Because I knew you...

And they call him Sparky

2009-03-07T14:03:00.000-08:00

So, I'm at lunch a week ago with some friends. One is telling us of the new puppy she just adopted, it's half shitzu and half Bischon. My other friend starts telling the table about my Bischon, Rocco, and what a crazy dog he is. While we were on the subject of Bischon's, one of the other friends said a gal she buses with in the morning said they have an old blind Bischon at the humane society, and they were desperately looking for a rescue for him. I mentioned the dog to Chris and we decided to go have a look at him.

Turns out, not only is he old and blind, he's also got cushings disease. He has a tumor on his pituitary. Symptoms: excessive drinking, excessive peeing, excessive eating, thinned out hair, blindness. So, the dog's a real mess. But, I was with him no more than 1 minute and I knew he was coming home with us anyway! He is the sweetest thing, and has the most wonderful disposition...how could I leave him there to be euthanized?

We took him on a foster arrangement so that we could have him checked by a vet and make sure that the disease wasn't too far gone for him. The good news is that the disease is treatable with some fairly expensive medicine. But, it's treatable, and he's ours now. We've had to special order the medicine...so we haven't been able to start him on it. We hope to get it on Monday. Once he's on that, the symptoms should go away, except of course for the blindness. He pees a lot, so at night we have to get up a few times and take him out, and when we're gone during the day we have to kennel him. I can't wait to get him on his medicine so we can stop worrying about the peeing!!!

He makes me smile every day...much of the time because he's bumping into things and looks funny when he walks himself into a corner. But, it's really amazing how well he does for being blind!!!

Here's our guy, Sparky:

It's Oscar time

2009-02-21T19:57:00.000-08:00

It's here! It's here! The Oscar's are tomorrow night. While I've been rudely absent, I am logging my final analysis here before the big night tomorrow night.

We did see the other two Best Picture nominees, Frost/Nixon and The Reader.

Frost/Nixon - I was a tween when this drama unfolded in our nation, yet I knew there was something historical going on in the world. I could tell by the way my parents watched intently, grumbled and growled, and expressed concern, that it was something important. I initially thought how can you make an entire movie about just a set of interviews? But, the screenplay was masterfully written, and the actors were absolutely amazing, especially Frank Langella as Nixon. It turned out to be an insightful and brilliant character study of Nixon. I loved the movie.

The Reader - I went to this movie with trepidation. I knew going in that this wasn't going to be an uplifting movie and had some reservations about seeing a movie where an older woman took advantage of a teenage boy. But once in the movie, I completely lost sight of that aspect. It was such a sad story with profound messages about illiteracy. There is a point in the movie where Hannah Schmitz would rather take sole responsibility to a crime of murdering 300 people (which she wasn't solely responsible for) than reveal that she was illiterate. Kate Winslet was brilliant. This woman had no redeeming qualities, yet Winslet made me feel deep emotions for her.

All in all - great movies this year!!! My pick for best picture is Slumdog Millionaire. My other picks:

Sean Penn - best actor for Milk
Kate Winslet - best actress for The Reader
Heath Ledger - best supporting actor for Dark Knight
Penelope Cruz - best supporting actress for a movie I have yet to see!

I think Slumdog will walk away with a lot of oscars, and I'm hopeful Benjamin Button doesn't!

Another Movie Update

2009-01-25T19:09:00.000-08:00

So the Oscar's were announced this past week, and since they were we've seen 3 movies in 3 days. Yes, we either crazy or have too much time on our hands (or a little of both I fear). Here's our movie viewing so far:

Benjamin Button - Forrest Gump meets ET. I know the academy loves big life-stories like this one, but I am not sure it is worthy of a best picture nod. It was a good movie, but tooooooo long. It is nearly 3 hours long. I liked it, it wasn't a waste of my time, but Brad Pitt's acting left something to be desired. He felt detached and emotionless. I couldn't figure out if it was his character or his acting. But considering the character, I think it was the acting that was flawed. Anyway, don't let that stop you. It's a movie worthy of seeing, just not worthy of an oscar...

