If You Can't Say Something Nice...
Say Something Vague

Kathryn On My Mind

I had a strange dream last night/this morning. And Kathryn was in it. Kathryn and I were going to an undisclosed college (Undisclosed to me, anyway. I assume that my dream self knew where it was and didn't bother to tell my sleeping self.) Kathryn had been going there for a little while, and I was new.

We were wandering around the school for awhile, checking it out: the metal booths with metal tables for eating lunch; the covered patio areas; the quad, etc. Then Kathryn and I realized that we really wanted to watch CSI:Miami that night. So Kat took me to this little order area (like at those old walk-up fast food places) where we had to request to watch CSI:Miami that night. She handed me a form to fill out that she'd already started for me.

She explained to me that you could request a show, and they would play the audio over your telephone, but you couldn't actually watch it. I told her that I had a TV, and why didn't she come over to watch it in my room. She looked at me like I was nuts and said that listening to it over the phone was the accepted way to do it. So I went back to my room, and my roommate (my actual college roommate Julie) had taken a baseball bat to my TV, since we were supposed to listen to programs over the phone.

And then I woke up. Weird, huh?

And just something to think about here:

CORPORATIONS WHOSE POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS HELPED PUT BUSH BACK IN THE WHITE HOUSE

Wendy's International, the owner of Baja Fresh. 93% of Wendy's political donations went to the Republicans. (They also own: Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers, Tim Hortons (Canada), Cafe Express and Pasta Pomodor.)

Meadwestvaco (90% to the Republicans) : AT-A-Glance (the handy calendars), Cambridge, Columbian, Five-Star and Mead products.

Mariott Hotels, $323K, 81% to Republicans

Holiday Inn, $38K, 71% to the Republicans

WalMart, $467K, 97% to the Republicans [Big shocker here]

K-Mart, $524K, 86% to the Republicans

McDonald's Corp., $197K, 86% to the Republicans [Well, at least I don't eat there anymore!]

Home Depot, $298K, 89% to the Republicans

Target, $226K, 70% to the Republicans [Nooooooooo!!! I looooove Target!]

Tricon Global Restaurants (KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell,) $133K, 87% to the Republicans [Er, yeah, I eat at KFC and Taco Bell. Rats!]

Circuit City Stores, $261K, 95% to the Republicans

3M Co., $281K, 87% to the Republicans [I love Post-Its]

Hallmark Cards, $319K, 92% to the Republicans [Man alive! Is nothing sacred?]

ExxonMobil 96% to the Republican [Another heart-stoppingly shocking revelation]

Amway, $391K, 100% to the Republicans [Figures]

Kohler Co. (plumbing fixtures), $283K, 100% to the Republicans

B.F. Goodrich (tires), $215K, 97% to Republicans

Proctor & Gamble, $243K, 79% to Republicans [Boo!!]

Coors, $174K, 92% to Republicans [I only like expensive, imported beer, so that's good]

Brown-Forman Corp. (Southern Comfort, Jack Daniels, Bushmills, Korbel wines--as well as Lennox China, Dansk, Gorham Silver), $644K, 80% to Republicans [I'm not a big drinker, thank goodness]

Pilgrim's Pride Corp. (chicken), $366K, 100% to the Republicans

Outback Steakhouse Corp., (Carrabba's Italian Grill, Lee Roy Selmon's, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Bonefish Grill and Paul Lee's Chinese Kitchen) $641K, 95% to the Republicans [Goshdarnit!]

Brinker International (Maggiano's, Brinker Cafe, Chili's, On the Border, Macaroni Grill, Crazymel's, Corner Baker, EatZis,) $242K, 83% to the Republicans [Oh man!]

Darden Restaurants (Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Smokey Bones, Bahama Breeze), $121K, 89% Republican [Not Olive Garden!]

Int'l Paper (90%) (Hammermill, Chamex, Chamequinho, Ballet, Pol, Rey, Duo, Great White, Jet Print Photo, Invent-It! , Beckett, Brite Hue Strathmore, Via)

Hello and GoodBye

I am not destined to write a lengthy or detailed post this week, I guess.

So I present you with two things:

1) I met Kat's twin on Sunday. Our server at CPK looked like Kat's long-lost twin. Seriously. Even The Boy noticed and, let's face it, Boys aren't the most observant. She even had her hair in two braids that looked Kathryn-ish. It was kind of eerie. I found it hard to give her my order 'cause I just wanted to chat and see how her training was going and whether she'd heard from more of her friends in Africa.

