A couple of things to share today with you my dearest blog-heads:
I try not to comment too much on the weather. It just seems far too pedestrian and cliche (translation = lame) to do so. Oh sure, I offer up the occasional post about the change of seasons or the frozen tundra which caused me to slip, fall and break precious bones. But a rampant diatribe on weather just isn't my usual thang. My usual attitude toward weather is one of general disregard. It's always there. It changes. It comes and goes. I try to be prepared for things like rainstorms and blizzards, but beyond that I have called a truce with weather.
An exception must be made today as the thermometer mercury hit a high of 98 degrees in the upper Midwest. It is hot and oh so humid around these parts. We are talking typical August weather in late May. What gives? I got the air conditioning fired up and house sealed up tighter than the sutures of Pamela Anderson's latest breast augmentation (Pam, if you are reading this, take no offense). What really troubles me about this unusual turn of weather is how quickly it moved from "so cold I can't take it" to "so hot I can't stand it." I crave balance. I desire not breaking out into an ugly sweaty mess as I walk into work and start my day. I want an end to all things sweatness related. Mother Nature, please consider keeping us at a temperate 76 degrees with sunshine and partial cloud cover and a gentle breeze thankyouverymuch.
Which brings me to my next topic. Iced Tea.
Love it. Do you love it? Huh? Do you? Do you?
I think iced tea, and tea in general, screams ritual so it goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway) that people have definite opinions about when, how and where they drink their tea. You can point to the East India company and likely thank those dirty, colonizing Brits for helping us see the value and enjoyment tea brings. The U.S. South certainly deserves some of the credit for carrying on the tea tradition albeit iced cold and refreshing. Now, some only drink tea in the summer. I don't trust these people. Their ability to so thoroughly compartmentalize their beverages frightens me greatly. I bet these people also alphabetize their DVDs and color code their sock drawer. I hope none of my blog-heads fall into this category. If so, please take no offense. You are lovely and wonderful and surely there is a special place in heaven for you and your kind.
For me, tea is a year round thing. Mr. Oz renewed my love of tea by making it a staple in our home. He has been known to whip up pitchers of the stuff and likes to add his own twists like pomegranate juice or berries. I say we need more versatile beverages like coffee and tea. You just don't hear about people grinding up some bean or plucking some leaves and steeping it in liquid to create a new beverage. This is ingenuity and creativity at its most basic and its most profound. I mean who does that? Imagine the trials before they got to the tea we know today? Imagine how much bitter, nasty, unconsumable, vial crap folks had to endure and, yet, they had a vision to carry on and persevere. Incredible.
I don't think we have that type of fortitude anymore. If it's out there, it's certainly not being recognized and touted as it should. We need more tea pioneers. We need more crazy people who steep things in boiling water and drink it down with gusto. There is a life metaphor in there somewhere, but I'm just too damn hot to figure it all out and wrap it a nice neat bow. Viva La Tea!
And, I bet you thought I was going to start in on the Teabag Movement, eh? Fooled ya.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
Robert Frost is dead wrong.
This is Abysmal...and lately, well, I have been thinking that Robert Frost has it all wrong in Mending Wall.
There is something splendid about a wall.
Yes, yes, Robert (or shall I call you Bobby?) you are all apple orchard and your neighbor is all pine so you don't have any problems because trees don't move from one home to the other in the night. I GET THAT, believe me.
But Bobby....let me ask you this...how would you feel about a wall if your neighbor had say...about half a dozen kids and say....three dogs. How would you feel about a wall, Bobby, if you had to clean dog shit from your garden, your lawn furniture, and the side of your grill? How would you feel about a wall after finding chew toys in your rose bushes and dirty diapers (drug over by the dogs, no doubt) at the foot of your back porch steps? And the constant barking....Bobby, how would you feel about that?
