I've been neglecting you

And I am sorry about it. I don't mean to, I'm just insanely busy. In the mean time, take a look at the sun...

The WTF of the week so far

I'm sure you've seen this already, KFC's bunless sandwich.
CNN says:
"The bun-free ("so meaty, there's no room") sandwich features two pieces of bacon, two slices of melted cheese and "Colonel's Sauce" - which KFC officials said is a "zesty mayonnaise" -- slathered between two chicken filets, either original recipe (540 calories and 32 fat grams per KFC.com) or the slightly slimmer grilled version (460 calories and 23 fat grams)."

Jesus Christ. Is KFC trying to kill us? Are they the real terrorists?
That is just insane.

Friday randomness

A couple of things, first off, Happy Good Friday to all you Christians. Nice of you to catch up, I will never understand why your rebirth ceremony has to be so far away from the equinox. But whatever. In order to atone for their sins, Filipinos are nailing themselves to crosses today. Yeah, I kind of wish I was making that up, but frankly if I'm not going to criticize the Sun Dance, I won't criticize people nailing themselves to crosses.
Anna Paquin is Bisexual. While reading the comments for an article on this, I came across some guy saying that this proves that being gay is a choice, because she has chosen to be Bi. Yeah. Sorry dude, being Bi is something you are born with, just like being gay. However, I do wish that people would stop saying they are Bi as a stepping stone to being gay. There is a difference, when you are bi you are actually attracted to people of both sexes. It kind of cheapens the fact that it is a real thing, and makes people think that if you are Bi you are actually gay. However, good for her. I'm proud for any star who says they are gay or Bi. It's not easy to come out.
And lastly, I love the number 7, so I liked this story about how the lottery paid out $77.7 million after the number 7-7-7-7 hit.
Have a Happy Easter all...

Hutaree, Atari, whatever

Everyone, of course, is talking about these loony tunes. I really don't have too much to add, outside of, when I first heard them being talked about I thought the newscasters were saying Atari, and I could not figure out why someone would name a milita that. Not that Hutaree is much better.
The name even looks goofy.
Anyway, if you would like to see something really freaking disturbing, go again and make with the clicky here. That's going to take you to TPM, and their article on the Facebook pictures of a Hutaree wedding. I really shouldn't have looked at it this early in the morning. But I'm sure most of you have thicker skin that I do.
This whole thing makes me wonder how many more of these fringe militas are out there. I don't mean the mainstream militas (wow, never thought I'd say that), but people like these guys that are so crazy that even the big guys don't want them. Two of the members of this milita were kicked out of one of the bigger Michigan militas. That says a lot to me about the whole thing.

In which I complain about the misuse of poetry

Many things have irritated me today, but only one has actually pissed me off. It involves this poem...

Invictus
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate;
I am the captain of my soul.
William Ernest Henley

This is a favorite poem of mine (a reminder here that I follow Norse Gods, this poem is very much their speed). I was already irritated when Timothy McVeigh quoted it. But now the crazy ass, anti-health care, kill Obama, we must all go to war people are quoting it too.
Now, I'm all about poetry meaning different things to different people, and so like all art it is the impression the words make on your soul that counts. I would just prefer that these Tea Partiers stick to stuff they actually understand. What speaks of war to some people speaks of courage in the face of the struggles in life to others.
However, thanks again Tea Baggers for a chance to use my Tea Baggings tag. Yay!

It may not be perfect, but by the end of this week we will finally have healthcare reform. I'm one of the people who believe that we can do this piece by piece the way we did Medicare, so I'm not too terribly worried about this being "it".
It's damn good to finally have it started.

Sláinte

Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone.
Faol saol agat, gob fliuch, agus bás in Éirinn.*

If I hear that anyone has sung Danny Boy today I swear to you, as a proud Irish woman, that I will hurt you for it. There are better songs to sing today.

* This should translate as "Long life to you, a wet mouth, and death in Ireland".

Visiting what?

