More Political Ranting.

I generally try to keep out of current events and dramatic news because I get too worked up about how fucked up everything is, how stupid most Americans are, and how horrible the media is in general.  That said, I also feel the need to share my holy opinion sometimes (see previous post).  It's my duty as an American to blather on about how right I am.  Even better if it's in a blog, right?

SO- I've come to discover (through a friend on Facebook- my news source) that Sarah Palin Tweets.  I've also come to learn that "Dr. Laura" Schlessinger chose to step down from her job as ranting radio bigot.  Awesome!  It's about time!  Apparently Ms. Palin is very worked up about Dr. Laura's retirement, and that has a lot of people up in arms.  I did a little research and found the audio clip of Dr. Laura using the word "nigger" repeatedly while talking to a lady who called in to complain about how she (an African American) is tired of her husband's (he's white) brother making racist comments.  This is what got Dr. Laura in trouble and led to her choice to "retire":  She said "nigger" on the radio (11 times) and people were outraged, sponsors pulled their support of her show, and she chose not to renew her contract when it expires.  Now, before I heard the actual sound clip, I was outraged too.  Especially after reading my friend's intro to the article:

So Dr. Laura goes off on a racist rant calling an African-American woman the N word over and over, loses her sponsors and leaves her radio show, and what is Sarah Palin's advice to her? "Don't retreat...reload!" Once again, Sarah Palin shows that she won't "refudiate" racist comments, and she supports the racists who make them.

If someone is calling someone else a "nigger" on a syndicated radio show, I agree that s/he should be censured.  Dr. Laura didn't call anyone a "nigger".  She merely said the word, repeatedly, to make her point that "black people" use the word a lot with each other; in comedy acts, and in general. An irrelevant point, really, but not the same as calling someone a "nigger".

Anyways, I really like what I wrote in a comment on the thread following my friend's outraged post complaining about how awful Palin and Schlessinger are (with a link to an article about the issue), so I'm copying it here (I'm so in love with myself):


Now believe me, I do not have any love for Ms. Palin or Dr. Laura, both of whom I think are shallow misogynistic racist bigots who scare me a little with their power over others' minds. HOWEVER, I listened to the clip of the "offensive" language, and I have to say that I don't think that Dr. Laura should get in trouble for saying nigger in that context. She wasn't calling anyone a nigger. She said that "black people" use the word nigger all the time. It's true. Lots of people use the word a lot. The clip did do a fine job of highlighting Dr. Laura's inherent racism and defense of it, but every word she utters on her show does that. She's a known bigot and has been for YEARS. I'm glad she's stepping down, but sad that now she'll be a martyr for bigots to wave around as someone who got skewered unjustly.


Indeed.

Thank you for your time.

Self-induced Alienation Can Be Comforting

Or something.

I seem to be all over the place today.  I woke up feeling excited and happy about the day's possibilities, amazed at how I always do seem to hop out of bed at right about 11:11, as I stated in an earlier blog entry.  It must be my natural waking point.  Or maybe it's the point at which the indoor temperature becomes a bit too stifling and I need to take the fans out of the windows before it gets worse.  Who knows?  Who cares?  Not I.

I made some iced coffee, and sat down to see what amazing things had transpired on Facebook while I was sleeping.  A dear friend who I've known for 25 years (my personal friendship-length record) hit me up on the Facebook chat, and we shared some friendly banter and music suggestions.  Awesome.

