musical monday: Madonna

Silly Sunday: Sarah Haskins

Oh yes she did!



Can I again express to you my love for Sarah Haskins? =)

best part of the debates

VOTE!!!!!!

I don't care who you vote for. I mean, yeah kind of, but I really care that you do your part like I'm doing my part. Pass it on...

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

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Musical Monday: Push It

Funny Friday: Wanda Sykes

Thirsty Thursday: We need John McCain

The Top Ten Questions People are Asking The John McCain Campaign

#10 “I just contributed to your campaign – how do I get a refund?"

#9 “It’s Sarah Palin –- does this mean I’m pars’dent?”

#8 “Can’t you solve this by selling some of your houses?”

#7 “This is Clay Aiken. Is McCain single?”

#6 “Do you still think the fundamentals of our economy are strong, Genius?”

#5 “Are you doing all of this just to get out of going on Letterman?”

#4 “What would Matlock do?”

#3 “Hillary here –- my schedule is free Friday night.”

#2 “Is this just an excuse to catch up on napping?”

#1 “This is President Bush –- what’s all this trouble with the economy?”

Musical Monday: Three Little Birds

Slightly off the origional, but a good song indeed. Plus the clip is cute.

Silly Sunday: Why did the chicken cross the road?

> Why did the chicken cross the road?
>

> BARACK OBAMA: The chicken crossed the road because it was
> time for a change! The chicken wanted change!

> JOHN MC CAIN: My friends, that chicken crossed the road
> because he recognized the need to engage in cooperation and
> dialogue with all the chickens on the other side of the
> road.

> HILLARY CLINTON: When I was First Lady, I personally helped
> that little chicken to cross the road. This experience makes
> me uniquely qualified to ensure right from Day One!
> That every chicken in this country gets the chance it
> deserves to cross the road.
> But then, this really isn't about me.

> GEORGE W. BUSH: We don't really care why the chicken
> crossed the road.
> We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the
> road, or not.
> The chicken is either against us, or for us. There is no
> middle ground here.

> DICK CHENEY: Where's my gun?

> COLIN POWELL: Now to the left of the screen, you can
> clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the
> road.

> BILL CLINTON: I did not cross the road with that chicken.
> What is your definition of chicken?

> AL GORE: I invented the chicken.

> JOHN KERRY: Although I voted to let the chicken cross the
> road, I am now against it!
> It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the
> chicken's intentions.
> I am not for it now, and will remain against it.

> AL SHARPTON: Why are all the chickens white? We need some
> black chickens.

> DR. PHIL: The problem we have here is that this chicken
> won't realize that he must first deal with the problem
> on this side of the road before it goes after the problem on
> the other side of the road. What we need to do is help him
> realize how stupid he's actin g by not taking on his
> current problems before adding new problems.

> OPRAH: Well, I understand that the chicken is having
> problems,
> which is why he wants to cross this road so bad.
> So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes
> and take falls,
> which is a part of life, I'm going to give this chicken
> a car so that he can just drive across the road and not live
> his life like the rest of the chickens.

> ANDERSON COOPER, CNN: We have reason to believe there is a
> chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to
> the other side of the road.

> NANCY GRACE: That chicken crossed the road because he's
> guilty!
> You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks.

> PAT BUCHANAN: To steal the job of a decent, hardworking
> American.

> MARTHA STEWART: No one called me to warn me which way that
> chicken was going.
> I had a standing order at the Farmer's Market to sell
> my eggs when the price dropped to a certain level.
>No little bird gave me any insider information.

> DR SEUSS: Did the chicken cross the road?
> Did he cross it with a toad?
> Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed
> I've not been told.

> ERNEST HEMINGWAY: To die in the rain, alone.

> JERRY FALWELL: Because the chicken was gay!
> Can't you people see the plain truth? That's why
> they call it the other side.
> Yes, my friends, that chicken is gay.
> And if you eat that chicken, you will become gay, too.
> I say we boycott all chickens until we sort out this
> abomination that the liberal media whitewashes with
> seemingly harmless phrases like the other side..
> That chicken should not be crossing the road. It's as
> plain and as simple as that.

> GRANDPA: In my day we didn't ask why the chicken
> crossed the road.
> Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was
> good enough.

> BARBARA WALTERS: Isn't that interesting?
> In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell,
> for the first time, the heart warming story of how it
> experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to
> accomplish its lifelong dream of crossing the road.

> ARISTOTLE: It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.

> JOHN LENNON: Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing
> roads together, in peace.

> BILL GATES: I have just released eChicken 2008, which will
> not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important
> documents, and balance your checkbook.
> Internet Explorer is an integral part of eChicken 2008.
> This new platform is much more stable and will never crash
> or need to be rebooted.

> ALBERT EINSTEIN: Did the chicken really cross the road,
> or did the road move beneath the chicken?

> COLONEL SANDERS: Did I miss one?

Eve Ensler Poem

I couldn't have put it better myself. I am an avid non-Palin fan. Eve Ensler said it first, I'll repeat it, and if you agree please pass it on. I hope this country will make the best decision for us, for me, for my son, for all of our futures.


Drill, Drill, Drill
I am having Sarah Palin nightmares. I dreamt last night that she was a member of a club where they rode snowmobiles and wore the claws of drowned and starved polar bears around their necks. I have a particular thing for Polar Bears. Maybe it's their snowy whiteness or their bigness or the fact that they live in the arctic or that I have never seen one in person or touched one. Maybe it is the fact that they live so comfortably on ice. Whatever it is, I need the polar bears.

I don't like raging at women. I am a Feminist and have spent my life trying to build community, help empower women and stop violence against them. It is hard to write about Sarah Palin. This is why the Sarah Palin choice was all the more insidious and cynical. The people who made this choice count on the goodness and solidarity of Feminists.

