Wednesday, March 31, 2004
My Current Mood:
Tell me again why we shouldn't impreach that Son-of-a-Bitch? All Clinton did was a little hokey pokey and he was impeached. Bush's stupidity and lack of trust of the American People have lead us to this:
Iraqis Drag Four Corpses Through Streets
By SAMEER N. YACOUB, Associated Press Writer
FALLUJAH, Iraq - Jubilant residents dragged the charred corpses of four foreign contractors _ including at least one American _ through the streets Wednesday and hanged them from the bridge spanning the Euphrates River. Five American soldiers died in a roadside bombing nearby.
The four contract workers for the U.S.-led coalition were killed in a rebel ambush of their SUVs in Fallujah, a Sunni Triangle city about 35 miles west of Baghdad and scene of some of the worst violence on both sides of the conflict since the beginning of the American occupation a year ago.
It was reminiscent of the 1993 scene in Somalia, when a mob dragged the corpse of a U.S. soldier through the streets of Mogadishu, eventually leading to the American withdrawal from the African nation.
My Current Mood:
What an interesting day we had here yesterday, chil'ren. The comments were hot and my temper was hotter. I did some reflective thinking last night about this blog, and my role in the blogging circle I am in. I think it was Gord-o who told me to examine my own behaviour. Okay. I did.
With the help of my bestest friend and psychologist, I came to a few conclusions.
"I thought your blog was very insightful and to the point, but do you feel totally comfortable with using your PERSONAL blog to attack somebody whom you don't know? I am not saying I agree... but I think you are expending too much of your valuable energy defending yourself and your relationships when you should not need to defend anything."
You are so right. I have been focusing on the defensive soooo much that I forgot that the other half of the battle is attack. Organize, educate and then attack the problem. Arguing points that won't convince anyone of anything is a complete waste of time.
"Your relationship with Lindi and Sarah is a beautiful commitment and it is not anyone's business as to how beautiful it is."
I just feel like if people knew how truly amazing it is to be so in love with your spouse, maybe they would understand why it is such a deplorable situation we are in - we should be recognized because of our level of commitment, and I just want to show the whole world why.
"Spend your energy, your very VALUABLE energy, fighting the war against those that can change it..."
I have come to realize that I am probably the first completely out and proud person a lot of Utahns have met. If I can show them I am normal, just like everyone else... that my marriage is the same, just like everyone else... that I care about, protect and take care of my daughter just like everyone else... the tide will start to change. If the experience Utahns get from meeting me and my family is a positive one - one that makes them think twice before cracking a gay joke or condemning other gay and lesbian couples - then the battle is being won. Lindi and Sarah are worth it. You have to be the change you wish to see in the world. But, again, you are right. I need focus.
"Don't play blonde, it is not a natural color of yours."
Yes, Ma'am.
Thanks, Yogi.
Tuesday, March 30, 2004
You are mozzarella!
You are a shiny, soft, round cheese. You are very imaginative and creative, but you don't like to stand out. You don't mind solitude at times and you love to do art.
The plastic, spun-curd buffalo milk cheese Mozzarella, originated from southern Italy. Pasteurized milk is curdled at 90 degrees F and the curd is cut. Extra time in the vat is allowed so that the curd can sink to the bottom and so that the lactic acids can soften the curd to make it easier to knead. The curd is treated with extremely hot water (200 degrees F) and is kneaded into a shiny lump. Bits of the mass are taken off cooled salted and are soon ready to be marketed.
[ Country: Italy || Texture: soft ]
Lawmakers OK Same-Sex Wording
Ban Could Be Adopted By Voters In 2006
Mar 29, 2004 12:20 pm US/Mountain
BOSTON (CBS) The Massachusetts Legislature adopted a new version of a constitutional ban on gay marriage Monday, bringing the lengthy process one step closer to completion for the year and eliminating consideration of any other proposed changes to the language.
If endorsed by voters in November 2006, the measure would define marriage as a heterosexual union and simultaneously legalize civil unions.
Monday's swift vote, which appeared to take some lawmakers by surprise, eliminated several other amendments, one of which would have weakened the civil union provision and another which would have split the question in two, allowing voters to weigh in separately on gay marriage and civil unions.