How would you feel, Bobby, upon entering your back yard only to see the children scatter from your woods and smell the distinct odor of burning leaves? How would you feel about a wall if you found chips in your new siding from bb gun pellets? What about those tracks in your garden, the early morning dew brush of fur on your green beans? What about the bicycle track from one corner of your yard to the next? Surely, Bobby, a wall could prevent that?
And then, dear Bobby, how would you feel if you discovered that the neighbor's kids broke into another neighbor's house in the night and stole all of his beer from his garage? How would you feel about a wall if you discovered that those same kids got drunk and puked all over the alley next to where you planted your strawberries? Would you then, dear Bobby, desire a wall...a great big fence with glorious ivy or clematis clinging to it?
There is something that loves a wall, Bobby - ME.
There is something splendid about a wall.
Yes, yes, Robert (or shall I call you Bobby?) you are all apple orchard and your neighbor is all pine so you don't have any problems because trees don't move from one home to the other in the night. I GET THAT, believe me.
But Bobby....let me ask you this...how would you feel about a wall if your neighbor had say...about half a dozen kids and say....three dogs. How would you feel about a wall, Bobby, if you had to clean dog shit from your garden, your lawn furniture, and the side of your grill? How would you feel about a wall after finding chew toys in your rose bushes and dirty diapers (drug over by the dogs, no doubt) at the foot of your back porch steps? And the constant barking....Bobby, how would you feel about that?
How would you feel, Bobby, upon entering your back yard only to see the children scatter from your woods and smell the distinct odor of burning leaves? How would you feel about a wall if you found chips in your new siding from bb gun pellets? What about those tracks in your garden, the early morning dew brush of fur on your green beans? What about the bicycle track from one corner of your yard to the next? Surely, Bobby, a wall could prevent that?
And then, dear Bobby, how would you feel if you discovered that the neighbor's kids broke into another neighbor's house in the night and stole all of his beer from his garage? How would you feel about a wall if you discovered that those same kids got drunk and puked all over the alley next to where you planted your strawberries? Would you then, dear Bobby, desire a wall...a great big fence with glorious ivy or clematis clinging to it?
There is something that loves a wall, Bobby - ME.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Goodbye To My Spencer Bob
It is with a heavy heart that I type this post. Last week, after a 4 year struggle with random seizure attacks and painful arthritis, my kitty cat Spencer left us. It was very difficult to let him go, but as they say "it was for the best." Don't really quite understand what that means exactly, but think it has something to do with hoping he is pain-free and no longer plagued with sickness.
Spencer "Bob" was a wonderful cat companion. He came into my life when he was just a baby and I had first ventured out on my own after college. My big move as an independent, bread-winning adult and I found myself virtually all alone in a city I did not know. Back then, I was living in a crappy 1 bedroom apartment on the wrong side of the tracks, just barely making enough money to pay my rent, put gas in my car and buy groceries. Loneliness laid on my pillow like an unwelcome house guest. I needed a friend. I needed something to take care of and watch over and come home to at the end of each tough day. Spencer and I found each other. He was the handsomest little boy and I loved him dearly.
I will keep with me so many fond memories. When he was just a little guy, he loved to sneak into the bathtub and drink from the faucet. You see I had a constant drippy tap. Spencer would enter and a few minutes later emerge with a wet slick on top of his head, utterly pleased with himself. Like all cats, he enjoyed getting into boxes, playing with paper and general mischief. But, he never got into too much trouble. For many years, he was my shadow. Content to curl up in my lap or lie next to me, he would signal bedtime by bounding into the blankets and then would proceed to wait for me to join him. He loved to cuddle and would often scratch at the covers until I lifted them up to let him underneath. There he would find a warm spot and sleep away. Roommates would come and go, but Spence remained, ever loving and always near.
One sunny summer morning, I couldn't find Spence. After looking high and low, I noticed the screen on my second story living room window was missing. Peering out and down, I spotted my cat lying on the grass below. About 4 feet from him was the missing screen. My mind instantly went to replay a scene where my cat road the screen down 2 stories not unlike a surfboarder hanging ten on the ocean waves. Scolding him from up above, I yelled for him to "stay put" and ran to make sure he was o.k. Spence just looked at me with that cute, furry face and big eyes as if to say "what are you getting all upset about? I just wanted to get out for a while." He was fine if not a bit shell shocked.
