There is a great website called White Whine. The site is full of comments from white people about how hard their lives are. Things like "I really hope my doorman doesn't go on strike this week" and "My iPad is really heavy!" While they don't update the site as much as I would like, I do enjoy the comments. I, myself, have had a White Whine kind of week. Let me explain (read: whine).
Tuesday, my cleaning lady came to do our house. While there she told my husband that she is going in for back surgery on Thursday (today!!) and will be out of commission for 6-8 weeks. My initial thought was "Fuck!" Not "gee, I hope she's ok" but "FUCK! I am going to have to clean my own house?!" Uh, yeah. Those 4.5 baths don't clean themselves, people.
Yesterday we had a benefits meeting for a new company we are going to merge with. Thing I'm pissy about? My PTO time. I will be forced to cash out my time at the time of the transition and I will have to start with ZERO hours when we are with the new group. ZERO. This is like a death sentence to me. How on earth am I suppose to survive with ZERO PTO time? My husbands response? "Can't you just ask them to make you a manager so you don't have to worry about PTO time?" Oh, right. I forgot. I can just snap my fingers and make anything happen. I've just been too lazy to do it all this time. I mean, snapping is really hard! It's why I haven't snapped up the lottery numbers yet. My fingers are tired. But fuck....ZERO PTO time. Ugh.
In response to the impending doom of zero PTO time, I've been looking at vacations with the Top Gay. We found a cruise that starts in Rome, goes to Sicily, Athens, Turkey and Crete. We can get a balcony room for $950 for the week! The only issue is the airfare is running about $1500. Sure, we could probably find something cheaper, but we are only willing to fly on select airlines so that we can upgrade to first class. I mean, I'm not slummin' it in coach for 10 hours. I need my fine dining, booze and extra large reclining seat.
So yeah, my life is HARD people. If this cruise doesn't work out, I might have to take my kid to Disney instead.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Mix Tape Blog Post
I found this idea online and thought I would give it a whirl. I also need something mindless to do today since my head is full of crap that is bothering me and I'd like to think about something else for awhile. Anyway, the idea for this entry is this:
Put your iPod on Shuffle. ID the song that comes on and talk about what memories, thoughts or emotions it brings up.
So, here we go!
Fields of Gold -Sting
I love Sting. He's always been one of my all time favorite artists. He's one you can always fall back on when you don't know what else to listen to. And let's face it, Sting is hot. Sometimes he's a little too crunchy for me what with his whole saving the rainforests and whatnot. Just sing and be sexy, ok? Cause I'm not buying your music due to your political beliefs. I paid good money to listen to you sing and to possibly oogle you a bit. That's all.
This song is very soothing. Perhaps my iPod knows I need relaxing music today.
Just a Boy - Harry Connick, Jr.
I went through a phase where I was utterly obsessed with HCJ. I dig his big band style of music. I wanted a HCJ song at as my first dance at my wedding but the husband felt like we couldn't really dance to it. Quite frankly, HE couldn't dance to it, but then again, he can't really dance, period.
This song is playing so quietly on my iHome that I have to jack up the sound just to hear it. 10 bucks says the next song is blaring causing the office to wonder what the hell is going on in my office. But again, another soothing song. I love you today iPod!
Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me) - The Pirates of the Caribbean
HA! I actually forgot that I had this on my iPod. This is my absolute favorite ride of all time. I will literally beg my 6 year old to let us go on this ride first when we are at Disney World. Then I will get off and ride again as many times as the kid will let me. Perhaps I was a pirate in my former life. Who knows, but how can you not adore Jack Sparrow?? But even before Jack came along I loved this ride. The bombs going off in the water around your boat, the drunk passed out in the mud with the pigs, the dog with the keys looking at the crazy prisoners that are whistling at him. Just fabulous.
Ask the Lonely - Journey
We are getting in to quite an eclectic mix now aren't we? Journey just makes me think of the '80s. Having sleepovers and staying up until all hours talking about boys. I guess I never grew out of that since this is what I do when I stay with the Top Gay.
By the way, have you seen that guy that replaced Steve Perry as the lead singer? It's almost creepy how much he sounds like him. Kinda cool though that the group is re-born, so to speak.
