spilling into grace

Cranky Pants

I'm having a pissy day.  I don't know that anything is particularly wrong (or right) I'm just not into being nice.  I want to blurt out really inappropriate things.  Like, I want to really like Beyonce and be bootylicious, but I mostly can't understand the lyrics to most of her songs and I'm tired of trying.  On the plus side I do think she's incredibly beautiful if that lessens my "going to hell" moment there.

I also tried to watch the Grammys.  I don't get the Grammys either.  I don't know the people, understand some of the other lyrics, get why people put tape on their bodies or whatever the hell that was, hang upside down to sing or splash water all over everyone.  I also don't get why everyone stood and applauded.

What did I miss?

And let me say, dragging M. Jackson's kids on stage - awkward and bizarre.  Have they not been exploited enough?  My mind wandered as they both spoke wondering about the choice to dress them like that, force them into speaking with "the Jackson cousins" while people (again) stood and applauded.

Maybe I'm not so much disgusted with what I saw as with the standing and clapping thing.

I'm also looking to kick the ass off of Roger Goodell (the NFL Commish) who chose to make the Pro Bowl the week before the Super Bowl.  Really?  I love All Things Peyton, however, we have an entire week of seeing him and the others on both teams before the game.  I wonder what it was like to sit on the sidelines and watch the game, knowing that you wanted to be traveling to Miami with your whole entire team. Seriously... how much money could the NFL possibly need?

I also do not understand why people tweet every 32 seconds.  Look, I like you, but cut me some slack. I don't need to know every thought you're having.  Let's have a little mystery people.  

And I also watched the flippin' SOTU address.  HUGE error in judgment as apparently I am not quite sufficiently recovered from my tiredness to evaluate it as I did send my commentary to a friend who (wisely) suggested that I not watch anything political for a while.  You know, he didn't say for how long. You don't think that was a trick or anything do you???

That's it from me and my cranky self.  Tomorrow is a new day, filled with lots of new potential to suck the joy out of it.

ACK!  I mean, to find the joy in everything.  (Hoping no one saw that.)

Peace Out.

"I'm old enough and cranky enough now that if someone tried to tell me what to do, I'd tell them where to put it."  ~ Dolly Parton

TheBloggess.com - Bowing to a master, uuhh Czar

Everyone will have an opinion on this blog - mine is that she rocks my face off (as Chelsea would say) no matter what she writes.

Go read...  and bask in the hysterical-ness.

"I'm not funny.  What I am is brave."  ~ Lucille Ball

It’s been a long, strange week.  If this is the first time you’re arriving at this site I’d recommend skipping the past few posts as they can be confusing for even the most ardent reader of this blog.  But for those of you who have been following the Shorty Award debacle, here’s a short summary and the latest development.

via thebloggess.com

Change It, Please.

"Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square hole. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do." 

—  Apple Computer Inc

And while all of that is (my head speak) true...

iPad?  Universally ucky name.

Just give me the Colts game, please

Regarding the CBS SuperBowl Ad:

Okay, you know me, all things women.

Liberal, conservative, independent -- for the love of PEYTON just let me watch the game please.

Sighing.  I'm tired - so no real diatribe.  

Running this ad seems like a bizarre choice to me.  (No pun intended with the choice word there.)  And as for the groups who have their panties in a bunch about it, can't we use language that doesn't incite or inflame?

Good night people - get a grip.  I don't want to "tackle" this issue, I just want to see the Colts win.  Is that so bad???

Side note:  I agree with the guy who asked why women's groups don't shout down the other ads on the day of the Superbowl (though I don't agree with his smart mouthed language). While I am a fan of the female body in all of its glory, I am not a fan of objectifying it during game day (or any other day), especially when there are bazillions of people (youngsters included who probably don't get the speech that I give at my house about "stupid ad people" and "respect women").  

It's a mystery to me about how women's groups pick and choose their issues.

Anyway.  Yes, pro life within the pro choice option.  I have yet to meet a woman who isn't pro life...  maybe I just don't get out enough.

Let's call a time out, shall we, and regain some sense.