In 2006, Spencer suffered a grand mal seizure. I rushed him to the emergency vet where they were able to stabilize him. Countless tests and medications, I.V.'s and trips back and forth to specialists . . . feeding tubes, online research, second opinions and more tests . . . through it all I never found out what caused the illness or why it clung to Spencer so strongly. There were several months where it looked like he might lose his battle. But, he hung on. We hung on. I had my buddy back, but he was never really the same as he once had been. The medications made him jittery, non-social and somewhat lethargic. He could no longer do the things and enjoy the life he previously had. Nonetheless, Spence and I had our time together and I continued to love him the best I could.
The past years saw many changes. We added some new faces into our tribe. Mr. Oz and his feline vixen, Sophie. Most recently Ozy the wonderpup has joined the clan. Through it all, Spencer remained a tough and constant presence. He stood guard and in his eyes I could, from time to time, see a flicker of the cat he once was. As time marched on, these times became fewer and further between. He moved less and grimaced more. Although he still loved to eat, he no longer wanted to leave his small room where I tried to keep him sequestered from the chaos of life and the mauling puppy.
As sad as it was for me to say good-bye, it was even harder to see him lose his zest for life. He had become a shell of himself and I couldn't allow it any longer. The burden was lifted and I made the decision to give him peace and dignity, to release him from his sadness. I stayed with him at the end and my eyes were the last eyes he saw as he drifted away. This gives me comfort. I hope he knew how much he was cherished and loved. I hope he knew how much he meant to me and how he made my life a better one, particularly in those early, lonely and trying years when it was just he and I in our grungy apartment.
Fittingly, the days following Spencer's passing were gloomy and filled with rain. I take solace in this as it seemed nature was mirroring my sadness and weeping a little bit along with me.
For those of you who love animals and have pets, you'll understand that they become a part of the family . . . an extension of unconditional love and a connection to the lifeforce of the universe that surrounds us. They are sweet and guileless, innocent and reliant upon you for their every need. They give us so much but it is our privilege to care and love them. It makes us less selfish, more attuned to others, more giving and infinitely happier. For this I am grateful. It was an honor to be Spencer's mommy. I will miss him. Always.
For those of you who never had a cat or dog or aren't big animal lovers, I hope someday you will know the joy pets can bring into your life. They truly are wonderful and good for the soul.
Good-bye Spency, my handsome boy, my furry baby. There will never be another cat like you in this world. May you rest in peace. Always.
Spencer "Bob" was a wonderful cat companion. He came into my life when he was just a baby and I had first ventured out on my own after college. My big move as an independent, bread-winning adult and I found myself virtually all alone in a city I did not know. Back then, I was living in a crappy 1 bedroom apartment on the wrong side of the tracks, just barely making enough money to pay my rent, put gas in my car and buy groceries. Loneliness laid on my pillow like an unwelcome house guest. I needed a friend. I needed something to take care of and watch over and come home to at the end of each tough day. Spencer and I found each other. He was the handsomest little boy and I loved him dearly.
I will keep with me so many fond memories. When he was just a little guy, he loved to sneak into the bathtub and drink from the faucet. You see I had a constant drippy tap. Spencer would enter and a few minutes later emerge with a wet slick on top of his head, utterly pleased with himself. Like all cats, he enjoyed getting into boxes, playing with paper and general mischief. But, he never got into too much trouble. For many years, he was my shadow. Content to curl up in my lap or lie next to me, he would signal bedtime by bounding into the blankets and then would proceed to wait for me to join him. He loved to cuddle and would often scratch at the covers until I lifted them up to let him underneath. There he would find a warm spot and sleep away. Roommates would come and go, but Spence remained, ever loving and always near.