Milk - Excellent movie, I just loved it. Even though I knew how it was going to end, I was engaged and felt as though I was living the movement. Personally, I'm glad that we finally have a mainstream effort at illuminating the plight of the GLBT community. This movie goes a long way to shed the light on the injustice that their community has suffered, and continues to suffer.

Slumdog Millionaire - As much as I liked Milk, this movie is my favorite so far of the Best Picture nominees. The cinematography was spectacular, the storytelling fascinating, the characters compelling. An amazing movie with a no-name cast. You've likely not heard of anyone in this movie, but you'll leave not being able to get their characters out of your mind. Go see this movie!!!

I still need to see The Reader and Frost/Nixon before I can make my prediction on best picture. I have lots of other movies to see before February 22nd...so I hope you all don't mind my recaps as they come!

Tell me what you've thought of these movies?

MLK vis-à-vis MiLK

2009-01-19T14:53:00.000-08:00

Two men, worlds apart, gave their lives for a cause so similar, yet by today's standards seen dissimilar. Today, on the holiday commemorating Martin Luther King, Jr., I reflect on another man who also gave his life for his cause, a cause of mirrored reflection to that of the civil rights movement. Both men fought, and made the ultimate sacrifice, so that their people might be freed from hatred borne of ignorance.

Just as MLK fought for the civil rights of African American and all people of color, Harvey Milk fought for the same rights for the unjustly disaffected GLBT community. Both communities suffered the hatred by those who seek to diminish their value in society.

Both causes share the same desire for freedom from prejudice, and entitlement to basic civil rights. The primary difference, at least to society (not to me), is that being born black is not a choice one makes. Unfortunately, too many in our society falsely believe that homosexuality is a choice, a conclusion I could not disagree with more ardent fervor! I firmly believe the origins are biological, and hope someday that modern science will prove this. But, truly, even if it was a choice - why should that matter?

Until that day when GLBT individuals are accepted as an equal member of the fabric of our humanity, I hold little hope that they will attain the equal rights that they deserve. In the same vein, I believe that we will never truly become a post-racial society until there remains not one soul who sees people as any less because of the color of their skin.

However, the fact remains that we (people of all colors) have broken an incredible barrier in the election of Barack Obama. In the past week, I've read several articles that posit the premise that MLK's sacrifice paved the way for Obama's presidency, that without his vigilance and sacrifice, our society would not have been ready to elect a black president.

I don't know if that's true or not, but it does have me wondering what triumph awaits humanity in the fight for GLBT equality? Was Harvey Milk's assassination that codifying event to pave that road? Perhaps now that his story is being told much like MLK's has been told, we can begin to educate and eradicate the ignorance.

So, today I honor Martin Luther King, Jr. for opening so many eyes, and showing the way to create truly meaningful discourse for change. I don't know if Harvey Milk was inspired by MLK, but I hope someday our society honors Harvey Milk as it does MLK!

On the Precipice We Have Hope.

2009-01-18T18:57:00.000-08:00

On the precipice we perch, huddled in hope.

Behind us, prosperity is strewn amid despair.
Fortunes once flaunted, now lamented.
Lives once promising, now lost.
Yet, we have hope...

Our future holds turbulence and challenge.
Uncertainty paints the skies of tomorrow.
Yet, we have hope...

Upon one man's shoulders rests this nation's hope.
A burden so large and impossible.
Yet, we have hope...

Decades ago a great man had a dream.
Today, that dream is alive and this man humbly accepts its challenge.

Yes! We have hope...

*******************************************************************************
Dedicated to Barack Obama in celebration of his inauguration on January 20th, 2009. Let us all celebrate as Barack Obama is sworn into office of this great land.

More Movie Reviews

2009-01-11T19:21:00.000-08:00

If you're in search of Oscar worthy movies, Marley and Me is not one of them. However, it was a cute movie with a meaningful message. If you have younger kids, take them, they'll love it. If you're looking for an escape from heavy, deep, thought provoking movies - this is a good respite. But enough about that one...

I'm here today to rant about Gran Torino. This is a must see, and definitely an Oscar contender. The movie was written by a Minnesotan, and was set in Minnesota until the movie makers changed it to Michigan because Michigan gives a hefty tax break to movie producers! It tells a tale of prejudice and hatred mixed with respect and love. It is the story of colliding cultures that will leave you pondering the state of our world. I knew this was going to be a drama heading into it, so I was quite surprised at how much I laughed. The writing was spectacular. Witty. Hilarious. Thought provoking. Revealing.

