Total Scrooginess

Yeah, I'm still alive. I just happen to be in the middle of the worst time of the year for me. October through January are so terribly depressing that I wish I could just sleep through!

So it's less than a week till Christmas and my attitude is, "Ho, ho, ho--BITE ME." K. and I will be by ourselves again this year, so not much of a celebration. Also, he's working on Christmas Eve and Christmas day, so I will be alone for much of the time normal people are celebrating. Oh, well.

I can't figure out how I want to, or should, feel at this time of year. I find myself caught between wanting to love the holidays and hating everything about them. I really envy everyone caught up in the season and wish I could have any reason to look forward to it. I won't even have any gifts to get excited about--and even better, any gifts to be excited about giving! K. and I got the new computer as a Christmas gift to ourselves, so there won't be anything under the tree for me this year! I can't stand the sight of an entirely empty space under the tree, so I went and got some little things for K., but nothing to get too worked up about. So, once again, "Oh, well."

So, anyway, just wanted to drop in and do a little post to let the two or three people who actually read this thing know that I am still alive. Hopefully after the holidays I will feel more like writing. Maybe I'll actually write something amusing, or at the very least, interesting. If I don't write before, Merry Christmas!

Thought Provoking: please take the time to read

I happened to come across this blog entry today and had to add it to this blog. While I don't agree with everything this young lady had to say, I think she made some extremely valid points. If only everyone could read this with an open mind and try to understand what she says, there could be some real changes in 2008.

Friday, November 05, 2004

How You Could Have Had My Vote

It's been two days since John Kerry conceded, and all I am seeing, hearing and reading from the Democratic party is that you guys think you lost on "moral values." You seem to think this means nothing more than opposition to gay marriage. You seem to think that Bush voters waited in line for hours to stick it to the queers, to tell those faggots how much we hate them!

Nothing could be further from the truth. Many Bush voters, like myself, were not happy to be voting for the President's re-election. Many Bush voters agonized over our decision and cast our vote in fear, trepidation, and trembling. Many of us would have given our left arms for a Democrat we could have supported.

Because I am too young to be as disillusioned as I am, and because I know that one-party rule is not good for my country, and because it is my deepest wish to see the Democratic party change into one I can give my whole-hearted support, I am going to explain why you didn't get my vote, and how you can get it in the future.

First, for context, let me give you a bit about my perspective: I am a single, heterosexual, college-educated woman in my late 20's with an annual income of about $30,000. I live in a solidly red state in the South, the region you guys wrote off entirely without even trying to persuade us to vote for you. I am not an ideologue, and I experience painful ambivalence about many political issues. The notion of an abortion makes me queasy, but I don't want Roe vs. Wade overturned. I have friends who've been impregnated by rape and friends who found out late in their third trimesters that they were carrying babies too malformed to ever have normal lives. The pictures of Iraqi children who've lost arms from the bombs my tax dollars bought make me shed tears, but I recognize that the war was the right thing to do, given the information we had available at the time the decision was made. I had no health insurance for three years, but I'm still, hesitantly, not in favor of socialized medicine. I know people who abuse the social services, but I also have friends who would be dead without the food stamps and SSI checks they collect each month. I believe in God and consider myself a Christian, but I don't go to church, and Falwell, Robertson, and their ilk scare me more than they scare you. I believe that in a perfect world, Roy Moore would have to live with the stench of his own ego, just like the rest of us do.

I have gay friends who are closeted and gay friends who couldn't be more open if they had QUEER tattooed across their foreheads, and I think they should be allowed to get married if they want to. I read The Onion, Dilbert, Dan Savage's sex advice, Salon.com, and quite a few blogs. The local librarians know me on sight. I waited in line until midnight when the fifth Harry Potter book came out. I can't wait to see the new Chucky movie. I will probably shack up before I get married, but I won't be proud of it. I wouldn't buy an SUV, even if I could pay cash for one. I recycle. I shop at Wal-mart, but I feel guilty about it, and if they unionized, I would never cross the picket line. I think FOX News is about as fair and balanced as a seesaw with a gorilla on one end.

