Technically, it's about two hours into Friday but who's counting?
Because I haven't spent enough time staring at a computer screen, this week, I just wanted to post a few quick things:
1. Nationwide Chicago Tea Party - I can't wait to see what kind of turnout we get all over the country and particularly in Atlanta! If you've been involved with the planning at all, you know there are a lot of great people behind the scenes, working really hard to make this happen! If you're planning to go, have fun! If you're "thinking about it," please consider it!
2. Soldiers' Angels - Adopt a Soldier - Again, I just want to encourage everyone I know to do this if you can and if you can't, there are some other ways to contribute. I adopted my soldier, last week, and got his package in the mail, today! It's not terribly expensive and it would be a great project if you're a teacher, Sunday School teacher, or even a mom or dad and want to get your kids involved! We owe these guys and girls so much, it's the least we can do, right?
3. Second ActsThe Late Bloomer by Kathryn Joosten - this hasn't got much to do with anything but it was a great, encouraging story to read. If you don't know Kathryn Joosten by name, I'm pretty sure you'd recognize her face. The Emmy winner shares her story of starting an acting career at the age of 42. She makes my old self a little hopeful for the future and she gives some great advice.
4. Quote of the Day (long time, no see): Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld's Andy Levy's take on Chris "Oh God" Matthews. I'll let the video speak for itself
You can always tell spring is coming to my neck of the woods when tornadoes become a common occurrence. As I think I documented pretty well, last spring, they were fairly abundant and started out pretty early - if tonight was any indication, this spring will be just as eventful. There was some hail and the sirens went off but most of the nasty weather slid by just below me. I haven't seen what kind of damage has been done but I hope everyone in North Georgia is safe!
I also have to admit tonight brought back some memories. When I lived in my cute historic downtown home, I was right under one of the sirens and that alone was enough to scare me to death. Here, the sirens are just a distant wail but the sound is all too familiar and reminded me of so much. I remember the morning my mom called to wake me up and tell me a tornado touched down about 10 miles from her house. Not thinking clearly or being fully awake, I loaded Gabby up, got in my car at 6:30 AM, and drove through it to their house. At one point, I couldn't see anything but the occasional bit of debris that hit my windshield. It was the second time I'd driven in a tornado and it would not be my last.
There was the night of the SEC basketball tournament when part of the roof blew off the Georgia Dome and I ended up on the phone with my cousin as she drove to Athens just ahead of the storm. There was the day the roof blew off a grocery store where another one of my cousins and her family were shopping, just a couple of miles south of my house. There was the day the hail was hitting my roof so hard that I was completely convinced I'd emerge from the basement to find that I no longer had a roof at all. There was the day I found Maddie. There was the one right after I started "the job" that shut the whole place down. I could go on, but you get the point. I think I will always associate tornadoes with living in that house.
Speaking of me and houses, from what I understand, the house I'd like to move into is closer to being ready and I am hoping and praying that I'm going to find a job before that day comes. This whole having pneumonia thing has really put a damper on my job search. I've missed two weeks, but Monday, I'm hoping to get back to it.
Every year, around this time, I always find myself in the mood to plant things. I'm not sure why - I'm not the most outdoorsy person in the world, but I did grow up with my parents and my grandfather turning a large portion of their land into gardens and I swear I didn't know green beans even came in a can until I went away to college. I always just assumed that everyone's parents grew tomatoes, okra, cucumbers, squash, and a million other things. And I'm not talking about a little vegetable garden, oh no, I'm talking enough veggies to share with everyone we know, eat all summer, and still have plenty leftover to be canned. When I was little, I liked to help pick things but when the threat of frogs being hidden in the dirt got to be too much, I moved on to more appropriate outdoor activities such as sunbathing and swimming. But every once in a while, I'd get in the mood to do a little gardening, myself, and for my birthday or Easter, my mom would buy me some seeds. Usually it was flowers, one year it was carrots. They'd set aside a little spot in the garden and let me do my thing. For the first few days, I'd love my little garden - weed it, water it, etc., but after about a week, I'd more than likely forget about my little patch of dirt. Sometimes, despite the lack of attention, my flowers would grow anyway and the sight of a budding Zenia or Marigold would reinforce my desire to have a green thumb.
Anyway, I'm finding myself in the mood to plant something this year, I'm just not sure what. I've been reading up on heirloom seeds and container gardening. If I do get the house - and I'm not getting my hopes up - the place has two big patios that would be a lot of fun to fill with big pots full of my handiwork. There are few things more exciting than hitting up a garden shop early in the spring, and maybe, just maybe, this year, I'll be willing to give the plants the attention they deserve!