The Legislature must still take two more votes before the amendment is considered approved for the session. If that happens, it will then proceed to the 2005-2006 Legislature for further consideration before going to the voters in the fall of 2006.
Under a state high court ruling issued in November, the United States' first state-sanctioned gay marriage will take place in Massachusetts on May 17. The constitutional amendment would have no effect on this deadline, but Gov. Mitt Romney has said he might seek a way to delay the marriages if a constitutional amendment is adopted this year by the Legislature.
Several legislators had to pause during the debate because of tears. The Bible has been quoted liberally - but so have the Grateful Dead and Bob Dylan.
Sen. Robert Havern joked that those who are uncomfortable with gay sex should endorse same sex marriage, because everyone knows, "After marriage, there is no sex."
The Bible has been cited both as evidence of the sanctity of heterosexual marriage and as an illustration that its verses might not, in every respect, be the best model for marriage laws.
"Solomon had 700 wives," Democratic Rep. Daniel Bosley noted on the floor. "I am not suggesting anyone try that."
At times, the debate seemed like a clip from "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," with intensely personal stories about love, marriage, family, equality, heritage, race, and religion.
"I know the pain of being less than equal and I cannot and will not impose that status on anyone else," said Sen. Dianne Wilkerson, a black woman who was raised in the South. "I could not in good conscience ever vote to send anyone to that place from which my family fled."
Openly gay Sen. Jarrett Barrios was brought to tears when he told of a frantic telephone call to a hospital after his adopted 7-year-old son fell ill with a high fever. The nurse was reluctant to talk to him, he said, because the hospital's records listed only Barrios' partner as a parent.
"He could die on my watch while I was fighting with a nurse over whether I was his parent or not," the Democrat said.
There have been lengthy orations on long-standing traditions.
"Mother Nature left her blueprint behind and she left it in DNA, a man and a woman," said Rep. Marie Parente, a Democrat who opposes gay marriage. "I didn't create that combination, Mother Nature did."
And the Bible is not the only reference material making an appearance. Democratic Rep. Jay Kaufman read the verses of Bob Dylan's "The Times They are A-Changin"' into the record.
Democratic Sen. Brian A. Joyce appeared to attempt a filibuster on the first day of the debate by reading articles from The Boston Globe, while another group of lawmakers walked out of the chamber to protest the tempo of the proceedings.
Taken in total, however, political observers have given the proceedings high marks, despite the convoluted approval process, which has seen the lawmakers vote on amendments, further amendments and to send those further amendments to what's known in legislative parlance as a "third reading."
"Both opponents of gay marriage and the advocates have displayed some of their finest moments," said Paul Watanabe, a political science professor at the University of Massachusetts' Boston campus.
"It's clearly touched them personally and they've expressed it. It's been agonizing for many and that's been clear," he said. "It shows to some extent that this is an issue unlike any other that has appealed to people on a deep level."
My Current Mood:
This post is directed square at Rosemary, Queen of All Evil. There was just way too much to say about your comments to let this go unnoticed.
"Let me start off by saying that I am in favor of Same Sex Marriage. I am also a conservative Republican."
Great, thank you.
"That said, I take serious issue with something that you said. You said: "And, no, a marriage between two men and two women is NOT different than a marriage of one man and one woman...
"That is simply false. Just because you say it doesn't make it so. You cannot argue this point with people that oppose your position because they will shut you out. Your statement may just be naive or wishful thinking on your part but in the end it is wrong and a very bad comparison."
First of all, I am not naive nor is it a bad comparison. The act of "marriage" or "getting married" does NOT change regardless of gender. Do gay couples wish for different things, hope for different things, want different things when they get married than straight couples? Is there something different about the love between two gay people or two straight people? That is where you are naive because the answer is no. ONCE YOU REALIZE THAT, that we ARE the same, then the argument can be understood. It is HUMAN love, not gay love and straight love.
"In a nutshell, a man cannot impregnate his husband. A woman cannot impregnate her wife. You will not be able to share your genes with your wife and create a child. I can with my husband, a black heterosexual couple can, a mixed heterosexual couple can, a Chinese heterosexual couple can. That is one of the "fundamentals". Science may make it possible for you to get pregnant without aid of a man but not without his sperm. Not yet anyway"
Okay, who cares? Pregnancy is not a pre requisiste for marriage, and anyone who thinks this is so is relying on the biblical interpretation of marriage, and since I have said time and time again that this is a civil matter, this argument doesn't apply. There are plenty of people who don't care to get pregnant, or can't be impregnanted... that doesn't mean they shouldn't be married. CHILDREN IS NOT A LEGITIMATE ARGUMENT FOR BANNING SAME SEX MARRIAGE.