President Bush's close relationships to people like John Ashcroft scare me. I hate the PATRIOT Act and am fearful of what might be part of PATRIOT II. The two dumbest trial balloons I've heard floated for his second-term agenda are privatizing Social Security and abolishing the income tax. When he says that God chose him to be President during this time of trial, I am embarrassed. I roll my eyes.

I am a pragmatic, disillusioned, realistic, and entirely ordinary member of the radical middle.

Here is why you didn't get my vote:

1. You didn't give me clear positions on the issues. I followed the news closely all through the campaign, but I still don't understand Kerry's position on Iraq. I know he voted for the IWR, but then he voted against the $87 billion. To you, that seemed to be a symbolic stand against Saddam Hussein (the IWR) but also a principled stand against a President who was out of control (against the $87 billion). To me, that was just confusing. He said he would have done everything different, but he also said that, knowing what he knew today (the day he was asked) he still would have cast the same vote. He said that he would bring allies to our side to share the burden, but he also said he would be sending 40,000 more of our troops. He said that we must finish the job, but he also said it was the wrong war at the wrong place and the wrong time. Huh?

2. You didn't convince me that you would defend America against the threats of terrorism. Kerry seemed to think that terrorism is like any other crime. You catch the people responsible and put them in jail, and that's that. After seeing the destruction – physical, financial, psychological, and emotional -- wrought by the September 11th attacks, I do not understand how he could believe this. The hijackers lived among us, ate at our restaurants, shopped in our malls, and wounded us worse than we have ever been wounded before. How Kerry saw this as a crime, and not as a paradigm-shifting event that deserved a military response, both in direct retaliation and to keep it from ever happening again by going on the offensive, is something I don't understand.

3. You insulted my intelligence by the constant mantra of Kerry's service in Vietnam. Most of the men I know who are older than 50 served in some way, either in country or in the Coast Guard or other non-combat roles. I don't see the relevance, and the drumbeat of "three purple hearts" struck me as manipulation. It was as if you were saying, "These dumbshit hawks want war? We'll give 'em a real war hero! That'll get their votes!"

4. Your constant references to the opinions of the rest of the world scared me, and I'm not talking about the "global test" comment. I don't care what Europeans think about me or my country. I learned in high school that living my life with one eye on the opinions of everyone else leads only to unnecessary turmoil and pointless pain. Why didn't you?

5. You disturbed me with your demonization of the rich. Rich people were talked about in this campaign as though they were all evil cheaters who had wage slaves tied up in the basement to be flogged for minimum wage, and what they didn't earn from the wage slaves' labor, they stole from nursing home residents. I am not rich, but I work hard, am learning about investing money, am continuing to improve my prospects for earning more money in the future, and fully expect to end up at least well-off someday. If I do, it will be because of my efforts and work, not because of winning "life's lottery." I know two millionaires personally. Both are entrepreneurs who took big risks and worked their backsides off for years to get where they are. Given that Kerry is married to a billionaire, this seemed especially hypocritical.

6. Here is something you could work on right about now: I could not stomach to listen to your incessant hatred of President Bush. Bush is stupid, Bush is an idiot, Bush is Hitler, Bush is a Nazi, Bush masturbates to photos of dead Iraqi babies, I'd vote for my dog before I'd vote for Bush, I'd vote for Castro before I'd vote for Bush, the Rethuglicans are fascists, Bush voters are treasonous, Bush should be impeached, blah blah blah blah blah blah. It was old three months after Bush's inauguration, and it's now just tiresome. I don't hate my President, even though I voted for him with more reluctance than I can express and a queasy feeling in my stomach. Language like this makes you seem immature, needlessly vulgar, and obnoxious.