But everything Sarah Palin believes in and practices is antithetical
to Feminism which for me is part of one story -- connected to saving the earth, ending racism, empowering women, giving young girls options, opening our minds, deepening tolerance, and ending violence and war.

I believe that the McCain/Palin ticket is one of the most dangerous choices of my lifetime, and should this country chose those candidates the fall-out may be so great, the destruction so vast in so many areas that America may never recover. But what is equally disturbing is the impact that duo would have on the rest of the world. Unfortunately, this is not a joke. In my lifetime I have seen the clownish, the inept, the bizarre be elected to the presidency with regularity.

Sarah Palin does not believe in evolution. I take this as a metaphor. In her world and the world of Fundamentalists nothing changes or gets better or evolves. She does not believe in global warming. The melting of the arctic, the storms that are destroying our cities, the pollution and rise of cancers, are all part of God's plan. She is fighting to take the polar bears off the endangered species list. The earth, in Palin's view, is here to be taken and plundered. The wolves and the bears are here to be shot and plundered. The oil is here to be taken and plundered. Iraq is here to be taken and plundered. As she said herself of the Iraqi war, 'It was a task from God.'

Sarah Palin does not believe in abortion. She does not believe women who are raped and incested and ripped open against their will should have a right to determine whether they have their rapist's baby or not.

She obviously does not believe in sex education or birth control. I imagine her daughter was practicing abstinence and we know how many babies that makes.

Sarah Palin does not much believe in thinking. From what I gather she has tried to ban books from the library, has a tendency to dispense with people who think independently. She cannot tolerate an environment of ambiguity and difference. This is a woman who could and might very well be the next president of the United States. She would govern one of the most diverse populations on the earth.

Sarah believes in guns. She has her own custom Austrian hunting
rifle. She has been known to kill 40 caribou at a clip. She has shot
hundreds of wolves from the air. Sarah believes in God. That is of course her right, her private right. But when God and Guns come together in the public sector, when war is declared in God's name, when the rights of women are denied in his name, that is the end of separation of church and state and the undoing of
everything America has ever tried to be.

I write to my sisters. I write because I believe we hold this
election in our hands. This vote is a vote that will determine the future not just of the U.S., but of the planet. It will determine whether we create policies to save the earth or make it forever uninhabitable for humans. It will determine whether we move towards dialogue and diplomacy in the world or whether we escalate violence through invasion, undermining and attack. It will determine whether we go for oil, strip mining, coal burning or invest our money in alternatives that will free us from dependency and destruction. It will determine if money gets spent on education and healthcare or whether we build more and more methods of killing. It will determine whether America is a free open tolerant society or a closed place of fear, fundamentalism and aggression.

If the Polar Bears don't move you to go and do everything in your power to get Obama elected then consider the chant that filled the hall after Palin spoke at the RNC, 'Drill Drill Drill.' I think of teeth when I think of drills. I think of rape. I think of destruction. I think of domination. I think of military exercises that force mindless repetition, emptying the brain of analysis, doubt, ambiguity or dissent.

I think of pain.

Do we want a future of drilling? More holes in the ozone, in the
floor of the sea, more holes in our thinking, in the trust between nations and peoples, more holes in the fabric of this precious thing we call life?

Eve Ensler
September 5, 2008

Musical Monday: I Kissed a Girl

Manic Monday: Hooked on a Feeling

Musical Mondays: Sharon, Lois, and Bram

It's been on repeat. I guess it is Alec's new favorite.

Musical Monday: Cat Stevens

Woke up singing this song. Not sure why...

He smells like

Fresh linens and lilacs
Comfort and calm
Relaxing my soul
The fight for freedom ceases
Finally
I am home.

Reality: Congitive Perceptions or Absolute?

I am going to start out this blog with a few Webster’s definitions. I am doing this because I do not have my own working definitions and I plan on using these to help jump start my understanding and base for my argument…ahem…discussion.

Winning- 1successful or victorious, as in a contest. 2charming; engaging; pleasing

Reality- the state or quality of being real

I was watching television the other day when my dad came in the room. I think the last line the person said on the show was, “And thank you all for telling the truth.” My dad then promptly replies, “How does she know who was telling the truth and who was lying.” I said, “well I guess only they will know that.” He says, “Well I know how to always tell when someone is lying or being truthful.” This starts the, ahem, discussion.

Continuing, he says, “You start out with a series of questions. In that series state one question that you know the absolute truth. Watch their face as they answer, and if they are lying then you have their lying face. You will then know every time they lie. You will consequently know if they are lying to you currently or being truthful”

Well maybe this starts the discussion. My comment, “So do you ask a question that you know how they are going to answer as truth to them, or do you look for the answer that is truth to you?”

“No, Jenni, you ask a question that has an absolute answer.”

“Like what, because I could probably argue any answer.”

“That’s because you are argumentative (ouch to me by the way). No, like for an example…two guys get into a fist fight. One guy knocks the other guy out. He’s down for the count. Who wins? The guy that knocked the other one out.”

“ummm, well I don’t really agree. I think some people could say that the other one could have won, or that neither of them did.”

“Okay, I would LOVE to hear the dispute on that one. It would seem someone is wanting to engage in a battle of wits.”


That wasn’t the end, but instead of boring you with our otherwise heated conversation, I am bringing my argumentative ass here to type about it.

I am going to start with the first part of the situation that bothers me. It is the easiest for me to communicate my misunderstanding. I have a picture in my mind of two men fighting. I have no idea why they are fighting. I don’t need to. In my opinion neither of them are winners. Back to the Webster’s definition, winning is “charming, engaging and pleasing.” Fighting is in no way charming or pleasing. Although it could be considered engaging, I don’t think this is what Webster’s had in mind. Fighting is an animalistic show of aggression and dominance. Being domineering and aggressive is NOT charming. Think back to a time when you were being picked on or told you could not do something you wanted to do. Were you pleased? Charmed? Egh…no. I think my mom put it best when she said, “Well, what did they win?”