"Life on the planet is born of woman."  Adrienne Rich

Check out the details below:

Do "political" TV commercials have a place on the Super Bowl broadcast? CBS has long said "no," rejecting ads from left-leaning groups like PETA and the pro-gay United Church of Christ. Accordingly, liberals and women's rights groups have reacted fiercely and swiftly to news that the network will air an anti-abortion advertisement produced by conservative Christian group Focus on the Family during this year's show. The ad tells the story of Heismann Trophy-winning (and outspoken Christian) college quarterback Tim Tebow, whose mother rejected her doctor's advice to abort him, despite concerns that he'd be stillborn. While a Tebow spokesperson says the ad is "absolutely not" political, women's groups and others have condemned CBS — which, for its part, says it's permanently changed its stance on "advocacy advertising." Is CBS guilty of hypocrisy? 

"The ad needs to go — immediately" Why would CBS want to associate itself with the kind of "anti-abortion vitriol" that has led to the murder of reproductive doctors?, asks the Women's Media Center in an open letter. By giving Focus on the Family — "an anti-equality, anti-choice, homophobic organization" — the forum to preach its views to millions of Super Bowl viewers, CBS is taking an "ethically, economically and politically disastrous" step. "Stop CBS attack on choice"Liberals' outrage just shows how clueless they are: Apparently liberals don't understand that "we live in a capitalist country," says Cassy Fiano in Hot Air. "If CBS wants to air only Christian pro-life ads, I believe they have every right to do so" — just as viewers have every right to boycott the broadcast. I predict that this ad won't offend anyone except liberals — proving, "once again," that they "are completely out of touch" with the beliefs of mainstream Americans."

"The liberal reaction to Tim Tebow's Super Bowl ad"  It's the feminist outrage that's hypocritical: Why are feminist liberals reserving their predictable fury for this ad alone, says Matthew Philbin in News Busters, when so many Super Bowl advertisements "tastelessly use sex and the objectification of the female body to attract attention." If women's groups are going to criticize a "Christian" ad, "you'd think [they] might have something to say" about those arguably misogynous commercials.

"Predictable lefty outrage at Tebow pro-life Super Bowl ad" Education is one thing; manipulation is another: "No part of me wants to prevent women from hearing that story," says Tracy Clark-Flory in Salon. "Being pro-choice means fully educating women about the potential outcomes of their decision — including, yes, the slim possibility that against doctors' best predictions a woman and her baby survive a life-threatening pregnancy." But "in Focus on the Family's hands" this opportunity won't be used to "educate" — but "to manipulate."

"Censoring the Super Bowl" Can't I just watch the Super Bowl in peace? I'm sure Tim Tebow's "commercial has a beautiful, undeniable message," says Gregg Doyel in CBS Sports. In fact, it "might just make me cry." But please — "not during the damn Super Bowl." Football should give Americans a break from the exhausting political back-and-forth. If the talking heads want to blather about anti-abortions ads elsewhere, "fine. But leave my football alone.""Left? Right? No, just wrong to mix politics, football."

via www.theweek.com

Seppukoo » Are you kidding me???

Seppukoo

I am horrified.

In a world where we have created a throw-away society (socio and economic distinctions where we turn a blind eye) this site seems like more than bad taste.

Globally, one person commits the act of suicide every 40 seconds.

Maybe as I get older things become less funny to me -- this is one of them.

Peace Out.

“The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, to overcome, to endure,
 to transform, to love and to be greater than our suffering.” 

-  Ben Okri

A little help?

Hey everyone...

Hi how are you nice to see you...

I've been a little "out of it" for a bit.

Quick update:  fell down a flight of stairs, concussion, aches-pains-awesome bruising, recovering, leaping back into some great, fun projects...

And now that I am on the mend and up and about...  Does anyone know of someone who wants to work part time from now through the end of January?  

If yes, could you shoot them my way?  I need to find someone who can be a great arm of a couple of women who are super busy with lots of tasks.  Let's see...  organized, great at detail work and SUPER fabulous with diverse peoples and organizations.

As we're all great networkers I thought I'd try here first before opening the flood gates to folks I don't know...

Thanks!

~ Peace Out

"Only those who ask for more can get more and only those who know there is more, ask."

~ Mr. Everit's Secret: What I Learned from the World's Richest Man

For the girl in all of us...

