**Taking a break from regularly scheduled posting to change things up a bit.**
I live in California so I have been hearing about Prop 8 (trying to no longer make it legal for people who are gay to get married) for a while now. Of course with election day coming closer it has been on my mind more and more lately. It irritates me SO much, like I'm almost obsessed with my disgust, I don't really know why. Maybe because of all the "Yes on 8" signs that are up around my neighborhood that I have to look at every day and want to vomit every time I see one. As the days go on I just keep getting more and more annoyed by this...so annoyed that, well, I just had to blog about it and vent my frustrations. Some readers may be offended and that's just fine with me!
To be perfectly clear, I am a gazillion % against prop 8.
First there's the stupid, and I mean STUPID commercials with these horrid parents saying something like "my poor johnny went to school today and learned that boys can get married *gasp*". Give me a break. Please. Are there really parents out there that are that ignorant of the school system and what our children are learning? We do not send our children to school to learn about marriage, plain and simple. Its not part of the educational standards of the state of California to teach the legalities and specifics of marriage. Sure, its possible children could hear something while they are there about people who are gay. But its most likely going to be from their friends and classmates, not their teachers. In fact, there's a good chance that your kids will notice all the irritating "yes on 8" signs around and ask what they are for...what are you going to say then?
And really...shouldn't we be teaching our children our values and beliefs about such things AT HOME??? So that way when they hear things at school they already have some idea of what is valued at home...and when they ask us about it we can remind them of what we believe and that other people believe different things. Take some responsibility people.
Of course there are also the people against gay marriage because of their religious beliefs for however many reasons. Now I freely admit I am not a religious person in any way shape or form, its not for me, never has been, never will be. I respect people who are, I don't get it, but I commend them for the ability to have faith like that.
But here's the thing...just because you believe something, just because your god, your church, your religion believes something...it doesn't make it true and it doesn't make it right. Its YOUR belief, but there are other people in the world that are equally entitled to THEIR beliefs. There isn't one right religion, or one right way of thinking. No matter how strong your convictions are, that is a truth that won't change. Go ahead and put all your faith into your religion, but do not discredit others. Diversity makes this world beautiful, don't taint that by being so self righteous.
Thankfully there are plenty of people who do have religious faith who are not judgmental and discriminatory of people based on who they choose to love. I'll never understand the others who do have a problem with this. Its not your life, it doesn't affect you. Your church isn't going to crumble to the ground. Your schools aren't going to close. The civilized world as we know it isn't going to end. So mind your own business and leave people alone.
We're not talking about rapists, murderers, child abusers, the scum of the earth here, getting to walk around free doing whatever they choose. We're talking about PEOPLE...mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, sisters, brothers, friends. People who simply should be afforded the same rights as everyone else in this country.
Would you tell a black person they couldn't marry another black? Or 2 Jewish people, would you disallow them to get married? How about someone who is fat not being able to marry another fat person? Or a diabetic, can't have them marrying each other, right? Sounds pretty ridiculous, no?
"Oh, but its not the same thing!!!" I can hear "them" crying. Oh yes, it is exactly the same thing. We are all people, we all deserve to live our lives the way we choose without being discriminated against. Just because YOU think its wrong doesn't actually make it wrong.
I suppose I should mentio that there is a population of people who have a problem with it because the judges decided to pass the law when so many people voted against it. I don't know all the specifics of that exactly, I've just read a few things in passing...but isn't the role of the judicial system to determine what is right and just, not just uphold the supposed will of the people? Obviously "the people" aren't always right, that's why we have a judicial system.
It really saddens and disgusts me that this is even an issue in today's society. Especially when there is so much else to worry about and put our time and energy into. It's 2008 people, we should have gotten rid of the shovels and pitchforks long ago. Why can't we all accept people for who they are? What are you so afraid of?
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Happy Birthday to my "not so" baby girl today!!
Its hard to believe that just a short 2 years ago I was heading to the hospital to be induced. The baby inside me decided it was much more peaceful in there so she was going to just stay put. But, my parents were in town to visit and help and I was past 40 weeks and we all really wanted them to see her before they left...so I agreed to the induction. I had the nurse from hell and I really wanted to scream such horrible things at her that she would run crying from the room and never come within a mile of a laboring woman again...but I restrained myself, much to the surprise of both C and I.
And now she's a full blown toddler. She's always got something to say, she talks in sentences and you can understand a good amount of what she's trying to get across. She's a total drama queen. I knew from other people and my own preschool experience that girls were more dramatic...I was not prepared for THIS much drama so soon. Man the girl is going to put me in an early grave. She's got the red-headed temper that is engraved into her genetic code. She makes us laugh all the time. And she is absolutely adorable, still.