2) This is pretty cool. I haven't had a lot of time to explore the site, but it does support my own feelings about the intersection between religion and politics--at least theoretically. Just look at this description:

"In the twentieth century, however, it began to be realized that the left and Christianity had much in common. It has been said the 'Christ was the first communist' and there is an extremely strong thread of egalitarianism in the New Testament. Other common leftist concerns such as pacifism, justice, racial equality, human rights, and the rejection of excessive wealth can also be found in the Bible."

Well, that about does it for me. Have a great Turkey Day, all!

Having A Jonah Day?

How 'bout just an exceptionally long Friday? Well, go here to be cheered right up.

Work At Home: An Oxymoron?

The Boy thinks so. I'm currently working at home, which he thinks means screwing around and not getting any actual work done. I've pointed out that I wouldn't be able to hold my job for very long if that were indeed true.

What do you think? Have you ever worked at home? Did you get a lot of work done? Or did you find the lure of the TV/VCR/DVD/books/bed to be too much for you?

I'm just curious.

Updated to add: this should have posted yesterday. Don't know why it didn't. I'm still working at home. Fun, fun, fun. But I have to go into the office at some point because I can't access the network yet. Need to get that added to my laptop. That's it. Nothing exciting.

Still Among The Living

I've been sick again. Or, rather, STILL. I'm working at home right now. Just checking in.

For my readers (both of 'em!) who come here for bright political commentary, I refer you here.

I started reading Kerstin's posts because she is a talented and prolific knitter. But the election this year has sparked a whole other side of her. She is now a voice to be reckoned with in political blogging. Absolutely frickin' brilliant. She's insightful and funny and best of all--informed. If you have a chance, check her out.

Why Celebrities Shouldn't Be Allowed To Breed

Baby names such as: Zen (Corey Feldman), Puma & Seven (Erykah Badu), Makena'lei Gordon (Helen Hunt), Apple (Gwyneth Paltrow), Molly Blue, Indiana August (Casey Affleck), Whizdom J., Romeo Jon (Jon Bon Jovi), Gypsy, Ace, Wilf, Blossom, Talullah Lilac, Mattea Angel (Mira Sorvino).

Egad! Bad celebrities! Bad!

Note: I find naming your son Odysseas pretty cruel, too, but he's the son of a Greek prince. Royalty gets a pass, I guess; all their freakin' kids have weird, long-ass names.

Making Me Happy Right Now: a) it's Friday, b) it's payday, c) Dean Martin on the CD player (shut up; he's cool!).

A Safe Post About Work

Yes, I'm going to post something about work, but I don't see that it's anything that could get me in any trouble. We have a very nice HR guy who is in town. The problem is, when he's in town, nobody's happy to see him. Why? Well, think about it. Technology company + HR guy = what's going on?

See, as nice as he is, he doesn't get the warmest reception. His very presence provokes a lot of questions. It's a shame, really, 'cause I like him. And yet, seeing him strikes fear into my little heart--and that of many of my co-workers.

I just think it's funny that he can't even just visit our largest office without causing speculation. I wish I had that kind of power!

Uh Oh, Sounds Like Somebody's Got A Case Of The Mondays!

And I think that that somebody is me. [sigh]

I reallllly could have used another day this weekend. I care about veterans! Why didn't I get Veteran's Day off?! Stupid non-governmental jobs.

Friday: didn't do much

Saturday: went to 'rents, saw The Incredibles for little sister Rachel's birthday, ate way too much

Sunday: cleaned house like mad, had friend over to knit, ate way too much

Hmmm, I am sensing a pattern. I think it is socializing that makes me eat too much. So maybe if I were to become a hermit, I wouldn't overeat? Nah, I'd probably just eat out of boredom. Weight Watchers is so gonna suck tonight.

This Is Fan-Freakin'-Tastic!!!

I found this on QueerJoe's blog; I'm not sure where it comes from originally, but MY GOD is it hysterical!

A New Day, A New Mood



*Note If you want to skip all the political diatribe, at least read the last paragraph for a cute story.*

**********

Back to the regularly scheduled post...Yes, I still feel sad, disappointed, angry, and all those things, but I think that the Democrats have learned and are learning a lot of lessons from the reign of Bush. I think that we are headed for a very different political landscape in 2008--and before, I hope--in which liberal is not a bad word; in which caring for others is acceptable; in which we no longer allow our rights and opportunities to be squandered; in which people stand up to the powers that be and demand accountability. Trust me when I say that Kos states this far better than I can:

"We put together an unprecedented ground operation, but it was matched by the zealots on the right. We experienced an explosion in the blog world and started a nascent liberal radio network, but our message machine was far outmatched by the rightwing noise machine (Fox News, the Washington Times, Drudge Report, Talk Radio, etc.) We put forth quality candidates in races nationwide, only to see most outclassed and outgunned by a GOP which ran on three simple tenets: God, guns and gays.