I'm still utterly frustrated that we don't have Frost/Nixon, or Milk. I've also heard good things about Slumdog Millionaire, but haven't heard a word about when it will be here. It better be before the Oscars! It's hard to believe we're the third largest city in the state of Minnesota, behind only Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Open Source as a Work/Life Strategy?

2009-01-09T09:42:00.000-08:00

Ok, I know I don't blog much about work related issues, but this one has been sitting in my juices fermenting and I think I just need to write a bit about it to gain some clarity for myself, and I know I have some tech-heads out there that read my blog who may have interesting input.

Input. I guess that's at the crux of it. Collaboration. Sharing. Growth. Mission. Open Source.

Open source, for my non-techie friends, is I guess a little like recipe sharing. If I develop a recipe for a fabulous chocolate cake with a secret ingredient of tomato sauce, I could do one of two things. I could share it with you, or keep it "secret" and proprietary only for my kitchen and those upon whom I chose to bestow the pleasure of eating it (or am paid for it). People would enjoy my cake when they had the opportunity, but they'd never understand the amazing truth that tomato sauce makes for an amazingly rich chocolate experience.

If, however, I decided to share that recipe with you, you may fiddle with it in your own kitchen and develop an absolutely dreamy orange flavored butter frosting made with blood oranges. The combination of your creation and mine is better together than they are individually. A new product has emerged and we all benefit from the best, most amazing chocolate cake around.

Open source software took some time for people to understand. We have been so ingrained in our proprietary ways and worrying about who gets credit, that we overlooked the truly awesome power of collaboration. Products built with open source are frequently quicker to market, cheaper, and contain brilliance that one person or entity alone could not conceive.

Parlay this concept into non-software areas of life and work and I think you will see why I've been fermenting. I work at a very conservative, risk-averse, institution that is ultra concerned with it's brand and image, and with good reason; we are one of the top medical centers in the world. So, yes, it's something that we should protect. But there's a lesson here that could be learned from the philosophy that underlies open source technologies. Providing something for free, and thereby taking a little more risk, can be incredibly fruitful. But how to do that while still protecting the brand - or better enhancing the brand - that is the challenge.

Our mission is all about the patient. The needs of the patient come first. If we truly believe that (which I believe we do), then taking a more open approach to our way of working to meet that mission should be inherent. It shouldn't take 10 committees and months and months to establish a new concept or idea. We're protective, yes, but to a fault. We're over-protective.

Now, go one step further. How can you employ this same strategy in life? I guess I need to think deeper on this one - maybe another blog posting will result. I have some pretty set philosophies on life - perhaps it's time to upset the apple cart and challenge myself to look at how I can change my life, and that of others, by exploring this concept. After-all, that's why we're here on this ball of dirt...to learn, to grow, to share, and to love.

My favorite time of year - OSCARS!

2009-01-01T11:51:00.000-08:00

Yep, it's that time of year when all the Oscar contenders are trying to make their impression. It's crazy that we go through a severe movie drought every fall and then are deluged with a gazillion movies that want to be remembered come Oscar time.

And, I'm all too happy to oblige them. I try and see as many as I can - but never manage to see them all!

So far I've only seen a couple - Seven Pounds and Valkyrie. THIS IS A SPOILER ALERT...if you haven't seen them and don't want me to screw it up for you - come back to this post after you've seen them.

Valkyrie was a pretty good movie, although I think the story itself is more redeeming than the moviemaking of it. It's the true story of German citizens and soldiers who felt compelled to follow their conscience and dared to oppose Hitler. I don't know if it will get nominated for anything. I liked it - but don't think it was Oscar worthy.

Seven Pounds, on the other hand, was a heart wrenching and beautiful movie. I don't know why it's been panned by the critics, unless they're just not that into themes of introspection and selflessness. I was stunned by the heartbreaking turn of events and the beauty of the main character's gifts to others: The gift of life. He was tortured by his past. His way to redeem himself was to give of himself. Completely. I was balling my eyes out at the selflessness and beauty of his choice, however misguided and tragic it was. I thought it was a beautiful movie in an "Atonement" kind of way and hope it gets a nod from the academy.

