life with WE

Philosophical Phriday flashback question...

What was your favorite Halloween costume?

For me, it was the year I was in seventh grade and my mom ran out of ideas.  So the best thing she could come up with was to dress me as a garbage bag.  Yeah, that's right.  Like the California Raisins costumes, but different.  She loaded me with wadded up newspapers and had stuff sticking out of the top and various spots on the bag.  We wrote "Keep America Beautiful, Don't Litter" on a piece of paper, which she stuck to the bag of me.  And then, then folks, the icing on the cake?  It was the sock hat on my head, to which she sewed a wrapper and a banana peel.  Yep, that's right.

What about you?  Was it some costume you'd always wanted?  Did you make it or buy it?  How old were you?

Must see DUMB TV.

This morning, while eating my cereal, I read this article about dumb TV.  And while I am not commenting on the shows in the article, I am curious about what dumb TV you watch.  Go on, confess. 

What TV show do you watch/have you watched that you are a wee bit embarrassed about?

For me, there are so many choices.  But last year, I never missed an episode of The Girls Next Door.  Yeah, that's right.  I stared at their boobs while trying to figure out how the whole thing works with Hef and three girlfriends.  I have toughened up and am not watching it this year, but I did read on the net that he and Holly have called it quits.

Of course, I've been caught up in many a marathon of dumb TV before - Tabitha's Salon Takeover, The Real Housewives of Orange County and My Super Sweet 16.

Now come on, confess.  I know I'm not the only one who's rotted my brain watching this stuff...

I am happy with myself. (If I keep repeating it, I surely will be.)

I don't get it.  If we have this huge deficit and are broke, how in the world are we loaning AIG a million gazillion dollars?  How does the economy even make sense?

Don't answer that.

Instead, let's do Philosophical Phriday!  And I'm sorry, but it's kind of deep.  I went to a site to get inspiration - blogger's block - believe it or not there are many sites out there.  Who knew?  Anywho, I clicked through a few random generated topics and came across one I didn't want to answer and then knew immediately that I should.

Are you happy with yourself?

Tough one, eh?  I'd be lying if I said I was.  I am certainly not completely happy with myself.  But, I am proud to say I am a lot more content with myself than I've ever been.  I think about this very thing almost daily.  At times it can consume me and other times I say, "eh, I'm fine, I'm good with it.  I'm a work in progress."  The times when it consumes me, I really get down on myself and think of hundreds of ways I could improve myself.  Does that mean I'm not happy with myself?

I think you can be happy with yourself, but also know there are ways to improve.  I am happy with the person I am at this phase of my life.  Could I be more patient?  Hell yeah.  Could I do more charitable things - yep.  Could I be more assertive?  Sure shootin I could.  Could I be more healthy?  Yeah - but it's hard, and I am weak, and I REALLY need to work on that.

BUT

Baby, I have come a long way.  And while it might not be noticeable to everyone, it is to me, and that's what it's about, no?  A lot of that comes with age.  Some of it comes from Zoloft.  And some of it comes from making small changes.  I am calmer, I let more things go, I say 'no' on occassion.  I have a good marriage.  I love my husband, even though at times he can make me crazier than the kids.  I have two great kids - even though let's be honest here, Elaine is a drama queen and W's a bit too sensitive.  But that makes them mine.  And they are my best achievements so far.  I feel like I am a good sister, decent friend, and a fabulous daughter (I say that because my mom and dad don't read this blog and can't comment against it).  In the grand scheme of things, I am a darn good mother and an awesome wife.  (Mike, think before commenting, k?  Love ya!)  I've overcome some things that others may not have.  Yet, I know how lucky I am and am grateful for the life I have.

I haven't always felt these things.  I've been a jealous person.  I've had plenty of self-doubt and low self-esteem.  I've been weak when I needed to be strong.  I've been so prone to tears that people became immune to them.  I've worried so much I gave myself horrid irritable bowel syndrome.  I've let my anxieties run my life. I've lived in fear and worry and depression.  Now - none of those things.  Or if they are still there, they are much less prominent, and I am aware of them.

So back to the question.  Am I happy with myself?  Yeah, I am.  Ecstatic with myself?  Nah, not so much.  Disappointed in myself - not a damn chance.

Your turn.  Are you happy with yourself?

And that's the only deep thought you need to think this weekend.  I promise to lighten things up a bit.  Or at least try.  But I knew when I wanted to click away from that question so fast that it meant I should answer it.

Sad or bad music

Music.  I'm thinking music.  And I started to write a post about how music can motivate me, calm me, make me laugh etc.  Then I started thinking about bad music.  Songs that you know are bad, but somehow get stuck in your mind and then you are singing them over and over again and the next thing you know you've downloaded the song off iTunes.   (Or if you're old school - you didn't download but instead bought the CD or cassette tape, or even MORE old school - recorded it off the radio, or bought the 8 track or vinyl.)

