I leave for Mexico on Tuesday and won't be back until 6 days into the new year, so I figured I would offer up early what I figured out in 2008, the exit out of my twenties, my first full year back in Oregon.
Thanks again to all of my family and friends who made it a wonderful, interesting, challenging, thought provoking, exciting, and worth while 30th year of life.
In no particular order...
1) Rafting down the Clackamas river at nightfall is a terribly cold idea. Even if it is 90 degrees that day. Be patient and wait until the next day when the sun is back on the water again.
2) Snow is an evil monster. Please stay in the mountains next time.
3) The best part of Christmas is less about the presents and more about helping out those who truly need it.
4) The second best part is playing games until 2 am with your family, and beating them all at Yahtzee. Nevermind that I horribly lost the other games we played.
5) If your dad throws down “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” as the card for the ‘Song that best represents Sarah is…” it could be his passive aggressive way of saying, “I want more grand kids, preferably in the next decade.” Maybe I should get on that whole marriage track someday.
6) It will never make sense to me that God takes beautiful young mothers away.
7) I did too deserve my Garmin. Hell yes I did.
8) That said, I know I can actually find my way around most of the Portland/Salem Metro area now without Garmin. But, he’s still my best friend, in electronic device form, besides my new iPhone…that thing is pretty addictive.
9) Selfish doesn’t work for me. Neither does self centered. Neither does anyone with cats that aren't clean and cute.
10) It’s okay to cry tears of joy when your Beavs beat the number one team in the country, especially when you are at the game! And it’s okay to cry the next week when they get a bad call at the end and lose the game. And it is okay to cry even more when they blow the biggest game in forty years on their home turf during the Civ...oh man, I can’t go on…I think I am going to go cry now.
11) Selling ex-boyfriend jewelry is an excellent way to fund a trip to Mexico. Well, that, and good old fashioned hard work and overtime.
12) If your friends tell you that you ‘need’ to go to Vegas…you better go to Vegas. And you should probably go the next year too, and make it a point to win MVP again, or at least tie with Wes.
13) I am an Oregonian, tried and true. Anyone who tries to get me to move from this place again is probably going to have to fight most of my friends, and several of my family members, with sharp weapons. Be prepared to leave without me, because they will probably win.
14) I love working with teenagers.
15) I hate when they are on the run, let down by their parents, or in really tough spots in life.
16) I worry about ‘my teenagers’ too much.
17) Slumdog Millionaire is the best movie of my 30th year, hands down.
18) Being designated driver tends to be more fun than being the one driven. And no, peer pressure does not work on 30 year olds.
19) I have very amazing close friends. Really, they are kind of psychic, intuitive, compassionate, matter of fact, ready to kick my ass. I love them.
20) I also have a wonderful family. Not to sound all braggy and stuff, but they’re pretty awesome.
21) And yes, Bailey is still the best dog ever. High emotional needs, snoring, and shedding aside.
22) Not knowing your future niece’s name for 40 weeks while she is in utero can drive you insane. Thanks Tater Bug for being perfect in every way though. I am glad they decided to not name you Lexamin or Ducky.
23) Watching Obama’s acceptance speech and being excited to the point of jumping up and down is completely okay…especially after surviving eight years with that evil guy from Texas.
24) Speeding tickets and parking tickets suck. Especially when you get both for the first time ever in the same year.
25) Nothing really matters unless you want it to.
26) It’s important to see the ocean at least once a year. And even more important to not read too into the fortune that the weird machine on the bay spits out at you. And even most important to load up on as many calories as you can while you are there.
27) Exercise and physical activity kicks the hell out of every negative emotion.
28) Always stay true to yourself and make sure you say what you need to say. But try not to be an asshole too.
29) Going to bed before midnite, while probably good for me, just still seems impossible most nights.
30) Turning, and being 30 was nothing more than a number, and some extra laugh lines, and an excuse to have three parties…I didn’t mind 30 at all and look forward to 31...(and this year, if you want to come to the party and we forgot to put you on the invite, just remind me…it‘s in Portland for those of you down south who fear the bigger city…but it‘s for three of us and it'll be fun!).
Happy New Year everyone. I look forward to all that 2009 brings my way.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Snow Day ADD (And a Plug for Slumdog and Fitzsimmons)
It's a snowday, on the weekend, so I'm not too happy about it. It's put the kibosh on my family dinner, and I can't go anywhere. Oregon with snow is funny. I'm trying to embrace that a couple inches here is a combination of joy, photo ops, snowmen, and an excuse to stay home all day due to the shear terror of driving. But I'm kind of bored, and not stupid enough to go drive all over Portland, so I'm going to terrorize my blog with my ADD...
1) So my first piece of advice on this snowfilled evening is to go see Slumdog Millionaire. It was seriously the best movie I have seen in years. It evoked the same level of feeling in me that City of God and Crash did years ago. You have to see this movie. It actually just got nominated for four Golden Globes too. Even the children actors in this movie are amazing.
2) Speaking of Golden Globes, I am completely surprised that Tropic Thunder and Pineapple Express got nods. It seems comedies never get any attention, but both were great in my opinion. Of course, Kate Winslet got two nods for Lord knows what, so they still have a lot of evolving to do. (Sorry Kate, I like you and all, but I just don't understand how you can be nominated for almost every role you play...maybe I am still bitter that stupid movie with you and Johnny Depp got nominations).
3) Tonight I put a jingle bell collar on my roommates dog. It's velvety and loud, but she growled at me when I tried to take it off. So now, it's still on, and it sounds like Santa Claus is huffing through our house with his reindeer.
4) My roommate and I are watching an old episode of Fresh Prince right now. The fashion was terrible...did we really dress like that?
5) I've always wanted to name a kid Atticus after the character in To Kill a Mockingbird. I would call him Atty for short. I've been told said child would probably disown me. I may still take a gamble and name a kid Atticus. I hope he is really cute so he can get past it. And no, I am not having 'Atticus' anytime soon.
6) There's this singer out who apparently has a few CD's already, but I'm just hearing about him. His name is William Fitzsimmons. Not a big fan of the facial hair, but it's the music that really matters in this case because I don't have to kiss him, or look at him for that matter. His music is fantastic...and if he shaved he may actually look alright too. He sounds a little like Iron & Wine if you like them.
7) Speaking of William Fitzsimmons...according to Wikipedia, his music has been featured in 'pivotal' scenes on Grey's Anatomy. Okay, okay, so, let me take this chance to say that I think the only reason Grey's is successful is because they play great music at all the so called 'pivotal' scenes. The acting on that show is absolute crap in my opinion. I've watched a couple episodes, and they never use the lame monotone acting to evoke feeling...it's always the really good music. So there, all you Grey's lovers can kick my ass...I hate that damn show and wish it, and all it's bad acting, would go away.
8) If Grey's doesn't go away, at least I get to for a while: I'm leaving the country at the end of December for eight days and I am really, REALLY excited. After a year of digging through myself, and what is, and is not me, 2008 ended up being a wonderful year. So, this is my reward and celebration for a year of hard work on so many levels. Going to a little town close to Puerto Vallarta where my hotel is literally inches from the ocean on a sunny and sandy beach. Can't wait.
9) Back to stalking the 'school and business closure' websites. Someone out there con Oregon into making it so I don't have to take a personal day because I can't get out of my driveway.
Night.
1) So my first piece of advice on this snowfilled evening is to go see Slumdog Millionaire. It was seriously the best movie I have seen in years. It evoked the same level of feeling in me that City of God and Crash did years ago. You have to see this movie. It actually just got nominated for four Golden Globes too. Even the children actors in this movie are amazing.
2) Speaking of Golden Globes, I am completely surprised that Tropic Thunder and Pineapple Express got nods. It seems comedies never get any attention, but both were great in my opinion. Of course, Kate Winslet got two nods for Lord knows what, so they still have a lot of evolving to do. (Sorry Kate, I like you and all, but I just don't understand how you can be nominated for almost every role you play...maybe I am still bitter that stupid movie with you and Johnny Depp got nominations).
3) Tonight I put a jingle bell collar on my roommates dog. It's velvety and loud, but she growled at me when I tried to take it off. So now, it's still on, and it sounds like Santa Claus is huffing through our house with his reindeer.
4) My roommate and I are watching an old episode of Fresh Prince right now. The fashion was terrible...did we really dress like that?
5) I've always wanted to name a kid Atticus after the character in To Kill a Mockingbird. I would call him Atty for short. I've been told said child would probably disown me. I may still take a gamble and name a kid Atticus. I hope he is really cute so he can get past it. And no, I am not having 'Atticus' anytime soon.
6) There's this singer out who apparently has a few CD's already, but I'm just hearing about him. His name is William Fitzsimmons. Not a big fan of the facial hair, but it's the music that really matters in this case because I don't have to kiss him, or look at him for that matter. His music is fantastic...and if he shaved he may actually look alright too. He sounds a little like Iron & Wine if you like them.
7) Speaking of William Fitzsimmons...according to Wikipedia, his music has been featured in 'pivotal' scenes on Grey's Anatomy. Okay, okay, so, let me take this chance to say that I think the only reason Grey's is successful is because they play great music at all the so called 'pivotal' scenes. The acting on that show is absolute crap in my opinion. I've watched a couple episodes, and they never use the lame monotone acting to evoke feeling...it's always the really good music. So there, all you Grey's lovers can kick my ass...I hate that damn show and wish it, and all it's bad acting, would go away.
8) If Grey's doesn't go away, at least I get to for a while: I'm leaving the country at the end of December for eight days and I am really, REALLY excited. After a year of digging through myself, and what is, and is not me, 2008 ended up being a wonderful year. So, this is my reward and celebration for a year of hard work on so many levels. Going to a little town close to Puerto Vallarta where my hotel is literally inches from the ocean on a sunny and sandy beach. Can't wait.
9) Back to stalking the 'school and business closure' websites. Someone out there con Oregon into making it so I don't have to take a personal day because I can't get out of my driveway.
Night.
Monday, December 01, 2008
If I Die Before 111...
Well, I'm not dying. Sure, the Civil War loss over the weekend had me barely clinging onto life, but I survived.
A couple weeks ago at Sunday family dinner, we got to talking about what we want to happen to us when we die. I know, what a cheery conversation for a Sunday evening with the family. But, we decided, it is all pretty important stuff to have arranged if life takes a turn for the Heavens. While I am STILL convinced I will live to be 111 (the numbers represent my birthday...figured it's a good age, with me hitting an expiration around 2089), here are some things I'd like to ensure happen if...well, let's just not finish that sentence...
1) Donate my organs if you can...just not my whole body. Something about that just doesn't sit well with me. I'll let you know if I change my mind and want to give the whole thing...because then #2 won't apply anymore.
2) Don't bury me. I like being loud and think that putting me in the ground would be a disservice to my yelling on the wind in my afterlife. Cremate me, but don't make anyone responsible for trudging around with my ashes in an urn...throw them all over some pretty places instead, and maybe some off a bridge in Portland. Okay, if you want, you can melt some of my ashes into a Christmas ornament, plate, or something. Yeah, I am thinking 'WTF!?' too.
3) While cremating me will literally make me dust in the wind, DO NOT play Dust in the Wind at my memorial service. Some suggestions at this time would be Shiny Happy People by REM just to annoy the hell out of everyone and remind them of the fact that has been my theme song most of my life, Rainbow by G-Love and Jack Johnson, God Only Knows by the Beach Boys, and Happy Phantom by Tori Amos...because dammit, that's what I will be. I am partial to anything else that people want to play...but remember...if Dust in the Wind plays, I will haunt you all for the rest of your lives.
4) Remember I plan to die OLD, after a few cute kids and (preferably) one husband. In that case, they'd get all my stuff. If I leave early though, split all my stuff between my family and close friends, and then donate all my clothes and shoes to shelters for teenagers and women.
5) Donate to a cause you're passionate about instead of sending flowers. Then send my family a note about the awesome cause you decided to give money to. If I have kids, you can donate to their college fund, because college is going to cost a ton by the time I actually have kids and get them to college age.
6) If Bailey outlives me, make sure he goes somewhere where he can continue to be an indoor dog...he is a sensitive boy and just isn't a yard mutt. My dog also needs eighteen squeaky toys at all times, one treat on top of every meal, and to have a bed on the floor in your bedroom. He would probably like to add to this list, but for now, what I write is plenty.
7) Have a party, with a blue kool-aid fountain for Robin. Wear colors, laugh a lot, tell stories, and have a slide show, because, if anyone has noticed, I like pictures and slide shows quite a bit...I mean, you can have like four slideshows going...one for each wall.
8) This one sounds harsh, but make sure my dad, step-mom, siblings, and close friends oversee everything. If you've noticed the parent left out of this, thank you for not making me expand any further.
9) Be sad, but remember I have some good people waiting for me where ever I go. And you'll have a million pictures of me left to look at...ooh, lucky you.
10) Mostly, remember I have 81 years left to live if everything goes my way. Which, judging by the course of my life, things tend to be good almost all the time. And happy, healthy, skinny people live longer, so I should be okay.
Songs of the moment, but not to play when I die:
1) Amsterdam by Coldplay (really, this one is already depressing enough)
2) X-Ray Eyes and Scars and Stiches by Guster
3) Fall Into Me by Emerson Drive (I had a country moment this week)
4) Clockwork by Blackalicious
And a PS...two of my very close girlfriends are having babies in February and March and I think it is okay to publicly congratulate them now...so, congrats to Robin for a yet to be named baby boy around Valentine's Day and Gwyn for a lovely Violet arriving at the start of March. Both of you look SO beautiful pregnant, and I can't wait to have the new little bitties in our lives.
A couple weeks ago at Sunday family dinner, we got to talking about what we want to happen to us when we die. I know, what a cheery conversation for a Sunday evening with the family. But, we decided, it is all pretty important stuff to have arranged if life takes a turn for the Heavens. While I am STILL convinced I will live to be 111 (the numbers represent my birthday...figured it's a good age, with me hitting an expiration around 2089), here are some things I'd like to ensure happen if...well, let's just not finish that sentence...
1) Donate my organs if you can...just not my whole body. Something about that just doesn't sit well with me. I'll let you know if I change my mind and want to give the whole thing...because then #2 won't apply anymore.
2) Don't bury me. I like being loud and think that putting me in the ground would be a disservice to my yelling on the wind in my afterlife. Cremate me, but don't make anyone responsible for trudging around with my ashes in an urn...throw them all over some pretty places instead, and maybe some off a bridge in Portland. Okay, if you want, you can melt some of my ashes into a Christmas ornament, plate, or something. Yeah, I am thinking 'WTF!?' too.
3) While cremating me will literally make me dust in the wind, DO NOT play Dust in the Wind at my memorial service. Some suggestions at this time would be Shiny Happy People by REM just to annoy the hell out of everyone and remind them of the fact that has been my theme song most of my life, Rainbow by G-Love and Jack Johnson, God Only Knows by the Beach Boys, and Happy Phantom by Tori Amos...because dammit, that's what I will be. I am partial to anything else that people want to play...but remember...if Dust in the Wind plays, I will haunt you all for the rest of your lives.
