Tomorrow's a busy day

I have an Altar Guild meeting, my first, tomorrow. (If you haven't guessed I'm Episcopalian.) There's a long family history of us gals being members at least as far back as my 6th greatgrandmother Sally Tracy Hayden. It might go further back, maybe not.

Anyway the "Altar Fairies" as my Aunt Dorothy used to call them were the ones that came in on Saturdays, cleaned the church, set up the alter, made sure the linen were clean and pressed. That bit's a lot easier with todays materials.

I also want to lean how to do flower. I like altars with flowers, but my talents are, um, amateurish at best. Fortunately a kind soul has offered to teach me. I'm the big fluffy English cottage flower style person, not the Ikebana type. Although Ikebana has it's place. And I do like orchids as well.

I've always wondered why we can't put leis around each others neck during the Peace? Or toss rose petals at each other.

You'll have to forgive me...I watched Alice's Restaurant yesterday.

I have a new toy, and I'm taking a music break!

My old player gave up the ghost long ago. I think it was RCA and free. But today I treated myself to a JVC FSG5. I think I paid a fair price for it, It's not one of huge boom box systems, but instead sits nicely on the top of my oh so chic Sterilite 2 Drawer Cart. Don't laugh - you can see what's in them and when you move you just have to tape them shut.

Anyway it's got AM/FM, sound turbo (and it makes a difference when listening to the Doors!) It also hold 5 CDs and has a USB audio connection. It'll be a week or two until I play with that.

So far tonight, this is my playlist: The Doors Greatest Hits; Alanis Morrisette: Bitter Little Pill (the original); Patsy Cline 12 Greatest Hits; The Very Best of the Everly Brothers and The Very Best of Len Barry. Tomorrow I'm digging out all my blues, cajun, zydeco and making some coffee with chicory.

I don't have a gluten free recipe for beignets, or I'd make them. Hmm...I should check Bette Hagman's books. Maybe she'll have a recipe.

Playing right now is: Love Me Two Times.

I'm a Pure Nerd! (I knew it!)

Pure Nerd

91 % Nerd, 43% Geek, 30% Dork

For The Record:A Nerd is someone who is passionate about learning/being smart/academia.A Geek is someone who is passionate about some particular area or subject, often an obscure or difficult one.A Dork is someone who has difficulty with common social expectations/interactions.You scored better than half in Nerd, earning you the title of: Pure Nerd. The times, they are a-changing. It used to be that being exceptionally smart led to being unpopular, which would ultimately lead to picking up all of the traits and tendences associated with the "dork." No-longer. Being smart isn't as socially crippling as it once was, and even more so as you get older: eventually being a Pure Nerd will likely be replaced with the following label: Purely Successful. Congratulations!

Take the test here.

Today's Synthesis Study, Matthew 18:15-20

We had an interesting discussion during adult bible study, after the 8am Rite I service. I like Rite I better because it's easy to get into a meditative flow without the musical interruptions.

Anyway, Matthew 18:15-20

Jesus said, "If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."

We easily agreed that we have a problem with someone, it's best to go to them first and try to work it out. Then if that doesn't succeed, have a mediator. But we all stopped short of banishment, probably because we are ever hopeful that a compromise can eventually be reached. And sometimes time itself can be a good healer because it gives us the chance to look at things from a fresh perspective once the initial slight occurs.

What we actually talked about the most the phrase I highlighted. What exactly does it mean? "Whatever you bin on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Especially since the word bind can have two different meanings. You can be negatively bound (say an addiction) or positively bound (a loving relationship). And when something is loosed, that can be negative (letting loose evil of any form) or positive (loosing the yoke of a bad habit, anger and the like).

We all in agreement on "For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."

Well, goodnight everybody and have a blessed week! And please pray for all those affected by Katrina. We all have a long road ahead of us.

Sweet, sweet music!

I had to take a break from all the Katrina, SCOTUS and Iraq news do a mental tune up. This afternoons tune-up consisted of Moody Blues, Steven Halpern, Prairie Home Companion (J'adore Guy Noir!). And I had some catsup. I needed some of those natural mellowing agents!

