Ok, so it was bound to happen eventually, right? I mean, I do write about a lot of things on this blog that I have strong opinions about, so it was going to happen sooner or later...right?
Anyway, here goes.
Growing up I was a dyed in the wool staunch Republican, complete with the obligatory Rush is Right t-shirt and the khaki pants button down shirt that went with it. I read Limbaugh's entire canon, and thought he was Ronald Reagan reincarnated. (Not really, we Republicans didn't hanker to no "re-in-car-nation.") That meant that I was pro-life, and any no-good, two-bit, lousy politician who didn't vote to get rid of Roe Vs. Wade was just asking to get voted out of office. No, seriously. I really did think that.
Well, going along with my discussion earlier about recognizing the complexity of certain issues, and realizing that there are multiple ways to look at things, I wanted to talk to you all (yes, both of you) about what being pro-life means to me now.
(Stipulation: Almost all of this can be found in the Jim Wallis book, "God's Politics: Why the Right Gets it Wrong, and the Left Doesn't Get It".)
Being pro-life means much, much more than thinking that the number of abortions committed in this country is a travesty. Being pro-life means attempting to hold on to a consistent ethic of the sanctity of human life--where ever that life may be. This has numerous ramifications, much more then the obvious abortion issue that gets focused on so much.
Being pro-life means that I want to eliminate the causes of, or perceived reasons for abortions in this country; rampant poverty, both generational and situational; a government that practices generous corporate welfare and cringes at the mere mention of government assistance for the poor as "socialism"; sky-rocketing health care costs, and a cultural acceptance of chauvinism and sexism that perpetuates the ideas that women are inferior and subject to the whim and desires of men. (Don't throw the Bible verses about women being subject to men in my face; if you've read those verses, don't stop there--the very next half of the verse talks about husbands serving their wives like Jesus serves the church, in humility, with compassion, and with a perfect and Godly love.) All of these issues combine to form a perfect storm of challenges that face too many families and individuals in this country. We Christians should be ashamed, utterly and totally ashamed that we are spending so much time and energy trying to stop women from getting abortions without paying any attention whatsoever to WHY they feel the need to get one. Instead of picketing Planned Parenthood and the various doctors who offer these painful and costly (both mentally and spiritually) procedures, we should be picketing the senators and congress-people who provide tax benefits to the wealthy but forget about the millions of Americans are working their asses off every day to make ends meet; we should be picketing the insurance companies who make it their goals to deny claims for health care, and exploit those who do not have the adequate resources at their disposal to fend for themselves. Until we focus on the causes of abortions, we should all be ashamed of ourselves.
But, as I was saying, a consistent ethic of the sanctity of human life doesn't stop at birth. Therefore being pro-life, for me, means believing that health care should in fact be a right, not a privilege. America is one of only two countries in the world that doesn't have some form of universal health care provided by the government. And, to the immediate cry of "socialism!" that I will hear, I say this: Either you have a private company, whose only objective is make a profit--NOT to provide the best health care it can, or you have a government, imperfect as it may be, which may slow things down a bit, but that will ensure that everyone, from the least of us, to the greatest of us, will be guaranteed basic and necessary health care. Again, until we as Christians make this a priority, we are not even close to hitting the mark set out for us.
Pro-life for me means that I can not support the death penalty. I do recognize and admit that there are numerous verses in both the Old and New Testaments that can be and often are used to support the idea of capital punishment, but my understanding of Jesus' words are that we are called to love those who hate us, and to forgive those who harm us. Therefore, I can only hope and pray that our nation--and, dare I say our world-- move beyond the idea of punishing someone into being better, and work towards loving people enough that they become better. I know, that is pie in the sky, but what is more "pie in the sky" then a God who loved the world enough...?
Being pro-life means that I am completely and totally against unjust and unrighteous wars. Being pro-life means that I believe in and acknowledge, and respect, and value the life of someone who I have never met, who lives very far away from me, has a different skin color, and who worships--or doesnt!--different than me. The civilian casualities in Iraq and Afghanistan are not "collatoral damage". They are devastating losses of life, no less devastating than that of the unborn child that most American Christian's pray for.
I know that what I've typed here today is going to rub some of you the wrong way. I know that it may indeed anger some of you. I invite your comments, your criticisms, and your questions; I only ask that we keep any conversation civil.
Respectfully, and thankfully...
Tommy
Monday, October 27, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
The $150,000 Question...
I recently read a friend's blog post which was about the media's new found obsession with Sarah Palin's expensive wardrobe, and the media's pass on Barack Obama's record-shattering campaign fundraising. The argument goes, in a nutshell, that Barack Obama is spending bazillion's of dollars on his campaign, and that, in comparison, the relatively small amount Sarah Palin spent on clothes shouldn't matter.
Two thoughts:
1.) I think the reason I'm a little bit shocked by the amount Ms. Palin spent on clothes is that is was donated money; money that hard working people donated to the Republican ticket in hopes that it would be spent on something worthwhile in getting Senator McCain and Governor Palin elected. It is arguable whether or not $150,000 in clothes for the Governor actually respects the intentions of those donors. Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I did not donate to the McCain campaign, so it would be difficult for me to say definitively whether this is true or not. However, it would be my guess that most people donated to the McCain-Palin campaign, NOT to the McCain-Palin closet.
2.) The idea that Barack Obama is somehow in the wrong because more people then ever before have been energized and motivated to donate on a small scale boggles the mind. And, in the interest of full disclosure, I can say this definitively, because my wife and I have donated $100 to Senator Obama's campaign. (We did this in two installments, each of $50.) See, here's the thing, Senator Obama has inspired, motivated and encouraged so many people to see the need to contribute in any small way that they can. It actually brings to mind the parable of the widow in the Bible. For those of you not up to date on your New Testament stories, it goes like this: There once was this old lady who had practically nothing. She left the temple shortly after a rich man who gave a whole bunch to the church. As the old lady left, she put in a few pennies, worth practically nothing. However, the point of the story was that because the old lady gave from her "little", it counted for more then the big donation the wealthy guy gave, which didn't really matter to him, because he had plenty. And, what we have in the Obama campaign is a whole lot of people giving out of their "little" to the point where it has added up to more money then any candidate in the history of the United States has ever had available. This is a powerful concept. Across this great nation more of the little guys, not the Joe the Plumber's who are apparently raking it in to the tune of more then $250,000 a year, but the teachers and stay-at-home moms who are making $42,000 a year are donating to a cause they feel is going to change the world. Not just America, but the world.
So, Sarah Palin can go buy all the clothes she wants from the money that she and John McCain have raised. I don't know if that's what the donors wanted, but that's because my money is going to a candidate who I feel represents me and my desires for change. (Not a change of clothes.)
Thanks...
Tommy
Two thoughts:
1.) I think the reason I'm a little bit shocked by the amount Ms. Palin spent on clothes is that is was donated money; money that hard working people donated to the Republican ticket in hopes that it would be spent on something worthwhile in getting Senator McCain and Governor Palin elected. It is arguable whether or not $150,000 in clothes for the Governor actually respects the intentions of those donors. Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I did not donate to the McCain campaign, so it would be difficult for me to say definitively whether this is true or not. However, it would be my guess that most people donated to the McCain-Palin campaign, NOT to the McCain-Palin closet.
2.) The idea that Barack Obama is somehow in the wrong because more people then ever before have been energized and motivated to donate on a small scale boggles the mind. And, in the interest of full disclosure, I can say this definitively, because my wife and I have donated $100 to Senator Obama's campaign. (We did this in two installments, each of $50.) See, here's the thing, Senator Obama has inspired, motivated and encouraged so many people to see the need to contribute in any small way that they can. It actually brings to mind the parable of the widow in the Bible. For those of you not up to date on your New Testament stories, it goes like this: There once was this old lady who had practically nothing. She left the temple shortly after a rich man who gave a whole bunch to the church. As the old lady left, she put in a few pennies, worth practically nothing. However, the point of the story was that because the old lady gave from her "little", it counted for more then the big donation the wealthy guy gave, which didn't really matter to him, because he had plenty. And, what we have in the Obama campaign is a whole lot of people giving out of their "little" to the point where it has added up to more money then any candidate in the history of the United States has ever had available. This is a powerful concept. Across this great nation more of the little guys, not the Joe the Plumber's who are apparently raking it in to the tune of more then $250,000 a year, but the teachers and stay-at-home moms who are making $42,000 a year are donating to a cause they feel is going to change the world. Not just America, but the world.
So, Sarah Palin can go buy all the clothes she wants from the money that she and John McCain have raised. I don't know if that's what the donors wanted, but that's because my money is going to a candidate who I feel represents me and my desires for change. (Not a change of clothes.)
Thanks...