Man in the Mirror - Michael Jackson
Ok, fine, you now know that I have MJ on my iPod. Sue me. Well, I know you won't because you are too busy sobbing over his death of nearly a year ago. Crying into your glittered glove. But MJ is a classic. I use to have the Jackson 5 poster on my bedroom wall. I use to laugh at Tito's ginormous 'fro. I even had the Thriller picture disk that I refused to play on my record player for fear that it would scratch and ruin it.
Love, Oh Love - Lionel Richie
Well, it looks like my iPod is trying to sell me out. Showing off all my old school hits when I choose to write a blog post about it. No current, hip songs. Just some classic artists that really define who I am. I see what you're up to, iTouch. I know your game.
Anyway, Lionel Richie was the first concert I ever went to. In Madison Square Garden no less! My mother let my sister and I go with friends. And basically unsupervised. I was 13 at the time and my sister was 15. I still cannot believe my mother allowed us to do that. But it was the Dancin' on the Ceiling Tour and the people behind us were smoking pot. I don't know how on earth I knew that it was pot, but I did. I loved that show and thought I was hot shit for going. Even wore my tour t-shirt to school the next day. I'm a badass.
Bali Ha'i - South Pacific
Yeah, now we're bringing out the show tunes! I went to see South Pacific last year with the Top Gay. One of my favorite shows of all time. It's funny because I remember watching the movie with my dad as a kid and not really liking it that much. And I remember it being LONG. In fact, that was the first thing I said to the Top Gay when we sat down for the show. While the show wasn't as long as I remember it being, it was still fabulous.
Ok, last song.....
This Time - Janet Jackson
Janet is right up there with Sting for me. I use her music for workouts, when I'm pissed, or when I'm feeling rebellious (among other things). She is just so amazing. I've seen her in concert twice now and they were both THE BEST shows I have ever been to. She really sings (no lip syncing) and dances her ass off. I've always wished I could be one of her backup dancers, but alas, I'm not cool (or talented) enough. Janet rocks.
Put your iPod on Shuffle. ID the song that comes on and talk about what memories, thoughts or emotions it brings up.
So, here we go!
Fields of Gold -Sting
I love Sting. He's always been one of my all time favorite artists. He's one you can always fall back on when you don't know what else to listen to. And let's face it, Sting is hot. Sometimes he's a little too crunchy for me what with his whole saving the rainforests and whatnot. Just sing and be sexy, ok? Cause I'm not buying your music due to your political beliefs. I paid good money to listen to you sing and to possibly oogle you a bit. That's all.
This song is very soothing. Perhaps my iPod knows I need relaxing music today.
Just a Boy - Harry Connick, Jr.
I went through a phase where I was utterly obsessed with HCJ. I dig his big band style of music. I wanted a HCJ song at as my first dance at my wedding but the husband felt like we couldn't really dance to it. Quite frankly, HE couldn't dance to it, but then again, he can't really dance, period.
This song is playing so quietly on my iHome that I have to jack up the sound just to hear it. 10 bucks says the next song is blaring causing the office to wonder what the hell is going on in my office. But again, another soothing song. I love you today iPod!
Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me) - The Pirates of the Caribbean
HA! I actually forgot that I had this on my iPod. This is my absolute favorite ride of all time. I will literally beg my 6 year old to let us go on this ride first when we are at Disney World. Then I will get off and ride again as many times as the kid will let me. Perhaps I was a pirate in my former life. Who knows, but how can you not adore Jack Sparrow?? But even before Jack came along I loved this ride. The bombs going off in the water around your boat, the drunk passed out in the mud with the pigs, the dog with the keys looking at the crazy prisoners that are whistling at him. Just fabulous.
Ask the Lonely - Journey
We are getting in to quite an eclectic mix now aren't we? Journey just makes me think of the '80s. Having sleepovers and staying up until all hours talking about boys. I guess I never grew out of that since this is what I do when I stay with the Top Gay.
By the way, have you seen that guy that replaced Steve Perry as the lead singer? It's almost creepy how much he sounds like him. Kinda cool though that the group is re-born, so to speak.
Man in the Mirror - Michael Jackson
Ok, fine, you now know that I have MJ on my iPod. Sue me. Well, I know you won't because you are too busy sobbing over his death of nearly a year ago. Crying into your glittered glove. But MJ is a classic. I use to have the Jackson 5 poster on my bedroom wall. I use to laugh at Tito's ginormous 'fro. I even had the Thriller picture disk that I refused to play on my record player for fear that it would scratch and ruin it.
