Hey. I know by now you have found this blog and you know exactly who I am. It's cool. I found your blog too. Just so we are clear, I meant every word I said. I know you read my letter. You may be a stranger to me now but I know well enough that you wouldn't be able to help yourself. You read every word over and over again. Don't come whining to me about your rough life. I have no sympathy for you anymore. Get a spine and stand up straight for once in your life. Everyone has a sob story. Still love you a little bit but won't for much longer. And by the way, you don't look so good anymore. Time has not been kind and I'd be a liar if I said it didn't give me a little satisfaction. I have a few more grey hairs but am told often that I look exactly the same over time. Perhaps you have a guilty conscience? Perhaps your oh so beautiful and perfect life isn't so perfect? Perhaps she is draining the life out of you? Doesn't really matter anymore, now does it? I have serious doubts about your strength of character so it seems we will not have the chance to even out the karma. Your lack of integrity is so so sad. See you in the next life and then, you better watch your back. Kisses!

Tagged by Um Naief

10 Simple Pleasures

1. Watching my kids sleep. Never are they as angelic as when they are unconscious.

2. Sleeping in late. Both my kids are early risers so to me sleeping late is anything past 7am.

3. My cat purring contentedly on my lap.

4. Late at night or very early in the morning when nearly all the traffic on the busy street next to our house is gone and there is quiet.

5. Pulling weeds.

6. Chocolate anything.

7. Hearing my daughter sing.

8. Hearing my son read to me.

9. Lying in bed with Jd after a long day.

10. Having my hair brushed. I find it very relaxing. My old roommate used to love to brush my hair and it would put me to sleep. Unfortunately Jd doesn't quite have gentle hairbrushing mastered so it is a pleasure I haven't had in some time.

thoughts

1. The US government needs to stop ALL foreign aid. No more money to ANY country. Put all the money they spend on other countries who say how much they hate us back into the US. Last time I checked millions of our citizens are homeless, without proper health care, hungry, undereducated. F*ck foreign aid. Let us decide who and where we want our money to go. If we want to donate to private international charities or foreign governments that is our right. But it is SOOO wrong for the government to decide for us that we will support various regimes throughout the world. Ooohhh I would LOVE to see an audit and find out where the government money to foreign countries really ends up. We give away so much g*ddamn money every year there shouldn't be any hunger or disease in any of the countries we "donate" to.

2. Let's take a good hard look at the US alliance with Israel. It seems like the US is often at Israel's beck and call. Why is that? Haven't they been a recognized country for over fifty years? Isn't time they stood on their own? What good has our alliance with them brought us? Perhaps it's time to recognize that their government is often a f*cking beast. We should treat them the same as we treat any other Middle Eastern government--be suspcious, don't take their word for it and keep a safe distance. The Israeli government is what we call in my neck of the woods "slippery" and that isn't a compliment.

3. Stop pussyfooting over the illegal immigration issue. If people enter the US illegally, everyone should get the same treatment and punishment. Everyone else has to follow the rules. Why should one group of people be singled out and treated differently? If I were caught smoking marijuana I would be arrested. It's a stupid law, I don't agree with it but I would accept that I had indeed broken the law and would be punished. If people want to change the laws, fine. Do it. But until the laws are changed you have to follow the rules. What does it say to the thousands of people who wait years and go through tons of paperwork and money to get here if we let people who skip all that in without question? It says, "Screw you, dumbass. Too bad you don't live in a bordering country and can't sneak in!" The really sad thing is that many illegal aliens are treated very poorly here. They are paid next to nothing and the threat of being reported to INS is always over their heads. If they came here legally they could demand a living wage and better treatment. They would pay taxes and be entitled to better health care. The problem is they just don't want to wait their turn. Personally I don't know anyone who is in this country illegally. My best friend and her family fled the Vietnam War in Laos and were refugees for a long time before being able to immigrate here. After many years some have become citizens and the rest resident aliens. When my ancestors came to the US one hundred years ago they had to follow the rules as well. They all went through Ellis Island and did their paperwork. If I did meet an illegal alien I would not turn them in but I wouldn't be shy about my thoughts on the issue.