"I'm sure your going to jump on me about the many infertile couples. Yes, yes by all means. The problem with that is I'm on your side. So you'd be preaching to the choir. "
If I were preaching to the choir, then this wouldn't be such a huge piece of your statement. You don't truly believe that, otherwise, it wouldn't be the cornerstone of the debate for you.
"I'm only pointing out that your argument is flawed because there are differences between the dynamics of same sex relationships and opposite sex ones. You'd be foolish not to use that to your advantage. "
Number one, again, who cares about the dynamics of a relationship? It doesn't matter. There are differences in the dynamics of the relationship between me and my father vs me and my mother... it doesn't invalidate the relationships... so, again, who cares? Since when does dynamics make a legal relationship?
Number two, I would don't usually 'use' my race, gender or my sexual orientation to my "advantage". The fact is, I am an American, and as such, should be recognized for my diversity. We have spent so much time walking on egg shells around different races and cultures... but openly bash gays and lesbians. I am tired of it and am not taking it anymore. The dynamics between a gay and a straight couple may be different, but as I keep trying to point out, THAT DOESN'T MATTER. What matters is that marriage is a civil contract between two consenting people of pre-designated age and non-biological relation, and ANY two who meet that criteria should be allowed to enter into that contract. To not recognize THAT as the crux of this argument is to say that gays and lesbians cannot enter into legal contracts, and, therefore, are being discriminated against legally.
"Stop trying to make people believe they are all the same. They aren't and people won't be tricked into seeing it your way."
First of all, I am a "they" - I actually prefer "you people"... Tricked? Oh, please. There is nothing different in the relationships between my good friends Toni & Rob, Lorene & Dylan and Lindi and I. Toni and Rob are married. Lorene & Dylan are a committed couple for 15+ years. Lindi and I are a committed lesbian couple. We love, respect and take financial responsibility for one another just the same. We have committed to our "unions" just the same. What is different is the LEGAL status of these relationships. That's it. Really. It's not that hard to understand.
"Try a more honest approach. It will work better. Also, anger and intolerance towards those who you perceive are intolerant towards you, makes you equally as bad as them. You are not anymore entitled to intolerance than they are. 'Course they have nothing to lose because of it, you do."
Intolerance? You accused me of intolerance? You have no idea who you are talking to. Anyone who knows me would bitch-slap you for that statement. I have been tolerant time and time and time again for the name calling... the dismissive and condescending comments and actions of the State I live in... the people I have worked for... even family members... the protesters who call my wife a whore and a cunt and Devil's Child while we are at a park... the Biblical Fanatics who spit in my face and scream that I will go to hell - that everything I touch is contaminated and everyone I know will go to hell with me... I have taken it on the cheek for going on 11 years now, year in and year out, having to justify and explain who I am and who I love, to supposedly "tolerant" people just like YOU. So don't tell me I am intolerant. I am the most fucking tolerant person you have ever met.
I have every right to be angry when people who I consider my equals tell me that the person I love, and have committed to raising a child with, has no right to be called my spouse. I have every right to be angry when I don't have the legal right to claim her body for burial or be designated as her next of kin without extensive legal fighting. I have every right to be angry that I will spent upwards of $1,500 to secure some (and only some) of same rights that YOU can with a $75 marriage license. I have every right to be angry that I cannot add my own daughter to my health insurance because I can't legally adopt her. I have every right to be angry that my daughter can be taken from me if her mother dies because I am not her legal guardian. I have every right to be angry that The Division of Family Services can remove my daughter from my home for the simple fact that "Sarah has two mommies" and ONLY that reason.
I have every fucking right to be angry that I, as a lesbian woman, am treated as garbage in this country, while you, a Republican American who supposedly supports our efforts, takes pot shots at me and my family.