4) Remember I plan to die OLD, after a few cute kids and (preferably) one husband. In that case, they'd get all my stuff. If I leave early though, split all my stuff between my family and close friends, and then donate all my clothes and shoes to shelters for teenagers and women.
5) Donate to a cause you're passionate about instead of sending flowers. Then send my family a note about the awesome cause you decided to give money to. If I have kids, you can donate to their college fund, because college is going to cost a ton by the time I actually have kids and get them to college age.
6) If Bailey outlives me, make sure he goes somewhere where he can continue to be an indoor dog...he is a sensitive boy and just isn't a yard mutt. My dog also needs eighteen squeaky toys at all times, one treat on top of every meal, and to have a bed on the floor in your bedroom. He would probably like to add to this list, but for now, what I write is plenty.
7) Have a party, with a blue kool-aid fountain for Robin. Wear colors, laugh a lot, tell stories, and have a slide show, because, if anyone has noticed, I like pictures and slide shows quite a bit...I mean, you can have like four slideshows going...one for each wall.
8) This one sounds harsh, but make sure my dad, step-mom, siblings, and close friends oversee everything. If you've noticed the parent left out of this, thank you for not making me expand any further.
9) Be sad, but remember I have some good people waiting for me where ever I go. And you'll have a million pictures of me left to look at...ooh, lucky you.
10) Mostly, remember I have 81 years left to live if everything goes my way. Which, judging by the course of my life, things tend to be good almost all the time. And happy, healthy, skinny people live longer, so I should be okay.
Songs of the moment, but not to play when I die:
1) Amsterdam by Coldplay (really, this one is already depressing enough)
2) X-Ray Eyes and Scars and Stiches by Guster
3) Fall Into Me by Emerson Drive (I had a country moment this week)
4) Clockwork by Blackalicious
And a PS...two of my very close girlfriends are having babies in February and March and I think it is okay to publicly congratulate them now...so, congrats to Robin for a yet to be named baby boy around Valentine's Day and Gwyn for a lovely Violet arriving at the start of March. Both of you look SO beautiful pregnant, and I can't wait to have the new little bitties in our lives.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
1,2,3,4...Let’s Start a Comment War!
After I posted the video of Keith Olbermann on my blog, this comment war began on my Facebook...and lasted 37 hours. I won't comment much because the comments speak for themselves, but my favorite comment was when Jonathan decided to make light of the situation and quote a piece of the SNL skit from a couple weeks back with Ben Affleck impersonating Keith Olbermann...and posted the video too. He transcribed it by the way, which is even more impressive. I also got a few private emails from people asking who the hell one person on a tirade was. So, read on...very interesting...
VM Becerra at 9:14am November 17
Keith Obershithead must die, f-ing commie!
Gwyn Johnson at 2:33pm November 17
Yeah...not sure how he is a commie! He is not the one trying to rule others lives. Great VID Sarah!!
Stephen F. Johnson at 2:50pm November 17
Great video. To whoever made the other comment, really, seriously, did you actually listen to what he just said? I mean granted, all of these media talking heads are kind of tools, but really, on this post, on this issue?Eh, what's the use. Just go back to your dumb-as-we-want-to-be, SUV driving, fake conservative ignorant hole and dont bother the rest of us. After all, imposing your will on others just because you dont like them, or the person who controls your ideology for you says so, has a long history of success. It worked for Hitler, right?
Gwyn Johnson at 3:41pm November 17
OOWWCH!
Sarah Chait at 6:43pm November 17
I'd have to agree that Stephen and Gwyn are right on this one. Vic, I think Keith was very warranted on every word he uttered...wanting people to spread love and hoping for equal rights does not make one a Commie...I found Olbermann to be pure genius in this 'speech'...I almost cried because he didn't only hit on gay marriage...he hit on MUCH more than that. Stephen, love the boldness, LOVE IT!
VM Becerra at 7:56pm November 17
I never agree with Sir Elton John, but on this matter, he is dead on. Here is part of his quote.We're not married. Let's get that right. We have a civil partnership. What is wrong with Proposition 8 is that they went for marriage. Marriage is going to put a lot of people off, the word marriage."John and Furnish, and their two cocker spaniels, Marilyn and Arthur, were in town for Tuesday's annual benefit for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. "I don't want to be married. I'm very happy with a civil partnership. If gay people want to get married, or get together, they should have a civil partnership," John says. "The word 'marriage,' I think, puts a lot of people off. "You get the same equal rights that we do when we have a civil partnership. Heterosexual people get married. We can have civil partnerships."
VM Becerra at 8:09pm November 17
Steve, ask Sarah about me, I am a Conservative, and I do drive a Jeep, and I am a card carrying member of the NRA! I also get to help the less fortunate and teach them how to survive on their own, as well as I get to shoot the bad people that want liberals like you dead. As for Obershithead being a commie, yes, sorry Keith, voters did what voters do, and voted. And I would like to thank the Black vote in California, because they saved marriage.
David Aguayo at 8:21pm November 17
What a weak opinion of marriage it must be that feels threatened by people different than yourself wanting to take part. Maybe we should question every person on how well they respect their marriages or marriage in general so we can better save the institution and save people from their fears.
Stephen F. Johnson at 8:31pm November 17
You are familiar with the concept of mccarthyism, right?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCarthyism A certain senator/political block who destoyed people's lives and careers, generally for no good reason other than personal gain, by calling them communists. I see no good reason at all why making an argument for giving people equal rights makes Olberman a communist. In fact, if history is any guide, ad hominem attacks against an indidvidal as opposed to a critique of their argument, combined with a threat to kill them, would be far more indicative of communist/totalitarian behavior then someone arguing for equal rights. There is another concept, on which this country was founded, that seems to me that it ought to be more applicable here: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."
Sarah Chait at 8:41pm November 17
Well said David and Stephen. Vic, I know we never agree on politics, but I have to say that this is clearly about more than politics. And while Elton John may be fine with a civil union, it's clear that many people, including myself, who can marry whichever man I please one day, thinks that everyone should have an equal shot at marriage. I've seen so many marriages go down in flames with infidelity, control, anger, and aggression that I can't justify we have anything to 'save' by making marriage exclusive to heterosexuals. There are fantastic marriages too, for sure...but if anything, I want more people to be able to have those fantastic marriages...even if they marry the same gender.
Stephen F. Johnson at 8:43pm November 17
Now, I know i was a little harsh in unleashing a broadside like that, but frankly it seems to me to be warranted, because right now all of the people out there fucking up this world are those who are intolerant of the views of others, and would rather silence/oppress/dominate them than just let them live thier lives in peace as long as they are not harming others. I dont really care to ask Sarah about you, because frankly you are fitting every blind "guns and Jesus" stereotype I can think of. if you ask her about me, you will find that I am very VERY far from a liberal. I am actually a lifelong conservative who is sick to death of the current political environment.I like guns too, even assault rifles, although the concept of someone bragging that they get to shoot people appauls me to a very deep level. It is unfortunate that that kind of action is ever necessary, but the world is not a safe or fair place. But to revel in it? i suspect in time you will reconsider those words.
Stephen F. Johnson at 8:56pm November 17
I am with David and Sarah here. Let people live thier lives and pursue thier happiness. The only institution threathened here is probably the Catholic Church. Marriage has existed since before the invention of the concept of government, law, or religion, and has survived far far worse than two people comitting thier lives to eachother in union before God Country and Family. The only people arguing that this will "destroy the institution" are those who seek to try and control and manipulate people through fear. These are the same people causing and or exascerbating the worst of the world's issues right now, as if they must use fear, then they are probably on the wrong side of truth and morality. You can choose to participate in that, or to make your own decisions and do what your own concience tells you, not what those in power (political or religious) would have you believe.
Stephen F. Johnson at 8:58pm November 17
Oh, and about the jeep thing, read this: http://www.energybulletin.net/primer.phpand then knock yourself out at the pump about a year from now. In the meantime, I will be busy helping people be able to get thier food from the field to the dinner table without having to shoot people to protect the fuels required to do it.
VM Becerra at 9:43pm November 17
Sorry Steve, I am a Atheist. I only believe in the Constitution. Also, Steve, I help people by teaching them to protect themselves. google army sf one day. I use to be a liberal, then I grew up. Try it one day. BTW Senator McCarthy was not to far off on communism in the US. Know your history read in to it more than just your Wacky Pedia. And i hope never to meet you, I might laugh because you fit my stereotype of the weak, self-hating liberal.
Jonathan Albright at 10:19pm November 17
"Dear Mr. Olbermann," the letter read, "the co-op board reviewed your letter in response to its no pets policy, in order to accommodate your cat, Miss Precious Perfect, regretfully conclude that such an exception is not possible at this time." Regards, Richard Leiberstein, co-op President.And there it was, all perfectly legal, like the 1942 internment of more than 100,000 Japanese Americans, or the forced relocation of the Cherokee on the Trail of Tears. Or the monstrous injustice of the Jim Crow laws. It was all perfectly legal and EVERY BIT AS WRONG, if not indeed more so.Mr Leiberstein, sir, you speak so eloquently of the rights of others. How dare you sir, how dare you. Where, sir in any of this were the rights of Miss Precious Perfect? See they not that horror to which the Leiberstiens have so willingly blinded themselves? This, sir, is a genocide...a feline genocide.
Sarah Chait at 10:25pm November 17
Thanks for lightening the mood Jonathan. Remember watching that a couple weeks ago and just cracking up!? This is why you are one of my favorite people. Ben Affleck did the best impression ever!
Gwyn Johnson at 6:04am November 18
Stephen is NOT self hating...or a liberal. The only hate I see is coming from you there Vic! I suggest if you can't back up your political view to keep atleast the "Hate and death" words to yourself. After all you are there to "PROTECT US " am I wrong??
Elizabeth Heuberger at 6:35am November 18
Amen!
VM Becerra at 9:30am November 18
Back what up Gwyn? Lets see the facts here, first, Cal voted not once but twice on this issue! Ok, so the courts reversed the Prop the first time. Then the voters had a signed referendum to bring it back to a vote in Nov. Then the voters said, hey lets pass it again, they did. 2x. What don't you people get? I voted for the other guy, but with BHO as pres, I will respect him because he is my new C in C, and the people voted on this. Now, everyone else should respect Cal's vote. Sorry gay folks, no marriage for you today, but I do agree with giving them a civil union. But hey we live in a democracy, so try again in 2 years.
Gwyn Johnson at 10:40am November 18
Well I don't think it's the end of it, looks like the BHO is likely to take it to the supreme court. My "backing it up" comment was referring to your shit flicking without any basis for your beliefs. I understand you are in the military and can't get into details its just nice to hear words that are constructive and not "DIE COMMIE" and calling my husband weak and self-hating. THat get's you no-where if you are looking for a political discussion I would say be constructive and argue your point- and lay of the "DIE COMMIE DIE" rhetoric :o)
David Aguayo at 1:01pm November 18
If we get to vote on who gets to get married and who does not, I say let people who espouse hatred have their rights withdrawn. I really do not want them taking part in the sanctity of my marriage. Oh and cat lovers. I hate them....soooo much ;-)
VM Becerra at 3:10pm November 18
No, look Gwyn Communism is the belief that Government knows what is right for its citizens and their vote does not matter. That is a Commie. Get it? Also, if BHO goes after this matter and supports it going to the supreme court for a reversal, then he loses his Black Community base. Remember, that in California, it was the Christian Blacks who voted for this in a big way.
Gwyn Johnson at 10:49pm November 18
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communism Sorry, that is no where close to the difinition of a communist. Granted in a communist government most don't have the right to vote. People are not "Commies" for having strong beliefs contrary to what was voted into law by the people?? If that were true you would be a "Commie for hating Obama"Oh....nice try on the black community base... that's not the only people that voted for that law and who really cares about that.... Obama is the first black US president I don't think he has to worry about an uprisal of black people hating him even if he did get this thrown out on the basis of Constitutional rights which it clearly contradicts. ""We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." -this one sound familiar
VM Becerra at 9:14am November 17
Keith Obershithead must die, f-ing commie!
Gwyn Johnson at 2:33pm November 17
Yeah...not sure how he is a commie! He is not the one trying to rule others lives. Great VID Sarah!!
Stephen F. Johnson at 2:50pm November 17
Great video. To whoever made the other comment, really, seriously, did you actually listen to what he just said? I mean granted, all of these media talking heads are kind of tools, but really, on this post, on this issue?Eh, what's the use. Just go back to your dumb-as-we-want-to-be, SUV driving, fake conservative ignorant hole and dont bother the rest of us. After all, imposing your will on others just because you dont like them, or the person who controls your ideology for you says so, has a long history of success. It worked for Hitler, right?
Gwyn Johnson at 3:41pm November 17
OOWWCH!
Sarah Chait at 6:43pm November 17
I'd have to agree that Stephen and Gwyn are right on this one. Vic, I think Keith was very warranted on every word he uttered...wanting people to spread love and hoping for equal rights does not make one a Commie...I found Olbermann to be pure genius in this 'speech'...I almost cried because he didn't only hit on gay marriage...he hit on MUCH more than that. Stephen, love the boldness, LOVE IT!
VM Becerra at 7:56pm November 17
I never agree with Sir Elton John, but on this matter, he is dead on. Here is part of his quote.We're not married. Let's get that right. We have a civil partnership. What is wrong with Proposition 8 is that they went for marriage. Marriage is going to put a lot of people off, the word marriage."John and Furnish, and their two cocker spaniels, Marilyn and Arthur, were in town for Tuesday's annual benefit for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. "I don't want to be married. I'm very happy with a civil partnership. If gay people want to get married, or get together, they should have a civil partnership," John says. "The word 'marriage,' I think, puts a lot of people off. "You get the same equal rights that we do when we have a civil partnership. Heterosexual people get married. We can have civil partnerships."
VM Becerra at 8:09pm November 17
Steve, ask Sarah about me, I am a Conservative, and I do drive a Jeep, and I am a card carrying member of the NRA! I also get to help the less fortunate and teach them how to survive on their own, as well as I get to shoot the bad people that want liberals like you dead. As for Obershithead being a commie, yes, sorry Keith, voters did what voters do, and voted. And I would like to thank the Black vote in California, because they saved marriage.
David Aguayo at 8:21pm November 17
What a weak opinion of marriage it must be that feels threatened by people different than yourself wanting to take part. Maybe we should question every person on how well they respect their marriages or marriage in general so we can better save the institution and save people from their fears.
Stephen F. Johnson at 8:31pm November 17
You are familiar with the concept of mccarthyism, right?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCarthyism A certain senator/political block who destoyed people's lives and careers, generally for no good reason other than personal gain, by calling them communists. I see no good reason at all why making an argument for giving people equal rights makes Olberman a communist. In fact, if history is any guide, ad hominem attacks against an indidvidal as opposed to a critique of their argument, combined with a threat to kill them, would be far more indicative of communist/totalitarian behavior then someone arguing for equal rights. There is another concept, on which this country was founded, that seems to me that it ought to be more applicable here: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."
Sarah Chait at 8:41pm November 17
Well said David and Stephen. Vic, I know we never agree on politics, but I have to say that this is clearly about more than politics. And while Elton John may be fine with a civil union, it's clear that many people, including myself, who can marry whichever man I please one day, thinks that everyone should have an equal shot at marriage. I've seen so many marriages go down in flames with infidelity, control, anger, and aggression that I can't justify we have anything to 'save' by making marriage exclusive to heterosexuals. There are fantastic marriages too, for sure...but if anything, I want more people to be able to have those fantastic marriages...even if they marry the same gender.