That's it for my movie reviews so far...would love to hear your thoughts on these movies if you've seen them...

Baby, baby...

2008-12-30T18:39:00.000-08:00

Twenty years ago today I became a new mother. I was 25 years old, 2000 miles from home, and very insecure.

Today - Kelsey turned 20 and I am 45, at home, and at least a bit less insecure!

I can remember the day she was born as if it was today. I don't know why that is, because it seems I can't even remember what I had for breakfast on most days!

It was a sweet day, full of promise and mystery. The only thing I knew for certain was that things probably wouldn't turn out the way I dreamt they would that day I first held my little baby girl. But, that's ok. Life with Kelsey is a wild ride and I'm glad I'm still around to experience it!

Happy birthday little baby!

Love mom

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-24T12:48:00.001-08:00

Yep. Been too busy to blog. Yep. Crazy time of year. But...had to share this. I was making a special lunch for my team, one of the dishes is my "world famous" lasagna. I cooked up a huge batch of homemade spaghetti sauce, and as we do so often in the cold months, I put it outside in the covered porch to store until the next day when I would assemble the lasagna. But, I wasn't thinking this time because I put the hot pot on our glass patio table...which no longer exists...because...yes...HOT + COLD do not mix! Within a minute we heard a HUGE CRASH. I went and looked, and sure enough, it looked as though someone had been murdered on our porch:

Happy Holidays everyone! Much love to you all...

The Meaning of Trolls...

2008-12-10T19:08:00.000-08:00

Today is my brother's 50th birthday. I am not allowed to celebrate with him, instead today I mourn the loss of this relationship. Everyone has their life stories and life challenges, this challenge in my life story has very much shaped who I am today.

All I ever wanted as a kid, and even as an adult was his love and acceptance. So much of what I did as a younger person revolved around this desire. But the reality of our relationship was that it was never one of familial love, but rather torment and anguish until I broke off ties with him several years back.

I recently reunited with a childhood friend of mine. In preparing for the party, she told her mother that I and my parents would be coming, but not my brother because of a fractured relationship about which she didn't know the details. She told me that her mother's immediate response was how mean and horrible my brother was to me as we were children. Wow, did that hit me like a ton of bricks!

You see, I've never really had any outside validation of the pain and torment I endured as a child due to his behavior, especially not from my parents. They wouldn't acknowledge it, even though I know they saw it. But they were in an impossible position, and I don't fault them for their decisions. When my friend shared this revelation with me, however, I began to cry. In a way, it was like receiving the affirmation I have always desired from my parents.

Now, lest you think I am heaping all the blame on my brother, stop there because I am not. As children, we were both forced into situations that neither of us were equipped to deal with. The love that naturally grows between siblings never had a chance in hell of survival. But once we were adults I thought there was hope. But I made mistakes, and he made mistakes. I tried on several occasions to make amends for my part, hoping he would acknowledge his mistakes as well, but that never came to pass. I was appalled at the way he would twist things, and how mean and hurtful a person he still was even as an adult.

I fear he is not the type of person who reflects on their actions or does any soul searching, and I am fairly confident that he would be most uncomfortable with admitting any of his mistakes. Based on his past behavior I can also say with confidence that he would never listen to me respectfully or make any attempt to work out our relationship.

So, that is the very short version of why I have no relationship with him. But, on today, his 50th birthday, I feel I need to recognize it because this challenge in my life has deeply shaped the way I view my personal relationships. This struggle helped me to learn the value of "family" - or those we choose to care about as family. This struggle has helped me learn to treat all my close relationships with the utmost care and respect. This struggle taught me that when my life is over, all that will matter are those relationships, not how much wealth or junk I have accumulated.

So, why the troll? My brother had a troll collection as a kid that I envied (and that I'm sure I disrespected by playing with without permission). A few years ago we were in a phase where we were still talking, but it was tenuous. On December 10th that year, I was stranded in Copenhagen on my way to Barcelona. I went to the Tivoli market and they had all these wonderful trolls. I bought this little one to give to my brother for his birthday when I got back. However, when I got back the nastiest and most heart-breaking set of events occurred that destroyed any possibility of a relationship.