7. Lastly, and I hope this doesn't hurt anyone feelings, because my objective is to make you think, not emote: I don't think you really want my vote. I actively sought out your perspective. I tuned in regularly, for months, to your biggest media project, your serious effort to get your message out: Air America Radio. I listened all day on Good Friday as host after host mocked people like me for believing in Jesus's life, death, and resurrection. I listened as Janeane Garofalo, who was one of my favorite comedians for years, expressed hatred and disgust for Bush voters so vile that I ended my live stream feeling assaulted, as if I'd been vomited on. I listened the night that Mike Malloy told a young Republican to hang up the phone and go open a vein. I listened to pure, unadulterated venom that was so intense I sometimes cut the stream and cried. Tonight, your spokespeople on AAR have been calling people like me "snake-handling evangelicals," and that was about the kindest thing I heard. Um…y'all? I've lived in the South my entire life and have never met a single snake-handler. Your attitudes, language, and behavior toward people like me: reasonable, thinking Christians who are quite moderate politically and who are just as well-informed as you are (yes, I've read all the PNAC essays, too, and yes, they scare me, too) is reminiscent of nothing so much as an abusive ex-lover, a crazy and drunken stalker. "I'll make you love me, or you'll regret it, you worthless bitch! Come here and let me beat you over the head and tell you how stupid and worthless you are! Then you'll see it my way!"

I tried so hard to give you guys a chance. I'm young, I'm not extremely religious, and I'm supportive of liberal ideals like fighting for higher wages, stopping outsourcing of jobs, and standing up for the little guy. I wanted to vote Democratic this time, more than I can possibly put into words. You just didn't give me the option.

President Bush won on values, yes, but not hatred of gays or any other stereotype you have in your head about Bush voters like me.

He won because he has values, clearly defined values, and even though I agree with little of what he believes, at least I know what he believes. At least I know that he really does believe in something. At least I know that he will do what he says he will do.

That's disgustingly little, but unbelievably – you offered me less.

So, if you want my vote next time, and the vote of all my close friends, and the millions more like us that you refuse to believe exists, it's pretty simple: take positions and don't waffle on them. Stand up for America, especially with regard to terrorism. Shut up about what Germany and France think. Stop pretending that the only way to become wealthy in America is to cheat, for the sake of those of us who still want to get there. Treat the President with at least as much civility, if not respect, as you would've wanted right-wingers to give a President Kerry. Most importantly, please, please, please, please, please, please stop abusing me. No more verbal and psychological and emotional savagery. Treat me like a voter whose vote you would actually appreciate getting, and you will get it.

Do you maybe, just maybe, see where I'm coming from?

I doubt it. But I had to try.

Sincerely,

A Very Sad American

MORE Fun Things To Do During Boring Sermons

Start from the back of the church and try to crawl all the way to the front, under the pews, without being noticed.

Raise your hand and ask for permission to go to the rest room.

Whip out a hanky and blow your nose. Vary the pressure exerted on your nostrils and trumpet out a rendition of your favorite hymn.

Chew gum; if the sermon goes on for more than 15 minutes, start blowing bubbles.

By unobtrusively drawing your arms up into your sleeves, turn your shirt around backwards.

Try to raise one eyebrow.

Crack your knuckles.

Twiddle your thumbs.

Twiddle your neighbor's thumbs.

Wiggle your ears so that the people behind you will notice.

(found on the internet several years ago)

Fun Things To Do During Boring Sermons

Pass a note to the organist asking whether he/she plays requests.

See if a yawn really is contagious.

Slap your neighbor. See if they turn the other cheek. If not, raise your hand and tell the preacher.

Devise ways of climbing into the balcony without using the stairs.

Listen for your preacher to use a word beginning with 'A' then 'B' and so on through the alphabet.

Sit in the back row and roll a handful of marbles under the pews ahead of you. After the service, credit yourself with 10 points for every marble that made it to the front.

Using church bulletins or visitor cards for raw materials, design, test, and modify a collection of paper airplanes.

to be continued...........

More Nothing Much

"The only reason I would take up jogging is so that I could hear heavy breathing again."
--Humorist Erma Bombeck

Not a Newbie

Several days ago I was cleaning some files and drawers when I came across a paper with some of the specs on my last computer. It is unbelievable: my Zire 72 has a faster processor and the same amount of memory that the computer had--and I can hold the Zire in one hand! I can't even imagine how obsolete my FIRST computer would be today!