Stephen F. Johnson at 8:43pm November 17
Now, I know i was a little harsh in unleashing a broadside like that, but frankly it seems to me to be warranted, because right now all of the people out there fucking up this world are those who are intolerant of the views of others, and would rather silence/oppress/dominate them than just let them live thier lives in peace as long as they are not harming others. I dont really care to ask Sarah about you, because frankly you are fitting every blind "guns and Jesus" stereotype I can think of. if you ask her about me, you will find that I am very VERY far from a liberal. I am actually a lifelong conservative who is sick to death of the current political environment.I like guns too, even assault rifles, although the concept of someone bragging that they get to shoot people appauls me to a very deep level. It is unfortunate that that kind of action is ever necessary, but the world is not a safe or fair place. But to revel in it? i suspect in time you will reconsider those words.
Stephen F. Johnson at 8:56pm November 17
I am with David and Sarah here. Let people live thier lives and pursue thier happiness. The only institution threathened here is probably the Catholic Church. Marriage has existed since before the invention of the concept of government, law, or religion, and has survived far far worse than two people comitting thier lives to eachother in union before God Country and Family. The only people arguing that this will "destroy the institution" are those who seek to try and control and manipulate people through fear. These are the same people causing and or exascerbating the worst of the world's issues right now, as if they must use fear, then they are probably on the wrong side of truth and morality. You can choose to participate in that, or to make your own decisions and do what your own concience tells you, not what those in power (political or religious) would have you believe.
Stephen F. Johnson at 8:58pm November 17
Oh, and about the jeep thing, read this: http://www.energybulletin.net/primer.phpand then knock yourself out at the pump about a year from now. In the meantime, I will be busy helping people be able to get thier food from the field to the dinner table without having to shoot people to protect the fuels required to do it.
VM Becerra at 9:43pm November 17
Sorry Steve, I am a Atheist. I only believe in the Constitution. Also, Steve, I help people by teaching them to protect themselves. google army sf one day. I use to be a liberal, then I grew up. Try it one day. BTW Senator McCarthy was not to far off on communism in the US. Know your history read in to it more than just your Wacky Pedia. And i hope never to meet you, I might laugh because you fit my stereotype of the weak, self-hating liberal.
Jonathan Albright at 10:19pm November 17
"Dear Mr. Olbermann," the letter read, "the co-op board reviewed your letter in response to its no pets policy, in order to accommodate your cat, Miss Precious Perfect, regretfully conclude that such an exception is not possible at this time." Regards, Richard Leiberstein, co-op President.And there it was, all perfectly legal, like the 1942 internment of more than 100,000 Japanese Americans, or the forced relocation of the Cherokee on the Trail of Tears. Or the monstrous injustice of the Jim Crow laws. It was all perfectly legal and EVERY BIT AS WRONG, if not indeed more so.Mr Leiberstein, sir, you speak so eloquently of the rights of others. How dare you sir, how dare you. Where, sir in any of this were the rights of Miss Precious Perfect? See they not that horror to which the Leiberstiens have so willingly blinded themselves? This, sir, is a genocide...a feline genocide.
Sarah Chait at 10:25pm November 17
Thanks for lightening the mood Jonathan. Remember watching that a couple weeks ago and just cracking up!? This is why you are one of my favorite people. Ben Affleck did the best impression ever!
Gwyn Johnson at 6:04am November 18
Stephen is NOT self hating...or a liberal. The only hate I see is coming from you there Vic! I suggest if you can't back up your political view to keep atleast the "Hate and death" words to yourself. After all you are there to "PROTECT US " am I wrong??
Elizabeth Heuberger at 6:35am November 18
Amen!
VM Becerra at 9:30am November 18
Back what up Gwyn? Lets see the facts here, first, Cal voted not once but twice on this issue! Ok, so the courts reversed the Prop the first time. Then the voters had a signed referendum to bring it back to a vote in Nov. Then the voters said, hey lets pass it again, they did. 2x. What don't you people get? I voted for the other guy, but with BHO as pres, I will respect him because he is my new C in C, and the people voted on this. Now, everyone else should respect Cal's vote. Sorry gay folks, no marriage for you today, but I do agree with giving them a civil union. But hey we live in a democracy, so try again in 2 years.
Gwyn Johnson at 10:40am November 18
Well I don't think it's the end of it, looks like the BHO is likely to take it to the supreme court. My "backing it up" comment was referring to your shit flicking without any basis for your beliefs. I understand you are in the military and can't get into details its just nice to hear words that are constructive and not "DIE COMMIE" and calling my husband weak and self-hating. THat get's you no-where if you are looking for a political discussion I would say be constructive and argue your point- and lay of the "DIE COMMIE DIE" rhetoric :o)
David Aguayo at 1:01pm November 18
If we get to vote on who gets to get married and who does not, I say let people who espouse hatred have their rights withdrawn. I really do not want them taking part in the sanctity of my marriage. Oh and cat lovers. I hate them....soooo much ;-)
VM Becerra at 3:10pm November 18
No, look Gwyn Communism is the belief that Government knows what is right for its citizens and their vote does not matter. That is a Commie. Get it? Also, if BHO goes after this matter and supports it going to the supreme court for a reversal, then he loses his Black Community base. Remember, that in California, it was the Christian Blacks who voted for this in a big way.
Gwyn Johnson at 10:49pm November 18
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communism Sorry, that is no where close to the difinition of a communist. Granted in a communist government most don't have the right to vote. People are not "Commies" for having strong beliefs contrary to what was voted into law by the people?? If that were true you would be a "Commie for hating Obama"Oh....nice try on the black community base... that's not the only people that voted for that law and who really cares about that.... Obama is the first black US president I don't think he has to worry about an uprisal of black people hating him even if he did get this thrown out on the basis of Constitutional rights which it clearly contradicts. ""We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." -this one sound familiar
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Keith Olbermann is Awesome...
It's been two weeks since election night, and Prop 8 passing in California is still bothering me. I spent all of that evening flipping back and forth between election result websites for California and Oregon, thankful that most of the ballot measures in Oregon went my way, but irritated to no end that Prop 8 in California just kept collecting Yes votes. I know I devoted the majority of my last post to this...but I just don't get why anyone cares who can and can't marry. Who are we 'protecting' by denying anyone the right to marry? I don't need to really write anything more about it, but I hadn't seen this clip yet, and Keith Olbermann captures perfectly how the human race should think about this subject. Pay attention to it...if you don't support same sex marriage now, maybe one day you will change your mind...
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Stabbing At the Air
None of this may come out as it should, but I am stabbing at the air tonight and fine with whatever direction it goes. I will start by saying that the only real problems I have in my life right now are sore calves and not being able to wave a magic wand to take away grief for some of my friends who suffered a profound loss this past weekend...so clearly sore calves are nothing to bitch about. I am just worried about humanity a little bit at the moment.
A woman I know left this comment on a mutual friend's Facebook page today: THANK YOU for serving our country!! We are proud of you and all the others, even if the president isn't.
Maybe I am just in a bad mood, but this pissed me off, so I left him a comment that says: F that!!! The newly elected president is too proud of you! Maybe his views will be different than McCain's, but I still believe he will be coming into this with good intentions and is proud of you all. AND I QUOTE..."Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us." McCain and Obama are both noble men. McCain bowed out with class and dignity. His followers will hopefully do the same.
So, hopefully I don't get my ass kicked for mentioning this, but the same woman voted Yes on 8 in California. Welllll, I'm questioning why people continue to be comfortable hating others as discriminatory ballot measures in Florida, Arizona, and California were passed. In the news article discussing this, Ron Prentice said, "This is a great day for marriage. The people of California stood up for traditional marriage and reclaimed this great institution." My God, yes, marriage is a GREAT INSTITUTION. But imagine if someone said, "Oh sorry, you can't marry your boyfriend because he is Hispanic and you are Peruvian," or "You are poor and he is rich. A marriage between you will never be legalized." Instead of banning marriages between two people of the same sex who truly love one another, I'd love to see us throw the book at every union between a man and woman that is riddled with infidelity or abuse. Or every marriage of the people who decided that their marriage is superior to the union of the ones they voted to ban yesterday. And, while I feel fine acknowledging a difference of opinion in some matters, deciding on someone else's civil liberties just does not seem right to me. PS...in 1992, I had a bright pink button that said "Fuck the OCA." I wore it to school all of fall until my freshman science teacher ordered me to take it off and said, "Maybe you need to learn to express yourself in a less aggressive manner." To this, I replied, "But Mr. Nunn, this is what I think!!!" I bizarrely had a lot of respect for the guy, and can ultimately see where he was coming from (ie...hate of any kind tends to only breed more hate), but still.
So, I hate to say this, because I have mentioned it before, but I was so excited watching Obama give his acceptance speech last night in front of a tearful crowd, but at the same time, I was terrified for his life. A PostSecret came in a couple months ago with clipped out pictures of Martin Luther King Junior, Malcolm X, Robert Kennedy, and Obama that reads: It's only a matter of time. I hope like hell this postcard's idea never comes true.
Alright, I can't end on a negative note, so let me tell you this story. Last Friday, we had a huge trick or treat festival at our work for all of our foster children. About 300 kids made their way through the building, gathering candy, pizza, and prizes. We all had candy outside our cubes, except one coworker...he had stuffed animals...tons of them. I walked to his cube and praised him for passing out stuffed animals to our kids, and asked how he managed to collect so many to give away. "Oh, these are my daughter's and we thought it was time to give them to new children who can enjoy them." This daughter passed away from cancer years ago, and as a child would come up to pick one, my coworker would say, "Oh, that is a great choice" and say the name of the toy as it was tucked away into the child's trick or treat bag.
I couldn't help but cry, and cry, and then cry some more. It was a great sign of the humanity I neglected to mention in the first three quarters of this post...and the reason that, even though life gets irritating at times, we all go marching on, even if it is on sore calves that don't deserve to be bitched about.
A woman I know left this comment on a mutual friend's Facebook page today: THANK YOU for serving our country!! We are proud of you and all the others, even if the president isn't.
Maybe I am just in a bad mood, but this pissed me off, so I left him a comment that says: F that!!! The newly elected president is too proud of you! Maybe his views will be different than McCain's, but I still believe he will be coming into this with good intentions and is proud of you all. AND I QUOTE..."Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us." McCain and Obama are both noble men. McCain bowed out with class and dignity. His followers will hopefully do the same.
So, hopefully I don't get my ass kicked for mentioning this, but the same woman voted Yes on 8 in California. Welllll, I'm questioning why people continue to be comfortable hating others as discriminatory ballot measures in Florida, Arizona, and California were passed. In the news article discussing this, Ron Prentice said, "This is a great day for marriage. The people of California stood up for traditional marriage and reclaimed this great institution." My God, yes, marriage is a GREAT INSTITUTION. But imagine if someone said, "Oh sorry, you can't marry your boyfriend because he is Hispanic and you are Peruvian," or "You are poor and he is rich. A marriage between you will never be legalized." Instead of banning marriages between two people of the same sex who truly love one another, I'd love to see us throw the book at every union between a man and woman that is riddled with infidelity or abuse. Or every marriage of the people who decided that their marriage is superior to the union of the ones they voted to ban yesterday. And, while I feel fine acknowledging a difference of opinion in some matters, deciding on someone else's civil liberties just does not seem right to me. PS...in 1992, I had a bright pink button that said "Fuck the OCA." I wore it to school all of fall until my freshman science teacher ordered me to take it off and said, "Maybe you need to learn to express yourself in a less aggressive manner." To this, I replied, "But Mr. Nunn, this is what I think!!!" I bizarrely had a lot of respect for the guy, and can ultimately see where he was coming from (ie...hate of any kind tends to only breed more hate), but still.
So, I hate to say this, because I have mentioned it before, but I was so excited watching Obama give his acceptance speech last night in front of a tearful crowd, but at the same time, I was terrified for his life. A PostSecret came in a couple months ago with clipped out pictures of Martin Luther King Junior, Malcolm X, Robert Kennedy, and Obama that reads: It's only a matter of time. I hope like hell this postcard's idea never comes true.
Alright, I can't end on a negative note, so let me tell you this story. Last Friday, we had a huge trick or treat festival at our work for all of our foster children. About 300 kids made their way through the building, gathering candy, pizza, and prizes. We all had candy outside our cubes, except one coworker...he had stuffed animals...tons of them. I walked to his cube and praised him for passing out stuffed animals to our kids, and asked how he managed to collect so many to give away. "Oh, these are my daughter's and we thought it was time to give them to new children who can enjoy them." This daughter passed away from cancer years ago, and as a child would come up to pick one, my coworker would say, "Oh, that is a great choice" and say the name of the toy as it was tucked away into the child's trick or treat bag.
I couldn't help but cry, and cry, and then cry some more. It was a great sign of the humanity I neglected to mention in the first three quarters of this post...and the reason that, even though life gets irritating at times, we all go marching on, even if it is on sore calves that don't deserve to be bitched about.
Perfect...
"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.
It’s the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.
It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled – Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.
It’s the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.
It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.
I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he’s fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation’s promise in the months ahead.
I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.
I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation’s next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House. And while she’s no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.
To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics – you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you’ve sacrificed to get it done.
But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to – it belongs to you.
I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn’t start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington – it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.
It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation’s apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory.
I know you didn’t do this just to win an election and I know you didn’t do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime – two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they’ll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor’s bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.
The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America – I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you – we as a people will get there.
There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won’t agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can’t solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it’s been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years – block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.
What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek – it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.
So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it’s that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers – in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.
Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House – a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, “We are not enemies, but friends…though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.” And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn – I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.
And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world – our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down – we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security – we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America’s beacon still burns as bright – tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.
For that is the true genius of America – that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.
This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that’s on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta.
She’s a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing – Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.
She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn’t vote for two reasons – because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.
And tonight, I think about all that she’s seen throughout her century in America – the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can’t, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.
At a time when women’s voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.
When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.
When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.
She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that “We Shall Overcome.” Yes we can.
A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can.
America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves – if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?
This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time – to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth – that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:
Yes We Can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America."
It’s the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.
It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled – Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.
It’s the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.
It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.
I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he’s fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation’s promise in the months ahead.
I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.
I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation’s next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House. And while she’s no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.
To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics – you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you’ve sacrificed to get it done.
But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to – it belongs to you.
I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn’t start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington – it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.
It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation’s apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory.
I know you didn’t do this just to win an election and I know you didn’t do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime – two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they’ll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor’s bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.
The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America – I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you – we as a people will get there.
There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won’t agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can’t solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it’s been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years – block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.
What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek – it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.
So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it’s that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers – in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.
Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House – a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, “We are not enemies, but friends…though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.” And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn – I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.
And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world – our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down – we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security – we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America’s beacon still burns as bright – tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.
For that is the true genius of America – that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.
This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that’s on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta.
She’s a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing – Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.
She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn’t vote for two reasons – because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.
And tonight, I think about all that she’s seen throughout her century in America – the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can’t, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.