Moving on…The idea of absolutes.

In a world where reality is just a cognitive state of perception, how can there ever be one real absolute?

In Jean Piaget theory of learning, a person only truly sees what they know. To extend this example, I think about my car. I have the most obnoxious car in the world. It is bright pinky/purple. When I bought it my exact thoughts were, “well everyone will see me coming and know where I’ve been.” I have had the car for a year now. I have seen more than 20 of my same car on the west side of Indy. One even is owned by a person that works out at my gym. I never saw it before, but I never knew it existed. How could I have really seen something that I didn’t know was there to begin with? If someone is asking me random questions and I am not aware there is an absolute truth to any of the answers, then can I answer them absolutely truthful?

In a similar theory, William Ayers (and other elementary education researchers) believe that everything you learn is based upon previous knowledge. I say the word ball. You automatically see something that has a round shape. It can bounce, and is full of air. I say ball to a baby, is hears, “blakdofidlfk.” When you produce an object and call it ball, they baby says, “oooh, ball.” The baby still does not know it can bounce, or that it is full of air, or even that this shape is a round shape. These things the baby will come to know over time, through experience with the ball. Some of you might say, “Hold on a minute, not all balls are round.” Oh, yes, I know this. You have just helped me prove a point. In my reality all balls are round. In your reality not all balls are round. What, you want me to prove it? Okay…Football.

So I guess my true question is, can there ever be a true, absolute reality? If we ever could exist in this reality, would we have an opinion?

Right now, as it stands for me, there can’t be a true reality. There is a reality for me, one for you, and one for your neighbor. Maybe I live in a world of gray. Maybe that is my absolute. I would like to think I’m open to ideas and might change my mind. I guess it would have to depend on how it fits with my previous knowledge on the subject.

Update on Alec

I know you all have been waiting patiently on an update on Alec. We just came back from a visit to Riley and his orthopedic surgeon. They took the temporary off, took some x-rays, and came back to tell us he is perfect (not that I didn’t already know this). Joking aside, his bones look solid and healthy. Even though they said they would probably cast him, they decided to leave him alone for now. I just have to keep an ever close eye on his activity to make sure he isn’t favoring his arm too much. If he does, then it is back to the drawing board. Thanks everyone for the prayers and well wishes…it meant the world to me.

Musical Monday: Whistle for the Choir

Silly Saturday: Sarah Haskins

My Short Story.

I got a phone call that every mother dreads last night. "We are headed to the Emergency Room." My stomach dropped through the floor and for one brief moment, nothing existed on the planet but my son.

"What is going on?"

"Alec fell and he keeps complaining about his elbow hurting." I can barely make this out as I hear crying and screaming in the background. I know he is talking louder than a whisper, but my highly tuned mommy senses know that my baby's cries are all I can bare to stand.

"The Avon ER? I'm there."

"Well I have to wait..."

"It doesn't matter, I'm there."

"On Erin to get here for Cooper."

"I'll see you when you get there."

All I could think about was the story I was told many many times many many moons ago. Alec's father went through the same thing at about the same age. He shattered his elbow climbing a tree. He had many surgeries, and the doctors couldn't promise anything. Well as we know he is fine, but there were many sleepless nights on his mother's behalf, praying that her son would be okay. I turned my eyes up, and prayed a small prayer as I passed the parking lot of the hospital.

I could hear my son asking for me as I walked up to the truck. I scanned the body of my toddler, checking to make sure everything "looked" intact. I know every fiber, every inch of that child, down to the freckle on his pointer finger and small birth mark on his shin. He seemed okay, no tears on his cheeks, but fear and anguish in his eyes. My heart broke.

"How are you feeling sweetie?"

"My elbow hurts, Mommy."

"I heard that you fell. That's why I'm here sugar. We are going to go in this building and the nice doctors are going to help the pain go away."

"Okay," a tiny, small, defeated voice echoed back in the hallway.

The visit was short. We were there only an hour and a half. All the doctors fell in love with the blonde haired, blue eyed angel. They brought sticker, graham crackers, saltines, cheese, and juice just to see the tiny smile on his cherub cheeks.

My heart swelled with pride when one of the nurses introduced Josh and I to the X-ray tech as Alec's wonderful parents. A small victory for me. I loved hearing these words.

"It's not broken." I loved hearing these words even more. "It seems like there might be some fractures in the bone. We are going to wrap him up in a temporary cast, and you will go see an orthopedic surgeon tomorrow or Friday to see what is exactly going on."

I breathed a sigh of relief. We were going to be okay. My son was going to be okay.

Musical Monday: Lilly Allen

Like the color purple, or any sight of an elephant, makes me nostalgic.

Then I hear this and laugh...ha.

Titillating Tuesday: Donkey for Sale

Young Chuck, moved to Texas and bought a Donkey from a farmer for $100.00. The farmer agreed to deliver the Donkey the next day. The next day he drove up and said, 'Sorry son, but I have some bad news, the donkey died.'

Chuck replied,
'Well, then just give me my money back.'

The farmer said,
'Can't do that. I went and spent it already.'

Chuck said,
'Ok, then, just bring me the dead donkey.'

The farmer asked,
'What ya gonna do with him?

Chuck said,
'I'm going to raffle him off.'

The farmer said,
You can't raffle off a dead donkey!'

Chuck said,
'Sure I can, Watch me...I just won't tell anybody he's dead.'

A month later, the farmer met up with Chuck and asked, 'What happened with that dead donkey?'

Chuck said,
'I raffled him off. I sold 500 tickets at two dollars a piece and made a profit of $898.00.'

The farmer said,
'Didn't anyone complain?'

Chuck said,
'Just the guy who won. So I gave him his two dollars back.'
Chuck now works for the government.

Musical Monday: American Bang

Thanks Steve for finding them for me. Can't wait to see them on the 5th!!!!