Words of wisdom aka, a foward from the MIL

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission.
-Eleanor Roosevelt

Behind every successful man is a surprised woman.
- Maryon Pearson

If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning.
-Catherine Aird

Even the terrorists know not to f*ck with the Disney Corporation

RAMALLAH, West Bank - Hamas militants have suspended a TV program that featured a Mickey Mouse lookalike urging Palestinian children to fight Israel and work for global Islamic domination, the Palestinian information minister said Wednesda

Click on the link. No, really. I find it hilarious that Islamic militants even had the notion of using such an American symbol for their hate campaign. First, how uncreative are they that not even one of them could fathom a new mascot for killing and world domination? And which bright bulb on the marquee thought that a mouse would be an icon of power? I guess it just goes to show how little independant thought is used and valued. And second, what special kind of idiot thought it smart to infringe on the copyright of Walt Disney? If I recall correctly, a few years back they went after a man who painted a few Disney characters on his garage door. They took him to court and made him remove it. Did Hamas think they were stronger, more influential than Disney? It makes me laugh out loud. Nobody, and that means nobody, f*cks with Mickey Mouse.

Bush's approval rate falls to 28 percent

Finally, finally, finally it seems Americans are ready to stop playing dumb and stop being swayed by fear tactics and xenophobia.

Nearly two out of three Americans -- 62 percent -- believe Bush's recent actions in Iraq show he is "stubborn and unwilling to admit his mistakes," Newsweek reported.

DUH!

My question is, will at least two out of three Americans that voted this idiot into power stop being stubborn and be willing to admit their mistake?

Perspective

Everyone and their brother is still talking about the massacre in VA. It got me thinking....stuff like this happens EVERY DAY in Iraq. Dozens are killed and more wounded by bombs or execution squads. Where is the outpouring of grief for them? Why is it so much more tragic when it happens at home? I'm not trying to take away from the tragedy of so many lives lost at the university. Really. But what about those people in Iraq? Are their lives worth any less? Damn, I don't remember the last time I read the news and didn't see something about an suicide bomber blowing up people near a mosque or bodies found alongside a road or American GIs killed. Why isn't that splashed on the front page of every paper? Why isn't that the opening story on the 11 o'clock news? Am I the only one who reads the news? Am I the only American aware of what's going on overseas? Am I the only one who cares about the war? Am I the only one who remembers? On days when the big news stories revolve around spoilt celebrities or stupid reality shows I begin to think I'm the only one who remembers that there are two wars going on. Iraq is long lost and unless we refocus and reprioritize we'll lose Afghanistan too. And all the death and injury will be for sh*t. Nothing will be better. Feeling all too pessimistic today.

Damn some people are really f*cked up

Gunman, 32 others killed in Va. shooting

I'll never understand what drives people to do sh*t like this. My heart goes out to the victims and their loved ones. Such a senseless, violent waste.

Hey kids. I have been underwhelmed by the response to my last post. Thanks, Mia, for commenting.

So back to the regular rants. Last week a well-known talk radio personality was fired for making a stupid comment about a basketball team. One stupid remark cost him his job and his reputation. As my dear Mia would say, WTF?

I am in no way defending what Mr. Imus said. It was a dumb thing to say. However, what the hell is happening in this country? We are supposed to have freedom of speech, as long as it is not inciting violence. People are supposed to be allowed to say the most assine things.

The man apologized. Repeatedly. But now his career is over because of this one remark. He doesn't have a history of harassing other religions or races or anyone really. How f*cking sensitive have we become? One dumb comment and your life is over? Is that really fair? Who among us has not once said something racially or religiously insensitive? The only difference is that we are not celebrities and our ignorance isn't broadcast to the world. Deep down inside we are all bigots or hypocrites in one way or another. For some of us it isn't all that deep down.

