ROFL ROFL ROFL

So this is from a livejournal entry called overheardsea.....this made me CRACK up.

Girl in her early 20s, on the #16, talking very loudly on a cell phone:"So even though she's, like, already married, I think we should, like, throw her a batch-uh-lorry-it party. There's, like, a bakery here that, like, makes, like penis cakes. It's called, like, the Exotic Bakery. I'm like, going to get some funny games and stuff. I saw these, like, rawwwl-playing cards for like, sex games!"I'm sure the bus loved hearing about the plans for this batch-uh-lorry-it party for a girl who is already married.

We drove past the "exotic" bakery one time, and mom said, "should we call dad and tell him we saw the erotic bakery?" To which, my sister replied, "don't ever use that word again."

Public Election Financing

So I was watching Meet the Press (facilitated by Brian Williams) today and they were talking about Barack Obama's decision to go with his supporters rather than the public election financing. I don't know all the particulars about public financing; but Obama's decision seems to make sense.

But he's a "flip-flopper" when did "flip-flopping" become such an evil? The term just makes me want to laugh because I always hear it in GWB's voice.

So anyway, back to Meet the Press. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) was a total whiny baby. I was uncomfortable watching him. It was like he was going to cry because "Obama broke his word". Okay dumbarse (I mean that with all respect due a senator)...your guy has flippity flopped about things way worse than "public financing" of elections. He flopped on Iraq. He flopped on oil drilling. OH WAIT....so did you!!!!! Mr. Graham...right there on Meet The Press, you were shown to have changed your mind about offshore drilling "if it's okay with the state (of S. Carolina)" my left buttcheek!!! Brian Williams asked you about your Flippity Flopping and you said, "$4 a gallon gasoline changed my mind".... Hey, Lindsey....the fact that Obama has a boatload of donors giving less than $100 led him to change his mind too.

So, you're all flip floppers. We know you {politicians} flip your flops {eek that sounds sorta dirty LOL} as you need to. Obama's flip makes sense to me (and not just because I've already proclaimed my allegiance).

This made it better

This video improved my mood greatly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlfKdbWwruY

Personal & Maudlin

My goal when I started this blog was to not do this. I don't want to wallow in my personal pity parties but today has been hard. Not tragic. Not awful. Just hard. For me.

I'm led to this point because I just watched Michael Clayton which was really good. But it didn't improve my mood. I should have put in Cars or Ratatouille and just gone mindless. The acting was great in MC and I really liked the story but it wasn't the right mood for tonight.

A couple of weeks ago I was at Mass, and honestly felt invisible. I am sure I've felt invisible before. But before, it wasn't real. This time I felt it deeply, in my gut. I was sitting by myself and looking around and I didn't seem to register on anyone's radar. It didn't last long, one of the people I know who was sitting in front of me turned and patted my knee. Before she touched me the feeling was so clear, "nobody sees me".

Then last week I was at a baby shower. I am so happy for my friend. But I can't help wishing it was me. I'm 4 years older than she is and hell, I think I'd just be happy to be married.

Which brings us to today. A bridal shower. I really don't want to be bitter. I don't want to whine. And really what bothers me about the shower was the number of girls there who are in their teens and twenties who were very, very focused on the wedding thing. Like that was their ultimate goal. {To explain: the majority of this group are active in "Regnum Christi" a very conservative group who are very VERY orthodox Catholics}

This particular bride-to-be blurts out her status allthefreakin'time and I seriously have to bite my tongue. Yeah, I know you're getting married, but some of us aren't as lucky and feeling quite craptacular about it THANKS.

It's never been my belief that Marriage is the end all and be all. I never even considered that I would still be single at 34. I mean, God, my mom had been married 14 years by the time she was my age and had 2 kids.

I wrote about this on another blog -- the whole being single thing -- and got the "how to meet a guy" message from some random commenter (the only comment I ever got on that blog). It wasn't helpful. I've never had luck meeting men in bars (they always go for my cuter friends). All the guys I've ever "liked" saw me as a "friend"....GACK. I'm totally processing my issues in the post, as I write, it's kind of silly really. I've tried computer singles whatever....that's just a big let down.

I guess what's hardest is when I'm holding a baby {LOL spending time around this many Catholics I get to hold babies a lot) I just want so desperately to have my own kids. Currently, I'm stuck with everyone else's. Some days I feel like it will happen. But right now, most days, I feel just a little hopeless. I don't want to lose hope. I don't. But. but...