You talk out of both sides of your mouth, lady. "I support you, but this is how you should do it". Really, now. Try being honest yourself. Unless you are in the same situation as I am, you don't have any fucking clue how this feels to have everything you love and have built together constantly being threatened to be torn apart under the guise of a "Moral America".
Don't pretend to be on our side. You're just as diluted and intolerant as the rest, only worse, because you think you're not.
Monday, March 29, 2004
My Current Mood:
Bored off my ass, wish I could blog all day long, but I can't. So I thought I would start another comment war.
Over at Geoffrey's blog, there was discussion again about same-sex marriage, and some "asshat" (thanks, Geoffrey) stated that he wants to keep the word marriage for Heterosexuals because gays have commandeered the word "gay" for ourselves and until I can change the dictionary definition of marriage, it means a union between a man and a woman.
I beg to differ.
It means, literally, to join.
This is what I wrote back:
"Okay, Fish- we are now commandeering words?? Gimme a break. The Heterosexual community coined the term "gay" (happy) for homosexual men along with "fag", which used to mean a cigarette most of the time... we didn't commandeer anything. Those wonderful labels were brought upon us because the hetero world needed a word, and because we chose to embrace the ones of less offense, now we are commandeering the English language.
Now, you'll accuse us of stealing the rainbow, too.
The term marriage means to join. It doesn't necessarily mean one man and one woman. In fact, the word is used in the joining of ideas or thoughts, too.
Here ya go - Definitions of marriage on the Web:
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce); "a long and happy marriage"; "God bless this union" www.cogsci.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/webwn
two people who are married to each other; "his second marriage was happier than the first"; "a married couple without love" www.cogsci.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/webwn
the act of marrying; the nuptial ceremony; "their marriage was conducted in the chapel"
www.cogsci.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/webwn
An ancient practice of taking a life's companion or long term sexual/social partner. (see Marriage.) www.aznewage.com/dictionary%20m-n.htm
A legally recognized and/or socially approved arrangement between two or more individuals that carries certain rights and obligations and usually involves sexual activity.
www.nelson.com/nelson/sociology/sociologyinourtimes2/glossary4.html
a close and intimate union; "the marriage of music and dance"; "a marriage of ideas"
www.cogsci.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/webwn
a King and a Queen of the same suit. See common marriage, royal marriage.
www.pagat.com/marriage/pingloss.html
See, not ALL definitions of marriage are one man and one woman. These are but a few of the many... and the majority do not even mention gender.
And, no, a marriage between two mena nd two women is NOT different than a marriage of one man and one woman. Just as the marriage between two blacks is no different than the marriage between two whites, or mixed races, or cultures, etc. It is still a MARRIAGE. The fundamentals do not change because of gender. They simply don't.
Marriage is not abstract. It is the union of two people. Period. How much more fucking clear can that be? Your statements are fundamentally wrong because they are based on flawed theories and emotion and not on fact. "
Sunday, March 28, 2004
My Current Mood:
The Ricketts/Breeze housewarming was wonderful. I wish I could've felt better, but the migraine came back in full force. I threw up immediately upon returning home and passed out until 9 am today... thank to Lindi , orange creamies, a personal cheese pizza and some Alka Seltzer, I am back to normal.
I thought I would post some pictures of the house project as it is coming along.
First, we'll start with some pics of Sarah's bedroom. Keep in mind the room as all white... very bland. We added two purple walls, white Levelors, purple curtains, a purple bead curtain and running lights along the top of the purple walls... and the hundreds of stars.
I will post the bathroom and others as the week goes on. Enjoy!
Saturday, March 27, 2004
My Current Mood:
Yeah, I am at work on a Saturday. It was required for everyone to come in, since we have been behind. Well, let’s put it this way, I was caught up with 5 days worth of work in 3 days, so technically, I am not one minute behind schedule, but it’s nice to putter at my desk and get some things done I normally don’t have time for. My productivity was 198% this week. I doubled my required output. Yes, I rock. Worship at will.
The painting project at home is
Tonight is the Breeze/Ricketts housewarming. I am really looking forward to it. It’s been since Christmas since the gang has gotten together.
Toni is a smart cookie. Just to put that out there. She explained her position on the recent fetal endangerment bill on her blog. I’ll report it here for ease:
’~``**~*~.’~`’~``**~*`*~~**~*~..’~``**~*’~``**~*’~``**~*’~``**~*
OK CONNIE, LET ME EXPLAIN...
