you'd be laughing and the next crying your heart out over the things she's been through. And yet, she is one of the most compassionate people I know. She'd give you the shirt off of her back and her shoes too if she thought you needed them. On top of the clinical depression she lives with every day, she has a teenage son who is going through his own psychological complexities that take more out of her than most people would be willing to go through for their children. Says a lot, doesn't it? She's tried to check out of this world several times but somehow never succeeded, and now stays in it so that she can be the advocate her son needs.

M., who I swear is my twin lost at birth. The two of us living in the same city would probably be more than any town could take. Quirkiness feeds off quirkiness and multiplies I think. It's okay though, we'd never get anywhere because we'd lose the car keys we're so absent-minded and distracted! She deals with much of the same health issues I do and time after time swears off dealing with useless doctors who are too busy chatting with drug reps to give us the time of day. And yet she tries again eventually, because she wants to not just make it through the day, but be well. She can make me laugh 'til my stomach aches. That's priceless.

And Chris. Chris....well, we're married and best friends, that should tell you everything.

And there are others... Every person I've mentioned above inspires some part of my life (including you DG) and I am thankful for them every day. They've come into my life in the oddest ways (most I met online!) and it seems to me that I collect them, these people that I can see elements of myself in, who resonate with something in me. And they keep on coming. I'm still surprised when it happens and yet I'm not, because I decided years ago to bring into my life people who help me be my true self instead of who they think I should be.

But what keeps them going? What makes them hit what seems like rock bottom repeatedly and they lay there for a minute, take a deep breath, and start hauling themselves up again? They have every right to stay down for the count and say they're done trying and yet they don't. And how do I know that? Because they are still living and breathing and creating beauty in their lives. They are still reaching their hands out to others who seem to be drowning and offering a semi-normal conversation, or a smile, or a soothing word. They help me breathe when the anxieties and obsessive thoughts that crowd my brain and restrict my life get the best of me. They give me the love, compassion, understanding, grace, and support that I can give everyone else but myself. I guess they give me what I try to give them.

Where does that come from, when others I know--who have been through far less--use the things they deal with to justify the hate they spread and the pain they inflict on others?

I still don't have any answers to those questions, but I think the ability to hope and to self analyse have something to do with it.

Change of plans...

I meant to blog something else today, but while listening through the music I got cheap from Amazon.com I came across this song on the Jason Mraz's new CD "We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things." It's not a CD I would have picked up at full price simply because I don't have any of his other music (although what I have heard of his music I've liked) so I decided to chance it and I'm so glad I did.

This song feels like a warm hug being offered to someone who feels like their world is spinning out of control and they need someone to steady them. Rumor is he wrote it for a friend going through a hard time (whose answering machine message you hear at the beginning, and then another one at the end.)

I love it so much it's going on my music player for those moments when I need to remember to breathe. It says all the things I try to tell everyone else when they feel like their entire world is unraveling.

Details in the Fabric

Calm down, deep breaths
And get yourself dressed
Instead of running around
And pulling on your threads
And breaking yourself up

If it's a broken part, replace it
If it's a broken arm, then brace it
If it's a broken heart, then face it

And hold your own, know your name
And go your own way.
Hold your own, know your name
And go your own way.
And everything, will be fine.

Hang on, help is on the way
And stay strong, I'm doing everything

Hold your own, know your name
And go your own way.
Hold your own, know your name
And go your own way.
And everything,
Everything will be fine
Everything...

Are the details in the fabric
Are the things that make you panic
Are your thoughts, results of static cling?
All the things that make you blow
Hell no reason, go on and scream
If you're shocked,
It's just the fault of faulty manufacturing
Everything, will be fine
Everything, in time
Everything...

Hold your own, know your name
And go your own way.
Hold your own,
(are the details in the fabric)
Know your name
(are the things that make you panic)
And go your own way
(are your thoughts, results of static cling?)

Hold your own,
(are the details in the fabric)
Know your name
(are the things that make you panic)
And go your own way
(is it mother nature's sewing machine?)

Hold your own,
(are the things that make you blow)
Know your name
(hell no reason, go on and scream)
And go your own way.
(if you're shocked, it's just the fault of faulty manufacturing)

Everything, will be fine
Everything, in no time at all
Hearts will hold...

Thanksgiving

I've been trying to write a blog post about Thanksgiving for the last hour and it's just not working. Nothing goes together, some of it sounds cheesy, some cynical and sarcastic, some highly pessimistic, and the majority of it--downright blah. So instead of a coherent post, all you're gonna get is random things scattered all over the place and squished together. Sort of how a dinner plate looks on Thanksgiving now that I think about it. *snort*

1. I wonder what Native Americans think about Thanksgiving? Having some Native blood myself (as do a good portion of Americans) I can't help but think about how on the one hand Native Americans saved the starving asses of people who landed on their shore and then were killed and stripped of their land by others who followed after once America started to look attractive to their pockets.

2. Isn't it kind of funny how the whole nation that was participating in the "What I'm thankful for..." lovefest the day before, suddenly transform into a rabid, psychotic crowd that push, shove, and if need be, fight their way through crowds of shoppers to get a good deal on that toy Tommy has to have for Christmas or the big screen TV they've been drooling after? Those crowds are mean! Let's hope no one gets hurt this year.

3. Have you ever noticed how incredibly reluctant everyone is to go home for the holidays...and yet they go home for the holidays!?! What is this ritualistic torture we all put ourselves through every year? I mean, I'm thankful for my family even though they really drive me nuts sometimes, but some people's families get into knock down, drag out fights at Thanksgiving dinner, and yet they still do it every year! This is yet another reason why I think we are a nation full of masochists. Do you think the puritanical roots of the early settlers have anything to do with it? Mixed in with all that Catholic guilt from the later droves of immigrants (think Irish and Hispanic). Yeah. We have guilt issues.

4. I'm thankful for a shitload of things that I can't even put into words. I could try, but I'll forget something and then feel guilty about it! Damn it, there goes that guilt again, see what I mean about guilt issues? Fine, to override my worry over guilt, I'll list some of the things that I'm thankful for anyway! In no particular order (because if I try and order it this will never get listed): Chris, my family (even though they piss me off), friends that I love as family, my doggie family that I miss wickedly in the US, the Internets, music, $5 CD Mp3 sales on Amazon.com (yes, they do, right now, go see!), a dentist that I'm not afraid to go see, that I can afford health care even though the doctors I see make me want to punch them in the face sometimes, Barack Obama (and please lets hope he appears on this list again next year!), the experience of living in another country and all the things it has opened my eyes to, strawberries, a stable relationship that makes all the instability in my life bearable (I didn't think that was possible, but it is), that I goaded myself into starting this NaBloPoMo thing almost 2 months ago and have kept up with it (I thought for sure I'd bomb out), the ebb and flow of my life and moods--they sure do keep things interesting, sense of humor (both mine and in others), the experiences of this past year--good and bad they are what they are and have helped shape me into the person I am at this moment and I can honestly say even though some days I don't like myself very much, I'm not half bad and I'm a million times happier than I was 10 years ago.

5. Oh, and one more thing! I'm thankful for the handful of people who read my blog. You are all so very brave to check out my odd ramblings and postings every day! *snort* Thank you for being a part of my life and letting me be a part of yours. You are worth more than you know.

Some people should not own pets.