One sunny summer morning, I couldn't find Spence. After looking high and low, I noticed the screen on my second story living room window was missing. Peering out and down, I spotted my cat lying on the grass below. About 4 feet from him was the missing screen. My mind instantly went to replay a scene where my cat road the screen down 2 stories not unlike a surfboarder hanging ten on the ocean waves. Scolding him from up above, I yelled for him to "stay put" and ran to make sure he was o.k. Spence just looked at me with that cute, furry face and big eyes as if to say "what are you getting all upset about? I just wanted to get out for a while." He was fine if not a bit shell shocked.
In 2006, Spencer suffered a grand mal seizure. I rushed him to the emergency vet where they were able to stabilize him. Countless tests and medications, I.V.'s and trips back and forth to specialists . . . feeding tubes, online research, second opinions and more tests . . . through it all I never found out what caused the illness or why it clung to Spencer so strongly. There were several months where it looked like he might lose his battle. But, he hung on. We hung on. I had my buddy back, but he was never really the same as he once had been. The medications made him jittery, non-social and somewhat lethargic. He could no longer do the things and enjoy the life he previously had. Nonetheless, Spence and I had our time together and I continued to love him the best I could.
The past years saw many changes. We added some new faces into our tribe. Mr. Oz and his feline vixen, Sophie. Most recently Ozy the wonderpup has joined the clan. Through it all, Spencer remained a tough and constant presence. He stood guard and in his eyes I could, from time to time, see a flicker of the cat he once was. As time marched on, these times became fewer and further between. He moved less and grimaced more. Although he still loved to eat, he no longer wanted to leave his small room where I tried to keep him sequestered from the chaos of life and the mauling puppy.
As sad as it was for me to say good-bye, it was even harder to see him lose his zest for life. He had become a shell of himself and I couldn't allow it any longer. The burden was lifted and I made the decision to give him peace and dignity, to release him from his sadness. I stayed with him at the end and my eyes were the last eyes he saw as he drifted away. This gives me comfort. I hope he knew how much he was cherished and loved. I hope he knew how much he meant to me and how he made my life a better one, particularly in those early, lonely and trying years when it was just he and I in our grungy apartment.
Fittingly, the days following Spencer's passing were gloomy and filled with rain. I take solace in this as it seemed nature was mirroring my sadness and weeping a little bit along with me.
For those of you who love animals and have pets, you'll understand that they become a part of the family . . . an extension of unconditional love and a connection to the lifeforce of the universe that surrounds us. They are sweet and guileless, innocent and reliant upon you for their every need. They give us so much but it is our privilege to care and love them. It makes us less selfish, more attuned to others, more giving and infinitely happier. For this I am grateful. It was an honor to be Spencer's mommy. I will miss him. Always.
For those of you who never had a cat or dog or aren't big animal lovers, I hope someday you will know the joy pets can bring into your life. They truly are wonderful and good for the soul.
Good-bye Spency, my handsome boy, my furry baby. There will never be another cat like you in this world. May you rest in peace. Always.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
iPad Musings
April 3, 2010. A day that will go down in geekdom infamy. This is the day that Apple released the long awaited iPad. My husband, known in some circles as Apple fan boy, was among the first purchasers of this nifty toy. He ordered it online and eagerly awaited its arrival via FedEx. This day rivaled Christmas morning as Mr. Oz's level of anticipation and excitement reminded me of young children waking up at 5am to find presents from Santa under the tree.
It is now April 17 and I think he's pretty much been glued to his iPad ever since. I feel a little bit like a woman scorned and have come to understand how significant others must feel when his or her spouse cheats. Perhaps it is less painful when the object of your partner's affection is made of silicone and not flesh and blood? Is an A4 processor better than a heart?