At a time when women’s voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.
When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.
When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.
She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that “We Shall Overcome.” Yes we can.
A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can.
America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves – if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?
This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time – to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth – that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:
Yes We Can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America."
Monday, October 27, 2008
The Skinny on the Real Me
I’m heading to the gym after this because work and traffic irritated me today and I need to run it off, but I figured I may as well throw down some lines, because, as mentioned, work and traffic irritated me, and I’d like to write it off too…
Weighty Suggestions: A lot of people ask me how I stay skinny. Or, rather they yell at me, “You are too damn skinny!” So, I gained a tiny bit of weight over the summer to quiet everyone up (though some are still waiting for more weight), and I did it pretty easily. So instead of giving the obvious suggestions on how to stay lean, here are the key ways to gain some weight instead:
1) Amp up the weights and resistance during workouts. My leg muscles are still lean and fit in the same jeans, but they have a lot more definition right now. So, apparently something worked.
2) Try every Hefeweizen and Sake in Portland. This summer was all about trying every kind of those (mostly in moderation, I swear). My favorites were definitely Algauer Hef at Sapphire Hotel on Hawthorne in Portland and a Sake I had at Masu last weekend. Sapphire Hotel also has great food, couches, board games, no smoke, and a quiet atmosphere. I would live there, but it doesn’t really have hotel rooms. Darn. Masu has a super cheap and amazing happy hour for food too. Too bad the summer and football season are coming to an end…I will probably be ‘too skinny’ again in a couple months.
3) Eat at restaurants all the time. So expensive and bad for you, but I’ve tried a ton of great restaurants and gotten a lot of quality time in with a ton of friends through breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Okay, so real ways to stay skinny: Don’t do numbers 2 or 3 from above (obviously), workout and be active as much as possible…challenge yourself to do new things that get you out of the house or off your feet, stop watching TV all the time, get off your computer, drink a lot of water, have water with every meal and drink more if you are still hungry…then wait and see if that fills you up before eating again, do not drink soda or alcohol…both are high in calories and pretty bad for you anyway, don’t stock your house with processed, fatty, or white flour foods…aka CAREFULLY shop the perimeter at the grocery store…this really works and you will feel a lot better too, get up and take walks at work if you have to sit all day, park far away in parking lots so you have to walk, find excuses to fidget, dance in your car, dance at work, dance in your house…yes, I like to dance, drink nonfat milk, eat food high in protein and fiber, eat random things like that for breakfast too instead of crap (you need to fill yourself up at breakfast…maybe people will make fun of you for eating organic spinach and feta pockets, edamame, or turkey wraps, but, you will feel fuller and have more energy). And lastly, be lucky and have a good metabolism like me…as my dad says…if he misses a meal he loses six pounds (okay, sorry this last one will probably only work for those related to me).
Does that help? Pretty much, being healthy requires adopting that you will live your life a certain way, that you will amp up your workout or activities if you are feeling out of shape, etc, etc. You need to realize that diets and quick fixes are temporary and that committing to changing your lifestyle is probably the only way you will achieve permanent results.
Let’s Gump this and say, “That’s all I have to say about that,” and I realize it’s not always easy. But start by making little changes and then you will just see and crave living and eating healthy as a way of life.
The Perfect Date: I had the most perfect date on Friday night. There was smiling and laughter the whole time. Okay, so who cares if it was with my two and a half month old niece Taylor? My God, not since Cedar’s birth seven years ago had I realized how crazy in love you become with these little precious things. I got five hours of mostly alone time with her while Lexy and Ben ran their church Halloween party. And I figured out she really likes to be carried sideways, facing out, on my arm, swinging back and forth (it‘s a good workout). I’ve also determined that she is probably going to get her way with me for the rest of her life. Anyway, we had fun and I highly recommend getting a date in with this one if you are in any way related to her (as some of my readers are).
Happy Anniversary: To my stuff. Yep, a year ago this week, all my belongings except what I could fit in my car came back to Portland. As all know, I arrived two months later, though maybe I truly only arrived as all of me late this summer. So, while I always thank everyone else for being there for me in 2008 and helping me to figure myself out again, I will thank myself and say…thanks for finally arriving, Real Me. I missed me, ha.
Alright, song of the moment is Romeo and Juliet by Dire Straits. It’s kind of a magical little tune that makes me think that may I actually want a boyfriend again one day soon, and I like it better than the new Killers remake.
Weighty Suggestions: A lot of people ask me how I stay skinny. Or, rather they yell at me, “You are too damn skinny!” So, I gained a tiny bit of weight over the summer to quiet everyone up (though some are still waiting for more weight), and I did it pretty easily. So instead of giving the obvious suggestions on how to stay lean, here are the key ways to gain some weight instead:
1) Amp up the weights and resistance during workouts. My leg muscles are still lean and fit in the same jeans, but they have a lot more definition right now. So, apparently something worked.
2) Try every Hefeweizen and Sake in Portland. This summer was all about trying every kind of those (mostly in moderation, I swear). My favorites were definitely Algauer Hef at Sapphire Hotel on Hawthorne in Portland and a Sake I had at Masu last weekend. Sapphire Hotel also has great food, couches, board games, no smoke, and a quiet atmosphere. I would live there, but it doesn’t really have hotel rooms. Darn. Masu has a super cheap and amazing happy hour for food too. Too bad the summer and football season are coming to an end…I will probably be ‘too skinny’ again in a couple months.
3) Eat at restaurants all the time. So expensive and bad for you, but I’ve tried a ton of great restaurants and gotten a lot of quality time in with a ton of friends through breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Okay, so real ways to stay skinny: Don’t do numbers 2 or 3 from above (obviously), workout and be active as much as possible…challenge yourself to do new things that get you out of the house or off your feet, stop watching TV all the time, get off your computer, drink a lot of water, have water with every meal and drink more if you are still hungry…then wait and see if that fills you up before eating again, do not drink soda or alcohol…both are high in calories and pretty bad for you anyway, don’t stock your house with processed, fatty, or white flour foods…aka CAREFULLY shop the perimeter at the grocery store…this really works and you will feel a lot better too, get up and take walks at work if you have to sit all day, park far away in parking lots so you have to walk, find excuses to fidget, dance in your car, dance at work, dance in your house…yes, I like to dance, drink nonfat milk, eat food high in protein and fiber, eat random things like that for breakfast too instead of crap (you need to fill yourself up at breakfast…maybe people will make fun of you for eating organic spinach and feta pockets, edamame, or turkey wraps, but, you will feel fuller and have more energy). And lastly, be lucky and have a good metabolism like me…as my dad says…if he misses a meal he loses six pounds (okay, sorry this last one will probably only work for those related to me).
Does that help? Pretty much, being healthy requires adopting that you will live your life a certain way, that you will amp up your workout or activities if you are feeling out of shape, etc, etc. You need to realize that diets and quick fixes are temporary and that committing to changing your lifestyle is probably the only way you will achieve permanent results.
Let’s Gump this and say, “That’s all I have to say about that,” and I realize it’s not always easy. But start by making little changes and then you will just see and crave living and eating healthy as a way of life.
The Perfect Date: I had the most perfect date on Friday night. There was smiling and laughter the whole time. Okay, so who cares if it was with my two and a half month old niece Taylor? My God, not since Cedar’s birth seven years ago had I realized how crazy in love you become with these little precious things. I got five hours of mostly alone time with her while Lexy and Ben ran their church Halloween party. And I figured out she really likes to be carried sideways, facing out, on my arm, swinging back and forth (it‘s a good workout). I’ve also determined that she is probably going to get her way with me for the rest of her life. Anyway, we had fun and I highly recommend getting a date in with this one if you are in any way related to her (as some of my readers are).
Happy Anniversary: To my stuff. Yep, a year ago this week, all my belongings except what I could fit in my car came back to Portland. As all know, I arrived two months later, though maybe I truly only arrived as all of me late this summer. So, while I always thank everyone else for being there for me in 2008 and helping me to figure myself out again, I will thank myself and say…thanks for finally arriving, Real Me. I missed me, ha.
Alright, song of the moment is Romeo and Juliet by Dire Straits. It’s kind of a magical little tune that makes me think that may I actually want a boyfriend again one day soon, and I like it better than the new Killers remake.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Guest Post From My Smart Little Brother
I didn't write this, but was pretty proud of my smart, and clearly wise, 21 year old brother who did write it, so I am reposting it with his permission. He also included this video at the top, but I am not techie enough to figure out how to embed it, so here is the link instead: (Late addition...people in the sun left me some lessons on how to embed, so now the video is present!)
Anyway, read Scott's opinion on the upcoming election and remember that you have the chance to make a truly informed decision come election day. In the meantime, his mom (my stepmom) is out canvassing neighborhoods for Obama and I am pretty sure we are all voting for Obama. So, pretty much, my whole family rocks. Here you go...
Being Politically Minded...
For those of you that are able to vote on November 4th, stand for something more then a single point and take the whole picture and what the candidates stand for into account.
I'm sorry but if you are basing who you are voting on in this election on one single point (lets say abortion for instance, as I know many ignorant republicans are...), you need to do your research and not assume first of all that all democrats are pro abortion. Obamas stance is to promote contraceptives and have them be avaliable to all that need them. He is against late term abortion and partial birth.
Now lets take into account that when Bush came into office, Clinton had left us with a surplus (and despite the fact that the only thing you can remember about him is that he cheated with an intern, so did JFK and many other presidents, he did great things for America). Our deficit has gone from 6 trillion to 10 trillion in the past eight years under Bush's regime. (Fact)
So now it comes down to the real boiling point, and one of the main hot topics today, our economy. For those of you that would like to elect a president who completely opposes abortion, but will only send our economy into a further down spiraling twist with tax cuts (that benefit the rich 10 fold then the middle and working class, which consists of 90% of America by the way) and ridiculous international spending then sure, go ahead and elect Mccain. Now for what I would hope is the more intelligient of the people reading this, consider voting for someone who really does stand a chance at pulling America out of the slump that we are in now. (Check republican/democrat economic track records)
PLEASE DO NOT VOTE FOR SELFISH REASONS.
If Mccain is elected then abortion will be safe this is true, but as more and more mortgages fail and poverty rates increase, people can no longer pay to go to school, or to support their children and families, but HEY IT'S OK AS LONG AS ABORTION DOESN'T EVER HAPPEN.
God help our country, because obviously for how close Bush has claimed he is to him has helped us a whole lot. US being oil tycoons and millionaires.
Any millionaires or oil tycoons reading this?
Anyway, read Scott's opinion on the upcoming election and remember that you have the chance to make a truly informed decision come election day. In the meantime, his mom (my stepmom) is out canvassing neighborhoods for Obama and I am pretty sure we are all voting for Obama. So, pretty much, my whole family rocks. Here you go...
Being Politically Minded...
For those of you that are able to vote on November 4th, stand for something more then a single point and take the whole picture and what the candidates stand for into account.
I'm sorry but if you are basing who you are voting on in this election on one single point (lets say abortion for instance, as I know many ignorant republicans are...), you need to do your research and not assume first of all that all democrats are pro abortion. Obamas stance is to promote contraceptives and have them be avaliable to all that need them. He is against late term abortion and partial birth.
Now lets take into account that when Bush came into office, Clinton had left us with a surplus (and despite the fact that the only thing you can remember about him is that he cheated with an intern, so did JFK and many other presidents, he did great things for America). Our deficit has gone from 6 trillion to 10 trillion in the past eight years under Bush's regime. (Fact)
So now it comes down to the real boiling point, and one of the main hot topics today, our economy. For those of you that would like to elect a president who completely opposes abortion, but will only send our economy into a further down spiraling twist with tax cuts (that benefit the rich 10 fold then the middle and working class, which consists of 90% of America by the way) and ridiculous international spending then sure, go ahead and elect Mccain. Now for what I would hope is the more intelligient of the people reading this, consider voting for someone who really does stand a chance at pulling America out of the slump that we are in now. (Check republican/democrat economic track records)
PLEASE DO NOT VOTE FOR SELFISH REASONS.
If Mccain is elected then abortion will be safe this is true, but as more and more mortgages fail and poverty rates increase, people can no longer pay to go to school, or to support their children and families, but HEY IT'S OK AS LONG AS ABORTION DOESN'T EVER HAPPEN.
God help our country, because obviously for how close Bush has claimed he is to him has helped us a whole lot. US being oil tycoons and millionaires.
Any millionaires or oil tycoons reading this?
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Instant Reactions of the Week
Because going to bed before midnite appears something I am not capable of at this time in my life, here is some useful, useless, and Sarah'ish information, whatever that means...
1) Watching debates on Wednesday proved easily to me that I didn't need to watch them to make my decision. And Bama is Obama, not Alabama. And yes, I am voting for him. I will not give my opinion on who you should vote for, but it starts with an O, ends with an A, and has a 'BAM!' in the middle. I just wanted to write BAM! Whoo, I feel better.
2) If you have to list 'it's complicated' as your relationship status, it's not a relationship or you are too stupid to figure that out at the moment. Don't worry, while I've never actually put that up, I sure as hell have been there, so don't feel bad. I prefer listing nothing, because no one really cares, and if they do, they'll ask. That's when you tell them you are a badass who is eventually looking for a real relationship that's not 'complicated.' Or you tell them that you are a crazed fan of solidarity and 'uncomplicatedness.' Either way, it's a winner.
3) On Sunday morning I went to the Hotcake House again. I can see an obsession with this place brewing. Thanks to my buddy Bruce for showing me the way to breakfast Heaven.
4) Try taking five kids to prison in a minivan all the while blasting 107.5 (Top 40 crap rap) and see if you still want kids afterward. Bizarrely enough, I think it's cute when my little 7 year old terrors are singing along to this crap. How the hell do they know all the words?!
5) My very wonderful friend Brian Nelson comes storming through town for ten days starting this weekend. I can't wait for him and his steel jaw to arrive.
6) The Office is awesome this year, and if you disagree, "You are a thief of joy." And if that makes no sense, you just aren't paying enough attention this season.
7) Halftime at Beaver games is best riding through Corvallis on, or thrown over, the shoulders of a friend who can shotput people. Thanks Tom.
8) I had the 'pleasure' of taking the most boring and ignorant person in the world back to Portland after the Beavers game on Saturday. He goes to my gym too, and he is so boring, I didn't even recognize him when he passed me at the gym. He sat in the MU at OSU watching football for three hours before the game on Saturday. Who the hell does that when they are in their college town on gameday?!
9) My roommate's girlfriend made a sign, dressed up in a gawdy wig, bright pink boots, makeup, and a green dress, and yelled, "Welcome home Will" over and over as he arrived down the escalator at the airport from a business trip on Monday. They compete to see who can embarrass the other the most. I think that is so damn adorable.
10) Howie Day is a badass in disguise of a top 40 ballad singer. I've used the word badass twice in this post...and damn, that makes it three. Anyway, go listen to Morning After by him.
11) We'll end on my favorite number...goodnite.
1) Watching debates on Wednesday proved easily to me that I didn't need to watch them to make my decision. And Bama is Obama, not Alabama. And yes, I am voting for him. I will not give my opinion on who you should vote for, but it starts with an O, ends with an A, and has a 'BAM!' in the middle. I just wanted to write BAM! Whoo, I feel better.
