Well, I wrote a speech (sort of) for my Toastmaster contest.

I just don't think it's very good.  I don't know if I should scrap it and save myself the embarrassment, or go with it.  Since no one else is competing in my club, I'll automatically go to area.  And my skills and rep are probably good enough to get me to the division.  But that's where it could prove embarrassing.

I dunno.

Don't you think our harshest critics are ourselves?  I mean, really, most people probably don't care what you wear, what you drive or what your house looks like.  It isn't till we have someone get into our car or come over to our house that we start the apologies.

Maybe the speech is ok.  Someday, I'd love to do a highly political speech.  The only problem is that it would never make it at the higher levels.  The whole goal of Toastmaster's is to make you an effective speaker, not to bring a message.  So political speeches are out....

Someday.

Maybe one that talks about being an atheist.  Woof.  That would really not go over well considering most people equate atheist with devil worshiper.

Ah well.  I'll let you know how I did.

Well, I wrote a humorous speech. Well, sort of.

I had an old speech that I had done years ago on the subject of age. So I rearranged it, added a lot of new bits, took out a ton of bits. It's seems pretty funny. To me. Problem is that it needs to sound funny to Toastmaster's. That's where the problem may lie.

Hey, I'll try it. It either works or it doesn't.

On other news...

I've been following a blog lately (http://clergyguy.blogspot.com). It's written by a pastor who has chosen to keep his identity a secret. His tells of his doubts, his fears, his joys. Recently, he's had a discussion with an atheist call Camels with Hammers. They've been asking each other a variety of questions that I'm finding both question and answer quite fascinating. Here's an example:

“Of course the faithful doubt, Clergy Guy—doubt is a precondition of faith. Were religious believers to be certain and doubtless (even if wrong), then they wouldn’t be exercising a will to believe worth calling faith.”

Okay, no disagreement there.

However, some people actually insist that their issues of faith are really facts. And some insist that if we believe that we should not doubt at all. My thought is that people of faith should get to examine their doubts without being attacked. Your assertion is that one cannot have faith and truly allow oneself the opportunity for doubt. It has to be one or the other.

I disagree. I not only stand up for the right to be ambivalent, I also say it is necessary. Some atheists seem every bit as militant in their positions as the arch conservative evangelical Christians are about theirs. I want to ask people on at both extremes this question: “Surely, you are not claiming that you understand all things, are you? Surely there is room for questions and doubts.”

The Italics being the Camel Guy, bold Clergy Guy.  (Geez, you know they could at least use their middle names...)

I have to say, I agree with CG...err...Clergy Guy.  Why can't I be ambivalent?  I think I'm more of a skeptic, than I am an atheist.  Saying I'm an atheist shocks people, so I like saying it.  However, a more accurate statement from me is, "I don't know if there is a god, but I doubt one exists".  Doesn't fall under the agnostic category either.

I can't say as I know for sure, because really, I don't.  No one can say for sure.  I know most Christians I know can say for sure they don't believe in Zeus, the Flying Spaghetti Monster or Buddah.  But to say you know for sure it's Christ that is the/a savior?  How do you know?  Because the Bible says so?  Ok...what makes the Bible the end all? Because it says it is? Circular logic just eludes me.

Anyway, I wrote all that, to tell you to visit Clergy Guy and read some of what he's written.  So far, he's right about the only Christian that I can listen to without rolling my eyeballs.  Well, there are a couple of others, but they are few and far between.

Ok.  I just wanted to say something, since I know it was a shock to some of you to hear me call myself an atheist.  I guess I'm really a polyatheist.  There are many gods I don't believe in.

Have a great day....

I recently had an epiphany. I was feeling a bit miserable about my job situation. I have a new boss who tends to be a micro-manager and she's been getting on my case. It was making me miserable at work. I'm not the only one. The atmosphere at work has been terrible.

So my epiphany. My basic life philosophy is that life is short, and not one person or thing can make me happy. It is my choice to do so.

For me to let work aggravate me to a point of unhappiness goes against what I believe in. So on Friday, as I drove into work I decided to go with my epiphany. It was amazing how the difference in the atmosphere. I never really thought much how much I motivate the people.

So I'm feeling rather awesome about that. Does it change the situation any? Nah, but it sure changes how I feel about the situation. I feel happy.


A few years ago, I wrote a blog on Bebo, when I had an account...I revisited some of them and felt like reposting them here, since I think no one read that blog. So because I'm feeling awesome, I'm repopsing it:

Today I feel awesome.



I have been inspired by my friend Jack (and also Tom Green) to tell you who I think is awesome. Who inspires me. Mind you, this is just a partial list...

Douglas Adams is awesome. Hitchhicker's Guide to the Galaxy is hilarious (the book, not the movie). Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare are all awesome. JK Rowling is awesome. She created an incredible fantasy world that is fascinating to kids and adults alike.

Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, George Romero, John Carpenter, Woody Allen Alfred Hitchcock are all awesome. They have kept me going back to the big screen for years, even when it's being reproduced on the little screen.

Sting is awesome. As is Queen, Chicago, Beethoven, Louis Armstrong, The Killers, Tupac, Marilyn Manson, Type O Negative, PFR, Jars of Clay, the Beatles, and Queen Latifa. They move me in so many different ways.

Whoever the writers are of Lost, Arrested Development, the 4400, The Dead Zone are House are, I think they are awesome. They have entertained me like nothing else can. Usually for an hour at a time.

The 3 Stooges, The Marx Brothers, Eddie Murphy, Eddie Izzard, Ellen DeGeneres, Rita Rudner, Drew Carey, Bill Cosby, Bob Newhart, the first cast of SNL, Carol Burnett, Eddie Kovacs, Lenny Bruce, Milton Berle are all awesome. They showed me I could be different, especially if I was funny at it.

Albert Einstein is awesome. You should read some of the things he said. Princess Diana, Ghandi, Mother Theresa, Christopher Reeve, Thomas Edison, Abraham Lincoln, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr are all awesome. They let us all know that greatness is just a helping hand away.



And, of course, my child is awesome.

These are all people I would like to have met in my life. I'm amazed at the people that I have met. You are some of the biggest inspiration. You are the ones I actually have gotten the chance to live with, to laugh with, to cry with.

One of my questions in my quiz is who would I like to meet most. My friend Galen said he was surprised that I didn't say Ghandi instead of Jesus. World Peace, eh, anyone can achieve World Peace with a little effort. But raising people from the dead, now that sounds like a discussion I would love to have...

Of course, this list is partial. It only hits the tip of the iceberg.

So take a moment and think of who has inspired you, or moved you. Take a moment and list as many as you can. It's good therapy.

I just saw an ad for the tv show "More to Love":



Apparently, a plus size guy gets to choose from plus size girls...

Why can't it be a hot guy instead of a plus size guy? Why is it assumed that only a plus size guy can appreciate a plus size girl? I've dated many hot guys and I'm a plus size girl. Perhaps reality show exec have an unrealistic view of the world (Shocker, I know.) Do they really think there are that many shallow men? I'm sure there are those extremists, just like in religion or politics, and they're the ones that get the PR.