But, what is up with the name? iPad. Clearly there were no women on the development team. It conjures up commercials for feminine care products and sanitary napkins for those heavy data flow days. Surely, there could have been a better name choice out there. Was iTab already taken? Now, I must admit I've gone for test drive on the iPad and it is a fun little gadget. Lately, I've taken on the role of semi-early adopter, so will, undoubtedly, get one at some point. Being the informed consumer that I like to think I am, I did some digging to see what made Mr. Oz fall so head-over-heels, deeply in love. Here is what he said:
Q: What is your favorite thing about the iPad?
It's sheer utility and all the things I can do with it. Versatility. I can surf, read a book, watch a movie, listen to music, play games and I can do all of it instantaneously. The battery lasts all day so I don't have to keep it plugged it. I can be completely untethered. There is really no end to the possibilities.
Q: How is this different than a laptop?
Well, it's lighter -- 1 lb. -- and it's much smaller so I can carry it with me. And, there is a new Macbook that has 10 hours of battery life, but up until the iPad there was really nothing with as long of a battery life for what it can do. Netbooks can't even approach it. And, it's 'touch' so no mouse needed.
Q: Any concerns in being one of the first purchasers?
When I read the reviews, they were all glowing. That reassured me. Any concerns I had with being a beta-tester, went away completely on day 1. It blew me away. I didn't have any lag or crashes. It was great.
Q: What do you wish the iPad did that it doesn't currently offer?
I wish it used flash because a lot of sites use flash. The iPad doesn't display flash. I believe Steve Jobs has a problem with how flash uses processor power and burns the battery down. It doesn't work well with the iPad software. Probably even more so, I wish that sites, in general, didn't rely on flash so much.
A card reader slot would also be a nice add.
Q: Favorite apps?
The Kindle app is probably my favorite. Shout out to the Amazon.com folks. I can read a book on my Kindle, my iPhone and now my iPad and if I sync my devices, they will bookmark where I left off and I can pick it back up at the same point on any of these. Sketchbook Pro is also a fun one. It's cool to have a sketch pad at my fingertips. It has a lot of options.
Q: What advice do you have for anyone interested in getting an iPad?
Get one!
There you have it. Mr. Oz on his new favorite "gal."
I'm jealous of hardware and software. Have I officially entered the new millenia? Is this a sign of an impending apocolypse? Steve Jobs, what will you have for us next? I'm too scared to even think about it.
It is now April 17 and I think he's pretty much been glued to his iPad ever since. I feel a little bit like a woman scorned and have come to understand how significant others must feel when his or her spouse cheats. Perhaps it is less painful when the object of your partner's affection is made of silicone and not flesh and blood? Is an A4 processor better than a heart?
But, what is up with the name? iPad. Clearly there were no women on the development team. It conjures up commercials for feminine care products and sanitary napkins for those heavy data flow days. Surely, there could have been a better name choice out there. Was iTab already taken? Now, I must admit I've gone for test drive on the iPad and it is a fun little gadget. Lately, I've taken on the role of semi-early adopter, so will, undoubtedly, get one at some point. Being the informed consumer that I like to think I am, I did some digging to see what made Mr. Oz fall so head-over-heels, deeply in love. Here is what he said:
Q: What is your favorite thing about the iPad?
It's sheer utility and all the things I can do with it. Versatility. I can surf, read a book, watch a movie, listen to music, play games and I can do all of it instantaneously. The battery lasts all day so I don't have to keep it plugged it. I can be completely untethered. There is really no end to the possibilities.
Q: How is this different than a laptop?
Well, it's lighter -- 1 lb. -- and it's much smaller so I can carry it with me. And, there is a new Macbook that has 10 hours of battery life, but up until the iPad there was really nothing with as long of a battery life for what it can do. Netbooks can't even approach it. And, it's 'touch' so no mouse needed.
Q: Any concerns in being one of the first purchasers?
When I read the reviews, they were all glowing. That reassured me. Any concerns I had with being a beta-tester, went away completely on day 1. It blew me away. I didn't have any lag or crashes. It was great.
Q: What do you wish the iPad did that it doesn't currently offer?