I have not spoken to him since that time. I kept the troll as a reminder of the fragility of our personal relationships, and as a reminder that every relationship is two sided and both parties must be vested in the desire to have a relationship. But it is also a reminder to me that you must have love as the base. I fear I have never truly had his love or acceptance. I have always loved him, and I'm sure that's why I lament this passing of such a monumental birthday and the fact that I can't be a part of it. I also know that if I were called upon to donate a kidney to him, I would be there without question. That's unconditional love, and if he were willing I would be happy to try and work out our differences.

Instead, this little troll reminds me of all the people that I have in my life that do love and accept me, and it reminds me to treat those relationships with the utmost care and love that a person could. I am so fortunate to have so many friends, some of whom have helped to fill this void in my life. Mike and Steve, Tim and Russ, Jon, Jodi, Ahna, Jackie, Bill, mom & dad, my girls, my husband. You all give so much of yourself to me, and I only hope I return it in kind. Thank you for being my family!

May the power of the troll be with you!

They say the memory is the first to go....

2008-11-24T10:14:00.000-08:00

It was a moment of clarity that I will never forget. I'm old! I'm one of those old middle-aged women that I used to snicker at when I was 15. You know the ones...their clothes are out of date, their hairstyle hasn't changed in 10 years, they wear the wrong color-palate make-up for the season, and their bodies don't turn heads anymore!

My moment of clarity came on my 45th birthday last week. I had already been reflecting the fact that I was no longer on the upside of the 40's, instead I would be heading in the downward slide to 50. Half-way through my 40's on my way to 50. I got up the morning of my birthday, my young and beautiful 16 year old daughter was the first to call me and wish me happy-birthday (I was out of town on business). Not long after, my other young and beautiful 19yr old daughter called to do same. It was nice to hear from them and know that I am loved. I went about my business getting ready to meet my colleagues for breakfast. I went to breakfast and made no mention of the fact it was my birthday, I didn't want to acknowledge it really.

And then it happened, my moment of clarity. I went back to my room to fetch something before heading over to the conference for more meetings and I looked in the mirror. Aghast in horror, I saw a woman whose clothes were not hip, whose hairstyle hadn't drastically changed for over a decade, whose body was deplorable...and the makeup?

OH MY GOD...I FORGOT TO PUT ANY ON!

Yes, that was my moment of clarity.

I'm old.

But, as an old friend of mine used to say, it is what it is. I can't change my age, and I certainly don't feel all that old on the inside - at least not how my 15 year old self imagined it would feel. So what if my outside looks it?

This is why my blog address is named as it is. Every moment of (bitter) clarity I've ever had, has been followed by a (sweet) epiphany. Life is a wild ride and I'm sure rarely turns out as people expect it to. I may be frumpy and old, but - as they say - with age comes wisdom, and I think I finally understand the true meaning of this. My life has not turned out as I had planned, but I know enough to value the sweetness of my life and am smart enough to know that my 15 year old self had a lot of learning to do. Every person's life is a journey, and I believe we are measured by the depth and breadth of what we give of ourselves. I have a loving family and great friends who love me without the make-up! I hope that I've given of myself to the extent that they feel no need or want of more, but also know that I'll always be there with more anytime they want for it.

Love, and be loved.

That's all that matters in life.

Nothing else.

(On my birthday - I flew home and we went to dinner.)

Hippo Birdie Two ME!

2008-11-18T18:46:00.000-08:00

Wow! I didn't realize it's been fully two weeks since I posted. Seems like just yesterday...

I'm on the road in Charleston, SC, and headed home tomorrow...November 19th...MY BIRTHDAY! What a crappy thing to have to spend my day in airports. But at least I'll be with the ones I love in time for dinner.

Check back again later...once I'm home and settled, I'm sure I'll be back to blogging...

California: Land of the Fruits and Nuts

2008-11-05T06:37:00.000-08:00

I can call it that. I lived there a good many years in my young adulthood. When time came for me to decide where to raise a family, I couldn't get back to Minnesota fast enough. California has some wonderful things, and I loved living there when I did. But, politically speaking, I was always frustrated by the lack of coherence in policy to any common ideals. I speculated then, and I think am proven right now, that this is due to the fact that California truly is the great melting pot of the US.