Check out Girl Effect:  www.GirlEffect.org.  

Peace Out.

"I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels.  
 Life's a bitch.  You've got to go out and kick ass."

~ Maya Angelou, American Poet

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Forgiveness

I thought this was powerful and wanted to share.

Peace Out.

"Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it."
 - Mark Twain

Letting Go

sublimely in the flow

Awareness is a heady feeling isn't it?

The scent of fall is in the air, thanks in part to the burning of autumn on my altar.  The weather is cooler, life is calm and there is beef simmering in the slow cooker for a dinner of beef and noodles later in the evening.

And perhaps if I'm feeling bake-y this afternoon, there will be a pan of brownies to join them.

I have a new pair of shoes (two in fact) and even bought myself a small gift while I was at it.  I'm excited that at some point UPS will show up one day and I'll have something (actually two somethings) that reminds me of this good space.

There is something about acknowledging "right now" that lends me a deeper understanding of being in the flow.  It's been a lovely stroll these past few days after a fairly emotional, challenging week.

I had horrific news of my best friend who has always been a big brother to me.  He is still dealing with the ramifications of his situation and I can only take a sidelines seat and be supportive.

And my sister had surgery - a complete hysterectomy.  During her surgery she had a bleeder, so what should have taken only a few hours, actually took five.  She's doing well and is at home, safe and comfy.

Of course, all of this is happening 2500 miles away from me.  That is both a blessing and a challenge.

As for today, I am mindful of how blessed I am and incredibly grateful for the love that surrounds me.

Hope this finds you the same.

~ Peace Out.

"Those who are victorious plan effectively and change decisively. They are like a great river that maintains its course but adjusts its flow."

~ Sun Tzu 

"My research has shown me that when emotions are expressed--which is to say that the biochemicals that are the substrate of emotion are flowing freely--all systems are united and made whole. When emotions are repressed, denied, not allowed to be whatever they may be, our network pathways get blocked, stopping the flow of the vital feel-good, unifying chemicals that run both our biology and our behavior."

~ Dr. Candace B. Pert

"Affluence = abundant flow."

~ Eric Butterworth, Spiritual Economics

This just in - women CAN vote

Happy 19th Amendment Day!  You didn't really think I'd let it slide now did you?

Have you seen the movie Iron Jawed Angels (with Hillary Swank)?  It's worth the view if you have the time.  It showcases the relationships of the women who stepped up the women's suffrage movement, who were jailed and force fed, and ultimately won the right to vote.

You have to admire their tactics -- this from About.com:

"Opposed by a well-organized and well-funded anti-suffrage movement which argued that most women really didn't want the vote, and they were probably not qualified to exercise it anyway, women also used humor as a tactic. In 1915, writer Alice Duer Miller wrote,

Why We Don't Want Men to Vote

• Because man's place is in the army.
• Because no really manly man wants to settle any question otherwise than by fighting about it.
• Because if men should adopt peaceable methods women will no longer look up to them.
• Because men will lose their charm if they step out of their natural sphere and interest themselves in other matters than feats of arms, uniforms, and drums.
• Because men are too emotional to vote. Their conduct at baseball games and political conventions shows this, while their innate tendency to appeal to force renders them unfit for government."

Some statistics that make you go hhmmm...

As of 2006 there are roughly 152 million women in the U.S. (as opposed to 148 million men).

65% of those women voted in the 2004 election (as opposed to 62% of the men who voted).

Of combined men and women who vote, they are split almost equally between the two major parties.

17% of congress are women.  There are only 7 female governors (with the resignation of Sarah Palin).

I did mention that there are currently more women than men in the US and we rank something like 66th in the world in terms of percentages of women in office, yes?

We have a long way to go in terms of equality, women's pay and owning that we can make a difference in our world if we put aside our differences.

Thanks to the women who set the curve then AND now.  Today - thank a woman who inspires you and remember that you make the difference in our world.

~ Peace Out

Alice Paul Quotes:

"I never doubted that equal rights was the right direction. Most reforms, most problems are complicated. But to me there is nothing complicated about ordinary equality."

"There will never be a new world order until women are a part of it."

"I always feel the movement is a sort of mosaic. Each of us puts in one little stone, and then you get a great mosaic at the end."