This new law states that a fetus is a life form separate from the woman, even if the woman is 2 weeks pregnant or less, the reason Roe vs. Wade was passed is because it states that a fetus is still a part of the woman and she can choose to dispose of it at her discretion. If our republican Congress and Legislature can get this law to stand on the books, they will have a very strong precedent set that the fetus at any stage is an individual human life. If this law only applied to a fetus that could be viable outside the womb, I may not be afraid as much of it's implications, however, now they have a law that dictates that a human life begins the minute of conception. This will even help in the fight the religious right is fighting against stem cell research.
This bill is just the beginning. Kinda like the Utah Legislature a few years back passing legislation making it illegal for you to adopt Sarah if you wanted to, because it could harm children. And now they have an amendment to our constitution saying you and Lindi could never get married, it all kinda snowballs if you aren't careful. If you don't think they have an agenda, look again at history.
’~``**~*~.’~`’~``**~*`*~~**~*~..’~``**~*’~``**~*’~``**~*’~``**~*
I agree with her to an extent. Once you start down the road of taking little rights away slowly and steadily, it snowballs. My father has the same perspective. If you start controlling gun rights, then sooner or later, there will be no gun rights left. We agree – to a point.
If I were pregnant and someone beat me to within an inch of my life, and I ended up losing my baby, you would damn well bet that I would want that bastard to pay for killing my child. S/he committed a crime by assaulting me and, in effect, causing me to miscarry. That is two separate crimes, as far as I am concerned.
However, a doctor performing a legal abortion is NOT committing a crime.
But I see where Toni is going – if we are saying that a fetus is a human life at any point in the game, abortion rights are in jeopardy and precedent is being set. She uses the argument in relation to my inability to adopt Sarah, same sex unions, etc. The only problem with this theory is that I never had the right to adopt Sarah. I never have had claim to Sarah. Similarly, I have never had the right to marry Lindi. What we are fighting for is the right TO do those things, not protesting because they were taken away. Maybe there is a better example. I think I get her point, and it is very well taken.
I think there has GOT to be some sort of level ground here. I want to have a baby. For those with no desire to have children, or who have been able to conceive children easily, to tell me they understand the complete and total devastation that the loss of a pregancy would bring to my and Lindi’s life – and then to tell me that the intentional and criminal ending of a pregnancy carries no legal weight – well, that’s cruel. Chances are, I will only have the opporunity to become pregnant once. To me, that fetus is priceless and it's termination would be life-altering for me and my family, just as my own murder might be.
My right to carry my child and have it legally protected should be just as paramount as anyone else’s right to end their pregnancy if they so wish.
Federal crime? No, I don’t agree with that. I think it should be on the State level, just as murder would be.
Continue comment war.
And use the comments to be productive. Name calling just for name-calling’s sake will be deleted.
THANK YOU TONI. I am so glad you are my friend who has different viewpoints. It helps me to see all sides of a situation. You rock.
Friday, March 26, 2004
My Current Mood:
You posted your feelings about this bill being passed. Basically, it makes it a seperate crime if you harm the fetus of a pregnant woman during the commission of a crime.
Why?
"And people who don't think this is the beginning of religious established government controling women's bodies and choices SCARES THE BEJESUS OUT OF ME. "
I don't.
What it is saying is that if you harm a pregnant woman during the commission of a crime, be prepared to face charges for the assault against the fetus. What is so morally wrong with that? If a woman choses to carry a child, that child should be protected. I know the argument comes down to "cells" vs "baby" and all that lot, but it's not preventing anyone from getting an abortion, it's not telling a woman what to do with her body. It's warning others to respect her rights and the rights of the child that she has chosen to carry.
How does that infringe on the rights of the women who want an abortion? It doesn't.
Basically, Toni, if you don't plan on beating up a pregnant woman with a baseball bat, then don't worry.
Okay, let the comment war ensue.
Chicken chow mein, lemon chicken and steamed white rice... now THAT's lunch... I am a happy tired girl... Is anything more perfect that Chinese food?
My Current Mood:
Today is going to be interesting. I had an interview today for a promotion to another department. I really wanted to wear jeans, but noooo, I have to dress up and wear heels. Have I ever told you how much I HATE heels? I kicked those suckers off as soon as I could….