Today was a beautiful, sunny, clear blue sky, early summer kind of day here in New Zealand. After my acupuncture appointment and a late lunch, Chris and I went hunting for a better quality water bottle than the one I'm currently using. The search was for the most part useless because I can't find what I'm looking for here (or anywhere if internet searches are any indication!).

After checking all the stores in the shopping area that might carry something like that, we hopped in the car to head home. As we were driving through the parking lot I noticed a guy closing the door to his car rather awkwardly, trying to make sure the dog inside didn't wiggle its way out. On the walkway above a woman I assume was his wife waved at him to hurry up. So he dashed off to catch up with her before the traffic lights changed so they could cross the street.

Being the dog lover I am, I craned my neck to make sure the windows were cracked several inches (Chris had driven past by then) and couldn't see any open on the driver's side! I looked over at Chris and said "I think that guy just left his dog in the car in this heat with no windows down!" Chris turned the car around to drive back past and sure enough, there were no windows open on the passenger's side either, the little poodle looking dog was barking in protest of being left in the car. "Why would someone do that?" I said...then thought, well, maybe they were just going in to pick up milk or get a coffee at the nearby cafe and would be back within a few minutes. It wouldn't excuse not leaving a window open a few inches, but the dog would be alright if it was for just 5 minutes. At this point we were on the road and headed in the direction of home, but I just couldn't let it go. I felt ill over it and started crying because I was so pissed off. Chris asked me what I thought we could do, since we didn't have any number to call. I said I had no idea, but that it just wasn't right for people to leave their dog locked up in a car with no fresh air. So Chris turned the car around and said "Well, we'll just sit there and watch to make sure they come out really soon." So we parked where the car was in view, but there was no sign of the owners, and by then the dog had been in the car for almost 10 minutes.

In the shopping center there was a pet store so I told Chris to go in and see if a store associate would know what to do or who to call in case they didn't come let the dog out, since IMO 10+ minutes with the sun that strong would heat the car up to a miserable temp, even though it was in a spot with partial shade. Our car felt like an oven when we came out to it earlier and it had only been sitting for maybe 20-30 minutes. Chris went in there and came back out with the number to the local SPCA and said the store associate said we should call and report it, since obviously it was to the point where the car had to be quite hot inside, it was 15 minutes now.

So Chris walked over to the car to make sure that there were indeed no windows open, then called the SPCA and gave them the license plate number and location of the car. They said they'd send someone over right away, but they were unfortunately some distance away in rush hour traffic. 20 minutes passed and the dog was spending most of its time in the lower part of the car and not barking anymore.

At 25 minutes the SPCA officer called Chris' cell phone to let us know that she was still miles away but they had traced the plates and were able to call the owners and they were coming out to let the dog out of the car. The 5 minutes it took for the owner to come strolling out of the store felt like an eternity. He opened the door, then hunted around for a leash for 3-4 minutes before that poor dog was able to get out of the car! Then about a minute later his wife came trotting out, laughing and waving her hand at the guy. Neither one had groceries in their hand. What does that say? They weren't even done shopping after 30 minutes of the dog being in the car!! How much longer would they have strolled around in the nice, air conditioned store while their dog slowly suffocated in the car?

The only thing that kept me from jumping out of the car and screaming at them for their complete lack of consideration for the animal they were fawning over was the knowledge that an SPCA officer had their names, number, knew where they lived, and would be paying them a visit to educate them about what 30 minutes in a car could do to their pet if the day had been any hotter. And BTW, they weren't a young couple either, they had to be in their early 50's I think, so you can't even blame it on them being clueless kids.

WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE?? Dogs are not toys they are living, breathing beings that feel heat and cold just like we do. In fact, they are even more susceptible to the heat because they have a fur coat on 24/7 and don't sweat the same way we do! We had to sit anguishing over whether it was hot enough for the dog to suffocate before someone came to let it out, all the while feeling like a big meanie for calling the SPCA and hoping that they'd learn their lesson today without any harm coming to the innocent animal involved, while the owners went shopping! I'm sure they didn't mean any ill will toward their dog, but if you're going to own a pet you need to be conscious of their needs and understand what is and isn't safe for them.

You'd better believe if that dog had stopped pacing in that car I would have done whatever I had to to get it out. In most states in the US it is illegal to leave your dog in the car for any amount of time, cracked windows or not, and a police officer or Good Samaritan can break your window to get the dog out thanks to animal cruelty laws.

On a hot, sunny day in many areas of the world, 5 minutes is all it takes for a car to heat up above 130 degrees F, and in that climate, 10-15 minutes in a sealed car can suffocate a child or a pet.

Happy Music

Life is a bit...interesting lately. Why is it when you already have a full plate someone comes along trying to add the helping of potato salad that will make your styrofoam plate break in two?? Not cool. But things will all get sorted out in time, right? Let us hope so...

In other news, all my peoples are dealing with shit in their lives that have got them down and in a funk! That's not cool either, even though I understand it's just something we all go through and in time things will come out right. But in the meantime, I say to you, my peoples (and if you're reading this, you're one of my peoples, so listen up), life is a big pile of drama for me too, I feel you, I do, and I wish that I could fix it, but I haven't figured out how to do that yet (my magic wand won't work). So in the meantime, crank up the sound on your computer (or even better-put headphones on) and have a happy song moment with me! No, it doesn't solve all the ills of this world, but music is my drug, the only thing that really takes the edge off for me, and it's all I have to offer you (well, that and an Inbox that is always open for venting). Now, I can't promise this will work for you because I found this song after an hour of hard rock music (my go-to music when I'm not happy) and was in the right place to hear it. But just in case you get a bit of a buzz from dance/trance music, here's a dose!



Watching the original version of that song by Duncan Sheik is worthwhile, the video is comical. The best part of the song? The lyrics. Have a read while you listen to the mix.

"On A High"

I'm on a high, I'm on a high
there's nothing more to it.
We are the sea and the sky
and the blue that runs through it, yeah.

and there are some who say there are so many things I need
so I run or I fight and I crawl or I scream and I bleed
I bleed, I bleed

well, it's a lie it's a lie - don't you believe it.
if you're fine then you're fine - it's all how you see it.
oh, there never will be no conspiracy of happiness.

I'm on a high I'm on a high
and there's nothing more to it
I have the sun, it's a star
why should I refuse it

and there are so many reasons I could give you why I should be down
there's not enough money or time and my love you're not around
around, around

but it's a lie it's a lie - don't you believe it.
if you're fine then you're fine - it's all how you see it.
oh, there never will be no conspiracy of happiness.

you're alive you're alive - how else could you hear me?
you are fine, you are fine - there's nothing worth fearing
'cause there never will be no conspiracy of happiness

I'm on a high, on a high
we are the sea and the sky
I'm on a high, on a high
I'm on a high

It's a lie, It's a lie don't you believe it
'Cause I've tried and I've tried, and I can't really see it
Yeah, I'm trapped inside my conspiracy of happiness
said I was yours, you were mine but I didn't really mean it
and I lied and I lied
and I wish you hadn't seen it
'cause I'm trapped inside my conspiracy of happiness
I'm on a high, on a high, there's nothing more to it, yeah.

Every bird should get to fly!

The cuteness of this is too much. My friend Su made me watch this last night and it sure did brighten up my evening. I think it's impossible to watch it and not smile. Watch the little penguin, he looks like he's having the best time!



