"Nine"- The movie with no soul

Yes, I said that. The performances were wonderful. The dancing beautiful. The costumes were exquisite. The singing was grand. Then why did I walk out of the theater thinking, I didn't watch another energetic "Chicago"...I just saw another "All That Jazz" which was just as narcissistic and bizarre.

I didn't hate "Nine", I just left feeling disappointed. I'm always amazed when a movie is well executed, but yet it seems hollow. I believe that boils down to the screenplay and the script. Writing is everything. But yet that was a theme running through this film...no script, make a movie by the seat of the pants. But it missed some unwritten mark.

I read somewhere about this movie that it was based on Fellini's "8 1/2". Ok, fair enough. I was never a big fan of Fellini's movies. However, I saw many of them so long ago I should probably revisit them. I do appreciate that he gave us the word "paparazzi". Even though the direct definition is closer to "buzzing insect", that is pretty close to what those people do for a living. So I'll give him that. But somehow I think Mr. Fellini was just as narcissistic as the character of Guido in "Nine". But is that worth even the $14 of matinee priced ticket?

I have really basic needs of a movie. If I'm going to deal with the lines, the price and the talking of other patrons, I want to be not only entertained...I want to forget that I have to pee. Make me forget that I should have gone to the bathroom during the previews. Make me and my bladder so entertained that I have no need to move. So if I'm judging this one based on that, then I didn't get up to pee...but I could have an wouldn't have missed a thing.

And there you go.

The Mall-The Day After Christmas

I'm not sure what possessed Mr. I and me to visit the mall today. Actually, I just wanted to add two capiz shell snowflakes to my new collection for the fireplace. Yes, the irony of me having the bah humbugs but yet put up some decorations (sans a tree) is not lost on moi...but I digress. As with so many trips to the mall, the picking up of the capiz shell snowflakes led to waiting in a slow line. God was testing my patience today. But I stood there, to give them my $14 like a good little soldier of the consumer army.

After leaving one of my favorite stores, Restoration Hardware, snowflakes in tow, we decided that we needed a little more feeling of rudeness. So we walk around to Pottery Barn. Then back to visit a friend at Davis Kidd. And on this journey I was lured into Coldwater Creek to pick up a couple of sweaters. They were having a 50% off sale on THE ENTIRE STORE. How could I pass that up? So I scooped up the sweaters, and stood in the longest, slowest line in all the land. The line rivaled that of a Six Flags ride. It was the kind of line where you get to know the people around you. You hear their stories, and as you stand there listening, you forget not only why you are standing in this insane line, but you forget what items you are holding in your hands. Was it worth this effort? The jury is out since I didn't try anything on. I like living life on the edge.

So that was my day after Christmas. On to warm up some leftovers and uncork the wine. Hope your day was fun.

Holiday Hermits Part Deux - The Tree

There is this tree here in Nashville. A Dogwood. Every year the owners would light the tree to a magnificent splendor. The owners decided to sell the house. When I saw the "For Sale" sign go up in the yard I was heartbroken. Would the new owners relight the tree for the next Holiday Season?

Spring came and the Dogwood bloomed. The blooms fell and the leaves grew. The "For Sale" sign left the yard and the new owners moved in. But if you look closely as you drive by on that busy street, you'll see the sun's light casting a glimmer of the lights(unlit)woven on to the branches of the tree. There was hope.

I noticed as Spring moved into Summer that the Dogwood was looking a little droopy on one side. I noticed that the leaves never grew on one side of the tree. I surmised that the lights that I loved so much had damaged the beautiful old Dogwood. I was heartbroken once again.

Summer moved into Fall. Fall moved into Winter. The Holidays were upon us. One evening as I rounded the bend of that busy street, I was breathless! There it was, lit with all it's previous glory. I noticed the owners removed the dead branches but re-lit the tree. God Bless us every one! It is a Chanumas Miracle!