I read a wonder post over at Slacktivist today, and while reading the comments I came across something I read about a lot over there. Visiting pastors. People who's whole job is to visit people who need comfort in the parish (church? whatever, you know what I mean).
This is so strange to me. I remember when I was growing up my brother was in an accident and had to be hospitalized for months. My grandmother had the minister of our family church drive from New Jersey to sit with my mother in the hospital. Talk about a sucky job. But he did it. Not some other guy either, the minister I saw on the big holidays when we drove to Jersey (Easter and Christmas).
If some random dude had showed up Mom would have sent him back to Jersey. No offense to him. But that's just not how our church worked.
Some random dude showed up after Lil was born. I guess maybe he was a visiting pastor or something. A hospital pastor, maybe. But it's a strange concept. You have one guy who isn't the big guy who's supposed to come out and give you comfort. Most people have friends for that. With the added bonus that you actually know your friends.
Am I missing something here? Do you actually know the visiting pastor well before he shows up when you need someones shoulder to cry on? Are they better at giving comfort than the regular guy? Anyone have any ideas? Because I'm at a loss.

I really can't think of a witty title for this...

So, TLC has decided to just on the success that A&E is having with their show on hoarders. They aired a show last night on extreme hoarders.*
The first person on the show is an ex-military guy, which was kind of weird and just goes to show you that anyone can have this disorder. The second person was a woman who has Fibromyalgia.
My heart sank a bit when she said that, because I'm reasonably sure I can see where this is going to head in the Fibro communities.
OCD's are a touchy subject in the Fibro community. A large amount of the people with Fibro have an anxiety disorder of some kind. Sometimes they are generalized anxiety disorders, sometimes they even manifest as eating disorders, but most of the time they are OCD disorders. Mild ones, but still there.
People with Fibro often have so many other problems that the anxiety disorders go untreated. Sometimes you get a doctor that will give you a drug that will combat it, but not always. Assuming you found a doctor that believes you in the first place. We try hard to appear normal, and act normal, because for years we have been known as crazy women (and men). Fibro isn't real, you're faking, it's not that bad, and so on.
For years we have been fighting that label of "crazy women". This program really didn't help. Look at the crazy hoarder woman, she has Fibro. I wonder if my co-worker/friend/sibling/etc. is crazy too. So thanks TLC, for both giving us more exposure and putting the cause back. I'm not sure if I'm happy about it or sad, that now if I tell someone I have Fibro they will think of a crazy hoarder woman down south who hid stuff she picked up in the trash in her bushes so her husband didn't know she had it.


*Hoarders are people with a complex OCD that manifests itself in them buying and then keeping objects that they do not need but retain a connection to. Because of the connection they often times can not let go of their collections. Extreme hoarders are just that, they have so many things in their houses and on their property that it is no longer safe. Just an FYI.

This weekend I built an ark...

So, I live in the southeast corner of PA. And we've been having some intense weather. Over the last three months we have had 4 nor'easters. 4. I do not ever remember a time when we have had that much snow (I missed the winter of '96, I was down south at the time. So I missed the closest to this winter).
So when it started raining we all knew it was going to suck. What with all the snow melting and the ground saturated.
It has been raining steadily for three days. At times quite heavy. On Saturday it flooded in spots I haven't seen flood before. And the wind! That brought down trees everywhere and knocked out power all over.
This winter has been awful. We've been looking forward to spring, but if this is spring, dude, I'll skip to summer, thank you very much.
Stupid weather.

So yeah...

Hi. It's been a while. I know. It's not you, it's me. Things have been hectic and I haven't had the togetherness to sit down and write an entire post.
In the last month, my brother has moved to Florida (we live in the Northeast, so it's a bit of a move), my cousin has been committed twice, the whole family has been in an uproar and dealing with the aftermath of that, my car started to literally fall apart, and at some point in all that I started to flare. It's been an awesome year so far.
I have a couple of posts coming up though. Bear with me. Things are slowing getting back to normal and I'll be able to annoy more people with my random randomness. Heh.
In the meantime, read Forever in Hell, because she has been awesome. Just sayin'

I slept with Tiger Woods, the Sequel...