I watched this twice before I realised it was actually a commercial for lotto. LOL

Stickers on laptops--why?

I'm selling my laptop to a friend (it's only about a year old) because we came across a great deal on a new one for a fraction of its original sale price and I needed an upgrade. Yay! While comparing the two I noticed I've been picking around the edges of the stickers on the older one. I don't remember doing it at all, in fact I've been trying really hard to leave them alone!

What is with the stickers anyway? Are they like adware-sticker style? Will computer manufacturers start auctioning off the "sticker spaces" to the highest bidder, you know, sort of like SUN auctioning for whose bull shit tool bars to include with their JAVA downloads? I get that some people think certain stickers (like ones indicating the processor or graphics card) give them visual bragging rights to the awesomeness of whatever is housed inside the plastic/metal shell, but I'm not big on the whole name brand thing and I'm not geeky enough to get a little tingly in my pants over the specs of a laptop! Do others not notice this, or do they just not care? Am I the only one who can't ignore the giant eyesores stuck below the keyboard?

Chris asked me why I don't just take them off and I don't have a good answer. There isn't any crucial info on them, it's only the ones with the warranty number and such on the underside of the computer that have to be left alone. So why do I not feel like I can just take the unimportant ones off? Hmmm...

I know, we can blame it on my childhood! *snort* I've been getting in trouble for peeling labels, stickers, band-aids, price tags, etc...since I was a little kid. When things are smooth and seem like they belong, I'm okay with leaving them be. But as soon as one little corner starts to lift up or the sticker looks like it doesn't belong there, I can't leave them alone until I've peeled them off! Unless of course I've been forbidden to do so, then I just THINK about peeling them off and try desperately to ignore them.

I guess since the stickers are on there all official looking I took it to mean I wasn't allowed to mess with them. But am I wrong? Can I really take them off? No one is going to give me hell for it like I got when I tore the tag off my pillow as a kid? Am I really asking this question? Why has it never occured to me that I could take the ugly things off!?!

Welcome to the 21st Century!

Obama will be continuing the tradition of those before him by making weekly addresses to the nation, but in addition to the radio version, there will be YouTube editions! Yes, even once he takes office! Seems like the major internet presence he had during the campaign season will be put to good use in the coming days and I for one think it's a good thing. I mean, come on, I just watched his weekly address and didn't scream obscenities or have to stomp off to the other room to keep from breaking the screen (both common occurences with Bush's lovely chats to the nation), so that's sayin' something.

Welcome to the 21st century bitches, the presidency will never be the same...



(Yes I know I posted a video with captioning, I LOVE captions.)

No Bravery

I've heard many a song about war, but somehow had not heard this one until today. Blunt served in Kosovo as an officer in the British Army and while there wrote this song. I can't even begin to imagine the images that must flash through his mind every time he sings this song. The lyrics are gut wrenching enough, but watching him sing them just....wow.



No Bravery by James Blunt

There are children standing here,
Arms outstretched into the sky,
Tears drying on their face.
He has been here.
Brothers lie in shallow graves.
Fathers lost without a trace.
A nation blind to their disgrace,
Since he's been here.

And I see no bravery,
No bravery in your eyes anymore.
Only sadness.

Houses burnt beyond repair.
The smell of death is in the air.
A woman weeping in despair says,
He has been here.
Tracer lighting up the sky.
It's another family's time to die
A child afraid to even cry out says,
He has been here.

And I see no bravery,
No bravery in your eyes anymore.
Only sadness.

There are children standing here,
Arms outstretched into the sky,
But no one asks the question why,
He has been here.
Old men kneel and accept their fate.
Wives and daughters cut and raped.
A generation drenched in hate.
Yes, he has been here.

And I see no bravery,
No bravery in your eyes anymore.
Only sadness.

9 days and counting...

Okay, I give... NaNoWriMo has kicked my ass big time. Or should I say everything else going on this month has kicked my ass and NaNoWriMo has not gotten as much effort as I intended to give it? Either way, my word count is sadly lacking and I don't forsee being able to write 37,000+ words in the next week. *sighs*

I'm trying to tell myself that it's fine, I've given it my best shot considering all the other things I've been juggling this month. But really, I'm still rather annoyed with myself over the whole thing! MEH.

On a totally unrelated note, have I said lately how much I'm going to miss the incredible coffee I get here when we move to the US? With the exception of Starbucks, until I moved here I had no concept of the glorious wonders of espresso and how divine 2 shots of it are topped with some steamed milk and dusted with cinnamon... And how about the days when a healthy dose of chocolate finds itself swirled into the brew for a slightly sweet but not in any way sugary (if they make it right) dessert? Before moving here I didn't think it was possible to actually enjoy coffee without copious amounts of sugar and creamer. Oh how wrong I was!

Do you think I can fit a barrista and espresso machine in my suitcase?

Napolitano?

While I was reading an article on Huffington Post about Obama's possible pick of Janet Napolitano for Homeland Security Secretary and in the comment section several people linked to this video of Charlie Rose interviewing Napolitano and Palin about being women and governors. Check it out:

Of course, as would be expected, they are as different as night and day. Palin as usual never really answers any questions at all (although she sure does have a lot to say about energy, her favorite talking point even back then) and it's really funny to hear her talking about her opinions of what the upcoming elections would bring--the interview was done in 2007.

One of my favorite parts of the interview is when Rose asks Palin if she knows exactly what Bush administration's energy policy is and all she says is "Well, we hear about it through the media, yes!" and Napolitano then says sarcastically to Rose "You're assuming there is one...I'm looking for it..." and then shifts the conversation back to things a governor has to deal with. *snort*

I don't know if Napolitano will end up with the job, but what I know of her right now makes me think that if she does, we'll be gaining a strong, intelligent woman who is well versed in the issues this administration will have to deal with, unlike the one sitting across the table from her in that interview.

Spammy McSpammers!

Ever notice the bossiness of spammers? I was deleting a spam post today and I read this disclaimer at the bottom:

This is not spam!
You recived this messege because you are a member at yahoogroups
You can send any messege to the group address %RECIPIENTEMAIL%!
friend!

Am I the only one amused by this? It really strikes me as funny how they say that! It's like "Sure this looks like spam and reads like spam and you have 80 messages in your spam folder that are identical to this, but this is not spam because I snuck on this mailing list and spewed a shitload of spam in the last few hours before a moderator caught me, so you just have to suck it up and enjoy! Spamalicious baby!!"

*falls over laughing*

A sense of humor is essential to maintaining one's sanity while sorting through thousands of junk emails.

I need some tissues...

Ever have a song's lyrics catch you completely off guard? This one did that to me today:


I was just minding my own business, randomly playing music on playlist.com and suddenly I was tearing up! The key is to turn it up with headphones out and not watch the video. Just close your eyes for a bit and soak it in...exactly the way good music should be enjoyed.

If that one doesn't make you feel a bit mushy, try this one:

What? Still dry eyed? Alright, but it's not my fault I had to pull this one out. If you'd just cried at Damien or Sinead you could have been spared this one:


His voice conveyed the rawness that I think is missing in a lot of other covers of that song. I find myself wondering how he'd sound singing that now, 10+ years later, but that's one we'll never know...*shakes head*

Books books books...how I love them.

Read any good books lately?

I'm reading Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes. Estes is a Jungian psychoanalyst who in the book tells stories from all different cultures and then gives interpretations of them and how the relate to Jungian archetypes and the different phases of our lives as women.

