R.I.P. Capitalism

"Why is our free-enterprise system so strong? Not because it stands still, frozen in the past, but because it has always adapted to changing realities.” - Lee Iacocca

The first thing I saw when I woke up this morning was some moron whose name I can't even remember on Fox News, talking about health care. I didn't see the whole interview but when the anchor asked him a simple question such as "what about competition" (you know that thing that's sort of the foundation of capitalism), the moron replied, "Competition is only good when it's fair and the government doesn't think it's fair." WTF? Who suddenly gave the government the right to decide what's fair? (Answer: themselves.) There is nothing about health care in the Constitution. Hate to burst your bubble, people, it's not something that's owed to you; it's not a right. I guess we have four more years of this crap to look forward to. My question now is, will we ever be able to bounce back? Lee Iacocca's quote there is very true - but our free-enterprise system is not being given the option to adapt to "changing realities" and that, my friends, is what will eventually screw us out of our freedom and liberty and all the other good stuff outlined in the Constitution. Ahhh, the Constitution - remember the good old days when it was more than just a piece of paper/history lesson? I live in a freaking twilight zone.

Now...got that rant out of my system. Back to work.

Today's Workout Notes

I'm thinking this should never be its own post but I've spent most of today with a migraine (first one I've had in a LONG time) and have nothing else to report. No quotes, no politics, no Sarah Palin love.

So, I've been trying mix up my swimming a bit and doing a mixture of strokes, even though I'm still convinced a breaststroke done correctly works more muscles and I think the new found definition in my arms, shoulders, and legs and shrinking waist is some proof of that. Today, I did 20 laps with just arms, 20 with just legs. Then I started in on some backstroke like yesterday but soon realized that was not gonna be compatible with my headache, so I ended up doing every other two laps breaststroke and freestyle (or crawl if you wanna be picky). I got about 70 laps in before it started thundering. So...I came home, did some reps with the weights and ended up walking about a mile because of course, it quit thundering once I got back. I've started exploring the woods around here more and finding some new little walks to take. It's great because I don't have to hang on to the leash - Gabby can run free without worrying about her getting in any road! And it's good when I don't have time to hit the park! I'm thinking about starting next week (because this week is all messed up because of the house/dog sitting thing) getting up and walking to my parents' house and back every day before work.

And that's my workout for the day! I feel like I could have done more but like I said, this week is just nuts.

Sotomayor Observations

Quote of the Day: "Hey, has anybody asked Sotomayor which newspapers she reads?" - Jim Treacher

So, I haven't really been paying too much attention to the Sotoymajor hearings. I'm just not in the mood to watch Patrick Leahy hug her during their recesses or listen to Chuck Schumer tell me how "down-to-earth" she is. I mean, I enjoy our legal system, but let's face it, this is all fluff. She's gonna make it through. The deepest thought I've had about the whole show was when I tried to decide whether or not Russ Feingold was hot.
But then there was Lindsey Graham. (Don't worry, not gonna talk about how hot he is.) For a moment, I saw some hope. Graham turned into the stellar lawyer I hear he is and backed Sotomayor into corners using all sorts of obvious tricks and tactics. Sotomayor had a bit of a "deer in the headlights" look. It was good TV, but better yet, he was asking tough questions (and being a bit of a condescending jerk but whatev) and it was beautiful. He brought up Sotomayor's association with the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund - a group with which she spent 12 years. According to Graham, the group has likened denying a woman the right to have an abortion (using tax-payer funds!) to slavery. Of course, Sotomayor said she had no idea this was the case.

If I recall correctly, a man named Samuel Alito took all sorts of crap from Senator Ted Kennedy about a group called Concerned Alumni of Princeton, a group which he was very loosely involved with (meaning I'm too lazy to look up and remember the details, I just remember it was a supposedly sexist/racist group but his having to do with it wasn't that big a deal). Kennedy was belligerent in his questioning and accusations. He was combative. Alito's wife cried. But in the end, I guess you could argue, Alito was allowed to pass, too.

As I said, I know Sotomayor will go through. I've heard so much media talk of "This is not the GOP's battle to pick" and I'm so tired of everyone looking at everything that way. I don't want to go off on a tangent about "right" and "wrong" but I'm sick of people thinking down party lines. What happened to standing up for what you believe in? What happened to holding someone accountable for their words and/or actions? How is that we're so willing to put a woman who is for all intents and purposes a racist, who spent twelve years heavily involved with a group that is at best wacky, on the highest court in the land because "this is not the GOP's battle to pick?" I don't give a crap! It's the American people's battle and I think if most people paid any attention or had the slightest idea of some of the things this woman has done or said, they wouldn't want those who represent them to vote for her, red state or blue state. While I appreciated Graham's tough questioning, it's almost as if he did and will let her off the hook. I know the thing's not over, but it's as predictable as a watching golf.