Anywho.  I've made more than my share of embarrassing music purchases.  And so have many others I know.  Michelle, do I even need to mention 'Lucas with the Lid Off'?  Mike will generally point out my goofy purchases, but please, that boy downloaded 'In Luv wit a Stripper'.  That's right.  He's got problems.

So for today's Philosophical Phriday question is what is a music purchase you regret or are embarrassed about? 

Come on, we won't judge you.

Here are some of mine:
1 - I'll admit this straight up, I bought tickets and attended a Milli Vanilli concert.  Yeah, that's right.

2 -I recorded Debbie Gibson's 'Electric Youth' off the radio.  I don't regret recording Tiffany's 'I think we're alone now'.  That song totally rocked.

3 - I bought Color Me Badd's CD.  I'm not even kidding.  'I wanna sex you up'.  Oh what was I thinking?

4 - Natasha Beddingfield's Pocketful of Sunshine.  I paid 99 cents for that song and now it ANNOYS the crap out of me.

I know there are more, but that's all I've got for the moment.  I'll update more later as I think of them.

Share yours in the comments.  Please!

A bunch of random questions for this Philosophical Phriday

Just some thoughts/questions that have been on my mind and in the little notebook I carry in my purse.  Answer in the comments, would you?

1. Do you think that Palin looks like Tina Fey from the side?  Because I do.  But she is definitely not Tina Fey.
2. When you see a girl driving a car wearing a tube top (the kind with no straps gentlemen), do you think she's naked in there?  Because I do.  And it makes me giggle.
3. Last weekend, when it was 90 degrees and about 99% humidity here, I saw this woman out for a run.  And um, she was running in a little running shorts ensemble, had the water bottle in her hand, ipod in her ears, but her hair - WHICH WAS DOWN TO HER ASS - was all down and streaming behind her.  And she was in full makeup.  Running. IN THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY.   Who does that in full makeup and hair did?  Do they not sweat?  Because we all know that I do.
4. I'm all for carrying a bag to scoop your dog's poop while on a walk.  However, I saw this woman grab her dog's poop and then promptly throw the plastic bag containing said poop into the sewer.  The sewer has this spray painted thing all the sewers in our neighborhood have that says DUMPS DIRECTLY TO STREAM.  And it has two cute little fishies on the side.  Um, do you think that plastic bag and dog poop should go DIRECTLY TO THE STREAM?  Because I don't.
5. Do you think this economic downturn/slump/recession is here to stay?  Because I'm starting to think it is, and I'm scared.  And so is my checkbook.  Very very scared.
6. Did you watch both national conventions?  Democrat and Republican?  Because I tried to, but I couldn't.  And I won't bother you with which one I did watch.
7. Do you think my daughter will ever listen to me?  Or will she always just do what she wants to anyway?  Because I'm thinking it's the latter, not the former.  (Is that how that really goes - latter and former?)
8. My neighbor recently said she read an article about how bad our grammar is in this country.  Especially with the texting and the LOLs and the ROFLMAOs and the TTFNs and WTFs.  (Which, seriously, WTF is my fave.)  I'd have to say I agree with that, however, I also think prior to the invention of this, most of us were lacking in grammar skills.  You agree?  Or did I just lump you in with my idiocy?
9. Do you ever send anyone real postal mail anymore?  Because you should.  It's fun and it's fun to get something that isn't bills, and it's fun to get a note in the mail, and to have something other than email or texts.
10. Do you think bad weather affects your mood?  Because I do.  It rained nonstop here yesterday and I was one crabby beotch.  And I am more than willing to admit that, but I could do nothing to stop it.

Any thoughts/questions you care to add?

Pheeling like philosophically ditching an Olympic event...or two... or three...

We're knee deep in the summer Olympics.  So, today's Philosophical Phriday question pertains to these games.

I love me some Olympics.  Summer or winter, I don't care.  I love the little stories they tell with the sappy music as we get to know more about the athletes as people.  I love the triumphs, the heartbreak, the athleticism, the sportsmanship - all of it.  But I have to say, when I turn on the Olympics and it's something like handball, I get aggravated.  I'm not saying handball isn't a sport, but I'm saying, it's not why I watch the Olympics.  Diving is another one.  I'm good for about ten minutes, and then all the dives look the same and I can't understand the critique and the 'too big of a splash' and whatnot.  I mean I've never seen anyone belly-flop or can-opener or cannonball, so the splashes aren't that impressive.  (Although there's a new sport - Olympic can-opener champ.  We'll measure by how much water is displaced from the pool.  Points will also be awarded for proper form - pointed toes, a great knee grab and a slight lean.)