Love, Oh Love - Lionel Richie
Well, it looks like my iPod is trying to sell me out. Showing off all my old school hits when I choose to write a blog post about it. No current, hip songs. Just some classic artists that really define who I am. I see what you're up to, iTouch. I know your game.
Anyway, Lionel Richie was the first concert I ever went to. In Madison Square Garden no less! My mother let my sister and I go with friends. And basically unsupervised. I was 13 at the time and my sister was 15. I still cannot believe my mother allowed us to do that. But it was the Dancin' on the Ceiling Tour and the people behind us were smoking pot. I don't know how on earth I knew that it was pot, but I did. I loved that show and thought I was hot shit for going. Even wore my tour t-shirt to school the next day. I'm a badass.
Bali Ha'i - South Pacific
Yeah, now we're bringing out the show tunes! I went to see South Pacific last year with the Top Gay. One of my favorite shows of all time. It's funny because I remember watching the movie with my dad as a kid and not really liking it that much. And I remember it being LONG. In fact, that was the first thing I said to the Top Gay when we sat down for the show. While the show wasn't as long as I remember it being, it was still fabulous.
Ok, last song.....
This Time - Janet Jackson
Janet is right up there with Sting for me. I use her music for workouts, when I'm pissed, or when I'm feeling rebellious (among other things). She is just so amazing. I've seen her in concert twice now and they were both THE BEST shows I have ever been to. She really sings (no lip syncing) and dances her ass off. I've always wished I could be one of her backup dancers, but alas, I'm not cool (or talented) enough. Janet rocks.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Family History
I am addicted to ancestry.com. ADDICTED. That website is like crack. And they know it too since they charge what I consider to be an assload of money just to access public information. BUT all that public information is in one place and easily searchable, so......
Back in February a friend of mine sent me some info about a distant relative that was a sculptor in Italy. There was all this information about the man and I was fascinated. My friend told me that his father was cleaning out his office closet and found a folder full of family history that has been passed down. He got excited about the possibility of discovering his family and signed up at ancestry.com. Of course, within an hour I did the same.
It started out easy enough. I emailed my mother and she gave me what she knew off of the top of her head. For the first two weeks I was a madwoman. I spent all day every day working on this family tree. I was amazed at the information that popped up. I kept digging and digging and would call my mother at 10pm in the middle of the week with questions. When she answered the phone I wouldn't even say hello but rather just shout "Great grandma's last name was Butler, wasn't it?!" Even she was amazed at what I was finding.
It's been almost 2 months since I started on this journey. I've now created a tree for my husband's family as well. I granted him access to the tree and then got pissed off that he would log in and mess with it (in case you forgot, I have control issues). I tried to remind myself that it was HIS tree anyway so he could do what he wanted with it. But then i would tell him over dinner about how what he had added to the tree was stupid. Come on, you should not be surprised at my bitchiness by this point. Anyway, both trees have people going back almost to the 900's which is freakin' amazing. Ancestry.com keeps giving me information so I keep adding the people. I feel like I have to follow and investigate EVERY SINGLE LEAD. I mean, what if I am related to a King (which I am by the way)? I need to know this!
I have gotten stuck on my dad's side. I'm as far back as my great great grandparents and then the trail runs dry. I know that my great grandfather was orphaned so finding out about his parents has been hard. Then there is my great grandfather on my paternal gradmother's side. Apparently he walked out on his family and remarried. I've found bits and pieces but for some reason cannot find his parents or his first wife's parents. I finally bit the bullet about 2 weeks ago and ordered his birth certificate online. Up until this point I've been very hesitant about spending money on this gig. I'm very much into the process but also don't want to spend a fortune just to find out who my relatives are. In any case, every single day now I race to the mailbox to see if the birth certificate has arrived and it hasn't. I want and need to order more documents but I want to see what I get with this first one before I go further along the same route.
I'm not as gung ho about the tree as I was a month and a half ago, but I'm still plugging along. I've found that it's good to take a break and then revisit what I've done. I start to see things that blew right past me in my flurry of activity. And trust me, every little piece of information helps. An initial, a date, a location. It just narrows the search and helps to pinpoint the person you are looking for. Overall it's been a great experience and really eye opening. I find myself wondering about what life was like for Pepin the Short King of Franks and his wife Betrade Big Foot Laon. Or what about Boleslav the Cruel Prince of Bohemia (what made him cruel?) and Sigurd Snake Eyes King of Danes? I guess once I'm done getting people on the tree I'll have my work cut out for me in finding more of their actual history.
