A Work in Progress

Say what?

2008-04-21T21:53:00.003-05:00

This woman is bat shit crazy. That is all I have to say. She is nuts. She has lost it. She is a Republican is sheep's clothing.

I think that she should become McCain's running mate. She is just as looney.

I Love This Woman

2008-04-15T19:29:00.001-05:00

Divide.

2008-04-11T22:08:00.006-05:00

My client today told me that he went to the place I referred him to to receive shoes to wear to a job interview. This place is great. I have sent clients there before when they needed a certain type of kahki pants or button down shirt for a new job. We have a clothing closet at my work for men who are looking for work and are in our programs. He got some good stuff. He showed up in his new suit at a job fair we recently had at work. Confidence. Beaming.

Today he said that he went to the other place because our closet couldn't provide shoes. He went there and they woman rudely asked him what he wanted. You want clothes, food, what? Stern.

He was a little taken back. He just needed shoes for his feet and knew that they had them. What is really the kicker is that this place is Christian organization, non-profit, for the community. I know that working in this environment and get frustrating, but if you cannot show kindness, then you shouldn't be here.

It hurt me, but it made me thankful that this client felt comfortable enough to talk to me about it. We kind of laughed it off because it is kind of silly when you think about it, but wouldn't you expect more from an agency that is Christian than one that is run by the government? I guess sometimes you just don't know.

2008-04-04T21:44:00.001-05:00

Talking Heads

2008-03-31T19:24:00.004-05:00

Lately, I've been less a fan of notice. This means music, tv, people talking, etc. Sometimes you can only take so much noise, especially when you cannot even hear yourself and your own emotions.

Today was the typical Monday. Rush, rush, paperwork, blah, blah.

I wore glasses to work, but then I got a headache from wearing them. My head looks funny when I wear my glasses with my hair down. I don't know why, just does.

I was just in a bitchy mood.

Maybe this is why:

What would you think if you knew that barely a handful of Senators read the National Intelligence Estimate before voting to give President Bush the authorization for war? Very few did indeed. If they wanted to read the some 90 page document outlining their so-called evidence of WMD's and Iraq's urgency to build biological and chemical weapons, you had to sign in to a secure room and read it there.

Only some of the NIE has been made open to the public. I read some of it last night and found that it was very poorly written. When making the case for war, I wouldn't use words like "probably" or "we judge" "they could", words that elude to mass assumptions. For Example!

"We judge that Iraq has continued its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs in defiance of UN resolutions and restrictions. Baghdad has chemical and biological weapons as well as missiles with ranges in excess of UN restrictions; if left unchecked, it probably will have a nuclear weapon during this decade.

We judge that we are seeing only a portion of Iraq's WMD efforts, owing to Baghdad's vigorous denial and deception efforts. Revelations after the Gulf war starkly demonstrate the extensive efforts undertaken by Iraq to deny information. We lack specific information on many key aspects of Iraq's WMD programs. "

AND

"If Baghdad acquires sufficient fissile material from abroad it could make a nuclear weapon within several months to a year."

AND

"Although we have little specific information on Iraq's CW stockpile, Saddam probably has stocked at least 100 metric tons (MT) and possibly as much as 500 MT of CW agents - much of it added in the last year."

Yesterday two more soldiers were killed in Iraq. 4,009.

Texas Democratic Convention Re-Cap

2008-03-29T20:05:00.003-05:00

My husband I got there at about 8:15a.m. for the SD-9 Texas Convention.

I expected that some would get there early, but the parking lot was packed by 8:00a.m. I am happy to state that the sign in process was very organized and people were in line. The volunteers were excellent. We were in line less than 10 minutes and signed in in less than one minute once we got to the front of the line. No one had problems locating their precinct chairs/groups.

Unfortunately, the credentials committees took quite a while and I'm assuming we were trying to align ourselves with SD-23's timeframe. My precinct (4104) had no problems and our paperwork was well in order. All Obama delegates (8)from 3/4 showed up and Clinton delegates (4). I was an Obama backup but I wasn't needed but still stayed until the results were read (at 4:30p.m!).

The most dramatic moment of the day was after we just got started with the opening statements an elderly female Obama supporter tripped on these mats that were on the gym floor and came down hard. People called for a doctor and it got kind of crazy. Paramedics came and all the while the precinct chairs kept going forth with the order of things when pretty much everyone started shouting to stop proceeding until the woman was taken helped.

I know, get to the good stuff. Overall, the results were 61% Obama, 39% Clinton. That is what was announced after tabulations were finished. I can announce that one precinct was able to net 2 delegates for Obama because two of the Clinton delegates and their alternates were MIA. and Obama had extra alternates there for that precinct.

The Obama supporters reflected just about every spectrum of society, and not to play the pundit, but the Clinton supporters looked like characters off of an episode of "Rosanne" or the bra burning type. There were homemade posters with a giant Hillary picture with "She's Our Girl" in big letters.

What was the most odd moment of the day for me was when right after they read the results, Heather Tom (All My Children) and Jehmu Green of "Rock the Vote" were on the stage talking about their support for Hillary Clinton because of the content of her character and so forth. I thought their timing was a little off because the voting of the delegates had been completed long ago. Plus, a soap opera actress and the Vote or Die lady?

That's what I got from SD-9. Our neighbors across the highway in SD-23 (Oak Cliff, etc) will probably have a much more exciting story to tell.

Here is an video account of Kaufman County which went for Obama:

The Surge is So Totally Working, Like Duh!

2008-03-27T19:03:00.002-05:00

And how exactly do I know that this surge is working. Well, take this Democrats!

"WASHINGTON — The State Department has instructed all personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad not to leave reinforced structures due to incoming insurgent rocket fire that has killed two American government workers this week.

In a memo sent Thursday to embassy staff and obtained by The Associated Press, the department says employees are required to wear helmets, body armor and other protective gear if they must venture outside and strongly advises them to sleep in blast-resistant locations instead of the less secure trailers that most occupy."(Associated Press; by Matthew Lee)

Oh Shit. Nevermind.

But! Wait! President Bush sees this current string of violence as a positive sign that the surge is working. Man, I am very confused. He thinks that it shows that the Iraqi government, parliament, whatever they are called, are standing up to the militias and out of it will come resistance. Of course, I am sure that the U.S. Troops are on the same page. Who knows! The media never asked the troops what they think and God forbid Cheney listen.

In response to a recent interview question about 2/3 of Americans think that the war isn't worth it, Cheney simply stated, "So?". See below. You might want to shield your eyes because evil rays might suddenly pop from your computer screen.

But, because there are good people in this world. I will redeem your eyes and play this:

4,000 gone forever.

2008-03-24T20:14:00.005-05:00

If you haven't seen this, then I am glad to post it. It's a composite of the soldiers that have been killed in Iraq.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This morning Randy and I turned on Morning Joe to see this:

I couldn't believe what I was hearing! First off, let's just say what an asshole Pat Buchanan is and how he continues evolve into a bigger asshole. I read on his blog today about how he thinks that African Americans should think that white America (he continued to use his term "white America") is the best thing that has ever happened to them and how much the government has supported them with welfare, etc. I was outraged. Needless to say, I emailed MSNBC to state that I would no longer watch Morning Joe because they continue to allow him to co-host with the currently worst replacement host, Mika. ANYWAY, this video clip made me so happy because it solidified my comments to MSNBC (previous emails) about their instigating the very things in the media narratives that detach themselves from the real issue. And I must say how foxy Gov. Richardson looks in that beard.

Mika, I have lost so much respect, girlfriend!

Yum!