I watched a little bit of the episode on Hulu. I'm not a reality show junkie, so I don't know what the others look like, but the snippets of the girl's interviews made me sad. Granted, the editors of the show has to whittle down hours of material into 30 seconds, but the tone was bothersome. It made it sound like these girls were desperate, never having known what love is, never being asked on a date.

And they were beautiful women.

Is it society that makes the men with feelings not say what they really think about women? Are the hot guys just worried that their buddies are going to laugh at them because they date a bigger girl?

Or was I just lucky in nabbing the brave, hot guys...

How about we just teach our kids that everyone deserves a chance to show what's within?

Grrrr.....

More to Love indeed...

I'm telling you, I have writer's block.

Why, I just don't know.

I have been through quite a bit in the last few months. However, to put it in to words...I just don't know.
Between wanting to write here, wanting to write speeches for Toastmasters I've just felt overwhelmed.

I suppose I should start with my step dad. As those of you few who read have known, he wasn't my favorite person in the world. I never understood why my mother would keep going back to him, fight after fight. The names he would call us. The fighting, a destroyed house, I could go on.

He passed away March 30.

Do I feel a bit a sadness? Nah. Well, maybe for my mom. My mom being that devout Christian who is convinced that he is in heaven. Blurg....first of all, I don't believe that such a place exists. Secondly, THIS man? Seriously? This of course leads to the question he being the man he was, and almost up to the last day still was, why did I do all that I did?

What did I do, you ask?

My mom called me on a Wednesday night, frightened because he fell down and couldn't get back up. She called me before she called the ambulance. I'm told the elderly do this....so I told her to call 911 and call me back...
...he had had a stroke. My mother can hardly walk. He was taking care of her. Now he couldn't even take care of himself. So I took FMLA from work and flew out to TX. I left my child in the care of her dad. While he is the best dad in the world, I wouldn't be with my child who is my world.

I went with the intention of getting my mother hooked up with Hospice care for him (he also had terminal lung cancer and kidney cancer) and office of the aging and any other agency I could find. What I came to was my asshole stepfather in a nursing home that was the worst. I didn't care who he was or what he did, I couldn't leave him there.

So talked to my brother. He had pretty much had it with him a few months back, and my mother and step took off because that's what my mother has always done. Run away. Something I've found myself doing many times. Until I finally stopped. Well, that's another blog....

Anyhow...I told my brother the situation, and that with the stroke the step no longer talks, walks, yells, or throw things. He agreed to take them in yet again. My 'rents were living in a trailer that was tiny. They needed a home.

We tried to figure out the best way to get them to CA. The plane wouldn't work, he needed too much attention. So I canceled my plane back to NY, extended my rental car, loaded whatever I could from their home and drove from Del Rio TX to Nipomo CA. He was in the back seat laying down and sleeping most of the way. He couldn't eat. I knew he was dying. I knew my mom couldn't do it alone. We stopped once for an overnight, I had to use the one wheelchair to load him into the hotel, then go back and get my mom and load her into the hotel. After that I said I wasn't stopping again...

And I didn't...you should see all the sights I saw...





I did the drive in a day and a half. I was determined to get there. And I did. I got their on a Thursday early morning. On Friday, I got up and started calling. I got him his old doctor, I got Hospice coming in Monday, I got Office of the Aging sending me material for Meals on Wheels and other programs. I got my return ticket to leave from LA instead of in TX on Wednesday. I rested on Saturday. I had to help him get to the bathroom and get all cleaned up. On Sunday, he looked good. Was happy and smiling, watching football.

Early on Monday morning, I heard the strangest noise from their bedroom. When I went to investigate, he had phlegm coming from his lungs and he was on his back. My mother never woke or heard him. So I quickly turned him on his side till it was out and he was breathing again. I cleaned him up again. His color turned so very weird. He was having a hard time breathing. It was very labored.

At noon, he looked terrible. My mom and I were exhausted. I wiped his face once again and told him not to be scared. We were going to be in the living room. I told him it was his turn to clean the house. He was able to smile. So my mom and I went into the living room. I could hear him breathing. And then he wasn't. I knew he wasn't. So I got up to make sure. No pulse. My nephew, who is a nurse happened to be there, but taking a shower. So I went and asked him to double check. He came out and agreed he was gone.

The fire department came and was ready to restart his heart. Thankfully, the step had given me Power of Attorney and Health Care Proxy. I showed them the papers, explained he was terminal and no extraordinary measures were to be taken.

So I was on the phone yet again. Calling cousins, doctors, work, travel agent. Thankfully for the cousins they all got together and donated money instead of flowers because I would have had to bury him in the back yard. They bought two plots (weirdly, it was buy one, get one half off) but they only took cash. I still ended up paying for the funeral, the casket, the embalming, the casket flowers, the canceled plane tickets, and a change of plans for the rental car.

So we had a funeral. I think my mother needed it.



It was the cheapest casket, but it was still quite nice. I don't believe in funerals...you all know about that...check out my "Life the Universe and Everything" blog. I'd do a link but I'm a web weenie. I have no clue how...

Even with the cousins help, I'm now in debt for over 10 grand. I was debt free before.

So again the question, why did I do all that I did?

Because I'm a humanist. I believe in a human being's power to change the crap that infiltrates our every day life. And whether he was right or wrong, he was still a person. The whole heaven thing...whatever. But I know I did all I could while he was alive. Energy is energy, if it's karma, golden rule, positive, negative, whatever.

So there it is. Maybe this is the start of the end of my writer's block.

We'll see tomorrow...

Ok. I admit to being a techno weenie. I love my computer as long as it works.

It hasn't worked for the last few weeks. Slowly, like plague on an unsuspecting country, a virus attacked the hallowed ground I call my virtual heaven.

Thankfully, I have a computer guy.

Not the original computer guy. The original computer guy (the same that built my system) was 14 when I first had him enter my house and build my majestic monolith. Now, he's 17, has a job, a girlfriend, and a car. You think I could get him to my house??? Oh no. So I have a new computer guy.
He saved all my not backed up pictures and everything....

...don't yell at me. I'm buying an external hard drive soon....

And speaking of buying...

I bought a car. It's just the time to do it. If you have the means, I highly recommend it. They are practically giving them away!




It's a 2008 Nissan Sentra. 6 speed, automatic windows, 6 airbags, kickin' stereo....I got it brand spankin' new for cheap. I tell you, they are giving the 2008's away...

...what else....

Well, I admit to being a Facebook whore. More specifically, the status part...I love reading what people are doing. I love to comment on their statuses. How fucking invading is that?? But I can't seem to help myself. In fact, I'm hardly ever on my MySpace page. Isn't that weird. I used to be such a My Space bitch. Ah well. Times they are a changing...