Tommy
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Special Comment (not by Keith Olberman)
I just wanted to let you all know why I deleted the comment in the previous post, by someone who calls themself "Rocky2". I don't normally believe in censorship, as a rule, and I do support the right to speak your mind. However, I do want to uphold a certain level of intellectual integrity, and when I think your comment is a spam comment half way through, and then all sense of coherence and logic flys out the window, I don't feel that your comment meets the needs of this blog.
Having said that, I do indeed welcome any and all comments given in good faith. You don't have to agree with me, but, as I tell my students...you do need to prove it to me.
Commence discussing...
Having said that, I do indeed welcome any and all comments given in good faith. You don't have to agree with me, but, as I tell my students...you do need to prove it to me.
Commence discussing...
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Don't Stop...Believin'...
So, why did I make the title of this post the title of a song from a 70's and 80's rock band? Because! I've realized that life is a Journey. (Get it?!)
I know, that was cheesy.
Anyway, I actually do have a reason for this post. I don't know if you guys realize, but there is an election coming up. And, as so often happens with politics, the national dialogue has become very passionate, very heated, very polarized. That almost seems inevitable, doesn't it? I mean, there are very legitimate, very distinct differences between "positions" in this country. But, I have hope...hope that this isn't so inevitable...so, unavoidable. (Hence, the title...?)
As I have discussed and debated with friends and coworkers, family members, and random people I meet on the street, this division between positions has become more and more obvious, more and more pronounced. Don't even get me started on the talking heads that dominate the political culture on tv and radio. With very few exceptions, the distance between us is emphasized far more then that which connects us. And, the reality of this life is, that we are absolutely NOTHING without that connection between us.
Now, a little disclaimer here, I'm about to talk about religion. So, if you are one who thinks that religion and politics should remain separated, please be warned.
I'm a born-again Christian. I believe the Bible is indeed the word of God. Having read the Bible, a couple of times, I am comfortable "admitting" that there are troubling spots, passages that "seem" contradictory, that seem to...almost lend themselves to a variety of interpretations. I wouldn't have always allowed for that possibility...when I was younger, I was much more a "black and white" kind of a guy. (Just ask my family...!) However, as I've grown older, experienced more of life, read more, seen more, and grown to understand God more, I have realized that it is the gray areas that we should EMBRACE...not hide from. These gray areas are a very integral part of human existence...and, because I believe that God became human and hung around down here, I think God understands what human existence is like. I think God "gets it".
In fact, I kind of think it's part of God's plan.
Stay with me here, if you're still here at all.
If you look at the broader themes of the Old and New Testaments, there is an underlying progression that is deceptively simple, but complex, none the less. In the Old Testament, God was an angry God. Fire and brimstone, eye for an eye, laying waste to whole countries, and entire peoples. Pretty graphic; almost like a Tarrantino movie, you know? But, in the New Testament, we get this seemingly abrupt change, where Jesus talks about forgiveness, and loving your neighbor, and so on.
To me, this speaks of a bigger concept. As we humans go through our lives, it is our ultimate goal that we move beyond black and whites to much more complex ways of living our faith, our philosophy. Jesus' words were so much more then just "think good thoughts". Jesus issued a challenge that is much more difficult, and therefore much, much more meaningful then what actually happens for MOST of us. What does LOVING your neighbor mean?
I think it means that if our neighbor has a McCain-Palin sign in their front yard, I need to understand that there are probably very sincere and heartfelt reasons behind that choice. If I am truly "loving" them, I will not diminish the ideas they have by saying they are red-neck, gun-toting, hillbillies, who are dead set on taking away the rights of individuals, who are all out to bash gay people, and who probably want to make us all bow down in the same pew at church. That, to me, isn't being very loving. (It doesn't, of course, mean that I have to agree with them.)
The flipside is also true. I am, as I said, a pro-life born-again Christian, who is absolutely dying to cast my vote for Barack Obama as the next president of the United States of America. Now, unlike what was recently said on my wife's blog, I am not voting for Senator Obama because I want to kill babies. Seriously, I really don't. I have read Mr. Obama's direction on abortion, and feel like he understands the complexity of this issue.
Two things--one, did you notice I've used the word complex a lot? These issues are complex...they are not simple. They are NOT black and white; and, two, did you notice that I used the word "direction" instead of "position"? I kind of feel like that's what we should have...directions...not positions, or stances. Abortion is a horrible, awful, painful, difficult, and ugly thing. And, more often then some of us would like to admit, it is seen as necessary by those who choose it.
Our goal should not be to eliminate the ability for women to have an abortion. Our goal should be to eliminate--in as much as we can--the NEED, perceived or otherwise, for abortions. Now, who among us can't agree with that? Are you seriously going to stand (or sit) there, and tell me that you don't really care to address the needs of the women who feel pressed into this difficult spot? So, we have common ground. We ALL want to make abortions as unnecessary as possible. Now, the discussion can continue as we express how we want to go about doing this. But, we can all keep in mind that, Democrats or Republicans, Socialists or Capitalists, Evangelicals or Atheists (and everything in between), we all have a goal in common...and this makes solving our problems much, much more possible.
There are more issues that could be discussed, but I want to leave you tonight with a summing up of my point, which is that, regardless of who you are voting for, regardless of WHY you are voting for that candidate...there is ALWAYS common ground to start from in our conversations...and there is always a connection between us as humans. I think that this commonality is that we are all connected to God. Some people call it the Divine Spark, some call it the Holy Spirit, some would quote Jeremiah, the Old Testament prophet who said that before we were born, God knew us. That doesn't refer to SOME of us...it means that God hand-made ALL of us, and therefore, we all have God in us, and it is that "God-in-us" that we should ALL strive to see.
As the Sikh teacher Siri Singh Sahib said, "If you can't see God in all, you can't see God at all."
Thanks, and God bless us...ALL of us.
Tommy
PS: Oh, and JNo, although I don't think Hulsof is horrible, Jay Nixon has my vote, for two reasons: Health Care and Education; in particular his desire to expand the A+ program to include two years AFTER the two years at community college. I think he's got good ideas.
I know, that was cheesy.
Anyway, I actually do have a reason for this post. I don't know if you guys realize, but there is an election coming up. And, as so often happens with politics, the national dialogue has become very passionate, very heated, very polarized. That almost seems inevitable, doesn't it? I mean, there are very legitimate, very distinct differences between "positions" in this country. But, I have hope...hope that this isn't so inevitable...so, unavoidable. (Hence, the title...?)
As I have discussed and debated with friends and coworkers, family members, and random people I meet on the street, this division between positions has become more and more obvious, more and more pronounced. Don't even get me started on the talking heads that dominate the political culture on tv and radio. With very few exceptions, the distance between us is emphasized far more then that which connects us. And, the reality of this life is, that we are absolutely NOTHING without that connection between us.
Now, a little disclaimer here, I'm about to talk about religion. So, if you are one who thinks that religion and politics should remain separated, please be warned.
I'm a born-again Christian. I believe the Bible is indeed the word of God. Having read the Bible, a couple of times, I am comfortable "admitting" that there are troubling spots, passages that "seem" contradictory, that seem to...almost lend themselves to a variety of interpretations. I wouldn't have always allowed for that possibility...when I was younger, I was much more a "black and white" kind of a guy. (Just ask my family...!) However, as I've grown older, experienced more of life, read more, seen more, and grown to understand God more, I have realized that it is the gray areas that we should EMBRACE...not hide from. These gray areas are a very integral part of human existence...and, because I believe that God became human and hung around down here, I think God understands what human existence is like. I think God "gets it".
In fact, I kind of think it's part of God's plan.
Stay with me here, if you're still here at all.
If you look at the broader themes of the Old and New Testaments, there is an underlying progression that is deceptively simple, but complex, none the less. In the Old Testament, God was an angry God. Fire and brimstone, eye for an eye, laying waste to whole countries, and entire peoples. Pretty graphic; almost like a Tarrantino movie, you know? But, in the New Testament, we get this seemingly abrupt change, where Jesus talks about forgiveness, and loving your neighbor, and so on.
To me, this speaks of a bigger concept. As we humans go through our lives, it is our ultimate goal that we move beyond black and whites to much more complex ways of living our faith, our philosophy. Jesus' words were so much more then just "think good thoughts". Jesus issued a challenge that is much more difficult, and therefore much, much more meaningful then what actually happens for MOST of us. What does LOVING your neighbor mean?
I think it means that if our neighbor has a McCain-Palin sign in their front yard, I need to understand that there are probably very sincere and heartfelt reasons behind that choice. If I am truly "loving" them, I will not diminish the ideas they have by saying they are red-neck, gun-toting, hillbillies, who are dead set on taking away the rights of individuals, who are all out to bash gay people, and who probably want to make us all bow down in the same pew at church. That, to me, isn't being very loving. (It doesn't, of course, mean that I have to agree with them.)
The flipside is also true. I am, as I said, a pro-life born-again Christian, who is absolutely dying to cast my vote for Barack Obama as the next president of the United States of America. Now, unlike what was recently said on my wife's blog, I am not voting for Senator Obama because I want to kill babies. Seriously, I really don't. I have read Mr. Obama's direction on abortion, and feel like he understands the complexity of this issue.