So, my mood has not been the best today.

(If you're gonna comment, don't flip me advice -- feel free to commiserate.)
And don't worry. I'll keep the personal pity parties few and far between.

Last Day of School Today

Alas...another year gone--another group of kids off into the sun. Way fewer changes this year. I've got a packed couple of weeks and will be travelling. Hopefully I'll be able to keep posting off and on.

A Comment Somewhere Else and Further Explanation...

Was reading THIS over at The Deacon's Bench and was led to comment:

One of my pastors (I regularly attend two churches; in my neighborhood and when I'm visiting my parents) gave a really good homily that applies to this. He explained how all baptised Catholics are called to the priesthood (note the lowercase "p") evangelizing etc. The best point I've heard about not ordaining women is the priests role "in persona Christi" both at mass and confession (reconciliation). At the risk of being a bit irreverent, "Jesus was a dude". So, a woman acting "in persona Christi" doesn't make much logical sense.
Deacon, I was glad to see your mention of the women in the diaconate. Seems to make a lot of sense and could help alleviate some personnel issues.

Okay...so, I would classify myself as a "feminist" I'm all about equal employment and equal pay. At one time I was really gung-ho about women being ordained. The more I thought about it the more I'm of the opinion that the guys can have the gig. I think however "The Church" should re-evaluate the role of Religious Sisters and the possibility of Women Deacons. The Church would have to be very VERY clear on the roles of Sisters and Women Deacons.

I have to laugh when people talk about the "subjugation of women" by the church. Back when most women were stuck as secretaries, nurses, and teachers (all noble professions which I am not downplaying as I am a teacher); Women Religious were acting in roles mostly reserved for men as Principals of Catholic schools and administrators of Hospitals. Of course, in the past the church may not have treated women well, but the church, made up of humans is still a product of attitudes of their time. What other Christian church has such a great love and devotion to a woman?

Listen to this.

This effing pisses me off

from Maddowonline.com (The Rachel Maddow Show)
Go to the site and listen to the audio:

Rachel tells the story of the 4,100th American soldier to die in Iraq. In an interview with a local news station, the soldier's father complains his son was ill-equipped. He had no bullet-proof vest and was in traveling in an improper Humvee. What is this? 2004?!

So...I'm trying to figure out...

why I am so wrecked by the death of Tim Russert. I've been catching up on some of the tributes that I hadn't had the chance to see before now. I think that part of it is that he has been part of the political picture from the time I started following politics. Without realizing it, he somehow became part of my political consciousness. During the current primary season he was always around and when he made certain proclamations I was really happy.

Along with that I also think it's because I "love" the NBC family. I know, that sounds totally ridiculous. The thing is, in my life, NBC is pretty much it. I first remember watching the Today show when I was young and staying with my Grandmother. The today show was on while she got breakfast ready for Grandpa, herself, and little old me. (I can see the green and brown placemats on the table and her placemat on the counter where she would eat while reading the paper). I watched Charles and Diana's wedding on the Today show. All the important news events I watched on NBC (usually KING 5) and MSNBC. Given the choice, for any news, I pick NBC and it's affiliates.

So, the NBC family comes into my home and has come into my home most of my life. I've grown with these people. I trust them. I love them. They take care of me when various events are happening (even the joyful ones and fun ones like the Olympics and Elections). I care about these people and their hearts are a little broken. I think no small amount of my pain comes from wanting to hug, Matt, Tom, Keith, David, Brian, Richard, Andrea, Kelly, and everyone else who has come into my home (hell! my bedroom) throughout the years. God bless them too!

OMG OMG OMG

I must admit that for a moment or two I was keening and swaying in pleasure after reading the following in an article about who will replace Tim Russert (God Rest Him):

"Just last week, NBC News began for the first time to describe its plans for covering the Republican and Democratic conventions: at least three hours of live prime-time coverage during each convention on NBC, and 20 hours a day on MSNBC. In both instances, Mr. Russert was set to be a constant presence, as an analyst alongside Brian Williams on NBC, and as an analyst and sometime host on MSNBC during its many hours of coverage."

That's right, it says 20 hours on MSNBC of democratic national convention coverage. OMG OMG OMG....that is so exciting to me. {Pleasure sigh} I'll probably add to this later...