I wish it used flash because a lot of sites use flash. The iPad doesn't display flash. I believe Steve Jobs has a problem with how flash uses processor power and burns the battery down. It doesn't work well with the iPad software. Probably even more so, I wish that sites, in general, didn't rely on flash so much.
A card reader slot would also be a nice add.
Q: Favorite apps?
The Kindle app is probably my favorite. Shout out to the Amazon.com folks. I can read a book on my Kindle, my iPhone and now my iPad and if I sync my devices, they will bookmark where I left off and I can pick it back up at the same point on any of these. Sketchbook Pro is also a fun one. It's cool to have a sketch pad at my fingertips. It has a lot of options.
Q: What advice do you have for anyone interested in getting an iPad?
Get one!
There you have it. Mr. Oz on his new favorite "gal."
I'm jealous of hardware and software. Have I officially entered the new millenia? Is this a sign of an impending apocolypse? Steve Jobs, what will you have for us next? I'm too scared to even think about it.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Fundamentally, We Are Different
Lately, I've been thinking a lot about the seemingly arbitrary rules that we have as a society and why these rules came about. One such "rule" is the 5-day work week. Who devised this little gem? When was it decided that a typical week should consist of five days of work and then 2 days of rest? Without doing a lick of research to delve into this further, I would hypothesize that some business owner or industry captain made this one up. Or, better yet, the robber baron, capitalist autocrat tyrant -- let's call him Mr. Moneybags -- really wanted his employees to work 24/7. He devised the first, second and third shifts as well. More than likely, Mr. Moneybags was also the one who came up with child labor AND unfair labor practices. It was only when some group of organized workers (or other justice wielding entity) picketed and demanded some rights that the work week shrunk from 7 days to 5 days. That was as far as Mr. Moneybags was going to go. Enough was enough.
So, now we are years beyond the scuttlebutt between Mr. Moneybags and his pesky striking workers. How far have we gotten in this amount of time? We still have the arbitrary five day work week. Why? You'd think in this day and age we would have moved beyond the simple structure of punching the clock. I suppose in some small ways we have evolved . . . ever slightly. I know there are books on this out there -- "The 4 Day Work Week" being one of these. I really like the concept of working a day less each week. What if we all rose up and demanded such a thing? What if the 4 day work week became the norm, the new standard? It only seems fair that we balance out the amount of time spent working with the amount of time we spend resting and playing.
This thought somehow made me think of the role of government in our lives. I made some comment on Facebook that we should petition our congressman to help legislate the 4 day work week. Although I was merely jesting, one of my friends replied that this was just one more thing we would rely on the government to fix for us. I have been pondering this thought ever since. And this, dear blog readers, is what I came up with: perhaps the fundamental difference between those who take a more liberal bent to politics -- call them democrats if you will -- and those who are more conservative (i.e. republicans), is not the disagreements about pro-life or pro-choice nor is it about raising taxes, spending on social programs or even public health care. Nope. At the core, the difference is this: those who take a more liberal stance do so because in their heart of hearts they hold a certain pessimism toward humanity and our ability to care for one another as we should. Left to our own devices, liberals believe we wouldn't necessarily fulfill our duty of helping one another out. Conservatives, on the other hand, seem to believe that, if left to our own devices, things would be o.k. Survival of the fittest if you will . . . let the marketplace dictate how/when we act, let private industry adjust itself to supply and demand. I trully think this is the core philosophical difference between the right and the left. When you look at it from both sides, there is some merit and truth to both views. Both are essentially flawed but well intentioned. One wants to see the best in humanity realized but doesn't think we can do it alone. The other wants to be left alone and hopes humanity can rise to the occasion and demonstrate it's best.