Two things--one, did you notice I've used the word complex a lot? These issues are complex...they are not simple. They are NOT black and white; and, two, did you notice that I used the word "direction" instead of "position"? I kind of feel like that's what we should have...directions...not positions, or stances. Abortion is a horrible, awful, painful, difficult, and ugly thing. And, more often then some of us would like to admit, it is seen as necessary by those who choose it.
Our goal should not be to eliminate the ability for women to have an abortion. Our goal should be to eliminate--in as much as we can--the NEED, perceived or otherwise, for abortions. Now, who among us can't agree with that? Are you seriously going to stand (or sit) there, and tell me that you don't really care to address the needs of the women who feel pressed into this difficult spot? So, we have common ground. We ALL want to make abortions as unnecessary as possible. Now, the discussion can continue as we express how we want to go about doing this. But, we can all keep in mind that, Democrats or Republicans, Socialists or Capitalists, Evangelicals or Atheists (and everything in between), we all have a goal in common...and this makes solving our problems much, much more possible.
There are more issues that could be discussed, but I want to leave you tonight with a summing up of my point, which is that, regardless of who you are voting for, regardless of WHY you are voting for that candidate...there is ALWAYS common ground to start from in our conversations...and there is always a connection between us as humans. I think that this commonality is that we are all connected to God. Some people call it the Divine Spark, some call it the Holy Spirit, some would quote Jeremiah, the Old Testament prophet who said that before we were born, God knew us. That doesn't refer to SOME of us...it means that God hand-made ALL of us, and therefore, we all have God in us, and it is that "God-in-us" that we should ALL strive to see.
As the Sikh teacher Siri Singh Sahib said, "If you can't see God in all, you can't see God at all."
Thanks, and God bless us...ALL of us.
Tommy
PS: Oh, and JNo, although I don't think Hulsof is horrible, Jay Nixon has my vote, for two reasons: Health Care and Education; in particular his desire to expand the A+ program to include two years AFTER the two years at community college. I think he's got good ideas.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Weekend Update
Hey everyone. More will come, but I really wanted to let people know about my wife's most recent post. It's an open letter to Governor Sarah Palin, and it can be found at mamasense.blogspot.com.
I would give it a preface and context and all that, but, well, she's a much better writer then I am, so it seems a bit redundant, and a waste of your time. So, go on over there and check it out. The title of the post is: "Real Amerca: Letter to Sarah Palin".
And, I'm not posting on this site again until ALL of you go check it out.
Seriously.
I'm not kidding.
Tommy
I would give it a preface and context and all that, but, well, she's a much better writer then I am, so it seems a bit redundant, and a waste of your time. So, go on over there and check it out. The title of the post is: "Real Amerca: Letter to Sarah Palin".
And, I'm not posting on this site again until ALL of you go check it out.
Seriously.
I'm not kidding.
Tommy
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Barack Obama Isn't Jesus. (He's Nehemiah.)
Ok, so I don't ACTUALLY think that Barack Obama is the reincarnation of the Old Testament figure Nehemiah. However, I do want to put forth that as far as a Biblical comparisons, you could do worse.
Why make the comparison at all? Well, those of us who are quite fond of the work that Senator Obama has done (so far) are frequently attacked for ascribing messianic characteristics to our favorite presidential nominee. (I don't actually know anyone who has claimed that they think Obama is our savior; not saying it hasn't happened, but I haven't seen it.) So, apparently, being enthusiastic about someone who is doing good works means that we have a horrible case of ObamaisJesusitis.
I would disagree. I don't think that if Senator Obama wins, all of our worldly troubles will vanish in the blink of an eye, that dogs and cats are going to start living together or anything. Hardly. It's not like the guy is perfect. He's just someone who (I think) is incredibly capable in the arena of bringing people together for a common cause, and someone who knows the proper balance between civic responsibility and faith-inspired duty.
Which brings me to my original topic.
Nehemiah was a civil servant. (He was the King's food taster.) Upon realizing the hardships that people were facing in rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem, he asked for permission to leave his post in the King's presence, and go to work with his fellow Israelites. Senator Obama left his cushy job in the halls of academia to go to work as a community organizer. He saw the difficulties people were having in their every day life, and saw a position he could fill.
Both Nehemiah and Senator Obama were/are able to rally people around a common goal and to get people to work together for that common good. (Interestingly enough, Nehemiah's opponents ridiculed him openly by saying that the wall would never be fixed b/c there wasn't enough tax revenue to do so, and that raising taxes was the only option. Of course, that doesn't parallel to Senator Obama's work at all...oh...wait, it kind of does, doesn't it?)
Finally, Nehemiah knew that in order to get the people together, the task had to be blessed by God, but that just as important in the grand scheme of things was inspiring and assisting people to work together NOT for their own interests, but for the common good. Rebuilding the wall could certainly be described, if one was so inclined, as a "socialist" activity. (I mean, why couldn't the King subcontract that job out to the highest...er, lowest bidder, "Haliburtoniah?")
And, Senator Obama, in my very humble opinion, understands the need to balance individual responsibility and social responsibility. This plays out very differently for Mr. Obama then it does for most Republicans, but it is no less sincere and legitimate in it's differences.
But, that might be better saved for another time....
Anyway, thanks for stopping by...
Tommy
Why make the comparison at all? Well, those of us who are quite fond of the work that Senator Obama has done (so far) are frequently attacked for ascribing messianic characteristics to our favorite presidential nominee. (I don't actually know anyone who has claimed that they think Obama is our savior; not saying it hasn't happened, but I haven't seen it.) So, apparently, being enthusiastic about someone who is doing good works means that we have a horrible case of ObamaisJesusitis.
I would disagree. I don't think that if Senator Obama wins, all of our worldly troubles will vanish in the blink of an eye, that dogs and cats are going to start living together or anything. Hardly. It's not like the guy is perfect. He's just someone who (I think) is incredibly capable in the arena of bringing people together for a common cause, and someone who knows the proper balance between civic responsibility and faith-inspired duty.
Which brings me to my original topic.
Nehemiah was a civil servant. (He was the King's food taster.) Upon realizing the hardships that people were facing in rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem, he asked for permission to leave his post in the King's presence, and go to work with his fellow Israelites. Senator Obama left his cushy job in the halls of academia to go to work as a community organizer. He saw the difficulties people were having in their every day life, and saw a position he could fill.
Both Nehemiah and Senator Obama were/are able to rally people around a common goal and to get people to work together for that common good. (Interestingly enough, Nehemiah's opponents ridiculed him openly by saying that the wall would never be fixed b/c there wasn't enough tax revenue to do so, and that raising taxes was the only option. Of course, that doesn't parallel to Senator Obama's work at all...oh...wait, it kind of does, doesn't it?)
Finally, Nehemiah knew that in order to get the people together, the task had to be blessed by God, but that just as important in the grand scheme of things was inspiring and assisting people to work together NOT for their own interests, but for the common good. Rebuilding the wall could certainly be described, if one was so inclined, as a "socialist" activity. (I mean, why couldn't the King subcontract that job out to the highest...er, lowest bidder, "Haliburtoniah?")
And, Senator Obama, in my very humble opinion, understands the need to balance individual responsibility and social responsibility. This plays out very differently for Mr. Obama then it does for most Republicans, but it is no less sincere and legitimate in it's differences.
But, that might be better saved for another time....
Anyway, thanks for stopping by...
Tommy
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Is there anybody out there? (Or, We Won't Get Fooled Again)
Hi.
So, it's been a while, no?
Yeah, sorry about that.
Last time I posted was sometime last school year. (I think it was near the end of the year, at least.) Obviously a lot has changed since then. I taught summer school, celebrated my daughter's first birthday, celebrated my second wedding anniversary, turned 30, went on a family vacation, and saw My Morning Jacket in concert. (It was GREAT.)
So, in case you haven't noticed, there's this election going on. And, since I kind of pay a little attention to it, I thought I might jot down a few notes here. Now, nothing I right here originates with me. Most of what I will be writing can be found, albeit better written, somewhere else on the internet. I just wanted to put what I thought went well together, here.
So, with that in mind, I will now give my two cents.
I have just a couple of thoughts on the candidates, and the majority of my focus will be on something else.
