As I was walking back to my apartment after spending the day with my family, I noticed a rather pulsing beat echoing through the night. I glanced up to find that one of the apartments was apparently host to a pretty big party. There was a strobe light. I really don't associate strobe lights with Thanksgiving.
There’s a lot of talk about how self esteem shouldn’t be based on looks. And that’s true, to a point. But I’ve discovered that sometimes, how you look—or how you think you look—does make a difference. For example, today I got gussied up a little (yes, okay, for the benefit of The Temp, who isn’t even here today). I think I look good. I think it’s a good outfit. So there’s a part of my brain that’s going, “You look good.” So there’s a bit more confidence in my step. I think I’m starting to look at my clothing a bit more critically. But there’s definitely a part of me that is all about comfort, so don’t expect me to bust out some heels or anything in the near future.
Current song in my head:
“Paradise By the Dashboard Light” by Meatloaf
It’s a day early, but Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you all go out and eat too much turkey, sleep on a couch, and make lots of dumb jokes with your family. Well, that’ll be my day, anyway. I’m looking forward to the weekend off. It’s going to be strange, though, since Carrie will be around. Not that I mind, it’s just that I’ve gotten used to having that 4-day weekend to myself. If I recall, I spent most of last Thanksgiving weekend burning CDs on Lucy’s computer and watching bad television. Mmm. Sounds good.
And be sure to check out Sars’s Thanksgiving entry.
Current song in my head:
“Stacy’s Mom” by Fountains of Wayne
Okay, I just do not understand the weather this year. We started off with the President’s Day blizzard. It rained pretty much every day throughout the summer. Then it remained warm well into November. Earlier today it was 70 degrees out (the temp has dropped 13 degrees in the last 2 hours or so) and it’s pouring out; we have not only a severe thunderstorm warning, but also tornado warnings.
Combine the weather with the boatloads of famous who’ve died this year...I don’t know. Signs of the apocalypse?
The Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that gay marriage is a right. Hurrah for them! I don’t understand the argument (is there even an actual argument?) against gay marriage. It’ll be interesting to see what happens now. It disturbs me that there’s even talk of a constitutional amendment against gay marriage. That just makes no sense.
Naturally the President is horrified at the ruling: “Marriage is a sacred institution between a man and a woman,” Bush said. “Today’s decision of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court violates this important principle.”
Ugh. Why is this wrong? Where does God say that two people who love each other is wrong? Does making gay marriage legal hurt you? Does it force you into a gay union? No. Let these people, people in loving, committed relationships get married. It’s not like they can do anything worse to marriage than what heterosexual people have done. Marriage is hardly treated as a “sacred institution” by everyone.
The day that the United States has a Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage is the day that I start looking seriously into moving to another country.
This Saturday marks the 40th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Naturally it’s all over the media. There are tv specials all over the place, and I admit that I’m interested. Not fanatically, but I do find it intriguing. There was an article in Monday’s Washington Post about a special that would be on that night. I watched the show and it was mostly various people talking about their reaction to JFK’s death. That’s fine. My issue with the article is this:
Was the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon a greater shock than the assassination of President Kennedy? Perhaps not, on the grounds that you can lose your innocence only once -- have it ground with a black boot into dust only one first time. Everything that follows is, no matter how horrendous, by definition anticlimax.
Okay, we know that the baby boomers, as a generation, are incredibly self-centered. But to say that JFK’s assassination was when America lost its innocence and was therefore a greater shock than 9/11? No. No, no, no. First of all, that implies that earlier events, such as the Civil War or the attack on Pearl Harbor, hadn’t had that much of an impact. Which is wrong. Just because it happened while the boomers were in their vital development stage does not make it more shocking, more influential than the things that came before. And while JFK’s death was horrible, well, before September 11, I would’ve had a much easier time believing that someone would kill our president that I would believing that people would hijack planes and crash them into skyscrapers. Anticlimax? Excuse me?
There was an article in yesterday’s Washington Post about the nature of blogs. Every now and then someone I know will find out that I have a blog, or will ask what a blog is. Then I try to distinguish between a blog and a journal and what is involved. Of course, my site (like so many others) blurs the line. In my mind, a blog (like Dave Barry’s) is pretty much a list of links to articles on other sites. A journal (e.g., Dancing Brave) details what’s going on in someone’s life. Mine is a combination of the two. I just wanted a place to keep my scattered friends and family up-to-date about what I’m doing and thinking and feeling, and I wanted to share other sites/articles/whatever that amused me. It’s mainly for my friends and friends of friends, and if random people stumble in, great. And even if I’m just talking to myself in a vacuum, well, that’s okay, too. I like going back and seeing what random thing I wrote about two years ago.