I decided that this year, I MUST photograph that tree. I knew I would never capture its true glory. It would take a camera much better than mine with a nice tripod. But I didn't want to disturb the owners with a big to-do. I had Mr. I drop me off at the house (like I said...it is a very busy street. There are no sidewalks. Danger lurks with every car that speeds by) so that I could quickly shoot the tree. As I suspected, I couldn't capture the grandeur of the tree. So today, since I'm a Holiday Hermit, I turned it into a dream.

I wanted to thank the owners of that cute little house for taking the time and effort to re-light the tree. It just goes to show you that one action can affect many people and bring them much joy. I'm sure no one tells those homeowners just how much they enjoy their tree. So, I'm doing it now. Thank You! I would leave a note of appreciation or a card in your mailbox, but the speeding traffic and impatient drivers prevent this thoughtful act. Please take this as my heartfelt thanks for lighting your beautiful tree. You make my Holiday EVERY year. And welcome to the neighborhood!

Holiday Hermits

I think we may have started a new tradition this year. Holiday Hermits.

I'm not sure why, but I had zero, zip, nada Holiday Spirit this year. I went about making the motions to see if I could knock myself out of the Festivus Funk, but to no avail. So here it is, December 25th and Mr. I is feeling bad so we aren't going to see a movie. That is really OK with me. Not that he isn't feeling well, of course. I don't like it when he is sick. But it is OK with me that we aren't getting out to see a movie. It is cold, WINDY, rainy and very gray today. We have 3 Netflix movies that we haven't seen, so staying in is just fine.

We did peruse the movie section, just to see if anything peaked our interest. We really want to see 4 actually. "Nine", "Avatar", "Up In The Air" and "Sherlock Holmes". But Mr. I really wants to be feeling good to see "Avatar". I felt like "Up In The Air" and "Sherlock Holmes" could be good Netflix movies. But "Avatar" and "Nine" need to be seen in a theater first. Don't you love the way we rationalize and justify whether taking a shower, getting dressed and riding in a car today is worth it or not? Let me give you a hint: I'm making this post at 12 pm-ish still in my Christmas jammies. Mr. I is taking a nap. Holiday Hermits are we.

I had a lovely surprise this morning. Mr. I made me Christmas breakfast. French Toast, Scrambled eggs and turkey bacon. It was tre YUMMY! Tonight's feast will consist of two steaks that are bigger than my ass (yes, that is MIGHTY big) and the usual sides, plenty of wine and homemade Key Lime Pie for desert. Santa, aka Harry Hanukah, brought Mr. I a beautiful new grill that he got for a wonderful price. It's a much fancier one than we have ever had before. So we feel rich. Well, until the bills come due.

So, that is what is happening at our house today. All things being equal, I'd say Holiday Hermits should be the new wave of celebratory traditions.

Merry, Merry! Cheers!

Twas the night before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house,
No power to be had for me or my spouse.
The wind is blowing! I do declare; with trees falling here and there.
Lucky for me on this most famous night,
Cabernet needs no power to make me feel light.
Merry Christmas to all, say CHEERS and Goodnight!

Boredom..a journey

It is 6 pm on Sunday and I'm bored. There I said it. Nothing really happening on Twitter or FaceBook tonight. Well, there is all that Senate debate about Health Care Reform, but other than that there is nothing. I've had to disconnect from much of that. The sausage factory is starting to stink more than normal.

I could pick up a book or count my blessings....but, who am I kidding. That's not going to happen. It is much more fun to bitch.

I figured I can blog. However, to tell the truth, this is boring me too.

I'm not happy. I don't know why. No one can fix this but me. With the new year approaching, I feel the need to make some changes with myself. But where do I start?

I've noticed that time is racing by. I've said many times, the only way to slow down time is to have a job you hate, or go to jail. Neither of those choices seem appealing. My life is passing me by and I might as well start making the best of it. But I seem to be stuck in a rut and a funk...at the same time.