I can't wait to see "On the Record," tonight! Greta will be interviewing Bristol Palin and it looks like some other members of the family (including the Governor, herself) will join them for a few minutes, as well. According to Greta's blog, "In this interview Bristol is in particular speaking to young women and I think young women would enjoy hearing her message." Can't wait to see what she has to say - if she's anything like her mom, I know she has a bright future ahead and will be able to handle anything!
I hope everyone had a happy Valentine's Day. I'll admit, I don't really get into the day. It's not some bitter single girl-syndrome, I don't think, it's just that I'm not into cheesy romance and that sort of thing. There's something off-putting about men who try too hard to be sweet and flirty in a way I can't really describe. But I digress.
Anyway, in case you missed it, I spent my Valentine's Day (week) in bed with flu-turned-pneumonia. I'm still not 100% but I felt good enough to run out to buy a new printer, today. In a way, it was nice to have a week to lay around and be waited on hand and foot - on the other hand, I'm a week behind on school, working out, and job applications, I have no clean laundry, and my bedroom looks like a tornado hit a drug store. I think some cleaning will be in order for tomorrow.
UPDATE: I'd just like, if you missed the show, I hope they re-air it or you can see it online. It was very moving and nothing like I feared it would be.
I'm not sure what to expect from the program but I'm looking forward to watching it, and I hope there is no political or social agenda attached to it. I know the MSM can overdo it with the negative portrayal of certain areas of the country, particularly the South, when there are often just as many positives.
Everyone always talks about less fortunate inner city kids, but it seems as though kids in this area are often overlooked when some of them lack everything from school supplies to health care. As a matter of fact, as I have thought about becoming a teacher over the years, I've often thought about working in this area for that reason. I know Dolly Parton has done some work to shine light on and encourage literacy in the general area, which is great, but more needs to be done! So, if you're home, check it out...could be good!
Former New York Lt. Gov. and Hudson Institute Senior Fellow Betsy McCaughey on CNN talking about health care issues hidden in the stimulus. Not only do they have nothing to do with stimulating the economy, in a nutshell, you and your doctor will no longer be the ones making the decisions about what kinds of treatments and medications you receive.
5. Dork alert: anyone watching "American Idol?" I must admit if it weren't for this girl, I would have given up on the show, last year. And I'm so over the whole, "I know I can't sing but will you put me on TV" auditions. That said, because I'm stuck in bed, I caught last night's show and I have to admit I'm interested again. Several of the guys on there are pretty damn good, this year. 6. Raise your hand if you get tired of hearing people bash Wal-mart? (And I don't mean in a "can't ever find a good parking place" way like I bash Wal-mart.) There are a lot of non-truths out there about the place everyone loves to hate, but journalist Charles Platt decided to go undercover and go to work at a Wal-mart store and I think his findings were incredibly interesting: Some people, usually community activists, loath Wal-Mart. Others, like the family of four struggling to make ends meet, are in love with the chain. I, meanwhile, am in awe of it.
7. Heard of Henrietta the Homeless Woman? How about Julio the Fry Flipper? No? Obviously, you have not been watching the Big O hold his...I like the term "revivals." Some have called it the Big O's version of the Oprah show. Either way, the things are just plain creepy!
Exibit A: Henrietta the Homeless Woman needs a kitchen and bathroom for herself and her son. Not sure if ether of them work but they've been on waiting list for two years, dammit! Aren't these poor people entitled to a house, Mr. President??? (Make sure you catch the creepy stoned "I love Barack" woman at the end.)
EXIBIT B: Julio "Oh Gracious God" the Fry Flipping Communications Major. I hate to point out the obvious but I think you can watch the video and figure out why he works at McDonalds.
8. Notably absent from my post is the stimulus bill. I had to shut down my laptop, yesterday, because the darn thing was making me sick(er). Especially after I found out about the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology which my friend Pat does a great job of summing up, there! That's scary stuff - but then again, anything coming out of this administration that has to do with health care makes my hair stand on end. And this is coming from someone who does not have health insurance.
9. I don't know if I've mentioned this or not, but I'm getting ready to Adopt a Soldier. It's a little bit of a commitment - you have to write a letter to your soldier each week and send a a care package a little less often (the group that runs this program will send the care package for you for about $11), but I think it is well-worth it to show the men and women who are serving our country how thankful you are that they are risking their lives for us. I encourage each and every one of you to do it - it looks like they still have 583 people in need.