Tomorrow I'm planning on a Queenfest, supplemented with some Buddy Guy, Blind Boys of Alabama, Garrison' Keillor's "Songs of the Cat" and Clifton Chenier! I'm going to take my mini-boom box over to the park with a sketchpad and just chill out. Maybe I'll take the camera too and post some pictures.

Love Will Find a Way!

Joe and Trenise were supposed to get married last Sunday, but Katrina interrupted their plans. Word got around the Coliseum, and everything from wedding clothes, cakes, food and drink were donated from nearby businesses. Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Kirsh!

Weekend Edition - Sunday, September 4, 2005 · One ray of hope amid painful days on the Gulf Coast: Two evacuees from the hurricane, Joe Kirsh and Trenise Williams, were married while waiting with 1,000 others gathered at the Mississippi Coliseum. Their planned New Orleans wedding was interrupted by Katrina.

Photo by David Schaper, NPR
Click here to go to the NPR site to read more.

Finally, Hope has Arrived in Nola!

Evacuations are going full speed at last. Even Carnival Cruise Lines is pitching in, sending three of their ships to help. I think people have figured out that finger pointing wasn't helping the stranded people. Once everyone is safe, then it's time to figure out what went wrong.

President Bush has promised 17,000 more troops will be deployed over the next 72 hours.
I'm glad that he has acknowleged that the response to Hurricane Katrina's victims has been unacceptable. How we treat Katrina refugees is going to go a long way in showing people what we are really like as a nation.

Red Cross PREVENTED From Helping in New Orleans

Yes, you read that right! And it is unbelievable. A big thanks to SteveRose who posted this find at Daily Kos. Are we ready for another 9/11? Not if Hurricane Katrina is a test, because our government agencies have failed miserably.

Disaster FAQs

Hurricane
Katrina: Why is the Red Cross not in New Orleans?

Acess (sic) to New Orleans is controlled by the National Guard and local authorities and while we are in constant contact with them, we simply cannot enter New Orleans against their orders.

The state Homeland Security Department had requested--and continues to request---that the American Red Cross not come back into New Orleans following the hurricane. Our presence would keep people from evacuating and encourage others to come into the city.

Click here to see what the Red Cross has to say. While you're at it, write the media, your elected officials, and just generally raise hell. THIS IS WRONG. The Red Cross should given top priority considering people are DYING.

Does Homeland (In)Security really believe that if people were given a few bottles of water and MRSs, that they would want to stay in an area with water contaminated with chemicals, feces, decomposing corpses, and no food? At the very least, the Red Cross should be able to go in with the rescuers to administer basic first aid, and to give out water and a meal. Even if it's bag of chips.

We need some good clear, leadership on this issue, and it sure as hell doesn't seem to be coming from Bush.

Katrina

Being a weather junkie, I was glued to the television, radio, the Weather Channel, the NYT - anyplace I could get a fix.

Now it's Friday and I need to get some sleep. I cannot even begin to feel the pain of the people still trapped. This is a disaster of epic proportions, and the polititians (with except few) are twiddling their thumbs while people die. Who's the designated Rudy Guiliani for this event? It feels like no one is in charge.

In listening to Bush's televised address yesterday, it did not strike me as being his best moment. What did stick with me (maybe I was addled by lack of sleep) was that he mentioned oil and gas much more than he mentioned the human cost. If any of you out there were keeping count, let me know. I'll post them here. Or over at my weather blog.

In the mean time, I'm off to take and ativan (lots of anxiety) and a hydrocodone (f-ed up back) and sleep. I'll says some prayers first because I'm grateful I'm alive and well and warm, and so is all my family.

On an unusual note, those of you who know me know I have a brother names George who is a walking one man destruction crew. Last week he fell off a three story building, landed on a truck and

bruised his bum.

Lucky bastard, and he knows it!

City on the Edge of Crawford, Part 2

Check out the graphic on Perrspectives.com. It would seem that the portal's out of adjustment because some comments almost seem to be contradictory the further one travels forward in time. The war seems to be occuring backwards! Or perhaps we are seeing a bizarre parallel universe infringing on our own.