Like I said earlier, I'm not requesting help with this unsettled feeling and I'm not going to go all "Up With People", Polly Anna, Count my Blessings bullshit. This is just me, admitting that I've got to make some changes.

Admitting you have a problem is the first step. Admitting it on a public blog for all to see...I guess I'm either completely narcissistic or self-loathing or a combination of both. On the other hand, it is probably more that writing is how I work things out. I'm usually private about it, but what fun is that? It is 2009...throw it on the public wall and see if it sticks.

Ok...I'm still bored.

Blue Skies and Fridays

It is still cold in NashVegas today. But not as cold as yesterday was. The sky is clear and blue. I got some more Christmas Shopping done last night. I only have a few more to get then I'm done.

I'm going to try to be productive today. So I'll make this short and to the point.

For Chanumas I would like the ability to say or write what is on my mind without the worry or guilt of how it will affect someone else. What I mean by that is that I have so much inside me that needs to get out. But I can't disguise it well enough in humor so that it won't offend at least some friend or family member. I would also like the ability to have an unexpressed thought without feeling that I will explode if it doesn't get out of me. Now there is a dichotomy if ever there was one.

Give me the gift of telling it like it is and if I can't give me the ability to not care if I express myself.

Seems simple enough. Is there a store that sells that?

Happy Birthday Sweet Cheeks

We lost our K to a teenage driver of a pick up truck. On February 28, 2009 K was the 4Th passenger in standard cab that should only hold 3. All the kids were no older than 16. K was 15. None of the kids had seat belts on. They all knew better. To make a sad story shorter, the truck flipped, 3 of the kids survived with 100% recovery but K was hurt very badly. She was life flighted to the hospital where she fought for a week and died on March 7, 2008.

K was an organ donor and she was able to help a lot of people. But sorry, I would rather have her here with us.

K was good at most things she tried. She made friends quickly. She rarely met a stranger. She was smarter than her mother and father put together. She understood human behavior very well for her young years. Although she took advantage of that knowledge on occasion, she also "got" people who were close to her. She was quick witted, funny and silly. She loved fashion. She loved her cell phone. She was very loving and extremely loyal to many. She took up for her big sister many times. She could dance and sing very well. K was a challenging child, but despite what many members of my family believe about me, I loved K dearly. She was our beautiful K. We miss her.

Blogging...I really must do that more often

As we all know, there are only so many hours in a day. Yada, yada, yada...I need to blog more. It isn't for lack of material, but more a lack of "using my time wisely". I got good marks in elementary school for that, but somehow I've lost the knack of good time management or whatever they are calling it now. I know it would help if I would crawl out of bed earlier, immediately run 3 miles and accomplish everything on my list before noon. But who am I kidding. That's not going to happen anytime soon. But maybe I can accomplish the goal of blogging more. Sounds like a good New Years Resolution. Ahhh....procrastination, she is a wicked friend of mine who visits more often than she used to.

So here are my thoughts for today:

I've come to the conclusion that my life is MUCH more interesting when I'm sleeping. Seriously, I have a good life, but I have a better dream life. All the interesting places I go, things I create and people I visit. Not to mention the fact that I am almost always thin in my dreams. So what is not to love?

However, like any good movie or book, the dreams come to an end. The dreams make way for reality for those of us lucky enough to wake up this side of the dirt. And when I wake up, the responsibilities and minutia of the day are there saying, "Hey Biatch...get to work". To quote Linda Ellerbee, "And so it goes."

I'm not sure what that says about me that I find life much more interesting when I'm sleeping. I'm not sure I want to say it out loud. But somehow I think it is something that I need to fix. Yeah, whatever...I think I need a nap.