It's time for another Toastmaster contest. Guess what? I've got severe writer's block. I can't write a speech to save my life! It's weird. Usually I can pop those puppies right out. Now I'm just dragging. It was torture just to come to LJ and figure out what to write! It took me days just for this lousy piece of crap entry.

You know May is coming up, and that's your chance to come to my house to eat and drink heavily! Set aside the date of May 9th!! It's the 5th annual Cinco De Mayo party!! Someone is going to get naked, I'm sure!

Is anyone watching BSG??




I just can't believe peeps aren't watching this magnificent show...I'm on the edge of my seat with the writing and the characters are phenomenal! Really, get on the stick people. 'Course, now you have to rent the prior 4 seasons since we're down to the last 4 episodes EVER!!

Ok. That's about all I can squeeze out of my brain today. It's really frustrating not having anything to say...

I know...I said every day.....and here we are 3 months later...

I've been having some probs with my computer. I seem to have caught a trojan that just won't go away. Reminds me of some men I've dated.

Hopefully my computer guy will come around and take a look at it before tax time. When he built my computer, he was 14. Now that he's 17 he actually has a life and a driver's license, so it's harder to pin him down.

So we had Christmas. That was fun. We scaled back quite a bit. Well, let me rephrase...I scaled back quite a bit. Howie for some ungodly reason still felt Jilly needed MORE toys. He's such dad. But it was good all the way around.

I mean, seriously, did she really need a racetrack? Or did he need it....?




Of course, I thought she needed an MP3 player...




Really, though, this Christmas was so much less than last year. In fact, last year I had a lot done on my credit cards. This year, all cash. I have no debt from Christmas. And she still had a great time.

I know seeing me celebrate Christmas is rather strange. The confessed atheist celebrating a religious holiday that was set up from a pagan ritual. Can't get much weirder than that. It's more than that for me. I remember being a kid that didn't celebrate Christmas, not merely because of my mother's heritage, but mostly because we were so poor. That was hard going to school after the holidays. Everyone with their new Christmas clothes and toys. And me with nothing. As much as I try not to put the effects of my past on my child, I find it resurfaces.

Christmas (Winter solstice, Hannakauh, Kwanzaa, whatever) is not just a materialistic holiday. It's a chance for me to not let my child have the same disappointments that I had. Of course my childhood also included lots of alcohol and name calling, which she has never nor will never receive from me. The disappointments weren't just toys and clothes. They were seeing others being treated less. When we treat others as less than ourselves, we deny them the opportunity to grow beyond their potential.
More importantly, the Christmas 'spirit' is one where our fellow man can be treated like a human. Certainly, I try to convey this type of "spirit" in everyday life.
So do I celebrate Christmas? Sure! I celebrate the idea that love can circle the globe in one night, and we can come together in peace and in love. Call me an idealist.

And what did you do this holiday?

Today is Jillian's birthday. Her 9th, in fact. Today I feel that she is just as incredible as she was when she was first born.

You know, I was thinking while I was in the shower (my usual spot to think), that she is a happy kid. I remember growing up with alcoholic parents, being super poor, just being a miserable teenager, and I knew I didn't want that to be given to my children. Oh, and I wanted to have a dozen kids, like in the Walton's (irony, eh?).

Of course once I was told that I would never have kids, it just threw that out the window. Most of that was my own fault, having made choices in the past that affected my physical being.

Once the doc told me I was pregnant, everything changed because nothing else mattered. Nothing. Even today, nothing else matters. I knew I wasn't going to spank her with a belt. I knew I wasn't going to leave her alone for long periods of time by herself while I went out drinking. I knew I wasn't going to subject her to my whims at the expense of her own identity. I knew I was never going to scream at her, calling her unspeakable names.

And I haven't. There were some days when I had to withdraw into myself rather than try to repeat my past, but I didn't do to her what had been done to me. I think it's made her a happy child.

She is one amazing child. I keep thinking that each year is the best ever. Then the next year happens and IT'S the best year ever. So ever December 2nd, is the greatest day for me.

I asked her what she wanted for breakfast, since it's her special day. She said chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. So last night I made a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.

And we're going to have it for our special birthday breakfast!

Life is too short not to have chocolate cake for breakfast!

You're probably wondering what they have in common....they're three things Ima gonna write about...

I know, I know...it's been a long time since I've written.

Sure, Life happens. And everyday I think, I really should write something. Then I get lazy. Which, I've found out is really me. I'm lazy....
So, let me tell you what's been going on...

In September, the group Fireflight came to my little town. Fireflight, is a Christian Rock Band. Now before you get all, WTF on me, let me explain....

Back in the day, I used to be a youth leader for a church. Yeah, I know, you're probably still saying WTF. I've since changed a bit. Quite a bit, actually. Back then I had a big heart for teens and young adults. Still do. Anyhew, there was a family in particular that I just loved to pieces, the Thomas'. I particularly got to know Wes and Wendy. Incredibly fun peeps.

Back to current day...Wendy is now the bass player for Fireflight. Once I found this out, I bought their album. Sure, it's Christian music, but it also rocks. Check them out...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCUfHQSsC2c" />

Jilly has been listening to them with me and she loves Fireflight. In September, they went on tour and one of the spots turned out to be near here. We went and checked them out. We had a great time. Jilly is loving the backstage and meeting them all..




Jilly and Dawn the lead singer






With Phee the drummer, and now thanks to him she wants to drum ALL THE TIME...





With Wendy, all grown up...and black hair!! I managed to find some pictures from back when she had short blonde hair...I don't think she appreciated me sharing them with her bandmates...





they rock...seriously...




Her hat was autographed by the whole band. She's still proud of that hat.

I was really surprised by what a great show they put on and the number of people that showed up. They really are a fantastic group. They're also competing at the Taco Bell Feed the Beat contest. If you have the time to vote for them, please do so. http://feedthebeat. com

Now for the Great Pumpkin, which is my daughter...

Halloween was the usual grab as much candy day. Jilly wanted to be Dale Jr.




She has never, ever, wanted to be a princess or anything like that. She has always wanted to be Superheroes like Spiderman, Batman, Superman. No, not Supergirl, Superman. And that is fine with me. I think it's good to allow her to explore who she is, who she wants to be, without me telling her who she SHOULD be. Let me tell you, she is happier for it. And that's all I want.

She was definitely happy with the candy she got...




Does she really need all this? Nah, I'll take most of it to work...






Yeah, he says he was checking it...but he was looking for what he wanted....





someone gave money instead of candy...if only ALL the houses did....


And now for the Sci-Fi party...

Whew. I'm tired of doing this. I swear, I'll write everyday from now on....yeah, well, maybe...

The Sci-Fi Party....
My good friend Thea turned 50 yesterday, her wife wanted to have a surprise birthday party for her but she knew she couldn't do it without Thea knowing about it. So I, being that party kinda girl, said "no problem". Since Thea loves Sci-Fi, I made it with a Sci-Fi theme. She was very surprised




And I decided to really do up the Sci-Fi theme...