I believe that, in its ideal, the government is there to protect and care for its people. They are the watchdog to make sure that we all have the right to pursue our own happiness. And, perhaps more importantly, I believe that we as humans often lose sight of this when we are caught up in elements of power and financial gain. Sometimes, the government needs to step in and right the wrongs. Now this doesn't mean that they should meddle in every single thing. We don't have to have a law for everything and I'm certainly not advocating laws of morality or value-based legislation. No. Instead, I'm thinking about Mr. Moneybags and how he is all about making more money to fill his bags. He wouldn't want to jeopardize his future profits by, oh I don't know, putting in proper ventilation or heating in his factories so his workers can breathe clean air and not freeze to death. He also wouldn't want to put more costly safety measures into practice or give people an hour for lunch or time off when their kids are sick. Let's see . . . what else wouldn't Mr. Moneybags want to do?
I think the recent Wall Street failures and economic struggles have shown us that when government stops regulating our human compulsions toward greed and power, really REALLY bad things can happen. We can't fight our own human frailties. Perhaps the best we can do is try to curtail them by putting checks and controls in place for ourselves.
Government is far from perfect. FAR from perfect. Afterall, politicians are human too. But, wouldn't a 4 day work week make us all just a little bit happier? Maybe that is the cure all to everything . . . work less, play more.
So, now we are years beyond the scuttlebutt between Mr. Moneybags and his pesky striking workers. How far have we gotten in this amount of time? We still have the arbitrary five day work week. Why? You'd think in this day and age we would have moved beyond the simple structure of punching the clock. I suppose in some small ways we have evolved . . . ever slightly. I know there are books on this out there -- "The 4 Day Work Week" being one of these. I really like the concept of working a day less each week. What if we all rose up and demanded such a thing? What if the 4 day work week became the norm, the new standard? It only seems fair that we balance out the amount of time spent working with the amount of time we spend resting and playing.
This thought somehow made me think of the role of government in our lives. I made some comment on Facebook that we should petition our congressman to help legislate the 4 day work week. Although I was merely jesting, one of my friends replied that this was just one more thing we would rely on the government to fix for us. I have been pondering this thought ever since. And this, dear blog readers, is what I came up with: perhaps the fundamental difference between those who take a more liberal bent to politics -- call them democrats if you will -- and those who are more conservative (i.e. republicans), is not the disagreements about pro-life or pro-choice nor is it about raising taxes, spending on social programs or even public health care. Nope. At the core, the difference is this: those who take a more liberal stance do so because in their heart of hearts they hold a certain pessimism toward humanity and our ability to care for one another as we should. Left to our own devices, liberals believe we wouldn't necessarily fulfill our duty of helping one another out. Conservatives, on the other hand, seem to believe that, if left to our own devices, things would be o.k. Survival of the fittest if you will . . . let the marketplace dictate how/when we act, let private industry adjust itself to supply and demand. I trully think this is the core philosophical difference between the right and the left. When you look at it from both sides, there is some merit and truth to both views. Both are essentially flawed but well intentioned. One wants to see the best in humanity realized but doesn't think we can do it alone. The other wants to be left alone and hopes humanity can rise to the occasion and demonstrate it's best.
I believe that, in its ideal, the government is there to protect and care for its people. They are the watchdog to make sure that we all have the right to pursue our own happiness. And, perhaps more importantly, I believe that we as humans often lose sight of this when we are caught up in elements of power and financial gain. Sometimes, the government needs to step in and right the wrongs. Now this doesn't mean that they should meddle in every single thing. We don't have to have a law for everything and I'm certainly not advocating laws of morality or value-based legislation. No. Instead, I'm thinking about Mr. Moneybags and how he is all about making more money to fill his bags. He wouldn't want to jeopardize his future profits by, oh I don't know, putting in proper ventilation or heating in his factories so his workers can breathe clean air and not freeze to death. He also wouldn't want to put more costly safety measures into practice or give people an hour for lunch or time off when their kids are sick. Let's see . . . what else wouldn't Mr. Moneybags want to do?
I think the recent Wall Street failures and economic struggles have shown us that when government stops regulating our human compulsions toward greed and power, really REALLY bad things can happen. We can't fight our own human frailties. Perhaps the best we can do is try to curtail them by putting checks and controls in place for ourselves.