Sarcastic Sunday: Sarah Haskins

I love Sarah Haskins. LOVE HER!!!

Silly Saturday

I am soooo glad Keith is back. Don't get me wrong, I really like Racheal but she is no Keith. If I could only find a Keith in Indy...a man who is funny, likes politics, AND sports. *sigh*

It's good to have you back from vacation Keith.

Friday

So here’s the deal. I am forced to watch a half an hour of T.V. everyday while I’m running at the gym. I say forced because it’s on, I’m running on a treadmill, and it’s not like the building in front of the window is interesting. I normally try to watch sports center, but my music only allows me to look up every once and a while, and I usually just miss the scoop. I have taken to watching the Today’s show, or whatever show Kathy Lee Gifford is on now. NOT that I like Kathy Lee, it is funny to see her talking to Marilyn Manson. I digressed…

I looked up today and saw a commercial. Yeah, I know, not stop the press worthy, but this commercial was geared towards women. There were a bunch of skinny waifs running around in spandex eating….Jello? Oh yes…jello. The commercial went on and on about how it’s low in calories and carbs, blah, blah, blah. Then they did the whole wiggly thing or jiggly whatever. My mind says, “sure it’s low in calories, but I have plenty things on my body that jiggles without the jello.” UGH. I can see marketing Jello to kids, it’s fun, has bright colors, and chalked full of sugar and bad things. Marketing it to women to show they can be skinny while eating their kids candy? I’m in the gym trying to work off my jiggles, not make more.

So there is one of my problems with commercials. Do you have any commercials that bother you?

Thirsty Thursday Reader

Time to do your part. Read, sign, learn, and most of all enjoy.


Ugh. When I read this, I hear, "Go beat your wife in the name of the Lord." What a shame.

Fox trashes Michelle Obama...again. Help stop it by signing this petition.

I love this video. This is one of the many reasons why I will not be voting for John McCain come Novemeber.


Apparently only hetero-normative married couples can raise children in happy healthy homes. I say booo to you John McCain. My son is amazing, and he doesn't live in a married home.

Help support good feminist literature. I know we are all struggling, but what does it say about us when the "good" magazines fail when the others thrive. Save your dollar and buy these magazines instead of the "Star" and other crap.

Help stop violence against all women, esp ones of color. Sign this petition.

One of my all time favorite sex education sites has a new video up. I really can't wait till Alec is old enough to enjoy and learn from fun things like this.

Musical Monday: Hot Legs

Ahhhh, My childhood was never the same.

I love ya honey. Wearing me out =)

Titillating Tuesday: Wanted ad

So I've been talking to some friends and they are trying to talk me into putting a wanted ad in the paper. Just for jokes mind you. But it still got me thinking about what is it I really want? I sat up last night (oh really? It surprised you that I didn't sleep?) and decided to write. This is my attempt at a personal ad, I think it's funny.

Must love coffee
Likes to read newspapers on sunday
Enjoyes rock climbing, running, and sports
Likes music of all kinds
Will eat anything
Loves rainy days and mondays
Must love toddlers.

Musical Monday: In the cold, cold night

Just a little White Stripes for you to enjoy today. =)

Musical Monday: I've got to see you again

Dedicated to tonight...

More music

I heard this yesterday and smiled.

Yes I thought of you.

And yes, baby, I'm very invincible. All must be very afraid.

Wordless Wednesday: One more

His ideas are spot on.

He will me missed.

Remembering...again

Another fallen hero.

It is a sad month.


*don't watch that one at work

Musical Monday: Undone

For my love of today, and yesterday, and years gone by.

Not Alex and not Alec

Funny Friday: Dr. Sue

If you are at work just read the transcript instead.



Dr. Sue: And now, Terry's calling in! Terry?
Terry: Hi.
Dr. Sue: Got a question?
Terry: Um hi, yeah, I was just wondering... I know what a queef is but I don't know what causes them or how to prevent them.
Dr. Sue: What causes... what?
Terry: Like a vaginal fart.
Dr. Sue: OH! Queefing!
Terry: Exactly.
Dr. Sue: Oh, ok. Vaginal farts. You know vaginal farts are more fun... honestly, that's one thing that we can do that guys can't do. And ours don't smell.
Terry: Why would you want to?
Dr. Sue: [Laughs.] It's wonderful fun! Think of it, you're having intercourse, ok? Penis thrusting in vagina. And the vagina is a dead-end street. The air's gotta go somewhere. It's packing air in there. So you're having vigorous, great sex. Oh boy! [Grunt, grunt.] And all of a sudden, it goes pppffffftttt.
Terry: [Laughs.]
Dr. Sue: And you're so embarrassed. Oh, I'm so sorry. Oh, that is so embarrassing. I promise it won't happen again. I am so ashamed. I am so sorry. And then you continue, you have more vigorous sex, kaboom kaboom kaboom kaboom. And all of a sudden, you know what? If you take a deep breath you can blow him right across the room.
Terry: [Laughs.]
Dr. Sue: No, just laugh. And every time you laugh you'll fart. They're called vaginal farts.
Terry: There's no way to prevent them, huh?
Dr. Sue: No! Oh. why would you try? Have fun. They're fun. Laugh about it. It's the funniest thing. If every time he thrusts in, you go ppffffffttt... oh, it's just hilarious!
Terry: Okay.
Dr. Sue: Just laugh. Just laugh.

Thirsty Thursday:more of me

Remembering

Musical Monday: Adventure

Tequila Tuesday

Oh, come on... Laugh!

Musical Monday: Seven Years

Spinning, laughing, dancing to
her favorite song
A little girl with nothing wrong
Is all alone

Eyes wide open
Always hoping for the sun
And she'll sing her song to anyone
that comes along

Fragile as a leaf in autumn
Just fallin' to the ground
Without a sound

Crooked little smile on her face
Tells a tale of grace
That's all her own

Spinning, laughing, dancing to her favorite song
A little girl with nothing wrong
And she's all alone

Thirsty Thursday Reader

It's been a min, but it is back. Well for now.