Articles like that kind of frustrate me—I’m really not involved in the blogging community or whatnot—but at the same time clarify for me what exactly I’m trying to do here. Which is good.
My little kitten is growing up. Last night he proved that he’s big enough to jump up to the kitchen counters. I knew this day was coming. The other day he almost made it to my dresser—he would’ve, too, if there hadn’t been crap all over it to stop him. Last night Carrie and I were making dinner and Colin was sitting there, meowing away, and decided that the stove was intriguing. So he sprang up to the stove. He would’ve gotten onto the stove except that I was standing right there and yelled, “NO!!!” Then, when I was in the kitchen making chocolate chip cookies I looked up and saw him on the counter ledge. I don’t know that he can quite make it from jumping up from the floor—he got up first by climbing the bookshelf, then by leaping from the kitchen table.
I guess the days of leaving food out on the counter are over.
Current song in my head:
“Trouble” by Pink
Today is National American Teddy Bear Day! So give your teddy bear a hug.
There’s a good article on MSNBC about American actors vs. foreign actors, specifically, how American actors look really young. I never thought about it that way, but it’s true. It constantly blows me away that Colin Farrell is only 28; he looks older to me. I think that that’s due in part to the fact that other 28-year-old actors (Leonardo DiCaprio) look so young.
At the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, peace was declared. All was quiet on the Western front. Soldiers put down their machine guns, threw aside their mustard gas. The world rejoiced. It was a new type of war that had ended, one of the bloodiest the world had ever seen. It was the war that was hoped to end all wars. But even as November 11, 1918 passed, dark signs were everywhere. The influenza epidemic killed thousands. A major nation was in the middle of a bloody revolution. Nations grew smug at victory. Nations grew bitter in defeat. Nations withdrew from the rest of the world, naively hoping that by ignoring the rest of the world, they would be able to avoid future conflict. The 1920s roared in America as the seeds of World War II were planted.
Today is the day we honor veterans, the men and women who have been at the front, defending the United States or promoting whatever agenda the United States government wants them to. These people have died, and lived, for the United States. I cannot imagine what it must be like to do that. To be willing to sacrifice yourself like that. Not all have wanted to go. There have been drafts throughout the ages. But, willing or not, they want. And served.
We also need to honor those who fought--and fight--for unpopular causes. The veterans of Vietnam were not treated well. The war the United States is currently involved in is coming under more and more criticism. However a person may feel about the politics of the conflict, we should still support the men and women who are fighting it. I may not have wanted us to go to war in Iraq, but I don’t think anyone thinks it’s a bad thing that Saddam is no longer in power. Our men and women are still over there. They’re getting killed and they’re getting injured. And I thank them for the sacrifice they’re making.
But I also want to take a moment to thank those who didn’t go. Who weren’t on the front lines. I want to salute my Grandfather Dickson, who did serve at the front lines in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. But I also want to salute my Grandfather Makosky, who stayed in Baltimore and worked in the ironworks, supporting the work effort. I love them both very much, and miss them a lot.
It’s winter. I woke up this morning and for the first time since March or so, it was significantly colder in my room than it was in bed. One of those mornings that make you go, “Why, why do I need to leave my happy, warm bed?” Once I finally dragged myself out of bed and through my morning routine, I trudged out to my car only to find it covered with frost. Ah, the first scraping of the car of the season. Whee. Only not.
On a positive note, I was reading an article in the Washington Post Magazine and it mentioned the book Sideways Stories From Wayside School. I had one of those, “I remember that book!” moments. It wasn’t one of my favorites, but I did enjoy it. So now I feel this overwhelming desire to go find and read a copy. Much like my desire to find and the first, oh, 50 Sweet Valley High books.
Current song in my head:
“Slip Sliding Away” by Paul Simon
The Washington Post and the Concord Monitor have gotten together and throughout the week are hosting online chats with each of the Democratic candidates for President. It’s actually quite interesting, and I definitely have a better feel for each of the candidates now. I thought I’d like Dean more than I do and Clark made a very good impression on me.