Piano Stairs in Sweden-Thanks Volkswagon

Love this:

Is Twitter Down? Is FaceBook Down? Yes & Now, YES

UPDATE: 12 noon AP finally reporting outage of Twitter and Face Book. Don' t like the tone of some of these reports. Twitter is a legitimate news service now. Get over it. Yes there is some useless stuff, fun stuff but there is also a lot of important information being shared all over the world. Show some respect


Hacker attack clamps down Twitter, Facebook also 'looking into' problems
--------------------
BARBARA ORTUTAY
AP Technology Writer
August 6 2009, 12:33 PM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — A hacker attack Thursday shut down the fast-growing messaging service Twitter, and Facebook also said it was looking into possible site problems.
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sns-ap-us-tec-twitter-outage,0,1507447.story

UPDATE: Just tried Face Book at 11:50 am...my prediction seems to have come true. The login page comes up, but nothing else. It has crashed too?

Got up this morning, no Twitter. Facebook was pretty wonky. Found the following articles to explain:

Pete Cashmore of Mashable:
http://mashable.com/2009/08/06/twitter-downtime/

Times of the Internet
http://www.timesoftheinternet.com/98721.html

This is all over Twitter: MadMen yourself!

I had more fun with this. Give it a try and enjoy!

Michael Jackson's Image After His Passing

I think that Michael Jackson needs Priscilla Presley to step in and take control of his estate and image ASAP. Why Priscilla? She did a fine job with Elvis and saved the legacy for her daughter. I'm sure that she stepped on toes and did what she had to in order to save Elvis' name. She knew that he, like so many artists, was worth more dead than alive. A shrewd woman indeed. And MJ's estate needs a Priscilla Presley. It will be hard to weed through the parasites that are now surfacing after MJ's passing.

I don't know Priscilla personally, nor do I know Lisa Marie. I met Elvis once when I was young. I know many stories that have been told, some in books that were written, some through certain parts of the family. The one thing I know is that Priscilla Presley is smart, brave and has no problem weeding through the parasites. She earned a certain "not-so-nice" nickname in certain parts of my family because of this. And I was always in awe of her for this....nickname and all. She had some brass ones...and probably still does.

Michael Jackson, gave his entire life to the music and entertainment business. That is what he will be remembered for. Yes, he made some bad decisions. From the looks of it, some awful self-destructive, decisions. It was obvious for years that Mr. Jackson was not a healthy man in body, mind or spirit. A healthy man would not have walked down the paths where he ventured.

I, like so many others, was very disappointed by his bad behavior. There are a lot of things that can be forgiven, but when it involves children, there is no forgiveness from me. But to be honest, none of us really knows what went on in that house. Only the people who were involved know the truth.

I hope Mr. Jackson's children will find peace and happiness. I hope his affairs get in order quickly so that they can hopefully be as lucky as Lisa Marie was. God only knows where they will go now. But one thing is for sure, what is coming next, all those dirty little secrets that will bubble up after death, will be a spectacle that will put Anna Nicole Smith's train wreck to shame. The only hope is if someone steps in quickly.

Either way I appreciate all that Michael gave us. Because good, bad or indifferent, he gave his entire life to an image that was impossible to sustain, a talent that may never be matched again and an example of tragedy from which many people should learn.

Rest In Peace Michael Jackson.

P.S. if you are looking for the link to Lisa Marie Presley's Blog, here it is. A great read.

Creativity

I had it during a good time in my life. Well it was good in some ways bad in many ways. But did I have to trade my creativity for stability? Where does it go when it leaves? Will it come back? I am stagnant. Need an upgrade in Photoshop? Who knows. I'm devoid of ideas so it would be a waste of money if I don't know what to use it for.
And what happened to fun? I feel so bogged down in knee recovery and work that is to come. I hope July's visit to Big D will be fun.
Enough whining....

Reality TV

How much reality tv can the networks produce? What happened to acting and dialog?

Seattle...living in Nashville

Rain and cool weather day after day. Cool I like...tired of rain. It is like living on Seattle except it is a very red backward state. I never used to think of TN that way, but lately with not only the Republicans but the redneck Republicans in charge, TN is surpassing MS and AR for the crown of most backward state. 10% unemployment but they are concentrating on guns in bars. The NRA is happy in TN.