Hmm. Something's not quite right here.

City on the Edge of Crawford

Eureka! I've figured out why BushCo hates what Cindy Sheehan is trying to do and they are actually trying to save the future!

Somehow, the Republicans have stumbled upon a time portal and discovered that if Cindy Sheehan is not stopped, the peace movement she began will continue to grow until the Afghan and Iraqi wars end, Democrats are elected in droves and control The Whole Enchilada, the deficit is once more vanquished, and Americans are happy with full health care, the world's best public education system, clean air and water, great jobs and nobody cares about sexual orientation, skin color, gender, religious affiliation or what political party one belongs to. The nation's motto becomes "We're all in this together" and nobody has to figure out if a politician is telling the truth, because, of course, they really want to tell the truth and are there to work in the best interest of everybody (even illegal immigrants) in the US.

Realizing the horrendous consequences of this reality, double super secret agents descend to make sure the future is safe for corporations, five week presidential vacations and conservatives everywhere.

Base Closings

I found this on the Christian Science Monitor today. It's an interesting read, and naturally I have my own opinion.

Base closings could signal disconnect from society for the military

But New England's experience is in many ways a barometer for the nation, as the military contracts into fewer and larger installations, analysts suggest. The concern is not so much one of security, but of society.

Some wonder whether the military, by leaving so many places where it has long been a part of the community, is becoming too remote from the very people it is charged to protect, This changes the calculus on everything from defense budgets to recruiting and retention.

"As the military goes for fewer bases, there is an increasing disconnect between the military and the community," says Jeremiah Gertler of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

I agree there is a disconnect between the military and the community. The Draft went a long way in fostering a very personal connection. As we no longer have a draft and rely on volunteers that connection has faded. For a young person, going into the military is a way to get their education paid for and health benefits he or she might not have if they are in a low income category or a minority. (More likely both.) It certainly isn't for the salary, which is incredibly low.

However, base closings seem (at least to me) that there is a serious disconnect between the government and the military. This whole base closing scheme strikes me as a corporate-style strategy to save a few buck at the expense of the workers (military and civilian) and national security. I could even make an entirely specious argument that aggressively recruiting minorities is the equivalent of foreign outsourcing because they will work for the lower wages. Think about it: how many recruiting offices do you see in upscale areas? Yes, they are out there, but the majority may be in less affluent areas. No, I don't have proof. Like I said, it's a specious argument. (Although if anyone does have the figures, I'd like to take a look at them. It's the geographer in me.)

What I'd like to see is how the government is planning on utilizing the military given the proposed base closings. I'd like to see if they've even thought about it! I should hope that our security isn't in the hands of bean counters.

Frantaglais blah-blah...

Frantaglais blah-blah...

I love to read. I love to read about people who love to read. And there are some great photos here, too.

I should really review my French language skills. I had two years in high school, and have forgot most of it. That shall be my next project, after I finish reviewing my Spanish. I had two years in college and have forgot most of it.

Hmm...seems to be a recurring theme here.

Can't Get No Satisfaction This Year Either

Damn. Absolutely none of the dates for the A Bigger Bang tour match up with my schedule. I haven't seen the Rolling Stones since 1981. Tatoo You. Yup, it's been awhile. What makes it more depressing is one of my friends has a son who is now married and a new father. And he was born 1982. When you look at it that way, you just feel old.

But heck, if the Stones can still keep on rockin and touring who am to complain? As my grandmother used to say about birthdays "you are only one day older than you were yesterday". I still feel like I'm in my twenties, but I wouldn't return to that age again for any reason. OK, well maybe to remember life without regular Clairol usage to cover the evidence, but still.

______________________________________________________________
I'm currently listening to Mother's Little Helper by the Rolling Stones (Aftermath, 1966)

Pat Robertson Fatwa - Say What?

Pat Robertson occasionally takes the odd turn down Lunatic Lane and on his most recent visit he advocated assassinating Hugo Chavez, the president of Venezuala. If that doesn't say wingnut, I don't know what does. Crooks and Liars does a good job pointing out that one group that has been silent are right-wingers who normally squawk fiercely whenever anyone says anything they disagree with.