Compared to most people using computers today, I would have to say I know a bit more than a lot of them about the workings of computers. Now, that doesn't mean I am so very close to being an alpha geek, it just has to do with how easy computers are compared to what they used to be. Granted, computers are much better and complex than before, it is just that they are much easier to operate today. Programs have come a long way in becoming user-friendly. My first computer's operating system was Windows 3.1--something a lot of people never heard of, much less used! Considering I actually started out with a Windows OS, I am considered a newbie by some REAL geeks, and I truly admire their knowledge and longevity in the computer community. This is why, when some people consider me their computer guru, I can't get big-headed--I am too much of a newbie in certain ways. I wish I knew a lot more about computers and then I would NEVER have to depend on tech support again!!!!! Oh, happy day.

Politics

Today I went out to run errands I have been putting off: mailing a package, bringing "stuff" to the women's center, going to the pet store for cat food, etc. This would have been just normal, boring tasks except for the political discussion at one of the businesses. Nothing new or out of the ordinary was said--we all have heard it all before--it's just the fact it was said in a place of business that rather startled me. It's been said you should never discuss religion or politics, because people are so passionate about their beliefs in either subject, and hard feelings can occur. Hearing this business person speak, AND in such a way that I am POSITIVE this person is a conservative and will be voting as such, was something I don't recall ever having experienced before. Interesting.

The other thing that I found fascinating was the age of the person in question: younger than me. As a member of the "sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll" generation, I don't see many of my age group as particularly conservative in their views. I always thought of conservatives as the "older folks" and it always surprises me to find someone my age or younger as a staunch conservative/Republican. If the "younger generation" is becoming more conservative in their politics, could more conservative morality be far behind? I really don't hold out much hope for the morality issue. Oh, well.

So Sad

"...my breasts are so versatile now. I can wear them down, up, or side to side."
--Cybill Shepherd

It is really so sad...she could be talking about me! :(

Cat

Just finished feeding the cat--and considering she weighs about 15 pounds, that is no little task! Actually, she gets fed only once a day, so her weight can only be attributed to: 1) she comes from a family of big cats (brother weighs 20+ pounds), 2) she has a lot of very heavy fur, 3) she has been weight training--and we all know muscle weighs more than fat! The real reason, though, is that she is a cat couch potato. Her only reason for breathing is so she can eat, sleep, use the litter, and run through the house, once a day, like the hounds of hell are after her. Considering she sheds a pound of fur every day and hacks up fur balls on a regular basis, it isn't always easy to understand why she still takes up space in our home. Even though she isn't always a joy to have around, we still love her. We have had her for over ten years and consider her a member of the family. As she has gotten older, she is actually becoming more of a people cat--she will stay with us most of the time we are awake. She vocalizes more than she ever did and will come to be pet. She still isn't a lap baby, but with her weight that probably is a good thing.

Anyway, back to my original idea for writing. Most of the time I try to feed the cat on the sly--if she is in the kitchen when I do the job of feeding her, she is always in the way. It doesn't matter which way I turn, where I walk, how I move, she is ALWAYS under my feet. One of these days I am not going to notice her (not easy to not notice a 15 pound cat) and will trip, fall, and break my leg. Hopefully I won't fall on her because then, surely, she will be dead. So, I try to wash, dry, fill, and place her food and water dishes without her in the room. And this is something I can't accomplish. I only wish I had the hearing ability she does--I could have a brass band playing "76 Trombones" as loudly as possible and she would hear me lift her dishes off of the floor and come running. It is truly amazing to me.

Scrinch

Martha Stewart asked to be sent to prison to serve her 5 month sentence, as soon as possible. That is one way to get out of having to celebrate the holidays! Something I never thought of, that's for sure! If you haven't noticed, I hate the holidays. I'm a cross between Scrooge and the Grinch--a total Scrinch.

Nothing Much

"The trouble with jogging is that the ice falls out of your glass."
---Comedian Martin Mull

Just a Chuckle

"The reason I'm not losing any weight is that every time I complete an exercise, my personal trainer gives me a treat."
----dog talking to friends (Cats With Hands)

Important Stuff

There is legislation in a Senate committee that can have a devastating impact on technology and it is called the Inducing Infringements of Copyright Act (formerly the INDUCE Act). Whether you are technologically challenged or a total geek, this is legislation we all must urge our representatives to oppose. Following is an article written for The Computer & Communications Industry Association and it explains, far better than I can, the possible consequences if this becomes law—we ALL will be affected.