Oh, and, this picture moves me beyond words. Luke Russert touching his dad's chair after Meet the Press this past weekend. If you can find his Today show interview, it's very impressive. God Bless him and his mom.

Interesting....

In cruising through my blogs I found this little gem: A Blog about Obama and Abortion. The blurb on Pontifications said this.


In the Chicago Tribune today, Kmiec gives his take on the Obama meeting, which Kmiec attended.

Not to understand that there is more than one rather indirect and elusive judicial way to address an intrinsic evil understates the ingenuity of the devout. Describing the abortion decision as a "difficult, deeply moral one," Obama sees it as one only the woman can make. Unless her choice affirms life that is not my Catholic view, and I told him so. But disagreement or not, it is abundantly clear from our conversation that Obama shares a common aspiration to reduce the incidence of abortion. How? Obama is committed to encouraging "responsible sexual behavior," discouraging unwanted pregnancies, promoting adoption as a more viable, affordable and appealing option than it presently is, and putting off limits in a manner consistent with the law as the justices see it, late-term abortion. Obama will not exclude abortion from medical coverage to fulfill a health exception "rigorously defined."


This is what I've been trying to explain to people. Changing the law, ultimately won't do boo-diddly-squat. We have got to change people's minds. Give it to them logically. Print bumperstickers that say: "If you're not ready for a child keep your legs together".

RIP, God Bless Tim Russert

I enjoyed Tim Russert's work so much. I'm very moved at the image of a white board that reads, "We'll Miss You Tim".

May the road rise to meet youMay the wind be always at your back.May the sun rise warm upon your face. . .May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.Long may you live. And may smoke always rise from your roof.Here's to the health of your enemies!May you live long, die happy and rate a mansion in Heaven.May the roof of your house never fall in and those beneath it never fall out.May you live as long as you want, and never want as long as you live.May you be in Heaven a full half hour afore the devil knows ye're dead.May the luck of the Irish enfold you.May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.

Crying....again

Watching this film (http://www.inlawsandoutlawsfilm.com/ and one of the stories just made me cry. Two men lived together for 50 years and because they weren't married, one of them couldn't request a flag for the one who died. That just wrecks me. It's so unfair. It sucks.

Bits 'n' Bobs

okay.....read this story about the Southern Baptist Convention not wanting to create a sexual predator database because it takes away "autonomy" from their local churches. And there's no hew and cry about this why?

So, when I was in college and feeling down I'd hop in my little '79 accord and drive to Idaho. Okay, it wasn't that far from where I was going to school. I'd have something to sing along with on the stereo and I'd just drive and mainly try not to think. I don't like wallowing. So, I'm having that bummed out feeling and I can't hop in my car and drive because gas is like $4.25 a gallon. So instead, I go trolling for things to write about on my bloggety blog.

I've got Jeopardy turned on but turned down so I can listen to music on the iTunes.

The more I think about it, the more I'm pretty sure that Obama is going to kick butt in November.

What I hate is we can't talk about the election really at work. It's unfortunate that some people are so closed minded that they would decide I'm not Catholic enough. You think I'm exaggerating? Oh no....

Blog Entries from the last election
Oct 6, 2004
Unfortunately there isn't an optionfor F*ck!ng pissed off.
So I put together a class discussion with the eighth graders about politics. Because they were asking questions so what better to do a religion class on than catholic call to responsibility. Couple parents called/stopped by and I thought that I had allieviated their concerns. OH HELL NO! Today I get a letter that they so courteously CC'd to my boss and my BOSS'S BOSS and the other three Junior high teachers. I wish I could scan it but here are a couple of yummy tidbits:"Our students have been told that Ms. Dubh is voting for John Kerry, who is unmistakably a pro-choice candidate for office. We have a long heritage of being an active and strong pro-life community and our single most pressing issue in the world is the devaluation of the sanctity of human life. Nothing has added more to that devaluation in this country than the more than 40 million aboritions that have occured in thiscountry since Roe v. Wade (1971)." ..."We ask that Ms. Dubh include in her religion classes a balanced discussion of the teachings of the US Bishops and the Holy See on the subject of supporting candidates who promote and support pro-choice legislation."

None, NONE of the parents were in class that day. NONE of them tried to bring this to my attention. They went directly OVER MY HEAD without allowing me the opportunity to remedy their view of the situation in a timely manner. They had me re-evaluating my decision to continue working here. My information wasn't bipartisan enough for them. I wish I could just swear a bluestreak right now but it wouldn't be appropriate. I don't want to have to deal with these people again because of their lack of respect for me. I need to go home.