10. If you haven't heard, the Big O is "thinking about" lifting the ban on photographing the flag-draped coffins of soldiers as they come back to the United States. I was torn on this issue. On one hand, I'm for 100% freedom of the press/Constitution, etc. but on the other, I think if there is ever an exception to the Constitution to be made, it would be out of respect or favor for those serving in our military. And let's face it, the only people who want to see those photos are those who want to use them for their anti-war propaganda and that's just pretty sick. My friend Roxy talks more about the POTUS and the military, here. 11. Finally, I'm not a big fan of the Westminister Dog Show (or any such event) for a number of reasons, but as a dog lover, it's hard not to check out all the babies! It was kind of neat to see Stump the Sussex spaniel win, this year. I'm not a fan of little long-haired dogs but since I adopted Gabby, I've developed a love for the Spaniel family. I know Brittanys are the most un-Spaniel-like dogs of the Spaniel group, but there's just something about them I like.
Just a little update: I'm still sick. Despite my George Costanza-like tendency to be the world's biggest hypochondriac, I rarely actually get this sick. I've been laying in bed going on three days now, with the worst sore throat I've ever had in my life - I can't even whisper (which is actually fun, I don't have to answer the phone or respond to anyone who talks to me - with my current living arrangement, that's a plus). That said, I hate to sit here and complain. My mom ran into her neighbor's daughter (whom I went to school with), yesterday, and her father's cancer has basically spread all over his body. He's just started going back to chemo, this week, but get this - he's still working! Makes me feel kind of pathetic for sitting here moaning and groaning!
Anyway, there has been so much I've wanted to blog about but I have to admit, I'm kind of lost in the world of politics, right now. I've tried to keep up via Twitter but it all starts to run together. Last night, I tried to watch BO's little whatever it was but that just made me sicker. I'm sorry, I can't like that guy. He comes across as an egotistical jerk who wouldn't like me back, anyway. Never thought I'd miss George Bush like I do - particularly not this soon into it. Which brings me to...
I ran across this guy's blog and I will be adding him to the ever-growing list of blogs I read. He's really good and this post is spot-on for me: My President Doesn’t Respect Me « JoHNBRoDiGaNDoTCoM Check it out!
Now I'm going to go attempt to listen to Rush and return to my horizontal state.
Quote of the Day: "You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth, or we will sentence them to take the first step into a thousand years of darkness. If we fail, at least let our children and our children's children say of us we justified our brief moment here. We did all that could be done." - Ronald Reagan
I can't think of a better time for those words to be repeated.
You are an Anti-government Gunslinger, also known as a libertarian conservative. You believe in smaller government, states’ rights, gun rights, and that, as Reagan once said, “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’”
There has been so much I've wanted to write about over the past few days and I have another project I'm working on, as well, but as usual, life has gotten in the way. Searching for a job, going to school full-time, looking for a new place to live, and writing about CURRENT events do not make up the best combination. There are a few things I wanted to point out, though!
3. Speaking of Palin, have you checked out SarahPAC? The governor's new PAC is "dedicated to building America's future, supporting fresh ideas and candidates who share our vision for reform and innovation." Go sign up for e-mail updates or donate if you can!
4. Finally, if you have a few moments, check out: Stop the Bailout for Planned Parenthood-Susan B. Anthony List and sign their petitions. Let your Senators and Congressman know you are not interested in your tax dollars funding Planned Parenthood and the United Nations Population Fund. There, you can also support the Human-Animal Hybrid Prohibition Act and the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act!
Wow, I made it though the whole post without making a "I'm going to quit paying my taxes so I can get a job in the Obama administration" joke. I didn't think I could do it.
Quote of the Day: "'Where’s FEMA?' is not the appropriate question. The appropriate question is, 'Where is the mainstream media, screaming in one united voice, that the absence of FEMA demonstrates the utter fecklessness and failure of the current President and all his policies?' Plus his barely concealed racism, of course." - Bill Quick (http://dailypundit.com/?p=33624)
I honestly can't think of one Super Bowl that I've been less excited about. As you all know, I hate the Steelers (which is always fun because one of my good friends is from Pittsburgh) and aside from enjoying what Anquan Boldin did for my fantasy team this year, I have no feelings for Arizona one way or the other.
I get the feeling I'm not alone in my disinterest because the two teams involved, however, the media seems to want to spin it like everyone's too down about the economy to care about the game. That or they're rambling on about how their dear President Obama is spending the game ...while Kentucky freezes.
I can attest to this one (sort of) personally. My BFF currently lives in Kentucky and has been without power and water for how long has it been, now? How many people have died? I'm not going to get into the double standard/FEMA discussion that many are starting, but "The Anchoress" has an excellent write-up of it here: Kentucky: No Power, No FEMA - UPDATED The Anchoress.
