It's 3 AM.
Finishing with some thesis revisions.
I have stitches from a mole Dr. Loeble cut out today...gross. They itch.
Mr. Wilcox is improving...must have been the Coke and Snickers bar.
Spent the day with Emily over the weekend - had a good time, she seems to be holding it together well.
Went to see BOLT and loved it - you should go see it, it is mucho fabulous!
I am going to bed now, even though I should do more work on the thesis.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Bad things happen...but why do they happen all at one time?
So Mr. Wilcox is in the hospital again. Two years ago he was diagnosed with cancer and almost walked through death's door but didn't. Recently he has been doing so well - he bought a new car, drove to Bible study twice a week and was even substitute teaching! We were all so excited to see him doing so well! Well - of course I trek off to San Diego without going to see him in about 6 weeks. I thought about it and thought, you know, I will go see him over Thanksgiving so we are not rushed. I got a call Wednesday morning, however, explaining that Mr. Wilcox had suffered a stroke and was left unable to speak and very confused. I couldn't get to Augusta, obviously, so Meagan Borum went, thank goodness. Meagan and I have a gift at making Mr. Wilcox smile.
Anyway I promised to sit with him on Friday, tomorrow. This morning, though I got more news. Mr. Wilcox has developed MRSP induced pneumonia. In other words he has a bacterial infection that has progressed pneumonia in his body leaving it hard for him to breathe. Additionally he has an infection in his foot where he had two toes amputated during his last hospital stay. They gave him antibiotics and said he need to wait 24 hours to see results. MRSP is very contagious - through casual contact - and they are warning people who come to the hospital to be very cautious but recommend that they do not come. Well, I have to go. I cannot stay away from the hospital with Mr. Wilcox in this condition.
Over the past two years he has been such a good friend to me. I visit him and we talk and watch the History Channel. He always makes me laugh and is so sincerely interested in what I am doing, in my thesis and in Derek's life too. I am so worried because the prognosis is so bad - I don't want to think negatively but it is hard not too with the bacterial infection being so dangerous. It makes me think about November a year ago when we lost Michael to a bacterial infection - what is with November??? Every year someone I love gets seriously ill, hospitalized or dies during this month.
I want him to get better so much. I will eat a Snickers and drink a Coke in honor of him and in hopes that he pulls through this today.
Anyway I promised to sit with him on Friday, tomorrow. This morning, though I got more news. Mr. Wilcox has developed MRSP induced pneumonia. In other words he has a bacterial infection that has progressed pneumonia in his body leaving it hard for him to breathe. Additionally he has an infection in his foot where he had two toes amputated during his last hospital stay. They gave him antibiotics and said he need to wait 24 hours to see results. MRSP is very contagious - through casual contact - and they are warning people who come to the hospital to be very cautious but recommend that they do not come. Well, I have to go. I cannot stay away from the hospital with Mr. Wilcox in this condition.
Over the past two years he has been such a good friend to me. I visit him and we talk and watch the History Channel. He always makes me laugh and is so sincerely interested in what I am doing, in my thesis and in Derek's life too. I am so worried because the prognosis is so bad - I don't want to think negatively but it is hard not too with the bacterial infection being so dangerous. It makes me think about November a year ago when we lost Michael to a bacterial infection - what is with November??? Every year someone I love gets seriously ill, hospitalized or dies during this month.
I want him to get better so much. I will eat a Snickers and drink a Coke in honor of him and in hopes that he pulls through this today.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
You Can't Say "I Told You So"
You know it seems like when someone does something that you know is not a good idea you LIVE for the day you can tell them "I told you so" or at least whisper it to yourself.
Well...when that person actually faces the reality of your warnings, the urge to say that immediately goes away.
My cousin is 21. Three days ago she was a married woman to a man we all told her would hurt her when she was married a few weeks out of high school, at 18. Today she is in the midst of a divorce, brought upon her by this husband out of the blue. He left her Tuesday night and had divorce papers ready today. They had been on a date and shopping just Monday.
None of us can actually believe that our warnings actually came true - and we really wish they hadn't. We all feel so horrible and can't imagine being married for two years and being divorced by the age of 21. I just saw her, hugged her and cried with her. I want her to be okay and I want her to have a life now - to have friends and to meet a good-looking perfect guy and actually get to go on dates. I just don't know how she will do it. She seems like she is being "strong" but she has no obligation to be - this is hard stuff, not something you get over in a few weeks...it will take a long time.
Well...when that person actually faces the reality of your warnings, the urge to say that immediately goes away.
