Today I am exactly one month from going to New Orleans.
Let's hear it for alternative fall break trips!
As well as trips in general. I went to Montreat this weekend for a leadership retreat and it was glorious. I love the beach immensely, but I always forget how nice the mountains are, what with their significantly lower temperatures and legitimate hills.
The peak of the weekend was climbing a mountain on Saturday. How punny.
But more on that later. I have reading to do!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
A small step for the GOP, a huge step backwards for ME (and all American women)
Okay, I swear I'm not making the transition to a political blog. And I'm also aware of the fact that I'm over a week late in responding to McCain's V.P. pick. But I do give myself credit for waiting long enough to learn about Palin before passing judgment. Now I feel entitled.
I am absolutely horrified by her representation of women. Actually, it bothers me that her sex is a huge deal in the first place. Shouldn't her political policies be more important than her vagina? I thought we'd moved past this discrimination, folks. Then, with all of the issues being raised about how Palin raises her children, it's become clear that sex is still ever-so-important. Child rearing is rarely called into question when male politicians are involved.
What does bother me about the way she's raised her children, however, are her hypocritical beliefs. She said Bristol had a choice about whether or not to have her child. That's funny, because while Bristol had a choice, Palin's rigid pro-life doctrine wouldn't allow others that decision. I also feel quite certain that not all young women are fortunate enough to grow up in a supportive environment with the sufficient funds to raise a child. And clearly Palin's belief in abstinence-only education failed too. If it doesn't work with the daughter she raised for the past 17 years, how will other women be more receptive?
I guess what bothers me most is how eerily 1984/Fahrenheit 451-esque the situation has become. Trying to fire a librarian for not taking books Palin didn't agree with out of the library? Believing that the Iraq war and an oil pipeline in Alaska are God's missions? I'm sorry, but I don't want that God, nor anyone who believes in that God, to run our country.
The truth is, I'm terrified of what's to come. I can't imagine living in a virtual theocracy; the very thought makes my ovaries cringe. And yet I also fear what could happen to Obama if he won. At a time when my faith in America was finally being restored, I can't say I'm optimistic.
I am absolutely horrified by her representation of women. Actually, it bothers me that her sex is a huge deal in the first place. Shouldn't her political policies be more important than her vagina? I thought we'd moved past this discrimination, folks. Then, with all of the issues being raised about how Palin raises her children, it's become clear that sex is still ever-so-important. Child rearing is rarely called into question when male politicians are involved.
What does bother me about the way she's raised her children, however, are her hypocritical beliefs. She said Bristol had a choice about whether or not to have her child. That's funny, because while Bristol had a choice, Palin's rigid pro-life doctrine wouldn't allow others that decision. I also feel quite certain that not all young women are fortunate enough to grow up in a supportive environment with the sufficient funds to raise a child. And clearly Palin's belief in abstinence-only education failed too. If it doesn't work with the daughter she raised for the past 17 years, how will other women be more receptive?
I guess what bothers me most is how eerily 1984/Fahrenheit 451-esque the situation has become. Trying to fire a librarian for not taking books Palin didn't agree with out of the library? Believing that the Iraq war and an oil pipeline in Alaska are God's missions? I'm sorry, but I don't want that God, nor anyone who believes in that God, to run our country.
The truth is, I'm terrified of what's to come. I can't imagine living in a virtual theocracy; the very thought makes my ovaries cringe. And yet I also fear what could happen to Obama if he won. At a time when my faith in America was finally being restored, I can't say I'm optimistic.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
The Mark of a True Friend
They'll go with you to the bathroom. They'll pick you up from bizarre locations in the middle of the night. They'll call you out on being a pompous jerk.
And, as I learned this weekend, good friends will not only pee with you, but also pee on you.
Yes, I was stung by a jellyfish on Sunday. I get shivers of pain just thinking about it. Due to my nonexistent experience with these stings prior to several days ago, I thought that that pee was key to recovery. (That really rolls off the tongue nicely. Perhaps I should write public service announcements.)
As one of my friends squatted over my arm in the middle of a public beach, I was struck by her willingness to wash away her sense of decorum with the tide. Then, as my other friend poured a water bottle of her own pee onto my swelling arm, I was primarily impressed with the sheer volume of her contribution. My friends are fearless and generous.
I suppose that the pee friendship test is not practical for any situation other than the unique one in which I was involved. I guess it's just the fact that they would, if they needed to, which reassures me.
As a post script, I will say that I read online that the effectiveness of peeing on a jellyfish sting is mostly determined by the pH of the individual's pee, so vinegar is still the best bet. I would also highly recommend educating yourself before becoming actively involved in ocean water sports.
And, as I learned this weekend, good friends will not only pee with you, but also pee on you.
Yes, I was stung by a jellyfish on Sunday. I get shivers of pain just thinking about it. Due to my nonexistent experience with these stings prior to several days ago, I thought that that pee was key to recovery. (That really rolls off the tongue nicely. Perhaps I should write public service announcements.)
As one of my friends squatted over my arm in the middle of a public beach, I was struck by her willingness to wash away her sense of decorum with the tide. Then, as my other friend poured a water bottle of her own pee onto my swelling arm, I was primarily impressed with the sheer volume of her contribution. My friends are fearless and generous.
I suppose that the pee friendship test is not practical for any situation other than the unique one in which I was involved. I guess it's just the fact that they would, if they needed to, which reassures me.
As a post script, I will say that I read online that the effectiveness of peeing on a jellyfish sting is mostly determined by the pH of the individual's pee, so vinegar is still the best bet. I would also highly recommend educating yourself before becoming actively involved in ocean water sports.
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