Oct 7
thank you concerned parents for a sleepless nighthere's my response...
To All Concerned:As the eighth grade students were so interested in the current political climate I chose to have a discussion about politics and religion in my religion class. I was contacted by one parent on the phone on the day of the discussion and explained that I would be specifically talking about Catholic teaching. I was also contacted by another parent in my classroom during another class about being present for the discussion. I invited her to return for the eighth grade class at 1:05pm. Unfortunately she was unable to attend. After both conversations I seriously considered canceling or postponing the discussion. As the students were so engaged I chose to seize the teachable moment and went on as planned.The first part of the discussion was used to talk about and explain the 2000 election. Using information from an election lesson plan I clarified what had happened and showed students the map of the United States. Considerable time was spent explaining the Electoral College and how it works.Next I handed out the pamphlet from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops about faithful citizenship. The students read it and I emphasized the major points on the pamphlet.Finally, I gave them the information from votingcatholic.org. I chose to use this information because it was presented in a fashion where the positions of the Bishops and both candidates were presented side by side by side. I regret not investigating further into the designers and supporters of this page. In the course of the discussion over this information I emphasized the position of the Bishops and our role as faithful Catholics. The students were amazingly good at finding inconsistencies within the information of the candidates in relation to the Bishops as well as provided by the website. At this time I was clear about the importance of paying attention to where and who the information has come from. A point which was also repeated by another teacher. All of the eighth grade students were engaged in our class discussion. Without fail they were very well informed about the issues before coming to class. They were very firmly rooted in the Catholic faith and doctrine. The students showed great understanding of the responsibility of “Catholic[s] to vote for a pro-abortion Catholic politician only “in the presence of proportionate reasons””. While this was not a specific area of discussion at the time, these young people already recognize the importance of moral decision making at their age. I would have been and continue to be more than willing to use the additional information provided to me as well as other articles from Bishops on the topic of “proportionate reasons”. There would have been a more timely response had I known the concerns immediately following our class meeting. I believe the students understand this topic inherently and as is typical for this age group have moved beyond politics (for now) to other things that seem important. I will make every attempt to utilize the provided articles within the context of anymore discussions.All that being said; I am hurt and saddened to find myself in a position where I feel it necessary to affirm my absolute pro-life beliefs to Our Pastor and The Principal. All human life is sacred from conception to natural death. This is one of my core personal beliefs. Such far-reaching decisions are not made without much prayer, discernment, and research. I have tried to be clear with the students on this. In the future I find I must be less forthright when students ask me such questions about politics. I will stick to referring them to church teaching and leave it at that.This school is a special place. We prepare our students to the best of our ability to be good and faithful Catholics. I have no doubt that graduates, the eighth grade in particular, will be very responsible Catholic citizens.

Oh yeah...they'll be "responsible Catholic citizens" and if their parents have their way, closed minded, rigid and unable to deal with any outside influences. I'll talk about how sheltered these kids are another time.

Three New Things

New camera, yay! It's PINK! I'm so excited to play with it.

Two new iTunes purchases

Adele: 19
A girl with a great voice, I have enjoyed all I've heard so far. She's so cool.

The High Kings: The High Kings
Irish balladeers...seriously how could I not?

Was conversing with a friend and we were talking about chat rooms and I mentioned that surprisingly (or not so much as I interact with religious people) the so-called "Christian" chatrooms, including Catholic chats, contain some of the meanest people ever. "Adult" chats have more "Christian" behavior (discounting the naughtiness, granted). Religious chats tend to have zealots who I think would find themselves suprised by the answer to WWJD.

Should just leave blogger open when I'm doing late night reading...

Came across this article Why I'm pro-life and Pro-Obama by Frank Schaeffer (2/7/08) which ends:

Similarly the Republicans have also been hypocrites while talking big, for instance about their pro-life ethic. But what have they achieved? First, through their puritanical war on sex education they've hindered our country from actually preventing unwanted pregnancy. Second, through the Republican Party's marriage to the greediest and most polluting earth-destroying corporations they've created a climate (both moral and physical) that has scorched the earth for-profit, with no regard to future generations whatsoever. The Republicans are to the pro-life movement what the Clintons are to selfless public service.

