Evil People

My dad asked me to go to Staples this morning to buy a couple hard drives (one per customer, please). We waited in line for about 25 minutes behind about 250 people. I normally loathe shopping, so a 5:30 a.m. trip to the store was not an exciting time for me... but I owed it to my dad for all the years of stuff he's done for me.

The doors finally opened and, as the line slowly made its way into the store, a flood of people from the parking lot sprinted in front of those who diligently waited in the bitter cold. I understand that there are no rules for this sort of thing, and no punishment will be served for those who budge and "cheat" (with the exceptional physical confrontation). There were no consequences for those who pushed and shoved, for those who took merchandise from other peoples' carts, for those who yelled and cursed at innocent patrons and bystanders. I understand that it's all about, "How badly do you want it?" But, this morning, too many people proved to me that we are a greedy people who will stop at nothing to get what we want. It made me sick - literally - to see an utter lack of decency toward other humans.

This is one of the main reasons I despise the commercialized Christmas. We don't need more stuff. We do need more heart... more compassion... more selflessness.

I hope I never become one of those evil people.

Christmas Songs

Although I'm generally anti-Christmas (in its current commercialized state), I do have two favorite - hauntingly beautiful - Christmas songs: "What Child Is This" and, "O Holy Night" (especially the part where they sing "Fall on your knees...". It's so powerful & moving!)

WTF?

Say hello to another round of censorship and double-standards.

Again, I say

WTF?

The University of Wisconsin-Eu Claire has placed a ban on RAs holding private, non-mandatory Bible studies in their dorm rooms because "students might not find [RAs] 'approachable' or might fear they'd be 'judged or pushed in a direction that does not work for them'."

I can't recall a time - during school and in the dorms - when I didn't feel I was being pushed in a direction that didn't work for me - it's the nature of college. It's real life! However, I was exposed to various viewpoints I'd never considered until then. Being an adult, I learned to make my own choices based on the available information and tried not to judge others for making choices to the contrary.

As a matter-of-fact, during my soph. year at UNI, our RA called us all into her room during our mandatory weekly meeting and taught us all how to perform safe oral sex. She pulled open a drawer full of various condoms - colored, flavored, textured - and encouraged us to discover with our partners what worked best for us as a couple. She used a cucumber obtained from food services and proceeded to show us how to apply the condom with our mouths, how not to use our teeth, and a whole lot more. The real kicker: this was endorsed by dorm administration.

As far as the "approachable" issue goes: I was very intimidated by tall, blonde, big-breasted women in college - and I wasn't alone. There's no way I'd ever rack up... I mean, stack up. Maybe tall, blonde, big-breasted women should be banned from the dorms because they make the rest of us feel physically inadequate. Ok. Ok. I know it's not the same thing because religion and politics aren't involved, but seriously! Even the guys were intimidated by the beautiful bombshells.

But the point is, the busty blondes weren't the ones who made me feel inadequate - I made myself feel the way I did. Adults must take responsibility for their thoughts and actions and stop censoring those whose legal and Constitutionally afforded activities make others feel uncomfy.

Working Full Time...

... to find full time work.

I've been pounding the pavement during the past couple months to find a career. I've been on the phone hours upon hours, visiting with HR reps face-to-face, sending LeAnn "press kits" to various local businesses, making follow-up calls, making follow-up visits, going on 4-hour interviews, 3-hour second interviews, testing, testing, testing...

My time is running thin, so I've decided to employ myself with a temp agency. Actually, I called one temp agency that, within an hour of my call to solicit information about their hiring process, had me hired out to a huge international corporation. I was flattered, but the job is simply that - a job. I'm looking for a career, but I'll take the job in the mean-time.

I had an interview today with a company that would compensate me generously, but I had to withdraw myself as a candidate before the president offered me the job (which he was actually in the process of doing when I interrupted him). The position was that of a head-hunter and the employees at the company had no misgivings about using such tactics as deception, voice alterations, aliases, etc. to recruit candidates and other leads. I can't be a part of that atmosphere.

At the encouragement of Mike and my wonderful brother, I called Mount Mercy College to inquire about earning my high school teaching certificate. Those who know me well understand my passion for helping youth understand that there are wonderful and beautiful secrets hidden within this world that we can all be blessed to find if we know how to search. I want to help students discover the magic that's woven throughout classic literature and music, fine art, architecture, and the humanities. Or maybe I'll teach English. That can be magical, too.