Because I can possibly make everything about Sarah Palin, I keep seeing this headline, "Palin drops a bombshell." When you click the links, or stay tuned for the breathlessly reported story, you get something like "Palin to campaign for Democrats!" First of all, O-M-G. Is that really a "bombshell?" Hell, I voted for Zell Miller (D, GA) in 2000. Did I just drop a bombshell on you people? Second of all, the "bombshell" term actually refers to the following quote made by Palin, herself, "I will go around the country on behalf of candidates who believe in the right things, regardless of their party label or affiliation." If there was ever any doubt in your mind that the media twists things to fit some sort of agenda... And as for the people who buy into the spin, back to what I said in my long Palin post a few weeks ago. We sit around and argue for change, for new ways of doing things, out with the old, in with the new. If Palin stumps for Conservative Democrats who hold your same values, is that a bad thing? Isn't the goal to get people in office who can offer up that change, not focus on little R's and D's by their names?

But back to the topic at hand: I will say this, if Judge Sotomayor is listening, we could totally bring out your eyes and take care of that little shine thing with a quick trip to the MAC counter (though I'm not sure that will get you anywhere with Senator Graham, could help with some of the others)! But let's face it, you're already gonna be the prettiest lady on the Supreme Court, so your call. Just sayin'.

(And re: last paragraph, I'm kidding, people!! Besides, she's much more of a Lancome type, I'm thinking.)

Dumbass of the Day - Me

So, I said the other day I'd try to pick back up with "dumbass of the day" and it's sometimes hard to narrow that down, especially after spending the day watching the Supreme Court stuff, but I've been urged to pick myself today. This really isn't as funny as I think some people think it is, but I guess it'll give you a little insight into how it is I go through life, the type of person who manages to run over themselves not just once, but twice within a year. Because I'm sure you all wanted to know!

About two weeks ago, Kroger had a big sale on twelve-packs of Coke products. Being that I drink Diet Coke 24/7, I took advantage of said sale. Being that I am lazy, I brought in only as many of said twelve-packs as I could carry in one trip that day. The rest stayed in the trunk of my car until I ran out and then I'd bring them in, one by one. Well, today, I stepped out to get the last of the twelve-packs and as I'm walking back to the door, the box breaks and the thing hits the ground. Diet Coke was spewing in every which direction, so I found a few that weren't busted and left the rest of the pack sitting outside so it could do its thing and not make a mess of my house.

The day goes on, I do my work, eat my lunch, drink my last Diet Cokes and watch Sotomayor fumble about like a woman does when faced with tough questions and at some point, I get up to go look outside. I do this often throughout the day because 1) I get bored, just sitting here typing and 2) I like to see how many frogs are in the holes in the little cement steps that make up the little walkway at the side of my house. Well, instead of frogs or any other unsightly creatures, the first thing I notice when I look outside? A twelve-pack of Diet Coke sitting at my door. My first thought? "Wow, someone must have brought me some Diet Coke." Most of my family pretty much lives within a mile of me and my landlord is really nice like that. What a coincidence, I'm out of it!

It only takes me a few seconds more to realize that I'm the dumbass who left it sitting there and I'm still gonna be without Diet Coke tomorrow. So, yeah, that's how my brain works, people. One track mind? Out of sight, out of mind? I'm sure there's some saying for it.

P.S. Not gonna make a whole post about this but 140 laps before my knee starting acting like a pansy. Mixed in some backstroke today. Gonna try to do some weights beore bed!

Steven Crowder Goes to Canada

If you don't know who Steven Crowder is, I have a feeling you will soon. Just recently, he went to Candada to get an idea of what their health care system is like and what sort of system we have to look forward to if the Big O gets his wish. (Just watch; it's funny, informative, and Crowder is adorable...even if he's only about 12!)

Random, Boring Stuff

So, I've been slacking on the whole "updating the blog" thing, this week. Shocker. Anyway, I've got a pretty busy week ahead. Last week, I pulled some all-nighters, still didn't finish what I needed to finish, and foresee the same sort of thing going on this week. I really need to buckle down and start making my full amount of work hours, I promised my aunt I'd take care of her house/dogs while she's out of town (which means spending half nights there and half nights here so Gabby's not alone all night)...actually, I'll spare you my list - just trust I've just got a lot to do. I'm actually wondering if I can hit the Big O up for one of those fancy czars everyone's talking about. Though as I pointed out on Twitter earlier today, I think they're more like nannies, less like personal assistants.