2) If you have to list 'it's complicated' as your relationship status, it's not a relationship or you are too stupid to figure that out at the moment. Don't worry, while I've never actually put that up, I sure as hell have been there, so don't feel bad. I prefer listing nothing, because no one really cares, and if they do, they'll ask. That's when you tell them you are a badass who is eventually looking for a real relationship that's not 'complicated.' Or you tell them that you are a crazed fan of solidarity and 'uncomplicatedness.' Either way, it's a winner.
3) On Sunday morning I went to the Hotcake House again. I can see an obsession with this place brewing. Thanks to my buddy Bruce for showing me the way to breakfast Heaven.
4) Try taking five kids to prison in a minivan all the while blasting 107.5 (Top 40 crap rap) and see if you still want kids afterward. Bizarrely enough, I think it's cute when my little 7 year old terrors are singing along to this crap. How the hell do they know all the words?!
5) My very wonderful friend Brian Nelson comes storming through town for ten days starting this weekend. I can't wait for him and his steel jaw to arrive.
6) The Office is awesome this year, and if you disagree, "You are a thief of joy." And if that makes no sense, you just aren't paying enough attention this season.
7) Halftime at Beaver games is best riding through Corvallis on, or thrown over, the shoulders of a friend who can shotput people. Thanks Tom.
8) I had the 'pleasure' of taking the most boring and ignorant person in the world back to Portland after the Beavers game on Saturday. He goes to my gym too, and he is so boring, I didn't even recognize him when he passed me at the gym. He sat in the MU at OSU watching football for three hours before the game on Saturday. Who the hell does that when they are in their college town on gameday?!
9) My roommate's girlfriend made a sign, dressed up in a gawdy wig, bright pink boots, makeup, and a green dress, and yelled, "Welcome home Will" over and over as he arrived down the escalator at the airport from a business trip on Monday. They compete to see who can embarrass the other the most. I think that is so damn adorable.
10) Howie Day is a badass in disguise of a top 40 ballad singer. I've used the word badass twice in this post...and damn, that makes it three. Anyway, go listen to Morning After by him.
11) We'll end on my favorite number...goodnite.
Monday, October 06, 2008
"Once You're Connected"
I love the smell of field burning mixed with the cold air and rain. I need to get used to wearing my raincoat everywhere and socks again, but so far, the fall weather hasn’t bothered me at all. I love Oregon because you can be dressed to the nines and still have your Marmot or Columbia rain jacket on right over the top. Okay, maybe I just need more fashion sense, but…I like to stay dry.
That is a precursor to the “I’m wearing my happy hat again” post to follow. Gear up, because it’s really about the moments with the people I adore. I’m not intending to turn on the cheese ’o’ meter here either, though some will read it that way. As I may overstate at times, I just feel pretty fortunate to have what, and who, I have in my life, and they don’t always get recognized…
So, Friday night was one of those perfect nights with three of my best friends. Two of them have been married to each other since 2001 and the other I can do anything with, anytime, anywhere, and always have some bizarrely perfect time. Anyway, we’ve been having ‘foursome’ adventures for almost ten years now, and they never get old. We’ve never run out of things to talk about and all we do is laugh, the entire time, at everything, sparing no embarrassing stories or stupid moments. Everyone needs a crew like this, so if you don’t have one, find one.
I guess I am lucky, because I have a few of these. Three of my girlfriends and I are still on our roll of getting together once every week for lunch. We’ve missed a couple, but it’s funny because I can be stressed and having the shittiest day…but then our lunch rolls around and they just calm me down. Maybe it’s because I’ve known them so long. I don’t know. I also have another newer group of girls that I do brunch with once a month. I love that just as much.
Then there’s another friend who I met back in April. We’ve had some lengthy conversations about everything from our disasters in relationships to our hatred for ignorant politics…it’s always engaging and I seem to always walk away from him enlightened. A couple Sundays ago, we hit the Willamette on kayaks for three hours of rowing and chatter, and I once again realized that good friends can come into your life at any moment. He’s never been afraid to tell me to look at things in a different light or that I’m over thinking things, and I appreciate that about him.
I also got to catch up last week with a friend I admire to no end. She takes on everything and has literally blossomed into an amazing wife, mother, and activist in the three short years I have known her. Ahh, and she wrote this about me last October and it makes me laugh…
Sarah, Sarah, Sarah, oh how I miss my Sarah. On my first day of work at Catholic Community Services I found out a second person was hired to do the same job as I was. This woman was tall and beautiful and smart and asked all these great questions during our morning orientation type meeting and I went home and told my husband about the new chick that I did not like. Have I ever mentioned that my first impressions are usually wrong? By the end of our first week I had fallen in love with Sarah. She is smart and funny and loyal and kind. She stayed on a CCS for a while after I left but then moved to Ohio. This summer Sarah joined us on our family vacation on the east coast and it was a very cool time with her. It is rumored that she is coming back and though my heart breaks for Sarah as this may mark the end of a very important relationship in her life, I simply can't wait!
I love this because I remember how news of me planning my move back to Oregon last October spread like wildfire through my old CCS coworkers...all of them were on the phone with me within 15 minutes of the first one finding out...asking me what I needed and if I was okay. I’ve somehow remained close to all of them. I have new coworkers too who just put a smile on my face any time I hang out with them. Maybe it’s the line of work we all do…we’re always solving everyone else’s problems, so our hearts are pretty in tune and open.
So, I know that I, like all people, have some superficial friendships. It’s not to even say that those are bad necessarily. Occasionally, amazing connections start superficially as you’re fumbling over the odds and ends of two, or several, different lives merging into commonalities. I truly love meeting new people and finding reasons to join up with someone I hardly know…whether it be to motivate me to exercise or to get me out of a hole. Not all these friendships will go on to include all the nuts and bolts obviously, and some will simply fade out, but I have to recognize this quote from someone I‘ve never met…
“Once you’re connected with someone, time and space become irrelevant.”
It reminds me that everyone who is truly meant to be in our lives may not always be there for us as we all finish school, start new jobs, get married, have kids, get caught up in good and not so good relationships, move away, and occasionally, move back. But, if we hold on to the ones we adore, get to know the ones we think we may grow to enjoy, and leave the ones who burn us out behind, our connections will be pretty damn good…and time and space won’t ever matter.
That’s my two cents. Song of the moment is #41 by Dave Matthews Band. I’m still a little bummed at the loss of LeRoi Moore in August…he had such a signature sound.
That is a precursor to the “I’m wearing my happy hat again” post to follow. Gear up, because it’s really about the moments with the people I adore. I’m not intending to turn on the cheese ’o’ meter here either, though some will read it that way. As I may overstate at times, I just feel pretty fortunate to have what, and who, I have in my life, and they don’t always get recognized…
So, Friday night was one of those perfect nights with three of my best friends. Two of them have been married to each other since 2001 and the other I can do anything with, anytime, anywhere, and always have some bizarrely perfect time. Anyway, we’ve been having ‘foursome’ adventures for almost ten years now, and they never get old. We’ve never run out of things to talk about and all we do is laugh, the entire time, at everything, sparing no embarrassing stories or stupid moments. Everyone needs a crew like this, so if you don’t have one, find one.
I guess I am lucky, because I have a few of these. Three of my girlfriends and I are still on our roll of getting together once every week for lunch. We’ve missed a couple, but it’s funny because I can be stressed and having the shittiest day…but then our lunch rolls around and they just calm me down. Maybe it’s because I’ve known them so long. I don’t know. I also have another newer group of girls that I do brunch with once a month. I love that just as much.
Then there’s another friend who I met back in April. We’ve had some lengthy conversations about everything from our disasters in relationships to our hatred for ignorant politics…it’s always engaging and I seem to always walk away from him enlightened. A couple Sundays ago, we hit the Willamette on kayaks for three hours of rowing and chatter, and I once again realized that good friends can come into your life at any moment. He’s never been afraid to tell me to look at things in a different light or that I’m over thinking things, and I appreciate that about him.
I also got to catch up last week with a friend I admire to no end. She takes on everything and has literally blossomed into an amazing wife, mother, and activist in the three short years I have known her. Ahh, and she wrote this about me last October and it makes me laugh…
Sarah, Sarah, Sarah, oh how I miss my Sarah. On my first day of work at Catholic Community Services I found out a second person was hired to do the same job as I was. This woman was tall and beautiful and smart and asked all these great questions during our morning orientation type meeting and I went home and told my husband about the new chick that I did not like. Have I ever mentioned that my first impressions are usually wrong? By the end of our first week I had fallen in love with Sarah. She is smart and funny and loyal and kind. She stayed on a CCS for a while after I left but then moved to Ohio. This summer Sarah joined us on our family vacation on the east coast and it was a very cool time with her. It is rumored that she is coming back and though my heart breaks for Sarah as this may mark the end of a very important relationship in her life, I simply can't wait!
I love this because I remember how news of me planning my move back to Oregon last October spread like wildfire through my old CCS coworkers...all of them were on the phone with me within 15 minutes of the first one finding out...asking me what I needed and if I was okay. I’ve somehow remained close to all of them. I have new coworkers too who just put a smile on my face any time I hang out with them. Maybe it’s the line of work we all do…we’re always solving everyone else’s problems, so our hearts are pretty in tune and open.
So, I know that I, like all people, have some superficial friendships. It’s not to even say that those are bad necessarily. Occasionally, amazing connections start superficially as you’re fumbling over the odds and ends of two, or several, different lives merging into commonalities. I truly love meeting new people and finding reasons to join up with someone I hardly know…whether it be to motivate me to exercise or to get me out of a hole. Not all these friendships will go on to include all the nuts and bolts obviously, and some will simply fade out, but I have to recognize this quote from someone I‘ve never met…
“Once you’re connected with someone, time and space become irrelevant.”
It reminds me that everyone who is truly meant to be in our lives may not always be there for us as we all finish school, start new jobs, get married, have kids, get caught up in good and not so good relationships, move away, and occasionally, move back. But, if we hold on to the ones we adore, get to know the ones we think we may grow to enjoy, and leave the ones who burn us out behind, our connections will be pretty damn good…and time and space won’t ever matter.
That’s my two cents. Song of the moment is #41 by Dave Matthews Band. I’m still a little bummed at the loss of LeRoi Moore in August…he had such a signature sound.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
On Men...
Enjoy this post, because it will be the ONLY post on relationships for many months to come. I've been on such a roll avoiding the topic, but figured it's worth it to just lay it out for now. So, here you go...
On men...which I rarely mention, but here you go...I have a lot of female friends, but many of my best friends are male too. I may have even dated them at some point in my life. Never make me 'break up' with any of them if you want to date me, and we're good. I'm at a wimpout stage in my life too and pretty content just getting to know men as friends first, so if you have any interest in me whatsoever, you'll probably have to make it loud and clear. Such a copout, but I just don't feel any rush to stress about it right now.
So, I just left this description on my Facebook. Not that anyone other than friends can see it because it's set to private, but I am wondering if I will erase it eventually. For now, it makes me laugh.
I really don't write about relationships anymore. Justin gets mentioned from time to time in a 'let that be a lesson to me to never do that again' way, but maybe that's not even fair to him to dig up 'our' old dirt anymore. Truth be told, the relationship had it's good times between all the shit...okay, but there was a lot of shit and it really wasn't healthy to be in it, at all. I just wasn't much of a Barbie doll, and if you know me, it'll just never be. Sure, I get called 'beautiful' at times, but I know that despite being a size 2-4, I'm taller than the average girl, louder than many, and extremely unafraid to voice my opinion...it's all stuff I don't want to change though, ever.
I'm also a low to high maintenance girl...I love to get dirty and throw myself into projects and activities, but I also love my hair straightener, dresses and makeup collection. It's a tough sell sometimes. As one of my best friends said one night when we were having another 'should we ever date' moment..."Sarah, you need a construction worker, someone who is big." I replied that I value brains more than braun. Though, I can't lie...I like the stockier, arms wrapped around you guys...as I used to say...the ones who can pick me up and spin me around with no problem.
Oh, and on this best friend, the conclusion for he and I was decidedly no. If you know 'us,' we make amazing friends to the point of confusing and annoying people as to what the hell we 'get' and no one else does...it's good to know we have what we have and that no one can mess with that...come hell or high water, no one has ever been able to bust us up...maybe because we share the same brain at times. I love it. I love him. Just not in that way, so stand down.
Okay, back to it...I think some of what I wrote above in italics is probably a result of some bullshit thinking. The past couple of years threw me some curveballs I wasn't expecting when it came to relationships and I'm sure I've felt a bit disenchanted and apathetic at times. Hey, people warned me to not tread in the water I decided to wade through, but it's easy to get caught up in a love story...we all have the blinders on at times.
Regardless, while I know that two months ago, I was stressing about present and past relationships all the time, I absolutely see that I am at a point where I'm just not now. No, I haven't shut the book on love...I have crushes and flitters for a certain guy right now and I still wonder about potential with others who are friends or in my past. It's just that, I'm not in any desperate situation where I need to figure it out. As was recently passed back and forth between myself and someone I grew entirely impatient with (maybe I shouldn't have, but that story won't get out, sorry)..."if it's right, we have all the time in the world to figure it out." Maybe the statement stopped adding up for he and I at the time, but it is good for where I am today, with anyone really.
So, where else did it come from? This past summer, I just finally realized that I spent a shitload of the past year focusing on my relationships with everyone...and by that, I mean EVERYONE...men, family, friends. It was finally clear to me that I needed to focus on myself for a while. I have a few to thank for this, but I'll thank them to their faces instead of right here if you don't mind.
So, friends and family...I promise I will get married one day and have some cute little kids to run around and play with all your cute kids...one day, I swear.
Songs...Only You by Joshua Radin and Unsaid by The Fray. Night.
On men...which I rarely mention, but here you go...I have a lot of female friends, but many of my best friends are male too. I may have even dated them at some point in my life. Never make me 'break up' with any of them if you want to date me, and we're good. I'm at a wimpout stage in my life too and pretty content just getting to know men as friends first, so if you have any interest in me whatsoever, you'll probably have to make it loud and clear. Such a copout, but I just don't feel any rush to stress about it right now.
So, I just left this description on my Facebook. Not that anyone other than friends can see it because it's set to private, but I am wondering if I will erase it eventually. For now, it makes me laugh.
I really don't write about relationships anymore. Justin gets mentioned from time to time in a 'let that be a lesson to me to never do that again' way, but maybe that's not even fair to him to dig up 'our' old dirt anymore. Truth be told, the relationship had it's good times between all the shit...okay, but there was a lot of shit and it really wasn't healthy to be in it, at all. I just wasn't much of a Barbie doll, and if you know me, it'll just never be. Sure, I get called 'beautiful' at times, but I know that despite being a size 2-4, I'm taller than the average girl, louder than many, and extremely unafraid to voice my opinion...it's all stuff I don't want to change though, ever.
I'm also a low to high maintenance girl...I love to get dirty and throw myself into projects and activities, but I also love my hair straightener, dresses and makeup collection. It's a tough sell sometimes. As one of my best friends said one night when we were having another 'should we ever date' moment..."Sarah, you need a construction worker, someone who is big." I replied that I value brains more than braun. Though, I can't lie...I like the stockier, arms wrapped around you guys...as I used to say...the ones who can pick me up and spin me around with no problem.