The real solution to abortion is to change the heart of America, not the law. We need to stop seeing ourselves as consumers. We need to stop seeing ourselves as me and begin to think of we. Our country needs someone to show us a better way, a president who is what he seems, someone with actual moral authority that our diverse population can believe in who has the qualities that make us want to follow him. Obama is that person.

Now, I like (okay love, I do have his poster on my wall) Obama and I struggle (at least internally) with my whole pro-life belief. This guy explains it well...and says exactly what I'm thinking eg: The real solution to abortion is to change the heart of America, not the law

If I could afford it....

I'd go work on his campaign.

Links to Barack talkin to the people at his Chicago Headquarters.

oh, and...

Was re-reading some posts and this one leads me to ask:


How can people possibly believe
that Barack Obama is not
patriotic enough?

and thus....The Olympic Geekout begins...

So I've seen this commercial a coupla times:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYSacT1iHi4

(wanted to embed it but the code wouldn't copy) It's the Carrie Strug Visa Olympics commercial. It chokes me up a little. And this is why I geek out over the Olympics. Honestly, the best coverage is Canadian coverage but, with all the NBC networks participating....oh it will be delightful.

This is the drum part,
this is the drum part,
and this is the Olympic theme song
the one you always hear but you do not know the words to.



edit...just watched this one... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1V22PebTiik

holy crap why does this stuff get to me

Harumph

"We don't want 18 million voters marginalized"

Clintonians are whining about "popular vote". Were these yahoos not paying attention to the last two elections? Seriously, we learned at least with Bush/Gore that popular vote means jack. That's how our government was set up. They need to suck it up and toe the line or we're going to end up with McCain in office.

Oh my

I want to remember Obama's speech tonight. The end of it made me cry.

It was so powerful.

America, this is our moment. This is our time. Our time to turn the page on the policies of the past. Our time to bring new energy and new ideas to the challenges we face. Our time to offer a new direction for the country we love.

The journey will be difficult. The road will be long. I face this challenge with profound humility, and knowledge of my own limitations. But I also face it with limitless faith in the capacity of the American people. Because if we are willing to work for it, and fight for it, and believe in it, then I am absolutely certain that generations from now, we will be able to look back and tell our children that this was the moment when we began to provide care for the sick and good jobs to the jobless; this was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal; this was the moment when we ended a war and secured our nation and restored our image as the last, best hope on Earth. This was the moment – this was the time – when we came together to remake this great nation so that it may always reflect our very best selves, and our highest ideals. Thank you, God Bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.

Full remarks here

ARGH!!!

Am watching John McCain's speech and he is SO full of CRAP!!!!

crap crap crap......he acts like the patronizing uncle patting a little boy on the head regarding Obama. It's making me so mad!

But I feel I have to watch it to keep informed. ICK ICK ICK

EDIT: PRAISE THE LORD CHRIS MATTHEWS AND KEITH OLBERMANN INTERRUPTED HIM...BLAH HA HA HA

Edit: Barack Obama, "I honor that service, and I respect his many accomplishments, even if he chooses to deny mine.." Barack kicks butt!!! yeeee haw!

WRECKED

I got a great hug today.

I was surprised by a visit (he was at the school for a random reason and I just happened to be in the office) from one of my former students. He was in my class for 7th and 8th grade. I knew that he had signed up for the army. Last summer he went on the first part of basic (I don't remember what it is called but when you sign up you can split basic and do part after your Junior year and go back after your senior year). Then a coupla months ago I heard he was getting his GED and "going" regular army.

Then about a month ago I felt kicked in the gut when his sister mentioned he was going to Iraq. Poor girl, I asked her when, and she didn't know. It's been on my mind for a while. I've been praying about it. I've been trying not to cry about it.

So. Today. I heard my name, and turned around, the secretary said, "There's someone here to see you." Next thing I know he's peeking around the door frame and I walked over (I wanted to run) and gave him a hug (he was one of the few students I've had who always hug me when they see me and even when I was their teacher, would throw an arm over my shoulder). I didn't want to let go.

Oh. God.

I just realized.... I. DIDN'T. WANT. TO. LET. GO.

He leaves in late summer. He's escorting convoys. {Later, my friend who's retired army looked at me and said, "I wouldn't want that job."} I told him I was going to pray for him so hard; and that if he needed anything to drop me an e-mail. I hugged him again hard. He is so strong. And, God, he's so young.

They're all so young.

I'll be invoking Our Lady of Perpetual Help and St. Jude until I know he's safe.