damn damn it's monday again

Week one of the diet was pretty much a complete failure. I tried really hard for about four days and then I don't know what happened. I exercised on Saturday and Sunday, and now it is Monday again, and I have to do better. I used to be able to loose weight quickly, now it is most difficult. Everyone says this happens, but you never know when it is going to happen. So it is most frustrating. I know I can do it, but then why don't I? It's like painting, when you are experiencing a "block" it is very uncomfortable. I think in my case the two are connected, so my goal this week will be to exercise and paint everyday, even if only for a short period of time.

Once again good luck to me!

right michelle, wright

It occurred to me the other day, that among the many things I do not like about Obama and his answer to the Rev. Wright issue, is the that fact that Obama wants to be our nation's leader, yet he has never addressed the plight of the thousands of Rev. Wright followers. These followers go each Sunday to Trinity Church where they display their over zealous enthusiasm to words of bigotry, hatred and falsehoods. The faithful make sure to get their weekly Wright "dose"; black power, blame the rich white man, riding dirty, and "God damn America", now please make your tiding and we'll see you next week.

What does this say about Obama? Obama continues to acts as if there is very little wrong with this church or its preachings. He acts ignorant to Wright's incendiary sermons. Hard to believe Obama's lack of knowledge after knowing the man for twenty years and going to church for eighteen years. I find it easy to think that Michelle Obama believes deeply in the teachings of Rev. Wright. I can hear it in her choice of words every time she speaks. Perhaps, this is once again a case of "the woman behind the man," maybe Michelle Obama rules the roost and perhaps Barack is terrified of crossing his wife.

She certainly scares the hell out of me.

spring reminds me

As I get ready to hope for some sunshine and above 40 degree weather, I realize that my winter world has been holding me captive. I like politics, I know very little, but I know what I like and what I dislike. I have to say when the sun comes out, and the earth thaws, politics will all be a sideshow for me. That's okay. I love the summer, the garden, the drinks at sunset, the pure joy found in nothing more then a time when it's not too hot, not too cold, and absolutely beautiful.

There is more out there then just being "right."

garden time

Today I spent some time starting to clean up the winter mess, the mess from the dogs, and the mess from the fence people. Some tulips are starting to crest and daffodils, some tiger lilies too. I really do not like working, like office work. I mean it's okay in the winter time, but I just love hard work in the yard, and playing in the dirt. I don't know why, I just do.

I need to keep going. I am making a list so that I can cross off some items. Tonight - I hope to paint!

voter fatigue

I am afraid that voter fatigue has set in. That’s it. Don’t even want to know whether there were bullets or bumble bees. Don’t care what someone else thought when they listened to 20 years of hate, oh wait, and never heard the hate. Don’t care what they wear; don’t care where they vacation. Don’t care what he said she said, or when he said he didn’t say. I have placed my bet, I mean my vote, and now I’ll wait and see who the Super Delegates nominate.

On the flip side, I have to say that Craig Crawford Trail Mix Blog has been the silver lining to this primary debacle for me. I stumbled onto the blog after one of Craig’s appearances on MSNBC. An interesting cast of characters hang out there – nice to hear opinions from so many different people – you keep it real. : )

compassion

The whole idea of compassion is based on a keen awareness of the interdependence of all these living beings, which are all part of one another, and all involved in one another. - Thomas Merton

the big "d" word

Day One:
Today is Monday. I always like to start things on Mondays. I have started this particular thing many many Mondays over the course of my life. It is a diet. The "this is it, I am not going to be fat anymore diet , diet." The sad thing is that when I thought I was fat in the past I wasn't, but now I am. I am between 25 to 30 pounds over weight.

I am going to treat this like an addiction. I am going to be conscience of my food intake first one hour at a time and increase to one day at a time. That's all I can do.

Good luck to me.

race reflection

I have no interaction with black people at all. It is just the way my life has worked out. I have lived all over this country, but never in, or even near, a black community. I speak to black people when I interact with them in stores and other public places, but just the common courtesy I would give to anyone, nothing deep.

Some race-related issues are difficult for me to understand. Why do so many blacks fail to graduate from high school, and why do some choose crime over real employment? I wonder how these people expect to make things better for themselves when they make such blatant bad choices.

I have to believe that everyone's experiences regarding race are different. This is a very sad situation and I do not think it has to be this way. So much energy, time, and talent interrupted by hatred and anger.

decided

If my choice in November is between Obama or McCain, I will write in Hillary Rodham Clinton. I had such high hopes for my candidate. I am painfully shocked at this nominating process.

1969 speech

"she is a typical white person"

Everyone is talking about this, but no one is mentioning that his Grandmother was a woman. I have tried to explain this to people but some seem to forget that we, as women, must be ready to fight for our lives in every parking garage, empty street, desolate park and sometimes even in our own homes. When we walk to our cars, we peek under the car, in the back seat, we carry our keys in a defensive manner. We carry mace, tasors, guns, and our cell phones are programmed to help locate us in case we are abducted.

Obama's Grandmother was not racist she was wise. Shame on you Barack Obama for using your Grandmother this way, a woman who loved you so.

support our men and women

I know one young lady, a dear friend of my daughter, who is in the Navy on a ship in Japan. Her brother is a Marine who just found out he will be on his way to Iraq. One friend who lost her brother in February, and another whose brother will be heading to Iraq soon.