I made a starfield. Jilly and I glued all the stars to a black table cloth. We also cut out and pasted different Sci-Fi peeps...as well as pointed out some aliens..






"To serve man"..get it?


And of course the food was named appropriately:












The decorations were great:



I made the aliens with silver balloons and a Sharpie. I put funny sayings on the other side like "Roswell that ends well" and "I just came from Uranus and boy are my probes tired". I think I'm funny..



Who doesn't love Area 51 ooze??



And star shaped munchie dishes...
And of course a stunning cheesecake (not made from mutilated cow milk):



Everyone had fun:


Ok..maybe Tim had too much fun..



It was great!

Ok...that's all you get from me today...I'll try and keep up...but you know how it is.

I will say that my job is still the best ever, my child is awesome, and I'm loving life. Maybe my finances could be a little better, but I'm learning to deal with my needs and not my wants till I get a little more stable. Over all, it's still a great life!!

I hope yours is too....

L the Amazing

I'm sure you've probably heard by now, my good friend Dennis passed away recently.

He was was a great guy. Just so full of life and love. And how he loved Jilly. And his beer. So boisterous. In a moment's notice he would go from laughing to calling you a motherfrakker. "don't get me started!" He would always say.

His passing away just got me thinking about my own life. You know, the usual that runs thru your head.....Is this how I want my memorial to be? Is my life what I expect it? How many people will show up? Will I be around as a mist???

I guess no one really knows do they. There all kinds of speculation, but no one really knows. I suppose we believe in whatever we want to believe in, in order to find comfort from the pain of someone being gone.

As I listened to the "spiritual" message being read in a most droll manner, it didn't bring comfort to me whatsoever. I've only recently determined for my own self that life is a random happenstance. I no longer think that life happens for a reason. It just happens. It's what we make of "the happenings" that makes a difference. I suppose it does help those of you that believe in a higher power to know or feel that what you're going through is for a reason. And that's ok for you. To me, that makes no sense whatsoever. Once I was able to come to terms with that for my ownself, I knew happiness. For the first time in years, I'm happy.

Howie and I were talking at the viewing of Dennis. Things we'd want differently done at our own. I was saying I want to be creamated, and tell everyone they have to wear bright clothing, none of that black shit.

Put my urn up at the front of the room, and right next to it, a Dustbuster...cuz you know someone is going to be drunk at my memorial and knock that crap over.

And how about some happy music? You know something great from the 80's...like...Romeo Void. How great to hear "I might like you better if we slept together" over the loud speakers. Oh yeah..you'd know it was from me.





Or maybe, for grins.. Men at Work...you know, I'm not really dead, it's just a mistake..






Yeah...I know. but I've always been one for laughter. Most of you know that about me. Some of you think you know me, and are just now finding out I'm not what you thought....

After the calling hours and the burial, we went to Maurie's house and did the usual eating and drinking. I might have drunk a lil' bit too much...And it dawned on me...Funerals aren't for the dead. They're for the living. I'll be gone in to the great nothing and will not even care whether or not anyone is laughing or telling great Lisa (or Wilsa) stories. I won't know a dang thing. So, I guess, really it doesn't matter that I want it to be light, that I want happy memories instead of sad resignation. It'll be whatever whose left behind wants. So I'll leave money so you can skip the funeral and the boring ties and go straight to the house and eat and drink.

Because that's when we remembered Denny the best, at Maurie's house. We remembered how he was alive, and things he would have said. We were teary eyed, but dammit, we were remembering him the way he would want to be remembered. Remember him and his love of beer, his love of Nascar, his love of his family.

Ah well.

So, hey, maybe you'll remember, maybe not. Howie and I have standing orders to fulfill whatever will make the one left behind feel better. So if you do come to my memorial, don't be offended by the crazy music and the hawaiian shirts.

Just remember me.
As I am. Which is perfectly content.

Day two.....

The second day of Shore Leave is always full of stuff to do and to see. Just about everyone dresses up...well, maybe not everyone. But the ones that do are interesting characters:








They wear some interesting clothing...including the shoes...



There are all kinds of panel discussions and events to attend. There are stars (well, stars to us geeks) to sign autographs and opportunities to meet them. George Takei was there (for those non Trek people, he played Sulu in the original series). Towaway actually happens to be friends with him. Well, at least he likes to think he is.....in any case, he wanted us to as GT to let him be the ring bearer at his wedding to his long time partner....since Cozi was getting an autograph, he left it to him to ask. Cozi wussed out. Apparently we need to get better fitting man-panties for Cozi.

I'm not an autograph hound like the FL crew is. They will stand in line till their legs are falling off just to get a signature....
I did go to a panel discussion on Battlestar Galactica (for a good laugh, check out my blog on what a BSG geek I am...). It was fun, we were just talking and speculating when BAM! In walks Mark Shepard. Well, yeah, I'm in BSG geek heaven!!




Oh he is adorable!!

And, no, I didn't ask for his autograph. It was enough to know that he is a huge fan of BSG himself.

Another thing about Shore Leave is the essence of any Star Trek fan club. Charity. We're big on giving back to the community. there are art auctions, raffles, food drives and so many other things at Shore Leave. I usually give blood on Saturday and start drinking when I'm done. This year they didn't have the blood mobile on Saturday, but they did have a drive for bone marrow. So, hey, what the heck I sign up. This entails you swabbing the inside of your mouth. With long q tips (cue the jokes). It was painless and close to 12, so I finish there and back to find the Wicked Princess. She was sitting poolside:




I gather her up and head for the room. It's drinking time!

We at least waited till 12:01. We also decided to stick to So Co shots and beer. I had the perfect floaty feeling all day long. ALL DAY LONG!!!

The night fell like snuggly blanket, and we made ready for the Masquerade and Ten Forward dance. We looked good:




We met a great guy, Erich, who had shown Moni and I the moon and Jupiter thru his telescopes:



Looking at the stars reminded me of my hobby I once had. I could name the constellations, knew how the horizon should look. I lost all of that once I got pregnant, and it really made me want to get back into it.

So it was time for the Masquerade. I have to say, it was incredibly disappointing this year. There were very few entries, and not very good ones. There was a clever Bear in the Big Blue Tardis...but if you didn't know who either one was, you were lost:












Just not anything outstanding. Cozi was bored so he stole my camera and snapped a picture of my boobs:



So we went back and got more booze....and more....Cozi and Kenny were wearing matching wedding shirts:



We continued with some drunk dialing to Towaway. Just to make him feel worse. Didn't matter. It was partytime!
It was grand. They threw us off schedule with karaoke being done at the same time as Ten Forward. Karaoke is usually done on Friday nights. And let me tell you, you haven't experience anything till you been to karaoke with Dave (The Hey) Adams. He used to be a BIG man (now he's much smaller) and he'd sit in the back and yell "YOU SUCK"! He is such a supporter of the arts...
But it didn't matter. We got to more drinking and let the party begin. Kenny decided to get his manpanties moving to the groove:







As you can see, Cozi of the land of no rhythm just sat..and drank so more. So they conspired to teach him. Or they were conspiring for dates...