2008-03-23T21:38:00.001-05:00

I love Costo's pizza!

Picture Post

2008-03-21T17:15:00.004-05:00

2008-03-17T21:02:00.002-05:00

I don't know if this should bother me, but I am kind of upset that more coverage has not been seen online about the first black governor of New York state being sworn in today. Even though his swearing in came out of a terrible decision made by Spitzer, I think it's a really special day. I think about all of the African American in the hundreds of thousands who fought for the Union in the Civil War. I wonder what they would be saying right now or what they would be feeling.

Not only is newly Governor Paterson black, but he is also legally blind. He is completely blind in one eye. I think that this is a great testimony to those living with disabilities that a career is possible and a career that is extraordinary.

I got Into the Wild for my birthday/anniversary present along with No Country for Old Men which we watched with my parents last night. They liked it and how can anyone resist the old manliness that is Tommy Lee Jones?

3/19: Happy 5th Birthday Iraq War!

2008-03-15T15:39:00.003-05:00

I haven't posted in a while because I don't know how to put down what I want to make public, because that is exactly what it would be if I did.

I have realized this week that my thoughts on society, war, and politics and morals have changed so much and that I am also afraid of how to express that because if critism/resistance it might bring with it. I would rather be wise about expression that bold and unruly and would like to take more time figuring out exactly what is right to me and what is definitely wrong.

So, it's almost Spring and even though I hate Dallas summers, I will welcome warmer weather which allows me to play outside without a jacket and soon enough the vain activity of tanning! I am so pale which makes under arm and thigh cellulite worse than the fact of it's own existence.

Almost 4,000 soldiers are dead from Iraq and more are dying in Afghanistan. We have tens of thousands of soldiers (just shy of 30,000) coming home from war wounded, suicidal, unable to adjust, and not to mention the tens of thousands of familis in Iraq destroyed by an irresponsible war.

America

2008-03-01T21:57:00.004-06:00

An interesting article came out this week concerning the incarceration rates in America. Here is a link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080228/ap_on_re_us/prison_population_5

I personally feel that most of these incarcerations may have a lot to do with illegal immigration which really just equals to population increases, etc. I think that the time in which people are incarcerated is ridiculous. Depending on the number of offenses, there should be a shortened amount of time instead of 4-5 years for burglary, which I personally have met many individuals who have served such sentences (must of which were convicted at 17 and did not finish high school). Anyway, I am no criminolgist, but our justice system may need a giant overhaul... or something?

Also, I regularly check one of my favorite Dallas area non-profit's website, Aids Arms. My husband and I participated in their Life Walk last year to benefit the agency which offers free HIV testing, case management, and counseling for families. Just rececently they posted the newest statistics for 2007 on HIV/Aids cases:

"-HIV/AIDS Update

-- According to Dallas County HHS on January 15 – there were 1,313 new HIV/AIDS cases reported in 2007 in Dallas County. This is higher than previous years – 150 to 200 higher.

-- According to the Department of Health & Human Services this month (February 2008) – 1 in 300 people in the United States are now HIV infected. Approximately 1.6 million individuals.

-- The CDC has evaluated its reporting methods and has formally reported that instead of 40,000 new cases per year in the United States, there are really 50,000 to 60,000 new cases per year. We will not know the exact 2007 new infection numbers for some time – that’s a long process before those statistics are publicized.

-- The United States is an exception when looking at new HIV infections on a global basis. The World Health Organization recently (November 2007) reported that new HIV infections were dropping in third world countries. The United States is not – it is rising." wwww.aidsarms.org

Oh, Happy Day!

2008-03-01T13:28:00.001-06:00

Hell yes; It's March biatches. My favorite month. My 4th Wedding Anniversary. My Birthday. Mom's Birthday. St. Patrick's Day. Spring!

Warmer weather = playing outside more= going on lovely walks.

I love Sly and the Family Stone. Thank you for lettin' me by myself, again!

2008-02-27T22:23:00.001-06:00

Sean Hannity is a giant turd. The End.

Oscar!!!

2008-02-24T17:14:00.001-06:00

I am actually very much a fan of the Academy Awards. It's really the only award show I respect mainly because of the fact it's been around forever. I am watching tonight because I've seen most of the films and I want to see Daniel Day Lewis drink all those bitches' milkshakes.

I love, love income tax time! Yesterday I went to Ikea and World Marker and today Target and Linens N Things. I still have some fun money left over which we set aside for ourselves while the rest goes to the credit card, etc (I.E. smoking car issue earlier this year).

Dogs are good. They have bones. I am good. I have wine. Husband is good. Has new video games. Family is good. Be in town soon.

Oscar! Oh, Barbara Wa-Wa.

I was just yielding, that's all.

2008-02-22T20:54:00.004-06:00

I got a ticket today for apparently running a stop sign. Really? Me? I don't think so. The policewoman didn't have anything better to do than to sit in a neighborhood and watch morning commuters who are barely awake stroll through their 'hood to get to to work. Please. I will pay your stupid fine. Grrr.... Me no likey red flashy lights.

My husband and I watched Michael Moore's latest movie, Sicko, this past weekend. I will say that it being Mr. Moore's film about health care is slightly biased and totally edited to perfection, some things he makes a good point. My favorite thing that I picked up is how described that way that the French government is actually afraid of it's own people and maybe that is how governments should be; respect out of fear that failing to lead and care for their people will truly cause protest. I think Americans are so afraid of their government because we don't really know what is legal or illegal and there are so many ways our civil liberties have been violated we just don't realize it. I'd like to think that politicians remember that we, the people, are their employers. What a day that will be...

I saw a Huckabee sign in a yard down from my house. There is an Obama sign on my window. Oh, the differences.

I have a lot on my mind right now, but don't feel like blogging it. Save it for later, ladies.

"America when will we end the human war?
Go fuck yourself with your atom bomb
I don't feel good don't bother me." Allen Ginsberg

2008-02-20T20:19:00.001-06:00

Help! I was just caught watching "Great Scenic Railway Journeys" and I am being teased for it!

What did I do?

Carry On, My Wayward Orange......

2008-02-19T19:43:00.004-06:00

There is an intersection by my house that I stop at every single day on my way out of my neighborhood to work.

For the past three weeks, maybe even more, there has been the same orange peel sitting below a road sign pole. It's not just an orange peel, it's more like half an orange with the peel a complete half circle. I have watched that damn thing deteriorate from fresh to dried and dead. What is strange to me is that within the past month we have had some stubbornly strong winds and thunderstorms. This orange has not moved! It is there every morning haunting me making me feel weak. My Obama sign blew away like a tumble weed, but half an orange peel? Really? Bastard. I admire you, orange peel. Carry on. Until you are picked up by a bird's beek!

2008-02-18T11:16:00.002-06:00

For shits and giggles:

I have the day off and I'm left wondering what I will do with it. I am waiting for next weekend to spend some of my tax return, so I got no plans that involve money spending today. I'm very excited about going to Ikea next weekend or finding an area rug (non-antique looking, mom) for the living room to cover Harvey's chew fest from last year.

My dogs love when we are no at work. Kennel Free!

I watched the National Geographic Channel last night, or was it the Science Channel? I don't remember; however, the program was about an end of the world theory called The Big Rip. Basically, energy get sucked in to this vaccuum like experience and rips through stars and the universe and it's so strong that it basically causes all planets (including earth) to just explode within itself. Yeah, and they had graphics to "show" what it would look like. Yikes! This theory is really authored by some science geek, no doubt, from Darmouth College. Here is a quote from Space.com:
"The expansion (of gravity) becomes so fast that it literally rips apart all bound objects," Caldwell explained in a telephone interview. "It rips apart clusters of galaxies. It rips apart stars. It rips apart planets and solar systems. And it eventually rips apart all matter." Yippie. I guess it would be a quicker death than slowly running out of water and being cooked to death by increased temperatures! Global warming haters beware!