California likes to think of itself as a progressive society, leap years ahead of the rest of the country. And, I believe, for the most part the rest of this country believes that to be the case. I, however, believe this to be a false perception.

And on Tuesday they proved my point - much to my dismay! Of the many ballot measures they had, the outcome of two of them in particular speaks volumes about how haphazard and flaky their political psyche really is.

Prop 2: A proposal that would force more humane treatment of farm animals such as egg-laying hens, veal calves and pregnant sows. The measure would force farmers of these animals to provide space for them to fully extend their limbs or wings, stand up, turn around and lie down. It would outlaw cages and crates that prevent those movements.

Prop 8: Would amend the state Constitution to define marriage as only between a man and a woman, thereby outlawing gay marriage and making gay people second class citizens with little to no legal rights in relation to their partner. If one partner becomes terminally ill, the other could be forced out by family members and have no visitation rights, or have a say in the disposition of the estate. This is, of course, just one of many rights the partner has lost.

Prop 2 passed. Prop 8 failed.

Only in California are chickens afforded more respect than a gay couple. Well, at least the gay couple can still extend their limbs now like the protected chickens, calves and sows.

Welcome to the land of the fruits and nuts!!!

Yes We Can

2008-11-05T06:02:00.000-08:00

Whew! It's happened. It's finally happened! This is indeed a great day for our country and I am so proud to be a part of the dawning of a new era. Stand Tall America - this is OUR victory!

YES WE CAN!

Please GO VOTE!

2008-11-04T05:37:00.000-08:00

This is it. Historical. Exciting. Palpitating. I arrived at the polling place 10 minutes before it opened and got in a long line. I stood for 30 minutes, no easy task for me and my bad hips. But it was worth it.

Savor the moment.

Go vote.

The Great Revelation

2008-10-27T05:59:00.000-07:00

I've heard it said that Rush Limbaugh controls the religious base of the Republican Party. He has never been a fan of McCain who is too independent minded. But on one issue, McCain succumbed to Rush's directive. McCain selected Sarah Palin to appease Rush and his right-wing-religious-wingnut base.

Here's my thought for the day...is it possible that Rush sabotaged McCain for his own agenda? Is it possible that Rush wants Obama to win?

Think about it.

It gives him job security.

If McCain had won - with a rational pick for VP - who would care much what Rush says? But if Obama wins - Rush has at least 4 more years to stir the pot and build up his right-wing-religious-wingnut party!

(Post-script - I believe I may have been wrong in calling the right-wing-religious-wingnut group "Neocons" in a previous post. I am not 100% sure now what a neocon is, but it was pointed out to me that it is not what I thought it was. I've done a little digging and all I can really find is that it revolves around this particular group's ideology as it relates to foreign policy. I don't have a problem admitting when I'm wrong - but now I'm in need of a label for this group. For now, i call them "right-wing-religious-wingnuts" - mea culpa!)

What's the word? Tinklenberg

2008-10-24T10:38:00.000-07:00

Michele Bachman is a total loser...Go Minnesota!

This is where the right-wing-religious-wingnuts have brought us

2008-10-21T11:20:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine with deep roots in Israel found this on an Israeli newspaper website - with video from Al-Jazeera (how's that for irony). I don't know about anyone else out there, but I was just sickened and stunned by some of what is shown here. I believe if McCain had gone with his true nature as a moderate republican instead of caving to the extreme right of the GOP party, that we wouldn't be seeing nearly as much of this divisiveness.

I respect the right-wing-religious-wingnuts right to express their views as long as it's not filled with hate-speech and violent-inciting rhetoric. And I support their right to have a party that supports their views...but I do not respect how they've bullied their way into the republican party and virtually taken it over. I used to be a republican (many many years ago). The GOP party used to be the party known for its intellect and common-sense solutions. Now they're quickly becoming known as the party of extremism where they think anyone who doesn't see the world as they do are evil or terrorists. Their agenda is no longer one of fiscal conservatism, but of social and moral conservatism. Fiscal conservatism has taken a back-seat to people who think they are the only "pro-American" people. People's who's agenda is to legislate their morality into everyones lives.