Oh, and on this best friend, the conclusion for he and I was decidedly no. If you know 'us,' we make amazing friends to the point of confusing and annoying people as to what the hell we 'get' and no one else does...it's good to know we have what we have and that no one can mess with that...come hell or high water, no one has ever been able to bust us up...maybe because we share the same brain at times. I love it. I love him. Just not in that way, so stand down.
Okay, back to it...I think some of what I wrote above in italics is probably a result of some bullshit thinking. The past couple of years threw me some curveballs I wasn't expecting when it came to relationships and I'm sure I've felt a bit disenchanted and apathetic at times. Hey, people warned me to not tread in the water I decided to wade through, but it's easy to get caught up in a love story...we all have the blinders on at times.
Regardless, while I know that two months ago, I was stressing about present and past relationships all the time, I absolutely see that I am at a point where I'm just not now. No, I haven't shut the book on love...I have crushes and flitters for a certain guy right now and I still wonder about potential with others who are friends or in my past. It's just that, I'm not in any desperate situation where I need to figure it out. As was recently passed back and forth between myself and someone I grew entirely impatient with (maybe I shouldn't have, but that story won't get out, sorry)..."if it's right, we have all the time in the world to figure it out." Maybe the statement stopped adding up for he and I at the time, but it is good for where I am today, with anyone really.
So, where else did it come from? This past summer, I just finally realized that I spent a shitload of the past year focusing on my relationships with everyone...and by that, I mean EVERYONE...men, family, friends. It was finally clear to me that I needed to focus on myself for a while. I have a few to thank for this, but I'll thank them to their faces instead of right here if you don't mind.
So, friends and family...I promise I will get married one day and have some cute little kids to run around and play with all your cute kids...one day, I swear.
Songs...Only You by Joshua Radin and Unsaid by The Fray. Night.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
The Realtor Made My Bed Yesterday...
I usually don't post twice in one week, or more than once every two or three weeks for that matter...but, I am waiting twenty more minutes to go and trample some bleachers down at the school and felt like writing.
My roomie is selling our house. This does not excite me at all because I love my house and my roomies, but, it must be done. The upside to this is that if I forget to make my bed, the realtor comes in and makes it for me...and I really like how she arranges my pillows. The downside is that in the meantime (which could apparently be six to nine months because of the terrible housing market) our house kind of reminds me of the demo they lived in on Arrested Development...everything is perfectly in place, we have roses on our counter, those blue shoe covers at our door, a canister of tootsie rolls, and a schedule for open houses on the weekend that includes 'baking cookies'...hmm, maybe That Guy and Other That Guy will come over and help. We also have to 'hide out' on occasion if people come to look at the house. That said, I'll probably start looking for a new place to live sometime in early 2009...in the Portland area.
I decided to quit caffeine this week, and failed today. And no, it is NOT because I have a lot of Mormon family members (they almost all drink caffeine in my family and my extended family by the way). The reason I quit is that I only drink diet soda and have heard that stuff is horrible for you, so I figured that I'd just quit and dump caffeine too. Well, my friend Robin, who has analyzed me in her therapist ways the majority of our eighteen year friendship and is convinced I have ADD, has said before that caffeine actually helps me to focus. After four days without it and one huge Venti Green Tea Latte today, I figured out she is right...I feel a lot more on track again. So, I'm back in caffeine land, plus the green tea, minus the diet soda chemicals.
On that note, I apologize to anyone who spent any amount of time with me since Friday afternoon...I probably talked a million sentences a minute, fidgeted like mad, and ignored everything you said to me.
So, lastly, I will just mention that I missed my 'dad' this week. Well, I missed both my dads, but by this dad, I mean Robin's dad Steve. It seems to be a recurring thing for me still, but it was his birthday last week, OSU football season is in full swing, and we've been playing Tom Petty at work a lot. I know I mention it a lot, but I am not sure where I would have ended up without him.
Okay, so real dad, as I mentioned, I miss you too and I promise to come to dinner next Sunday (yes, my dad is a devoted reader of my blog). I love you a ton and am still so glad that we get all this time together. I can't imagine what life would be like without you and the crew now.
That's all for now. Songs to listen to: Blazing Arrow by Blackalicious, Live Your Life by TI and Rihanna...yes, TI and Rihanna...stop makng fun of me.
My roomie is selling our house. This does not excite me at all because I love my house and my roomies, but, it must be done. The upside to this is that if I forget to make my bed, the realtor comes in and makes it for me...and I really like how she arranges my pillows. The downside is that in the meantime (which could apparently be six to nine months because of the terrible housing market) our house kind of reminds me of the demo they lived in on Arrested Development...everything is perfectly in place, we have roses on our counter, those blue shoe covers at our door, a canister of tootsie rolls, and a schedule for open houses on the weekend that includes 'baking cookies'...hmm, maybe That Guy and Other That Guy will come over and help. We also have to 'hide out' on occasion if people come to look at the house. That said, I'll probably start looking for a new place to live sometime in early 2009...in the Portland area.
I decided to quit caffeine this week, and failed today. And no, it is NOT because I have a lot of Mormon family members (they almost all drink caffeine in my family and my extended family by the way). The reason I quit is that I only drink diet soda and have heard that stuff is horrible for you, so I figured that I'd just quit and dump caffeine too. Well, my friend Robin, who has analyzed me in her therapist ways the majority of our eighteen year friendship and is convinced I have ADD, has said before that caffeine actually helps me to focus. After four days without it and one huge Venti Green Tea Latte today, I figured out she is right...I feel a lot more on track again. So, I'm back in caffeine land, plus the green tea, minus the diet soda chemicals.
On that note, I apologize to anyone who spent any amount of time with me since Friday afternoon...I probably talked a million sentences a minute, fidgeted like mad, and ignored everything you said to me.
So, lastly, I will just mention that I missed my 'dad' this week. Well, I missed both my dads, but by this dad, I mean Robin's dad Steve. It seems to be a recurring thing for me still, but it was his birthday last week, OSU football season is in full swing, and we've been playing Tom Petty at work a lot. I know I mention it a lot, but I am not sure where I would have ended up without him.
Okay, so real dad, as I mentioned, I miss you too and I promise to come to dinner next Sunday (yes, my dad is a devoted reader of my blog). I love you a ton and am still so glad that we get all this time together. I can't imagine what life would be like without you and the crew now.
That's all for now. Songs to listen to: Blazing Arrow by Blackalicious, Live Your Life by TI and Rihanna...yes, TI and Rihanna...stop makng fun of me.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Princess 'Hater' Sarah's Thoughts
I haven't posted much randomness lately, but I am taking a 'sanity day' off from work tomorrow and have a little time on my hands. So, here are some of my most recent thoughts, in no particular order...
Sarah Palin: My name (that'd be Sarah...come on, stick with me) meant 'princess' until this chick came along and ruined it. You know, I wouldn't have a problem with her if she wasn't such a hater. Yes, I used the word 'hater' to describe Sarah Palin...she just DIGS for dirt and slams...so not princess like. And, I hate her mouth, and her guns. Please change your name Mrs. Governor Who Thinks She Is Sooooo Above Community Organizers. Moving on....
The Soup: I watch about an hour of TV per week (unless it's Saturday in the fall, like now...I will watch HOURS of college football games, who cares which team...not sure where this obsession came from, but I love college football and have for years). Alright, back to my point...I don't need to watch more than an hour because The Soup captures all of what's on and makes fun of it. They've recently added Spaghetti Cat and I actually laugh out loud, alone, on my couch when they show him.
Ohhh Esss Yooo: Nothing beats watching college football on TV like actually being at the game. And, I finally made my way down to see my Beavers play on Saturday. When your tailgater cook brings a deep fryer, BBQ, and caters to your every food desire, you know you're in for a good day. And when your team wins and you are surrounded by a bunch of people you adore, it's golden. Needless to say, we had a blast.
The Doug Fir: If you ever get a chance to see a show here, go. Last night, I had the opportunity to see Federico Aubele there, and a few weeks back saw Rogue Wave. The acoustics are fantastic and you're no more than twenty feet from the stage because it's tiny (and non-smoking, thanks).
That Guy: In August, I put up an entire post on That Guy. Well, my buddy Ryan read it and then decided he just couldn't be friends with such an idiot and quit returning TG's phone calls and won't hang out with him. Ha, I love it. So, I never have to see TG again. Sadly, that will mean no more stories about him, but I can live with that.
People in the Sun: Another plug for someone far away who I have never met, but started reading a long time ago. This is a genius writer! He perfectly captured my feelings about the Republican Convention is this amazing piece. If you want to look at how we should remember parts of the past, read this one on 9/11. And if you want to know what a marriage should look like, read this one about his wife of eleven years. I'm telling ya, if he writes a book, I will be first in line to buy it. Sorry People in the Sun, I have to keep dropping the hints to write a book.
Work: Has suddenly turned into a weekly inferno of kids blowing out and running away (hence the 'sanity day' off tomorrow). And, since their info is incredibly confidential, that's about all I can say...other than...quit bitching about your own life until you've walked AN INCH in the shoes of my kids...their resilience amazes me everyday. Pray for them if you like, think about them...do whatever you think is appropriate. Just don't judge them or assume that they can't change the cycles of their past and what's been dealt to them. They can. We can. I did. Many of them will too. I truly like this job, and I am glad I landed in it, even if I get exhausted from time to time. It's what I am meant to do.
Songs to Listen To: Mona Lisa by Guster, Pass Me Over by Anthony Hamilton, Never Gonna Come Back Down by BT and M Doughty, and anything on Matt Nathanson's or Amos Lee's new CDs. Matt Nathanson will probably bore most of you to death, but I like it. Big Head Todd is kind of captivating me lately too. Oh, if anyone knows of this song that sounds like Kanye West and Mat Kearney singing together, get back to me and tell me who it is and what it is called. I want it.
Alright, that's enough ADD for now, thanks for reading.
Sarah Palin: My name (that'd be Sarah...come on, stick with me) meant 'princess' until this chick came along and ruined it. You know, I wouldn't have a problem with her if she wasn't such a hater. Yes, I used the word 'hater' to describe Sarah Palin...she just DIGS for dirt and slams...so not princess like. And, I hate her mouth, and her guns. Please change your name Mrs. Governor Who Thinks She Is Sooooo Above Community Organizers. Moving on....
The Soup: I watch about an hour of TV per week (unless it's Saturday in the fall, like now...I will watch HOURS of college football games, who cares which team...not sure where this obsession came from, but I love college football and have for years). Alright, back to my point...I don't need to watch more than an hour because The Soup captures all of what's on and makes fun of it. They've recently added Spaghetti Cat and I actually laugh out loud, alone, on my couch when they show him.
Ohhh Esss Yooo: Nothing beats watching college football on TV like actually being at the game. And, I finally made my way down to see my Beavers play on Saturday. When your tailgater cook brings a deep fryer, BBQ, and caters to your every food desire, you know you're in for a good day. And when your team wins and you are surrounded by a bunch of people you adore, it's golden. Needless to say, we had a blast.
The Doug Fir: If you ever get a chance to see a show here, go. Last night, I had the opportunity to see Federico Aubele there, and a few weeks back saw Rogue Wave. The acoustics are fantastic and you're no more than twenty feet from the stage because it's tiny (and non-smoking, thanks).
That Guy: In August, I put up an entire post on That Guy. Well, my buddy Ryan read it and then decided he just couldn't be friends with such an idiot and quit returning TG's phone calls and won't hang out with him. Ha, I love it. So, I never have to see TG again. Sadly, that will mean no more stories about him, but I can live with that.
People in the Sun: Another plug for someone far away who I have never met, but started reading a long time ago. This is a genius writer! He perfectly captured my feelings about the Republican Convention is this amazing piece. If you want to look at how we should remember parts of the past, read this one on 9/11. And if you want to know what a marriage should look like, read this one about his wife of eleven years. I'm telling ya, if he writes a book, I will be first in line to buy it. Sorry People in the Sun, I have to keep dropping the hints to write a book.
Work: Has suddenly turned into a weekly inferno of kids blowing out and running away (hence the 'sanity day' off tomorrow). And, since their info is incredibly confidential, that's about all I can say...other than...quit bitching about your own life until you've walked AN INCH in the shoes of my kids...their resilience amazes me everyday. Pray for them if you like, think about them...do whatever you think is appropriate. Just don't judge them or assume that they can't change the cycles of their past and what's been dealt to them. They can. We can. I did. Many of them will too. I truly like this job, and I am glad I landed in it, even if I get exhausted from time to time. It's what I am meant to do.
Songs to Listen To: Mona Lisa by Guster, Pass Me Over by Anthony Hamilton, Never Gonna Come Back Down by BT and M Doughty, and anything on Matt Nathanson's or Amos Lee's new CDs. Matt Nathanson will probably bore most of you to death, but I like it. Big Head Todd is kind of captivating me lately too. Oh, if anyone knows of this song that sounds like Kanye West and Mat Kearney singing together, get back to me and tell me who it is and what it is called. I want it.
Alright, that's enough ADD for now, thanks for reading.
Monday, August 25, 2008
The 'Wordy' One Speaks
This is the kind of post that may have pissed off my ex-boyfriend. So, don’t read it if you don’t want to delve into my life right now. He always wanted me to erase the majority of this blog, filter what I wrote. Then again, he also tried to make me get rid of my dog Bailey AND my best friend of the opposite sex, so obviously, something wasn’t right there.
This past year has been interesting for me. I think it’s been somewhat of an ‘unfiltered’ year for me. I didn’t have much of a voice before I headed back out here from Ohio, so when I finally figured out that it was mine again, that I didn’t have to walk on eggshells or see a counselor more than twice to figure out that “what was wrong with you was purely situational” (her words), my voice kind of went buck wild…
There‘s a John Mayer song that says, “It‘s better to say too much, then never to say what you need to say again.” So, that’s what I’ve done this year. I’ve gone out on limbs left and right. I’ve pissed people off, including blood relatives, enlightened others. I’ve apologized to some, been stubborn too. Maybe that’s not always a good thing, but I’ve gained a lot from it. Probably lost a little as well, but it’s a learning curve I think, and I’m sure I will stop unloading every opinion and feeling I have about ’everything’ on people sometime soon. But I have to admit, it’s been nice being able to do it, have my opinion be heard, even if I have had to kick myself after the fact at times.
And maybe right here is where I will quit writing, put the filter back on, and shut up instead of getting deeper into it.
Let me add that if you are any of the people who have been here for me this year, just know that I’ve greatly appreciated you. The calls and advice before and after coming back from Ohio, the new friendships that have unfolded and the old ones that have gotten stronger, the relationships I’ve already learned from (good and not so good), the family that is always there on Sundays, and even the comments on Facebook and MySpace. I’ve been told by many that they love me no matter what, and I’ve honestly felt that this year.
Wait, from my soapbox, I’ll say…be grateful for all the good that people in your life do for you…we spend so much time focused on ourselves that it’s hard to remember sometimes that you’re the product of more than your own will…
I for one am still getting raised by my village, absolutely.