Carpe Diem

2008-02-10T17:31:00.000-06:00

Today is the most gorgeous day of the year! I cannot believe it is 73 degrees and barely in to the middle of the month. I will say though that it will probably dip down in the 40's next week, but who cares! I spent a lot of time outside this weekend. Yay for sun vitamins and some sun on my pale little face.

2008-02-09T21:33:00.000-06:00

Actually, now that the results are in I am feeling Kool and the Gang

Saturday Night Fever

2008-02-09T20:40:00.000-06:00

Wow, Mike Huckabee is amazing. I mean, not in the way that I like him, but he stayed in the race and he's doing really well tonight. I guess the "true" conservatives are really trying to make a point and not let McCain win this so easily.

On another note:
Obama won Washington
Obama won Nebraska
Obama is currently winning Louisiana.

We were very productive today. Trimmed trees; went on a walk; got groceries; cleaned house(a little); slept in (which is productive for health, right?); etc.

I don't have much to blog about because I am watching results come in online, but I'm really excited.

This month is really flying by and next month is not only my birthday but my 4th wedding anniversary.

Sarah and Zack Martin's anniversary is on Monday. Congrats on the first year!

2008-02-06T21:53:00.000-06:00

We didn't win the Big Cahuna aka California, but I'm feeling really good! The campaign raised 5 MILLION over night when the Clintons have had to donate 5 Million of their own money to keep their camp going. Some staff are even going without pay. People are waking up and going for Big O.

How I feel right now despite that I don't physically feel good today (fatigued):

ok, really:

Can't watch the TV

2008-02-05T21:01:00.000-06:00

Barack Obama:

Winner:
Delaware
Georgia
Illinois
Alabama
Kansas

AND...Current but not confirmed wins:
Obama 65% Minnesota
Obama 50% Connecticut
Obama 73% Idaho
Obama 57% North Dakota
Obama 59% Colorado (Thanks to my parents' state!)

All as of 9:00p.m. CST

Now, in the fashion of Mary Katherine Gallagher I will express my current emotion will the following embedded video of Journey's "Don't Stop Believing".

Fat Tuesday, Super Tuesday

2008-02-05T18:17:00.000-06:00

Why this political season is emotional for me.....

Just minutes ago NBC projects that Obama has won Georgia. It's the first results of the Tuesday primaries for the Democrats. Even though I know the pundits aren't always reliable, they've stated tonight that Obama got a large majority of white voters. I hope this stands true because it will prove wrong everyone that not everyone votes or chooses their allies based upon race and that people can come together. It sounds cheesy but it's important to me.

I work in a very diverse field where no matter what you look like or came from, myself and my coworkers must treat everyone equal. We see white, black, the foreign born, the Hispanic (even the illegal) but we are charged with providing quality assistance. I have learned that people are just that.... people. We are all children; however, in bigger bodies and just as confused and lonely as ever. I have learned through my own discussions with clients and coworkers that the color of a person's skin or the culture that they were brought up in has little do with what we have in common which is the longing to be loved and to prosper. To care for our families and to be at peace. I have learned that most people, when just talking to them and looking them in the eye with respect, start to see beyond your skin. I wish my friends and my family could understand. We are not really as different as people in the media, the pundits, etc. state that we are it's just if we are too scared to open up to each other, to embrace each other we will never know.

Viva Obama....

More updates later....

Hopefully I will be able to jump for joy tomorrow morning!

Dun Dun Dun.....

2008-02-04T18:47:00.001-06:00

I am so nervous right now.

I am so nervous that I amd afraid that I cannot watch the results come in for Super Tuesday tomorrow night. Last night I could barely watch the end of the game when the Giants came away victorious! When the clock ran out on the game, my initial thinking was, "Oh, my God they did it." I want to have the feeling tomorrow: "Oh, my God, he did it". As in, Barack Obama shows the establishment that their is a new dawn and grassroots politics works and people can get out the vote.

I guess I shouldn't be that anxious considering that it's out of my control and there is nothing I can do when people go to the polls everywhere almost but here.

Sigh.

Dear God, please don't let tomorrow be over for the Obama campaign!

2008-02-02T19:12:00.001-06:00

I will allow myself to describe the movie Atonement in two words: Beautifully Depressing. Keira Knightly, darling, eat a sandwhich. Dear Lord, this gal is thin. She looked way more fierce in the Pirates movies. I liked her in this movie, despite my weird thing with her jaw.

Have you seen the music video directed by Bob Dylan's son, Jesse Dylan? It's an independent Pro-Obama video with words used only by his NH primary speech. Lookie Lookie:

The newest incident of violence in Iraq has not been given the attention it deserves. Two mentally disabled women were srapped with explosives and then shoved into a crowing, walking, then with a reomate device by cell phone, were detonated killing almost 75 people. The Iraqi government(s) had lifted the curfew that had been in place for so long. Why did they lift it? Because things seemed to be getting better in safety......This war has costed us more than any other war second to WWII.

Smokey Joe

2008-01-31T09:18:00.000-06:00

Yay, my car is mean.

I was driving home from work yesterday and at a stoplight close to my house I noticed something white. I thought it was the dust being blown off the top of my car since it was a very windy day. Nope. When I got home, that puppy was smoking! I lifted the hood and there it was in all it's glory. Smokey white clouds mocking me, speaking for the car s if to say, "You thought you were done with me, huh?".

So, thankfully I had today off to take it in again; however, I took it to a place that was not the same as the screw ups of last week. We'll see. Hopefully this will be the end or I'll be planning some funeral arrangments for my dear Buick.

I was lookin on YouTube today and saw a classic ABC News clip involving Welfare Reform. Reform was based upon Republicans ideas that after many attempts was finally signed in to law by Clinton. Clinton was basically forces to sign it. I am glad that was made because I have a job today because of this bill. Here is a clip:

What is funny is that it actually has worked! It was dropped case loads and saved states money; sent thousands of people to get their GED. Rep. Rangel and Waters were so wrong. Hmmm... they both endorse Hillary Clinton.......If you don't know much about Welfare Reform, this is a good clip.

Tonight is the last Dem Debate before Super Tuesday. I will not be watching. I will stay up to date online as people blog about the debate as it continues. Makes me nervous and I fear I will barf will Hillary gets on the defensive and her horns peark out the top of her head.

Buh-Bye.

Like OMG, ROFL

2008-01-30T21:54:00.000-06:00

There is Minute Maid Park in Houston, TX. There is the American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX. There (used to be) Ameriquest Field in Arlington, TX.

I am sure that those locations are totally jealous of Dallas' new gem: the new, improved Superpages.com Center.

To quote WFAA's article:

First, it was Coca-Cola Starplex. Then, just Starplex. After that, Smirnoff Music Centre. Now the Fair Park amphitheater has a new sponsor and an even longer name: Superpages.com Center.

I bet the Family Values Tour cannot wait to announce that their tour will be coming to Superpages.com Center. Oh, boy, I can't wait.

Good grief.

Guess What!

2008-01-26T20:47:00.000-06:00

Hey, everyone.....

My favorite part during this speech is when the crowd together shouted, "Race doesn't matter." (or at least I think that is what they were shouting) If that didn't send goosebumps down my arm!