I have a BA in Public Relations and significant experience in journalistic writing, marketing/advertising, and graphic and layout design. If anyone knows anyone who knows of a position for me, please let me know! I need to get my foot in the door somewhere and I think there's a lot of truth in the adage, "It's all about who you know!"

FYI Friday

FYI: Today is a day to respect those who've fought, and continue to fight, for our freedom. Thank you!

Bah Humbug

Mix 96.5 has already begun playing their full-time rotation of Christmas and "Holiday" tunes to carry us through the end of the year. Fleece sweater-clad models are popping up in ads all over the airwaves singing a chorus of, "BUY! BUY! BUY!"

"Make this the most memorable Christmas ever," they say... when we all know that we probably aren't going to remember who got what for whom and who gave me all this crud that I can't possibly use, because - frankly - it's junk. I abhor what this holiday has become!

A few years ago I decided that I wanted no part in this commercialized Christmas to which so many of us cleave. Primarily, I decided that gift-giving is for children only. Additionally, I asked that family and friends not purchase gifts for me in the name of this gluttonous holiday. Miss Maddie has spent several years without a Christmas tree, without popcorn and cranberries strung together, without any typical traditions. But don't feel too sorry for her. Like Jesus - whose birth we're supposed to be celebrating - Maddie will be adorned with the finest gifts from afar by the Three Wisewomen, a.k.a. - Grandma W., Grandma P. and Nana.

However, I have recently chosen to try and appreciate the holiday - to renew my sense of "Christmas Cheer" (that's a drink, right? I think I'll need a few). I've asked Mike, who absolutely adores this holiday, to help me with creating an atmosphere in my home (and maybe my heart) that will incubate joyful feelings of peace and goodwill... and glad tidings...

Bring it on...

Sweet Shawn

I went to the Twin Cities over the weekend to attend a surprise 30th birthday party for "Sweet" Shawn, a rather perfect man who I've had the privilege of knowing since my days at UNI.

Shawn is a gorgeous, anal-retentive, bass-guitar-playing, punk-rockin', silly voice-making, finger-skating, usually vegetarian, kitty-cat daddy, salt-n-pepper haired, dimple-clad, never wearing party pants, but sporting the purple boa, CPA by day, naughty nurse by night, buying single cigarettes at Hill Street News, Mike-loving, kind-hearted, sorta looking like Billy Corgan, best ever person that anyone anywhere could ever hope to possibly find someday. Shawn's rare, but he's real. He's Sweetness to some, Sugarbottom to others... but there's nary a soul who doesn't love Shawn.


Moving on...

I met Mike's sister Joanna and her husband Michael... and their dog Resa (REE-suh). Resa was named after the woman (named Teresa) whose marriage to some guy a long time ago sparked the initiation of Oktoberfest in Germany. Now you know. Anyhoo, Joanna and Michael are the kind of people who would make anyone feel at home in their home and their city. Joanna is clever and intelligent while her husband is witty and hilarious. She looks like somebody you know, and he looks like Jason Lee with the personality and voice of Owen Wilson. Michael imparted some great advice to normal couples: When it comes to the choice of arguing with your significant other or singing along with a song by The Who, choose The Who. Always choose The Who. I had a great time and greatly appreciate their kindness to the strange girl who had to light a match...

Other things to note:

• Mike and I saw an albino squirrel
• Bowls full of peanut M&Ms are always a good thing
• Twilight is a great time for embarking on an adventure; try something new once a month!

Do You Ever Have One of Those Days?

One of those days when you haven't slept well the night before, you wake up too early and stub your toe in the dark, you burn your toast, your kid doesn't want to obey any rules and disobedience becomes a fun game. The garbage bag breaks all over the floor and - to make matters worse - the kid tracks something decaying and sticky from the mess onto the carpet. You forgot to turn on the coffee maker and realize the fridge door has been open all night. You shake yourself clear of any impure thoughts only to have them snap back at twice the previous intensity... and realize that you are contributing nothing good to the world at that particular moment? Yeah... it's frustrating.

I suppose it could be worse. I really shouldn't complain.
To worry about such trivial things is, quite simply, vain.

A little rhyme goes a long way!