Thank you for Taxes...yes I said it.

JOURNAL ENTRY:
THANK YOU, TO MY FELLOW TAXPAYER!!
NO MATTER HOW YOU VOTE, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU!

April 15, 2009

I woke up this morning to more complaints. Complaints about this, complaints about that. But mainly people complaining about taxes. No one likes taxes. I don't like them anymore than anyone else. But as Lyle Lovett said, "It's just a fact of life, no one cared to mention." And of course there is that old one about Death and Taxes...both are a fact of life.

There are people standing in the rain, sleet, snow, or even sunshine all over the country today wasting perfectly good tea....I'm not sure why. I'm sorry for my ignorance and limited intelligence, but I don't really understand it. I've tried to wrap my head around it, but I just don't get it. I mean, tea is expensive! Tea is tasty...hot or cold! Some tea is good for you! I know there are starving children in Biafra or Somalia who would love to have all that tea. Oh, I think I know what they are trying to express, and I commend them for the effort of replicating not only the Boston Tea Party but also Ron Paul's Libertarian Movement in their quest to express their 1st Amendment Rights as United States Citizens. What they lack in originality, they more than make up for in good old fashioned EFFORT! However, if you hate taxes that much, burn your Medicare Cards! Or take your Mother and Father's Medicare cards and burn them....right there on the White House Lawn...now THAT would be original.

I decided this morning that we need another special day to give Thanks for all that we have and all that our taxes pay for. We don't think about these little things that we all take for granted every day. It is a Thank You not only in a spiritual way, but a Thank You to all of my fellow taxpayers who all chip in and help us live in a great country.

Feel free to copy and paste this email and add anything you are grateful for. It doesn't have to be 20...just one is fine. I'm sure I left many things out! Put your name beside it and copy me on it...I would love to read what you have to say.

THINGS I AM EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR:

1. First and foremost, I'm thankful for the First Amendment...that allows all of us to express our opinions, even if they differ from our friends and family.

2. I'm so thankful today. Thankful for Mom's Social Security and Medicare. And full of thanks for my Mother and Father in-law's Social Security and Medicare. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

3. I'm also VERY thankful for Trash Day. A big truck just took away all that stinky garbage so that I don't have to smell it or look at it anymore. THANK YOU!!! And Curbside Recycling helps me be a better person....thanks for that too!

4. I'm also VERY thankful for VA benefits. THANK YOU for taking care of those wonderful souls who take care of us and protect us from enemies both foreign and domestic.

5. Thank you for clean water! Wonderful clean water! I can drink it, cook with it and bathe in it. What a wonderful gift...THANK YOU!

6. I'm VERY THANKFUL to those people who risk their lives for us everyday and Fight the Fires, and Watch out for my house and my business and are there when I dial only 3 numbers.

7. I'm so incredibly thankful that Ken has a client today. What is even more incredible is that he was able to make it across the Demonbruen Street Bridge without it falling on to the highway below. THANK YOU TDOT for working on that bridge and keeping it structurally sound for at least a little while longer!

8. I'm even thankful that my car is inspected every year. Yes, I said it! Because not only are they testing my car to be sure that it isn't transferring more toxins into the air than it is supposed to, but they are testing my neighbor's cars as well. THANKS for making sure we can breathe cleaner air for another year.

9. I am so grateful for National Public Radio and National Public Television. What a rich source of information, education and news programming. We should all support that wonderful institution more if we can afford to, especially if we listen to it daily.

10. I am VERY grateful for the National Endowment for the Arts. Art is something we all take for granted. OK, so you don't like that sculpture you saw on the town square, isn't it great that it is there? I bet even if it isn't your taste, you took someone by it just to see it and find out if they agree with your taste in art. THANKS for the NEA and THANKS for PUBLIC ARTS PROJECTS LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY!!

11.Thanks for the Pell Grant! If it wasn't for the Pell Grant, I couldn't have paid for some of my education. The Pell Grant...it helps low income people make a better life for themselves! THANKS FOR THAT!