I spent the day downtown attending a Health Expo at the Dallas Convention Center. We decided to take the rail which was my first time to do so in Dallas. When I was little my grandmother would take my brother and I on the bus and go places, but since the rail has exploded around the city, I've never needed to take it (since I also live just outside the city limits). It was great. The day was cold and the pictures I took are dated 1/23/2008. I think my battery died on 1/23/2008 before I recharged the battery. Ha!

Here are a few pictures from the day.

1) Walking in to the Dallas Convention Center.

2) Akard Street Dart Rail Station

3) Inside the chapel on Thanksgiving Square

4) View of downtown streets

Alrighty Now!

2008-01-25T18:33:00.001-06:00

South Carolina don't let me down!

If you say the F-Word one more time.......

2008-01-24T19:03:00.000-06:00

I have a real problem with the media showing over and over again Heath Ledger's body being taken out of the Soho apartment building in the body bag. It is so disrespectful and I don't think that I would want a friend or family member of mine to be shown in that way. Good grief it's so sad.

This week at work has been very strange. Today we had a huge job fair with 16 employers in the office that were hiring on the spot for jobs in the county's southern sector which is a great need. I swear the Fire Marshall would have written our office up because hundreds of people were in the center today. My old coworker dropped by and I was talking to him when a little girl walked away from another caseworker's desk towards the lobby. We always have children around who come to appointments with their mothers. This little girl was close to getting to the lobby, but as no faster than she walked that vomit started running off her chin with her hand cupped to catch it. Poor thing. I walked with her and tried to get her to the restroom but she wasn't going to make it so I swooped a trashcan in front of her. Yeah, she continued to vomit in front of hundreds of adults... but then...I said, "Where is her mom?" Her mom came over probably not knowing her daughter was feeling that bad. I felt bad for her. She was probably very embarrassed. But it was pretty nasty!

I also had work done on my car this week. I picked it up last night. When I was driving it to work this week I noticed that my alignment was completely screwed. I practically had to turn my wheel 180 degrees just to drive the car straight. So, to my disappointment, I took it back today and told the mechanic about it. "Hmm... that's weird," he said. Yeah, I'm thinking. Real weird you piece of crap! Ok, well as long as they don't make my pay for their repairs. The co-owner of the shop gave me a lift home. I would have walked but it was Antartica outside and I think it would have been too dark for my comfort.

Also, I hestitantly click on CNN.com every day because of the horrible depiction of the Democratic race and the lastest greatest competitors attacking comments and jabs. The media is so ridiculous. Goodness, the lines they give you just to click on the story are almost completely fictional and desperate. I honestly believe that people have made up their minds (*cough* Barack *cough*). That being said, I HATE POLLS. I haven't been called to participate in one, no, but goodness, polls only slightly predict who those polled will vote for if they actually turn out to vote! Please, when you look at Nevada where Hillary won the popular vote (because she basically won Clark County) Obama won delegates throughout the state and not just in Las Vegas. When rural people are supporting a Democratic candidate, that is big news.

Okay, so Stallone endorsed McCain today and I had to share the cutest clip (cute but also kind of "Crazy Uncle"ish):

This morning on the way to work listening to Morning Edition on NPR the hosts were discussing the secret talks that the Bush administration is having the Iraqi "government" about agreeing on long term stays of US Troops. To give a comparison of what might be to come, i.e. South Korea, Germany, Japan, etc. And they said that there is presidential power through law that the President would not have to have it authorized through Congress. I guess this is Bush's going away present to us; remember this is a leap year, so one more day of Bush.

Now to a great Ben Harper vid:

There goes another...

2008-01-22T18:54:00.000-06:00

Did I not just blog about a week ago about my celebrity crushes dying? Goodness, when I saw online that Heath Ledger was dead I almost didn't believe it. So sad. I heard he wasn't so steady with the bottle, but never saw this coming. Most people just thought he was a huge prick when he was probably just a very sad person.

What causes people to lie? I also blogged about a week ago about confronting clients who lie. I had two more lie in front of me today. I called them out on it one sat there and continued to talk like it was nothing but the other I know is going to file a complaint against me, but she lied so I don't really have anything to worry about unless she can back it up with something I wasn't aware of.

Anyway, I couldn't watch the debate last night because I was to nervous to do so. Debates make me nervous. And they aren't eve debates on policy, it's all personal now and it gets so dirty.

Well, any way.... here we go....

2008-01-19T18:02:00.000-06:00

I am watching the "post game" analysis of the caucuses today in Nevada.

One thing is clear: Obama gained just as many or 1 more delegates than Clinton.

One thing is also clear: It is disgusting that the Clintons are claiming a victory among women and Hispanic voters. I honestly am disgusted at the fact that she appears to court the racial background of the moment. If I were an African American I would be doing some serious thinking. The Clinton campaign may now realize that they can really court the Hispanic vote when all this time they have been touting their popularity among African Americans.

To me, Obama speaks to all people and it's not just about courting one specific demographic but to all because we are all American.

But, I'm hopeful that South Carolina will show how the South runs things and really makes itself known and changes the course. I also hope that Mr. Clinton continues to make a mockery of his wife's campaign because it just makes it worse for them.

-----

On a different subject, I've been cleaning most of the afternoon and morning getting ready for some good friends coming in town tomorrow.

Let's see now who wins South Carolina for the Republicans... AH! So much for changing the subject.

-----

I am concerned about the economy and that the government is possibly looking to expand eligibility for families to receive emergency food stamps. I think that this is a dangerous option, unless if they can limit it to a one-time individual three month of family six-month emergency option. There is a great risk of dependency on public assistance once you're on them. I know. Just trust me on this one. I do believe that the tax returns this season will assist with consumer spending which can pump it back in to the market for families who need shoes or household goods, etc. unless they choose to just save the money, which is what I would do.

Cranky Pants

2008-01-18T22:40:00.000-06:00

We went to an Obama meet up tonight at Cafe Brazil on Lower Greenville. It was interesting. I will admit I was nervous at first because we didn't know a single soul there and it was a sit down and have coffee and dinner and just hang out. It wasn't a fund raiser or a push for pledge cards or anything remotely similiar.

It was nice to see different people from different parts of the city gather around without ever having met over a common issue because they love democracy and they believe that everyone can play a part in that and everyone matters and they want to reach so many people so they feel the same.

This week has been tiring, disappointing and I'm cramping. So I said it. It's cold. It's cloudy.

Tomorrow is the Nevada caucus and the South Carolina primary. Love it. Love it.

2008-01-17T22:11:00.000-06:00

Associated Press Article 1/15/08

"The plaintiffs are the Nevada State Education Association, its president, Lynn Warne, and five others. Debbie Cahill, the deputy executive director of the teachers' union, is a Clinton supporter and a member of the campaign's Nevada Women's Leadership Council.

Two senior partners of the law firm handling the suit, Kummer, Kaempfer, Bonner, Renshaw and Ferrario, have donated to Clinton in the past. Also, Clinton ally and former Rep. Jim Bilbray is an attorney at the firm.

The state Democratic Party unanimously approved the caucus rules last March, and the Democratic National Committee signed on in August. Four of the six plaintiffs are members of the committee that approved the rules."

Source: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18106278

BeeBooop. Zeegoorppep.

2008-01-17T19:44:00.000-06:00

Have you seen the leaked videos of Tom Cruise's Scientology pitch from 2004? Holy Space Age Top Gun! We watched it last night on the Internet and when I just tried to watch it again on YouTube it had been removed as "Copywright Property of the Church of Scientology". Seems to me the premise of Scientology is that when your ego is huge! you can do just about anything.

