Fairy Tales

Remember Fairy Tales?

I had them read to me,

and

I

in turn read them to my kids

I didn't really give them much thought

In re-reading them lately

with a much more critical eye

I had a ghastly idea

Fairy Tales are designed to keep children fearful

Not to take the adventurous path

To remain cocooned in safety

since

only the good little children

get the rewards

of

wealth, safety, friends and treats

like

proper prince and princesses

but

the children that disobey authority

or ask ''why''

are either eaten by wolves

or

they lose everything

including their parents

Someone really needs to write

a fairy tale

that tells of calculated risks

that worked out

perfectly

Love is Blind

Is love blind?

Have you ever noticed that when you are in a relationship

you no longer see that person

as others do?

Some may put on those rose colored glasses

and

only see the good parts

Or many wear a microscope

and

critque that individual to death.

Either way (or a lovely mashup of the two),

the point is:

When you enter into any sort of relationship

be it with a new guy..or a new girlfriend

there are

some things that get overlooked

Some things that are important and critical

And balanced

I guess that's why a girl needs to have friends.

To tell her when things are seeming

weird or wonky

or

not-quite-right.
To be that touchstone of reality

And so, I raise my (virtual) glass to the friends

that have

kept me grounded
They tell me the truth

even when it's painful to hear.

They kick me in the ass and hug me after

and
stick with me through the highs and the lows

I

salute you

(listening to : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sfm0qNBZo1I)

Que Sera Sera

Can men and women be friends?

Just friends

the kind of friends like

2 women

or

2 men

are

together

I think it's possible

if

both parties agree to those terms

and neither allows the thin veneer

of

friendship

to blossom into something

deeper

because that's when things get awkward

and awful

for

both

(watching:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFWGOKuFyjk)

The Peevery

Pet Peeves

We all have them

And in some odd way

we celebrate them

I think

they are what makes us unique

different

so

would you want

everyone to know what annoys you

right off the bat

like

if you had a bubble over your head

with a list

How many people would bother talking to you?

and

could you expect others

to

adjust their behavior accordingly?

I mean...

your petty annoyances are LISTED for goodness' sake

So, where is the fun in that?

Aren't relationships supposed to be compromise?

Learning about each other?

Figuring out how to make

those silly conflicts into workable

solutions

Obviously, there are some pet peeves

that are real deal breakers

and

will never be reconciled

but

I believe

for the most part

relationships are like puzzles

and there are very very few

that fit

perfectly

(listening to:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyg3RtALnwg)

Call it Courage

"What isn't love is fear..and nothing else...''

I wholeheartedly believe in that statement

If you break down anger, jealousy,

and other negative emotions

the basic common denominator

is fear

Fear can never be eradicated completely,

but it can be controlled

Controlled by courage

So,what exactly is courage?

In my handy dandy online dictionary

Courage is defined as

the mental and moral strength to venture, persevere,

and

withstand danger, fear, or difficulty

For some people, courage comes in waves

and for others

its compartmentalized

For instance, I've always been fairly courageous

in my strong belief

of

speaking my mind

and

standing up for

those I love

On the other hand

I lack courage when it comes to

setting boundaries

The older I get

the more I realize

that

doing something that makes me uncomfortable

whether it be on a physical, mental

or emotional level

is the way I need to grow and expand

as a human being

I only wish I could

give everyone a cup of courage

(or 10)

to

counter their fears

that are holding them back

from

certain happiness

(listening to:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOA4ixV-3jU&feature=related)

Shhhh......

Sometimes, I say more by being silent

Remaining still

Listening

Watching

Waiting

I don't have the answer to every question

But I do know

If I had a crystal ball

I'd be dangerous

because

I'd want to protect everyone

in my world

completely

(listening to:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIbgFc9TLaY)

Prank Videos

If you really want a laugh......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHGGi3ckZf4


This one is great too.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOKJhjbzr6Y

Hope you enjoyed!!

Off The Grid

I spent today at the ''Natural Earth Home Show''

it

was a total waste of makeup

I mean that literally

I really shouldn't have worn makeup

I thought I would

fit in

by wearing Birkenstocks and jeans

but sadly

I practically had ''Republican'' written all over me

in this crowd

It must have been the cashmere sweater

or the fact that

I shave my legs

Somehow....they knew.