Back in February a friend of mine sent me some info about a distant relative that was a sculptor in Italy. There was all this information about the man and I was fascinated. My friend told me that his father was cleaning out his office closet and found a folder full of family history that has been passed down. He got excited about the possibility of discovering his family and signed up at ancestry.com. Of course, within an hour I did the same.
It started out easy enough. I emailed my mother and she gave me what she knew off of the top of her head. For the first two weeks I was a madwoman. I spent all day every day working on this family tree. I was amazed at the information that popped up. I kept digging and digging and would call my mother at 10pm in the middle of the week with questions. When she answered the phone I wouldn't even say hello but rather just shout "Great grandma's last name was Butler, wasn't it?!" Even she was amazed at what I was finding.
It's been almost 2 months since I started on this journey. I've now created a tree for my husband's family as well. I granted him access to the tree and then got pissed off that he would log in and mess with it (in case you forgot, I have control issues). I tried to remind myself that it was HIS tree anyway so he could do what he wanted with it. But then i would tell him over dinner about how what he had added to the tree was stupid. Come on, you should not be surprised at my bitchiness by this point. Anyway, both trees have people going back almost to the 900's which is freakin' amazing. Ancestry.com keeps giving me information so I keep adding the people. I feel like I have to follow and investigate EVERY SINGLE LEAD. I mean, what if I am related to a King (which I am by the way)? I need to know this!
I have gotten stuck on my dad's side. I'm as far back as my great great grandparents and then the trail runs dry. I know that my great grandfather was orphaned so finding out about his parents has been hard. Then there is my great grandfather on my paternal gradmother's side. Apparently he walked out on his family and remarried. I've found bits and pieces but for some reason cannot find his parents or his first wife's parents. I finally bit the bullet about 2 weeks ago and ordered his birth certificate online. Up until this point I've been very hesitant about spending money on this gig. I'm very much into the process but also don't want to spend a fortune just to find out who my relatives are. In any case, every single day now I race to the mailbox to see if the birth certificate has arrived and it hasn't. I want and need to order more documents but I want to see what I get with this first one before I go further along the same route.
I'm not as gung ho about the tree as I was a month and a half ago, but I'm still plugging along. I've found that it's good to take a break and then revisit what I've done. I start to see things that blew right past me in my flurry of activity. And trust me, every little piece of information helps. An initial, a date, a location. It just narrows the search and helps to pinpoint the person you are looking for. Overall it's been a great experience and really eye opening. I find myself wondering about what life was like for Pepin the Short King of Franks and his wife Betrade Big Foot Laon. Or what about Boleslav the Cruel Prince of Bohemia (what made him cruel?) and Sigurd Snake Eyes King of Danes? I guess once I'm done getting people on the tree I'll have my work cut out for me in finding more of their actual history.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Health Care Part Deux
I am thrilled that the health care bill passed. I'm overjoyed that Obama signed the bill into law today. Three cheers (and then some) for reform!
Do I think the bill is perfect? No. Do I think it will solve all of our problems? Of course not. But it's a step in the right direction. We cannot move forward unless we make changes. Yes, change can be scary, but that's no reason to stand idle.
I am still fired up by people that oppose this bill. One person I know said that they were upset that now they have to "bust their ass so that lazy people that don't work can have health care." Ok, first of all, that is so fucking ridiculous I cannot even believe I heard it. Secondly, way to group a few bad apples into an entire population. Are there people that are lazy and don't work? Yes. Is everyone that is unemployed lazy and not wanting to work? No. In case you forgot, we are still in a recession. Unemployment is at an all time high. The majority of these people WANT to work. Some of them are even paying for insurance via COBRA. On the flip side, there are quite a few people in this country that DO work yet still have no benefits. My husband is one such person. Without my job and benefits, he would have nothing. He is self employed and is deemed uninsurable due to pre-exisiting medical conditions (ironically he is against reform as well). I have other friends that work full time but are offered ZERO benefits from their employers. So before you start spewing your hatred, you should take a look around.
Then we have the lovely folks who are pissed that the bill passed ("What about the Constitution?!") and are also pissed that Rep. Stupak made a deal on abortion language. Ok, so you are against the government making decisions about your health care, yet you are FOR the government making decisions about your health care. Yeah, that makes sense. Don't tell me what I can or cannot do with my insurance but you damn well better tell everyone else what they can or cannot do with their bodies. Right.