My cousin is 21. Three days ago she was a married woman to a man we all told her would hurt her when she was married a few weeks out of high school, at 18. Today she is in the midst of a divorce, brought upon her by this husband out of the blue. He left her Tuesday night and had divorce papers ready today. They had been on a date and shopping just Monday.
None of us can actually believe that our warnings actually came true - and we really wish they hadn't. We all feel so horrible and can't imagine being married for two years and being divorced by the age of 21. I just saw her, hugged her and cried with her. I want her to be okay and I want her to have a life now - to have friends and to meet a good-looking perfect guy and actually get to go on dates. I just don't know how she will do it. She seems like she is being "strong" but she has no obligation to be - this is hard stuff, not something you get over in a few weeks...it will take a long time.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Election Night
Election Night is always one of my favorite nights. My parents always emphasized it growing up and the last 2 elections plus this one have been very interesting to me and I have followed them minute for minute.
Although I have my disagreements with the McCain/Palin ticket - mostly with the Palin part - I could live and be happy under a McCain presidency. It doesn't seem that way for many people who voted for Obama. But on that same note I know many many many people who are being ridiculously dramatic about an Obama presidency - calling it the end of America and calling him worse from racist to terrorist to the AntiChrist.
No matter what side we chose we need to get on board the American train and off of our partisan high horses. Anti-Obama people need to realize if he were all of those awful things there is no way he could run for President with such support. Anti-McCain people need to get over themselves...and I guess us Anti-Palinites too...and not fuel any fire that may exist after Obama wins tonight (because he is almost to 270).
Get over the hate and begin the healing. We need to support our leaders because if they fail, we fail.
Although I have my disagreements with the McCain/Palin ticket - mostly with the Palin part - I could live and be happy under a McCain presidency. It doesn't seem that way for many people who voted for Obama. But on that same note I know many many many people who are being ridiculously dramatic about an Obama presidency - calling it the end of America and calling him worse from racist to terrorist to the AntiChrist.
No matter what side we chose we need to get on board the American train and off of our partisan high horses. Anti-Obama people need to realize if he were all of those awful things there is no way he could run for President with such support. Anti-McCain people need to get over themselves...and I guess us Anti-Palinites too...and not fuel any fire that may exist after Obama wins tonight (because he is almost to 270).
Get over the hate and begin the healing. We need to support our leaders because if they fail, we fail.
Monday, November 3, 2008
The Glass Ceiling Needs to be Broken by a Deserving Woman
It disturbs me every time Sarah Palin talks about breaking the glass ceiling by getting into the White House. The fact that this small town mayor turned Alaskan governor who was, in an act of awful judgment, appointed by John McCain solely to rally the evangelical conservative base believes that she should be the chosen one to "break the glass ceiling" is ridiculous! Sarah Palin has not supported women's rights - whether it be reproductive or working rights! She also has not protected the rights female children who have been raped - even incestually raped. She made rape victims in the state of Alaska (which has one of the highest rape percentages in the U.S.) pay for the rape kit doctors use to know how to help them both in their health and in court.
Additionally, Palin is obviously uneducated in Civics. She is confused about the role of the Vice-President, cannot name controversial court cases (which anyone who has made it through high school should be able to do), and constantly underminds the McCain campaign. The last of which shows that she is such a "maverick" she can't even support her own running mate in their campaign - how then is she supposed to help McCain "reach across the aisle?"
I would love to see a female leader of the United States. However, I am a woman who investigates all candidates - no matter their gender - in an effort to make an educated vote. I will not vote for a female candidate who does not represent the values of women and children and who, frankly, is not smart enough and does not deserve to be in a position of national leadership.
On a personal level I have many issues with this candidate. She advocates for censorship in libraries, drilling in the Alaskan Wildlife Preserve, and aerial hunting of native Alaskan wolves. She is not a subsistence hunter but a sport hunter. I have sport hunters in my family but they eat what they kill. Sarah Palin believes in killing Grizzly Bears, Alaskan Wolves, Moose, Elk and the like for their skins - not for warmth in the Alaskan cold either - but to display in homes. She does not have a problem with the hunting of endangered species and actually opposed putting Baluga whales and polar bears on the endangered species list because it would limit drilling in Alaska - even though those species ARE ACTUALLY ENDANGERED.
Sarah Palin has also been found guilty of ethics charges in TWO cases. Once as Mayor of Wasilla when she fired a librarian for not taking certain books of the shelves of the Wasilla library (one book was called "Pastor, I am Gay" written by a local minister and the librarian was re-instated after the public cried out against the unethical decision made by Palin) The second, of course, was recently when a bi-partisan group found her guilty of ethics violations in the firing of the Police Commissioner. She talks about Obama's associations - why not take a look at her actions? Don't actions speak louder than aquaintances? I think so.
McCain could have received my vote because I vehemently disagree with Obama on his views on the death tax policies. Although I like Obama more than McCain, this issue alone could have swayed my vote if McCain had chosen someone like Romney or Condy Rice (but not Huckabee...no way). With McCain's appointment of Sarah Palin we now know that he does not use his best judgment, he does not put "Country First" or he would not have chosen this unqualified candidate, and he does not support Civil Rights to the extent Obama does. So, I will be putting the interests of minorities, women, children and homosexuals ahead of my issues with Obama's death tax policy because if I do not I will be voting not only for McCain - but for a VP with a huge possibility of becoming President who is too incompetant and close-minded for the position.
Women out there should realize that they need a qualified female in positions of national leadership so that they will not give a bad name to women in leadership and so that in the future we have a greater chance to continue breaking the glass ceiling.
Vote Against Palin in 2008.
Additionally, Palin is obviously uneducated in Civics. She is confused about the role of the Vice-President, cannot name controversial court cases (which anyone who has made it through high school should be able to do), and constantly underminds the McCain campaign. The last of which shows that she is such a "maverick" she can't even support her own running mate in their campaign - how then is she supposed to help McCain "reach across the aisle?"
I would love to see a female leader of the United States. However, I am a woman who investigates all candidates - no matter their gender - in an effort to make an educated vote. I will not vote for a female candidate who does not represent the values of women and children and who, frankly, is not smart enough and does not deserve to be in a position of national leadership.
On a personal level I have many issues with this candidate. She advocates for censorship in libraries, drilling in the Alaskan Wildlife Preserve, and aerial hunting of native Alaskan wolves. She is not a subsistence hunter but a sport hunter. I have sport hunters in my family but they eat what they kill. Sarah Palin believes in killing Grizzly Bears, Alaskan Wolves, Moose, Elk and the like for their skins - not for warmth in the Alaskan cold either - but to display in homes. She does not have a problem with the hunting of endangered species and actually opposed putting Baluga whales and polar bears on the endangered species list because it would limit drilling in Alaska - even though those species ARE ACTUALLY ENDANGERED.
Sarah Palin has also been found guilty of ethics charges in TWO cases. Once as Mayor of Wasilla when she fired a librarian for not taking certain books of the shelves of the Wasilla library (one book was called "Pastor, I am Gay" written by a local minister and the librarian was re-instated after the public cried out against the unethical decision made by Palin) The second, of course, was recently when a bi-partisan group found her guilty of ethics violations in the firing of the Police Commissioner. She talks about Obama's associations - why not take a look at her actions? Don't actions speak louder than aquaintances? I think so.
McCain could have received my vote because I vehemently disagree with Obama on his views on the death tax policies. Although I like Obama more than McCain, this issue alone could have swayed my vote if McCain had chosen someone like Romney or Condy Rice (but not Huckabee...no way). With McCain's appointment of Sarah Palin we now know that he does not use his best judgment, he does not put "Country First" or he would not have chosen this unqualified candidate, and he does not support Civil Rights to the extent Obama does. So, I will be putting the interests of minorities, women, children and homosexuals ahead of my issues with Obama's death tax policy because if I do not I will be voting not only for McCain - but for a VP with a huge possibility of becoming President who is too incompetant and close-minded for the position.
Women out there should realize that they need a qualified female in positions of national leadership so that they will not give a bad name to women in leadership and so that in the future we have a greater chance to continue breaking the glass ceiling.
Vote Against Palin in 2008.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Happy Halloween!
I love Halloween! It is my most favorite holiday!
I just finished giving out $40.00 worth of candy to a ton of dressed up, (mostly) adorable kids! We live on the main trick-or-treating street in Sandersville which means we get to see everyone in their sweet little costumes!
I do miss going to PHOBIA with Robert in Valdosta, though. Those were the days... Oh well, Robert is in Virginia, I am in Sandersville and Valdosta is long gone but I still love Halloween! Hope you - meaning John Barson since you are the only one I know who has read this more than once - have a great one!
I just finished giving out $40.00 worth of candy to a ton of dressed up, (mostly) adorable kids! We live on the main trick-or-treating street in Sandersville which means we get to see everyone in their sweet little costumes!