Senator McCain is a great American hero. He fought hard for our country in the military, and served our country admirably for many years as an elected official. For these years of service, we do owe Mr. McCain a debt of gratitude. We do NOT owe him our votes for President of the United States. Senator McCain has disappointed me a great deal in the past year or so. The John McCain we see now is NOT the John McCain we saw in the 2000 election. That is our loss. If he was the same man, this election would be one worthy of the office of the Presidency. My reason for stating that? For one thing, Senator McCain's claim that Senator Obama has 'forced' Senator McCain to lower the level of nation discourse to name calling, character assassination, and plain-old lies, (I would be politically correct and call them "falsehoods", but that just pisses me off) because Senator Obama has "refused" to join Mr. McCain at the townhall meetings is a ridiculous notion. (It reminds me of the schoolyard bully grabbing your hand and saying "Stop hitting yourself, stop hitting yourself.) Mr. McCain, your choices are, indeed, YOUR choices. You have no one to blame but yourself. I teach my fifth graders that every day. Saying that Mr. Obama wants to teach kindergartners comprehensive sex education? False. Senator Obama wants to teach kindergartners about saying no to strangers and understanding that bad touches are a bad thing. However, Senator Obama has NOT struck back by saying that Mr. McCain is FOR child molesters. (That kind of logic is beneath Senator Obama but apparently NOT beneath Senator McCain)
Govenor Palin. See, the thing is, it would appear that Senator McCain merely wanted a woman on the ticket. There are NUMEROUS Republican women who have years of experience in public service and who are actually literally ready for the office of the Presidency. The fact of the matter is that Sen. Obama has worked on Foreign Affairs committees, Health Care committees and numerous other committees which at the very least mean that Sen. Obama is familiar with what the President needs to be dealing with. I find that even as I type this, I can't even coherently type all of the issues that I have with Ms. Palin. I will however quote John McCain in his description of this opponents last fall. Being the mayor of a town for a small time and the governor of a state for a small time does not make someone ready to be President.
Senator's Biden and Obama are respectable candidates, too. The thing about these two men is that they recognize something that I have realized slowly over the past few months. In real life, not in speeches or in theory or in the official party line, in REAL life, there are very few black and whites. Is abortion ALWAYS wrong? Is increasing taxes always the wrong thing to do? Should health care issues be handled by individuals, or should we joing the 21st century and realize that we are one of only TWO countries (in the whole world) that doesn't view health care as a right, but a priviledge. These gentlemen see that there are myriad views and perspectives and that while it may be a more difficult task, for the future of our country, maybe we should stop trying to simplify things and actually address the nuances and subtlties of the issues. (See here for a great example from Senator Biden.)
I will try to post more about why I am voting for Senator Obama and Senator Biden, but for now I want to talk about something that really bothers me.
The press.
The media has often been referred to as 'the fourth branch' of the government. It is supposed to be an additional support in our system of checks and balances. It has become apparent that this branch has become nothing more then dead weight. It should not be the candidates jobs to fact check each other. We should not depend on Senators Obama and Biden to point out in their every interview that Gov. Palin was FOR the Bridge to Nowhere before she was against it, and that even when she was against it, she still took the money, and has a record as receiving more earmarks than most governors in the country. The media should point in every headline and in every major story that Senator McCain's add about sex education is at the very least misleading and pushes the very bounds of taste and integrity. Neither party, none of the candidates should be allowed to get away with out and out ridiculous statements. (For example, saying that because Gov. Palin can see Russian from her state, she is ready to deal with foreign affairs. That is an offensively insulting statement, and it proves that those who utter it are unworthy of the office of the Presidency.) But, my point is NOT that Mr. McCain and Ms. Palin are making ridiculous statements. (That should be obvious.) What outrages me is that the media reports that they are saying things like that without pointing out the ridiculousness of the statements. The medias job is to report the TRUTH, not what the candidates are saying. For example, Senator Obama claims that Senator McCain is going to only give tax relief to the richest Americans, and to major coporations. Is this true? It should NOT be up to Senator McCain to prove or disprove this. It should NOT be up to Senator Obama to prove that he does not want to raise taxes on those making less than $250,000. However, the media is not doing a damn thing to verify the truth behind the claims on either side of the aisle.
I'm mad. I'm mad as hell at what this election has become about, but I'm furious that the media is not only allowing it, but perpetuating it.
Please. Vote for Senators Obama and Biden. Our country, our children, and the entire WORLD depends upon it.
Thanks,
Tommy
So, it's been a while, no?
Yeah, sorry about that.
Last time I posted was sometime last school year. (I think it was near the end of the year, at least.) Obviously a lot has changed since then. I taught summer school, celebrated my daughter's first birthday, celebrated my second wedding anniversary, turned 30, went on a family vacation, and saw My Morning Jacket in concert. (It was GREAT.)
So, in case you haven't noticed, there's this election going on. And, since I kind of pay a little attention to it, I thought I might jot down a few notes here. Now, nothing I right here originates with me. Most of what I will be writing can be found, albeit better written, somewhere else on the internet. I just wanted to put what I thought went well together, here.
So, with that in mind, I will now give my two cents.
I have just a couple of thoughts on the candidates, and the majority of my focus will be on something else.
Senator McCain is a great American hero. He fought hard for our country in the military, and served our country admirably for many years as an elected official. For these years of service, we do owe Mr. McCain a debt of gratitude. We do NOT owe him our votes for President of the United States. Senator McCain has disappointed me a great deal in the past year or so. The John McCain we see now is NOT the John McCain we saw in the 2000 election. That is our loss. If he was the same man, this election would be one worthy of the office of the Presidency. My reason for stating that? For one thing, Senator McCain's claim that Senator Obama has 'forced' Senator McCain to lower the level of nation discourse to name calling, character assassination, and plain-old lies, (I would be politically correct and call them "falsehoods", but that just pisses me off) because Senator Obama has "refused" to join Mr. McCain at the townhall meetings is a ridiculous notion. (It reminds me of the schoolyard bully grabbing your hand and saying "Stop hitting yourself, stop hitting yourself.) Mr. McCain, your choices are, indeed, YOUR choices. You have no one to blame but yourself. I teach my fifth graders that every day. Saying that Mr. Obama wants to teach kindergartners comprehensive sex education? False. Senator Obama wants to teach kindergartners about saying no to strangers and understanding that bad touches are a bad thing. However, Senator Obama has NOT struck back by saying that Mr. McCain is FOR child molesters. (That kind of logic is beneath Senator Obama but apparently NOT beneath Senator McCain)
Govenor Palin. See, the thing is, it would appear that Senator McCain merely wanted a woman on the ticket. There are NUMEROUS Republican women who have years of experience in public service and who are actually literally ready for the office of the Presidency. The fact of the matter is that Sen. Obama has worked on Foreign Affairs committees, Health Care committees and numerous other committees which at the very least mean that Sen. Obama is familiar with what the President needs to be dealing with. I find that even as I type this, I can't even coherently type all of the issues that I have with Ms. Palin. I will however quote John McCain in his description of this opponents last fall. Being the mayor of a town for a small time and the governor of a state for a small time does not make someone ready to be President.
Senator's Biden and Obama are respectable candidates, too. The thing about these two men is that they recognize something that I have realized slowly over the past few months. In real life, not in speeches or in theory or in the official party line, in REAL life, there are very few black and whites. Is abortion ALWAYS wrong? Is increasing taxes always the wrong thing to do? Should health care issues be handled by individuals, or should we joing the 21st century and realize that we are one of only TWO countries (in the whole world) that doesn't view health care as a right, but a priviledge. These gentlemen see that there are myriad views and perspectives and that while it may be a more difficult task, for the future of our country, maybe we should stop trying to simplify things and actually address the nuances and subtlties of the issues. (See here for a great example from Senator Biden.)
I will try to post more about why I am voting for Senator Obama and Senator Biden, but for now I want to talk about something that really bothers me.
The press.
The media has often been referred to as 'the fourth branch' of the government. It is supposed to be an additional support in our system of checks and balances. It has become apparent that this branch has become nothing more then dead weight. It should not be the candidates jobs to fact check each other. We should not depend on Senators Obama and Biden to point out in their every interview that Gov. Palin was FOR the Bridge to Nowhere before she was against it, and that even when she was against it, she still took the money, and has a record as receiving more earmarks than most governors in the country. The media should point in every headline and in every major story that Senator McCain's add about sex education is at the very least misleading and pushes the very bounds of taste and integrity. Neither party, none of the candidates should be allowed to get away with out and out ridiculous statements. (For example, saying that because Gov. Palin can see Russian from her state, she is ready to deal with foreign affairs. That is an offensively insulting statement, and it proves that those who utter it are unworthy of the office of the Presidency.) But, my point is NOT that Mr. McCain and Ms. Palin are making ridiculous statements. (That should be obvious.) What outrages me is that the media reports that they are saying things like that without pointing out the ridiculousness of the statements. The medias job is to report the TRUTH, not what the candidates are saying. For example, Senator Obama claims that Senator McCain is going to only give tax relief to the richest Americans, and to major coporations. Is this true? It should NOT be up to Senator McCain to prove or disprove this. It should NOT be up to Senator Obama to prove that he does not want to raise taxes on those making less than $250,000. However, the media is not doing a damn thing to verify the truth behind the claims on either side of the aisle.
I'm mad. I'm mad as hell at what this election has become about, but I'm furious that the media is not only allowing it, but perpetuating it.