Either way, hopeless.

Another fantastic day. The next day was pretty slow. We were all getting over our hangovers, though I have to admit, I wasn't bad at all. No headache.

We just lounged, Moni did the pool, Denise and Thea spent time with Denise's cousin. We ate our Dead Dog dinner at Silver Springs Mining Company:



And just like that, Shore Leave ended.

I took the FL crew to the airport bright and early on Monday. Kenny and Cozi were drinking Mojitos at 6 am. On our way back, we got a call from Cozi:

"Hi! We're back in West Palm Beach."

"Great! You made it safe."

"More or less. There were 30 people on the plane....all the luggage made it, except for one of the passengers. Guess who?"

"okaaay..."

" Yup. Kenny's. But the best part is that the keys to the car that's sitting in the airport waiting for us is in his bag!"

I was roaring with laughter. I actually called an hour later while driving home and left simply a message on his voice mail of me laughing.

Good times. Good friends....

I made it home safe. My child had put up a picture that said "Welcome Home Mama". She ran out to greet me. But it wasn't my child that hugged me. It was Cousin It:






I said "Child! Did you take a shower at all while I was gone?!?" She replied that she did. ON FRIDAY. I looked at Howie and said "Howard!! Friday??" He shrugged his shoulders and said she went in the pool on Sunday! As if that was enough to clean her up!

Oye.

I guess she had her own mini vacation with Daddy.

And there you have it. Another amazing adventure had by all. Great isn't it?

You should hear the stuff I DIDN'T write about......

Shore Leave 30 baby!! There's nothing like it....!!!

A weekend of drinking and debauchery.....and man panties....

Shore Leave is one of the biggest, fan run science fiction cons ever! And it is incredible. The first time I went, was in 1996. It was just me, Jack (Towaway) and James (Cozi) driving up to Maryland from Florida.

In a Dodge Neon....and we slept in it 'cause the cheap bastards wouldn't get a hotel room on the way up. Ever try sleeping in a Neon? At any height and weight??

As George Takei would say, "Oh my!".

Once we got there, I was hooked.

Since then, I've only missed a few. Even Jilly went with me one year. She was all of 10 months old.

This year ranks up there with being one of the best. The only downfall was that Jack couldn't make it, the frakker. We four, Thea (the Amazon), Denise (the diva), Monique (the princess) and me (my nick name changes every year...and not till we leave...this year it's stargazer..) leave right on time. Meaning I said 8am and we left 45 minutes later. C'mon! A diva AND a princess??? We're lucky it wasn't later...we're set to meet the FL crew (Cozi, Cheryl and Kenny) down in Maryland.

So we get our Dunkin Donuts coffee and head out. The two high maintenace girls managed only one stop down this time. I admit, as I get older, I can't drive as long as I used to. So we stopped at the town that every BSG geeks want to live in:



Simply because we wanted a picture. Ok ok. So I did...see prior blog...but we continued on uneventfully. At the end of the four hour drive, as we jokingly talked about last year we see our Mecca....HUNT VALLEY!!
(cue the music).

We unload everything and immediately start to unpack. First up, the booze....
I brought JD, mango rum, pinapple rum, hot damn, doc mcgillicuddy's and 2 -12 packs of beer. That's a lot of booze. It's important to remember it...

The Princess and I dig in to the booze. Shots of rum go down smoothly...I get a little light headed, or a little "floaty". Great! So Moni decides to go to the pool and drags me along. Meanwhile we catch up with Cozi and Co. and go to the pool....



You have to understand Cozi and I. It's been a love/hate relationship since 1994. So I had to put up that picture. I had to. Don't worry Cozi, some day, I may use Photoshop for you....

We (both FL and NY crews) go to have ribs on the first night. At the Corner Stable. The best ribs ever!!



We then decide that since it's the Princess' birthday, she should be sung to. She didn't like that idea much:



So we thought we'd have some beer floats:



Nah, not really. But it looked funny. Back to the hotel.
I have, in the meanwhile, managed to lose my buzz. Strangely, it happened all night long. I'd have a shot then then blam, nothing. I got to a point where I figured I was just wasting alcohol.

I think Cozi and Kenny thought I was wasting it too. So we decided to have our own party:









I was standing by the TV when I noticed a bundle of fabric. I picked it up and said "WTF is this?"



Cheryl, thinking she was helping, said, "That's what Kenny sleeps in" I starting laughing as soon as Monique yelled out "ewwww...they're his MAN-PANTIES".

There goes that buzz.

So we go to the pool to hang.



And do a lil' bit of drunken dialing to Towaway:



Remember that list of booze? We drank it. ALL of it. All but some of the beer. And I didn't get drunk at all. The rest of them however....were funny as shit. We went and harassed Batgirl:



And had no problems getting frisked by the police:



Ok...I didn't get frisked. But not for lack of wanting to...he was cute!!

And what happens at Shore Leave stays at Shoreleave...
...except once I start blogging....

Anyway....So it's off to bed. Up early the next morn. Moni and I go get breakfast at Starbucks. We're up super early so we go to Walmart to get a few things. Cozi texts us to ask if we're going to stop by the liquor store. At 8 in the fucking morning!! Talk about your alcholics! So I told him that the liquor store was closed. He then texts his order for McDonalds. I told him that McDonalds was closed too....

Ok...there's your first part. I really got to go to bed!!

Yup. I am officially a BSG (or Battlestar Galactica) geek.

I tried not to be one. You know. I watched the first one and wasn't amazed. Starbuck, a female??? Are you kidding me???

But Jack (oh that frakker Capt. Jack) said, "no...you have to watch it.....Mojo is involved and you just gotta give it a second try..."

So I did. I rented the series on my Netflix. And let me tell you, I wasn't too happy about taking up 3 of my precious spots to see this show with a female Starbuck...pfft...




But then something clicked....the show started to be...dare I say...INTERESTING....
the writing was great. The production was fantastic. And the men...oy...

I fell for it. Hook, line and Cylons.

Everything was BSG for me. I started saying "Frak" whenever I could. I do it at work. Amazing...I didn't get into trouble.

A female Starbuck??? All of a sudden, she was incredible. She was kick ass without being a lesbian (and before you try to kick my ass about it, you and I both know that strong females are usually shown on TV to be lesbians as if straight women can't kick ass). She was the bomb.

The twists and turns grabbed hold of me more than a Bugatti Veyron on a freshly paved mountain road in California. I couldn't wait for each continuing episode to see what the 'skin jobs' were going to get away with.

It spread throughout everything. For example, Capt. Jack has a multitude of Santa's (you know, as in Claus). So I sent him a button that has Santa with glowing red Cylon eyes that reads "Merry Frakkin' Christmas". Well, I had to get one or two for myself as well.

I entered a contest to see the season finale in Seattle and won!! Go to my blog about being in Seattle, I don't need to repeat myself here....