This morning I caught the first few minutes of Good Morning America. They had two stories to choose between for their lead. Tiger Woods or the guy who flew his airplane into the IRS building.
They chose Tiger Woods.
I turned off the TV and went to make sure the kiddo was ready for school.
Honestly. Tiger Woods is more important than a man who flew an airplane into a building housing government offices? Are you kidding me?
Dear news, WTF? I could care less about Tiger Woods, who he slept with, if he's sorry, and if he'll be playing golf again. I can safely say that before this morning I hadn't thought about him in months. Now I am thinking about the crazy dude who flew an airplane into an office building with the IRS in it.
Priority fail.

Lost Blogging (finally!)

Spoilers abound as usual...

I know, I skipped last week. Partly because of a blizzard and partly because I could care less what Kate does. Although, I will touch upon one thing, Josh Holloway actually made me tear up when he was on the dock and told Kate he was going to ask Juliet to marry him. Out of all the characters I think Sawyer is the most fractured, he came the farthest and then lost it all when Jack and his pals returned.
Which brings us to...
FakeLocke finding him. Of course he would. He's looking for people who are fractured and vulnerable. Which is exactly what he said Jacob did too. Interesting. So he finds Sawyer, why bother with Richard? It's becoming obvious that Richard is little more than a priest like figure to Jacob, acting on faith, not real information. Jacob made him immortal, he does whatever Jacob says. It makes more sense than a lot of the motivations of the people on the Island.
Ben is also vulnerable. He' s had his entire belief structure shaken to the core. Why did FakeLocke abandon him? Because he knows that Ben will follow him when he gets back? We shall see.
And who the hell is Ilana??

Speculation says:
Ilana is Jacob's daughter. Yeah, I know. Prove me wrong Lost writers.
Hurley ends up being the Island's protector. It makes sense. He's becoming more and more confident. Much like he is in the alternate timeline. And Jacob does seem to like him a lot.
I have no theories on the alternate timeline. I honestly don't see where they are going with this outside of a neat thing showing how their lives would have still touched if they hadn't crashed.
That's about it for now. Any ideas?

In which anonymous people teach me a lesson

When I opened posting here to anyone I expected anonymous posters. What I didn't expect was two anonymous people commenting on one post, both telling me I'm wrong. In truth, I had to go back and read what I wrote because I had no idea what they were referring to, it was an old post. In fact it was the post when I mentioned Michelle Duggar was expecting baby 19, which has since been born via C-section much too early due to complications with the pregnancy.
In that post I pointed out that the Duggars are part of the Quiverfull movement, which is noted for male dominance of their woman, mostly by forcing the women into multiple pregnancies and isolating them from society. Much the same way the Fundamentalist sect of the Mormon Church does, but that's neither here nor there.
My commenters apparently didn't understand that I was criticizing the Quiverfull movement not Christianity at large (I do that in other posts, why bother there?) I was told I was pitiful for criticizing them, and honestly, whatever. I do not agree with what they are doing and I know from experience that even the most abused woman can look happy. After all, not all abuse if hitting people. And I wasn't exactly putting them down, after all it is their choice to do this insane thing, no matter how much I disagree with it. I am, however, expressing extreme dislike and sympathy for Michelle's body at this point. It obviously can't keep doing this. The fact they want to try for 20 worries me greatly. At this point she has a very real possibility of dying during the pregnancy and taking the baby with her.
I was also told that I was told lies and Christian women are not "supressed". First off, no they are not. They would be Oppressed. There is a difference. Also, no, not all Christian women are oppressed. Quiverfull women are. And I really haven't been told "lies" about Christianity as a whole. I was American Baptist once (the same denomination as Fred Clarke, FYI. Not crazy person Baptist). I decided not to be Christian anymore because it wasn't a fit for me. I was called elsewhere. It happens.
I really hope these people tell commenting. Especially the one who claimed she was in the military and couldn't spell for shit. That one was fun!
I'm really glad I opened comments.