Please. I don't need a religion, (cough) um, cult for that. Heck, all I have to do is look in the mirror because I'm so awesomely amazing.

No really. It was creepy. But, this story about Katie Holmes possibly being artificially inseminated with L.R. Hubbard's frozen sperm so that Suri is the chosen child of Scientology like the satan child of Rosemary's Baby. Click:

http://www.observer.com/2008/new-tom-cruise-biography-suri-conceived-rosemarys-baby

Hurray! Today the judge in Nevada presiding over the lawsuit that caucuses "at large" can be held on the Las Vegas strip. This is huge for Obama but then again, after that NH defeat I am cautiously excited. But, it's great and I just have to; nanny-nanny boo-boo.

And on the Republican side of things, from my favorite morning show, I present to you a clip:

YIKES! Did he just say that? Amend the constitution! Heaven forbid (no pun intended). This is the stupidest thing to ever say and especially if one is running for POTUS.

But, my favorite clip from Morning Joe:

2008-01-15T20:16:00.001-06:00

This is why I love this campaign. I have seen their involvement and ONLY this campaign's involvement around my city since the beginning of October.

"Who you are speaks so loudly I cannot hear what you say." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Why Is Everyone Yelling?

2008-01-15T18:53:00.000-06:00

One of my biggest adolescent crushes was found dead in his home. Brad Renfro- you know the cute kid from The Client and Tom & Huck , of course! How sad. Drugs. Stay away from the drugs. This is shocking only second to the suicide of Jonathan Brandis of Ladybugs and Seaquest.

Today at work was strange. No one wanted to come in and if they did, they came two hours late. I caught a client lying to me. Nothing is more uncomfortable than confronting a client, especially when you barely know them, that you caught them lying and that you have to report it to the state. Geeze. I don't so much mind the "Why would you do that?" stuff, but the fact more that you don't know how they are going to react. While you are catching them in the lie, they squirm and twiddle their fingers. I had a client slam the phone on me yesterday. I didn't catch her lying but she definitely didn't like what I had to say to her.

I have this little four inch high marble-esque sculpture on my desk at work. It's one of those symbolic unity type statues and very simple, but pretty. Well, I looked at it today. Then I looked a little closer. Someone broke my statue and then tried to GLUE it back together. It was not like that yesterday. I am assuming maybe the cleaning crew, but I don't know because I've never seen anything else moved around in the past that caught my attention. There was dried glue bits all over it. Whoever glued it together did a really pathetic job. I was pissed. Good thing it wasn't that expensive and I know that Wolrd Market has a million more to help me replace it.

2008-01-14T22:08:00.000-06:00

And all of Dallas echoeing his cry.....

Except we are a little mad at Romo. But we love him and will get over it. On that note, Go Packers!

p.s. Hillary, THIS is how you cry if you are going to do it in front of cameras.

I love T.O.

And the winner is...

2008-01-13T20:10:00.000-06:00

Wow. Not only did the Cowboys throw it away to Eli Manning and his Giants, but now the announcements of the Golden Globes are on TV. Not only are they not actually having a ceremony, but they have the host of Access Hollywood doing the award announcements and it is awful. This really cheapens the whole deal. I am not a huge fan of award shows, but I do enjoy the Golden Globes and Academy Awards because I really love film and I saw a lot of movies this past year.

Gee, writers strike please end.

I voted for it before I was against it

2008-01-13T09:31:00.001-06:00

Good morning, my non-audience.

I woke up early this morning(early meaning before 10a.m.) to make coffee and watch Meet the Press because Senator Clinton is the guest this morning. I am watching this with my jaw dropped. One of the reason that I respect Senator Obama is because of his wisdom of the War in Iraq, even though he could not be in the Senate to vote either way, is important to me. Senator Clinton voted for going in to Iraq for a year as the resolution asked. No matter what the excuse is, voting for one the the sole reason we are in the this mess shows lack of judgement and wisdom and it infuriates me that she is sitting here as if she did not vote for the war. People see the economy and the sub-prime mortgage crisis as the reason for economic woes, but when we are spending trillions of dollars not invested domestically, well then, that is foolish to ignore. When she speaks of (and I'm paraphrasing of course), "Well, Obama voted to continue to fund the war once in the Senate". You have to remember that a lot of those votes are tied to providing troops with adequate gear to stay safe, etc.

When Randy completed Basic Training, he was on a plane to fight in Iraq less than two months later. I constantly questioned the war while he was away in 2004 (which was a major time in the war in terms of violence and last of cooperation with the Iraqis), if he had been killed, why did he die for a country that did not want us there?

A new report came out recently where there are 121 cases of soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan to go home and commit murder. We send babies to war. Babies, who are barely 18 years-old who have never even had the responsibility of buying a car or opening a checking account but we put the success of this war on their shoulders. When I worked on base I met with a young female soldier who was going to Afghanistan in less than a month who was 17 years-old. Anyone younger than 18 years-old must have parental consent to join the military. I remember looking at her just wanting to hug her because she was so young and baby-faced.

You can read the article for yourself here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/13/us/13vets.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

2008-01-12T19:51:00.000-06:00

I forgot about this. Makes me ill.

2008-01-12T12:16:00.000-06:00

Agenda: Get up early, get oil changed in the car, get groceries and clean the house.

Task #1: Mission oil Change

- I went to my local place to get the regular ole change of oil.
When the guys were done completing this task they asked me to come look at the engine. They showed me where the motor mounts were loose and partially broken. Apparently these motor mounts keep your engine frmo falling out. They showed me the car running and what the engine looks like. Rattle, rattle. Oh, yippie. They told me that it happens and where to go to get it fixed.

So, I go to their suggested place so classicly located behind my local Dairy Queen. I was going to be the big girl; go get a estimate without calling Randy first to discuss the issue with him. The counter guy told me it would be about 80 dollars for each section to be replaced. He could do it any day during the week, so I'd have to return later.

I went home depressed over my beaut of a car and how so many other things I know are wrong with it and there is no way we could afford two car payments. I cried. I was so upset. Then I got over it because stuff happens and what are you going to do? But I wanted to try and handle it on my own.

I did not go to the grocery store in the Buick. I realized now with my new found paranoia of the engine dropping that I'd rather only use it when I need it.

Task Mission Groceries has been completed. Accomplished. Clean the house? Nah, not right now. Later in the day Harvey threw up the bone he just devoured twice on the carpet and then the laptop got all moody on me.

Video of the day:

Yo-Yo It's the Weekend BayBay!

2008-01-11T22:56:00.000-06:00

I could not believe my eyes(ears) yesterday when I read and then heard it verified on NPR on the way home. President Bush actually told Israel to:

"end what he unequivocally called its "occupation" of territory seized in 1967 and proposed "compensation" as a means of solving the issue of Palestinian refugees."
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article3328418.ece

You see why the Arab nations despise the USA as much as they do besides what they may say as the secularism of the Western world. Arabs mostly despise America because of their long history of the support of Jewish settlements in and around Israel. Israelis building on land that had been long ago agreed upon was not theirs, but belong to Palestine, all the while being financially supported by America.

I was amazed Bush made this comment. His unwavering support of Israel (who is a nuclear nation by the way and our government has no problem telling Iran and whomever that they cannot become nuclear)has been very important to him.

Also, just minutes ago I saw Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee say the very words I have been thinking for weeks. With all of this talk about health care no one has talked about health PREVENTION. I couldn't believe it. I don't want a reason to like Mr. Huckabee because I don't actually enjoy his presence in this race (other than his Colbert Show appearances and he likes rock n' roll, a lot). A lot of social medicine is dispensed for those with diabetes and even lung cancer which illnesses inhabits the bodies of individuals who might have been able to prevent or at least reduce their risk of being diagnosed.