Considering my love for both ancient myths and Jung, I'm surprised I haven't come across the book before. A friend is reading it and ordered me to read it as well (so she'd have someone to read it with). I'm not very far into it, but I can already tell it's one of those books you read bit by bit, taking time to digest every little piece before you move on to the next bite, in order to fully take in what is being said. I LOVE books like that. Since it looks like a pretty good book and the women I know who have already read it years ago have given it rave reviews, I've decided to give it out as early Christmas presents to a few friends and my sister so I can see the different perspectives. I figure the more points of view, the better. The women in my life are quite diverse as far as ages and lifestyles, so that will make it all the better!

All my holiday gifts this year are books coming from Better World Books. I'm a huge fan of giving books as gifts and since most of my family and friends are voracious readers it works out in my favor. Better World Books sells both new and used books with free carbon neutral shipping within the US and $3.97 shipping worldwide. The sales of their books go to help fund literacy programs both in the US and worldwide, and they even run a buy-back program where they'll pay for you to ship donated books to them! Buying used books is a great form of recycling IMO, plus you get more books for your money and who can resist that??

So, if you've got gifts to give this year, check out their website. And if you're looking for something to get your brain churning, read Women Who Run With the Wolves with me!!

Nonsense

I have nothing to blog about tonight. Nothing of any substance at all! So I'm going to instead ramble nonesense for a few paragraphs so I can feel that I've made my daily contribution to this blog, since it seems to be the only Na-WhatTheFuckEver I can accomplish!

I've had a relatively interesting day, but not the sort of interesting that you blog about, since really the interesting parts are all mundane.

I'm still itching from the weird sun rash, which may be a photosensitive rash thanks to the 1,000 mg King Kong dosage of Naprosyn I take every day! I'm not impressed.

I think I should chop off my hair. Or at least a good 6 inches of it. I could keep babying it and going through shitloads of conditioner and pretending it's okay, but it's not. I love my long hair, but I made a vow when I started growing it out years ago that if it ever got to the point that it looked blah and lifeless, then I would cut it off. It's better to have short, healthy hair than frizzy, damaged hair. I don't believe in long hair for the sake of long hair. So now I'm just trying to talk myself into letting someone chop it off...meh.

Oh...I just remembered that there is a container of perfectly ripe strawberries in the other room! *does a happy dance* I know, a happy dance over strawberries?? But you just don't understand how much I love berries and how bloody long I've been waiting for them to be ready! I have to ration them to myself or I'll eat too many too soon in the season and get the strawberry rash, which then means you can't have them again that summer! Needless to say been there, done that as a kid and it was one tragically depressing summer.

And with that I'll end my contentless yabber. Hopefully tomorrow I'll have something more worthwhile to write about! Like, maybe some progress on that writing thing that shall remain nameless.

The sun is so mean to me...

It is! Yesterday Chris and I drove 2 hours south to Hamilton (a smaller city in NZ) to get a computer that was on clearance for $400 cheaper than originally, and they had one of the only stores left in NZ that had any in stock. Yes, this is what happens when one is married to a computer geek, but I love Hamilton (and this was a perfect excuse to get away from the computer for a day and truthfully, NaNoWriMo *snort*) so I wasn't complaining any!

Hamilton is famous here for "Hamilton Gardens". It's huge, full of gardens representing designs and plants from all over the world. Twice before we've been to Hamilton and managed to run out of time with other things (or end up with shit weather), so when we saw it was supposed to be a clear day we decided to go walk the gardens and take pictures (I'll post them eventually).

Since we were going to be outdoors in the brutal NZ sun, we both doused ourselves with sunscreen and took advantage of the shade when possible. I lucked out and didn't burn at all, so we'll be using that sunscreen all summer! A soak in tepid bath water last night still didn't bring out any burn, so I figured I'd gotten away with the 2-3 hours out in the sun, right? NOPE

Earlier today I noticed my arms felt like they had tiny bumps on them, you know, like I was covered in goosebumps, but they weren't goosebumps? I call it a sun rash. Usually the bumps go away within a week and don't bother me much, but not this time. I'm sitting here itching up a storm and the raised bumps are pinkish and now along the tops of my hands, fingers, cheeks, and upper chest. Basically, anywhere the sun hit. WTF is up with that?

Doctors always laugh when I say sometimes I think I'm allergic to the sun...little do they know how it really is. I've had the rash for years, but this is the worst it's been. I don't think it's the fault of the Plaquenil though because I was on it last year and as long as I was careful about sunscreen and being in the shade as much as possible I only got the rash if I started to burn.

This doesn't bode well for the rest of the summer 'cause the sun will only get more intense as we head into December.

OMG somebody make the itching stop! Alright, I gotta go Google to see if I can find something to help 'cause this is so not cool.

Desiderata

Desiderata

by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Extinction?

Why should we ban gay marriage?

Extinction.

Yeah, that's right. I've heard a lot of reasons lately, but that one had me laughing my head off earlier today! I wish I could find where I read it, but the gist of it was something like 'If we continue to permit the gay lifestyle then as more and more people choose to be gay, there will be less couples to procreate and eventually we will become extinct. Sure it won't happen in our lifetime, but it will happen if this continues to go on.'

Yes, they were dead serious.

I suppose then that we should ban infertility, nuns, priests, virgins, menopause, erectile dysfunction, voluntary celibacy, and all sex acts that are not pro-creative...oh wait, places have already done that last one! *snort*

What is it to you?

Please, watch this, then tell me, what is it to you?

You can read the full text of this clip here.

Wind of Change

The past few weeks this song has been playing in my head. Tonight it wouldn't quit, so I had to go hunt down the video. Whenever I hear this song I immediately think of being a child and hearing about the fall of the Berlin Wall. Even though I was quite young at the time, I sensed it was an important event happening in the world around me.

I remember lying in the back of my parents car one night maybe a year later, watching the streetlights zip by in the darkness as we were headed home. The haunting whistling of this song filled my ears as I wondered what a wind of change would look like.

I think we all saw it last week, blowing through the US. Beautiful, wasn't it?

May it continue to blow and bring down the walls that the last 8 years have built between us and the rest of the world.



"The world is closing in, did you ever think
that we could be so close, like it brothers?
The future’s in the air, I can feel it everywhere
blowing with the wind of change.

Take me to the magic of the moment on a glory night,
where the children of tomorrow dream away
in the wind of change."

-Scorpions "Wind of Change"

On and on and on...

On Dentists--I have the most kickass dentist in the world. That's high praise coming from a major dental-phobe. I have more to say about him and the wonderful office he and his brother run, but for now, this will have to do. I've had 2 teeth pulled by him in the last week, both which were broken for various reasons. Most would opt to have them surgically removed since often trying to pull them causes the whole tooth to break, in which case they have to then go surgical and cut it out with some of the bone. But he was up for trying to get them out without all that and in the end they came out without breaking because the man has skills and is so damn patient!

Granted, I could feel some of the pulling today, fuck did that hurt! But it's not his fault they can't deaden the nerve there. The main nerve that gives sensation to the lip/chin area on that side of my jaw runs close to the root area of my back teeth, which can make numbing up a challenge, and since I already have problems with local anesthetic wearing off too fast or not working at all, that doesn't help matters. He did get it numbed better than anyone else ever has though, so kudos to the man!