First, some blog stuff. 1) I wanna say thanks so much for all the great feedback on my Sarah Palin post! I haven't budged on my thoughts at all - still really looking forward to see what she can bring us in the future. 2) You may notice my "Good Blogs, Great People" list is missing from the side over there. Well, my friend Candice changed her blog over from blogspot to wordpress and I went to update the link so it would be accurate and well, somehow, I managed to delete the whole list. So, if I'm no longer linking you, never fear, I should have it back up and running in a few days. (And I totally blame Candice for having the nerve to switch, not the fact that I'm tech-retarded.) 3) Working out - I've had two a lot of people say "your workout posts motivate me to do it" and so now I feel like a jerk because I haven't posted anything after making a big deal about it! That's partly because weather, time, frogs and a potentially dislocated shoulder have sort of put a damper on things this week. Last night, I finally got around to swimming laps and I only got 50 in because of the shoulder but this week, I'm gonna try to get at least something in every day.

I haven't had a quote of the day in a while, so I'm gonna go with this, which I totally think should be South Carolina's new state motto: "We're not just yard sales & golf courses, ya know." - that comes from twitter friend @bhaddad in response to me saying something dumb about not knowing there were mountains in the state. (And if you're on Twitter, you should totally be following him! I swear he's one of the only people who has been able to crack me up over what have been some of the worst few weeks of my life! ...and he takes great pictures!)

Okay, if you're totally missing me, you know you can always check out Women of the GOP. (<-- not really that conceited, just trying to score points with the bosses) Another goal for this week is to update it more and I have some great ideas so keep checking back each day! The last thing I wrote was about Michele Bachmann, who Seann Hannity called "The GOP's 2nd Most Hated Woman." I'll admit, I didn't know a lot about her and one of the neatest things I read is that she has fostered over 23 kids! I love hearing about stuff like that!

I know everyone's dying to know how my house decorating is coming. Really, it's not. Remember that awful blue bookcase I bought? I've been trying to paint it black for about three weeks now. Between the mosquitoes and rain, I'm not having tons of luck. After that, my goal is to get my sofa covered (and by get my sofa covered, I mean beg my mom to make me a sofa cover because I don't know a damn thing about sewing). I finally found some fabric I really like:


Kind of goes with my whole green, white, and black/natural/outdoorsy theme I'm working on. And next time I decide to actually decorate a room, I'm going to buy furniture that doesn't have to be painted or covered or anything more than delivered to my home. Character is overrated.

I feel sort of out of the political loop this week, especially since Roxy is in the process of moving and we've had to put our podcast on hold (I swear I will post more details when we get good and settled) but as always, my friend Pat at And So it Goes in Shreveport keeps me up to date on what I need to know and even what I don't. Did you know there is an entire store in DC devoted to the Obama's? I kid you not. Check out Pat's blog for more on that!

Well, it's 4:00 AM and I have great plans to be up in about three hours so I guess I'll leave it at that! Peace out, homies! Or, uh...have a good week!

Song of the Day: "Scarlet Begonias" - Grateful Dead...no reason other than I've been on a Dead kick lately and SB is probably my favorite song they do.

Confession Time!

So, I'm out of ideas for updates today and kind of short on time, but my friend Pat nominated me to do this "Honest Scrap Award" thing. I guess the goal is to tell people ten things about yourself that people may not know.

Let's see...

1. I studied acting at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta and film at GSU when I was younger. Often contemplate actually doing something with it.
2. Despite that and what many people who meet me online may think, I'm really shy in "real life."
3. I have a tattoo
4. One day, I will learn to surf and/or scuba dive.
5. That said, I'm very clumsy. I can trip, fall, slide, and of course, run over myself with the best of them.
6. I've been a little right-winger since I was about five or six. I have the tapes to back that up; I just didn't know there was a name for it then. My parents thought I was nuts.
7. I am a sucker for visiting any and all historical touristy type places.
8. I can play the piano and used to could play the flute...haven't picked one up in a long time.
9. I'm a total George Costanza-like hypochondriac. If there is a disease to be had, I'm pretty sure I thought I had it at one point.
10. I have a pretty foul mouth. You'd REALLY have to get to know me to find that out but when I get going with certain people in private...eek!

I'm supposed to pick other people to do it but I'll let you decide amongst yourselves.

Happy Birthday to the GC!