The following is taken from The Computer & Communications Industry Association website:

“The Computer & Communications Industry Association (June 24, 2004)

A bill introduced Wednesday in the name of stopping illegal duplication of copyrighted works in fact, threatens fundamental civil liberties, The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) said today. SB 2560 (The Inducement Devolves into Unlawful Child Exploitation Act of 2004) - being rushed through the Senate by Senator Hatch - is an overreaching bill that will have profound effects far beyond its original intentions. The measure is being supported by the leadership of both parties, including Senators Patrick Leahy, Bill Frist, Tom Daschle, Lindsey Graham, and Barbara Boxer. This new bill could make illegal any technology that might infringe a copyright, even if it is routinely used for legitimate purposes.

The Induce Act would kill innovation by giving the entertainment industry an effective veto over many new technologies. Under this bill, even the financial backers of a new technology could be held accountable for infringing activity they have no knowledge of, even for activity they could not foresee. It seems almost unthinkable that in a time of economic recovery, the Senate would cast a shadow of uncertainty over an industry central to our economic growth.

Had this measure been enacted twenty-five years ago, the following technologies might not exist:

· VCR
· DVD Players
· Tivo
· iPod
· Instant messaging
· Online media players
· Compression technology
· Search engines
· Camcorders
· Home video editing software
· Internet service providers

The Induce Act reaches into the heart of our Constitution by calling fundamental First Amendment rights into question. Even a journalist or website author discussing ways in which a technology might be used to infringe copyrights could be liable under this poorly worded act. The bill would likely restrict technology users’ access to legal counsel.

Legitimate academic research could also be chilled. For example, any researcher wishing to study hacker culture may not be able to mention where the hackers exchange their wares o­nline. This could be seen as abetting infringement.

“The purpose of this bill is clear - to give copyright holders complete control over the development and distribution of technology in the United States,” said Dan Johnson, CCIA Technology Counsel. He continued, “Under the bill, copyright holders have the ability to accuse anyone of infringement at any time - without proof. This will obviously chill innovation as technology companies will be forced to have lawyers guide their technology through development, or not release new technology at all.”

Mr. Johnson concluded, “We are alarmed by the speed at which this bill is being forced through the Senate. A bill that creates such undue burdens and has such far-reaching effects deserves a full public discussion. We call o­n Senators Hatch, Leahy, Boxer, Graham, Daschle, and Frist to hold public hearings immediately so the full effect of this bill can be examined."

###

CCIA is an international, nonprofit association of computer and communications industry firms, representing a broad cross-section of the industry. CCIA is dedicated to preserving full, free and open competition throughout its industry. Our members employ over half a million workers and generate annual revenues in excess of $200 billion.”

More can be learned about the IICA at Public Knowledge.

Playing Catch-up

Last weekend I realized that I pretty much know how I will die. I will perish in a car accident: that is why I sleep whenever we travel. Now, I don't just take naps, I am asleep by the time we get to the stop sign at the end of our street and I wake up when K. nudges me as we get within two blocks of our destination. I have often wondered why I do this and it became clear to me that I don't want to see my death approaching. Increasingly over the years, I have become more nervous by the way K. drives: too fast, passes too often, etc. He doesn't drive foolishly or recklessly, it is just that as I get older I feel as if slow and steady is the safest way to get anywhere. If I am awake, I find myself "putting on the brakes," gasping, cringing, and just making an annoyance of myself, so I sleep. One day in the (hopefully, distant) future, I will wake up outside the "gates" and know we were in a car accident--even before St. Peter tells me.


Some questions came to mind during last weekends wedding festivities:

1) Is it proper to ask the bride when the baby is due? When, exactly, is an appropriate time to do this? Obviously, it is not good to ask while in the receiving line after the wedding. (And this applies only to unmistakably pregnant brides.)

2) Is it actually proper to have the baby ultrasound pictures at the rehearsal dinner?

3) Do baby items really make a proper or appropriate wedding gift?

I guess I will just have to write and ask Miss Manners.