I was an impostor

sent to infiltrate their world

However....on the up side

I did score some excellent organic wine

and some fair trade bittersweet chocolate

and

I'm seriously looking into solar panels

for my roof

so

next year

when I go to this particular home show

I can walk around looking smug

with my

holier than thou-off the grid self

but

you can bet

next year

I won't be wearing pearls

(listening to:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EegRh8Z4H-o)

Secret Selves

I believe everyone has secret selves

sides of their personalities not shown

and certain activities

never revealed

to anyone

including to spouses and best friends

So, why does our society demand full disclosure?

For some reason

People have expectations of knowing literally everything

about someone

what makes them tick

who they are

really

Their familial status

Financial solvency

Who their friends are

their childhood

dreams and aspirations

so

what happens if someone gets too close?

do you embrace them

or wish them gone

so you can

continue being who you really are

unjudged

and

in complete

privacy

?

(listening to:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6ya7ZRlrEo)

Waves

There is a funny thing that happens in life

We all face difficulties from time to time

Some are harder to recover from

and

some you simply never get over

I've always used this analogy:

It's like you're at the beach having a great time

standing in the surf

splashing, hopping up and down in the water

as gentle waves lap against you

then

all of a sudden

a bigger wave hits you

making you wobble just a bit

and before you can recover

another wave comes at you

leaving you gasping

for air

and trying to find a good foothold

wave upon wave

one after the other

and very soon

you are

drowning

The main concept here

is to not rely on a fast rescue

but

stand up by yourself

for yourself

and

play again

(listening to:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnLKbc2hvxk)

Weather Watcher

I admit it

I snickered like a 4th grader when I saw this

I have no idea when I will ever grow up

I'm sorry

Kindred Spirits

I heard from a very very dear friend recently

I hadn't talked to him in a while

and it was absolutely wonderful to hear his voice again

We spoke for 4 hours on the phone

Not once did the conversation falter

nor

were we nervous

with each other

It was a just-right mix

of warmth

teasing laughter

and solid sincerity

We picked up exactly where we had left off

Right

smack dab

in the middle

of an

excellent friendship

(listening to:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbQfE2Oi6Wo)

Take A Beautiful Moment

This song really speaks to me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0smdudR5h4

The Black Sheep

I don't really fit into a classic mold

It's OK, I never really have

I'm one of these women who cherish their women friends

but prefer to hang out with guys

who are seemingly less angst ridden

Sadly, I don't get all giddy over childbirth stories

Makeup bores me to tears

Hairstyles that take a lot of time...Yuck

My stylish sister says I shop like a man

for instance

If I find an item of clothing I like

I buy one in every color

and wear it to death

Therefore, I dress in a ''classic'' sense

so I don't have to dig through malls

for the perfect ensemble

I love motorcycles

scuba diving, fishing

woodworking

and other ''male'' pursuits

So

does this make me masculine?

I don't think so

I believe it makes me more interesting

well rounded and complex

to be able to embrace the best of both

because

to have the yin

I believe

you really need the yang as well

(listening to:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJL4UGSbeFg)

An interesting experiment....

I read of a couple that was living the typical American consumerism ideal

They hit a pretty rough spot financially and decided to do the unthinkable:

They decided to stop spending money

This family that consisted of a couple

and their two children (ages 9 and 12)

agreed they would only buy food and medicine for one year

There would be no trips to the mall, no gifts bought, and clothes would have to be outgrown

This experiment tested them both personally and as a family
From what I understood from the article, the man had the most difficulties
making it through the year
He was ''caught'' purchasing candy and sodas several times
And
When their dishwasher decided to break down
they hated the sacrifice
of washing their dishes by hand

BUT

What they ultimately discovered in their year

was the most surprising thing of all

in their frugal lifestyle

They bought TIME

They hadn't realized how much time had been spent shopping

and pursuing their own separate interests

And the children stopped asking for things at the store

and actually became much better behaved

After the year was over, they were all changed for the good

Their days of frivolous spending

were over

Forever

(listening to:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aaya8jYZBO8&feature=related)

Pets

I've figured out why gold fish are typically a child's first pet.
They are easier to flush than a puppy.

(listening to:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NvgLkuEtkA)

The scarlet letter

My Friend
He found himself attracted to a married woman
She was his very best friend
his confidant
his everything
and then
He chose to leave her
which meant
He broke his own heart to preserve a family
her family
So now
He remains silent
behind a wall
when all he wants to do
is lay down
and cry

(listening to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IRYO2P3yp8)

Judge not...