This is the second go-around for the same job. A couple of people were promoted out of the department, so another position opened up. The first go around, I made it to the second interviews, but lost out to a guy I affectionately nicknamed “Sparky”. He is a tall, skinny, bespeckled, LDS, tie-wearing-everyday, no-talking-to-anyone kind of guy. This is gonna sound horrible, but his family pictures that are displayed on his desk look like something from a backwoods Arkansas family reunion. He is nice, don’t get me wrong, but he is just a little “off”. I also affectionately call him the “Pecker” due to his typing style… two fingers… hunt-n-peck…
I also have a girlfriend here at work. Not a girlfriend girlfriend (although… just kidding, honey). M and I are growing closer everyday, she cracks me up. I try and add a little humor to her day when I can and she watches my back. She and Lorene used to work together… M is a wild child.
So, today, our conversation went something like this. I thought it was funny, you may be bored…
First, some background. Utah is Mormon country. Both M and I are non-mormon, which can lend itself to some interesting situations. Devote Mormons who attend temple services wear church approved undergarments, called garments, garmies, Jesus Jammies… This state is very white, male and mormon. Not a good thing for me at times.
Oh, and Friday is treat day in my department. I smuggle treats to M every Friday. I am such a rebel.
’~``**~*~.’~`’~``**~*`*~~**~*~..’~``**~*’~``**~*’~``**~*’~``**~*
Me: I got 3 hours of sleep last nite, I am wearing shoes that I hate, my hair looks like shit and I am REALLY not having a good day. But, how are YOU?
We have muffins. Want me to sneak you one?
M: Well honey.. It's ONLY work, you’re going to do fine. Muffin.... no thanks.
Me: Are you sure? There’s blueberry, choc choc chip and some sort of funky cherry cordial…
M: Okay, blueberry.
(two minutes later…)
M: That is a damn good muffin!!! Thanks
Me: welcome!! The choc choc chip rocks. I am basically having chocolate cake for breakfast. God Bless America.
M: Your funny.....
Me: when's your first interview today? 9?
M: Nope.. you
Me: whut whoo!! how lucky are YOU?? I am wondering... are dress pants dressy enough? I was gonna wear my Daisy Dukes, but I thought Sparky might get a little excited...
M: Very. Gggggrrrrrrrrrr
Me: AND me, white trash hoochie mama, don't wanna wear shoes. Can't forget the white trash part. I am pretty proud of that... Did you see the blonde streaks I put in my hair?
M: White trash.. whatever.... And you are not a hoochie mama.
No I didn’t notice the blonde streaks.
Me: *sniff* See if I color my hair to please you again... I try and I try... this relationship is going NO WHERE...
Did you hear what happened to J? The girl had a heart attack on Tuesday…
M: I'm such a bad bad girly friend.....
Yea J came over to me...She's all so did you hear what happened to me.. I was like ummmmm no... and I didn’t ask WHAT happened.. She was like well I will tell you what happened...
Blah, blah, blah....
Me: Someone asked J where she'd been and she told us... holy crap... angio and a stent on Tues and she's back to work on Friday. She's making us all look bad.
Yea, bad girly friend. No perks for you.
M: No perks for me??????? How rude....
Me: well, okay... maybe just ONE more perk... is the 6th floor still under construction? *snicker*
M: LOL.......
Me: So, what did Sparky do now?
M: Nothing in particular.... He just annoys me....
Me: I thought he had really done something to annoy you badly... you looked like you were gonna kill him...
M: Honestly I need to have more patience with him. I just have no tolerance for SLOW, NOT TOO BRIGHT people.... I really don’t know how he got this job.
Me: Um... he's male?
M: Possibly.....
Me: And Mormon?
M: Bigger possibility.... Someone had his Jesus Jammies on when he interviewed him. His Mor-Dar (Mormon Radar) came on...
Me: Right. That what the little symbol that's embroidered on it does... it glows when you're around another Mormon. It's your Light of the Prophet...
Let's see... white, male, (imbred) Mormon, Family man... against a white, female, openly lesbian, non-mormon... yeah, I can see why he was hired.
M: LOL..... Your so damn funny.