I heard a good comment by someone on a special I saw on TV a few months ago. He was scolding some conservatives or their religious base for failing to understand the complexity of those who pay for their pregnancies to be aborted. The preacher stated that people fail to realize that abortions are more prevalent in areas where there is less opportunity such as education, workforce, and high crime. The preacher went on to make the point that if preventing women to choose abortion is so important then vote for a candidate who promotes education and opportunity for those who live in the land of lack of opportunity, and on and on.

End of opinion.

Video of the day:

2008-01-10T18:45:00.000-06:00

Today started off very unpleasant.

I was late for the first time ever to a job.

Now, I only work 8 miles from my house. It took me about 40 minutes to move 8 miles. You might say, "Why didn't you take the back roads?". But, I didn't have a choice, that is, once stuck between exits and no turning back. Granted, I was only about ten minutes late, but it threw my whole routine off.

Within 15 minutes of getting to my desk, I had another unpleasant experience. I was reaching for something within my beautiful cube on a top shelf. I went to sit back down behind me and totally missed my chair. Not only missed, but missed by a lot and just pounded the floor with my ass. And it hurt a little.

I immediately sprung back up to see who saw this and no one was in sight. I was so happy. I just gently sat back down and got to work.

Surprisingly, what really made my day better was my first appointment. My new client was nice and he made me laugh. Plus, more changes are happening at work in which I actually love this time!

Video of the day is....

2008-01-09T18:33:00.000-06:00

My resolution to California just turned Yankee on me.

I booked a flight just minutes ago to take four leisurely days 60 miles north of New York City at my sort-of family's house (sort of meaning in-laws' in-laws). I am excited to take a book, eat some Italian food at Capris, drink at Torches by the Hudson River, and possibly volunteer at the Episcopal church downtown on my last day in town. Ah, being back in New York is going to bring back some strange feelings. I haven't been back, of course, since we've been out of the military, and so much has changed and happened!

I've moved on from being bitter from last night's "defeat". Let me explain. I dare call the three percent difference a defeat by the Billary camp.

I opened 5 new cases today at work and at the end of the day I felt robotic. "Why haven't you worked in two years?", "Do you have a felony? What kind of felony do you have? How old is it?", "Are you currently homeless?", "Do you know how to use a computer?", "Do you have a resume?", etc. etc. etc.

Yay, for New York and getting to do Betsy things and Randy being totally cool with that.

Barack Obama On Iraq, Opposition From The Start (2002) - The most popular videos are a click away

Nervous!

2008-01-08T17:46:00.000-06:00

So it's the first Primary in America today. Currently while I type this, Ole Hill is wining by 40 percent with only 17 percent of the precincts reporting their results.

Grr... I'm nervous. I don't want to hear a Hillary victory speech and see Madeleine Albright and Bill Clinton standing behind her.

Okay, I have to give my stomach a rest. Switch the subject.

I have had a good week at work which I was not predicting at all. The State has changed some components of our program such as requirements and policy but I can adapt to the change but I get a little nervous for my clients about their smooth adjustment. But! to my surprise, it hasn't been that bad. But, these are first timers and didn't know what we did before, so they wouldn't know any different. It's hard to describe, but pretty much when you ask for assistance from the state, they will own your time until you do what they want. But, most of the time it works for the best. Nothing is for free.

New Things That Have Brightened my Days:

1) Keeping chocolate covered espresso beans in my desk at work.
2) There Will Be Blood
3) Morning Joe on MSNBC every morning while I get ready for work.
4) Eating at Luby's for lunch with my co-workers.
5) My unwavering co-worker and teammate at work that though we have been shorted handed by two less teammates for four months, we have juggled yo-yo caseloads and all the craziness that ensues.

Back to the results... CSPAN, hit it!

Thank you Iowa!

2008-01-05T21:25:00.000-06:00

I am currently watching the debates on television right now. I can see definite range that Clinton is pulling- and she makes some strong points. I think that her biggest threat to her own campaign is that she is not that trustworthy. It would be hard for me to vote for her understanding now what all happened while her husband was in office- even though the country FELT secure, things were brewing underneath- she might have had a hand in and I don't think that he will go down in the books as one of the most integral leaders we've had.

I that Edwards is wise in not trying to go for Obama's neck and going to Clinton's. Clinton almost took second in IA and his best bet is to make the margin of difference between himself and her be wider.

I don't understand, however, why when speaking of health care, no one talks about prevention. I don't want my government to pay for health care for someone who voluntarily didn't exercise, didn't eat right, smoked or drank too much and now has lung cancer or diabetes.

Just like changing energy policy. The government needs to speak about asking the American people to change their lifestyle. What is wrong with that? Or asking people not to drive up oil demand by driving insufficient vehicles?

I don't want a country that causes it's own problems and then asked the goverment to bail them out. I see that way too much every day at work and I wish it were different.

I am excited because I think that this election is going to call a lot of people to pay more attention to politics and the future of our country.

Let's Get to Caucusin'

2008-01-03T17:50:00.000-06:00

One hour away from the Iowa caucus. I know it's not Super Tuesday, but it's the first taste of taking G.W. out of office and it's becoming more real.

Could someone really bring an end to the war? What will happen with Pakistan? What about big government? Will government control and involvement increace or descrease with the next president?

We making tacos tonight. Yummy.

It's freaking cold here, too. For Dallas 25 degrees in the morning is very cold.

More and more every day I realize that I enjoy growing older. Only 23, but I work with many 40 and uppers. Many. Repeat, MOST of them. Some, 50 plus. I almost enjoy them the most.

ANYONE BUT HILLARY 08'! DON'T LET ME DOWN MY FELLOW MIDWESTERNS!

Oh, and Happy New Year's America.

2007-12-27T18:04:00.000-06:00

What the heck is wrong with our culture?

No, for real this day is very surreal.

A lot of emotion is going on within me right now. I had that same feeling this morning when I heard about Bhutto. The same feeling I had my freshman year in college waking up to go to English 1301 but then realizing the Twin Towers had been hit.

Shit.is.going.to.hit.the.fan.

That's what I was thinking.

Then today I click to check my email at work and usually news links are next to my sign in log- but no- news flash of Jessica Alba's engagement was in front of the world news.

And it's even worse that it's Alba. She can't even act!

Okay, serious note.

This assassination just spoon feeds votes to Republican candidates who will use this current event as a stepping stool to climb their arrogant soapboxs to vow that they will "fight terror". Hopefully, there are a few intelligent Americans who won't succumb to created fear to change their vote.

But, probably not.

More on my view of this "war on terror" later. I'm still tired of fighting the "war on Christmas".

Was my sarcasm obvious enough for you, because I'm not that good at sarcarsm.

So this is Christmas.....

2007-12-26T19:04:00.000-06:00

Christmas is over. It was a good one. It was a long one. We decorated at work, had a Christmas luncheon, played "Secret Santa", we put up a tree in our house (even though we weren't home for Christmas), etc. etc. etc.

We got back from Colorado this morning at 4a.m. I am tired, but I must admit that Randy drove while I played co-captain and wingman extrodinaire.

We talked about the upcoming year in the car while on the 11 plus hour trip. Randy will try to get in to nursing school and I will approach year 2 with my job. I will not be going to back to school this year even as graduate school continues to be present on my mind.

I am not against New Years Resolutions, as long as I am not setting myself for something I know is not attainable. I will now list the following that I will try to achieve or complete in the year 2008....