Take a survey on activism.

Sad things can happen to women who try to fend off idiots.

Should women be allowed to play boy sports?

I love science. Does this make me a man?

McCain can't even fend off Ellen. Haha

More sex ed myths debunked. AND people who like to shame people into staying virginal.

Sign the petition to stop fear mongering from stupid people like Bill O'Reilly.

How I fell in love... How am I just now finding out about this site?

Wordless Wednesday: Around and Around They Go

Musical Monday: Stomp

This one is for you momma...and Alec in the back seat jammin...and why not include our partner in crime, Sam.

Funny Friday: Margaret Cho

This goes out to my girl...I saw the look on your face when mine exploded =)

*Warning, could be offensive. Do not watch at work.

Thirsty Thursday: Nuff Said

Sing!

Musical Monday: Mope

Nothing makes me happier than hearing a song that brings back memories of foolishness.

Listen and be merry!

Mother's Day.

It's not everyday that something brings me to tears. This did. It helped me put my mind a peace, for now. Hope it can do the same for you.

Invisible Mother.....

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the
way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and
ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm
on the phone?' Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or
cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the
corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The invisible
Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix
this ? Can you tie this? Can you open this??

Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a
clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What
number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30,
please.'

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the
eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude -
but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen
again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!?

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of
a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous
trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was
sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well.
It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling
pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped
package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great
cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me
until I read her inscription:
'To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are
building when no one sees.'

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would
discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after
which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great
cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave
their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made
great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building
was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the
cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny
bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why
are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will
be covered by the roof, No one will ever see it. And the workman
replied, 'Because God sees.'

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was
almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see
the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No
act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake
you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are
building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will
become.

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a
disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my
own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.

I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As
one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see
finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The
writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever
be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to
sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend
he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4
in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a
turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That
would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him
to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his
friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.'

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if
we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world
will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has
been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

(un)Wordless Wednesday: sing time

He says, "A, B, C, D, now I know my singing. Cheese."

Musical Monday: Doginabag

Because you can't be sad while listening to the Fratellis!



Well you got so good,
You live for the action,
Used to be a husband now you got yourself some satisfaction,
A dog in a bag and a bone.
But you're lost in the rain,
21 million miles from home.
You got brand new shoes,
A healthy fixation,
Atomic heart and a two for one education.
You're breaking my heart all the way.
With your dog in a bag I need your madness just to get through the day.

... o clock.
Too hot to sleep,
A rotten taste in my mouth,
And my eyes are deep.
There's nothing much really going on out here,
I'm holding on for dear life and one more beer.
I guess you could say it's a sick little show,
A bottle of troubles and a bed full of woe
It's easy to see without looking too far, you have to be a saint to be as sick as you are.

Half the world's asleep,
The rest of them are dreaming.
God forbid if you forget to close the door as you're leaving.
I hate to see you in a bind.
With a dog in a bag, sleeping next to your ridiculous mind.
With a dog in a bag, sleeping next to your ridiculous mind.
With a dog in a bag, sleeping next to your ridiculous mind

Thirsty Thursday: Mors Christmas movies....like this one!

Wordless Wednesday: Children's Museum

Titillating Tuesday: I am me

I am Jenni
quixotic, quirky questioner
I love my chosen family
I hate oppression
I am afraid of loneliness
I wish for stillness
Thatcher

Musical Monday: No Sign of Life

J's locked out on the fire escape.
Sarah's still down on the bench at the Circle K, crying and crying all day.
Everbody's best attempts didn't do no good.
No sign of life.
No sign of life.
No sign of life.
No sign.
But I got a hunch:
Oh, it's not over yet.
Oh, it's not over yet.
Kate broke down on Division Street.
Air so wet you can hear your heart beat,
and beat, and beat, and beat.
Oh, I swear I gave it my best shot,
what else could I do?
No sign of life.
No sign of life.
No sign of life.
No sign.
But I got a hunch:
oh, it's not over yet.
Oh, it's not over yet.
J's locked out on the fire escape.
Sarah's still down on the bench at the Circle K, crying and crying all day.
And everbody's best attempts couldn't do no good.
No sign of life.
No sign of life.
No sign of life.
No sign.
But I got a hunch:
oh, it's not over yet.
Oh, it's not over yet.
Oh, it's not over yet!

Silly Saturday: Gluttonous

I love it!! Finally some women after my own heart (and yes guacamole makes me scream).