Watched Joey the other night and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it. I never was a fan of Friends, but I always liked the Joey character, so I had hopes for the new show. I found myself chuckling over 50%+ of the jokes--sometimes right out loud. They still have some fixing-up to do with it, but there is a good chance this show could be a hit. The next door neighbor/married woman character was rather lame--they have to come up with something more than having her show up every-so-often. And the character of Joey's agent is just BAD. I don't know if it is the way the character is written, or the actress who plays her, but I found it painful to even look at the screen while she was on. The actress looked like she was suffering from collagen/Botox overload and as if she was reading cue cards instead of acting. She didn't look at Joey while talking to him--just looked like a news-anchor reading the teleprompter, and doing that badly.

Don't know yet how I will feel about this year's The Apprentice. I am just more than a bit tired of Donald Trump patting himself on the back, tooting his own horn, bragging himself up, etc., etc. Hopefully the candidates won't be "playing to the camera" and will just be their selves (themselves?), otherwise I won't watch too many episodes.

I'm Baaaaack!

Yes, we got home from our little trip. Actually, we got home on Sunday already and it has taken me this long to get back into my routine! I could never be a REAL traveler! The wedding went well and we had a good time being with K.'s family. Even though the weather was hot, it didn't seem to effect me as badly as it usually does--hmmm, wonder why?

I will write more about the weekend later--just wanted to check in and let everyone know we are alive and well!

Why Me?

I know, I know, I'm awfully paranoid, but I think there is a conspiracy to make sure I can never completely enjoy myself. Case in point: we will be out of town this weekend for a family wedding and the weather is supposed to be in the 80s! Now, anyone who knows me knows that I find 68 to be the absolute tops in temperature for me to be comfortable. So, wedding, lots of people, possibly no air conditioning, warm temperatures, equals my not being nearly as happy as I could be if the temp didn't go above 64! Such is life. But, I'm sure a good time will be had by all--me included!

Hurricane

I feel so badly for the people of Florida having to deal with another hurricane so soon after the last. (I know, it hasn't reached them yet, but it is supposed to by the weekend.) I can't imagine how devastating weather disasters are--and can't help feeling so grateful for the lack there-of that we have. Granted, we have blizzards and massive amounts of snowfall and the occasional ice storm, but they seem so minor compared to tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, etc. I guess that is one of the reasons I have never really wanted to leave here and move to another part of the country: I don't know if I could cope elsewhere. But, I guess you learn to accept what you live with, in so many things.

Fashion Statement or Being Warm?

Looks as if the Ugg craze isn't going away for awhile and the question is: Do I get a knock-off pair and be warm this winter (and look absolutely ridiculous) or do I continue the way I have been for years (sneakers or, at most, hiking boots)? I'm still not old enough to totally not worry about how I look, but I really like to be comfortable, so I'm getting to the "hell with fashion" state of mind that comes with getting older and wiser. Maybe if I could afford a REAL pair of Uggs, then it would be cool to be in fashion. Have to think on this.

Gmail

Got my Gmail account today. Didn't think it would happen until they were done with beta testing, but I found the Gmail Swap web site, posted to it, and the rest (as they say) is history. And I only had to give the cat's name to be used as a screen name, for the invitation. I am so happy!

Sunday Meanderings

Not much on mind today--but then, is there ever? :) It is quite chilly outside and I am enjoying every minute of it. I can't wait till it is cold enough to put the furnace going again--I guess I'm just plain weird.

I really should run to the grocery store, but I can't decide what time would be best. The students are back in town and it will be a zoo out there. You would think admission into a university would imply a certain degree of intelligence, but most of these students couldn't be too bright because they don't know how to read! At least they don't know how to read street signs! Eventually, they figure out how to drive in this town and then we get snow--and it starts all over again. I wonder if they could pass a law to force them to take a driving test before allowing them to operate a motorized vehicle in the city limits? Although, that wouldn't help because we still have the idiots on their bicycles--even better are the imbeciles who ride bicycles in the winter! And all year we have the tourists who could use some instruction on driving and the rules of the road. Oh, well, I guess they will give a driver's license to just about anyone--after all, they gave one to me, didn't they?