12. THANK YOU....especially now for the FDIC. THANK YOU for insuring that the cash I put away will still be there when I need it. THANKS for helping me refrain from burying it in the backyard, although I've thought about it many times this past year. THANK YOU to the FDIC who are a streamlined agency that takes care of failing banks...but mainly takes care of OUR MONEY...up to $250,000 of course. And saying that, THANK YOU for raising the joint account coverage to $500,000. I know we don't have anything close to that, but thanks anyway!

13. THANKS for understanding that we need safe roads on which to drive. I'm THANKFUL to the State of Tennessee (TDOT) and The State of Texas for keeping their roads in good shape. Texas by far is the leader in this, but if anyone has made the trip from Texas to Tennessee, you know that Arkansas...well, they need help. Near Littlerock is much better, THANKS FOR THAT BY THE WAY, but Texas....smooth sailing in your car.

14. I'm so THANKFUL for Public Schools. Yes, they need help. Yes, the structures need work. But THANK YOU for allowing children to learn. The system is far from perfect, but I am EXTREMELY THANKFUL to have the system.

15. I am very thankful for the internet. What did I do without it? What a wonderful addition that has given to my life. It expanded and really MADE my business, gave me skills that I now take for granted and opened up a huge new world full of new and old friends and information that I would have never known if not for the internet. THANK YOU FOR THE INTERNET! I know that Al Gore didn't invent it. But I'm sure a grant somewhere gave an engineer somewhere the extra money to invent it. Sorry I'm not doing the research this minute to name those involved.

16. Thank you for providing safe Air Travel. I know that isn't perfect either, but overall it is still the safest and quickest way to travel. Thanks to the NTSB for researching and inspecting crashes to try to prevent them in the future.

17. Thanks for the National Park System and the State Park System. That doesn't need any explanation does it?

18. And how about that Public Library System! I don't have to spend hard earned money for a book or even a movie. I can go to my Public Library and voila! Next thing you know I'm reading or watching for FREE!!!

19. Thank you for not allowing children to work before they are old enough to do so. This isn't true all over the world, so thank you for letting them be children for a little longer.

20. Last but not least...THANK YOU TO MY BOOKKEEPER AND ACCOUNTANT! They work hard on my behalf to keep me out of the woodshed with the IRS. I pay them and they are worth EVERY PENNY! Thank you for helping me participate in the system...with as little hassle as is possible with the current Tax Code. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

So, there you go...I find being Thankful today is much more fun than the alternative.

A wonderful video for Easter

Antwerp Station like you have never seen it!



Antwerpen Centraal gaat uit zijn dak want Op zoek naar Maria komt er aan! Bekijk hier hoe meer dan 200 dansers en danseressen het station op zijn kop zetten op het klanken van de Sound of Music!

Inspiring Video from Susan Boyle

47 Year old Susan Boyle wows the judges with her performance in the auditions for Britain's Got Talent, singing I dreamed a dream from Les Miserables.

She proves that you should never judge a book by its cover!

The Easter Kitty Came!

Thank you Easter Bunny...Bbbaaackk, bbaaacckk!
Wonder who will remember that reference!

Our Beeten Bunnies struck again this year. We are always tickled pink to get our visit from the Easter Kitty!

Best commercial ever...Go Honda!

For those of you who haven't seen this, I wanted to share. It is an amazing engineering masterpiece.

I received this in an email, and it came with text that is good to read before you watch the video. Here it is:

There are no computer graphics or digital tricks in these images.Everything that you see happened in real time exactly as you see it.

The recording required 606 takes and in the first 605 takes there always was something, usually of minor importance, that didn't work. It was necessary for the recording team to install the set-up time after time and it took several weeks working day and night to achieve this effect.The recording cost $6M & took 3 months to finish,including the engineering design of the sequence.