Government is far from perfect. FAR from perfect. Afterall, politicians are human too. But, wouldn't a 4 day work week make us all just a little bit happier? Maybe that is the cure all to everything . . . work less, play more.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Dear Oprah....
Dear Oprah,
This is Abysmal. I know that I haven't always been good to you. I know that in the past I said some terrible things, like how I was going to sue your magazine for plagerism and how I thought that you can't possibly "know anything for sure" - I know...I know...I have been critical. And I'm SORRY that I work too late and don't have time to watch every episode.....
But....
But....
I buy your magazine. I have even purchased items from your sponsors...from the "O" recommendations.....I have gone so far as to read books that you have told me to read.....I am a closet fan. And let's face it, you are a GAHZILLIONAIRE.
So. I need you to know. My Ipod has died. It has DIED, Oprah! I cannot lose weight without it. Could you contact your angel network or whoever else you have control over...like maybe even Bill Gates... and get me a new one?
Love, Abysmal.
P.S. Don't make me go to Ellen with this issue.
This is Abysmal. I know that I haven't always been good to you. I know that in the past I said some terrible things, like how I was going to sue your magazine for plagerism and how I thought that you can't possibly "know anything for sure" - I know...I know...I have been critical. And I'm SORRY that I work too late and don't have time to watch every episode.....
But....
But....
I buy your magazine. I have even purchased items from your sponsors...from the "O" recommendations.....I have gone so far as to read books that you have told me to read.....I am a closet fan. And let's face it, you are a GAHZILLIONAIRE.
So. I need you to know. My Ipod has died. It has DIED, Oprah! I cannot lose weight without it. Could you contact your angel network or whoever else you have control over...like maybe even Bill Gates... and get me a new one?
Love, Abysmal.
P.S. Don't make me go to Ellen with this issue.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Google This
Decided to google my blog name tonight. That's My Best just happens to be the second hit when typed up as all one word with no punctuation. As I perused some of the other options, I found an interesting site filled with cartoons. Some of them were clever so thought I'd share.
This one reminded me of a post documenting Ozy's strange fascination with the litter box. Now I know why he is so enthralled. It gives him power! 
Couldn't agree more with this one. Seems, these days, we really have very little choice within our democratic system. We can choose lame option #1 or lamer option #2. The two party approach, despite all the vitriol and venom, pundits and pandering, masks a harsher reality of sameness, monotony and no true change. I, for one, was hoping for a change I could believe in, some big shake-ups and new thinking. Where is it? Although I believe the healthcare reform bill is a step in the right direction, it certainly didn't go far enough in curtailing the insurance companies greedy practices and leveling the playing field for everyone. When will we learn that capitalism and political power don't necessarily equate to justice, liberty and human kindness? Do we conform or cry out in muted protest? Sad. Sad. Sad.
And, on a completely unrelated note, Ozy turns 1 tomorrow. I probably need to get him a doggy cake, no? Happy Birthday cuddle pup!
This one reminded me of a post documenting Ozy's strange fascination with the litter box. Now I know why he is so enthralled. It gives him power! 
Couldn't agree more with this one. Seems, these days, we really have very little choice within our democratic system. We can choose lame option #1 or lamer option #2. The two party approach, despite all the vitriol and venom, pundits and pandering, masks a harsher reality of sameness, monotony and no true change. I, for one, was hoping for a change I could believe in, some big shake-ups and new thinking. Where is it? Although I believe the healthcare reform bill is a step in the right direction, it certainly didn't go far enough in curtailing the insurance companies greedy practices and leveling the playing field for everyone. When will we learn that capitalism and political power don't necessarily equate to justice, liberty and human kindness? Do we conform or cry out in muted protest? Sad. Sad. Sad.And, on a completely unrelated note, Ozy turns 1 tomorrow. I probably need to get him a doggy cake, no? Happy Birthday cuddle pup!
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