I'm not sure which one of us should be more embarrassed by this picture.

Dumbass of the Day

It's been a long time since I've had a "dumbass of the day" but this one is a must post:

Family Sees Image Of Michael Jackson In Tree Stump (but read on; there's more!)

Dining room update

I have added candle holders to my dining room table. That is all.



Well, that's not all, I also put Gabby's chair over there in the corner. (If I ever get my bookcase painted black, it's going there on that wall.) She was not at all amused as I used to keep it parked over in front of the sliding glass door so she could look out, but an old ratty chair in the middle of the doorway just doesn't look good with my decor.

I surived!

First: I so need this!! Coming Tuesday!! Peanuts: 1960's Collection (2-Disc Set) on DVD

So, I survived the worst holiday of the year. Sure, my "unadulterated patriotism" still goes unmatched, but it's all good. I bet I'm the only person on earth who was asked approximately 1,015 times, both in real life and online, "What did you think of Sarah Palin's announcement?" Not sure if that's got anything to do with patriotism but I'm gonna pretend it does! And I didn't even get sad about the fireworks. As a matter of fact, I got pretty damn irritated when my neighbors started and continue to fire the things off because I have a headache and it's making my dog bark. I think this is the start of a new era in my life. Hello, old crotchety lady on the corner who screams at all the neighborhood children for walking across the front lawn! I did stop short of screaming "get a room" to my cousin and her boyfriend when they decided to start groping each other in the pool today, so maybe I'm not quite there...yet!

I kid, I kid! Hope y'all had a good one. Stay tuned, Monday is the GC's b-day and tomorrow, I'm gonna see if I can't dig up some old pictures of us from back in the day to post!

Song of the Day: "Battle Hymn of the Republic" - SheDaisy (I love this version of this song and had the hardest time finding it to post here...this was the best I could do!!)

Happy 233, USA!

Quote of the Day: America has never been united by blood or birth or soil. We are bound by ideals that move us beyond our backgrounds, lift us above our interests and teach us what it means to be citizens. - President George W. Bush

Most anyone who knows me, knows I joke about hating the 4th of July. (You can read why here: Sarah Way Down South: Quote of the Day 7/4/08 - USA's DOB.) But the truth of the matter is, all personal goofiness aside, what this day stands for means more to me than I could ever put into words...especially when I have to be at my family's cookout in an hour!

So, what I'm going to say is this: I hope you all have a good one, enjoy your fireworks, parades, and cookouts, but also enjoy your freedom and liberty...while you still have it. Maybe if you get a moment, think about the people who have sacrificed to give it to you...from the founders of our country to the men and women who serve in the military! Such an overwhelming feeling!

Palin Resigns: Only the Beginning?

If you've already gotten a head start on your big 4th o' July weekend plans, you may or may not know that Sarah Palin resigned from her position as Governor of Alaska today. As everyone knows, I adore this woman and assuming there are no trips to Argentina hidden behind this news (and I'm going to assume there aren't because I may not have tons of talents but I am usually a good judge of a character and am seldom wrong about people), I can only say my opinion of her has not changed. Maybe I like her more.

As you all know, I have been a fan of Palin's since she became the governor of Alaska for the same reasons that millions of Americans have fallen in love with her. She's authentic, she does what she says, she believes what she says, she stands up for what she believes in and she puts the interest of other people before her own. She stands up for those who can't stand up for themselves and she does it with honor and integrity. As she said in her speech today, she puts her family and faith first, and that's not just a line to win votes; she has proven that time and time again. I don't think I need to go on about how great she is because I have at length and at this point, those who get it, get it, and those who don't, don't. I understand that people are skeptical by anyone with the word "politician" in their job description and I don't blame them. Look at the ones we've had to put up with over the years.

But this is what I don't get. Many of us sit around saying we're tired of the same old ways of doing things. We're tired of the same old politicians. We have the tea parties, we protest, we blog, we twitter, we wear t-shirts and put up signs and bumper stickers, we wear our feelings on our sleeves. So when someone comes along who embodies everything we want in a leader, why is it that we turn our collective nose up at them. Why don't we give her a chance to be that person. Why don't we take her at her word and see what she has to offer? We say we're tired of "politics as usual," but when someone comes along who is anything but your usual politician, who doesn't "play the game" just because that's the way everyone else does it, we freak out. Is it because we don't know how to react? Is it because we are so jaded and skeptical? Is it because so many of us have become complacent and allow the media to filter our thoughts? I honestly don't have the answer to that question.