Then, another friend, a newer one, posted something that I found offensive, so I commented on it.  I can not be silent when I am offended in a way that I feel is justified or somewhat righteous.  I'm arrogant and self-righteous, like most any other American, and I feel it's my civic and moral duty to inflict my holy opinion of What is Right and Just onto others, especially onto my friends.  The exchange didn't go well, as often happens with internet conversations on topics that are potentially hurtful or sensitive:  Meaning is muddled, often lost; friendly smiles are unseen; lighthearted criticism turns into public, embarrassing, defamation; and people get defensive and feel hurt.  It happens all the time and I really should learn to just stop being such an arrogant self-righteous asshole in such a public forum where misunderstandings are pretty much guaranteed, but I'm a sucker for challenges and I felt righteous.  Dangerous combo.  Anyways, like I said, it didn't go as well as I had hoped it would, and now I feel a little guilty for speaking up, which also annoys me because I was RIGHT, dammit!  Sure, I could have handled it differently; probably even much better; but I am still torn between righteous indignation and shame at behaving thoughtlessly/without enough purpose.  I should be better than that.  Damn me and my conflicting purposes of care-free/sassy spontaneity and kindness to all other beings.  Sigh.

Band practice was again cancelled today.  We've probably practiced fewer than 3 times in the past two months.  But the show Friday seemed to go well, and we don't really have any new material to go over, or any shows booked, so I guess it doesn't matter.  I was looking forward to it though.  I always (nearly) enjoy getting together with my band, which luckily consists of a few of my very favorite local friends.  We goof around and play music (two of my very favorite things), and often afterwards we get to eat yummy food catered by another of my favorite local friends.

I guess I really do need to try to focus on preparing for going back to work in less than two weeks, so it's probably better to have practice cancelled.  I am teaching three subjects, and really need to figure out my plan for at least the next 10 weeks.  I've got a general idea for most of it, but not a real concrete map.  A map of sorts is important so that I can ensure I have everything I need BEFORE it's too late to get it.  Blah.  Even writing about it is boring to me right now.

One thing I need to figure out though, is how to acquire (for free folks, I'm pretty darn broke) about 150-200 folders for my students to use in my classes.  Any ideas/suggestions?  I need the kind pictured on the right:  The Twin-Pocket Portfolios w/Tang Fasteners.  Pretty please.  The colors are irrelevant.  We accept all colors of folders at my school.  That's one of the great things about where I work.

Well, that's probably more than enough words for today.  If you got this far, good for you!  Thanks for reading.  I love you.

Have a fabulous day!

Music and Politics.

I really love that song by Michael Franti.  Check it out:  Music and Politics, by The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy.


ANYWAYS.  This post isn't really going to be about the title.  I'm just listening to/in love with music, as usual, and I'm going to share a great semi-political musical video with you all.  Praise java.  So actually, I guess this post has everything to do with the title.  I apologize for telling lies earlier.  

"Prop 8 - The Musical" starring Jack Black, John C. Reilly, and many more... from Jack Black

Instant Pleasure

"I don't want somebody to love me; just give me sex whenever I want it; 'cuz all I ask for is instant pleasure, instant pleasure, instant pleasure."  Rufus Wainwright

"I woke up this morning at 11:11."  Rufus Wainwright

But really folks, I did wake up this morning at 11:11.  It was awesome.  I had a small friendly BBQ yesterday at my house.  It went well.  I was nervous and stressed at first, as I always am when I invite people to my house.  I figured that only Elizabeth and Don would show up, and I wanted a few more guests to be there, but I forgot to promote the BBQ.  Also, I was afraid that TOO many people would show up, and that I wouldn't have enough chairs or food.  Turns out it was fine.  Food was consumed with fervor, people got along well, everyone behaved in a legal manner, and the mess is not that bad.  Thanks for showing up go out to:  Kaleigh, Isaac, Elizabeth, and Don.  Thanks to Dennis for helping me purchase the food.  Yep.

It's a bummer I have so many friends who live far away.  The BBQ would have been much bigger if it was held simultaneously at my house, in Hillsboro, and in Santa Fe/Pojoaque.  Oh well.  Damn those laws of physics; always interfering with my fun!