Anywho - there's A LOT going on in the summer Olympics.  But you have to admit, some things really shouldn't be Olympic competitions.  Perhaps you think they aren't true sports, or perhaps you find them boring.  But surely, there's something you would not miss if it was no longer part of the summer Olympics.

What is it?

For me, I'd say Shooting.  Because, well, it's shooting.  When I think of the Olympics, I think of athletes.  And while shooting requires great aim and strength in holding the gun and whatnot...I just think, um, no.  Nope.  It's not a true Olympic event.  Which I guess means I'm taking archery out as well.  And probably, although unrelated, synchronized trampolining.  That's just because I'm mean and for real - watching people jump on a trampoline isn't fun for me, and synchronized doesn't do it for me either.  Perhaps if they set that to music and they did interpretive synchro trampoline, I'd be in.

(If you need to reference a list of all the summer Olympic contests, there's a list on the left hand side of NBC's Olympic webpage here.)

Now I'm not dissing the athletes.  Clearly, they are all more dedicated, more disciplined and more talented in that way than I.  I couldn't do it, wouldn't dare dream of doing it.  Unless that can-opener thing makes it to the Olympics, then I've got a hell of a chance.  Mike and I could do synchronized can openers and we'd totally rule the pool.  Warren and Elaine would be so proud.

And don't worry, I'm quite sure no Olympic athletes read my blog.  And if they do, then holla - you are bad ass and you could totally beat me up I'm sure.  You are way more athletic than me, however, I stand by my decision to ditch the three contests mentioned above.

So suck it up and answer.  What would you remove from the summer Olympics and why?

Skating Philosophically

Um yeah.  Have you ever tried to teach two children to roller skate simultaneously?  In case you were wondering, it's a bit on the hard side.

W had a kindergarten summer party at a local skating rink.  We went, I paid for all three of us (siblings were invited too), which hello - cost me 17.25.  That's right.  Seventeen dollars and twenty-five cents.  I'm pretty sure that back in the day five bucks would get me admission, skate rental, a giant pixie stick, a soda and maybe a giant dill pickle.  All skating staples.  Anywho...

As we went to get our skates, the lady behind the counter mentioned that it might be easier to help them if I stayed in my tennis shoes.  I could go get a refund, but that line was so long, I just skipped it.  We got two pairs of skates and hit the rink.  Hit - literally.  It took a half an hour to get around the rink twice.  I was in a full sweat, but laughing hysterically.  The kids had fallen on their butts umpteen times, but kept laughing.  There was more drama, but suffice it to say, Elaine mastered skating quickly and was off.  W, not so much, but seemed to enjoy the skating part.  The rest of the time there was anxiety.

This got me thinking.  Wouldn't it be cool if you could throw yourself a kid party for an adult birthday?  That's today's Philosophical Phriday question.  For your next birthday you need to throw yourself a child's type birthday party.  What kind is it?

Me - I think skating.  Especially after yesterday.  Skating with the cosmic lights, serving beer and pizza.  We'll limbo, we'll shoot the duck, we'll couples skate to Bon Jovi and White Snake ballads.  You know you want to attend!  Drunken adults trying to skate.  Backwards and couples only!

What kind of party are you having?  And more importantly, are you inviting me?

Influences and politics.

Today's Philosophical Phriday topic is political.  You can go ahead and leave now if you want, or stick with me for just a moment.  I promise (hope) it won't get to heated. 

You still here?  Good.

I'm not asking you to tell me who your party is, or what candidate you are voting for.  What I want to know is what influences your voting decision? 

• How much does the media plays a part in your vote decision? 
• Do the commercials inform you, hurt your candidate, help your candidate, or just make you hate the whole campaign process?  (Guess what my answer is?  Yeah, hate the whole campaign process.) 
• Do you utilize one particular news source for information about your candidate?  If so, what is it?  CNN, MSNBC, NBC, FOX, CBS, John Stewart, The St. Louis Post Dispatch, Time, Newsweek, your horoscope, what? 
• Do you research info yourself?  If so, what sources do you use? 
• Do you vote a straight party ticket
• Are you registered with your party?

Again, I'm not asking you what your party is, who you are voting for etc.  Please let's not turn this into my candidate is better than yours, or why one party is superior to the other.  I'm curious as to your voting thought process.