And now she's a full blown toddler. She's always got something to say, she talks in sentences and you can understand a good amount of what she's trying to get across. She's a total drama queen. I knew from other people and my own preschool experience that girls were more dramatic...I was not prepared for THIS much drama so soon. Man the girl is going to put me in an early grave. She's got the red-headed temper that is engraved into her genetic code. She makes us laugh all the time. And she is absolutely adorable, still.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
What is it about the Disney Princesses...
that is SO attractive to little girls? I purposely didn't expose my daughter to them because, like everything else Disney, I find it annoying how it is SO mass marketed. I didn't hide them or anything, we did get her a baby Belle doll for Christmas last year, but back then to her it was just a baby, and still is for that matter. I figured she'd find out about them soon enough, I didn't want to speed up what was inevitable.
But then the Target near me stopped selling the chlorine free diapers I had been putting on her at night and I didn't have any other reason to use the gas to drive out to the one that did. Deciding that she still pees too dang much to return to using cloth diapers at night, I bought a package of disposable nighttime pullups. I didn't even bat an eyelash at the fact that they had said princesses on them.
That is, until K noticed the pretty girls that were on the front. And I, not realizing the consequences of my actions, named the princesses for her.
That was it...the end of her princess innocence. She is now steadily building a new obsession with "Ariel" as she calls all of them. Every time she sees any of them, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Ariel, or Tinkerbell we hear about it. (She doesn't care too much about Belle or Jasmine, go figure.)
Is it some sort of brain washing? Voodoo? Animated crack? How does a child go from not knowing anything at all about them to freaking out everytime she sees them? At least her Diego and Dora obsession took a little while to kick in, she'd seen them many times before it finally took hold.
There's no use fighting it I suppose. And I must admit I get a kick out of hearing her say "Booty" (that's Sleeping Beauty for those who don't speak toddler.)
But then the Target near me stopped selling the chlorine free diapers I had been putting on her at night and I didn't have any other reason to use the gas to drive out to the one that did. Deciding that she still pees too dang much to return to using cloth diapers at night, I bought a package of disposable nighttime pullups. I didn't even bat an eyelash at the fact that they had said princesses on them.
That is, until K noticed the pretty girls that were on the front. And I, not realizing the consequences of my actions, named the princesses for her.
That was it...the end of her princess innocence. She is now steadily building a new obsession with "Ariel" as she calls all of them. Every time she sees any of them, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Ariel, or Tinkerbell we hear about it. (She doesn't care too much about Belle or Jasmine, go figure.)
Is it some sort of brain washing? Voodoo? Animated crack? How does a child go from not knowing anything at all about them to freaking out everytime she sees them? At least her Diego and Dora obsession took a little while to kick in, she'd seen them many times before it finally took hold.
There's no use fighting it I suppose. And I must admit I get a kick out of hearing her say "Booty" (that's Sleeping Beauty for those who don't speak toddler.)
Monday, October 20, 2008
Why my hair is long...
So my friend Tina made a comment on my last post regarding how I make goals and work towards them. I only wish that were true!
The truth is...I do make goals, I make lots of them, but I rarely ever reach them. I'll be all gung ho for a short time and then I get bored or discouraged or too busy or whatever other random excuse I have and things fizzle out.
If you've known me for any length of time you will have known me to have pretty much the same hairstyle that varies in length from my shoulders to a few inches past. Sometimes bangs, sometimes not, but always about the same length. Boring? Yes. But I'm a freak about my hair ok, for many reasons...but that really isn't the point right now so I won't go into it.
My whole life I wanted to grow my hair really long. Well, that's not true, my hair WAS really long, when I was like 5. And then all I wanted was it cut off, my mom didn't want me to do it, she made my aunt take me into to the salon, she cried, it was all very traumatic for her and liberating for me. (My hair is very thick and when she'd comb it it was hard to get through all the tangles and she'd pull it and I'd scream and it was just horrible, I hated it.)
Anyway, back on topic... I have always tried growing my hair and just got so sick of it in that in-between stage that I'd chop it all off again. Never could I get remotely close to my hair growing goal because it annoyed me so much.
Well, I decided a while back that THIS time was going to be different. I didn't care how much I hated it I was going to grow it as long as I wanted, and if I still hated it when it got there THEN I could chop it off...but I WAS going to make it. I have been tempted many, many times to cut it. It has annoyed me immensely quite often. I've complained to C about it so often I'm sure he's sick of hearing about my hair. He's probably just sick of my hair in general because there's just SO much of it.
Now as much as I've really wanted to chop it off I've really made my hair a symbol of my life success. Yes I see how that sounds terribly shallow and ridiculous, but hear me out... I just have this intense feeling that for once in my life I HAVE to stick with something long enough to reach my goal, even if the journey is long and difficult...no, especially if the journey is long and difficult. If I can't do at least ONE thing from beginning to end then I'll never be able to do anything...and if I can do that one thing then I know I will be able to actually accomplish all the other things I want to. If I can fight temptation and distraction and irritation on this one thing, I'll be able to take that commitment on to other (and admittedly more important) areas of my life.