Please. Vote for Senators Obama and Biden. Our country, our children, and the entire WORLD depends upon it.
Thanks,
Tommy
Friday, April 25, 2008
Occupational Hazards...
So, we took the fifth graders to the Kansas City Zoo today.
And, let me just say, you haven't lived until you've spent the whole day with forty-five 11 years olds and a gorilla playing with himself.
Ah, teachable moments.
More later...
Tommy
And, let me just say, you haven't lived until you've spent the whole day with forty-five 11 years olds and a gorilla playing with himself.
Ah, teachable moments.
More later...
Tommy
Monday, April 21, 2008
The Return of the Blogger
So.
Here I am.
There you are.
My wife, Bibi? Yeah, she's writing one amazing blog nowadays.
It's intimidating. I'm not bothered by the fact that my wife's blog is significantly better then mine (funnier, updated more frequently, has pictures, and is about...actual topics, etc.) but it is a bit intimidating, none the less. I think I now have performance anxiety.
I hope I don't complete this post too quickly.
Anyway.
So, I have a couple of thoughts that I would like to put down for you all to see. First off, as promised...I want to tell you all about the turn that my daytime fantasies have taken.
As I previously posted, I have always had little scenarios playing in my mind. It's always been something that I have been able to do both without any real thought, and guided actively by my own imagination.
So.
I now find myself pondering some of the strangest, darkest, and most disturbing possibilities that I've ever...well, I don't even think that I would have thought these things possible. It's not that they are particularly original, or that they fit into some really sick and demented segment of the pyschotic world. No, it's more the FREQUENCY that I find frightening.
For example, as I sit in our office, I heard a crack from the other room. In all likelyhood, it was probably Gracie playing with some blocks. (As was evidenced by her laughing hysterically shortly thereafter.) However, in the infinite span of one second between the crack of blocks and the delightfully precious squeal of laughter that followed, I was pretty sure that something had fallen, and it was Gracie's neck snapping that I heard. Just an hour ago I left to take Leo for his walk; and, as I was coming to the last corner, I was pretty sure that I would see smoke eminating from the house at the bottom of the hill. When I did round the corner, I was not relieved to see that there was no smoke, as that simply meant that I would find the bodies of my wife and daughter having died of carbon monoxide poisoning in the 25 minutes I was gone.
Or, when Bibi comes to pick me up at work. I always step outside or wait by the doors, and I'm always early.
Always.
However, if Bibi is not there--about 5 minutes before I should even expect her to be there--then I realize that it must be because of the horrible accident along the way. Some drunken douchebag who doesn't deserve to breathe the air that is trapped in our diaper pail has clearly ripped my wife and daughter from my life, and he's probably fine. In fact, he's probably not even aware that there is part of the car (or worse!!!) dragging under his barely dented car. (That a$$hole.)
I could go on. I know that when I do drive myself home, I'm going to arrive just a few seconds too late to catch the rapist/child murderer who is leaving my home dressed in a Culligan uniform. That van that drove by yesterday? The one with the ice cream menu on the side? Yeah, he's actually stalking us, timing his heinous acts just so that he'll drive by me on my way home. In fact, he'll stop at the top of the hill, watch me go in, and then smile to himself as he drives away. Don't even get me STARTED on the Schwann's man. (That bastard.)
So, as you can see, I no longer have time to imagine myself rescuing masses from terrorists or various other evil doers.
Because now?
I'm too busy imaging that they win.
All right. I was going to talk about the Polygamist's compound raid, becuase I got thoughts about that whole thing, but I think I've blogged myself silly here.
Thanks for stopping by.
Tommy
Here I am.
There you are.
My wife, Bibi? Yeah, she's writing one amazing blog nowadays.
It's intimidating. I'm not bothered by the fact that my wife's blog is significantly better then mine (funnier, updated more frequently, has pictures, and is about...actual topics, etc.) but it is a bit intimidating, none the less. I think I now have performance anxiety.
I hope I don't complete this post too quickly.
Anyway.
So, I have a couple of thoughts that I would like to put down for you all to see. First off, as promised...I want to tell you all about the turn that my daytime fantasies have taken.
As I previously posted, I have always had little scenarios playing in my mind. It's always been something that I have been able to do both without any real thought, and guided actively by my own imagination.
So.
I now find myself pondering some of the strangest, darkest, and most disturbing possibilities that I've ever...well, I don't even think that I would have thought these things possible. It's not that they are particularly original, or that they fit into some really sick and demented segment of the pyschotic world. No, it's more the FREQUENCY that I find frightening.
For example, as I sit in our office, I heard a crack from the other room. In all likelyhood, it was probably Gracie playing with some blocks. (As was evidenced by her laughing hysterically shortly thereafter.) However, in the infinite span of one second between the crack of blocks and the delightfully precious squeal of laughter that followed, I was pretty sure that something had fallen, and it was Gracie's neck snapping that I heard. Just an hour ago I left to take Leo for his walk; and, as I was coming to the last corner, I was pretty sure that I would see smoke eminating from the house at the bottom of the hill. When I did round the corner, I was not relieved to see that there was no smoke, as that simply meant that I would find the bodies of my wife and daughter having died of carbon monoxide poisoning in the 25 minutes I was gone.
Or, when Bibi comes to pick me up at work. I always step outside or wait by the doors, and I'm always early.
Always.
However, if Bibi is not there--about 5 minutes before I should even expect her to be there--then I realize that it must be because of the horrible accident along the way. Some drunken douchebag who doesn't deserve to breathe the air that is trapped in our diaper pail has clearly ripped my wife and daughter from my life, and he's probably fine. In fact, he's probably not even aware that there is part of the car (or worse!!!) dragging under his barely dented car. (That a$$hole.)
I could go on. I know that when I do drive myself home, I'm going to arrive just a few seconds too late to catch the rapist/child murderer who is leaving my home dressed in a Culligan uniform. That van that drove by yesterday? The one with the ice cream menu on the side? Yeah, he's actually stalking us, timing his heinous acts just so that he'll drive by me on my way home. In fact, he'll stop at the top of the hill, watch me go in, and then smile to himself as he drives away. Don't even get me STARTED on the Schwann's man. (That bastard.)
So, as you can see, I no longer have time to imagine myself rescuing masses from terrorists or various other evil doers.
Because now?
I'm too busy imaging that they win.
All right. I was going to talk about the Polygamist's compound raid, becuase I got thoughts about that whole thing, but I think I've blogged myself silly here.
Thanks for stopping by.
Tommy
Friday, March 14, 2008
Notes on Fatherhood...
So, at first, I thought it was normal.
I thought all new dads went through something similar to what I'm seeing, and that it was no big deal. In fact, I thought it was kind of funny--you know, a little low-grade psychosis to go with that new infant smell.
Now, I'm not so sure.
You see, as my mother would tell you, I've always had somewhat of an active imagination. As a kid, I could entertain myself for hours with or without any toys. It probably has something to do with the volume of books that I've devoured in my lifetime, but I'm sure that there is more to it than just that.
I've always been a fairly active daydreamer. It was pretty cool, because I could do it and still pay attention to whatever I was supposed to be paying attention to. In church, I used to sit in the pew imagining terrorists or unspecificed badguys (this was pre-9/11 afterall) trying to take over the church and myself leaping to the rescue. (During my Indiana Jones stage...which was pretty much the whole of my childhood and adolescence, there was always a mysteriously available bull whip conveniently located under the pew in front of me.) At school it was only different because of the plethora of availabe damsels to rescue. (There were too many old people at church, but I'd rescue them anyway--'cuz I'm cool like that.)
So, all of those daydreams were kind of cool. I'd get to look like the hero, and it would lend an air of excitment and possibility to places that weren't....that exciting. (Incidentally, when I worked at the library in college, I was always rescuing the special reserve books from bullets; how lame of a daydream is that?!)
Now, though? Well, I'm not quite ready to discuss how things have changed just yet; I'm working on how best to express it. However, in the next few days, sooner, rather than later, I hope, I'm going to let you in on how fatherhood has changed--in a pretty dramatic way for me--these frequent mental occupations.
But, more on that later...
I thought all new dads went through something similar to what I'm seeing, and that it was no big deal. In fact, I thought it was kind of funny--you know, a little low-grade psychosis to go with that new infant smell.
Now, I'm not so sure.
You see, as my mother would tell you, I've always had somewhat of an active imagination. As a kid, I could entertain myself for hours with or without any toys. It probably has something to do with the volume of books that I've devoured in my lifetime, but I'm sure that there is more to it than just that.
I've always been a fairly active daydreamer. It was pretty cool, because I could do it and still pay attention to whatever I was supposed to be paying attention to. In church, I used to sit in the pew imagining terrorists or unspecificed badguys (this was pre-9/11 afterall) trying to take over the church and myself leaping to the rescue. (During my Indiana Jones stage...which was pretty much the whole of my childhood and adolescence, there was always a mysteriously available bull whip conveniently located under the pew in front of me.) At school it was only different because of the plethora of availabe damsels to rescue. (There were too many old people at church, but I'd rescue them anyway--'cuz I'm cool like that.)