Me?  Well, I am not a registered party member.  My reasoning is that I cannot completely align myself with one party.  Also, I hate political commercials - HATE THEM.  But I do have to say that if they are either 1 - absurd or 2 - about a topic I care about, they do prompt me to do further research on the candidates.  I do dig the quizzes that are on the internet with questions about what is important to you and what your position is on those issues.  It then compiles our answers and aligns you with the candidates.  I've been surprised by the results a time or two.  For news, I turn to NBC and MSNBC and of course John Stewart and Steven Colbert.  (I understand that some news is slanted, but I use those sources because I enjoy the news anchors more.  (I do sometimes cheat on NBC with the CBS Evening News because I heart Katie Couric.)  And of course, The Daily Show and the Colbert Report are for entertainment purposes only.  I've enjoyed it when the candidates are on those shows - they seem more real.  I use the internet for my personal research, finding info from prior speeches or the candidates websites and whatnot.  Of course, they change their minds a lot and back peddle, so that's always changing.  Overall though, I'd say I go with my gut.  Gather the info, think it over, and then shoot from the gut.  And while every vote counts, does it really?  Or is that a topic for another time?

Your turn.  Talk it up.  My inquiring mind wants to know.

When is it stealing?

I'm still editing my vacation pictures, but you can be sure I'll have a vacation story or two next week!

A few nights ago, I was reading a book to the kids before bed.  Something about Franklin, who is a turtle, but that is beside the point.  In the story, Franklin finds a penny and puts it in a gum-ball machine.  When he turns the handle, all of the gum-balls come out.  He fills his hat and is overjoyed at his good luck.  He runs to share the gum-balls with his friends.  As they are chewing the gum another kid approaches to say that the man who owns the candy store (where said gum-ball machine is located) has been robbed.  You can see where this is going, right?  There's debate about whether to tell, there's Franklin feeling guilty, there's the moment of truth and the realization that the machine is broken, followed by no hard feelings.

When we finished reading, Warren turned to me and said, "he didn't mean to steal it.  I don't think that's stealing."

Interesting point, my W.

Is it stealing when a faulty gum-ball machine gives you all the gum?  Is it stealing when the bank makes an error and gives you more money than you actually deposited?  Is it stealing if you take a hand towel from a hotel room?  Is it stealing if you unload your cart at Target, pay 200 plus bucks for your items, and discover an item in the cart you haven't paid for when you are transferring the items to your car?

Sure, we know it's stealing/shoplifting when someone goes into a store, grabs and item and runs for the exit.  It is stealing when you take a towel from a hotel room.

But that gum-ball machine example?  I gotta say in my mind, that's not stealing.  Sure, it would be good to report this error to the owner of the store.  And the bank has never made an error in my favor, but if it did, I'd surely report that out of fear that I'd spend that money only to bounce checks later or something.  That Target example has happened to me.  And the item in question was mascara, which of course had just slipped into the holes of the cart.  And at that point, I was not about to load my two kids back in the cart, to go back into the store to pay six more dollars to Target.  I did feel bad/guilty, but then thought of the items I've overpaid for, and justified it somehow.

Was that wrong?  Probably.

Does stealing involve intent? 

Whaddya think?

Happy Philosophical Phourth

Hello Friends and Family of Cousin Jenny, and therefore friends and family of mine.  I was so excited when offered this fun opportunity.  I hope I can find something worthy of WE to write about, if not, I at least hope you don't get sick from the ride.  I figured I would take full advantage of this opportunity, and since Jenny isn't posting, I would break myself in on something which should be easy for me, since I suggested it in the first place, Philosophical Phriday.  I love Phridays.  I actually used to do this with my brothers just to keep fun dialogue going with them.  It eventually phizzled though.  I will do a better introduction of myself and family on Monday, but for now lets see how you pheel about this topic of phreedom.

I was watching PBS today, and a guy from

Egypt

was explaining why US was the best country, because of all the freedoms we have, restrictions we don't and how truly open and nice we are as a whole.  He went on to explain that if Middle Eastern countries were exposed to some of the good, and not just all of the bad, they would also love us.  I totally agree, and just wish that we were not so gluttonous and wasteful, but anyway.....  We often talk about our freedom, but don't really consider it in relation to the freedoms many people don't have.  So I would like to know what one thing, which might be taken away by social circumstance, like dictatorship or persecution, which you feel you currently have, would be the hardest to give up.

Some examples might be:

The ability to vote; the ability to have a conversation in private; the ability to do anything in private (prison); the ability to choose your own food; the ability to choose from more than one school; the ability to smoke if you want to; the ability to carry a gun (I know we are thankful Jenny is smart enough not to exercise that right, or there would be a lot of endangered critters in her yard).

Those are just some ideas to show how open this topic can be.  Hopefully you can think of some better ones.

My answer would be the ability to learn to read.  I can not imagine what it would have been like to have been a slave and forbidden this ability.  I mean, I love TV and movies, but if I had to give them up I could.  I can't even begin to think of all the ways not being able to read would hinder me, but ask yourself this - "Would life be worth living if you couldn't get up and read Jenny's blog and check WOOT in the morning?"