This past year has been interesting for me. I think it’s been somewhat of an ‘unfiltered’ year for me. I didn’t have much of a voice before I headed back out here from Ohio, so when I finally figured out that it was mine again, that I didn’t have to walk on eggshells or see a counselor more than twice to figure out that “what was wrong with you was purely situational” (her words), my voice kind of went buck wild…
There‘s a John Mayer song that says, “It‘s better to say too much, then never to say what you need to say again.” So, that’s what I’ve done this year. I’ve gone out on limbs left and right. I’ve pissed people off, including blood relatives, enlightened others. I’ve apologized to some, been stubborn too. Maybe that’s not always a good thing, but I’ve gained a lot from it. Probably lost a little as well, but it’s a learning curve I think, and I’m sure I will stop unloading every opinion and feeling I have about ’everything’ on people sometime soon. But I have to admit, it’s been nice being able to do it, have my opinion be heard, even if I have had to kick myself after the fact at times.
And maybe right here is where I will quit writing, put the filter back on, and shut up instead of getting deeper into it.
Let me add that if you are any of the people who have been here for me this year, just know that I’ve greatly appreciated you. The calls and advice before and after coming back from Ohio, the new friendships that have unfolded and the old ones that have gotten stronger, the relationships I’ve already learned from (good and not so good), the family that is always there on Sundays, and even the comments on Facebook and MySpace. I’ve been told by many that they love me no matter what, and I’ve honestly felt that this year.
Wait, from my soapbox, I’ll say…be grateful for all the good that people in your life do for you…we spend so much time focused on ourselves that it’s hard to remember sometimes that you’re the product of more than your own will…
I for one am still getting raised by my village, absolutely.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Don't Ever Be 'That Guy'
So, Saturday evening started off like any other summer weekend night in Portland...with plans for a busy funfilled night. My buddy Ryan and I had been planning to meet up sometime over the weekend, so I called him up to see if he wanted to come along to some get togethers I was invited to. "Sure, but can 'That Guy' come?" I agreed because Ryan's pretty cool, and he said I had met 'That Guy' before, and would recognize him when I saw him again.
So, let's preface...'That Guy' is what I will refer to 'That Guy' as the entire post, because though he has a name, he was truly only earning of the name 'That Guy' for the antics we ended up having to put up with on Saturday. Hmm, maybe 'TG' would be even easier. And keep in mind, Sarah is the sober designated driver to get togethers that both happen to be in Gresham, which is quite far from downtown, so I am stuck with whatever happens, all night.
I pick up my friend Jon and then head downtown to get Ryan and TG. I drop Jon off at Whole Foods because he hasn't eaten all day and I think he may kill someone soon, and then I go to pick up Ryan and TG. When they walk out, I do recognize TG and think, okay, I know him, he's decent...stares a little too long at people, but decent.
TG tries to get in the front seat and I tell him it's reserved for Jon who is a lot taller than him. No problem, climbs in back...and then I notice...the open beer can! "Oh hell no," I say, "What are you doing? Get that out of my car!" TG actually argues until I say, "Then get out," and then opens the door and sets the beer can on the ground right outside my back passenger door. "No, get out and throw that out, don't leave it in the street!" TG complies. I forgive this antic because I think they've been out for a while already, and, it's just one stupid thing right? Oh, wait.
Remarkably, the first get together goes fine. TG wanders off, eats some food, plays some beer pong with the drinkers, watches part of the UFC fight, is quiet. When it's time to move onto the next one, he grabs his coat and quietly gets in the car. None of my old college friends wanted to kill him. Good deal.
Then in the car, he starts up. He climbs in the front seat because Jon stays at the first get together. Only inches away now, TG starts talking, a lot. Questions include, "What do you like to do," and then,"So, are you single?" after he finds out what I like to do. "Dude, hello, not interested," I reply.
On to party two. We get out of the car and TG jumps on Ryan's back, shouting and demanding a piggy back ride. Are you kidding me? Then, he gets off Ryan's back and says "Now you!" to Ryan, who jumps on his back. What the hell is this?! We make it into the housewarming party and TG manages to spill red wine on the carpet within ten minutes of arrival, even after I told him, "Dude, quit swaying your cup of RED WINE back and forth...you're gonna spill it." The host of the party luckily has some amazing carpet cleaner and the red wine is out in minutes.
Ryan's had a bad cold all day and quietly moves about from a spot in the garage to chill out and watch the band, to a chair by the fire, to the couch in the living room. Nice work Ryan. Meanwhile, here is the list of everything else that TG managed to do, in no particular order...
1) Steals mike when the lead singer is taking a break, two or three times, and sings songs
2) Falls over and hits head on the bar
3) Disappears around the corner of the garage leaning over, clearly throwing up...then completely denies it
4) Starts touching everyone, male and female...keeps walking by me and touches my side every time, so I find all my good guy friends and hang on them
5) Starts getting referred to as 'business casual guy' and 'the guy who is creeping everyone out'
And here, is my absolute favorite...
6) Bonds with some other 'That Guy' at the party. All of us outside hear loud yelling and laughter through the kitchen window. We look over and see TG and other 'That Guy' standing over the sink, high fiving, hitting one another, and mashing together raw cookie dough and peanut butter M&M's with their bare hands. They managed to find a cookie sheet, heat up the oven, and BAKE SOME COOKIES! All the while, slamming into one another like the UFC fight we'd just watched at the other party. Am I seriously watching this?
Okaaaaay, this is out of control, time to go I decide. 'That Guy' and TG are extremely sad to part and hug quite a few times until I finally say, "Dude, you can totally stay here," meanwhile thinking, 'Dude, please totally stay here so I don't have to take you with me.'
Back to the other get together to pick up Jon. On the way, TG somehow scores the front seat again and decides that I look tense. "You need a neck rub," he says as he starts rubbing my neck. "No, I'm fine," I reply. But he keeps at it, demanding that he's so great at neck rubs and I really need one, until I finally yell, "Dude, DO NOT touch me!" He stops, looks me in the eye with a frown and says, "Aww, you're ruining my game girl!" I reply, "What game? No one is interested in you!"
Wait, we're not done. We get back to the first house and head in. It's super quiet, clearly winding down, but TG hits the back porch and manages to find more alcohol. Beer bottle isn't a twisty top, so TG decides to use the edge of the Ping Pong table to open it. Ping Pong table slams up and down, TG falls six feet backward. Another, "What the hell?" is directed his way by me. Thank God my friend who owns the house didn't see it because he'd probably pick him up and fling him across his yard. We need to go, now.
I round up all three boys, but of course, TG finds a skateboard on the steep driveway and decides to ride it down, tripping over a garden hose, hitting cars along the way. "Get off that ****ing skateboard," I yell. He doesn't. I yell again. He does. I yell to put it back. He puts it behind the wheel of a car. I yell to put it back on the porch. The idiot actually listens. I haven't yelled this much in months.
Okay, we're in the car. Safe and on the way home. Then, I hear a crash. Another "What the hell?!" from me, a "What?" from TG. He'd managed to bring a beer bottle in the car and was tossing it out the window. I'm livid, and then, he does it AGAIN! I almost pull over and kick his ass out, but we are far from downtown and it's too late for public transit. I warn him he is on his deathbed and to not move or he walks. He starts trying to give Jon, who's in the front seat, a neck rub. I tell him to stop. He listens. He gets on his phone and starts shopping for another party. We pull up in front of Ryan's condo and TG offers to bring us all up to a new party of the 12th floor. No thanks, I'm ready to embrace some silence!
The next day I get two texts from Ryan..."Thanks for putting up with us last night" and..."That Guy" apologizes for being a dumbass by the way...I owe you..."
Ryan, you have no idea!
So, let's preface...'That Guy' is what I will refer to 'That Guy' as the entire post, because though he has a name, he was truly only earning of the name 'That Guy' for the antics we ended up having to put up with on Saturday. Hmm, maybe 'TG' would be even easier. And keep in mind, Sarah is the sober designated driver to get togethers that both happen to be in Gresham, which is quite far from downtown, so I am stuck with whatever happens, all night.
I pick up my friend Jon and then head downtown to get Ryan and TG. I drop Jon off at Whole Foods because he hasn't eaten all day and I think he may kill someone soon, and then I go to pick up Ryan and TG. When they walk out, I do recognize TG and think, okay, I know him, he's decent...stares a little too long at people, but decent.
TG tries to get in the front seat and I tell him it's reserved for Jon who is a lot taller than him. No problem, climbs in back...and then I notice...the open beer can! "Oh hell no," I say, "What are you doing? Get that out of my car!" TG actually argues until I say, "Then get out," and then opens the door and sets the beer can on the ground right outside my back passenger door. "No, get out and throw that out, don't leave it in the street!" TG complies. I forgive this antic because I think they've been out for a while already, and, it's just one stupid thing right? Oh, wait.
Remarkably, the first get together goes fine. TG wanders off, eats some food, plays some beer pong with the drinkers, watches part of the UFC fight, is quiet. When it's time to move onto the next one, he grabs his coat and quietly gets in the car. None of my old college friends wanted to kill him. Good deal.
Then in the car, he starts up. He climbs in the front seat because Jon stays at the first get together. Only inches away now, TG starts talking, a lot. Questions include, "What do you like to do," and then,"So, are you single?" after he finds out what I like to do. "Dude, hello, not interested," I reply.
On to party two. We get out of the car and TG jumps on Ryan's back, shouting and demanding a piggy back ride. Are you kidding me? Then, he gets off Ryan's back and says "Now you!" to Ryan, who jumps on his back. What the hell is this?! We make it into the housewarming party and TG manages to spill red wine on the carpet within ten minutes of arrival, even after I told him, "Dude, quit swaying your cup of RED WINE back and forth...you're gonna spill it." The host of the party luckily has some amazing carpet cleaner and the red wine is out in minutes.
Ryan's had a bad cold all day and quietly moves about from a spot in the garage to chill out and watch the band, to a chair by the fire, to the couch in the living room. Nice work Ryan. Meanwhile, here is the list of everything else that TG managed to do, in no particular order...
1) Steals mike when the lead singer is taking a break, two or three times, and sings songs
2) Falls over and hits head on the bar
3) Disappears around the corner of the garage leaning over, clearly throwing up...then completely denies it
4) Starts touching everyone, male and female...keeps walking by me and touches my side every time, so I find all my good guy friends and hang on them
5) Starts getting referred to as 'business casual guy' and 'the guy who is creeping everyone out'
And here, is my absolute favorite...
6) Bonds with some other 'That Guy' at the party. All of us outside hear loud yelling and laughter through the kitchen window. We look over and see TG and other 'That Guy' standing over the sink, high fiving, hitting one another, and mashing together raw cookie dough and peanut butter M&M's with their bare hands. They managed to find a cookie sheet, heat up the oven, and BAKE SOME COOKIES! All the while, slamming into one another like the UFC fight we'd just watched at the other party. Am I seriously watching this?
Okaaaaay, this is out of control, time to go I decide. 'That Guy' and TG are extremely sad to part and hug quite a few times until I finally say, "Dude, you can totally stay here," meanwhile thinking, 'Dude, please totally stay here so I don't have to take you with me.'
Back to the other get together to pick up Jon. On the way, TG somehow scores the front seat again and decides that I look tense. "You need a neck rub," he says as he starts rubbing my neck. "No, I'm fine," I reply. But he keeps at it, demanding that he's so great at neck rubs and I really need one, until I finally yell, "Dude, DO NOT touch me!" He stops, looks me in the eye with a frown and says, "Aww, you're ruining my game girl!" I reply, "What game? No one is interested in you!"
Wait, we're not done. We get back to the first house and head in. It's super quiet, clearly winding down, but TG hits the back porch and manages to find more alcohol. Beer bottle isn't a twisty top, so TG decides to use the edge of the Ping Pong table to open it. Ping Pong table slams up and down, TG falls six feet backward. Another, "What the hell?" is directed his way by me. Thank God my friend who owns the house didn't see it because he'd probably pick him up and fling him across his yard. We need to go, now.
I round up all three boys, but of course, TG finds a skateboard on the steep driveway and decides to ride it down, tripping over a garden hose, hitting cars along the way. "Get off that ****ing skateboard," I yell. He doesn't. I yell again. He does. I yell to put it back. He puts it behind the wheel of a car. I yell to put it back on the porch. The idiot actually listens. I haven't yelled this much in months.
Okay, we're in the car. Safe and on the way home. Then, I hear a crash. Another "What the hell?!" from me, a "What?" from TG. He'd managed to bring a beer bottle in the car and was tossing it out the window. I'm livid, and then, he does it AGAIN! I almost pull over and kick his ass out, but we are far from downtown and it's too late for public transit. I warn him he is on his deathbed and to not move or he walks. He starts trying to give Jon, who's in the front seat, a neck rub. I tell him to stop. He listens. He gets on his phone and starts shopping for another party. We pull up in front of Ryan's condo and TG offers to bring us all up to a new party of the 12th floor. No thanks, I'm ready to embrace some silence!
The next day I get two texts from Ryan..."Thanks for putting up with us last night" and..."That Guy" apologizes for being a dumbass by the way...I owe you..."
Ryan, you have no idea!
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Inside, Really?
Well, I'm waiting for it to get cooler outside so I can take Bailey on a walk. Figured I would write some new lines while I wait, because, as I learned a couple weeks ago, floating the river this late at night is a ridiculously freezing experience.
Taylor, so perfect: The new niece is still a load of sleeping fun (that's all she really does right now). I hosted a family event on Sunday to get pictures of everyone with her...there were over 20 people. I love the chaos that comes with being a part of a big extended family...especially because I grew up in a really small one. At one point, there were little kids running through my house SCREAMING chasing my brother in law...it sounded like thunder. Anyway, I just love it and feel grateful to be a part of it all.
Chew, then talk: Failing for a successful segue way...I'll just jump into this: I've decided my new pet peeve is people in commercials who eat and talk at the same time. Cereal companies, one of my favorite things in the world, tend to be particularly drawn to this. So, stop it already...chew your cereal, or wings from KFC, or fattening desserts AND THEN talk. I've known people in real life who do this too, so if you are one of them, feel free to take note too.
Portland summers: I forgot how great they are. Having missed one last year, I am pretty happy to be back enjoying all there is to do on the weekends and every night of the week. This city never runs out of cool events and restaurants. A couple new faves are Eastburn and, ahh, the next one is a secret, sorry.
Pay attention to actions: It was all over the news, but Randy Pausch, who wrote The Last Lecture died a couple weeks ago from pancreatic cancer. I still have Diane Sawyer's interview with him saved on my DVR from months ago. If you have time, go to the website and watch the speech or find the interview and watch it. His message is pretty simple, but I was still inspired by him.
La Musica for your ears: Notice by Gomez, Golden Age by Beck, All Alone by Gorillaz, Burn by Nine Inch Nails. Maybe it's just that it is summer, but I'm also partial to rap with big beats and inappropriate lyrics right now. So, go listen to Last Call by Big Boi, on Speakerboxx...and then just don't tell your mom or spouse I told you to. I listen to it for the beat and bass, not the lyrics, I swear. And like Michael Bolton in Office Space, I usually listen to it with my windows rolled up. All the way up.
Night.