I always thought that people who play the lottery are a bit silly. Sure, every now and then I’ll go out and get a ticket myself. Why not? But it’s those people who go out and buy tickets all time. And generally they’re people who can’t really afford it. I’m starting to understand them. You get to a point where you’re in debt and you chip and chip and chip away at it, but it’s still there. And your car breaks, so there’s another thousand or whatever. And you get to the point where it makes sense. “The lottery,” you think. “Perfect! That would solve all of my problems!” And winning would, of course. But the chances of that are incredibly slim. That’s not what matters, though. It’s the hope that maybe you will win. Just maybe.
Which is not to say that I’m about to run off and buy lottery tickets. I’m just saying that I get where these people are coming from.
My birthday was lovely this year. And lovely in every sense. It was absolutely gorgeous outside. I don’t think I’ve ever worn short sleeves and sandals on my birthday before. It’s warm today, but is gray and rainy; I’m glad the sun was yesterday. And thanks and love to my friends and family and everyone who wished me a happy birthday.
I really like where my birthday falls in the year. The day after your birthday can be a letdown. For that one day, it’s “your” day. A day to celebrate your life. For once, it is all. About. You. But then…well, you have to wait 364 days before it rolls around again. That’s why a November birthday is a good thing. We’re gearing up to the holiday season. It’s still far enough away that my birthday doesn’t get lumped in there, and people aren’t stressed about shopping, travel, etc. But I can look forward to few weeks to Thanksgiving, and then Christmas. Plus, when I was a kid I could have Halloween-themed birthday parties.
Current song in my head:
“Falling for the First Time” by Barenaked Ladies
Yesterday as I was walking to the Metro, a guy working for some local campaign was standing just outside the entrance. He had a big sign on urging me to vote for Dorsey. I had no idea who this Dorsey person was, but the first first name that popped into mind was Doug. Doug Dorsey. That sounds right. And then I realized that Doug Dorsey is D.B. Sweeney’s character in The Cutting Edge. So it’s probably not the same guy.
Happy Birthday!
Today's planetary energies:
Today marks a very significant day, because the Sun is back in Leo at exactly the place were it was when you were born. You may have been feeling particularly energetic in the last day or two. Today begins in much the same way: excellent for recreation or working on creative projects. It's a good day for shopping with friends. Someone may be a bit critical and you should not take this personally. The evening is excellent for a gathering of close friends over a good meal. Make sure you spend this day well, since it sets the tone for the year ahead!
What to expect during the next 12 months:
You have all the wonderful nobility and pride of Leo but can carry it in a very unusual manner. Sometimes you adapt too much to the needs and expectations of those around you. It is best to be your own original and unique self. Speak up for yourself on August 4, 2003. Your lucky days are November 30, 2003 and March 28, 2004. These are your days to shine. The most fortunate days for romance or any social events are August 5, 2003, November 9, 2003, and February 15, 2004. July 5, 2004 can be a high-energy day. It will be important to focus on your own interests and desires.
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Your Horoscope for November 4, 2003
IF TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH IS YOUR BIRTHDAY
If you look ahead and try to imagine how your life might develop over the coming 12 months, you will soon see what needs to be done. A little bit of thought now could save a lot of anguish later on. It could also pave the way for the making of some serious money - or do you consider yourself above that sort of thing?
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TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (November 4). Relaxation and treating yourself right are the themes as you realize that sometimes the only one making life hard on you is you. Take time to travel before year-end, and meet up with outstanding love prospects. An important decision in May has far-reaching effects, so be sure to get advice. Then, make your own decision, and feel good about it. Your lucky numbers are: 4, 25, 32, 30 and 26.
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IF NOVEMBER 4 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY . . . you have an unusual take on things, enjoy harmony. Food, fun, theater and adventure are for you. You would make an excellent scientist, perhaps a biologist. This year should single you out with opportunities for leadership. Stay on top of your emotions, which could run away with you. In December, there's romance and in February, adventure.
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When I visited my sister last weekend, we went out and test drove the Toyota Prius. It’s a hybrid and has lots of cool gadgets and features and I want one. Particularly since any day now, my car is just going to fall apart. So can someone pay off my credit card debt so I can get out there and buy one?