My best friend is from SE Asia and grew up ghetto. There was one incident between us that sticks in my memory. I once made a joke about her being ghetto and was stunned when she got offended. I couldn't believe it. We had been friends for a long time and never had any ugliness between us. As she looked at me with anger and hurt in her eyes I got angry too. I pointed out how many times she had teased me for being a "cracker" and "white trash". She certainly didn't have a problem laughing at me and my background. Almost immediately I could see that she got it. It was a joke, just like the many jokes she had made of me. After that we never had a problem.

Years ago my girlfriend and I were walking down the street with a mutual friend in a major US city. Three teenage boys walked past and as they did one made a VERY nasty comment regarding my girlfriend's sexuality. I was livid. This wasn't the first or the last time we dealt with anti-gay sentiment but that night I had enough. Despite the other two women I was with wanting to let it go I chased after the boys and confronted them. I said, "You have something to say about my girlfriend?" They were shaken to be called out on their bad behavior. I could see that they were afraid. Of me. Just because I had the balls to go after them. Immediately they apologized and became ever so friendly. To this day I'm still amused.

It seems to me that we are in a period when everyone has the most tender feelings and that the world is expected to never hurt them. Although I have noticed in popular culture that it is acceptable to make fun of whites, fat people, and gays, but that last one is almost out the door. People seem to expect that the world owes them and their beliefs respect. The world should never dare to step on their toes. News flash. The world doesn't owe anyone anything.

I grew up hearing dumb blonde and dumb Norweigan jokes constantly. I don't take it personally. Sometimes the jokes are funny. Sometimes they are not. But in any case I've been taught that in this country people are allowed to speak their minds, no matter how stupid their thoughts may be. If I don't like what someone says I ignore them or lay out my viewpoint. If there is something on the tv or radio that I don't like then I don't watch or listen. It's that simple.

The reality of life is that people are always going to disagree and have different ideas about what is acceptable and what is not. Your feelings are going to be hurt. Someone is going to insult you or something you care deeply about. My advice is to grow up and deal with it. You'll be lucky if you get an apology. And if you don't, so what? How does one person's ignorance diminish who you are or what you believe? It shouldn't. Move on.

Tagged by Mia

The Rule: “Each player of this game starts off with ten weird things or habits or little known facts about yourself. People who get tagged must write in a blog of their own ten weird things or habits or little known facts as well as state this rule clearly. At the end you must choose six people to be tagged and list their names. No tag backs!”

1. I broke off part of my front tooth when I was ten. The dentist who fixed it did a terrible job and that part is a very different color than the rest of my tooth. When I smile or laugh, I try to do it with my mouth closed.

2. I hate having my hair cut. I've actually only done it three times in the last ten years.

3. I read the local obituaries every day. I don't know why but it has become a habit.

4. My hair has been bright red, orange, yellow, blue, green, black, brown and blonde.

5. I took pictures while two friends had their nipples pierced. One of them almost passed out.

6. I once smoked pot with my grandma.

7. I believe in ghosts and hauntings.

8. I was born three weeks early.

9. My siblings' names start with the same letter. Mine does not.

10. UPDATED: I decided to change this one--the first one was a bit too much information for the public, I think
I despise reality tv shows and have never seen an episode of "Survivor", "American Idol" or any of the other stupid shows featuring desperate people willing to humiliate themselves for national attention.

I won't force anyone to do this tag but I'd be really interested to know if anyone else does it. Let me know.

A word to the wise...

Here's something I learned recently: Do not watch a documentary on Caligula before bed unless you want to have some really funky, freaky dreams.

Hard Candy

I saw this movie for the first time a couple of months ago. I've now seen it four times and still can't get enough. If you have two free hours, watch this movie. Teenage actress Ellen Page gives an extremely compelling performance. I was blown away. This movie has stuck in my mind and is one of the best in the last ten years. I promise you've never seen anything like it before. Here's a brief plot outline taken from www.imdb.com:

For three weeks, 14-year-old Hayley Stark has been chatting on-line with 'Lensmaster319', a 32-year old fashion photographer, named Jeff. The two agree to meet at a coffee shop called Nighthawks. They hit it off, despite the massive age difference. Hayley appears to flirt with Jeff, and Jeff generally restrains himself, even admitting that he must wait 4-years until he can be with her. But his reservations are apparently not enough to decline when Hayley all but invites herself over to his house. Once at the house, manipulation becomes the name of the game, and the pedophile seems to be on the non-traditional side of it.