Taylor, so perfect: The new niece is still a load of sleeping fun (that's all she really does right now). I hosted a family event on Sunday to get pictures of everyone with her...there were over 20 people. I love the chaos that comes with being a part of a big extended family...especially because I grew up in a really small one. At one point, there were little kids running through my house SCREAMING chasing my brother in law...it sounded like thunder. Anyway, I just love it and feel grateful to be a part of it all.
Chew, then talk: Failing for a successful segue way...I'll just jump into this: I've decided my new pet peeve is people in commercials who eat and talk at the same time. Cereal companies, one of my favorite things in the world, tend to be particularly drawn to this. So, stop it already...chew your cereal, or wings from KFC, or fattening desserts AND THEN talk. I've known people in real life who do this too, so if you are one of them, feel free to take note too.
Portland summers: I forgot how great they are. Having missed one last year, I am pretty happy to be back enjoying all there is to do on the weekends and every night of the week. This city never runs out of cool events and restaurants. A couple new faves are Eastburn and, ahh, the next one is a secret, sorry.
Pay attention to actions: It was all over the news, but Randy Pausch, who wrote The Last Lecture died a couple weeks ago from pancreatic cancer. I still have Diane Sawyer's interview with him saved on my DVR from months ago. If you have time, go to the website and watch the speech or find the interview and watch it. His message is pretty simple, but I was still inspired by him.
La Musica for your ears: Notice by Gomez, Golden Age by Beck, All Alone by Gorillaz, Burn by Nine Inch Nails. Maybe it's just that it is summer, but I'm also partial to rap with big beats and inappropriate lyrics right now. So, go listen to Last Call by Big Boi, on Speakerboxx...and then just don't tell your mom or spouse I told you to. I listen to it for the beat and bass, not the lyrics, I swear. And like Michael Bolton in Office Space, I usually listen to it with my windows rolled up. All the way up.
Night.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Introducing...
Meet Ms. Taylor Evelyn, my new niece, first born baby to Lexy and Ben, new object of my adoration and affection. She was born on Wednesday afternoon weighing in at a tiny ten pounds! Okay, that's not tiny. Clearly the most beautiful little bitty ever.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Me, Myself, Doing Nothing
Yep, it's Saturday night and I am writing a post to my blog. I was told this week by a very wise person that I needed to do something for myself because I rarely do. So, after going to the coast yesterday to drag our feet around in the sand and exhale some stress, wise person released me and said, "Remember to do something for yourself this weekend!"
It turns out this is something that is kind of hard to do at times. This summer has been really fun, but extremely busy too, and today was no different. I mean, I had a birthday party for a cute little kid to go to today. I have a friend in town from Colorado who I haven't seen in ten plus years. I have a dog who would probably love to go for a walk. My roomies invited me to a baseball game, had a suite to sit in and everything. And today, I just didn't want to do any of it.
Instead, I slept in really late. Took a shower at 4:00. Accepted the offer for free dinner from my roomie. Watched TV for the first time in weeks. Zoned out essentially. And it has been nice. I'll admit I had a couple moments of weakness where I texted a couple friends to see what they were doing, because at times, I feel like I always have to be doing something. But the truth is, I don't. I have about 70 more years to live. There are plenty of days to do things.
Maybe tomorrow will be one of them, but today isn't over yet...so on that note, I am going back to doing nothing.
And, while I do nothing, go listen to You Are Goodbye by Holly Conlan. I am telling you, sometimes the free song of the week on iTunes is amazing. And this is one of them.
It turns out this is something that is kind of hard to do at times. This summer has been really fun, but extremely busy too, and today was no different. I mean, I had a birthday party for a cute little kid to go to today. I have a friend in town from Colorado who I haven't seen in ten plus years. I have a dog who would probably love to go for a walk. My roomies invited me to a baseball game, had a suite to sit in and everything. And today, I just didn't want to do any of it.
Instead, I slept in really late. Took a shower at 4:00. Accepted the offer for free dinner from my roomie. Watched TV for the first time in weeks. Zoned out essentially. And it has been nice. I'll admit I had a couple moments of weakness where I texted a couple friends to see what they were doing, because at times, I feel like I always have to be doing something. But the truth is, I don't. I have about 70 more years to live. There are plenty of days to do things.
Maybe tomorrow will be one of them, but today isn't over yet...so on that note, I am going back to doing nothing.
And, while I do nothing, go listen to You Are Goodbye by Holly Conlan. I am telling you, sometimes the free song of the week on iTunes is amazing. And this is one of them.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Venting Girl
I had a great weekend, but I am just not in a good mood today. I can't explain it, so I guess I will write instead.
While I am ultimately in control of my life at the moment, and life is going quite great actually, there are some things in my life that are on 'wait and see' status. I'm not going into detail on it because I have nothing to complain about really. I just need to decide how I want to live my life and let it all effect me right now. One of those things is leaving Portland. Is it going to happen? I'm not sure yet.
Now, here's a complaint though: There are people showing up in my dreams who I just don't want to see anymore. I don't want to know where they are, how they are doing, or what they are up to. I just want them 'erased' essentially. Those who know me probably know the few people this refers to, but they donated a lot of negativity to my life and I really feel like the best thing for me is to not have to have them show up in my dreams of all places.
And on that note, my roomie just told me the whole house is going to float the Clackamas river, so it looks like I am going to go and get myself in a better mood by doing that!
While I am ultimately in control of my life at the moment, and life is going quite great actually, there are some things in my life that are on 'wait and see' status. I'm not going into detail on it because I have nothing to complain about really. I just need to decide how I want to live my life and let it all effect me right now. One of those things is leaving Portland. Is it going to happen? I'm not sure yet.
Now, here's a complaint though: There are people showing up in my dreams who I just don't want to see anymore. I don't want to know where they are, how they are doing, or what they are up to. I just want them 'erased' essentially. Those who know me probably know the few people this refers to, but they donated a lot of negativity to my life and I really feel like the best thing for me is to not have to have them show up in my dreams of all places.
And on that note, my roomie just told me the whole house is going to float the Clackamas river, so it looks like I am going to go and get myself in a better mood by doing that!
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Some of the Good Things
Here's a short list of the good things going on in my life or that you should be paying attention to. It's nothing deep, and you don't have to pay attention to my life, but some of the suggestions are good ones:
Pandora: Simply the most amazing place for free music. It makes playlists based on one key song. They're always great, and you can tailor them to your liking. Try it out.
We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank by Modest Mouse: In heavy rotation during my weekly commute when I get tired of my iPod. One of my favorite songs so far...Parting of the Sensory
My Fourth of July weekend: It was good. That's all. Quality time with a myriad of people from Thursday to Sunday.
Lunch with the girls: Every Wednesday, I get together with three of my closest girlfriends for lunch. It's a chance for us to catch up and ogle the cute baby who joins us. It also reminds me that friendships are precious and having time with these girls is a great thing. I suggest you get something like this going if you haven't already.
My family: I have to admit, I still feel like I am getting to know them at times. But one thing I do know is that I belong in this crazy group of people and I love my time with them. I still wish my older brother would meet my dad. Maybe one day.
The weather: I'm sitting outside writing this at 8:30 and it's 85 degrees with a warm breeze. Can't beat that.
And, here's a song worth listening to: I'm Yours by Jason Mraz. Sure, it's taking over the airwaves right now, but there's a reason...it'll make you smile.
And, that's all for now.
Pandora: Simply the most amazing place for free music. It makes playlists based on one key song. They're always great, and you can tailor them to your liking. Try it out.
We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank by Modest Mouse: In heavy rotation during my weekly commute when I get tired of my iPod. One of my favorite songs so far...Parting of the Sensory
My Fourth of July weekend: It was good. That's all. Quality time with a myriad of people from Thursday to Sunday.
Lunch with the girls: Every Wednesday, I get together with three of my closest girlfriends for lunch. It's a chance for us to catch up and ogle the cute baby who joins us. It also reminds me that friendships are precious and having time with these girls is a great thing. I suggest you get something like this going if you haven't already.
My family: I have to admit, I still feel like I am getting to know them at times. But one thing I do know is that I belong in this crazy group of people and I love my time with them. I still wish my older brother would meet my dad. Maybe one day.
The weather: I'm sitting outside writing this at 8:30 and it's 85 degrees with a warm breeze. Can't beat that.
And, here's a song worth listening to: I'm Yours by Jason Mraz. Sure, it's taking over the airwaves right now, but there's a reason...it'll make you smile.
And, that's all for now.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Ghetto Scrabble, Cat Power, and Other Stuff
I was going to write about my Friday night of playing Ghetto Scrabble with some good friends, but just couldn't figure out a way to tell the story of the game that would make it PC and appropriate. The farthest I will explain is that some of the decent words and phrases thrown down included PHYTBOEL, UAXINFOLVN, and DATZFORU. So, on that note, I will just say we laughed a lot, and...here are some updates from the life of me...
Gas prices are killing everyone. Driving 80 miles to and from work everyday has me feeling the pain. Will it effect where I live eventually? Maybe. That's all I can say at the moment.
I opened my golfing season Sunday with some free golf. Good thing it was free because I was terrible. But, I did get a double bogey on a Par 5 and a triple bogey on a Par 4. Trust me...that is GREAT for me. It'll get better.
A friend of mine just passed on a ton of good music to me. The best is this band from the UK called Cat Power. I love them. Figure out how to get some of their music and LISTEN to it.
Still awaiting 'girl baby no name' from Lexy and Ben. Some hybrid names have come up that are pretty good. My favorite is definitely Lexamin. It sorely beats my creation of Belexy. My father continues to call her something I can't even remember at the moment because it is just so terrible, though I think he is convinced that 'Ducky' is in the running.
Yeah, so that's about all I feel the need to report on at the moment. Life has been good lately. I love being around all these great people everyday who make me smile and remember why I am in Oregon.
Oh, and of course, love to GDD today. I'll mention it every year just so no one ever forgets. Love you always.
Gas prices are killing everyone. Driving 80 miles to and from work everyday has me feeling the pain. Will it effect where I live eventually? Maybe. That's all I can say at the moment.
I opened my golfing season Sunday with some free golf. Good thing it was free because I was terrible. But, I did get a double bogey on a Par 5 and a triple bogey on a Par 4. Trust me...that is GREAT for me. It'll get better.
A friend of mine just passed on a ton of good music to me. The best is this band from the UK called Cat Power. I love them. Figure out how to get some of their music and LISTEN to it.
Still awaiting 'girl baby no name' from Lexy and Ben. Some hybrid names have come up that are pretty good. My favorite is definitely Lexamin. It sorely beats my creation of Belexy. My father continues to call her something I can't even remember at the moment because it is just so terrible, though I think he is convinced that 'Ducky' is in the running.
Yeah, so that's about all I feel the need to report on at the moment. Life has been good lately. I love being around all these great people everyday who make me smile and remember why I am in Oregon.
Oh, and of course, love to GDD today. I'll mention it every year just so no one ever forgets. Love you always.
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Screaming Mimi To the Rescue
This is Screaming Mimi. Press play to hear her. I bought three of her at an after Halloween sale in 2006, passed two of her on to others, and kept one. She sits on my desk at work and provides stress relief for people when they have a bad interaction with a client or feel overwhelmed. Right now, I think Mimi is mostly screaming about gas prices and she's scared the sun came out today because she is just a teeeeeny bit Emo. I figure that one day, she's gonna 'die' so I figured I would capture her because she makes me laugh, all the time. It's the simple things in life people, the simple things.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Work Thoughts
Work has been a little hectic lately. Like most everyone else, I have a pretty big caseload with several million things needing attention...I get to figure out where to place five sisters for a long time while their parents are in prison, how to get a parent or two to stick around and engage in services and just tell me the truth when I ask them a question, what to do with a kid who just does not seem to be able to keep it together, and how to 'get' to a girl who is almost 18 and starting to date abusive and negative men.
The work I do often reminds me not to take my own life for granted. True, I grew up in some crappy situations with my own mother, but I always had a roof over my head, my basic needs met, and an army of other adults who showed me that they would always be there for me, no matter what. I keep pictures of them around my house to remind me that I didn't get to where I am on my own...I had a lot of amazing support. The kids and families I work with often end up on our caseloads because of a cycle that they were not able to escape from because there were no outside supports. Two of my cases have been in the system generationally for quite some time. It frustrates me to no end.
In reality, I can only work with my families, get them services, and hope they change. For myself, I personally feel that I made a committment early on in my life to never let the cycle I grew up in continue on when I have kids...and once again, this is probably easier for me to do because I had amazing people help to raise me. My own children will always be safe, loved, happy, and healthy. I know that...there just shouldn't be any other way. I'm looking forward to it.
So, what is my point tonight? I guess that I just hope you keep your ears and eyes open to the children around you. Not to sound cheesy, but they are the future. And they will only grow up empowered if we give them that chance. For that matter, pay attention to parents too. Parenting can be a tough job and a lot of my clients tend to be doing it all on their own, which results in a lot of rough times.
That's all. Someone told me once, "I'm so fortunate aren't I?" When I replied, "Yes, you are fortunate," he replied, "No, I'm not fortunate...I did this all on my own." But, no one does anything all on their own. Someone fed you when you were little, taught you to ride a bike, helped you to solve your first problem, whatever that was. Failing to recognize the people in your life who make you stronger is an error. So, make sure you let your heroes know who they are, all the time.
Song of the moment...See the World by Gomez. It is a great one.
The work I do often reminds me not to take my own life for granted. True, I grew up in some crappy situations with my own mother, but I always had a roof over my head, my basic needs met, and an army of other adults who showed me that they would always be there for me, no matter what. I keep pictures of them around my house to remind me that I didn't get to where I am on my own...I had a lot of amazing support. The kids and families I work with often end up on our caseloads because of a cycle that they were not able to escape from because there were no outside supports. Two of my cases have been in the system generationally for quite some time. It frustrates me to no end.
In reality, I can only work with my families, get them services, and hope they change. For myself, I personally feel that I made a committment early on in my life to never let the cycle I grew up in continue on when I have kids...and once again, this is probably easier for me to do because I had amazing people help to raise me. My own children will always be safe, loved, happy, and healthy. I know that...there just shouldn't be any other way. I'm looking forward to it.
So, what is my point tonight? I guess that I just hope you keep your ears and eyes open to the children around you. Not to sound cheesy, but they are the future. And they will only grow up empowered if we give them that chance. For that matter, pay attention to parents too. Parenting can be a tough job and a lot of my clients tend to be doing it all on their own, which results in a lot of rough times.
That's all. Someone told me once, "I'm so fortunate aren't I?" When I replied, "Yes, you are fortunate," he replied, "No, I'm not fortunate...I did this all on my own." But, no one does anything all on their own. Someone fed you when you were little, taught you to ride a bike, helped you to solve your first problem, whatever that was. Failing to recognize the people in your life who make you stronger is an error. So, make sure you let your heroes know who they are, all the time.
Song of the moment...See the World by Gomez. It is a great one.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Mourning For the Beavs
Everyday, my friend and coworker Megan puts up a joke of the day...except today. Thanks Megan for recognizing this very difficult time for Beavers fans everywhere. As a fellow Beaver, your sympathy is deeply appreciated. Okay, really, this just cracked me up.
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