I have a very cool job
I am a Food Judge
This means, I get paid to eat
Like anything, this job has it's ups and downs
It's very responsible
Contracts are signed a year in advance
Travel plans set in motion
and
There's a lot of money and bragging rights
riding on my endorsement
so
After checking into a cheerless hotel room
I go through reams of rules and regulations
for that particular competition
Find out how many assistants I have
or
If I'm the only paid judge
Which actually does make a difference
Since it gives me the deciding vote
and I have to do a lot of hand holding
and guiding
Believe me when I tell you--not everyone has
a good palate
I also can't eat anything hot or spicy for at least 2 weeks
prior to a competition
On the upside
I get to try out the best of the best
of
BBQ, pies, cakes, cheeses, preserves, cookies
You name it
I've probably eaten it
I remember one fair
I was in the middle of judging preserves and jams
and
lurking in the middle shelf was
a
quart jar
with one whole pickled pigs foot
just....floating
How I dreaded opening that jar!
but
It was my job to try it
I put on my game face
started to fish it out
of
the brackish vinegar
and
imagine my great relief and horror
to find a bunch of hair attached to
the knuckle
Since the foot hadn't been properly cleaned
I was able to disqualify it instantly
and set it aside
untasted
As I happily
spooned jam
and dug into layer cakes
and pies
and cookies
for the rest of the afternoon


(listening to:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGL4btEIoTo)

The Game

When should one give up?

Stop trying?

Is it when the bad overwhelms the good?

When the pain becomes too great?

The fun isn't there anymore?

As for me

I think it's time to call it a day

when

you stop being who you are

and

you are a mere shadow of your original existence

Of course

This varies from week to week

day to day

moment to moment

but I think

for the most part

You just know when its your time

to

go

(listening to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onOTaGayhU4)

Hate via Haiti

I've gone on record in this blog and out loud with my own

friends and family

and took aim at Christians that aren't ''really'' Christians

As I have stated, I can respect anyone that actually lives their faith

But

What I cannot fathom are the Christians that don't walk the talk

That said, I've never met a real Christian

Someone honorable and loving

like Jesus was, supposedly

What concerns me, is Christians seem to forget it was their religion

that blasted it's way through history

and still are

How many people who opposed the Christian faith have

been tortured, maimed and killed?

Why are they now upset with Muslims who are basically doing the same thing?

Let's not forget: Christianity is the cult that made it.

It also sickens me to see Christian missionaries

establishing themselves in undeveloped countries

They feed, house and clothe people--the poorest of the poor

In exchange, they want conversion

conversion to Christianity

OF COURSE a dying population will convert!

If it were me, I'd say anything you wanted, if it meant my

family had a home and food

Absolutely

With this latest tragedy in Haiti, the ''leaders'' of the Christian

faith have stepped forward

I'm half-listening to their hate filled posturing

Their pompous attitudes

as they sit in luxury

awash in sin

and greed

They call themselves the ''moral majority''

and

I'm just really grateful not to be counted among them

++++++

At least one person had the courage to say what the rest of us were thinking.

My hat is off to you, sir:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPoWOw8Jm5w&feature=related

♥♥♥♥

(listening to:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7jHp7OchP0)

The Epiphany

I rode my motorcycle today

It was pretty chilly, but I needed to ride

Coming home, I had one of the most significant

experiences of my life

I was cold-really, really cold

The pavement was dry and the road straight

I was travelling at 76 mph

For a moment there--it could have been about 45 seconds

I felt nothing

I wasn't cold anymore

No vibration of the bike on the road

I didn't feel my body

No wind

The Ipod was silent in my ears

I was the most focused and clear than I've been, ever

It felt like being in the eye of a tornado

Perfectly silent

and

calm

In that moment, I knew exactly what I needed to do with my life

Where I'm meant to be

and

What I'm supposed to do

and

Who I am

Thank-you Universe

I needed that

♥♥♥♥

(listening to:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUfr66UnY-g&feature=related)

Keep your eyes peeled...

I'm officially looking for a tropical island to buy

Either in the Caribbean or the Bahamas

Must have white sand beaches

360 degree views

Fresh water

Be completely private

Buildable

And above all

Must have 2 trees spaced perfectly apart

So I can lie in a hammock

and

Be

(listening to:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ui4XPXHlwEE)

Biology 101

Biologically speaking, I don't believe human beings are supposed to be monogamous.

Sure, it can feel good to be with one person

To be able to count on the other spouse when children are involved

Sharing in household duties and financial matters

But, if we look at humans as the animals we are...we aren't supposed to be tied to one partner.