And....I got an offer for a credit card. Not any credit card mind you...a credit card with the BSG frakkin' logo on it!!! Talk about your BSG geek heaven.

Behold:



A good credit card? Not really. High interest rates kept me from using it regularly. I only used it for Shoreleave. You know, so OTHER geeks could be jealous.

Oh yes. I am geeked out.

But my real geeking out came this past Friday. I received a letter from Chase telling me that my Universal Chase card was no longer going to be valid and was changing to a flexible account card.

Wait, what???

They were going to be issuing me a new card WITHOUT the BSG logo for the new account.

Oh, yes very disappointed was I. But that's not the geek part.
Here's the geek part...it kind of went like this...

"Chase Bank, how can I help you?"

"Uh, yeah, I'd like to cancel my card"

"Well, Ms Stuckey we see that not only do you have excellent credit, but we see that you're beautiful too"(ok...maybe not THAT last bit). "We would like to lower your interest rate to 9% just by staying with Chase."

"No thank you. I really just want to cancel it."

"Well, let me offer you 1500 flexible accounts to transfer to your new account if you choose to stay with Chase."

"No, really. I just want to close the frakkin account" (I really said frakkin')

"But ma'am, if you will stay with Chase we'll not only increase your credit line but we'll send a personal massage therapist right to your door..."

"Don't make me angry" I said, starting to turn green. "You wouldn't like me when I'm angry..."

"But ma'am, if you'll just reconsider...."

This was where the geek kicked in. It was this point that I lost it.

"Listen lady. There is one and only one reason I even had your card which had no value to me whatsoever!! That is because it had a logo of Battlestar Galactica on it!! And unless you can guarantee me a new card with the entire cast on the front of said new card and hand delivered by Tahmoh Penikett...then CANCEL MY ACCOUNT NOW!!!"

After about 15 seconds of silence....I'm certain she was trying to see if she could accomplish this action. "As you like", she said....very quietly...I'm sure she was wondering who Tahmoh Penikett was...

It was at that moment I knew I was lost to Ron Moore. Curse you Ron Moore and the Cylon raider you rode in on!!

Arrrgh...even my insults have to have BSG references.......

What am I going to do when the series ends!?!?!?

I guess I'll go get my Lithium prescription filled now....

Holy cow. I got to see the Police in concert. It only took me 30 frakkin years to see them. And it was worth the wait.....Elvis Costello opened for them. He sucked.

The show they put on was unbelievable. The lighting, the sound..the production all the way around was fantastic!

I even had a great time with Howie. Some times, he has a tendency to not be so much fun...he can't help it. He's really fucking smart. You know how really smart people can be. But we had such an incredible time. He even dance and sang with me.

Of course, how could you not...it was The Police, dammit!!

I know, I'm old. I don't care. I loved every bit of it.




Our seats were not sooooo bad...it looks worse in the picture. The worst was the lady sitting next to me...I think her perfume smelled like body odor...


smoke break



They had such an incredible light system!! The production was unbelievable


And the big screen in the back was the bomb....



We listened to the Police all the way back home. Howie made it in 3 hours. From Buffalo to Whitney Point...whew...must've been driving a little fast....but we talked almost all the way back. Just to round out a most perfect evening.

And weirdly, we ate BBQ chicken. Well, that wasn't weird. What was weird was that I swallowed a bone. I know, it's not a porno thing. I really swallowed a fucking bone!! It hurt going all the way down (I know, not helping the image...) I'm wondering what's going to happen once it reaches the end. If you hear a lot of screaming, you'll know it's me....

If you get a chance to see the Police, I highly recommend it..

And BTW Happy Cinco de Mayo....you gonna be at my house for drinks??





I was able to take one picture of us together....but I'd used up all my battery power so the flash didn't work...




He has a great smile doesn't he?

Ok...so..first of all, it has been confirmed that I do have strep throat. Can you frakkin' believe it? I'm now on antibiotics to cure my disease. And you know all that fun stuff that come with antibiotics...everything tastes like shit....

Where was I?

ok...so we made it to Orlando...yay!! Now, going back to the Priceline thing, when you book a hotel, there are no refunds period. So for my hotel, I paid for that first night even though we didn't get to sleep there, nice...and paid for another hotel in Philly. Double nice. Cuz, I'm made of money....

The only saving grace was this hotel we stayed at in Orlando. It was wonderful! The Holiday Inn Express. The rooms were spotless and big, they gave you free breakfast which included bacon, eggs, cinnamon buns etc. And the staff was fantastic! The grounds were clean (J said all the trees were funny in Florida)




She's never seen palm trees.

And they provide shuttle service to the major parks. Our first night there We get back to the hotel, drop our stuff and call down for a cab. We had reservations to a dinner (magic) show at WonderWorks. Wonderworks is a hands on science museum. Any of you who know J knows she would much rather go to a museum than an amusement park....so we explored the museum.

She got to pose in an astronaut's suit





She got to see what it's like in a capsule





and so many more exhibits. It was way cool. After we explored the museum, we got to go the dinner show. All you can eat pizza, salad and popcorn. The magician was phenomenal. He was funny and did some great tricks too. J got to be a part of the act






She thought she was the bomb. I got to get in on it too. I had the only $100 bill in the place....so he used me and my bill. It was pretty wild, he pulled my bill out of a lemon that was cut in half. I know it's all slight of hand but it was still mindblowing.



Our vacation was starting to look up!!

The next day, we go to the Magic Kingdom. Shuttle arrives 15 minutes late, but still no prob. We get on the Monorail to take us to the Magic Kingdom. It starts, then stops. Then starts, then stops....it had pulled out a bit past the station and stops completely. We waited 20 minutes in the stalled Monorail.




I kid you not. We were stuck on the Monorail!!! I was laughing hysterically. I called Jack and Moni just to let them know because I found it soooo funny. J of course said I embarrassed her. Oh well. It builds character.

We finally made it and had a blast.




And for some reason, we got real lucky in the lines. We hardly had to wait for anything! It was wonderful! J's favorite ride was the Buzz Lightyear ride




And since we were on vacation, we ate ice cream. Loads of ice cream!





We stayed late and watched the parade and fireworks. Jilly had to cover her ears. She doesn't like loud noises, as you'll recall...




So it was a great day...started off rough, but ended up fantastic....
But then...we had the next day....

The shuttle to Universal was supposed to leave at 9:30. It finally shows up at 10:15. Then proceeds to pick people up from various hotels. And the guy is slow as molasses. They also don't have the same cell phone laws as we do. He spend the whole drive talking on the cell phone about some woman who was making her own problems. Can you just drive buddy??? We finally get to Universal at 11:30!! and it's supposed to pick us up at 6!! I decided we'd get a cab back and stay till the park closed at 8. Wankers...

Once I'm able to uncramp my legs...we head out. Universal is HUGE!!! I mean, HUGE!!

But we take in all the sights...we don't have much time today.