Why the Silence on the right-wing sphere over Robertson?

It's so quiet you can hear a pin drop.

Power Line, Michelle Malkin, (she's on vacation so her
subs) Hugh Hewitt, Roger L. Simon, and many more are all
silent on Pat Robertson's assassination statements so far. Anytime someone from
the left criticizes the war or the President we're deemed traitors, supporting
the terrorists while lowering the moral of our troops or just plain
anti-military, but having one of the biggest Christian leaders (who has the
President's ear) gleefully asking for a contract killing of President Hugo
Chavez that could send out a message to the Middle East that we are a nation of
religious zealot hit-men, dispatching our enemies with secret covert operations
(ala Alias) for our own political gain is ignored.

To read the full post click here.

So, Pat, I'm curious: if it's OK by your god to take out Chavez, is it OK for their god to take out ours?

Time Flies

Between feeling like I'm living in Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (that's the twirling teacups at Disney) and packing, only to unpack in the same space, it's been a while since I've had time to update this. Life is just downstrange at times. But now, I'm back.

b r a i n n o t f u n c t i o n i n g

My latest bout of Meniere's shows only the eencie-weenciest signs of abating. The humidity is picking up and that means things will pretty much come to a standstill again. It's incredibly boring. Reading is darn well impossible because the words jump all over the place; knitting has become a challenge; television is boring.

Well, it's not all boring. There are some things I do watch: General Hospital, Ellen, CSI (any city), and occasionally I'll turn to C-Span when I need a good laugh. Weekends are my favorite PBS viewing. Doctor Who reruns pop up, Mystery, the Red Green Show. You know what I really miss on PBS? Reruns of the Ernie Kovacs Show. Now he was a genius!

I'm desparately trying to stay upright enough to work on my little blog here, but it's a challenge, and I'm so desperately behind on the news.

And I'm trying to pack for a move back to Utah. I can hardly wait to get back there - I love dry heat and desert. And pie. Love that pie, especially from Village Inn. I've never understood my fascination with the desert. Maybe all those John Wayne movies when I was kid, but if there is one place on earth that I had to choose to to live in, it's Utah. It has everything. Not a lot of Episcopalians, though, at least not in the southeast corner.

Once Hank and I get out there, I'll actually put some order into chaos here and have a coherent blog. Maybe some pictures. More recipes. Music. News.

We'll see.

I'm upright!

I hate Meniere's disease. I don't have attacks very often but this one sent me to the ER. It was nasty. I still have tinnitus, especially in my right ear. Grrrrr.

I have made no soup lately. Actually, I'm grateful for instant mashed potatoes and canned peas at this point! Tonight I will actually be making some grilled chicken, the first real cooking, other than scrambled eggs, that I've done since the floor jumped up and hit me in the face.

I've fallen behind in news junkie reading. I know there's been things happening, but Antivert makes you not care. I did read that there's a new planet, or at least something going on out there in our solar system. I'm all for making whatever it is a planet: ten is a nice round number. I also heard on NPR that Doonesbury was pulled from a few papers for referring to Karl Rove by his nickname, Turd Blossom. John Roberts is only number five in terms of judicial hunkiness, but I want to find the site and find out who numbers one through four are. And finally, John Bolton is being sent to the UN via recess appointment. Jeesh. Makes me wish I had something stronger than Antivert.


Right now I am listening to: The Grand Illusion by Styx (The Grand Illusion, 1977)

Back Soon!

I have been sidelines by an acute attack of Meniere's disease. That is a nasty inner ear problem that makes you feels like you've been chugging beer and slugging down shots of whiskey while you are being twirled around in NASA's vomit comet and there's a balloon in your ear that's going to explode any minute. It ain't fun folks. But it's almost over. See you next week.

Benny's Journey Moved

I have moved my grandfather's stories to http://bennysjourney.blogspot.com/. I thought it would be better that way - if you are reading it you don't have to sort through all the soup!