I'm looking into ways to clone him (along with my Rheumatologist) so I can take them to the US with me 'cause I've never had such great care before. Usually I cry over having to go see the dentist, and now I'm going to end up crying over having to leave this dentist! What is the world coming to?

On week 2 of mushy foods--I miss my fresh, crunchy fruits and veggies, and I miss chewing food! LOL

On NaNoWriMo--Anyone else notice that a goal turns into a convenient whip in the hands of an obsessive perfectionist?? I am so guilty of that, and it's gotta stop. I've over the last few years been able to temper my inclinations towards things like that pretty well, but obviously I have more work to do in that area.

So I'm taking the wisdom on the topic that Jackie said in response to my last blog post and reminding myself that in the same way I've learned to give myself grace about other things, I need to be all zen-like about this as well. If I hit 50,000, WOO HOO!! If I don't, well, I still have more than when I began. One needs to enjoy the journey and release our attachment to the finish line, right? That doesn't mean we never reach any of our goals because we don't strive for them. Not at all. It just means remembering that the journey is just as important (if not more so) than meeting the goal we've set, and that as long as we've learned things and gained new experiences along the way, it's still a win, even if we don't reach our goal the first time around.

That said, I'm still going to try my damnedest to reach it! I wrote a shitload last night, so my count is a bit over 11,000 right now, but a lot of that is very "stream of consciousness" and random. I think it'll help give me topics on which to expound on at a later time this month, so it's all good!

Keep up the good work all my NaNo writers out there!!

My NaNoWriMo word count is mocking me!

Yes, it totally is. It's bad! I must confess that I actually haven't written anything since Nov.4th...today is the 9th, 5 days people, 5 bloody days behind!

"Why so behind?" you ask. Take damn elections in the US and NZ mixed with a little misery from my missing tooth, heaping spoonfuls of disbelief, sorrow, and angst over the whole anti-gay ballot initiatives passing, and a really generous dash of "psycho-bitch" attitude that I've had going on for the last 3 days, blend well with ice, pour into a lovely sugar rimmed glass and you too can have a taste of the potent brew (otherwise known as the emotional disaster that lives in my mind) that I've been intoxicated with the last few days!

In that state it seems I can't focus my brain enough to write things I actually have to think deeply about! *sighs* I woke up this morning thinking that maybe the nice me would make an appearance today so that I could get something useful done. After getting a slow start to the morning I decided to make pancakes for lunch to experiment with the coconut flour my mom sent from the US. Didn't work quite as well as I'd hoped for, which caused me to "tweak" things a bit, and things got worse and then....my not so sane self took over and for the millionth time this week Chris gave me that look that says "Who are you and what the hell have you done with my Wahz?" (Wahz--Chris' nickname for me)

Yeah.

Note to self: Do not attempt cooking when psychoself is lurking in the shadows, ready to have a nervous breakdown over every little imperfection!

So now, hours later, I'm writing this blogpost so that one more thing can be crossed off my list of "Excuses to use in order to procrastinate from working on NaNoWriMo". My work-in-progress is open, as is my NaNoWriMo profile with my word count. They are staring at me, mocking me for ignoring them for the past week. Since when did text files and word counts get so mouthy?

I swear though, readers of my blog, I WILL make progress on my wordcount today! If for no other reason than I don't want to be a whole week behind...and I'm having a wisdom tooth taken out tomorrow. I know, 2 teeth out within a week of each other? Bit masochistic of me, but I'm terribly impatient and would rather it all be done and over with as soon as possible.

Liberals in NZ are not dancing in the streets tonight...

NZ election results tonight have shown a "changing of the guard" so to speak, not one that the left wing wanted to see though! National has won a substantial portion of the votes and it looks as if the next Prime Minister will be from their party, Prime Minister-Elect John Key.

That doesn't mean much to many people outside the country, but lets just say in a way NZ went in the opposite direction of what the US did earlier this week. Well, with the exception of the fact that like Obama, John Key is a relatively young guy (47) who has been in the national political scene a relatively short time (just 6 years), he's seen as a bit of a centrist, and has energised the National Party this election year. I mean, come on, he used a similar "Vote for Change" mantra.

It's no big surprise really, change was in the air here too, and the Labour Party has been in charge for the last 9 years, so that's the way it goes I guess. *sighs*

Should be quite interesting to see what happens with the National Party in the coming months!

Now it's the Kiwis Turn!

Tomorrow is Election Day here in New Zealand! Chris has been walking around talking about all things Green (being a Green Party supporter), and while I was sitting here Wednesday waiting for polls on the East Coast of the US to close, Chris was off attending a lunch for Green supporters to talk about what the party was aiming to do after this election.

All the election fever has caused a good many interesting discussions between Chris and I about the differences in the election process of each country. I find New Zealand's method of doing things fascinating. Here's a rundown of how this country decides its leaders:

New Zealand uses something called MMP (Mixed Member Proportional) voting. Each person has 2 votes. One vote is the electorate vote--the person who will represent your region (similar to districts in the US). The second vote is the party vote. That's the one that all the political parties court you for, they want that party vote, since the number of party votes they get across the country is directly proportional to the percentage of seats they will control in the House of Representatives (informally also called Parliament). In other words, each electorate votes to decide who will represent them in the House, and the rest of the seats are determined by the party vote.

Those that run for the electorate seat can be of any party (or even no party at all!). So how do the parties decide who will fill the allotted seats that are won in the party vote? They have a party list, which lists the order in which the party will fill the rest of the seats in. The highest slots on the list are as you can imagine, pretty sought after within each party. Each party has their own way of determining the listing order, but it is usually voted on by all its members.

A party has to receive either 5% of the party vote, or at least have one member win his/her electorate seat in order to receive any seats in Parliament at all. The New Zealand House of Reps has 120 seats total (much smaller than the House in the US). Every New Zealander who is eligible to vote MUST register, it's the law! However, the law doesn't require you vote, unlike say....Australia! Still, it is highly encouraged that you vote, and in general voter turnout is really good, the 2005 election had about 81% of eligible voters cast their vote!

Once the election happens and the votes are tallied, the fun begins! Since typically no one party gets 50% of the party vote, the race is on to negotiate an alliance with the smaller parties to make up the majority. This usually involves the two biggest parties in NZ politics (Labour and National) trying to one up each other in order to convince smaller parties (like Green, Maori, Act, NZ First, etc...) that they will provide a better fit for the policies of the party in question. Kind of like, if you join up with us, we'll make it worth your while...;-P This allows the smaller parties to have their voice heard and their main party issues given more consideration by the larger ones, which leads to a more diverse government that is a bit more representative of the vast array of political opinions of New Zealand citizens.

Once a coalition that totals more than 50% of the vote is formed, that's it! The government is then established by the ruling group and they dictate who the cabinet will be, and most importantly, who will be the Prime Minister. Usually the Prime Minister comes from the largest party within the coalition (in other words, from either Labour or National).

Labour is more left wing and National tends to be more right wing, although there have been historical occasions when each of those parties has stepped outside of such labels. Regardless of that, National is still not as conservative as say the Republican party in the US! The more extreme ends of the spectrum are occupied by some of the much smaller parties.

So there you have it! It's a bit more detailed than that, but at least you have the general idea. And if you're an American and reading this post, now you can give yourself props for knowing the election process of another country!! Because lets face it, while the world seems to watch ours, most of us don't pay much attention to the elections of other countries...but we should.