One main problem for these young people is they do not feel the love and support from their homeland. Due to the unpopular opinions regarding this war, the soldiers are faced with completing a mission without strong homeland backing. This is difficult and needs correction. These brave people are risking their lives for us, you and me. While we sip our lattes, they can only wonder will they ever see home again. Whether the war is popular or not, we need to get behind those in the military and make it a priority to make sure they have the best of everything, before, during and after deployment and for their return to the states.

This is not a party issue, this is not a race issue, this is not a gender issue, this is an American issue. It's time to stop worrying about the ingrates who say "God Damn America", and rediscover supporting and protecting pride in America. We must start by honoring our troops, and realizing that we live in a country worthy of their protection, sacrifices and valor.

Start today, if only by one step, think about them and be grateful.

look over there

Obama delivered a speech he wrote, or helped write, regarding the country's concern over his life-time pastor, Reverend Wright. Instead of answering the questions out there, he chose to lecture America on basic history and facts surrounding the characteristics of some black churches and racism as a whole in the United States. That is a fine topic to discuss, but it did not answer the question of why? Why did Obama choose to join that church? Why did Obama say before that he never heard any of Wrights controversial comments only later to say he did? Why didn't Obama leave that church? Why does he choose to continue to participate in a church that spews hatred and lies about our country? Why does Obama support this church financially, if he does not agree with what it teaches? Why is Reverend Wright his spiritual leader? His mentor? Why can't Obama tell the truth about something so personal?

Obama did not need to write a speech to answer these questions. He just needed to answer them honestly and completely, which is exactly what he chose not to do.

race as in color

Well the primary has taken the lid off the ugly. Now people are name-calling each other, and totally discounting what people have done in their lives on the whole. Talk about stirring the pot to get the upheaval to take every ones eyes off the prize. Personally I am disgusted with it, and have chosen to vote for anyone but Obama. Yes that's right. He is not qualified, and I do not like the racial quality of this race. It is too negative for me, if he were any kind of inspirational leader he would contribute wise words at this point in time to calm down the masses. He remains silent or someone hasn't written his words for him yet.

I think that the country needs to be built up, and that people need to take care of themselves as best they can. What I am hearing is black and white people crying about innuendos instead showing their strength and pride. I am tired of it. Wah wah wah.

Some people are never happy.

Just say NO-bama

Well I just returned from seeing and listening to John McCain, at our community center. I can not believe that I actually liked what he had to say. He presented a short speech and then did a question and answers segment from the audience. He had no notes, other then the names of the various people to thank for setting up the event. I saw a man who knew his stuff, a man that was experienced and he even had a sense of humor. In ways, he reminded my of my father. Mac, as he is called, has answers and ideas that have not reached the voting public yet. On defense, he clarified his statements about the middle east and his 100 year statement, and updated the crowd on progress in Iraq. Regarding Bin Laden McCain said," If I have to follow him to the gates of Hell, I will! I promise, I will get him!" Too bad McCain did not win in 2000, the world would have been a different place. Yes, he is old. I do not think that ageism should be a factor. I am hopeful that he will pick a republican VP that doesn't blow his ticket for me. I still will vote Hillary first (if given the chance), then McCain.

Ain't Nobama for me. "Nobama"

ride

But my philosophy is, live in the moment so the past doesn't matter, plus I have friends that can fill me in and they feel so superior when they do....

Life is a ride.....look back too often and you miss Now. : )

motto for assholes I encounter

I always say, if someone can't give me the minimal level of respect that they demand for themselves, then they are not worth the breath that I breathe.

stunned myself

I preface this post by saying I honestly tried to figure out why I was so pissed that Hillary was losing, and this is what I found.

Hillary supporters actually truly believe that Senator Clinton is the best candidate for the position of the President of the United States, and for good solid reasons.

I think that subconsciously this (most likely) defeat cuts so much deeper then other defeats because it strikes a nerve that reminds women (me) of the many times when they ( I ) “knew better” or “was better qualified” but were either overlooked, ignored and/or rebuffed for seemingly no good reason or rational.

As I consider this theory and empty out my own emotional baggage, I feel more willing and open to the idea of supporting Obama da’man and, (again with the honesty)…. it feels good.

campus green zone

What can we do to increase the safety of our children when they head off to college. Now getting drunk, smoking pot, and failing is nothing compared to getting murdered in cold blood. A chilling thought, but one which I think deserves a tremendous amount of attention and resolutions.

Each campus needs to offer mental resources available on all campuses 24/7. They need to also provide a confidential hot-line for people to report peculiar behavior anonymously. They need to train professors and security how to handle a lone-attack, and they need a communication system that alerts authorities and paramedic immediately.

I will be writing my daughter's college shortly and asking what they have planned, and what they currently provide. I am betting that they are unprepared, and are less then motivated to make any real efforts on this critical issue.

Free me of this madness

Okay this whole political process has got me down. I talk to people and say things like " which canidate matches up best with how you feel about the issues ?", and the reply is either a blank stare or, even worse "I don't know what the issues are." Holy sweet Jesus!

I have only one vote, that's it - and I am not on the Obama team. All these people who don't seem to know how our government works are falling over themselves, chanting words, like "change" , "hope", "dreams" that are not connected to even one single issue. They are just words. Floating effortlessly through our collective souls possibly landing an inexperience junior senator in to the POTUS, or even worse we may end up with 4 more years of "shrub" policies. That's right McCain, may be able to whip this dude's @ss. Isn't that just the icing on the cake.

I am going to vote early, and stop watching the maddness....afterall....I only have one vote.

tell your life story in six words

Lucky to worry about dying everyday.