My main issue is this: You have no right to complain about ANYTHING (health care or otherwise) unless you are willing to do something about it. This reform bill was not a breaking news surprise. We all knew it was coming. Every single person in this country could have written their Senator or Rep. They could have called the White House. They could have protested. But the majority of them didn't. They sat at home in front of their televisions and yelled and screamed and the injustice of it all. You have the power to make a change and didn't use it. Don't complain that you don't like the results. It's no one's fault but your own.
Finally, when did it become so horrible and wrong to actually help other people? What is so terrible about lending a hand to those less fortunate then ourselves? Why are people not even looking at those around them and seeing how they are affected by this? One person I know lost a family member due to poor health care yet he is against reform. Huh? Why would you want other people to suffer the same way you did? I have a friend with cancer who has to be careful how often she gets her treatments and therapy because her insurance only allows so much per year. Why should she have to fight cancer this way? We are one of the most powerful nations in the world yet we are ranked 37th in terms of health care for our people. That is a disgrace. Insurance companies have been far too greedy for far too long. I understand that they are a for profit business and should be allowed to make money. They should not, however, be allowed to make money off the backs of people that rely on them just to live.
Do I think the bill is perfect? No. Do I think it will solve all of our problems? Of course not. But it's a step in the right direction. We cannot move forward unless we make changes. Yes, change can be scary, but that's no reason to stand idle.
I am still fired up by people that oppose this bill. One person I know said that they were upset that now they have to "bust their ass so that lazy people that don't work can have health care." Ok, first of all, that is so fucking ridiculous I cannot even believe I heard it. Secondly, way to group a few bad apples into an entire population. Are there people that are lazy and don't work? Yes. Is everyone that is unemployed lazy and not wanting to work? No. In case you forgot, we are still in a recession. Unemployment is at an all time high. The majority of these people WANT to work. Some of them are even paying for insurance via COBRA. On the flip side, there are quite a few people in this country that DO work yet still have no benefits. My husband is one such person. Without my job and benefits, he would have nothing. He is self employed and is deemed uninsurable due to pre-exisiting medical conditions (ironically he is against reform as well). I have other friends that work full time but are offered ZERO benefits from their employers. So before you start spewing your hatred, you should take a look around.
Then we have the lovely folks who are pissed that the bill passed ("What about the Constitution?!") and are also pissed that Rep. Stupak made a deal on abortion language. Ok, so you are against the government making decisions about your health care, yet you are FOR the government making decisions about your health care. Yeah, that makes sense. Don't tell me what I can or cannot do with my insurance but you damn well better tell everyone else what they can or cannot do with their bodies. Right.
My main issue is this: You have no right to complain about ANYTHING (health care or otherwise) unless you are willing to do something about it. This reform bill was not a breaking news surprise. We all knew it was coming. Every single person in this country could have written their Senator or Rep. They could have called the White House. They could have protested. But the majority of them didn't. They sat at home in front of their televisions and yelled and screamed and the injustice of it all. You have the power to make a change and didn't use it. Don't complain that you don't like the results. It's no one's fault but your own.
Finally, when did it become so horrible and wrong to actually help other people? What is so terrible about lending a hand to those less fortunate then ourselves? Why are people not even looking at those around them and seeing how they are affected by this? One person I know lost a family member due to poor health care yet he is against reform. Huh? Why would you want other people to suffer the same way you did? I have a friend with cancer who has to be careful how often she gets her treatments and therapy because her insurance only allows so much per year. Why should she have to fight cancer this way? We are one of the most powerful nations in the world yet we are ranked 37th in terms of health care for our people. That is a disgrace. Insurance companies have been far too greedy for far too long. I understand that they are a for profit business and should be allowed to make money. They should not, however, be allowed to make money off the backs of people that rely on them just to live.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
At least the new healthcare bill will pay for the therapy I'll need after listening to the BS about the healthcare bill
Oh. My. God. Please pass this fucking bill today so that I can finally have an end to this moronic bullshit. I have a friend on Facebook that I consider a second mother to me. Every day for the last 3 days it has been as though she is holding her own teabagger revolt via Facebook status updates. I want to post back and say "SHUT THE FUCK UP ALREADY!" and then ask her if she's even READ the bill. But I know in true teabagger fashion, she'll just say that it's not HER job to read the bill. Yes, you can just bitch the days away without even knowing what the fuck you are talking about!