1) Go to California. I would like to go to San Francisco for a few days. I have researched and found some cheap flight deals. We'll see....

2) Read more. I didn't read less than I would have liked in 2007, but I would like to try a little harder in 2008. I did get a subscription to the Smithosian magazine which will keep my busy considering it's like National Geographic but no as expensive.

3) Of course, vote in the election. Not just vote, but make a wise vote and do my research for my decision.

4) Work hard at my job and try different approaches with the clients. Get creative and have more employments.

5) Save more money. We did a great job of this in 2007. We have goals set up now and maybe by this time next year we will have doubled our accounts.

6) Go to more exhibits. I was at the DMA a lot this year, but there are other museums in Dallas/Ft. Worth. See more is what I'm really saying.

7) Eat better. I don't eat bad, but I eat too much fried food. Not good for the arteries. Not looking to get thin, but keep my body healthy.

2007-12-20T19:50:00.000-06:00

Today a man in the office stopped me to ask a question. While trying to explan the answer to him in the lobby, I said, "just come to my desk; I can print it out for you". He then told me that he would just call the office later and that his truck was outside. He said his truck was outside, with the keys in the ignition, and the truck was on! I said "Oh, no, no, no". I went to the balcony, and sure enough, Einstein had his pickup just purring away.

The security guard was out there already, which made it better, but I asked the man if he was from here. "No, I'm not".

Ah, yes, I didn't think so.

Let's just say we've had quite a few "disturbances" in the parking lots this year, let alone actually in the office.

What was even stranger, is when he left, he touched my arm and said, "thanks babe".

Never seen the man in my life. Never a dull moment at the agency.

Pride Comes Before the Fall

2007-12-18T19:52:00.000-06:00

It's been a long time since I last posted.

I have a lot of "drafts" written. I would start typing then just stop and give up because my words ran out or I ran out of words to describe what it was I was actually trying to say.

Today I ran into a short, but important lesson. Someone was very rude to me in front of people that I would like to think respect me, or at least respect me on most days. I usually would just set it aside and blow it off, but I wasn't wrong in what I did; so I answered back. I believe that the person that this engagement was with did not think that I would stand up in front of others. Her eyes would not even look in mine as she answered back sharply, yet passively without the guts to look at me face to face.

I still contend that she was wrong in speaking to me the way that she did. What hurts the most of the way that the others just sat there and didn't say anything. One person even laughed at the way the person spoke to me.

I walked downstairs after a minute or two to clear my head.

I took some deep breaths and then it occured to me that I was the bigger person.

What goes around, comes back around, and I have never thought the opposite.

This particular person is kind of known for her backlash, but no body stands up and stops it. I am glad that I attempt to not build walls to push people away from me so that I can uphold a niave facade and be a prideful owner of my heart's self-righteousness.

Every dog has his day, so the saying goes, right?

I will forget what happend today. In fact, I did until I wanted to think of something to type about.

I confided in a friend today. I told her that I would rather have people hate me for who I truly am than for people to like me for what I am not and go to sleep knowing I'm lying to myself.

On a lighter note, the presidential primaries are almost over, a new year is coming, and maybe in three months I will get a raise.

"When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose
You're invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal.

How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?"

Like a Rolling Stone- Bob Dylan (1965) from Highway 61 Revisted

2007-11-07T21:51:00.000-06:00

I feel like a complicated soul but then I feel real joy. Which is it? I flip flop but I think I allow others' misconceptions of my soul distract me from what I know is real; which is for the first time I am truly confident in myself and who I am- and I don't know how to adjust that.

2007-11-06T20:21:00.000-06:00

People don't respect each other enough for the basic reason that we are all living, breathing humans.

Maybe it is that people want to judge from the surface of color, age, or gender, or sexual orientation. No matter the makeup, we all have hearts, brains, eyes, and a soul. We should respect life; life that makes up all of us.

Lack of respect for the human, the individual seems to also mirror a lack of respect for the earth and it's air and soil.

Today someone thanked me for treating the people, including himself that came in to the office, like humans.

Humility.

2007-10-24T20:43:00.000-05:00

"I'd like somebody to mention that day, that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to give his life serving others. I'd like for somebody to say that day, that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to love somebody. I want you to say that day, that I tried to be right on the war question. I want you to be able to say that day that I did try to feed the hungry. I want you to be able to say that day that I did try in my life to clothe those who were naked. I want you to say, on that day, that I did try, in my life, to visit those who were in prison. I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity.Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice; say that I was a drum major for peace; I was a drum major for righteousness. " MLK, JR. 1968

Ugly.

2007-10-22T22:27:00.000-05:00

I think that the more pain and hurt that I see in the world, the closer I feel to God. In a strange way, when I see the dark side of the human condition, it makes sin and man's ability to hurt others seem more real. Humans don't seem generally to be good people any more.

When I see evidence of abuse, loneliness, and shame the more real God is to me. I think this is because I realize that such despair cannot be healed by anoyone else of flesh and bones- that it does take something supernatural.

This is very important to me because I am generally a harsh, skeptical human being; and not to mention rely too much on human reason than the 'unseen'.

One thing that I think is very discouraging is the lack of counseling or therapy for low-income families or single parents. I am no license therapist, but I wish I were at times. How awesome it would be to do counseling pro bono some day for a non-profit organization. I think that in the urban community, it is important to seem tough and rough and the false reality that if 'we don't talk about it, it doesn't exist'. Sure, they might discuss the lack of money to pay bills, but what about how those uncertainties make one feel? Or if they feel competent to get out of the situation that they may or may not have put themselves in?

Ok, enough, I get paid to think about this 8-5 and not before I go to bed. Goodnight.

2007-10-21T17:42:00.000-05:00

This weekend was full of reunions, food, drinks, poker (of course) and movie watching. My old roommate came in to town, my only sibling was here and his dog, and Randy's uncle suprised us this morning for a cup of joe.

2007-10-15T19:49:00.000-05:00

There is a great power in listening. I learn this the hard way when I don't listen very well and I feel like I missed something.

Listening or even more being still and paying attention to body language and tone of voice, while looking someone in the eye. I often find myself getting to the root of a client's problems or why they aren't participatiing very well in the program when they say "oh, not much" when I ask them how they are doing. I know when to spy a lie, but these are prideful lies as he or she doesn't really want to talk about it but then again secretly need someone to talk about it to.

You would be amazed at how much looking at someone gently and say, "I don't believe you", does. It's like oh no, open the flood gates. Some cry, some rant, and some get angry, etc. Today I learned some disturbing things, but was also able to lend helpful advice and assistance. You just don't know what happens behind closed doors.

I read also this week that people who work in social services have the third highest rate of depression out of all occupations. First was home health care and second food service workers. Well, maybe it's because we are almost paid just the same. Ok, well sort of kidding, but thats not the point.

Like my coworker says, "You gotta laugh to keep from crying". True indeed.

Following Me.

2007-10-13T22:13:00.000-05:00

Today we went to the Country Day on the Hill festival in Cedar Hill. I have been going to this event since I was born, give or take a few years away at college and NY. But anyway, this year was great because it always seems to rain on this day. Today was the most crowded I've seen it, but it was a beautiful day.

One thing that I thought was awesome with the booths this year was that there was a Dallas camp for Obama '08 tent set up. I think that one year there was a Democrat Party tent. I talked to the volunteers who seemed so excited to be there and were so sweet. I looked at their website tonight and noticed that their volunteer team will also be at the Aids Arms Life Walk tomorrow also. THEY ARE FOLLOWING ME!