Musical Monday: Manfred Mann's Earth Band

Blinded by the light,
revved up like a deuce,
another runner in the night
Blinded by the light,
revved up like a deuce,
another runner in the night
Blinded by the light,
revved up like a deuce,
another runner in the night
Madman drummers bummers,
Indians in the summer with a teenage diplomat
In the dumps with the mumps as the adolescent pumps his way into his hat
With a boulder on my shoulder, feelin' kinda older,
I tripped the merry-go-round
With this very unpleasin', sneezin' and wheezin,
the calliope crashed to the ground
The calliope crashed to the ground
But she was...
Blinded by the light,
revved up like a deuce,
runner in the night
Blinded by the light,
revved up like a deuce,
another runner in the night
Blinded by the light,
revved up like a deuce,
another runner in the night
Blinded by the light,
revved up like a deuce,
another runner in the night
Some silicone sister with a manager mister told me I go what it takes
She said "I'll turn you on sonny to something strong,
play the song with the funky break"
And go-cart Mozart was checkin' out the weather chart to see if it was safe outside
And little Early-Pearly came by in his curly-wurly and asked me if I needed a ride
Asked me if I needed a ride
But she was...
Blinded by the light,
revved up like a deuce,
another runner in the night
Blinded by the light
She got down but she never got tired
She's gonna make it through the night
She's gonna make it through the night
But mama, that's where the fun is
But mama, that's where the fun is
Mama always told me not to look into the eye's of the sun
But mama, that's where the fun is
Some brimstone baritone anticyclone rolling stone preacher from the east
Says, "Dethrone the dictaphone, hit it in it's funny bone,
that's where they expect it least"
And some new-mown chaperone was standin' in the corner,
watching the young girls dance
And some fresh-sown moonstone was messin' with his frozen zone, reminding him of romance
The calliope crashed to the ground
But she was...
Blinded by the light,
revved up like a deuce,
another runner in the night
Blinded by the light,
revved up like a deuce,
another runner in the night
Blinded by the light,
revved up like a deuce,
another runner in the night
Blinded by the light,
revved up like a deuce,
another runner in the night
Blinded by the light,
revved up like a deuce,
another runner in the night
Blinded by the light,
revved up like a deuce,
another runner in the night
Blinded by the light,
revved up like a deuce,
another runner in the night
Blinded by the light,
revved up like a deuce,
another runner in the night
Blinded by the light,
revved up like a deuce,
another runner in the night
Blinded by the light
Madman drummers bummers, Indians in the summer with a teenage diplomat
In the dumps with the mumps as the adolescent pumps his way into his hat
With a boulder on my shoulder, feelin' kinda older,
I tripped the merry-go-round
With this very unpleasin', sneezin' and wheezin,
the calliope crashed to the ground
Now Scott with a slingshot finially found a tender spot and throws his lover in the sand
And some bloodshot forget-me-not said daddy's within earshot save the buckshot, turn up the band
Some silicone sister with a manager mister told me I go what it takes
She said "I'll turn you on sonny to something strong"

Song Bird Saturday: Guilty Pleasure

I will never turn down Wedding Singer, that is a NEVER!!

Funny Friday: Ms. Pac-Man

Funny Friday: Rush Limbaugh on feminists

I read this blog today and laughed at the first line so hard water spit out my nose. No really, it did!

Oh Samhita, I couldn't agree with you more.

http://feministing.com/archives/008942.html#comments

Wordless wednesday: Birthday Party!

Musical Mondays: He's got a ticket to ride

This sums up my week...

I think I'm gonna be sad
I think it's today Yeah
The boy that's driving me mad is going away.

He's got a ticket to ride
He's got a ticket to ride
He's got a ticket to ride
and he don't care.

He said that living with me
was bringing him down Yeah
He would never be free
when I was around.

He's got a ticket to ride
He's got a ticket to ride
He's got a ticket to ride
and he don't care.

Don't know why he's riding so high
He oughta do right
He oughta do right by me
Before he gets to saying goodbye
He oughta do right
He oughta do right by me

I think I'm gonna be sad
I think it's today Yeah
The boy that's driving me mad is going away.

He's got a ticket to ride
He's got a ticket to ride
He's got a ticket to ride
and he don't care, don't care.

Sunday

I am out of words today,
I am out of my mind always.

- Jenni Thatcher

Musical Monday: Luv Me, Luv me

A blast from my past!!! What a jam.



Original lover, lover, mm, yeah, uh
(Yeah)
Catch a groove girl, catch a groove, that's right
Lover, lover, lover, mmm, Shaggy, DJ

A who da man dat love to make you moist and wet
(Uh)
A who da man dat love to make you moan and sweat
(Uh)
A who da man dat love to make you scream out "yes"
(Mr. Lover, Mr. Lover)
A who da man dat love to make you moist and wet
(Uh)
A who da man that love to make you moan and sweat
(Uh)
A who da man dat love to make you scream out "yes", naw
(Mr. Lover)
Sugar

Sweet, succulent and fine
A twinkling eye on my darling divine
I love the way you move all the way you're designed
Your only lines are my mind, forget the corny line
Now let me hit you off with this question sign
You seem to be the type for me to wine and dine
A little candlelight dinner toasted over some wine
Well, I will hit you off with this lyrical rhyme

Now Mr. Lover keep her rockin', Mr. Lover keep her rockin'
Mr. Lover keep her rockin' and swing
Now Mr. Lover keep her rockin', Mr. Lover keep her rockin'
Mr. Lover keep her rockin' and swing

[Chorus: Janet (Shaggy)]
Ooh boy, I love you so
Never, ever, ever gonna let you go
(That's right)
Once I get my hands on you
(Luv me, luv me, luv me sex machine)
Ooh boy, I love you so
(Mmm hmm)
Never, ever, ever gonna let you go
(That's right, uh)
I hope you feel the same way too
(You know dat)

Step in my caravan of love
So I can love, gonna give you hotter rubs
Dem ever wet kissies wit' dem brazen hugs
And now your sweet, silky body on my Persian rug
While we sippin' Coke from da same ol' mug
I'm readin' fortune cookies from the Chines proverb
It had some great stuff written in it with some cool rub-a-dub
A little ol' reminisce in the hot tub, huh

[Janet (Shaggy):]
Mr. Lover, Mr. Lover, Mr. Lover
(Let's fog up some window sills, girl, uh)
Mr. Lover
(Catch a groove back girl, catch a groove)
Mr. Lover, Mr. Lover

[Chorus]

[Shaggy (Janet):]
Girlie, girlie
You woke up a real love machine
Girlie, girlie
I live to make your beat
Girlie, girlie
Huh, I'll hit you between da sheets
Girlie, girlie
Whoo, I'll make you moan and scream
Girlie, Girlie
Yeah, you woke a real love machine
Girlie, girlie
Whoo, I'll hit you between the sheets
Girlie, girlie
Girl, you love to moan and scream
Girlie, girlie
You know what I'm sayin'
(Yeah)
Shuh

Girl, you're unique
Now let me take a whiff of that sweet physique
You're the only girl allowed to make my heart stop beatin'
Let me, ha, ha, start lickin' (?), let's kick it heartlessly
To be the lady of your color is an honor indeed
Leave a lastin' impression for weeks and weeks
I want to throw rose petals to your humble feet
Lay you gently on my sheet and sexercise you to sleep, huh