It couldn't be all good I guess...

I woke up this morning, checked my email, read a few of the headlines rejoicing over the results of last night's election, and felt that joy and happiness well up inside me again, despite the horrible night of tolling and turning I had thanks to the whole tooth thing.

And then I read the news coming out about the ballot propositions and such proposed in Arizona, Arkansas, California, and Florida....and I've been crying ever since. Not just a little weepy but all out sobbing that unfortunately woke Chris up (I was trying to be quiet so Chris could sleep longer). I just couldn't hold it all in, my heart hurts too much.

Many of the same voters that helped carry Obama to win his bid for the White House last night turned around and voted for their states to legally discriminate against gay couples and in some, cohabiting couples and their ability to adopt/foster children. We certainly can't blame just the "conservatives" for that one, they were helped along by some who voted Democrat last night. And that is breaking my heart. This was not just a matter of semantics about the word "marriage", the propositions and act are broad discrimination on couples that for whatever reason are not within the "traditional bond of marriage", voted for by over half of the population in those states! Clear evidence that we have a long way to go in dispeling the lies that have been poured out by those who hate people different from them.

Now I will acknowledge that there is some good news in various other proposition races across the nation highlighted in that article, and I may talk about them at some point in the future, but today? Today I'm going to mourn the passing of the 4 mentioned above, because I think the movement deserves that. Last night showed us change can happen, and I DO believe that one day we WILL overcome this. But today I still find myself asking, when will our country be more than 'equality for some'?

Yes we can...and we DID!!!

I can't find the words to express how incredible this day has been, but I'm gonna try since I have 30 minutes to get this post in before midnight..;-P

No, you know what? I still can't find the words. I've erased everything I've typed for the past 15 minutes. It's still sinking in...and it will continue to in the days ahead.

We listened to coverage of the election on NPR.org and the BBC, while a friend of mine kept feeding me live updates from Katie Couric and I frantically watched maps and liveblogging on several sites. It was a busy day here for a few hours. The votes came in much faster than I thought they would...and then the polls officially closed on the West Coast and the networks officially called the election as a win for Obama and the airwaves erupted with cheering from all across the nation, and the world!

McCain gave a very gracious concession speech. It reminded me of the McCain I came to love in 2000, the man who I thought I'd vote for if given the chance...a stark contrast to the man we saw during the course of this campaign. I remember how much it hurt to listen to Kerry's concession speech in 2004, so I can imagine what McCain's supporters are feeling tonight. I applaud him for stopping the booing from the crowd when he mentioned Obama's name. I know his supporters are feeling defeated tonight, and I'm sorry they are feeling that way...I'm not insensitive to their pain, but quite frankly I think we've earned the right to rejoice today!!

Watching Obama's speech I was struck by the difference in the crowd's response when Obama mentioned McCain..instead of booing we heard cheering. I'm glad Obama said what he did about McCain. His speech was beautiful, I sat here crying, deeply touched and unbelievably proud of our nation. I'm so glad that he will be representing our nation to the nations of the world! Can you imagine what it must have been like to be there in Grant Park tonight? I have to admit I'm rather jealous...but it's okay, because no matter where we are, Obama supporters the world over are celebrating with as much enthusiasm as those attending his speech did!

Today is Guy Fawke's Day in New Zealand (and many other countries in the Commonwealth). As is tradition, once the sun went down the fireworks started to fill the sky! We were driving to pick up a friend for dinner who had a rough job interview today, and I couldn't help remarking that even though I knew the real reason for the fireworks, it felt like all of New Zealand was celebrating with us. And let me tell you people--they are. People all over the world are celebrating with us this day! We sat and ate dinner at Denny's of all places, and I couldn't help but wonder what Denny's all across the US were looking like right about now. Packed full of exhausted supporters, faces awash in the euphoric high of realising their actions really do matter.

I imagine this will sink in more as the days go by, but right now I still feel like I'm in a bit of a daze. Part of me can't believe it actually has happened, and yet part of me knew it would happen all along. Why? Because of those of us who had the audacity to hope, dream, work, donate, vote, and believe that in the end enough people would be inspired to do those same things...and change the world.

That's right people....today, each voice, one by one brought change to our nation. Bask in it today...soak it all in...because tomorrow comes quickly and this journey is far from over!!

YES WE CAN.....YES WE DID.....YES WE WILL!!

Election Day!!

It's finally here, Election Day. 2 years in the making, eh? Seems like this race has gone on forever, and yet suddenly we find ourselves at the end of it.

It's exciting and scary all at the same time. I love this 'standing on the edge of something, about ready to jump and yet reluctant to take that one last step that will plunge you into midair' kind of feeling. I've had it before in key moments of my life and I truly feel that this is a key moment for our nation. Tomorrow we will make history. We will either have the first African American President, or the first woman Vice-President. Readers of this blog know all too well which one I'd prefer to see happen when the votes are counted, but even though I have my preferences, I fervently wish that everyone gets out and takes advantage of their right to vote.

As I picked up the laptop to hurry up and type this post before midnight, Chris joked "Oh I know what you're going to write, some patriotic, "get out and vote" post, aren't you?!" . Well yes Chris, that's exactly what I'm writing. I've said this all before, but I can't resist saying it one more time because I sense this is going to be the "big" vote of our generation. In 20 years will I be telling the story about this election and my vote in it as a way to encourage a future niece or nephew (or my own child) to be politically active and vote? Part of me thinks it's possible.

This election year has brought the American people a different experience from what we've had in the past. Unfortunately, we've seen a Senator who I used to have great respect for, throw all he said he stood for out the window and take a gamble on a VP choice just to try and sway the female, conservative vote, which to me is one of the most disgusting displays of sexism I've seen in a long time. But on the other end of the spectrum, we've seen a candidate who everyone thought was the underdog in this race create a grassroots campaign style that inspired many to give of their time and wallet in order to propel him closer and closer to the White House.

I don't know what Obama will be able to accomplish as POTUS, I don't expect everything he promised in his campaign to come true. His ideals have given so many of us what we needed most--hope. Hope that things can be better than they've been for the last 8 years. Hope that we really can do something to bring our country out of its downward spiral. Hope that running a semi-clean campaign could actually be a success. Hope that we as individuals really DO have the power to change the world.

Tonight I sit here with that hope. In the back of my mind I remember 4 years ago, how crushed I was when the results came in, how despondent I was, how much I feared for our country and what the next 4 years would be like. Looking at it honestly I can say some of my fears really did come true, and I grieve the things that our country has lost. But I choose to silence my inner doubter tonight and instead take a moment to let that hope and excitement flow through me.

We are here, we have worked hard, and I believe that if everyone gets out and votes, no matter how long the lines are or how frustrating the crowds are, we will see the fruits of our labor as the vote counts come in. We can win this race and set a new course for the next 4 years, YES WE CAN!

Words people, I need words.