Case in point

I had noticed a mallard duck had been killed on the side of the road

His mated female sat next to him day after day

She refused to leave his side

She died too

I don't know of one human being who would have that kind of devotion

Also, I believe

If humans mated for life, there wouldn't be divorce

or people wouldn't remarry after a spouse passes away

This illustrates to me monogamy is an unnatural state for humans

It's brought on by religion and social mores

So, the next time you hear of someone having an affair

Try to curb your outrage

Be kind

They happen to the best of people

(listening to:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB7T3lJ3dZ4)

The Brothers Gibb

I was pondering something today.
The Brothers Gibb aka ''The BeeGees" have lost one of their members.
Since there are still two, they can still call themselves ''The BeeGees''.
So, what happens if another one dies?
Would the remaining single guy in the group call himself
''The BeeGee''?
But wait--he's no longer a brother in a group.
Would he then call himself
''The Gee''
?



(listening to:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHWeuQyFouo)
(Note: OMG --no wonder the guy sang so high with those pants!)

It's a sad fact

I'm going to say something completely gauche
And awful
And so totally honest, you probably wont even believe me

Money DOES buy happiness
There, I said it out loud
I wish it weren't true, but it is

Just ask the people without enough to eat
or
Those that cant pay their bills
or
the Mother watching her child die because she cannot
afford a doctor's visit

(listening to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCAso76mbdI&feature=related)

Morning Routine

toothbrush, toothpaste, mouth rinse, floss, facial cleanser, washcloth, hot water, soap, razor, shaving gel, shampoo, conditioner, body oil, towel, body lotion, toner, facial moisturizer, brush, mousse, blow dryer, hair pomade, hair spray, perfume, deodorant, powder, foundation, sponge, tweezers, blush, blush brush, eyeliner, shadow, eyelash curler, mascara, lip balm, lip stick
It's really not funny
I just realized how much of an impact my simple routine has on the environment.
Our planet
You know, the one we're borrowing from our kids
Every one of these products have to be manufactured
And tested
And packaged
Marketed
And shipped
There has to be a better way
There just has to be


(listening to:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbuzskVs6rc)

Good Golly--Publish This Guy !!

I've had my funny bone tickled lately.
It's not for the easily offended.
Nor the faint of heart.
And there is underlying wisdom, if you search for it.
Enjoy!!

http://twitter.com/Shitmydadsays

Willing and Able

Updating one's Last Will and Testament can be a sticky thing

It reminds you the hourglass of life is running out of sand

That you're a mere mortal

Simple flesh and blood

That someone will be assuming your financial status

The good, the bad and the ugly

Shouldering the responsibility of taking your place in line

Peeking into places they've never been allowed before

Or welcomed

I suppose it won't matter to me anymore

I'll be a memory

Hopefully a good one

One that made people laugh

Or think

Or learn

While I float peacefully on Shasta Lake

Late August or September

Dead Horse Cove

The sun kissing the horizon

Lazy, fat bumblebees rumbling home

Noisy speedboats have long gone

The current deep and strong

Sounds of dry leaves and falling rocks echoing

as

Deer skittishly come down to drink

Ever watchful

That's my favorite time

Gently sprinkle me from a quiet canoe

Crack a joke to cut the stillness
Float a few daisies if you have them
then

Paddle slowly back to the houseboat

And know

I'll be there with you

Always

(listening to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f0p5KqdU9U)

Broken Timelines

I've been busily putting together a scrapbook of sorts

I'm not one of those scrapbooking people that have all the fancy schmancy doo-dads scrolled all over the page. I didn't cut my photos with frilly scissors.

I didn't add cute and catchy captions.

Nor have I chosen the perfect paper to capture the mood of the photo.

All I've been doing is sliding the picture into the sleeve of a leather bound photo album

It's black

And plain

Trying to keep them in somewhat of an organized manner by timeline.

Which makes me wonder....

What if I come across a set of photos that perhaps meant something at one time--but don't now?

Friendships that have long since faded

Situations that didnt go well

Places that are no more

Should I include them in my beloved photo album?

Or should I allow that part of my life to remain undocumented?

Lost

Forgotten forever?

I finally made the choice to include even the photos that brought painful memories

Why?

I decided these pictures are history

My life in tangible documentation

All that I am today is because of the lessons I learned from every experience

Both positive and negative

To not include them would be walking away from the part of me that grew

And is still growing

Daily

(listening to:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UL_Pe1f8KdY&feature=related)

Welcome Back

Gifts unwrapped, pictures downloaded, dinner eaten, lights twinkled,traditions upheld, laughter enjoyed, family and friends celebrated, music sang.

Such were our Holidays this year.

2009 melted into 2010

Happily

(listening to:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QExQCwn6kwg)