So, as stupid as it may be to have growing my hair long as a life changing event...that is exactly what it is!
And now you know.
The truth is...I do make goals, I make lots of them, but I rarely ever reach them. I'll be all gung ho for a short time and then I get bored or discouraged or too busy or whatever other random excuse I have and things fizzle out.
If you've known me for any length of time you will have known me to have pretty much the same hairstyle that varies in length from my shoulders to a few inches past. Sometimes bangs, sometimes not, but always about the same length. Boring? Yes. But I'm a freak about my hair ok, for many reasons...but that really isn't the point right now so I won't go into it.
My whole life I wanted to grow my hair really long. Well, that's not true, my hair WAS really long, when I was like 5. And then all I wanted was it cut off, my mom didn't want me to do it, she made my aunt take me into to the salon, she cried, it was all very traumatic for her and liberating for me. (My hair is very thick and when she'd comb it it was hard to get through all the tangles and she'd pull it and I'd scream and it was just horrible, I hated it.)
Anyway, back on topic... I have always tried growing my hair and just got so sick of it in that in-between stage that I'd chop it all off again. Never could I get remotely close to my hair growing goal because it annoyed me so much.
Well, I decided a while back that THIS time was going to be different. I didn't care how much I hated it I was going to grow it as long as I wanted, and if I still hated it when it got there THEN I could chop it off...but I WAS going to make it. I have been tempted many, many times to cut it. It has annoyed me immensely quite often. I've complained to C about it so often I'm sure he's sick of hearing about my hair. He's probably just sick of my hair in general because there's just SO much of it.
Now as much as I've really wanted to chop it off I've really made my hair a symbol of my life success. Yes I see how that sounds terribly shallow and ridiculous, but hear me out... I just have this intense feeling that for once in my life I HAVE to stick with something long enough to reach my goal, even if the journey is long and difficult...no, especially if the journey is long and difficult. If I can't do at least ONE thing from beginning to end then I'll never be able to do anything...and if I can do that one thing then I know I will be able to actually accomplish all the other things I want to. If I can fight temptation and distraction and irritation on this one thing, I'll be able to take that commitment on to other (and admittedly more important) areas of my life.
So, as stupid as it may be to have growing my hair long as a life changing event...that is exactly what it is!
And now you know.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Back to the 100 Pushups Challenge!!
I made a promise to myself and all of you that I would re-start the 100 pushups challenge once we'd moved and got settled. I said that I would do it by no later than mid-October. Well my friends, today is October 15th, so its time to get back to work!
You may recall I was doing modified pushups on my kitchen counter. I can't do them on the floor in any position, there's just too much stomach in the way for that. And my arms and back were not strong enough to do them at the height of my weight bench. So that left the counter. The counters in my new house are higher than the old ones though, I wasn't so sure about doing them there. But wait!! My new house has stairs, I can do them on the stairs!! I've settled on the 4th stair...the 3rd was harder than I thought, and the 5th, well its just too high up to reach, LOL. Its lower than my old counters, and therefore harder than last time, so my starting point is not quite so high. I was able to do 5 pushups for my initial test. Not TOO bad I suppose, I am lifting up a lot of weight afterall, I shouldn't feel real terrible about that number.
So today was Week 1, Day 1 and I did a total of 15 pushups.
You may recall I was doing modified pushups on my kitchen counter. I can't do them on the floor in any position, there's just too much stomach in the way for that. And my arms and back were not strong enough to do them at the height of my weight bench. So that left the counter. The counters in my new house are higher than the old ones though, I wasn't so sure about doing them there. But wait!! My new house has stairs, I can do them on the stairs!! I've settled on the 4th stair...the 3rd was harder than I thought, and the 5th, well its just too high up to reach, LOL. Its lower than my old counters, and therefore harder than last time, so my starting point is not quite so high. I was able to do 5 pushups for my initial test. Not TOO bad I suppose, I am lifting up a lot of weight afterall, I shouldn't feel real terrible about that number.
So today was Week 1, Day 1 and I did a total of 15 pushups.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Fear not people...I have not disappeared forever
Just a quick update to let you know I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. We moved back "home" to San Diego 2 weeks ago. Things have been busy and crazy since then. We've been battling awful heat and unpacking and the dog maiming a rat in our backyard (that C subsequently had to put out of its misery, blech!) I made some curtains. There's still tons of things that need to be done. The house was a huge mess when we moved in...I still haven't gotten around to completely cleaning the bathrooms which were super gross. Just lots and lots to do. C is also working from home, which means I have to give up a lot of my computer time to him. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing, I admit I spend way too much time online anyway. So...that's the update for now. Hopefully I'll be back to regular posting in another week or so!
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