Today is technically my 3rd day of NaNoWriMo! So far today I haven't written a thing for it, although I have been writing other things. I'm trying to get everything done so I cannot come up with any more reasons to procrastinate, since we all know that procrastination and I are like, BFF. *snort*

I got a little over 2,000 words written the first day, none yesterday because I opted for sleep rather than writing, and because I knew that today I'd be at the dentist getting a tooth pulled and then be an invalid for a few days. And what better thing to do when trying to ignore cotton stuffed in your mouth than write, right? Hah! Well, the dentist's secretary called at like 7:45 am to tell me the dentist was home sick and we'd have to reschedule for tomorrow! Good news is I can now eat the soba peanut noodle thing I plan to make with the fresh asparagus living in my fridge. The bad news is I have one more day to mope about having to go to the dentist. It will be fine, really. I have this one pulled this week, and the bloody broken wisdom tooth to get out next week! I see lots of mushy food in my future... *sighs*

Anyhow, so I'd better get to writing, once I make lunch/dinner. I get diazepam before the procedure tomorrow, so if my post tomorrow seems rather odd, you'll know why! Combined with a certain other medication I'm on it may make me pretty entertaining, or sleepy, we shall see. Last time I took it (before an MRI) I was fine, just didn't give a shit I was in a tiny tunnel. I got a bit giggly and dizzy afterwards though. The dizziness can stay away, vertigo would be about the only thing that would kill my NaNoWriMo and NaBloPoMo writing!

McCain on SNL?

Yeah, he did it. He went on SNL, and not just McCain either, his wife appeared too! Am I the only one who finds it a bit odd how all of them have showed up on SNL the last few weeks? Funny how the "biased liberal media" is evil, in the tank for Obama, and taking away Palin's freedom of speech (sorry, not over that one yet), but the campaign sure does make use of them as much as possible! Fucking ridiculous, I swear.

I love the dig at the Obama campaign for his informercial on Wednesday night, acting like the McCain camp is at a disadvantage because they are short on funding, as if we all are ignorant about the amount of money the RNC has. *snort*

He is a good sport about his appearances on the show, better than I think Palin was, but I still don't think he's the right person to have in the White House. The way his entire campaign has been run speaks much louder than any words he or Palin get out at their rallies.

I've heard some people are boycotting SNL for having him on the show, but considering how many times he's appeared before, and that SNL is supposed to be unbiased, I really don't think boycotting is going to do a damned thing.

So to all you who are boycotting SNL tonight, I have an even better way to make your voice heard: VOTE! And after Nov. 4th, remain politically active! The most effective thing you can do is to get active in a local organisation, help out your community, and engage in effective dialogue with both those who agree with you and those who don't! The POTUS affects our country, no doubt, but national change starts on an individual level. Want things to be different? Roll up your sleeves, give up a few hours a week, and work for it!

And for those of you who aren't boycotting, here are the clips. The first one is the opening, the second one is of "Weekend Update". When he said he was going to try playing the "Sad Grandpa, where I get on TV and say Obama is going to have plenty of chances to be president, it's my turn! Vote for me!" I really did burst out laughing...because seriously I think that's gone through his head for real, at least once.

Palin's First Amendment Rights?

In an interview on conservative talk radio, Palin said she fears her First Amendment rights are being threatened by the media when they say her commentary on Ayers and Wright is negative campaigning. Here's a quote from said interview:

"If [the media] convince enough voters that that is negative campaigning, for me to call Barack Obama out on his associations, then I don't know what the future of our country would be in terms of First Amendment rights and our ability to ask questions without fear of attacks by the mainstream media."

What I want to know is has Palin even read the First Amendment? Obviously not. The media calling her on negative attacks is a perfect example of them exercising their First Amendment rights!!! For her to suggest they shouldn't say what they are would be her trying to infringe on their right to freedom of the press!! Argh!!!

Does the stupidity ever end? How many days do we have left, 5? Please people PLEASE can we not vote in a VP candidate who doesn't know what a VP does, thinks that she will be in charge of everything in the Senate and be free to get in there and makes some changes, and who cries suppression of her First Amendment rights when journalists question things she says?!?!

And that's a wrap folks!

I can't believe I actually pulled off making one political post a day for the last 31 days!! This has been really fun! So thanks to those who have read my rantings every day, I feel like I've learned a lot in this past month and hope you have too. I'll probably keep up my political ramblings into November since the election is on the 4th, and after that will get back to what I usually do, which is ramble on about anything that comes to mind. Be afraid, be very afraid... ;-P

My last post of the month will end the way my first one started--encouraging you to vote. VOTE people, please, vote. I may have my opinions about who needs to be the next POTUS and you don't have to agree with me, all I ask is that you make yourself informed of the issues, take a good hard look at the candidates before you and what an administration with them at the top of it will look like, and at what direction it will take this country in. Then vote your conscience. But when you do that, please think not only of the things that matter in your own life, but in the lives of those around you, both in the US and abroad. The choice you make in that voting booth DOES affect the entire world.

And that's a wrap folks! I leave you with this quote, have a think on it, eh?

"One voice can change a room.
And if one voice can change a room
then it can change a city.
And if it can change a city,
it can change a state.
And if it can change a state,
it can change a nation.
And if it can change a nation,
it can change the world.
Your voice can change the world."

-Barack Obama

Alright, I've gone and done it now...

Yes I did, I've joined NaNoWriMo! So anyone who happens to read this and is in NaNo land, let me know we can hook up and whinge over our writing together!

Check it out:


That says "Rebel" because I don't know that what I'm writing will qualify as fiction, although to be honest parts of my life sure do read like it! *snort*

The Final Countdown

Less than a week to go! A little scary, isn't it?

As this final week passes by, Obama is making his closing plea to the American people. As this election season has played out he has kept his campaign moving forward slow and steady, building a massive network of supporters that have worked hard to bring us to this moment. And now? Time is getting short! Our job as supporters is to keep pushing this campaign forward, keep talking, keep encouraging people to make their voices heard and vote, keep discussing the issues! Obama's job is to make the most convincing closing arguments possible as the clock ticks down.

I don't know the man personally, but my observation of him these past months is that he's probably one formidable opponent in the courtroom. Why? He has one hell of a poker face, can deliver a convincing argument, and I swear he's a skilled closer.

Check out his closing speech in Canton, Ohio. Sharply on point, all business, ready to bring this campaign to an end and effect positive change in America. Although I must say I think he's already brought change to America, just look at the number of people active in this election, because they have HOPE that better days are ahead. YES WE CAN!

Strange times we're living in...

A friend posted this on Facebook and I watched it and was actually speechless for a moment!

Good 'ole "Joe the Plumber" had a gem of an interview with Shepard Smith of Fox News. Apparently Joe thinks that a vote for Obama is a vote for the death of Israel! When asked by Smith to back up exactly why he agreed with that statement, his response was something to he effect of '...I think everyone should go figure out what would make me say something like that!'

I need to remember that line the next time someone expects me to back up some claim I've made! *snort*

Have a look at the video, even better than Joe sticking his foot in his mouth as usual, is watching someone at Fox News actually defend Obama against those comments and seem rather unsettled with what he had just heard.



"Some things....well, it's just gets frightening sometimes."

Exactly Shepard, exactly.

California isn't the only one...

While reading yet another blog entry about Prop 8 I followed a link that led to an article in USA Today that reminded me of something I'd totally forgot-- Florida and Arizona also have proposed state Constitutional Amendments on the ballot to permit statewide discrimination on those not engaged in a "traditional marriage" (whatever that is *eyes rolling*), and Arkansas has a proposed Adoption Ban!

Floridians will be voting on Proposition 2, an amendment that states "Inasmuch as a marriage is the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife, no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized." Many are concerned that the wording of this amendment if passed would impact all cohabiting couples regardless of sexual orientation, including many seniors.