So, all of those daydreams were kind of cool. I'd get to look like the hero, and it would lend an air of excitment and possibility to places that weren't....that exciting. (Incidentally, when I worked at the library in college, I was always rescuing the special reserve books from bullets; how lame of a daydream is that?!)
Now, though? Well, I'm not quite ready to discuss how things have changed just yet; I'm working on how best to express it. However, in the next few days, sooner, rather than later, I hope, I'm going to let you in on how fatherhood has changed--in a pretty dramatic way for me--these frequent mental occupations.
But, more on that later...
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Update:
Uh...so, this morning when I said that Grace was about a half a second from crawling?
I guess I was kind of right.
She crawled tonight!!!
(c;
Tommy
I guess I was kind of right.
She crawled tonight!!!
(c;
Tommy
It's Been a While...
Gee, I think I've forgotten how to do this thing...
is anyone out there?
Well, to both of you...things are very good here. I am alive and well, Bibi is alive and well, and Grace is alive, well, and enjoying her two front teeth. (Early Christmas present for next year.) She also says, "da da" and "mamamamamama" which, you know, is really cool.
She's about a half second from crawling, which means that you can't set her down anywhere and expect her to stay there.
It's weird. I haven't blogged in so long, which means that I have literally tons of things that I should write about, but it also means I have no IDEA where to start.
So, I quit.
Just kidding.
I'll post more tonight or tomorrow once I actually put my thoughts into some semblance of order.
Thanks for stopping by!
Tommy
is anyone out there?
Well, to both of you...things are very good here. I am alive and well, Bibi is alive and well, and Grace is alive, well, and enjoying her two front teeth. (Early Christmas present for next year.) She also says, "da da" and "mamamamamama" which, you know, is really cool.
She's about a half second from crawling, which means that you can't set her down anywhere and expect her to stay there.
It's weird. I haven't blogged in so long, which means that I have literally tons of things that I should write about, but it also means I have no IDEA where to start.
So, I quit.
Just kidding.
I'll post more tonight or tomorrow once I actually put my thoughts into some semblance of order.
Thanks for stopping by!
Tommy
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Brief Update...(101 in 1001)
Hey everyone!
Let's get right to it...
First, JNo, a peace wreath is a festive holiday wreath, made into a peace sign. (Garland strung down and through it, rather artfully to create a beautiful--and timely!--peace sign.) It's awesome.
Second, as my title alluded to, I am thinking about participating in what I think is quite possibly one of the coolest internet memes I've ever seen: 101 in 1001. You can check it out here. The idea, in a nut shell, is that you make 101 achievable, measurable, challenging goals that you will accomplish in 1001 days. If I start it on January 1, 2008, I would have until September 28, 2010 to complete all of my tasks.
So, while this is a highly personal and introspective task, I would like to solicite suggestions from all of you as to goals that I can set for myself. Between now and 1/1/08, I plan on coming up with the actual master list, and setting it down in stone (figuratively--that's not going to be one of my goals!!) here on my blog.
So....suggestions?!
thanks!
Tommy
Let's get right to it...
First, JNo, a peace wreath is a festive holiday wreath, made into a peace sign. (Garland strung down and through it, rather artfully to create a beautiful--and timely!--peace sign.) It's awesome.
Second, as my title alluded to, I am thinking about participating in what I think is quite possibly one of the coolest internet memes I've ever seen: 101 in 1001. You can check it out here. The idea, in a nut shell, is that you make 101 achievable, measurable, challenging goals that you will accomplish in 1001 days. If I start it on January 1, 2008, I would have until September 28, 2010 to complete all of my tasks.
So, while this is a highly personal and introspective task, I would like to solicite suggestions from all of you as to goals that I can set for myself. Between now and 1/1/08, I plan on coming up with the actual master list, and setting it down in stone (figuratively--that's not going to be one of my goals!!) here on my blog.
So....suggestions?!
thanks!
Tommy
Sunday, December 02, 2007
...it's beginning to look....
a lot like Christmas!
Bibi, Grace, and I had an unbelievably productive--and busy!!--weekend. We got started Friday by hanging out with my sister, which was a lot of fun.
Saturday we got a kind of a late start, but ended up getting almost all of our Christmas shopping done, including a wreath project that Bibi has undertaken (it's a gorgeous "peace wreath", and it's awesome) and our new family Christmas tree. Which, is a bit big. Actually, it's HUGE. We had no idea how tall 7 and a half feet tall is, but I'm now aware that 7 1/2 feet is actually 19 feet. Did you know that? I didn't.
Anyway, last night, when we were done shopping, we watched "Knocked Up" which was great. The last scene was SO damn true. I seriously drove home at 12 miles an hour. Good times.
Then, last night, Bibi cut my hair. And, while cutting my hair, we found out I have ringworm. On my damn head.
What the hell?!
Anyway, so this morning I got up and went to do some grocery shopping, pick up the tree we had purchased yesterday, (which wouldn't fit in the car with Bibi, Grace, and me) and get a hair cut at the barber shop to fix what Bibi had done. (She did really well, but she's never cut hair before, so it needed a little "finishing.") This afternoon we watched "Sicko" (which was FANTASTIC--we're moving to either Canada, Britain, or France, by the way) and then we got going with the Christmas.
We made some hot cocoa, got out a plate of cookies, and put on my Christmas music. We lit a bunch of candles. We then put together the 19 foot tree, the lights, the decorations, and my Nativity Scene.
It now looks--and smells!-- like Christmas.
Welcome, I say.
How are you all getting ready for the season?
Thanks for stopping by!
Tommy
Bibi, Grace, and I had an unbelievably productive--and busy!!--weekend. We got started Friday by hanging out with my sister, which was a lot of fun.
Saturday we got a kind of a late start, but ended up getting almost all of our Christmas shopping done, including a wreath project that Bibi has undertaken (it's a gorgeous "peace wreath", and it's awesome) and our new family Christmas tree. Which, is a bit big. Actually, it's HUGE. We had no idea how tall 7 and a half feet tall is, but I'm now aware that 7 1/2 feet is actually 19 feet. Did you know that? I didn't.
Anyway, last night, when we were done shopping, we watched "Knocked Up" which was great. The last scene was SO damn true. I seriously drove home at 12 miles an hour. Good times.
Then, last night, Bibi cut my hair. And, while cutting my hair, we found out I have ringworm. On my damn head.
What the hell?!
Anyway, so this morning I got up and went to do some grocery shopping, pick up the tree we had purchased yesterday, (which wouldn't fit in the car with Bibi, Grace, and me) and get a hair cut at the barber shop to fix what Bibi had done. (She did really well, but she's never cut hair before, so it needed a little "finishing.") This afternoon we watched "Sicko" (which was FANTASTIC--we're moving to either Canada, Britain, or France, by the way) and then we got going with the Christmas.
We made some hot cocoa, got out a plate of cookies, and put on my Christmas music. We lit a bunch of candles. We then put together the 19 foot tree, the lights, the decorations, and my Nativity Scene.
It now looks--and smells!-- like Christmas.
Welcome, I say.
How are you all getting ready for the season?
Thanks for stopping by!
Tommy
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
NaBloPoMo--Rest in Peace.
Ah, the best laid plans, the road to....well, you get the idea. Posting every day in November? Shyeah, right.
So, something kind of amazing just happened.
But first, back story.
I've mentioned once or twice how night time can be challenging in our house, as Grace really loves her mama, (I know she loves me) and can often times only be consoled by Bibi. Well, while it is silly, and pointless, this stings. It stings--a lot. However, over Thanksgiving--which was wonderful--I got to spend lots of time with my daughter (boy, is that still weird, or what!?) and it was fantastic. I really felt like she was getting more comfortable around me, more used to me, and that I was really growing closer to her. It was great!
Then, yesterday, after a really hard day at work, I came home and Grace pratically screamed every time I came near her. I know it doesn't signify some great and permanent change, like she'll never be held by me again, but it was hard. And, last night, as I was trying to get Grace calmed down, things just weren't clicking. So, Bibi suggested that we read "Goodnight Moon", which is Gracie's "Favorite Book." (I'm thinking to myself, yeah, how can a kid who isn't even six months old have a favorite book?!) So, we lie down in bed, Bibi nursing Gracie, and me propped up against the wall, and I begin reading. About page 2, Grace pulls away from Bibi and stops nursing to...get this...look at the pictures as I read them. She stared intently at the pages as I read them, and then, when the book was done, she went right back to nursing.
It was awesome--my daughter takes after me!! She's a reader!!! (c;
Well, now to the amazing part.