[Janet (Shaggy):]
Mr. Lover, Mr. Lover, Mr. Lover
(Uh, yeah)
Mr. Lover
(Catch a groove back girl, catch a groove)
Mr. Lover, Mr. Lover
Mr. Lover, Mr. Lover, Mr. Lover
(Let's fog up some window sills, baby)

[Chorus]

[Shaggy (Janet):]
The ladies still want me, hot like fire
If you come wit' me, you, me, can retire
Anytime you model girl, an instant fire
Somehow your power with Tommy Hilfiger
'Nuff dat designer wan' know your name
'Nuff of dem a put your picture in a picture frame
Wanna feel your body, man can't put no fame
Some model, of mi girl, and go enjoy your fame

Luv me, luv me, luv me, sex machine
I'm guaranteed to make you moan and scream
Luve me, luv me, luv me, sex machine
I'm guaranteed to make you moan and scream
Luv me, luv me, luv me, sex machine
I'm guaranteed to make you moan and scream
Luv me, luv me, luv me, sex machine
(Mr. Lover, Mr. Lover)

(Ooh boy)
I wanna tell this lady
So just come on, 'cause I'm the original Cupid
(Ooh boy)
Whoo, just like a stick through the arrow
Makin' us mate, ha, ha, ha

(Ooh boy)
Yeah, whoo
(Ooh boy)
'Cause I'm the ladies choice
And the girls get moist for the sound of the baritone voice
You get that, you get that
Baby, lover
Sexy undercover, uh, uh
Mr. Lover, uh, check out, check out
And I just love the way you just fog up my window sills, baby
Yeah, ooh
(Ooh boy)
(Ooh boy)
Let me know
I ain't gonna use no glow-in-the-dark you know what
It ain't hard to see, baby, whoo
(Ooh boy)
Swing low, swing low, whoo, swing low
(Ooh boy)
Lovin' all that, lovin' all that, shake it, baby, shake it
(Ooh boy)
Dig it, dig it, dig it, I dig it, I get it, I dig dat, I dig dat
(Ooh boy)
Lover, lover
(Lover, lover)
Sexy undercover
(Lover, lover)
Rauncy mutha, mmm mmm, no, no
Check it out I'm spinnin'
(Lover, lover)
Whoo
(Ooh boy)
Catch a groove back girl, catch a groove back
Let dem know dat
(Ooh boy)
I love this little funky beat
(Ooh boy)
Terry Lewis, Jimmy Jam said dat, uh
(Ooh boy)
Mr. Lover
(Mr. Lover)
Whoo
Wicked undercover
(Mr. Lover)
I'll be your nighttime lover
(Mr. Lover)
Wicked undercover
(Mr. Lover)

Titillating Tuesday: My New Life

Since I didn't receive anything back from the last poem for class, I will post another one. Maybe this one will get more acclaim. =)

As I lay in pain and anguish, she finds me.
Her box of hope, love, despair, mayhem
beckons me like a beacon of light.
My hands touch the precious jewels of yesteryears.
A longing sense builds inside me
I am unable to contain myself
As I open her lid.
My insides go out, as the out goes in
My world remains chaos.
As I lay down next to Pandora's open box
My strength lies in a puddle at my feet.
The melted ice I use to hold the walls
cracking like the frosted lake in spring.
I fall through, temptation in over abundance.
I suddenly hear that voice so calm and fierce,
Be like the leather strap, weathered with time.
It grows stronger, pliable, to the hard times ahead.
The words ring true, and somehow I regain the strength
the strength to survive another day.
I rise up like phoenix from the ashes
To begin again
My new life.

Musical Monday: Everything I've Got in My Pocket

I want to lay down with you forever
Or just this afternoon
Watching the shadows getting long
I'll sing you a quiet song
Watch you sleep so slow and deep

Baby I know that all your pain will pass
I know you're sad, but it won't last
I'm betting you everything that I've got in my pocket
When you're staring out into the sky
See what you have
And don't ask why
Things can't be different, they're perfect

Want to remind you how you laugh
Sometimes you don't even make a sound
Till you fall down on the ground
I'm going to love you every day
Maybe it'll balance out the pain
That I can't take away

Baby I know that all your pain will pass
I know you're sad, but it won't last
I'm betting you everything that I've got in my pocket
when you're staring out into the sky
See what you have, and don't ask why
Things can't be different
They're perfect

So come on and lay down with me
I'll tell you all the useless things
That I have learned
But this one good thing my old man told me

Baby I know that all your pain will pass
I know you're sad, but it won't last
I'm betting you everything that I've got in my pocket
when you're staring out into the sky
See what you have, and don't ask why
Things can't be different
They're perfect

Thirsty Thursday:more of me

This one is something I just felt a couple days ago. It still needs work, but I like how it goes so far.

We are history
mirrored in a book
when they teach
the story of
you and I
what will they learn?




Y'all have any thoughts?

Wordless Wednesday: Voter's addition

He eats a lemon.


Smiles.


Then tells us who to vote for.




Who can argue with a child's logic? They seems to better judge of characters than most adults. =)

Titillating Tuesday: my work

I haven't shared my own work in a while. Here is something I'm working on for class. If you don't remember, I have to write 3-5 poems this semester. Tell me what you think so I can get a good grade.

Quiet is the night, hanging so thick it can be cut with a knife.

The wordless space between two
Drips like a leaky faucet.

Annoying frustration as the sighs shatter the silence.

Each moment passes
An eternity
As we stare

Nothing left to say
Nothing left to do
Nothing between the two
Nothing

But silence.