J wanted to take some pictures with some characters. Scooby and Shaggy were fascinated by her long hair..




and she wanted to stand by Lisa of the Simpsons cuz she likes how smart she is




But the place she loved the most was Jurassic Park!!




We spent most of our time here. My little paleontologist in training was way in her element










She of course let me know which ones were herbivores or carnivores and all of their names...

We finally got ahold of Uncle Jack(my very great friend Towaway) We made arrangements to have a late dinner once we were done at the park. Jack lives about 2 hours away. At the end of the day, J finally gets to see Uncle Jack. He hasn't seen her since she was 8 months old.



They bond very quickly by making fun of me...and that's ok. Moni does the same thing....Jack takes us to a Mongolian buffet. It's really cool..you pick out the meat, noodles, veggie toppings and sauces, then a guy grills them up in front of you. I could tell Jilly was a little apprehensive. She doesn't much care for trying something new if it doesn't include chicken nuggets. But she got into it fairly quickly and made her own creation.




She loved it and went back for seconds. But the best part was the dessert. They had these cheesecake rangoons and oh my were they good.....




As you can tell....
Our weekend was pretty much wrapped up. We said our goodbyes. We'll be seeing Jack again in June I believe so I can't wait.

We had to get up early the next morning to get to our shuttle to the airport. J wouldn't wake up for anything. I had to put her in the shower and give her the shower myself....you never heard such whining and crying. Oh, wait. Maybe you have...from me and my blogs...

The rest of the day was pretty uneventful, until we get to Washington....we're ready to load up, when they tell us to go back. Because of mechanical difficulties. I'm ready to scream. Get me a new plane then. I don't want to go up in something that made come straight down!! Turns out it's just the bathroom door that won't close. We start again when I realize we're going on a puddle jumper. It has propellers!! Do they still make these kinds of planes??? Arrrgggh.....

We start to taxi, the build up speed. It's wobbling all over the concourse. I'm thinking this has got to be it.....
but we make it up in the air despite my misgivings. And I'm ok. Till the flight attendant starts to act all Cukoo's nest....

She's standing in the flight attendant's corner. And I could see her face turning up in a grimace....she was either crying or getting sick...or so it seemed. I looked around thinking I'm the only one who noticed. Another lady behind me looked at me with big eyes and mouthed the words "what's up with that?". Now, I get alot of my strength from the flight attendants. If they aren't panicky, then I know things are normal, and I'm ok. But she looked like she was panicky. Like she knew we were going to crash but didn't want to tell us...I'm not kidding. It was scary. We finally got word that we were landing. She buckled up in the jumpseat. And her face was contorting. I swear I wanted to do an exorcism right there. She scared the bejesus out of me.....

We finally got on the ground in one piece. We're making our way thru to the airport. I'm freezing. Yeah, I forgot to tell you that I left my jacket at the hotel. So here I am walking in 20 degree weather...with my throat a little bit sore...

And as you've discovered I've got full on strep throat.

So I guess it ended well enough. We're in one piece. J is staying at grandma's for a couple of days because I'm diseased.

And I got an extra day off because I'm sickly....hey! All's well eh??

Yup. It was from hell. It had some great moments...but a lot of crap too. It's ok. I still have a great job, great kid, and a house to myself....

It all started last year....


You remember my crappy job I had....and I got a new one...? Well, J and I had planned a FL vacation. Thru Priceline. (BTW, don't ever use them. Take the time to do your own research. It's cheaper and you can make changes without a lot of cost to you...)

Where was I?

Oh yeah...so to take the new wonderful job, I had to cancel my trip last year. J was heartbroken. But it was a good trade off, I think since I've been so happy...

Flashforward to this year...

Priceline (or so I thought) had done me good by being able to give me a credit. It was about $600. But I had to take the trip by February 22nd. Flying in winter time...not my favorite thing to do. I hate flying, but the chance of getting caught in the snow??? Oh man...but I did it anyway. I booked with them again for a trip before the 22nd. After taking out the fees of cancellation, rebooking, and not using Vaseline, my credit comes to only about $200. Still, nothing to sneeze about since I took a big hit in pay with the new job. So we're all booked to fly out on February 13th, coming back the 17th. A whirlwind tour.


Except that it decides to snow on the evening of the 12th. And not just snow, mind you, but snow and ICE...
I don't worry though. I'm thinking it'll all be gone the next day, no prob. We wake up, and it pretty much is gone. The roads look icey, it's sleeting a bit, but it disappears. Our flight is supposed to leave at 12:38. I check the web site for the airport. It says that they've over booked this flight and to check with a US Airway agent...WTF?!?!? So I quick call Moni (she arranged to take us to the airport) and say lets get there quick so I can check in and get a seat assignment. We'll get there at 10:30 instead of 11:30, but that's ok....

The roads are looking fine. Till we start to get to higher elevations. The airport here is high up. There is fog covering the airport...I think, not a prob. They use instruments anyway, right? As we pull up, a guy tells Moni not to leave yet, because they just closed the airport....AWWWW frak me. So I run in real quick, and sure enough they did. But the girl tells me that they may be opening soon. That my flight has been delayed till 2:30. Barely enough time to catch my 4pm connection in Philly. So she starts working to get us a later flight. In the meanwhile, I told Moni to leave. If we have to, we can call grandma to come and get us. The lady then proceeds to try and get us another flight in case we don't make it to our connection. This woman was the bomb. Apparently this weekend the Daytona 500 was also playing, and Orlando was the big stopping ground...great. The soonest she can get us on a connecting flight is the NEXT day at 11:15. But she got us in first class. I don't want to go tomorrow, but it's just in case we don't make it.

So we wait in the restaurant a bit.




Jilly keeps busy. We're sitting there for an hour, when on the board it canceled our flight. Crap. So I quick run up to the lady (they hadn't announced it overhead yet, and apparently people don't read). We're right up front. She manages to get us on another flight leaving at 2:45. They have now opened the airport, so I don't know why our flight was canceled. No matter. The connecting flight has also been canceled, so she works on getting us seats on a 6:15 flight. Jilly and I go thru security and wait.






and watch the snow fall on the lanes....




The plane is delayed...it finally shows up at 4:10. But now they say with the weather they're only allowed to take 32 passengers instead of a full flight of 60. They run around trying to offer free flights to volunteers..I almost think I'm just going to cancel it, but Jilly is looking so hopeful. So I use the mother and baby ploy and get on the plane. It still doesn't take off in time because they've allowed 38 people on. So what happens? They start dumping luggage. I kid you not. At this moment I could just kiss Adrian for suggesting that we pack all we need in our carry ons. Which I did. The plane finally takes off at 5:30ish. I'm sweating bullets cuz I know we won't make the 6:15. We don't land til 6:20. I'm hoping my plane has been delayed. And you guessed it, all other planes are delayed EXCEPT OURS. J and I go stand in customer service. We're tired. I'm reely cranky. She's doing not so bad. When we get to the counter behind the 20 other people from all over the Northeast, the soonest flight isn't until the next day. Frak, Frak, and double frak.