I believe this is the main reason Colin Powell is endorsing Obama. It's not so much an endorsement for Obama as it is against the GOP that has gone astray from it's roots and now only focuses on injecting their personal views on gays, abortion, guns, etc, into everyones life. The GOP used to believe (as McCain still does) that these personal issues should be decided at the personal level. What's right for you isn't necessarily what's right for me.

This is a dangerous path indeed and has pushed me further and further left as time passes...

National Coming Out day - my thoughts

2008-10-11T13:23:00.000-07:00

Today is National Coming Out day, and I'm celebrating how far society has come while simultaneously lamenting how far we have yet to go.

Yesterday after work, my daughter Kaitlyn picked me up from work and we went to a local gathering of GLBT people and supportive people like myself to recognize the the progress that's been made, and discuss the work that's yet to be done.

My best friend is gay. We've known each other since we were in second grade, and since the second grade I've known he was different. Of course once we were in puberty I was able to identify it and understand it better, but no one can tell me that at age 8 it was a choice for him! It wasn't. I get so irate when I hear people making the claim that homosexuality is a choice and they can be "cured" - what a crock! Honestly, if given a choice, don't you think young kids would choose the easier path instead of choosing to live such a difficult path? Being a gay teenage boy in the late 70's and early 80's was a very difficult road indeed.

During the VP debate, and through clenched teeth, Sarah Palin said she's tolerant of gays. Tolerant! But her obvious disdain for them betrayed her.

Here's the message we need to be promoting: Tolerance is just the first step. It's the bottom rung of a ladder we need to climb. People tolerate mosquitos, people tolerate dentistry. Society needs to do more than tolerate, we need to love.

One of the speakers particularily inspired me when she said we need to do more than tolerate, and beyond acceptance we need to celebrate! She inspired me to create this graphic represtation of the path we need to focus our energy. I challenge all of you to love and celebrate our gay brothers and sisters!

The White Canary of our Times

2008-10-10T06:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, in response to a comment I made about what a challenging job the next president was going to face with our economic disaster, a colleague of mine said that actually he thought the future next president was in a pretty good spot because it can't get much worse than it is now...it can only get better.

At first, I thought there was probably some truth to that (and I genuinely hope he is prophetically correct). But last night we went to a volunteer recognition dinner where my daughter was being recognized for her outstanding volunteerism, and something was said there that made me re-think my colleague's hypothesis.

First, you need to know a little bit about the volunteer organization. It is CFR, Community Food Response. They are a local organization who three times a week goes around to various organizations such as restaurants, grocery stores, and school/work cafeteria's and collects food that would otherwise be discarded. They bring it back to their base of operations and repackage it into smaller containers and then open the doors at 5pm and hand it out to hungry families that have signed up for the program.

So, the president of the board said over the last month they've seen a dramatic increase in the need for their services so they are out stumping for more food providers to become part of the network. When he said this, in my minds eye - quite unconsciously - I had an image of a white canary. You know - the ones they sent into the coal mines as an early warning system for toxic gases! When I became aware of the vision in my head, I realized it was my subconscious telling me that this increase in needy people for CFR's food is an early warning sign of things to come.

I've been pondering that image ever since. Is there really no where to go but up? After much thinking and ruminating about it, my gut is telling me no. It could get MUCH MUCH worse.

I'm not an economics genius, but I do remember my Econ and Finance classes from my MBA quite well. What I remember most is how intricately intertwined EVERYTHING is to EVERYTHING when it comes to money. Although I've heard lots of talk about how the credit market seizing would cause unemployment - possibly mass unemployment - I haven't heard much about how our cities' and states' budgets are tied up in the same mess. Fewer loans being made means fewer people being able to afford home ownership. More houses sitting empty and in foreclosure means less revenue for our cities. Besides unemployment - we could see whole cities and states going bankrupt. If Iceland can teeter on the brink of bankruptcy, what makes us think it won't happen all over our country in our municipalities and states?