And what is with everyone saying "What about the Constitution?" What about it? It says in Article I that "The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States." Isn't that kinda what we are doing here?
And now there are protesters in DC hurling slurs at Members of Congress. Words such as nigger and faggot. Really? And you expect people to take you seriously? Look, if you want to protest, have at it. That's what makes his country great. Use the power of your voice. Call your Congressman and Senator. Write letters and Op-Eds. Start a petition. But using slurs is just disgusting and tasteless. And it brings down EVERYONE who stands on your side of the issue. This isn't about the color of someone's skin or their sexual orientation. It's about people being SCARED of change. It's about opposition believing anything they are told. Even by someone who has used the socialized medicine in Canada and writes notes on her hand.
These are the people that scare me:
I work in healthcare and I really wish these people could see the struggles that good people go through because private insurance deems them not worthy of treatment. I would like to see what these people would do if they ever lost their insurance or god forbid were struck down with a life threatening disease that most insurance carriers limit treatment for. There is the old saying "walk a miles in their shoes" before you go judging and making assumptions about people. But I guess that's not going to happen.
And what is with everyone saying "What about the Constitution?" What about it? It says in Article I that "The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States." Isn't that kinda what we are doing here?
And now there are protesters in DC hurling slurs at Members of Congress. Words such as nigger and faggot. Really? And you expect people to take you seriously? Look, if you want to protest, have at it. That's what makes his country great. Use the power of your voice. Call your Congressman and Senator. Write letters and Op-Eds. Start a petition. But using slurs is just disgusting and tasteless. And it brings down EVERYONE who stands on your side of the issue. This isn't about the color of someone's skin or their sexual orientation. It's about people being SCARED of change. It's about opposition believing anything they are told. Even by someone who has used the socialized medicine in Canada and writes notes on her hand.
These are the people that scare me:
I work in healthcare and I really wish these people could see the struggles that good people go through because private insurance deems them not worthy of treatment. I would like to see what these people would do if they ever lost their insurance or god forbid were struck down with a life threatening disease that most insurance carriers limit treatment for. There is the old saying "walk a miles in their shoes" before you go judging and making assumptions about people. But I guess that's not going to happen.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Forgiveness
I'm still on a movie watching kick. This weekend I caught Forgiving Dr. Mengele which is a documentary about Auschwitz survivor Eva Kor. Eva and her twin sister were unwillingly subjected to Dr. Mengele's research while imprisoned at Auschwitz. This was a fascinating story. A version of events that I had never heard before. It is both sickening and inspiring.
Obviously, the premise of this story is forgiveness. Eva is a remarkable woman and has found it within herself to forgive the Nazi's for what they did both to her and her family. The catch is that not everyone agrees with Eva's position. Many other Auschwitz survivors are furious at Eva's position. One even said that she could never forgive and she would never be happy. That just blew me away. To me, she is letting the Nazi's continue to rule her life. She's letting them win. Let it go!
Eva describes forgiveness as letting that part of her life go. She is healing her soul (how very Oprah-esque!). I think this woman has got it right! I think many people (including myself sometimes) view forgiveness as a way of excusing the offensive behavior. What Eva is saying is not that she excuses the behavior, but rather that she refuses to let those incidents have control over her life. Forgiveness sets her free from those chains and allows her to live. Will she ever forget the Holocaust? Of course not. Will she ever feel that what happened was in any way OK? Absolutely not. But kudos to this badass woman for saying hey, you imprisoned me once, you will not imprison me again!
I think everyone should see this movie. It's a great story of strength, determination and of course, forgiveness. It's also a great reminder that many of the things in our lives are pretty trivial compared to the bigger picture.
Obviously, the premise of this story is forgiveness. Eva is a remarkable woman and has found it within herself to forgive the Nazi's for what they did both to her and her family. The catch is that not everyone agrees with Eva's position. Many other Auschwitz survivors are furious at Eva's position. One even said that she could never forgive and she would never be happy. That just blew me away. To me, she is letting the Nazi's continue to rule her life. She's letting them win. Let it go!