I've been having a lot of stressful work-related dreams lately.  It must be time to start prepping for the next school year.  I hate those dreams- I show up to work unprepared in some way (not dressed right, not fed, needing to pee, no idea who/what I'm teaching, can't find the classroom, find the classroom and it's full of random drama/music furniture, have evil and hateful students who won't behave, get in trouble with the boss/principal for something, or forget something important), and can't figure out how to fix my predicament.  This most recent one, I ended up being assigned a classroom in the HALLWAY for some reason, and had a class of about 45 obnoxious ruffians who wouldn't shut up so I could take attendance. I ended up SHOUTING at them, which I never do, and even cursed at them, which I also never do.  It was embarrassing.  I woke up annoyed and stressed out.  Bummer.  SO, I guess I need to start planning for next year.  Heh heh.

But first, dunch.

Lifestyle Improvement Program

Greetings!

Today I finally got around to beginning my goal of improving my lifestyle/health/diet.  I need to eat healthier, exercise more, and dance WAY more.  Also, I need to practice my instruments (heh heh) more.  Luckily, my work/health insurance provider is AWESOME, and has created a FREE (with insurance, of course) entire incredible system to help me out with the first three (health/diet/exercise) items.  It includes a lot of groovy extras to help me be more organized and conscious of my lifestyle, and also has a menu planner, an exercise planner, a walking planner, a health journal, and material for reading.  I can pick which exercises I want to do, how often and many I will do, and find out how many calories they typically burn.  I can pick menus/food items to eat, get recipes, shuffle ingredients and amounts, and find out how much each protein, calories, fiber, etc each item has.  It's impressive.  Also, it's damn time consuming.  I just spent about 3 hours getting started and entering in my data.  Admittedly, future use will take less time, but dang!  It's a good thing I burned 360 calories just by sitting on my butt perusing/entering data on the site!  Yowza!

I'm stoked because it turns out someone actually reads/read my blog.  Cool!  Thanks Brooke!

Well, the camping trip was not as active as I had hoped, and I never actually got to swim, even though I spent most of Saturday dressed in my swimming outfit.  HOWEVER, I did get to spend a lot of great time being silly with my family and some choice friends (thanks to the Meehans & Brooke for coming along!), and enjoyed getting out of the city for a bit.  We have resolved to try again in a couple weeks.  The drive-in idea was a total bust.  Everyone flaked out.  Brooke and I had fun at Skot & Maggie's BBQ though, and enjoyed precious moments watching a snake rescue,

mocking Stan the cretin, and catching up with everyone.

My band will MOST LIKELY be playing on Friday the 13th at Keystone Cafe.  Yippee!  I enjoy playing music for people who dig us.  It's very fun.  Plus we get free beer and dinner.  YAY!

Come on down and cheer us on!  Buy me a beer!  Heckle us!

Now I must go move around and perhaps PERHAPS go ride my bike for 30 or so minutes.  Then, dinner at my sister's house, hopefully followed by Bananagrams and Master Boggle.

Slainte-
H

Token New Post

Greetings fellow humans.

I decided that since I had the audacity to post this blog's existence on Facebook, I had better get at least one post that was written within the past two years up.  This is that post.  You're welcome.

Well, it seems I've gone from a simpering female writing about her dead husbands' old punk bands, to being a band member and now having lots of potential complaints about the tribulations of that.  Also, I've been working the same awesome dream job for what is soon to be five years, and have finally made a bunch of local friends with whom to do fun stuff.  My life has become exceedingly busy, which is great.  My son is now 18 and has moved out after getting his GED at 16 (GOOD JOB RAVEN!!!) and walking with the GHS Night School graduates at age 17.  He showed me up.  Now if he gets himself a Masters degree before he's 30, he'll really show me up.  I hope he does.

I'm sure I'll have more amazing things to write.  but for now, I must try to get sleepy.  I am going camping tomorrow and need to be ready to roll by 11AM.  No small feat for someone who loves sleeping in until 11:11 so she can wake up thinking about Rufus Wainwright.

Goodnight dear world.  I shall share more another time, hopefully before another three years have passed.