"It's a bitter pill to swallow, but one that should hopefully lead to a brighter future. Bush owns his messes, and now he'll be forced to clean them up. He won't be able to hide behind 9/11 seven years into his term. Unless the Republicans can engineer a recovery of epic proportions, they will have a great deal to answer to in the 2006 midterms and 2008. And God help Bush if this nation suffers another terrorist attack.

"But best of all, we'll continue to see this great resurgence in progressive activism - the kind not seen in American politics in over a generation. None of these new activists heeded the call to arms only to abandon the fight today. We are energised, and will continue to fight for a better future for our country."

Also, what he said. Sometimes when I think I know what I'm saying, or that I'm saying it well, I read Eric Alterman and I think, "Yowza, that guy has got it going on." Check out his analysis of events. Just as a teaser, here's his thesis:

"Slightly more than half of the citizens of this country simply do not care about what those of us in the "reality-based community" say or believe about anything."

**********

And to end on a lighter note, I was talking to my mom last night about the election. Apparently my little sisters' school had a mock election on Monday, where all the classes got to vote for president. My mom picked them up from school and the middle mini (Nikki, age 8) was telling my mom about the election. My mom asked her who she voted for. "Duh. Kerry," said my precocious little sis. "Me too!!" shouted five-year-old Lexi. "I voted for Kerry too!" Then the 9-year-old, Rachel, pipes in, "I didn't." My mom asked her why not. To which Rachel replied, "I didn't like him in that pet detective movie. He wasn't funny at all." My mom said it took her a second to 'get it'. Then Nikki rolled her eyes and said, "Rachel, that was JIM Carey, not JOHN Kerry!"

Tee hee.

Today I Feel:



I am very disappointed in our country. I am thrilled that so many people turned out to vote, but I don't see how it went the way it did. I don't get it.

If I were more of a conspiracy theorist, I would point out how odd it is that Bush lost the popular vote in 2000, and yet in 2004 he wins by more than 3 million. Odd considering that in the intervening 4 years we had: terrorist attacks, an unending and unwinnable war, nearly 1,200 U.S. deaths, somewhere between 14k-16k civilian deaths, countless injuries, staggering jog loss, complete global alienation, economic disaster, record deficits, etc., etc. All on his watch.

But, heck, he's clearly doing a good enough job that the American people want to give him four more years. Is that so that we can be completely run into the ground? So that the public will become so afraid, so disillusioned, so hopeless that we'll be even easier to convert to a theocracy in 2008?

I'm sorry to say this as a Christian, but I think that Evangelicals won this battle for Bush by voting a very short-sighted moral platform. The administration is against abortion and gay rights. And...that's a good enough reason to throw the country to the dogs?!?! From a Christian perspective, I think that there are far more lofty and widespread issues that ought to be considered: negligence, moral bankruptcy, idolatry (re: money), self-centeredness, a policy of hate and fear, lack of compassion, no consideration for the poor or needy. The spread of those 'values' are not what the message of Jesus is about. And they are not what our country is supposed to be about. They are certainly not the moral high-road.

I'm just sick and sad.

Where's My Damn Sticker?!

Yeah, so I've been trying to post all day, but everytime I tried to access a Blogger site, including my own, I've gotten a 404 Error. Hmph.

So I voted absentee, which means that I didn't get my little 'I Voted' sticker. I know it's dumb, but I love getting my little sticker. I like that I can flaunt my civic duty and my role in the functioning of the Republic (link found by way of Susan's blog). But I voted absentee to avoid any of the drama surrounding polling sites. Not that my absentee ballot couldn't mysteriously disappear; it wouldn't shock me (sadly) if that happened 'round these parts.

The downside to the certitude that I voted how/what I wanted to on my own little paper ballot is undermined by my lack of fun sticker. I love those silly things!

*****

Ooh...lookie what I found. I did a horrible job of copying and cropping it, but you get the idea...

I pulled the image here (I apologize to the creator that I destroyed your graphic; please don't do anything mean to me. I just wanted an 'I Voted' sticker so much, and yours is nice!! I encourage any readers to go to the site and see what it should look like)

And You Thought Yesterday Was Scary

[sigh] I am so not looking forward to tomorrow. No matter what happens with the election, my office is going to be intolerable. Thank God for earphones.