The duration of the video is only 2 minutes, but every time that Honda shows the commercial on British television,they make enough money to support any of us for the rest of our lives. However, this commercial has turned out to be the most displayed in the history of the Internet. Honda execs think that it will pay for itself simply because of the free showings (Honda is not paying one cent for you to see it) When Honda senior execs viewed it, they immediately approved it without hesitation-including costs.

There are only SIX Honda Accords built by hand in the whole world, and to the horror of Honda engineers, the recording team disassembled two of them for the recording.Everything you see in the sequence (besides the walls, floor, ramp and untouched Honda Accord) is part of those two automobiles.

The voice is Garrison Keiller's. The commercial was so well received by Honda execs when they saw it, that their first comment was how amazing the computer graphics were. They almost fell out of their chairs when told that the recording was real without any graphics manipulation.

By the way, about the wind shield wipers in the new Honda Accords, they are sensitive to water and designed to start working as soon as they get wet.

Cool Optical Illusions Explained

The Cafe' Wall Illusion

A new person on Twitter is following me. I checked out a great link from them:

Optical Illusions

Another Year...

The bar was set very low last year. All birthday's will be better than 2008.

As my sweet brother said in 2008, "It's just another day fruitcake!"

Yeah...he will never live that one down.

1 year has passed, and it is still unbelievable

"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years"...Abraham Lincoln

Kaylee Marie McElhenie Eller Bungee Jumping.

Kaylee and Melissa driving

Sully's Hudson Landing...the amazing animation

Captain Sullenberger's amazing landing of the U.S. Airways Jet in the Hudson. Great animation recreation.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

This video is just for fun! It made me smile and giggle..so it is worth posting.

Love this advertisement!

Great Video of Flight Patterns in North America

This video is beautiful. It was done by an artist named Aaron Koblin. It needs a great soundtrack. Read more about it here.

FaceBook

I'm sitting here waiting for Mr. I while he is in the Verizon store. So might as well blog.

I'm new to FB. I find it very entertaining. In the way that a junkie loves his/her next fix...very addictive. But my new form of free entertainment has brought up some interesting thoughts and questions. Thoughts about myself. Thoughts about others. Questions about my place in the world. I understand that it is just a fun and easy way to connect with people, but here I am being a little too deep for my own good.

Since I grew up in Texas, most of the people from my past are in Texas. I wondered where the 28% of Americans were who thought George Bush was a great president. Guess what? They are in Texas...on FaceBook...in my "web" of friends.

When I first joined FB, I noticed that I was still the odd man out. I had to go searching for my current Liberal friends because I was out numbered by all the Conservative Christians (a term that is on the verge of becoming an oxymoron). But as I started reading more about their profiles and their current lives, something struck me as odd....they "seemed" like they were having a much better life than I am. Are they really happier? Do they really have the perfect lives that they portray on FB? There are so many of them that are "all up in there" with their form of worship, that they have to regurgitate their love all over their pages. That is OK with me. It is all in a positive light. Nothing negative about that.

But then, you get the "honest" Conservative, Sarah Palin adoring, Right Wing..."Christian" who decides to use FB as a forum for her hate speak and racism against....Muslims, of course. They are the current group to show prejudice against. And there is me...and one other girl who spoke out against her in a very subversive way. I didn't want to get into it with this girl, but I did not want to stand for it.

So one of my status entries last week on February 24, 2009 said simply: "Marla is wondering if Racism became one of the 10 commandments while she slept last night." That was all it took. My old friend from HSchool asked what the matter was. I shared what I knew and before you knew it, the offensive discussion had disappeared from the board. It had disappeared from the offenders wall as well.

But then, she managed to let her hatred get the best of her. She commented on my status with a "I don't know about Racism, but I'm tired of being tolerant of others who are not tolerant of us" or something to that effect. She deleted it quickly after I replied to her "truth" with my truth, "I'm not here to judge you or your beliefs. Your beliefs are yours and I'm glad you have them. They make you, you. However, I don't like checking on my friends and seeing a hate filled conversation on the wall. Save your hatred for your Bible Class." And of course my old friend added, "If we are intolerant, what makes us any better than others who are?"