I am usually a very optimistic person, and indeed, if you read my blog much you know that I have subscribed to the hope mantra of the Obama campaign and do believe if he is elected that there is indeed hope! However, I also believe that things are much graver and more dire than we are being told. Obama gives me hope that the white canaries I see all around us will not wither and die, but instead will not only survive, but emerge stronger and healthier than before. Keep the hope alive!

Peace.

President That One

2008-10-08T06:40:00.001-07:00

Obama clearly won the debate last night on substance, but also on style. McCain is an embarrassment to his profession (and almost to humanity)! I was so embarrassed for him, it made it hard to watch. Presidential he is not. Obama knew just the right way to behave. Every time McCain lied (which was pretty much anytime his mouth was moving), Obana just sat there and flashed his disarming smile. It was almost as if his smile erected a force-field protecting him from all the crap that McCain was spewing.

There were a couple questions that I thought Obama could have answered more clearly, but the overall message and tone from him was far superior than from McCain.

Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome President "That One" to the podium!

And so it begins...

2008-10-05T07:57:00.000-07:00

All along I've been saying that "maverick" is just another word for foolish risk-taker. McCain takes crazy risks to get what he wants, and it has left him looking desperate, erratic, and sometimes downright stupid. He "postponed" his campaigning so he could charge into Washington and save the day - an obvious political ploy that backfired on him. His selection of Sarah Palin illuminated his risk-taking nature. Prior to her selection, McCain was spending millions on ads denouncing Obama as just a celebrity, but how much did we hear about Obama's celebrity once McCain had created his own celebrity in Palin? But most scary is that she's horribly unqualified to become President and McCain doesn't seem to mind that risk on our behalf (likely because he thinks he's immortal)! McCain has risked his entire bid, and indeed his entire reputation, trying to become President.

So, with less than 30 days to the election, I guess it should come as no surprise to me that McCain's next big risk he's obviously decided to make is to turn up the ugly machine. Elections should be about the issues, and Obama has endeavored to keep the discourse there. But, McCain can't win on the issues - so his last recourse is personal character attacks, and guilt-by-association tactics, as evidenced by Palin's recent charges that Obama pals around with terrorists, and her dredging up of the Reverend Wright crap again (even against McCain's earlier proclamations that this was off limits). Obama will have no option now but to go on the offensive. If he doesn't, it will be swiftboating all over again.

Strap your shit-kicking waders on, because it's gonna get deep and dirty before this is all over.

'Nuff Said!

2008-10-01T05:34:00.001-07:00

A case for being NICE to PALIN!

2008-09-25T05:56:00.000-07:00

Are there do-over's in politics? The luster is quickly fading on Sarah Palin, and although many of us saw this train-wreck coming I don't think that any of us thought it would go this far. I'm talking specifically about the many very conservative journalists who are turning on her. We are a gawker society, and I can't help but gawk at this melt-down with some perverse pleasure!

First, there is Kathleen Parker's article that I read yesterday where she calls for Palin to bow out saying "Only Palin can save McCain, her party, and the country she loves. She can bow out for personal reasons..."

And then there's George Will's latest article - yet another conservative (albeit never a true fan of McCain's), who is questioning McCain and especially his judgement in selecting Palin.

So, this leads me to ask...what would happen if she really did bow out? McCain gets a do-over?

Here's my fear...all those middle of the roaders that have decided to vote for Obama largely because of how McCain's choice has turned out to be so horrendous could reconsider their Obama choice if McCain gets a do-over. If she left the ticket, he'd have the option to be the real maverick he claims to be and select Joe Lieberman - the traitor democrat who's lost all of his senses. Or, in a less maverick-ish move, but probably more logical, he could go for Mitt Romney or Mike Huckabee to still appeal to the religious base. The point being that no matter who he picks, he'd be better off than he is now with Palin.

McCain's numbers have been in decline since the post-convention bump. This could be due to his wishy-washy approach to "leadership" (and I use that word lightly here), or his back and forth stance on the bail-out, or any other number of stupid things he's done or said. But, I'd like to say SHUT UP to all these crazy people for picking on Palin and potentially cause her to pick up her marbles and run home. She's the best thing that's happened for us. His selection of her was a clear demonstration of his decision making, and his risk taking personality. Having her on the ticket is a boon to our side, so SHUT UP ALREADY!!!