I can say though that there were no other grassroots campaign tent for presidential candidates at the Country Day today so kudos to them. It really shows you just how excited people are to support Barak Obama.

2007-10-08T19:04:00.000-05:00

Dancing with the Stars is ADORABLE.

What is wrong with me??? =)

2007-10-07T10:54:00.000-05:00

I cannot understand why the woman who died at the Phoenix airport was traveling alone. Her husband has even told the press that his wife was deeply depressed and was even suicidal. He said his wife's doctor felt that she was capable of traveling alone. She was depressed, suicidal, and she was flying to enter herself in a rehabilitation program.

She flips out at the airport. She is detained, and understandably. She dies trying to free herself from handcuffs.

Her husband should have been traveling with her. No buts about it. She could have been afraid, scared, a panic attack might have set it, who knows. But it's not the airport's fault that she passed. She was alone, she was not right mentally, and it happend.

Secondly, Britney Spears should be completely ignored by the entire population right now. Her failure to take care of her children should not be rewarded with attention. She claims to want to be left alone, but continues to go out at night when she lost her children.

OBVIOUS

2007-10-01T21:06:00.000-05:00

UP(to)date

2007-09-15T20:39:00.000-05:00

Long time since a post. I find it difficult at times to type how I feel because I feel so much. I see so much and so much has happend at work, things about to happen, etc. I can say I feel happy and joyful because fall is coming.

I love all things fall brings. I miss fall in the north. But, fall brings a differt overall feel. It brings a comfortable, loving atmosphere. This has much I am sure to do with the anticipation of the holidays, but I don't mind whatever the reason.

I will soon leave on vacation- the tail end of summer. Vacation to the desert. Traveling fulfills me even if it's just for a few days.

In October I will see my brother, I will visit Colorado, pass out candy to little critters on Halloween. One thing I am doing this year is the Aids Life Walk on the 14th. I am very excited. It benefits a great organization in Dallas called Aids Arms which provide different programs for individuals and families dealing with Aids and HIV. They have program for all ages and have case managers that ensure that prisoners recieve proper medical care.

Savor it.

2007-09-06T22:01:00.001-05:00

Life is so precious!

memory.

2007-08-20T20:32:00.000-05:00

I just remembered.

In 2006 I had to have a D & C done due to a miscarriage. I remember recieving the anaesthetic. I remember being a little spooked because I had never "gone under" before and I was already super emotional. It felt like a strange dream. Anyway, the anaesthetist was a complete jerk.

I remember him talking to me, probably trying to help me feel calm. However, he asked me questions that I felt were condescending. He asked me if I had finished high school when I had graduated college acutally two years before that Spring. He asked me that in a way that was like, "another young girl getting knocked up". They removed by wedding ring before they "wheeled" me in. Anyway, that really bothers me all of the sudden.

Just like the time that I was shopping at a Sam's in Watertown, New York about three weeks or so before Randy got back from Iraq. I was just pushing my cart around and trying to think of things that Randy would like when he got home and things for the new apartment. This lady walked by me and said (in my ear shot, slightly loud), "You should really try smiling sometime". Yes, I was not smiling when she walked past, but good grief woman! I was nervous. Randy was almost home and I didn't want anything to mess up his homecoming and the date of the unit's arrival kept changing.

People can be so inconsiderate. You just never know one's circumstances.

Holla!

2007-08-19T12:57:00.001-05:00

2007-08-13T20:57:00.001-05:00

So, I don't know if I'm going to vote for Barak Obama because I think he is a great politician or because I now might have a crush on him.

Yes, because of his book.

I am only in chapter 2 and I am in love with the way that he writes. And nothing gets a girl going a like a man with smooth, literate talent. Well, maybe it takes a little more than that. I am obviously being dramatic.

I guess it's like the JFK thing of the 60's. Girls went ga-ga for him.

But really, I am just impressed. I am, however, cautious.

Mr. Obama is a lawyer and was a law professor, so I'm sure he's got swagger down like a pro.

And I really hope that the Democratic primaries do not get Hilary as the Dem's nod for president. I don't think that any thing could give Republicans a bigger hard on.

If Hilary gets the nod, then its a given the Reds will win. Because the country overall will not want her as their president. I don't think that it has much to do with her gender, but the fact that holding the presidency shouldn't be a family dynasty. 20 years of Bushs and Clintons is an overdose.

And now for something completely adorable:

2007-08-06T18:27:00.000-05:00

Call me a dork, but I watched Amadeus this weekend and I cannot stop smiling over Mozart's silly laugh. I thought about it today at work and it made me smile. Randy and I watch way too many movies. And I love it.

Scene:

On a not so laughable note, the Petagon stated today that about 190,000 AK-47's provided by the U.S. are not accounted for in Iraq. Yay! Just put this in to perspective. The town of Brownwood, Texas where I spent my college years, has a population of a little under 19,000. That's like putting 10 AK-47's in the hands of EACH Brownwood citizen. Oh, did I mention they were missing in IRAQ, not such a safe place, not to mention surrounded by countries that just love to duke it out with any one that so much would show them the bottom of their shoe. No disrespect to cultural differences, but I'm making a point.

2007-08-04T13:25:00.000-05:00

"Put on my blue suede shoes and I boarded the plan/touched down in the land of the delta blues/in the middle of the pouring rain".

Saturday, oh, Saturday.

Last night after seeing the Bourne Ultimatum I wonder what it would be like to be a spy. Speaking of spying.....

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized." The 4th Amendment.

Blind

2007-07-05T20:42:00.000-05:00

None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Watch it...

2007-06-29T18:44:00.000-05:00

You see... watch... yeah, there it goes.. My head just exploded.

Equation:

Stress + Bitchyness = Alcohol and I don't give a damn.

The End.

Weekend Update

2007-06-17T00:29:00.000-05:00

I went to the Erykah Badu concert last night downtown at the art museum. Now, I don't remember much due to a little liquid assistance, however, I do know I am very glad that I went and wish I could go to more concerts like I used to. I guess it helps when the concert is free. If you aren't familiar with her, here is a little bit:

In other news, Tom Leppert is the new mayor of Dallas. The line between business and politics continues to thin. Let's watch and see, just like all politicians, if he puts all of the money we know he has, where his mouth is for this great town.

I bought the newest John Legend cd today, Once Again, Track 13- "Coming Home" are amazing. Lyrics below:

A father waits upon a son
A mother prays for his return
I just called to see
If you still have a place for me
We know that like took us apart
But you're still within my heart
I go to sleep and feel your spirit next to me
I'll make it home again
I pray you'll fall in love again
Just say you'll entertain the possibility
I learned enough from my mistakes
Learned from all I didn't say
Won't you wait for me
It may be long to get me there
It feels like I've been everywhere
But someday I'll be coming home
Round and round the world will spin
Oh, the circle never ends
So you know that I'll be coming home
We fight to stay alive
But somebody's got to die
It's so strange to me
A new year, a new enemy
Another soldier gone to war
Another story told before
Now it's told again
It seems the wars will never end
But we'll make it home again
Back where we belong again
We're holding on to when
We used to dare to dream
We pray we live to see
Another day in history
Yes we still believe
It may be long to get me there
It feels like I've been everywhere
But someday I'll be coming home
Round and round the world will spin
Oh, the circle never ends
So you know that I'll be coming home
I'm coming, I'm coming, I'm coming?
You know that I'll be coming home
It may be long to get me there
It feels like I've been everywhere
But someday I'll be coming home
Round and round the world will spin
Oh, the circle never ends
So you know that I'll be coming home