Eva describes forgiveness as letting that part of her life go. She is healing her soul (how very Oprah-esque!). I think this woman has got it right! I think many people (including myself sometimes) view forgiveness as a way of excusing the offensive behavior. What Eva is saying is not that she excuses the behavior, but rather that she refuses to let those incidents have control over her life. Forgiveness sets her free from those chains and allows her to live. Will she ever forget the Holocaust? Of course not. Will she ever feel that what happened was in any way OK? Absolutely not. But kudos to this badass woman for saying hey, you imprisoned me once, you will not imprison me again!
I think everyone should see this movie. It's a great story of strength, determination and of course, forgiveness. It's also a great reminder that many of the things in our lives are pretty trivial compared to the bigger picture.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Random Thoughts
I threw out my back on Sunday night while loading the dishwasher. Yes, really. I did. And I am NOT that old. I swear! Anyway, I've been hobbling around all week. I stopped by the chiropractor on Tuesday and he fixed me up a little. Problem is, this guy is rough. He admits he's rough but that's how he adjusts people. So not only did he get my hips and back re-aligned, he made me pretty damn sore on top of it.
Ok, forget it. I'm just stopping here. There is no way I can continue to write this post about my ailing back without sounding like I'm writing porn.
Since I've been lazing around all week due to my condition, I am completely caught up on Tivo. Shocking, no? And since I haven't been running this week, I am amazed at how much time I seem to have on my hands. So last night after the kid went to bed I went to Netflix streaming to see what was available. I went to the Oscar category and picked the Foreign Language Film winner from 2009. It's a movie called Departures and I must say it's quite interesting. I am laughing though because the whole time I'm watching it I'm thinking "The Top Gay will NEVER watch this movie!" Basically it's about a man who loses his job and returns home only to take a new job helping to prepare dead bodies for burial. The Top Gay has serious issues with dead bodies. And this film will NOT go over well with him. Anyway, about half way through the flick I got exhausted (watching movies while laying around all week is HARD) so I went to bed. Will finish up tonight and let you know.
Speaking of the Top Gay, he is the winner of the "Things Taken Out Of Context" line today. I hereby give you his words of wisdom:
"In the waiting room waiting for the vampire to inject the tumors."
HA! Classic.
And my final random thought for today, why the hell is everyone leaving for vacation EXCEPT FOR ME?! Ugh. This is, like, one of my biggest issues in life. I am EXTREMELY jealous when people go on vacation and I'm stuck at home with nothing on the horizon. It blows. The Top Gay is cheating on me and jetting off to St. Maarten with a lesbian. My mother is off to India (for fun). H is off to the Caribbean next week. My boss is off to some beachy spot this weekend followed by my other boss who departs next week. Suckage all around. I guess I will go home and finish my movie and be grateful that I'm not washing and putting makeup on dead bodies for a living.
Ok, forget it. I'm just stopping here. There is no way I can continue to write this post about my ailing back without sounding like I'm writing porn.
Since I've been lazing around all week due to my condition, I am completely caught up on Tivo. Shocking, no? And since I haven't been running this week, I am amazed at how much time I seem to have on my hands. So last night after the kid went to bed I went to Netflix streaming to see what was available. I went to the Oscar category and picked the Foreign Language Film winner from 2009. It's a movie called Departures and I must say it's quite interesting. I am laughing though because the whole time I'm watching it I'm thinking "The Top Gay will NEVER watch this movie!" Basically it's about a man who loses his job and returns home only to take a new job helping to prepare dead bodies for burial. The Top Gay has serious issues with dead bodies. And this film will NOT go over well with him. Anyway, about half way through the flick I got exhausted (watching movies while laying around all week is HARD) so I went to bed. Will finish up tonight and let you know.
Speaking of the Top Gay, he is the winner of the "Things Taken Out Of Context" line today. I hereby give you his words of wisdom:
"In the waiting room waiting for the vampire to inject the tumors."
HA! Classic.
And my final random thought for today, why the hell is everyone leaving for vacation EXCEPT FOR ME?! Ugh. This is, like, one of my biggest issues in life. I am EXTREMELY jealous when people go on vacation and I'm stuck at home with nothing on the horizon. It blows. The Top Gay is cheating on me and jetting off to St. Maarten with a lesbian. My mother is off to India (for fun). H is off to the Caribbean next week. My boss is off to some beachy spot this weekend followed by my other boss who departs next week. Suckage all around. I guess I will go home and finish my movie and be grateful that I'm not washing and putting makeup on dead bodies for a living.
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