What I do know is this: there are few people in positions of leadership that I would trust with my life, my family's lives, and my country. Sarah Palin is one of them. Maybe the only one of them right now. I know I will get a lot of flack for saying this but that's no reason to back down from my feelings. So many people have raised the question of her running for President in 2012, only to turn around and say "bad idea." The media will crucify her. The left will ruin her. She's not this enough or not that enough. When did we become people who are scared of things such as that? When did we become people who sit back and let our competitors or the media dictate how we live our lives?

I don't really know why Sarah Palin resigned today. No one but she and maybe her husband and kids know the real answer. As I said, I take her at face value because I honestly in my heart believe she is good. There are few people in the world I can say that about. You can laugh at me, you can say I drank some sort of dreamy kool-aid with a side of idol worship. That's fine. If there's one thing Sarah Palin and others whom I admire have taught me, it's not to worry about what other people think about what I believe in. As a matter of fact, I was pretty burned out on politics and my hope for the general population until Sarah Palin was chosen as John McCain's Vice President. As I watched Governor Palin give her speech today (a transcript of the speech can be found here), as I watched her hold her head high, standing next to her family, fighting back tears, I found that same hope. In a world where Michael Jackson trumps ridiculous and excessive taxation in the news, I found that same hope. I saw that one person who is in a position to do something about it - not because she is a Governor or was a potential Vice President, but because she loves people and wants to help them and they trust her in return - recognize the direction in which this country is going. Palin did so much for the state of Alaska in a few short years. She did so much for women, especially Conservative women (just go visit Team Sarah to get an idea). But we never heard those stories because we were force fed the irreverent and have become too lazy to seek the truth.

Unlike recent speeches from individual politicians about "tragic love stories," I saw someone who was tired of the same old games. Someone who really wants to make a difference in this world and someone who will rise above the ridiculousness that has become our government and our media to do that. Someone who will, no doubt, become a leader again in some capacity. Someone who, if I ever have children, I will want them to look to as a role model. Someone who could be the person that saves this country, its people, and its ideals put forth in the Constitution from all who seek to destroy it, including most of the people we have in office today.

As radio host Tammy Bruce said today, "Palin has committed the unpardonable sin of not being destroyed by the Liberal Gestapos. Run, Baby, Run!"

Palin, who seems to be as big a fan of great quotes from great people as I am, quoted General MacArthur today: “We are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction.” If Sarah Palin meant that and is ready to lead some people in this country to real change, in or out of office, I stand behind her 100%.

And in the event that I'm wrong, in the event that Palin just wants to stay home and raise her children and spend time with her family, I wish her the best of luck. Even if her face never graces my television again, I'll always be grateful for what she inspired in me me and millions of others across the country.

"Now I know just what to do..."

Song of the Day: "Say Goodbye" - Fleetwood Mac ... I'd never heard of this song until last summer when I was all about the Fleetwood Mac, but I have still never heard a non-live version of it and I'm not sure that'd I want to. Watching Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham perform together is just amazing. I don't know if it's mostly for show or if it's really the effect of a crazy, tragic love story, but it's good stuff.

Workout Warning

Remember last summer when I used to post how many laps I swam each day? Remember how annoying it was? Yeah, I'm thinking I'm gonna start doing that again. I've been working out like a mad person lately. No idea how long I'll keep it up but for now, it's great stress relief and well, it's good for you and the clothes fit better and all that. But my point? There may be some "laps swam" posts made here in the near future. Just saying. For some reason, I feel justified when I post it for the world to see? Actually, I was just thinking, it was about this time, last year (Thursday will be the one year anniversary) that I got the final call about "the job." That sort of put a damper on the whole swimming laps thing because after twelve hour shifts of dealing with the world's problems, swimming laps was not usually high on my list of priorities. Looking back, I'm really glad that whole thing didn't work out...but that's a story for another time!

For the record, there was no swimming today. I've had a million different people pulling me in a million different directions today it seems and I've been kind of sick and all that good stuff, but the Gabs and I did go for a walk in the woods tonight...in the dark...and I'm about to go do some weight lifting. So there. That wasn't too painful was it?

Doing the right thing - President Reagan

Quote of the Day: "There are no easy answers but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.” - Ronald Reagan

This one really stood out for me today. I don't think there's a famous Reagan quote I don't like, but I've been thinking and reading a lot about strength and courage and doing the right thing no matter what you have to sacrifice...and of course, my #1 fave president says it beautifully.

I have a lot to do today that I didn't know I was going to be doing until late last night, so I thought I'd just throw up a quick quote and wish everyone a good Sunday!