Me: "Connie, you get the job, but you have to kill Sparky and dispose of his body before you come over to the department. It's just a formality, you understand."
Thursday, March 25, 2004
My Current Mood:
Beautiful Olive-Skinned Women in Togas... now, that's a way to start an Olympic event...
"ANCIENT OLYMPIA, Greece - The flame that will burn at the Athens Games was lighted Thursday amid the ruins of the ancient sanctuary where the Olympics were born 2,780 years ago.
In a ceremony held at an altar to Hera, a Greek goddess worshipped in Olympia during the original games, the torch was lit by a Greek actress playing the role of a high priestess.
Thalia Prokopiou, one of two dozen women that took part in the ceremony, placed a silver torch inside a burnished-steel concave mirror. The sun's rays then ignited the torch.
"Today the Olympic flame will be reborn yet again to enfold the whole world in its light. This is the day that all of us have been waiting for so eagerly," Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, president of the Athens organizing committee said.
During the ceremony, Prokopiou intoned a prayer to the ancient Greek god Apollo for the sun to shine.
"Apollo god of the sun and the idea of light send your rays and light the sacred torch for the hospitable city of Athens."
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
My Current Mood:
I treated my family to dinner at Rodizio Grill... and the food was exquisite. Yes, Lorene, I ate meat for you.
The menu consisted of: Brazilian style collard greens, green salad, Quail Eggs (really good), Palm Hearts wrapped with turkey, black beans and rice, cucumber- tomato and Buffalo mozzarella salad, Bacon wrapped sirloin, bacon wrapped turkey medallions, alligator sausage, rattlesnake sausage, pork sausage, garlic (whew!) sirloin, salmon, grilled pineapple and glazed ham, fried bananas and, for dessert (as if we needed it) Brazilian puff pastries with vanilla ice cream.
Oh, it was amazing. We are still full... some 3 hours later!
Yes, I said alligator and rattlesnake. The snake wasn't bad, but the alligator was nasty. Ew. Never again. I was the only brave one. No, that's not true, Sarah did break out of the box a bit and eat things she normally wouldn't have.
If you'll excuse me, I need to roll into my bed now...
Ni Night.
For those of you who are curious, here are my beautiful children...
This is Miss Kitty. Quite the priss.
This is Mister Valentino. A gentleman and special baby. He is still getting used to having a warm home, and he loves a window on a sunny day.
This is Sarah and Miss napping. Aren't they adorable??
Your soul is bound to the Glass Rose: The
Fragile.
"My heart lies somewhere between perfection
and dust. And while my soul is a sight to behold, I shatter at the blink of an eye."
The Glass Rose is associated with perfection, beauty, and frailty. It is governed by the goddess Aphrodite and its sign is the Looking Glass, or Tenuous Love.
As a Glass Rose, you have a beautiful soul and naturally attract people to you. Love comes naturally to you, but it hardly ever lasts. Though you embody the perfect form of love, your own faults are your own undoing.
What Rose Is Your Soul Bound To?
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My Current Mood:
Now, this cracks my shit right up...
"Now and then, inside umbrella a big fan of avocado pit beyond.living with stovepipe, inside bonbon, and for dahlia are what made America great!cargo bay figure out about tabloid.Any sheriff can sanitize satellite over dilettante, but it takes a real spider to senator of ruffian.Any dolphin can write a love letter to mirror around rattlesnake, but it takes a real pickup truck to scooby snack related to onlooker.toward gypsy, near cargo bay, and cashier of oil filter are what made America great!
flageolet imprint sunscreen burglar luminary ninety lindsay bury
And ignore the dark side of her mating ritual.But they need to remember how inexorably from ballerina starts reminiscing about lost glory.
impromptu obsequy disyllable lipschitz plantain director roger clockwise"
My Current Mood:
I don’t blog for a few days and you would think the whole world has come crashing down! Well, let me give you the recap.
Saturday was Sarah’s 15th birthday. She had been previously spoiled all week long, and it continued on Saturday when her mother and I took her to get a cell phone. Now, to be fair, she saved most of the money herself, and she did get a Cricket with Unlimited everything, so we aren’t worried about her racking up some horrendous bill. And, also to be fair, she is gainfully employed, and we estimated that with only two shifts a month, she can pay for her service. I am sure I will be criticized for the decision, but hear me out on it.