Musical Monday: Cold, Cold heart

I've tried so hard my dear to show
That you're my every dream
Yet you're afraid each thing I do
Is just some evil scheme

A memory from your lonesome past
Keeps us so far apart
Why can't I free your doubtful mind
And melt your cold cold heart

Another love before my time
Made your heart sad an' blue
And so my heart is paying now
For things I didn't do

In anger unkind words are said
That make the teardrops start
Why can't I free your doubtful mind
And melt your cold cold heart

There was a time when I believed
That you belonged to me
But now I know your heart is shackled
To a memory

The more I learn to care for you
The more we drift apart
Why can't I free your doubtful mind
And melt your cold cold heart

Sunday: inspiring

Funny Friday: Feminist addition

I haven't had much time lately, so here's a little funny to put some pep in your step.

Musical Monday: Baby I'm A Want You

I love bread. For you, love.

Funny Friday

Cyanide & Happiness @ Explosm.net

It says love is in the air. Stupid graphics won't let me shrink it.

Thirsty Thursday Reader

My favorite advertisement for a night out.

Some reasons why I will not be voting McCain.

This world's skewed view on rape and what causes it.

Tasteless ways to go vegan while being sexist.

My next couch!

I love facial hair?

A "We can't give women equal rights because they don't know how to handle it" article.

A must see movie, and criteria for any girl children of mine.

A woman who doesn't understand women, and a man who apparently doesn't know me.

A report stating why abstinence-only education is NOT a good thing.

Wordless Wednesday: A mile in my shoes

The next morning....

Walking a mile in the dirty laundry's hamper

Titillating Tuesday: Change

Musical Monday: The way I am

If you were falling, then I would catch you.
You need a light, I'd find a match.

Cuz I love the way you say good morning.
And you take me the way I am.

If you are chilly, here take my sweater.
Your head is aching, I'll make it better.

Cuz I love the way you call me baby.
And you take me the way I am.

I'd buy you Rogaine if you start losing all your hair.
Sew on patches to all you tear.

Cuz I love you more than I could ever promise.
And you take me the way I am.
You take me the way I am.
You take me the way I am.

Saturday's Silverlinning

well it didn't happen today, but I thought it would be a good story to tell. I have a new leaf I'm turning over, but that is for another post.

Thursday morning was a tough day for me. The whole week was tiresome, daunting really. Thursday was just the tip of the iceburg. Alec didn't sleep all night. I take that back, he slept, but not well and in bed with me. All of those who have children know what I'm talking about. It was one of those nights where you just pull them in bed with you hoping that atleast one of you gets some sleep, but it just doesn't work. AND sleeping with a toddler in your bed is the worst possible way to try to get sleep anyways because it's like the defy gravity or any sense that someone is actually near them.

Anyways, I digressed. Alec didn't sleep well. My sitter for the day woke up late, which made me late. I decided to drop him off since it was on my way and that wouldn't make me near as late as me waiting for the sitter to get there. So I drop Alec off. I notice that my gas gage was getting to the point that I needed to get gas. My gas gage is broken, so this is all by estimate. I forgot that Dad borrowed my car the day before, so I probably would have stopped for gas sooner, but I didn't remember. I thought I could atleast make it to school on time, then get gas later. I was wrong. At the 70, 465, shadeland exits (yes it's just a spagehtti bowl of exits and ramps) I ran out of gas. I'm atleast able to pull off on the shadeland exit so my walk wouldn't be as far.

I put on my flashers, and started trotting. It was about a 10 min jog. I get there, buy gas, gloves, and high tail it back to my car. It was about 20 out and the wind was colder. The jug I bought had an ill fitting cap, and leaked gas all over my coat, pants, shoes, and gloves. I finally got back to my car, filled her up, and tried to start her. It didn't start. I was scared. A car pulled up infront of me and put on their flashers. An elderly gentleman came to my window and asked me if I was okay. I said I ran out of gas and couldn't get the car started. He told me to pop my hood, so I did. We worked together, and I got my car started. He waved and went on his way. I was thankful, yet my heart was pounding. I was scared, but God watched over me and sent me an angel. It was my turn to become the angel, and my task was not a menial one.

Since I was covered in gas, and I only had one hour of class left, I decided to go home instead. I trecked home, tired, sad, and broken. I felt that my life would constantly be one like this. I'm one of those people that would have no luck then the bad luck I carry around. I pulled into the driveway at the sitters defeated.

I went in, conversed, and ate breakfast. Then came for my time to step up. The sitter's house faces the backyard of a daycare center. It became known to me that a little child was standing on the back porch of this day care. He was in a tee shirt, jeans, no coat, no gloves, and no one near or around to watch him. This poor child couldn't be more than four. He just stood outside, blowing iced air in puffs the way a person smoking a cigarette would. Remember I said it was a good 20 below and the wind made it much, much colder. The teacher (I presume) poked her head out of a back door a good while longer. She had short hair pulled back in a pony tail, had on a black, long sleeved sweater type shirt, and glasses. She said, "Are you ready to come back inside and join us?" Which the child promptly hung his head and proceeded to walk back inside.
The rage inside me burst. I could not believe the inhumanity. This was a child. If anyone did this to my son I would have their heart on a platter so fast that they would be able to watch it beat it's final beat before the breath of life escaped from their lips. I found the phone book and searched for Child Services. I called and reported this instance to the abuse hotline.

So, I guess my silverlinning is hard to find. Don't worry, I'll spell it out for you. Yeah, I had a bad day. Through all this bad, I found out one thing about myself. The reason why all this bad happens to me is because I am somehow capable of going the extra distance to help others in my time of need. If I hadn't ran out of gas, or decided to go home, I wouldn't have seen this poor child outside waiting. There would not have been a call against the day care center. Worse things could have happened to this poor boy.

I plan on writing a letter to the school letting them know it was me who called. I want them to know what I witnessed. I want them to know that I am watching. I want them to know I will call on them again if I feel the need. I want them to know that I will be an advocate for the children since they are not. I want them to know that the children in our world are the most important resource our planet could give us. We need to treat them just as so.