Moment of win

Every morning I stop at the same place to get coffee and pick up some iced tea. Today they were getting a delivery and the cooler where the tea is was blocked. I was upset until I looked over at the counter next to the cooler and there were three green teas that the guy had taken out and put there for me. It made my day.
There is no reason for posting this other than the fact that it made me smile. And I wanted to share.

It's back, Lost blogging!!

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it's time for Lost Blogging. If you don't want to read spoilers do NOT read this post. There will be spoilers for the season opener LAX parts 1 and 2.

Onward and upward:

Where to start? The fact that the bomb apparently did split the time lines as so many theorized it would? The Losties from the 70's are back in their correct time, so hopefully some time this season Jin and Sun will reunite. I'm rooting for those crazy kids.
Of course I was also rooting for Sawyer to make good on his promise to kill Jack. No luck there. And knowing it was coming did not make Juliet's death easier. She may have phoned it in, but Josh really sold that scene.
And speaking of selling things, can I just say how awesome Terry O'Quin is? He is a totally different person, he communicates that wonderfully. You look at him and know he is not Locke, and that is great. And Bad Locke? You'd better not be hurting my Richard. The Dark UFO spoilers took a lot of the surprise out of that scene on the beach.
Speculation time: I think we can say safely that Richard is not anything other than a dude who happens to be ageless. He may be Jacob's liaison, but he is sometimes really out to sea (that will be a funnier joke later in the season, I promise) at times regarding what is going on with his boss.
Is Sayid now Jacob? I almost hate to go out on this limb, because I have a rotten track record here, but I'm going to lean toward yes. It makes sense and is beautifully fitting when you consider the Man in Black's loophole was Locke, who was essentially good but certainly no saint, and Jacob's loophole may be Sayid who was... more morally ambiguous. Not bad, but certainly not good.
I'm not even going to speculate about the losties on the alternate timeline but I'm happy to hear anyone else's thoughts.

Tightrope walker (aka random bitching)

Some days I feel like a tightrope walker. I walk the tightrope of being a mom, working full time, and having a chronic condition. Some days I slip, and almost fall. Those days suck. Some days I just fall off altogether and hope someone is there to help me get back up.
Today I am lowering the dosage of my pain medication. That means I hurt, alot. I am on a new medication that is helping, which is why I'm tapering off the pain meds. I am hoping I can go off them. However, that means that today I am one cranky ass bitch.
Today is also a day when a lot of other things seem to be conspiring to see how much shit can be piled on me at one time. Today was the day when I kept thinking of Airport, "I picked a bad day to stop drinking". Heh.
I am tired, and deeply sick of dealing with other people's problems. I am sick of picking up every one's messes, and most of all I am sick of being sick. Today is my no good very bad day.

Celibacy and you!!

Well, me actually. See, I haven't had sex in over three and a half years.
I'm going to stop right here and let that one sink in.
...
OK? Good, let's continue.
Last night I was watching an old episode of How I Met Your Mother and the characters were talking about how one of them had gone a whole 57 days (or something) without sex. Which is when I started laughing because, three and a half years.
But what I approach as a "meh," kind of thing these people were freaking out over. I mean, I see it as, if I wanted to I could go to a bar and hook up, but I frankly don't want to because the one night stand is lame (I've done them, they are lame). I don't want a relationship, so no sex there, and my male friends are either married, or otherwise unavailable.
After a while, I honestly stopped thinking about it in a "I have to get laid" way. I lead a damn busy life. Single Mom, work full time, run a household. Frankly I'm not sure how my cousins have enough time to have enough sex to keep getting preggers. They have more than one kid, and even as a stay at home mom that job is outstandingly hard. Add in the Fibro and I am in bed and asleep by 10 PM to be awake at 6.
Next thing you know, and three and a half years have passed and I haven't had sex in one of them. And now it seems like a bother to even try to go out and get laid. My friends talk about how I must be lonely and want companionship. I'm really not. I am surrounded by people I love and am really happy. Plus I have some me time (as much as you can have with a 5 year old). Sometimes people ask, don't you ever just want to get fucked? Well, sure. That's what porn is for. I don't actually need some strange guy slobbering all over me, thank you very much. Or gal, at that.
I happen to be one of those people who really don't need sex. If I have it, great! If I don't, whatever. I know not everyone is like me, hell, I'm going to assume very few people are like me. But it works for me, and as a result I'm not missing anything.
So, if any of you readers out there can relate, there you go. One more strange thing about this lady blogger.

