I'll ask the two or three readers that are left, describe me in one word. The stranger and more interesting, the better.
[and if you're lucky, (and I know you fairly well) I'll describe you in one word back. In the sleep-deprived state that I'm in these days, I'm bound to come up with something strange.]
"For me, comedy should have a certain amount of joy in it. It should be about attacking the powerful — the politicians, the Trumps, the blowhards — going after them. We shouldn't be attacking the vulnerable."
MARION, IN—Following last week’s rapture, which transported four members of the Millersville Mockingbirds Book Club to heaven in order to be with Jesus Christ, the three remaining members have reportedly been scrambling to maintain a regular Wednesday meeting schedule as well as the usual coffee-and-pastry rotation.
“It’s a shame because I think Shirley had the most stimulating opinions, and I was really looking forward to hearing what she’d have to say about [Fannie Flagg’s Standing In The Rainbow] right before her ascension,” said club member Diane Valinsky Monday. “And we were supposed to meet at Lucas’ house this week, but I guess that’s out now, seeing as the armies of Satan are on the march.”
Valinsky said she and the remaining members were not surprised that the Antichrist turned out to be Mitch Albom, calling his latest fiction effort, For One More Day, “disappointing.”
Happiness is able to watch the Daytona 500, and then have your favorite driver win by 2/100ths of a second. (literally on the LAST LAP)
What. a. race. (and yes, my Southnernness is really showing through here, but I don't care -- I woulda jumped up and down if I wasn't wearing my 1-month old in a sling)
Yesterday Jerry and I got cable -- there's a $20/month deal for 7 months, so the plan is to have cable for 6 months and cancel on the 7th. The good news is that there will be no more convoluting the antenna to get decent reception.
The not-so-good news is that I now have the abilities to watch Wolf "I have a face full of finely sculpted stubble" Blitzer and other US media outlets -- it's a bit of a culture shock to see the discrepancies of what counts as news in Canada versus what makes news back home.
This little one has already stolen my heart, and she's not even 4 weeks old. Even though my life has been twisted upside down (and rightside up again), I wouldn't trade her.
It could be my lack of sleep these days, but I found this clip extremely funny. (and yes, it is slightly embarrassing to admit I watch the Family Guy -- but this clip really is hilarious)
I've forever changed the way my husband looks at greeting cards. One of my biggest pet peeves is when people only sign their name and let a cheesy greeting card writer say the sentiments they feel -- rather than taking the time to sign a message of their own.
So to all you suckers who spend $6 or more on a card, only to sign your name at the bottom of it, this valentine's for you.
On 11 February 2007 hundreds of congregations from all portions of the country and a host of denominations will come together to discuss the compatibility of religion and science. For far too long, strident voices, in the name of Christianity, have been claiming that people must choose between religion and modern science. More than 10,000 Christian clergy have already signed The Clergy Letterdemonstrating that this is a false dichotomy. [link]
A worthwhile concept -- especially considering the quote in Jesus Camp when a homeschooling mom tells her son that "science hasn't proven anything."
Today marks Charles Darwin's 198th birthday, and there'll be celebrations all over the world commemorating his birth and work. Click here for a comprehensive list of what's going on and where on this "Darwin Day".
Tonight I watched the movie Jesus Camp (online here) -- which should be billed as this year's best horror film. I suppose what was so scary about it was the flashes of recognition from my past that I had during much of the movie.
Whole film:
The movie is about the indoctrination process of several evangelical families. It's funny, whenever these kids would talk, I wouldn't hear them but their parents talking through them.
I've talked with some friends about this film before, and many of them discount it as being an extremist version of evangelicals. Granted, there are some extremes represented -- but the overarching message is pretty typical for many fundamentalists back home (not to mention that the principles of evangelicals are the same, as well).
I held Emma as she slept during most of the movie. I think that my reaction to what I saw in the film was entirely different now that I have my own little one. I've said this before, but it bears repeating -- I see my job as a parent as NOT to teach my child what to think, but in how to think. Big difference there.
I think they should do a 10 year followup of the kids featured in the documentary -- I'd be curious to see how they view their fundamentalist faith after they've moved out of their parents homes (and away from their heavy influence). I wouldn't be surprised if disallusionment was the result.
(Granted, this song is forever ruined for me, due to an unfortunate memory of singing it -- complete with a "dance" -- for my high school show choir.)
I found this picture on Yahoo News tonight -- and I was struck by it, for obvious reasons. There are some pictures that just invite you to fill in the story behind them. The final embrace of this picture is really moving.
Lately I've been well aware of life occuring around me. These last few weeks we have been caught up in caring for our little one -- it's amazing the changes that a newborn brings to your life (ready or not, here she comes). It's exhausting, and yet I'm still finding the energy to follow through with my responsibilities.
And when I start to feel so tired that I start to get resentful, I give myself another reality check. Fact is, my Emma isn't always going to need me in the ways she needs me today. Today, she is so dependent upon me -- from keeping her warm and happy to keeping her fed, I've never had such responsibilities.
When I'm not reeling from the lack of sleep, I find myself feeling really honored to have the job of being Emma's mama. I have been given the responsibility of taking care of an amazing little girl, who is changing and growing up so fast (and she's only 3 weeks old!).
It sort of reminds me of this summer, when Jerry and I helped take care of his dying grandma. While at times it was frustrating and exhausting, we still found ourselves with the same type of feeling we now have with our Emma. What a privilege it was to help grandma transition over from life to death -- now our transitioning has been reversed, but the meaning behind it is still very overwhelming.
One of my favorite shows (ever) has been the old-school Law and Order, set in New York City. I've watched it since it began, years and years ago. I even know its beginning monologue -- "in the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate, yet equally important groups..."
Imagine my surprise when I read about my little brother's tangle with a real-life scenario, similiar to the openings of this show. Go over to my sister's blog and read all about it.
I'm one more year closer to thirty, and as a special birthday present, I've now got one more member of my family to love (who's celebrating her 2-week birthday today!).
I've got grand plans of taking a picture of the two Bennetch birthday grrrls later today -- barring any unforeseen circumstances (or cranky babies), I'll post it later today.
EDIT: I've already gotten some commemorative emails, ecards, and a couple of blogposts in honor of my "last year of being young." Luckily for me, I still look like I'm a teenager most days!