First of all, to have a cell phone, she needs to have a job. We aren’t paying for her service, even though it helps us a lot in finding her, tracking her down, etc. We also have a rule about working – in order to work, her grades need to be above C’s. So, by rule of consequence, to have her cell phone she needs to get maintain a C or better in all her classes. Right now, she already has that, and most of them are A’s. I am not worried.
Personally, I think it builds responsibility. Do I think a 15 year old needs a cell phone? Not necessarily, but it is helpful when the 15 year old has two mom’s that work full-time, and sometimes, overtime. Plus, we have established rules when it comes to the phone – times it is turned off, requirements of it’s use, and a “two strikes” deal – if I or Lindi call and she doesn’t answer the phone after two attempts, the phone is confiscated until further notice. If the phone gets lost or stolen because of her bad decision to take it to school, then she replaces it. If it is taken away by her teacher, then it is her responsibility to do what is required to get it back.
I think the respect and trust of her parents will make a difference in her attitude as well. I have noticed she seems much more likely to do things for us without complaint and is already more attentive to her chores. Since we are treating her as more of an adult, she’s rising to the occasion.
Sunday was a wonderful day as well – birthday party at my parents for both my Niece, Sarah (born on March 22nd), and my daughter, Sarah (born on March 20th). We had a cake with both of their names (“Big Sarah” and “Little Sarah”), presents, KFC, and a great time for everyone.
I started getting a headache at the birthday party. I should have known a migraine was coming. Seriously. I had been sleeping a lot, it was getting warmer, I seemed to be worn down. Yeah, perfect migraine conditions.
I woke up on Monday and just didn’t feel right. My stomach was cartwheeling, and my head was throbbing. I called in sick and spent the day with my honey bunny, as she is on vacation for the next week. We piddled around, and I stayed in bed most of the day. When Sarah came home that evening, the two of them got to work on the other half of her birthday present – new purple paint for two of her walls! They moved furniture and painted – it looked beautiful. It’s hard painting wood paneling, but they did a pretty good job. I fixed dinner (Italian Noodle Casserole) and we relaxed for the evening.
Tuesday morning, the migraine had hit full force. I dragged my ass outta bed, threw on some clothes and had every intention of taking Sarah to school and then dropping into a Lortab induced coma. Lindi stopped me, sent me upstairs and instructed me to take my medication, call work and go to bed. She took Sarah to school, came home with breakfast, which I ate very slowly, and she held me until the migraine was gone.
About 10:00 am, I had the weirdest experience. As I was drifting in and out of my drug induced heaven, it felt like someone placed a large hand down on my head and pushed it – like that little bubble thing from the Trouble game. Pop, pop! Pop, pop! At that moment, every muscle from the top of my head – down my neck – down my back released and my pain was completely gone. All I could think of was the praying I did sure paid off.
Tuesday ended up being pretty productive. Lindi and I did a little shopping and bought some paint for the bathroom (bright white) and got some ideas for our bedroom. We also dropped by the Cricket store and got me a new cell phone. I liked AT&T, but they were waaaaay too expensive. Cricket is fine for now, and my phone rocks the house, it is so cool. Now, Sarah can text msg me anytime she wants. Handy and helpful.
So, that brings us to today. All the hard work paid off when I came in today and was not as buried as I normally would have been with missing two days of work. Don’t get me wrong, I have a lot to do, but I am planning on a little Overtime to help out with that. Good thing about Overtime, it cancels out my used sick time, so I may end up just making up the hours I missed altogether. Now, that would be nice.
I am grateful Lorene and Dylan got home safe and sound. Looks like we’ll be taking baby kitty number three sometime soon – Mr. Clover the long haired Siamese – another one of Lorene’s rescues who is fixed, shot and only needs a bit of dental work, which Kjori is taking care of for us. I am really excited. We had such wonderful luck with Mister Valentino, I am sure Clover will be the same. Now, Miss Kitty will be pissed, I guarantee you that, but she’ll get over it. She and Mister V love each other now. I will need a new kitty box for “the boys” since they naturally smell stronger than Miss Kitty, and she already hates Mister’s scent. And possibly a new litter…or something to help control the odor. Any Suggestions?
And no, Toni, I don’t hate you. I just think your nuts.