Paula Poundstone

What moron said that knowledge is power? Knowledge is power only if it doesn't depress you so much that it leaves you in an immobile heap at the end of your bed.

I have this friend, one that I go way back with. But we have a problem. Or at least I have a problem. She always says "we should get together and go out soon". I agree and set a date. She says she'll call and we'll confirm the plans. She never calls back. Or if she does it will be days later. And nine times out of ten when she does call it's because she needs a favor. Recently she called and asked for a BIG favor. For the first time I said no. I simply cannot do it. On the one hand I feel bad and want to help her out but I also feel used. The funny thing is she has often complained to me about a friend of hers that never calls when she says she will or blows off their plans. I have trouble biting my tongue. I'm getting pretty tired of it though. Truthfully we aren't terribly close but we do go back a long way. I'm wondering if it's worth it to have a confrontation or if I just ignore it and chalk it up to how it's going to be with her.

Addicted to Rehab

Words of Wisdom

Laura Kightlinger

I used to think drinking was the only way to be happy. Now I know there is no way to be happy.

Homer Simpson

Hey, just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand!

Janeane Garofalo & Ben Stiller

Many people feel that mass acceptance and smooth socialization are desirable life paths for a young adult... Many people are often wrong... Don't bother being nice. Being popular and well liked is not in your best interest. Let me be more clear; if you behave in a manner pleasing to most, then you are probably doing something wrong. The masses have never been arbiters of the sublime, and they often fail to recognize the truly great individual. Taking into account the public's regrettable lack of taste, it is incumbent upon you not to fit in.

Janeane Garafalo

I guess I just prefer to see the dark side of things. The glass is always half empty. And cracked. And I just cut my lip on it. And chipped a tooth.

Hypocrisy is simply delicious

WASHINGTON - Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich acknowledged he was having an extramarital affair even as he led the charge against President Clinton over the Monica Lewinsky affair, he acknowledged in an interview with a conservative Christian group.

But he says in his own defense: "Gingrich argued in the interview, however, that he should not be viewed as a hypocrite for pursuing Clinton's infidelity.

"The president of the United States got in trouble for committing a felony in front of a sitting federal judge," the former Georgia congressman said of Clinton's 1998 House impeachment on perjury and obstruction of justice charges. "I drew a line in my mind that said, 'Even though I run the risk of being deeply embarrassed, and even though at a purely personal level I am not rendering judgment on another human being, as a leader of the government trying to uphold the rule of law, I have no choice except to move forward and say that you cannot accept ... perjury in your highest officials."

Whatever.

For a friend...

I ask anyone who reads this to please keep Puppy and her family in your thoughts and prayers, or better yet stop by her blog and offer your condolences. Her father just passed away.

10 Favorite Songs

Tagged by Tooners
I could put many more on this list but these are a few of my most beloved musical treats.

1. Overkill by Colin Hay
I feel this way all the time.

2. Fragile by Sting
Just lovely and smooth and sad.

3. Kon Kamenpe by Kalyi Jag
Kick-ass Romany/Gypsy music. This group moves something in my soul.

4. The Rishi Kesh Song by John Lennon
Raw and brilliant.

5. Sugar Rum Cherry by Duke Ellington
Just try and pretend you don't love this.

6. Black Steel by Tricky
Public Enemy cover and damn it's so deliciously good.

7. What'll I Do? by Mildred Bailey
One of the big-band era's best singers, shamefully neglected.

8. In the Pines by Nirvana
Heartaching rendition of a Doc Walsh bluegrass tune.

9. Rock in This Pocket by Suzanne Vega
One of my favorite chicks with a guitar.

10. Pump by the Sugarcubes
Dark, sensual classic by the Icelandic group.

I tag anyone who wants to do it. Let me know if you do so I can check out your list.

Worth a rerun..

HOW AMERICANS SEE THE WORLD