Today, after a slightly better day at work, Grace was a lot more comfortable around me. She didn't flail her arms about in an attempt to get me to pass her to Bibi. I was feeling good; 'til the end of the night. Bibi and I had put Gracie down on the bed, and she was asleep. We were getting some things done, and Bibi was working. Gracie started crying, so I went to get her, and I picked her up. Not only did she continue crying, she literally was pushing herself away from me, and looking around for Bibi.
That sucked.
However, after just a few minutes, Bibi suggested we try reading to her again. I quickly agreed, having seen some degree of success with that last night.
We got into our positions, but I was laying next to Gracie, while she was nursing with Bibi. I began reading, and not two pages in, Gracie stopped nursing, looked at me, and smiled at me, really big. It felt really good. But!!! It doesn't end there; no, you see, Gracie kept looking back and forth between Bibi and I, smiling at each of us, for just a few more pages. And then she rolled towards me, sort of grabbed onto my arm, and began switching back and forthe between the pages of the book and me, smiling the whole time.
After the book was over, I kind of jokingly asked Gracie, "Gracie, do you like it when Daddy reads to you?" and...to both Bibi's and my surprise, Gracie quickly nodded her head 3 or 4 times, as if she was responding to my question.
Constantly, completely, and thoroughly, I am amazed by Grace.
Thanks for stopping by...
Tommy
So, something kind of amazing just happened.
But first, back story.
I've mentioned once or twice how night time can be challenging in our house, as Grace really loves her mama, (I know she loves me) and can often times only be consoled by Bibi. Well, while it is silly, and pointless, this stings. It stings--a lot. However, over Thanksgiving--which was wonderful--I got to spend lots of time with my daughter (boy, is that still weird, or what!?) and it was fantastic. I really felt like she was getting more comfortable around me, more used to me, and that I was really growing closer to her. It was great!
Then, yesterday, after a really hard day at work, I came home and Grace pratically screamed every time I came near her. I know it doesn't signify some great and permanent change, like she'll never be held by me again, but it was hard. And, last night, as I was trying to get Grace calmed down, things just weren't clicking. So, Bibi suggested that we read "Goodnight Moon", which is Gracie's "Favorite Book." (I'm thinking to myself, yeah, how can a kid who isn't even six months old have a favorite book?!) So, we lie down in bed, Bibi nursing Gracie, and me propped up against the wall, and I begin reading. About page 2, Grace pulls away from Bibi and stops nursing to...get this...look at the pictures as I read them. She stared intently at the pages as I read them, and then, when the book was done, she went right back to nursing.
It was awesome--my daughter takes after me!! She's a reader!!! (c;
Well, now to the amazing part.
Today, after a slightly better day at work, Grace was a lot more comfortable around me. She didn't flail her arms about in an attempt to get me to pass her to Bibi. I was feeling good; 'til the end of the night. Bibi and I had put Gracie down on the bed, and she was asleep. We were getting some things done, and Bibi was working. Gracie started crying, so I went to get her, and I picked her up. Not only did she continue crying, she literally was pushing herself away from me, and looking around for Bibi.
That sucked.
However, after just a few minutes, Bibi suggested we try reading to her again. I quickly agreed, having seen some degree of success with that last night.
We got into our positions, but I was laying next to Gracie, while she was nursing with Bibi. I began reading, and not two pages in, Gracie stopped nursing, looked at me, and smiled at me, really big. It felt really good. But!!! It doesn't end there; no, you see, Gracie kept looking back and forth between Bibi and I, smiling at each of us, for just a few more pages. And then she rolled towards me, sort of grabbed onto my arm, and began switching back and forthe between the pages of the book and me, smiling the whole time.
After the book was over, I kind of jokingly asked Gracie, "Gracie, do you like it when Daddy reads to you?" and...to both Bibi's and my surprise, Gracie quickly nodded her head 3 or 4 times, as if she was responding to my question.
Constantly, completely, and thoroughly, I am amazed by Grace.
Thanks for stopping by...
Tommy
Friday, November 09, 2007
This moment brought to you by Joe Firstman...
So, earlier this evening, while Bibi and I were attempting to enjoy a relaxing evening watching episodes of the Sopranos, and just "chillin' out", as the kids say, something really cool happened.
Gracie had been a bit fussy, throughout the evening; she had not really napped at all during the day, so she was kind of feeling the effects of that this evening. (It should be stated that Grace responds MUCH better to Bibi's attempts to un-fussify her than to mine.) Bibi had been putting forth a valiant effort, but to very little success. Bibi has also been feeling a bit under the weather, and had had a REALLY busy day trying to get the word out about our new (and TEMPORARY!!) dog, so she was feeling kind of beat after trying to calm Grace's nerves. She asked me if I wouldn't mind taking a shot. I said of course not, and I took Grace. We started walking up and down the hall and through the living room, while Bibi started a load of dishes; I decided to put on some music, and attached my iPod to the stereo; and chose, after some deliberation, Grace's soundtrack, which, if you don't remember, Bibi and I put together shortly after Grace was born. We were walking, I was swaying, and I was kind of singing to Grace as we went, when our (Bibi and I) song came on. It's a song by Joe Firstman, called, "Car Door (Dancing in the Aisles)" and we used to listen to it driving down to Kansas City together shortly after we got married. It's, on a very basic level, about a couple who is unblelievably happy together, and about how special little moments together are. Well, it just kind of struck me, as songs are wont to do, how amazingly blessed I am, as I stood their dancing with my beautiful daughter, watching my wife, and I started to get a little choked up (ok, I started bawling) and as the tears began (gushed) Gracie put her hand on my neck and started to pull herself to me, in a sweet little hug.
Nothing--nothing!--could ever compare to that feeling. It is, in a word, amazing. The title of this blog could not BE more appropriate.
God bless everyone, and have a wonderful weekend....
Thanks for stopping by.
Tommy
Gracie had been a bit fussy, throughout the evening; she had not really napped at all during the day, so she was kind of feeling the effects of that this evening. (It should be stated that Grace responds MUCH better to Bibi's attempts to un-fussify her than to mine.) Bibi had been putting forth a valiant effort, but to very little success. Bibi has also been feeling a bit under the weather, and had had a REALLY busy day trying to get the word out about our new (and TEMPORARY!!) dog, so she was feeling kind of beat after trying to calm Grace's nerves. She asked me if I wouldn't mind taking a shot. I said of course not, and I took Grace. We started walking up and down the hall and through the living room, while Bibi started a load of dishes; I decided to put on some music, and attached my iPod to the stereo; and chose, after some deliberation, Grace's soundtrack, which, if you don't remember, Bibi and I put together shortly after Grace was born. We were walking, I was swaying, and I was kind of singing to Grace as we went, when our (Bibi and I) song came on. It's a song by Joe Firstman, called, "Car Door (Dancing in the Aisles)" and we used to listen to it driving down to Kansas City together shortly after we got married. It's, on a very basic level, about a couple who is unblelievably happy together, and about how special little moments together are. Well, it just kind of struck me, as songs are wont to do, how amazingly blessed I am, as I stood their dancing with my beautiful daughter, watching my wife, and I started to get a little choked up (ok, I started bawling) and as the tears began (gushed) Gracie put her hand on my neck and started to pull herself to me, in a sweet little hug.
Nothing--nothing!--could ever compare to that feeling. It is, in a word, amazing. The title of this blog could not BE more appropriate.
God bless everyone, and have a wonderful weekend....
Thanks for stopping by.
Tommy
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Thursday Night Lights
So, I have to concur with JNo about the media portrayal of the presidential election; although, I would have to go on to say that it's not just the media, but the whole election process. At first I was excited about this election being between the rock stars of the political realm (Guiliani, Clinton, Obama, Edwards, and eventually Fred Thompson. However, I'm now seeing the error of my hopes; I no longer want some rock star to be running; I want someone who really has something to say, and isn't afraid to say it. There are things I like a whole lot about Obama, but he's really just not getting where he needs to be...I think my dad is right, and he probably should have waited til 2012; he would have had more experience, and I think he would have just been a whole lot more savy all around.
At this point, I really want somebody unexpected to jump out there and WOW us with depth and content, as well as poise and dignity. (It seems to me that the Repub's have "calm and collected" down, and the Dem's have "passionate and whiny" down. Gotta change that.)
So, we are less than a year away...and only a few weeks (well, 7 0r 8 til the first primaries, anyway) from the primaries...should we stop talking/thinking/hearing about next year's election, or should we get all into a frenzy?
You tell me...
Thanks!
Tommy
At this point, I really want somebody unexpected to jump out there and WOW us with depth and content, as well as poise and dignity. (It seems to me that the Repub's have "calm and collected" down, and the Dem's have "passionate and whiny" down. Gotta change that.)
So, we are less than a year away...and only a few weeks (well, 7 0r 8 til the first primaries, anyway) from the primaries...should we stop talking/thinking/hearing about next year's election, or should we get all into a frenzy?
You tell me...
Thanks!