I was very thankful for the backup. But I really didn't get on FB to be controversial. I save that for this blog. I am trying to keep the blog separate from FB and my other business blog and my business websites. For me, FB is a place to visit with friends and share light observations. This blog is my place to vent.

So, in conclusion, I know I'm out numbered most of the time. Mr. I and I have friends of all different faiths, political beliefs and races. We like the diversity. We try not to offend anyone, even though they have no problem offending us.

I guess there is a reason they said way back when...in polite society NEVER talk about politics or religion.

Litterbugs

Does anyone remember the old PSA with the Indian crying because of the stupidity of people throwing their trash out their car windows? Why do people litter ? It is a disgusting act. Hear that you misguided redneck in front of us in the black explorer?

Is it too much to ask for people to find a can?

Getting connected

Giving this mobile blogging a try. Let's see what happens.

Twitter

I'm not sure why anyone would want to know what I'm doing during the day, but I signed up for Twitter today. Now I have to figure it out.

You can Tweet at baxterblogs

But I just heard a good one...Joe The Plumber, who isn't really a plumber, is speaking out against POTUS' speech Tuesday Night. Oh, wow...that is amazingly rich. And word is that he may run for Congress so he can "Literally go bang some heads together".

Now let me get this straight. A guy, who can't spell CONGRESS or even knows what CONGRESS is or what they do is going to run for a seat?

Is this the only person they could get to speak their language?

Word for the day....nihilism

Whatever could I be thinking about when I use this word? Bobby Jindal's response to Obama's speech last night. I could also add a few other words: oblivious, deaf....

nihilism
One entry found.

Main Entry:
ni·hil·ism
Pronunciation:
\ˈnī-(h)ə-ˌli-zəm, ˈnē-\
Function:
noun
Etymology:
German Nihilismus, from Latin nihil nothing — more at nil
Date:
circa 1817

1 a: a viewpoint that traditional values and beliefs are unfounded and that existence is senseless and useless b: a doctrine that denies any objective ground of truth and especially of moral truths

2 a: a doctrine or belief that conditions in the social organization are so bad as to make destruction desirable for its own sake independent of any constructive program or possibility bcapitalized : the program of a 19th century Russian party advocating revolutionary reform and using terrorism and assassination


— ni·hil·ist \-list\ noun or adjective
— ni·hil·is·tic \ˌnī-(h)ə-ˈlis-tik, ˌnē-\ adjective

Click here to hear it pronounced

Great photos from Callie Shell

One of the best photographers for Time Magazine Callie Shell. She does some great photo essays.

It is really happening!

Inauguration day. What a day. I took the entire day off. A knitting buddy, Mr. I and I watched the events unfold. An amazing day.

Day of Service

I worked all day and was unable to volunteer anywhere. However, I heard that it went well. People came from everywhere to volunteer because Obama asked them to. This is a very good thing.

When I'm around many of my friends, they don't get the inspiration at all. They think Obama is a joke and the whole movement is stupid. I think they don't even know there is a movement. But then, many of my friends are just not that interested in change. Most of them have health insurance, they currently have jobs so they don't see the need to be involved. One would think that I was speaking of people who are young and uninvolved....no, they are over 50 and uninvolved. And there you go. They are really good people and good friends...I just don't understand and they just think I'm impressionable, flighty and carried away.

Anyway, I'm very grateful that I am still living to see this time. I'm inspired to do something. I run a business so sometimes I just don't have structured time off, but there has to be a few things I can do to participate.

Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher have a new video "I Pledge". I'm trying to figure out what I can pledge. Tomorrow, I pledge to witness history. I took the day off to make sure that I see every minute that I can. I can't be in D.C., but I am going to be watching it all.

I'll work on my future pledges. I'll try to just keep blogging. It does my mind good even if no one sees it.

Here is the video: