I just bombed the Jeopardy online test. They don't give you an online score, but I don't need to see how I did to know it was a cluster-$%#*. Casper is in Wyoming, not Utah; Guinea is the second largest island in the world, not friggen Iceland!
What was I thinking?! And the fill in the blank "Shall I compare you to a____..." and I put "rose" when it is obviously summer's day. Madison, JAMES MADISON, was the president during the war of 1812 and I second guess myself and write Andrew Jackson. I even missed the question that asked you to convert teaspoons to tablespoons. Aaaahhhhh!
I have a lot of studying to do in order to make my Jeopardy dream become a reality. Perhaps this was just my sad, pathetic wake up call. This Family Guy clip is my only consolation.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Just Blame it on the Kids
From "This Week With George Stephanopoulos," an interview with Nancy Pelosi-- this portion concerns the stimulus package and what kind of institutions will receive funds:
STEPHANOPOULOS: Hundreds of millions of dollars to expand family planning services. How is that stimulus?
PELOSI: Well, the family planning services reduce cost. They reduce cost. The states are in terrible fiscal budget crises now and part of what we do for children's health, education and some of those elements are to help the states meet their financial needs. One of those - one of the initiatives you mentioned, the contraception, will reduce costs to the states and to the federal government.
Hold on a second... did she really say that we need to reduce our debt by having less kids? An interesting comment from a person with 5 children-- maybe she meant only poor people should limit the number of kids they have! That's right, it is poor babies who've gotten us into this financial mess, not a bunch of fat cat white men -- liberal and conservative-- who have tried to reap their wealth off the backs of other people.The government telling us we should have fewer kids so it doesn't cost them... I don't care what your stance on abortion may be, this is tyrannical. Didn't Hitler "eliminate" disabled children because they were a "burden" on the state? What's next, Chinese-inspired family size limits?
Here is a link to the transcript so you can make sure I didn't take it out of context; I'm sure you can find this bit on YouTube as well.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Change of the Guard
Let's face it-- there is a Steely Dan song for every occasion. I thought this was appropriate for an inauguration day. But let it be known I expect from this administration what I have from the others in my lifetime (and none has let me down so far): more for the rich, less for the poor, a ton of empty words, violence and terror, and eventually a president torn to pieces by the very people who put him in power. Happy inauguration.
If you listen you can hear it
Its the laughter in the street
Its the motion in the music
And the fire beneath your feet
All the signs are right this time
You don't have to try so very hard
If you live in this world
Youre feelin the change of the guard
All the cowboys and your neighbors
Can you swallow up your pride
Take your guns off if you're willin
And you know were on your side
If you wanna get thru the years
Its high time you played your card
If you live in this world
You're feelin the change of the guard
-Steely Dan
If you listen you can hear it
Its the laughter in the street
Its the motion in the music
And the fire beneath your feet
All the signs are right this time
You don't have to try so very hard
If you live in this world
Youre feelin the change of the guard
All the cowboys and your neighbors
Can you swallow up your pride
Take your guns off if you're willin
And you know were on your side
If you wanna get thru the years
Its high time you played your card
If you live in this world
You're feelin the change of the guard
-Steely Dan
Sunday, January 18, 2009
grasp one and not let go of the other
Do not be overrighteous,
neither be overwise—
why destroy yourself?
and not let go of the other.
The person who fears God will avoid all extremes
Ecclesiastes 7:16-18
I really wish I could say I follow this prescription for prudent living. While I do believe this past year or so has been a deep and painful process of integrating belief with living, the journey's only just begun. It is like the blasted election all over again, where only two ways seemed present-- either a war in Iraq or one in Afghanistan, more tax dollars in the pockets of the reprehensible either way.
I look into the future and it seems I only have two options: become a woman who is an orthodox Christian, who hates abortion, who teaches her own children, who is devoted to her husband or a woman who is ecumenical, who defends the rights of women, who serves the poor with her own hands, who defends the creation around her.
And the forces of my life push, push, push me in one direction or the other and it seems no one wants to see someone standing in between these things; can't I be a woman who is equally disgusted by gender-based wage disparities and FOCA? Can't I be a woman who homeschools her kids and still believes in free education for all children? Can't I welcome in the illegal alien without wanting to read the constitution as a document that can bend in the wind of our desires?
It is encouraging to know there are many other young, Christian people trying to grasp one thing without letting go of the other. And it isn't out of some cheesy "don't label me" sentiment-- I am truly trying to hold onto the goodness in one thing without compromising another.
neither be overwise—
why destroy yourself?
Do not be overwicked,
and do not be a fool—
why die before your time?
and not let go of the other.
The person who fears God will avoid all extremes
Ecclesiastes 7:16-18
I really wish I could say I follow this prescription for prudent living. While I do believe this past year or so has been a deep and painful process of integrating belief with living, the journey's only just begun. It is like the blasted election all over again, where only two ways seemed present-- either a war in Iraq or one in Afghanistan, more tax dollars in the pockets of the reprehensible either way.
I look into the future and it seems I only have two options: become a woman who is an orthodox Christian, who hates abortion, who teaches her own children, who is devoted to her husband or a woman who is ecumenical, who defends the rights of women, who serves the poor with her own hands, who defends the creation around her.
And the forces of my life push, push, push me in one direction or the other and it seems no one wants to see someone standing in between these things; can't I be a woman who is equally disgusted by gender-based wage disparities and FOCA? Can't I be a woman who homeschools her kids and still believes in free education for all children? Can't I welcome in the illegal alien without wanting to read the constitution as a document that can bend in the wind of our desires?
It is encouraging to know there are many other young, Christian people trying to grasp one thing without letting go of the other. And it isn't out of some cheesy "don't label me" sentiment-- I am truly trying to hold onto the goodness in one thing without compromising another.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Thoughts on Mary
Is January a tough month for anyone else? I'm not too fond of the stretch of time between the start of the new year and the beginning of Spring. The winters are full of short, cold days. While this season suits quiet contemplation and introspection, you can't go on in these activities for too long without feeling a bit nutty!
But if the weather is disposing me to sit and think, I might as well choose things that are interesting and noble to dwell on. I've been thinking about Mary, the Blessed Mother. I was raised to think she was "just a woman"-- the people in the church who taught me seemed on an endless quest to make Mary as simple-minded and common as possible. Why, I have no idea. Maybe in an attempt to make the bearing of Christ into the world more reachable for the lowly.
But the Catholic view of Mary is a bit different. While she is still very human, like all the other saints, Mary lived a holy life. By God's grace and will she played a unique part in the history of our universe, the only woman to carry God in her body and birth the Christ child into the world. Hmm, doesn't sound so common! I love when Mary is described as the second Eve; just as Eve is our biological mother, Mary is our spiritual mother by being the first Christian. Yes, the first Christian was a woman. By allowing God to create a new life within her, Mary shines as an example of how we are to accept the life God offers and bear it into the world.
Maybe those who taught me when I was young were uncomfortable with a woman having such a role in the formation of our faith, or maybe they were reacting against the "idolatry" they perceived among Catholics with regards to Mary. So far my contemplation has led me to be glad God has a mom, making him fully human while still being fully God. And I'm honored the Lord chose a woman to be the best example of how the holy life is lived.
"Following the shadows of the skies or are they only figments of my eyes?
And I'm feeling close to where the race is run
Waiting in our boats to set sail, sea of joy
Once the door swings open into space and I'm already waiting in disguise
Or is it just a thorn between my eyes?
Waiting in our boats to set sail, sea of joy"
-Blind Faith
But if the weather is disposing me to sit and think, I might as well choose things that are interesting and noble to dwell on. I've been thinking about Mary, the Blessed Mother. I was raised to think she was "just a woman"-- the people in the church who taught me seemed on an endless quest to make Mary as simple-minded and common as possible. Why, I have no idea. Maybe in an attempt to make the bearing of Christ into the world more reachable for the lowly.
But the Catholic view of Mary is a bit different. While she is still very human, like all the other saints, Mary lived a holy life. By God's grace and will she played a unique part in the history of our universe, the only woman to carry God in her body and birth the Christ child into the world. Hmm, doesn't sound so common! I love when Mary is described as the second Eve; just as Eve is our biological mother, Mary is our spiritual mother by being the first Christian. Yes, the first Christian was a woman. By allowing God to create a new life within her, Mary shines as an example of how we are to accept the life God offers and bear it into the world.
Maybe those who taught me when I was young were uncomfortable with a woman having such a role in the formation of our faith, or maybe they were reacting against the "idolatry" they perceived among Catholics with regards to Mary. So far my contemplation has led me to be glad God has a mom, making him fully human while still being fully God. And I'm honored the Lord chose a woman to be the best example of how the holy life is lived.
"Following the shadows of the skies or are they only figments of my eyes?
And I'm feeling close to where the race is run
Waiting in our boats to set sail, sea of joy
Once the door swings open into space and I'm already waiting in disguise
Or is it just a thorn between my eyes?
Waiting in our boats to set sail, sea of joy"
-Blind Faith
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Prayers Please,
Please keep my grandmother, Cathy, in your prayers tonight and tomorrow-- at noon tomorrow she goes in for surgery on her carotid artery. It is a bit of a risky procedure but she's hoping it will, in her words, give her some "pep" once all is said and done.
Thanks.
"To reform a man, you must begin with his grandmother." -Victor Hugo
Thanks.
"To reform a man, you must begin with his grandmother." -Victor Hugo
Monday, January 5, 2009
Shout Out to H & E
Lately I think we've been missing our friends Heather and Enrique. They were our buddies in college and the one couple we've always gotten along with splendidly-- whether we were playing cards, talking philosophy, or watching movies we had a good time. We made fun of ourselves for having no money, for drinking wine out of Ikea cups, for dreaming about our respective fame and fortune to come. As a couple just that much further down the road, Heather and Enrique encouraged Alan and me that people who fight passionately and love fiercely can be happily, devotedly married.
Now we are miles and miles away from each other, and many evenings Alan and I wish our friends were in Kentucky rather than Colorado. While we are still in touch each week, its a stretch for emails and phone calls to fill in the space of talking to Heather over a bowl of chickpea soup or having Enrique tell me with a pat on the back "Little sister, don't worry! You'll be fine!"
But better to have friends to miss than none at all. And we look forward to a time when the Fates move us a few states closer together, when we can have one more round of nertz and wine with our dear friends.
Now we are miles and miles away from each other, and many evenings Alan and I wish our friends were in Kentucky rather than Colorado. While we are still in touch each week, its a stretch for emails and phone calls to fill in the space of talking to Heather over a bowl of chickpea soup or having Enrique tell me with a pat on the back "Little sister, don't worry! You'll be fine!"
But better to have friends to miss than none at all. And we look forward to a time when the Fates move us a few states closer together, when we can have one more round of nertz and wine with our dear friends.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
New Baby Delivered Old School
Congrats to our friends, the Herons, for the birth of baby Eloise! She's a cutie!
And she arrived at home (on purpose) as so many Wilmore babies do. Which brings up a study I recently came across. The Milbank Report is not about homebirthing, but birth practices in general. Spurred on by the fact that the US is not anywhere near the top twenty countries for healthy births, this report lays out the facts of having a baby in the States (a more risky practice than some might care to think).
And she arrived at home (on purpose) as so many Wilmore babies do. Which brings up a study I recently came across. The Milbank Report is not about homebirthing, but birth practices in general. Spurred on by the fact that the US is not anywhere near the top twenty countries for healthy births, this report lays out the facts of having a baby in the States (a more risky practice than some might care to think).
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