Arizonans will be voting on Proposition 102, an amendment that states "Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state."

Californians will be voting on Proposition 8, an amendment that states "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California"

Last but certainly not least, Arkansas has a state statue (Act 1) proposed that will ban individuals cohabiting outside of a valid marriage from adopting a child or providing foster care! This is not targeted only at homosexual couples, but at anyone not married and living with someone! Way to go Arkansas, you already have a horrifying record as far as your state's Child Welfare Agency is concerned, but now you want to ban people who may have stable homes, finances, and relationships but aren't married? Fuck you.

So please, if you live in Florida, Arizona, California, or Arkansas, vote NO to state legislated discrimination!

And if you're not in one of those states, that's okay, we can all still do something. Blog, donate money, talk to anyone you know in those states who does have the power to vote against them. There is (thankfully) a lot out there about Prop 8 in California, but I've read almost nothing about the other states and today was the first I read about Act 1 in Arkansas!

Let's hope that the record turn out of voters this year will support equal rights for everyone. We all deserve equality and the freedom to marry whom we chose and create a family.

To write or not to write...

that is the question of the week.

I've been thinking about NaNoWriMo as I've been encouraging others I know to give it a go. I personally didn't intend to do it since I'm not a fiction writer. When I feel the urge to write it's more from a reflective non-fiction place, know what I mean? And since the "No" part stands for "novel", which to me means fiction, I figured there was no way to participate in it.

BUT, while hunting through the NaNoWriMo site I found this area in their forum for "NaNo Rebels", i.e. those who are writing, but are in some way rebelling against the rules. Apparently the creator of NaNoWriMo didn't want them to feel totally left out this year, even though they are not "technically" meeting the requirements. So, some of them join to hang out in the forum and plan to write the 50,000 words, but not validate and get a badge at the end since they aren't following the rules.

And then I saw my Daily Om for yesterday, titled "Personal Tales: Writing Your Story" which made me do a double take because the only thing on my "to write" list is a memoir of sorts. Not really for anyone to read, just for me, because I feel like life is passing so fast that things I want to remember are fading from my memory and if I don't take the time to get them down soon, they'll be gone forever.

Do you think it's all a sign that I should join to participate and just not validate in the end? I mean, the real prize in the whole thing is the manuscript you have at the end and I don't feel the need to have a badge from it. So what say the few of you who read my blog??

Best "Vote" Promotion Ever!

Look at what showed up in my Inbox today! This is put out by MoveOn.org which I'm a member of.

I swear people, this is so fucking funny I had to watch it twice...and resist the urge to spam everyone I know with it!

PTPD

Isn't it awful that many of us have become so jaded in the last 8 years that we can't actually sit back and enjoy the fact that Obama might actually win?

I've decided it's not simply my inner cynic's fault that I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. It's not our fault, we're all just suffering from trauma inflicted by a President who has pretty much allowed all his cronies to run rampant and damage our country!

It's almost like we are as a nation suffering from some form of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), or should I say PTPD (Post Traumatic President Disorder)... 84 days 'til the next president takes over. I have to believe our country has better days ahead. These are all just birthing pains, right?

Is it all over yet?

I am a "Doubting Thomas" type. No matter how much evidence you present me with, I still have an inner cynic in the back of my mind going "Yeah, but....". To be honest, it drives me batty, however I can see how in some circumstances it's a good trait to have, so I strive to make peace with that part of myself.

But OMG people, it is overactive in this whole election thing. I can read all sorts of articles about how Obama has a significant lead and McCain's ratings are dropping and part of me hangs onto that as proof that my hope of this election ending with Obama in the White House is not in vain. And then the voice starts rambling on about how it could all just be a ploy to make us overconfident and that we know the vote has been stolen before, so who's to say it won't happen again this year. So I pace, and fret, and my nails are long gone. We're in the homestretch people, in little more than a week we will (hopefully) know the outcome of this election! And damn it, this HAS to turn out better than 4 years ago because I don't know if I can psychologically recover if it doesn't.

But oh the things a week could bring... *shudders* See! There I go again! Meh! Okay, time to beat that part of my brain into submission with some humor.

SNL was in a bit of a scramble this weekend because Amy Poehler went into labor and gave birth to a healthy baby boy hours before the broadcast! This week the joke is on Biden. LOL



This one is not really political, but for some reason I just can't stop laughing at it!

Eric Hirshberg blogged recently on Huffington Post about the Conservatives For Change video he created after observing the conservatives in his life deciding to vote for Obama. Their reasons are all a bit different, but they reflect one thing IMO, a willingness to have an open mind and to judge the candidates based on who they are and what they say, not just what party they are with.



It's unfortunate that almost every conservative I know refuses to put aside party allegiance or one issue voting to have a calm discussion about the important things in this race. *sighs*

My brain hurts!

As interesting as the political news of the day has been (what with the fake claims from a McCain volunteer of being assaulted by a big, bad, black robber who carved a B into her face and with McCain's brother calling 911 and the police department to complain about a traffic jam and cuss at them) I've got more pressing matters on my mind. I've been sitting here trying to understand concepts that go way, WAY over my head. Why do money issues have to be so damned complicated, huh? I need some explanations in simple terms. Is there a financial analyst in the audience? Please?

Here is my dilemma, perhaps someone can shed some light on the mystery for me. The problem? Currency!! In preparation for moving to the US, Chris and I have been watching the currency values go up and down. A while back the NZ dollar was pretty high in relation to the US dollar, something like .78, which was great, considering often it's more like .64, meaning for every $1.00 NZ dollar we could buy $0.78 US dollar. Now, when thinking about this in pocket change, it doesn't seem like much, since that was a difference of about $0.12 USD. But imagine how it affects much bigger numbers, say $10,000 NZD. The difference in the two rates would then be about $1,200 USD!! Nice chunk of change, isn't it? So as you can imagine, we decided to convert much of our NZD to USD. Granted, we aren't rich by any stretch of the imagination, but every little bit counts if you know what I mean, so we were pretty happy to have shifted it over while the exchange rate was so good.

Happy that is, until now. With the market being so volatile and other countries feeling the shock waves from it all, things have definitely been affected down here. Working with similar figures to the above example but in the opposite direction, $0.56 USD will buy $1.00 NZD. Scale it up and that means you could buy $10,000 NZD for about $5,600 USD. And NZ banks pay a good amount of interest, far more than the US does.

Now, I'm not one to convert back and forth as the rates go up and down. It's too stressful. watching currency will make you insane! But, with some money experts in the US telling people to spread their savings over several banks and several accounts in order to protect it if they have a large amount in savings, I have to admit having our money in USD is a bit scary. The USD is doing fine now, but what if it drops? Good for other countries looking to buy USD, bad for those of us who have to spend USD! Is my money safe in USD? Would it be safer in NZD? The dollar here is not likely to go much lower. It may not rebound for a bit, but it hasn't been this low in years and since the interest rate here was cut from 7.5% to 6.5% here two days ago, the dollar is bound to climb up before long.

So I sit here wishing I had nails left to bite, wishing it wasn't a long weekend (Monday is Labour Day here), and wishing I knew a lot more about what's going on in the financial world. I don't want to make a ton of money, I just want to know that what savings we do have is going to be there tomorrow.

See why my brain hurts right now??