I do miss going to PHOBIA with Robert in Valdosta, though. Those were the days... Oh well, Robert is in Virginia, I am in Sandersville and Valdosta is long gone but I still love Halloween! Hope you - meaning John Barson since you are the only one I know who has read this more than once - have a great one!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Would you like a dose of reality? No? Well how about a piece of my mind?...
I am FED UP.
Christianity has been a constant struggle with me for a few years now because of personal issues but also because of the mindset of the church. During this presidential election I have heard and seen some of the most awful things - coming from the mouths and pens of...yep, you guessed it...Christians!
Although I do believe in a God and the existence of Jesus, I do not believe that they are worried about our political beliefs and ideologies. Today I was scanning through the radio stations on my way back from M-ville when I ran across old James Dobson's station - Focus on the Family. Needless to say he was discussing the election and also Proposition 8 in California.
About the election he asserted that with an Obama presidency the sanctity of life and marriage would be in jeopardy and in addition prostitution and porn would go ramped. Hm. This is my response:
1) Separation of church and state means just that - so if you want to keep existing as a tax-free entity you need to shut your mouth.
2) Just because some Christians consider abortion murder, some of us do not - so do not claim to speak on behalf of Christians. Some of us actually think about the consequences of forcing women to bring unwanted children into the world cramming our DFCS and social services organizations as well as leading to more poverty, infant/child mortality and actual infanticide.
3) Marriage - legally - is not sacred. Sorry to break it to you but people marry for money, pregnancy, obligation and the like. Half of the marriages in the U.S. now end in divorce. AND, even if it were sacred, the Bible (if you actually read it literally) does not condemn same-sex relations outright. The Leviticus scripture refers to the sin of a penetrator in certain circumstances and certainly not in all of them.
One more thing - why does the marriage of two people who love each other and are not blood related bother you, James Dobson (and others with this view)? Does it interfere with your everyday life? Is it harmful to your person? The answer is no. If Christians out there were more concerned with their own person and the physical needs of their community we would be in much better shape. But, petty evangelicals find it necessary to condemn other behavior rather than using that effort to clothe, feed and serve the needy that are so prevalent in each and every one of our communities, towns, states and countries.
What is sacred is the commitment you make with another person, not the "institution of marriage" - and those commitments we make to other people should be our personal choice, not legislated by a Supreme Court or a state. My marriage, as lovely as it is, would exist with or without the legal documentation because of my commitment to Derek. Why exclude homosexual couples from having the benefits of legal documentation if they are making the same loving, lasting commitment I made?
4) The prostitution and porn claim is absolutely absurd.
On the subject of Proposition 8 Dobson and his guest discussed "The Call" which is an event that has invited evangelicals from California and the rest of the country to gather in a stadium and pray outloud, in unison, for God to have mercy on California. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Homosexual couples should be guaranteed equal rights under the law of our land, regardless of who believes what. It is a civil rights issue. "The Call" is absurd as it would have been in the 1960's to hold a prayer meeting to keep segregation or in the 30's a prayer meeting for God to help uphold the Jim Crowe laws.
I am disturbed on one other issue as well. Let me just say that our founding fathers were not Christians - they were Deists - which means that they believed in a higher power but that that higher power had no control over earthly matters. They were adamant about the separation of church (including doctrine) and state because of the oppression they felt under a diefied monarchy. So, a nation founded on religious freedom is what America is - not a nation founded solely on Christian principles.
Our nation is made up of people from many different religious, ethnic, and gender backgrounds. Christians need to get off of their high horse and realize that WE cannot legislate the morality of those who are non-Christian just because of that fact. Our nation needs to be responsible for our well-being and if the decisions of others - whether it be reproductive decisions or decisions regarding marriage - do not harm you, then stay out of it!
Oh and one more thing.....Christians need to stop being naieve and calling people the "AntiChrist." Not only has Obama been called this by evangelicals but so has Oprah....Oprah people? For real? If you want to know my opinion, and obviously you do if you are still reading....THERE IS NO ANTICHRIST. Revelation will not happen and Satan is not ruling on earth as the leader of our nation. And what makes people think that if an Antichrist were to come to power it would come to power in the U.S.? That is SO ethnocentric!
People - if you are one of the crazy, right-winged, evangelical people out there then here is a piece of my mind:
You are making actual Christians look bad, so please stop. Come into what we non-evangelicals call the "real-world" and see that God is LOVE - not condemnation, God is PEACE - not war with Iraq (or any other nation), God is ACCEPTANCE - of your neighbors even if you do not agree with their decision. And finally, our nation does not depend on your religious beliefs so please stop making them part of my voting process. I would rather vote on issues that actually affect ME and not vote on issues that will just hinder the "pursuit of happiness" others have a right to under our Constitution.