Fail

Everything I have read today points to one thing: Obama sucks ass.
Seriously. Republican, Democrat, Independent. Everything. They can disagree about everything else except that. Obama. Sucks. Ass.
He's a terrible president, he will be doomed to a Grant-like existence in history, he has let down the nation and possibly the universe, but not being just like Bush in pushing legislation through congress.
I am supremely tired of hearing about how much Obama sucks ass. He has done good things that get lost in the legislative bullshit going on in the House and Senate. Health care? Really? You really thought we would get health care legislation done? Ever? Oh honey, sit down, I have a call for you. It's from reality. That was never going to happen. Hate to burst your bubble.
Can he fix the unemployment and economic mess we are in? Sure, if he can get a New New Deal passed. Can he? No. No chance. The Republicans would never never let that happen.
In short, does Obama suck? Sure, to some people. Obama also inherited an impossible situation at the worst possible time. He got a country that is on the verge of tearing itself apart over him, where he faces the extremely real possibility of being shot every time he goes out in public. He got a Democratic majority that is paralysed with fear over the idea of pissing people off. Frankly, there are times I'm surprised he hasn't pulled a Palin and said, "Enough of this bullshit, fix it on your own, you morons."
Obama, not so much sucking ass. Unrealistic expectations because he isn't Bush? Abound. Because of that his actual good works get lost? Definitely.
Fail. This whole thing is fail.

Doctors Without Borders

Yesterday I posted a link to the Red Cross, but there is another organization that desperately needs help in the wake of the Haitian earthquake, it's Doctors Without Borders.
Click on the link above, and please donate to this incredible organization. These are brave and wonderful people who go all over the world, into the war-torn areas where even the UN will not go, to provide medical help to those who need it.
Another good cause to donate to is Hollywood Unites for Haiti. This was founded by actor Jimmy Jean-Louis who plays "The Haitian" on Heroes. And is Haitian. So, there is yet another idea for a way to donate if you wish too.

Edit: Because Habitat for Humanity is also getting involved in Haiti. So you can always donate to them.

Haiti

My thoughts and prayers go to the nation of Haiti. Now is a good time to remember that the Red Cross could use some help. They always can use donations or volunteers, but in times of disasters they can use it even more.

Hahahah!!!

Brit Hume says...

"And my sense about Tiger is that he needs something that Christianity, especially provides and gives and offers. And that is redemption and forgiveness."

Hahahah! Yes, I'm sure. Buddhism has no concept of forgiveness. Please. I'm not an expert in it, but I have studied it for a few years now and even I know it has a concept of forgivness.

" mentioned the Buddhism only because his mother is a Buddhist and he has apparently said that he is a Buddhist. I'm not sure how seriously he practices that.
But I think – I think that the – Jesus Christ offers Tiger Woods something that Tiger Woods badly needs."

You know, I heard someone mention on TV last night that Hume makes Christianity sound like a religion that caters to people who cheat on their wives (which, given the amount of very public figures who are Christian and get caught cheating, it very may well be). Like it's the easy way out. Cheat on your wife? Get forgiven by Christ! It's just that easy!!
Tiger Woods doesn't need Christ. Speaking as a person who cheated on her husband when she was married, I assure it isn't religion or the lack thereof that causes people to cheat. It's boredom and a lack of respect for the other spouse.
Mr Hume, shut up dude. Stop trying to convert people.

Stay classy...

I'm super swamped today, however I haven't seen anyone else post this yet, so I figured I would throw it out there...

Feds probe Obama effigy in Carter's hometown
Witness says doll hanging from a noose had a sign with Obama's name on it

So, you know, that's just awesome. I simply don't have words for this one.
Enjoy...

2010

Happy New Year all you lovely people! May this year be happier than the last.