Oh, but wait! I still have those first class tickets.....I ask the girl if it's good and she says it most certainly is...They will give me a voucher for discount off a hotel room. I decide it'll be better for J if she sleeps in a bed rather than the airport, and we take it. And it's not so bad a room. It apparently is for handicapped people, and had a HUGE bathroom...




J liked that they had cable and we could watch Mythbusters.

The next morning we go back to the Philly airport all refreshed. No problems. We'll just change our schedule a lil' bit, we'll still be in Orlando by 1:30. We've got the whole day and first class tickets. So they call boarding. We get on the plane, and, hmmm...someone is sitting in my seat. And J's. And they have tickets showing the same seat....are you frakking kidding me? So we have to stand off to the side while they try and sort it out. Do you think anyone is going to give up their seats??? OOOOOHHHH NOOOOO!!! Finally, they tell us that the plane has to go and we have to get off the plane.

They're very sorry, which they are telling to us and 4 other people. They don't know what happened. But they give us two free round trip tickets and try to book us on the next flight......they get me a seat, but Jilly is on stand by. And the next flight? not till 4pm. So J and I travel around the airport. I let her get on anything she wants to. Runs as much as she wants to. Hey...I gotta keep an 8 year old occupied...She had icees




We watched the planes coming in...




We kept ourselves occupied till the time came. Finally! She was first on the list for standby. There was another flight that was supposed to be connecting to our flight. It was late. And I hate to say it but I'm glad because we got our seats. Let them spend some time in the airport. We were done!!

We finally got there....and I'll tell you more later. Why? Because at the end of this crazy trip, I have somehow gotten strep throat....and I have to go to the doctor's right now.....

I've just finished watching the Michael Moore documentary, Sicko.

Wow.

Having worked at both Medicare and now at Medicaid, I know that things he's says are truth. Healthcare in our nation is a problem. We are fortunate that in NY we don't have as many problems as other states, but it still is woefully short.

I believe we need a national healthcare to cover us from life to death. I really think health insurance companies should be eliminated. They are for profit. And I don't want the company that is for profit to say whether or not I should receive health care. Obviously, if they make less of a profit by providing necessary medical coverage, what do you think they will do? They will deny the coverage!

Hospitals are turning the poor away

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-11-16-homeless-dumping-skidrow_x.htm

Insurance companies are revoking coverage for people that are turning out to be really sick

http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-us&fg=rss&vid=67ed140e-256d-4cc0-977e-7d621a1fb43d

Everyone should be able to live without fear of getting sick. But we are being held captive by the high premiums and deductibles, which we are so glad to pay as it would be so better than to possibly pay the millions in medical bills.

There needs to be a change, and only we can do it. The people shouldn't be afraid of the government, the government should be afraid of the people.

There is a bill in the House of Representatives, HR 676. It might not be the end all but it could be a great start. Check out the information:

http://www.house.gov/conyers/news_hr676_1.htm

If you think it has merit, call or write your congress person. Don't know who it is?

https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml

First of all, if you don't know who represents you in government, for shame....if you don't know who represents you, how do you know what they are voting for?

Second of all, you can email them right online. I highly recommend not to use foul language....you may get a visit from the men in black...but it still shouldn't stop you from stating your opinion. Just try not to state you want to kill anyone...ok?

Speak up. If not on this subject, then on any subject. Our government is supposed to be for the people, by the people. Right now, it's for private industry. Do your own lobbying.

And that's all I have to say about that.

What do you think?

AAARRRRGGGH!!
I'm stressing. Yup, I quit smoking for New Year's. That isn't stressing me as much as my financial situation is. Yeah, ok so maybe it's not helping things....

As you may or may not know, I got a new job at the end of last May. I'm now working for the County....woo hoo, right?

Well, yes and no.

Yes, because I have to say I finally found a job that I absolutely love! It is fantastic! I like the people I work with, I love what I'm doing. My work stress level is at a zero. Well, it's been a little higher since quitting, but that's nothing compared to my last crappy job.

No, because it pays ALOT less than my last job at corporate hell. Like, $250 a month less. And I pay more for benefits, with less benefits. I've scaled back my spending, but you try and budget for $250 less a month. It's a lot.

Jilly's dad has been extremely helpful, but I can't keep asking him for money. It's not his debt that I'm trying to catch up on.

aaarrrrgggghhhh!!

So now I'm contemplating a second job. Do I really want to do this? I mean, it would only be for a year or so till I can get more from raises at work. But it would mean less time to spend with Jillian. And if you think my house is a mess now....wait till it really gets ignored....

How much more can I scale back? I suppose I could do it. I don't really need access to the internet, do I? That would save me another $40 a month. I could buy less vegetables and more beans and rice.

I stopped going out to eat as much. The only time we go out to eat is when Howie pays for it. I cook all my meals. Granted, I'm not the best cook....but I make enough and we eat lots of leftovers...

I don't buy clothes or shoes. If I absolutely need to get something I'll check out the thrift store first, and I'm always successful there. But I haven't bought anything in a while. I refuse to buy underwear there though...ewww...gross...and trust me, the Salvation Army sells it!!

Sure giving up smokes will help moneywise. But I really didn't smoke that much to begin with. So the savings there is minimal.

You know I read that bondage queens get like $500 bucks a trick...I could do that! Dress up in leather, beat the hell out of man, never even have sex with them, and all tax free....I'd only have to schedule one a week...

Anyone got any get other rich quick schemes?

*sigh*

It'll all be ok. You know, relatively speaking, I have a pretty terrific life. It's fantastic. I guess this is just another little bump in the road. I'll figure it out eventually. But in the meantime, if you want to set me up with a couple thousand dollars till payday I won't say no....

So what's the big deal about the Golden Compass anyway?




Isn't fiction just that? Fiction?

I'm sure the movie will do fantastic. The Catholic League, which interestingly enough is not related to the Catholic Church, is all up in arms about this movie. Atheists that, for some reason, hate the church are up in arms because it isn't atheist enough........

So it should do well with all this controversy....

Why is it that it isn't enough for atheists (I use that loosely, I know not all atheist are this way) to simply not believe in God, but are outraged by those that do?

I know, there are fanatics in all areas, whether it be Atheism or Christianity.

I would have to say that I myself am more agnostic, with leanings toward atheism. But that's my own view based on my own experiences. I would never push what I feel to others. To say that others are wrong if they don't agree with what I think. Whether God exists or not does not remove the fact that we are all humans with the ability of higher thought and emotions. We all have the ability to think and feel. To make a judgment as to whether or not what we say or do will hurt or help another.

A fictional book or movie will not change that fact.

So interestingly enough, people are going nuts with this movie. If you don't think the movie is any good, for whatever reason, DON'T SEE IT. I don't plan on seeing it only because it's not anything that appeals to me. I saw Narnia (yawn!) this type of genre is just not for me.

Life is crazy. It's what we do with what we're handed with that makes a difference, eh?