That is not all but I think it is enough for this piece of my mind. The End.
Christianity has been a constant struggle with me for a few years now because of personal issues but also because of the mindset of the church. During this presidential election I have heard and seen some of the most awful things - coming from the mouths and pens of...yep, you guessed it...Christians!
Although I do believe in a God and the existence of Jesus, I do not believe that they are worried about our political beliefs and ideologies. Today I was scanning through the radio stations on my way back from M-ville when I ran across old James Dobson's station - Focus on the Family. Needless to say he was discussing the election and also Proposition 8 in California.
About the election he asserted that with an Obama presidency the sanctity of life and marriage would be in jeopardy and in addition prostitution and porn would go ramped. Hm. This is my response:
1) Separation of church and state means just that - so if you want to keep existing as a tax-free entity you need to shut your mouth.
2) Just because some Christians consider abortion murder, some of us do not - so do not claim to speak on behalf of Christians. Some of us actually think about the consequences of forcing women to bring unwanted children into the world cramming our DFCS and social services organizations as well as leading to more poverty, infant/child mortality and actual infanticide.
3) Marriage - legally - is not sacred. Sorry to break it to you but people marry for money, pregnancy, obligation and the like. Half of the marriages in the U.S. now end in divorce. AND, even if it were sacred, the Bible (if you actually read it literally) does not condemn same-sex relations outright. The Leviticus scripture refers to the sin of a penetrator in certain circumstances and certainly not in all of them.
One more thing - why does the marriage of two people who love each other and are not blood related bother you, James Dobson (and others with this view)? Does it interfere with your everyday life? Is it harmful to your person? The answer is no. If Christians out there were more concerned with their own person and the physical needs of their community we would be in much better shape. But, petty evangelicals find it necessary to condemn other behavior rather than using that effort to clothe, feed and serve the needy that are so prevalent in each and every one of our communities, towns, states and countries.
What is sacred is the commitment you make with another person, not the "institution of marriage" - and those commitments we make to other people should be our personal choice, not legislated by a Supreme Court or a state. My marriage, as lovely as it is, would exist with or without the legal documentation because of my commitment to Derek. Why exclude homosexual couples from having the benefits of legal documentation if they are making the same loving, lasting commitment I made?
4) The prostitution and porn claim is absolutely absurd.
On the subject of Proposition 8 Dobson and his guest discussed "The Call" which is an event that has invited evangelicals from California and the rest of the country to gather in a stadium and pray outloud, in unison, for God to have mercy on California. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Homosexual couples should be guaranteed equal rights under the law of our land, regardless of who believes what. It is a civil rights issue. "The Call" is absurd as it would have been in the 1960's to hold a prayer meeting to keep segregation or in the 30's a prayer meeting for God to help uphold the Jim Crowe laws.
I am disturbed on one other issue as well. Let me just say that our founding fathers were not Christians - they were Deists - which means that they believed in a higher power but that that higher power had no control over earthly matters. They were adamant about the separation of church (including doctrine) and state because of the oppression they felt under a diefied monarchy. So, a nation founded on religious freedom is what America is - not a nation founded solely on Christian principles.
Our nation is made up of people from many different religious, ethnic, and gender backgrounds. Christians need to get off of their high horse and realize that WE cannot legislate the morality of those who are non-Christian just because of that fact. Our nation needs to be responsible for our well-being and if the decisions of others - whether it be reproductive decisions or decisions regarding marriage - do not harm you, then stay out of it!
Oh and one more thing.....Christians need to stop being naieve and calling people the "AntiChrist." Not only has Obama been called this by evangelicals but so has Oprah....Oprah people? For real? If you want to know my opinion, and obviously you do if you are still reading....THERE IS NO ANTICHRIST. Revelation will not happen and Satan is not ruling on earth as the leader of our nation. And what makes people think that if an Antichrist were to come to power it would come to power in the U.S.? That is SO ethnocentric!
People - if you are one of the crazy, right-winged, evangelical people out there then here is a piece of my mind:
You are making actual Christians look bad, so please stop. Come into what we non-evangelicals call the "real-world" and see that God is LOVE - not condemnation, God is PEACE - not war with Iraq (or any other nation), God is ACCEPTANCE - of your neighbors even if you do not agree with their decision. And finally, our nation does not depend on your religious beliefs so please stop making them part of my voting process. I would rather vote on issues that actually affect ME and not vote on issues that will just hinder the "pursuit of happiness" others have a right to under our Constitution.
That is not all but I think it is enough for this piece of my mind. The End.
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