Tommy
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Just a quickie...
So, as I posted the other day, there are certain things that I don't really feel I can post about; my job, mainly, is one of them. Today was a prime reason why I don't post as often as I should.
There were things that happened at work that I WANT to post about, but I just can't post about them.
So, there.
I voted today. One year from now is the presidential election. I wonder when the news sites are going to start talking about that....
Rufus, our new dog, is doing quite well. Leo loves having a playmate, and he's very well behaved. Well, he's well behaved for the most part. Leo knows not to beg for food; he knows not to chew; and he is AMAZINGon the leash. Rufus? Not so much.
We took him to the vet to see if he has a microchip; no such luck. So, now we're going to make up signs to post around the neighborhood to try to find his owner. I REALLY hope we find them soon, because our house? DEFINITELY not big enough for this many people/pets.
Tomorrow is hump day...got any plans?
(Somebody PLEASE send topic suggestions SOON!!!!)
Thanks for stopping by...
Tommy
There were things that happened at work that I WANT to post about, but I just can't post about them.
So, there.
I voted today. One year from now is the presidential election. I wonder when the news sites are going to start talking about that....
Rufus, our new dog, is doing quite well. Leo loves having a playmate, and he's very well behaved. Well, he's well behaved for the most part. Leo knows not to beg for food; he knows not to chew; and he is AMAZINGon the leash. Rufus? Not so much.
We took him to the vet to see if he has a microchip; no such luck. So, now we're going to make up signs to post around the neighborhood to try to find his owner. I REALLY hope we find them soon, because our house? DEFINITELY not big enough for this many people/pets.
Tomorrow is hump day...got any plans?
(Somebody PLEASE send topic suggestions SOON!!!!)
Thanks for stopping by...
Tommy
Monday, November 05, 2007
RANT ALERT!! (with self-disparaging realization near the end...)
So, last night when Bibi and I were watching tv, I saw what is, in my opinion, the WORST thing that tv, and corporate America, does....start Christmas adverts TOO early.
No! No! No!!! I mean it here, I'm not kidding around! The rule is, and I take this VERY seriously...NO Christmas advertising until AFTER Thanksgiving!!! There is a REASON that the Thanksgiving Day parade ENDS with Santa Claus...THAT is the official start of the CHristmas Season, and not a damn day before, ok!? Are you listening out there?
So, today, after having all of those angry thoughts run through my head, I decided that I would start making a list of books that I want for Christmas.
Readers Everywhere--A hypocritesayswhat?!
Me--What?
Readers Everywhere--Exactly.
Thanks for stopping by...
Tommy
No! No! No!!! I mean it here, I'm not kidding around! The rule is, and I take this VERY seriously...NO Christmas advertising until AFTER Thanksgiving!!! There is a REASON that the Thanksgiving Day parade ENDS with Santa Claus...THAT is the official start of the CHristmas Season, and not a damn day before, ok!? Are you listening out there?
So, today, after having all of those angry thoughts run through my head, I decided that I would start making a list of books that I want for Christmas.
Readers Everywhere--A hypocritesayswhat?!
Me--What?
Readers Everywhere--Exactly.
Thanks for stopping by...
Tommy
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Mulligan for Tommy
Yeah, that's what I call yesterday. I get a do-over. For those of you who don't know, NaBloPoMo is National Blog Posting Month, in which people who are overly optimistic and have no realistic sense of their own schedule, commit to posting once a day, every day, for the whole month of November.
Me?
I last two days.
So, I call Mulligan. I get to start over. It's pretty neat when you make up your own rules.
Anyway, so yesterday was the first Saturday in a long time that Bibi and I didn't have anything pressing we had to do...we were going to have dinner with some friends, but he got sick (which was good, b/c I wasn't feeling all that well, either) and so we ended up getting tons of stuff done around the house, and still finding time to watch lots of Soprano's on DVD. (Bibi loves the show, and I'm learning to love it; it's quite good, actually.)
And today we got up and had breakfast with Bibi's parents after I watched Fred Thompson look like a deer in the headlights on Meet the Press. Dave, I know you think he's going to get the nomination, but...seriously, what the hell, man? I honestly don't think he evern knew what Tim Russert was asking half the time, let alone what the answers should have been. But that's just me.
This afternoon Bibi and I made chilli and cornbread, and had my sister over for an early dinner. I don't want to sound arrogant, but I do make a damn good chilli, if I do say so myself. (And, incidently, I do.) Actually, the only thing better than my chilli, is Bibi's cornbread. So, yeah, it's a pretty darn good meal. (I have no idea why I decided to censor myself there, and nowhere else....strange, isn't it?)
Anyway, the last thing I want to comment on here is that tonight while walking Leo, we got ourselves another dog. Well, atleast for now. This beautiful brindle dog came flying out of nowhere, about half way through our route. At first, I'll admit, I was afraid...I was petrified...sorry, anyway, it was kind of scary, this brindle boxer/pit-bull animal came flying at me, and it started jumping around Leo. Now, my neighborhood is notorious for allowing their dogs to run free and loose. It pisses me off, to be honest. I live about half a block from a MAJOR thoroughfare, and we see TOO many dead animals along it to let our dog roam free. So, as I was saying, this dog runs at Leo and me, starts jumping around, and I got mad. I looked at the houses around where I was, and practically shouted "what the hell is wrong with this neighborhood?!" (My sister volunteers for animal cops and tells us horror stories about people mistreating--to put it mildly--their pets, and allowing your pet to run free this close to Sterling, really got me riled up). Well, I looked at him, and I realized that he was really playful, and quite sweet. So, I said to him, "Sit", and he did! So, I started walking back towards our house, and I said one time, "come!" and he followed me all the way home. I showed him to Bibi, and she agreed that it would be horrible to let him just run loose, so we put Leo's kennel in the garage, (we don't know if he has fleas or not) and tomorrow after work I'll take him to a vet to see if he has been microchipped. In the meantime, he's cute as a bug in a run, and very well-mannered. (I'm going to try and convince Bibi we should be able to keep him...shh! Don't tell her!! Oh, and, Bibi...if you're reading this...ignore that last part!!!)
All right, well, that's how our weekend was...how was yours?
Tommy
Me?
I last two days.
So, I call Mulligan. I get to start over. It's pretty neat when you make up your own rules.
Anyway, so yesterday was the first Saturday in a long time that Bibi and I didn't have anything pressing we had to do...we were going to have dinner with some friends, but he got sick (which was good, b/c I wasn't feeling all that well, either) and so we ended up getting tons of stuff done around the house, and still finding time to watch lots of Soprano's on DVD. (Bibi loves the show, and I'm learning to love it; it's quite good, actually.)
And today we got up and had breakfast with Bibi's parents after I watched Fred Thompson look like a deer in the headlights on Meet the Press. Dave, I know you think he's going to get the nomination, but...seriously, what the hell, man? I honestly don't think he evern knew what Tim Russert was asking half the time, let alone what the answers should have been. But that's just me.
This afternoon Bibi and I made chilli and cornbread, and had my sister over for an early dinner. I don't want to sound arrogant, but I do make a damn good chilli, if I do say so myself. (And, incidently, I do.) Actually, the only thing better than my chilli, is Bibi's cornbread. So, yeah, it's a pretty darn good meal. (I have no idea why I decided to censor myself there, and nowhere else....strange, isn't it?)
Anyway, the last thing I want to comment on here is that tonight while walking Leo, we got ourselves another dog. Well, atleast for now. This beautiful brindle dog came flying out of nowhere, about half way through our route. At first, I'll admit, I was afraid...I was petrified...sorry, anyway, it was kind of scary, this brindle boxer/pit-bull animal came flying at me, and it started jumping around Leo. Now, my neighborhood is notorious for allowing their dogs to run free and loose. It pisses me off, to be honest. I live about half a block from a MAJOR thoroughfare, and we see TOO many dead animals along it to let our dog roam free. So, as I was saying, this dog runs at Leo and me, starts jumping around, and I got mad. I looked at the houses around where I was, and practically shouted "what the hell is wrong with this neighborhood?!" (My sister volunteers for animal cops and tells us horror stories about people mistreating--to put it mildly--their pets, and allowing your pet to run free this close to Sterling, really got me riled up). Well, I looked at him, and I realized that he was really playful, and quite sweet. So, I said to him, "Sit", and he did! So, I started walking back towards our house, and I said one time, "come!" and he followed me all the way home. I showed him to Bibi, and she agreed that it would be horrible to let him just run loose, so we put Leo's kennel in the garage, (we don't know if he has fleas or not) and tomorrow after work I'll take him to a vet to see if he has been microchipped. In the meantime, he's cute as a bug in a run, and very well-mannered. (I'm going to try and convince Bibi we should be able to keep him...shh! Don't tell her!! Oh, and, Bibi...if you're reading this...ignore that last part!!!)
All right, well, that's how our weekend was...how was yours?
Tommy
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