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Feeling – and Getting – Older

Feeling – and Getting – Older

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I’m really feeling it lately. I’ve gained a few pounds, and I’m having that “GAH” moment when I catch myself in the mirror. It seems to be progressing a little faster than it was before.

Putting it in perspective:

On one side, it’s only going to get worse, so I may as well start taking good care of myself now and making the most of it. According to this face morphing site, here’s what’s coming…

Adding 20 Years
Adding 20 Years
Adding 30 years
Adding 30 years

Where’s my vampire communion when I need it?

On the other side, it’s really so destructive and vain and silly to be concerned about it at all. Here’s an inspiration – watch this short video to see what a difference it can make to let all of that go:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc4HGQHgeFE[/youtube]

Ahhh.

TV Land

TV Land

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I haven’t really been a dedicated watcher of any regular television show for some years now.

Since we finally replaced our ancient tv at Christmastime with a huge flat-screen, I’ve really been enjoying my nightly political news. My hero Rachel Maddow is almost real-size! What a treat it was to finally watch Elmer Gantry, and I got a good chickflick dose with The Holiday and The Notebook.

Sometimes I just feel like relaxing and being entertained. I flip through the channels – most of it doesn’t interest me. I’m not big into “reality” shows, but I sometimes like the ones that show how different people’s lives can be from one another – like Trading Spouses and whatever that one was with the British nanny. I wish that Holmes on Homes guy would come renovate *my* house. I enjoy profiling, and shows like Snapped if it’s an unusual case. The first couple of seasons of 24 were interesting, but I lost interest when they brought in torture (it *was* on Fox!). I’ve attempted to get into a regular schedule with my collections of Twin Peaks and Ultraviolet – but those haunt me so much that I can only watch them once in a while. I like the odd something on the History channel or PBS, but nothing was grabbing me tonight.

Then – I caught a show that’s been on for a long time but I had only caught a minute here or there before. I’m not really in tune with what’s popular, and I had written it off just because of the title.

So now I’m busy every Sunday night at 9 pm, because that’s when Desperate Housewives is on. I just watched two back-to-back episodes – Lovely and The Chase. It looks like tomorrow’s episode follows from there – YAY! It’s been on since 2004! I’ve already missed six whole years?!?!?!

I’m fairly sure that some of my friends will find it amusing that I’m enthralled with this show.

What can I say?

Too Much Lately

Too Much Lately

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Sorry that I’ve not written anything in a while.

I’m concentrating on sailing through choppy waters in most of the aspects of my daily existence.

  • I’ve lost a dear mentor and friend from University of Massachusetts, and I’m not ready to write about it yet. I’m also still thinking about other deaths…
  • My mom has just moved from intensive care to a rehab hospital after breaking ribs and puncturing her lung.
  • I’m grieved about the escalation of hatred from some people on the right who are far too easily manipulated – and/or used.
  • The involvement of smart people – that I care about – in this anti-Obama movement is difficult to bear.
  • My compassion level has declined, and I’m tired.
  • I’ve gained a little weight, and I feel chubby and old.
  • I feel underappreciated.
  • My little boy is growing too fast, and I miss my baby.
  • It irritates me when I catch myself saying things that older people used to say to me.
  • My pro-active plans in every area are just not working out.
  • I’ve got some very wonderful close friends, but my best friends live too *too* far away and I miss them.
  • I feel guilty for feeling sorry for myself.
  • I’m mooning around, and yet I can’t seem to relax.
  • My house is – again – a big mess. I have a ton of work to do, and I’m having trouble motivating myself to do it. It’s raining, and I just want to read a novel in bed…
  • I don’t have much patience with myself for these feelings.

So – basically, I’ve been in too much of a funk to write anything of any interest.

All I’ve been able to do recently is to pass items on in Facebook.

Hope to be back soon…

Argue Pros and Cons of Healthcare Legislation Here

Argue Pros and Cons of Healthcare Legislation Here

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The actual dialogue that we should be having has been eclipsed by the pathologies of the American public.

This post is for arguing the pros and cons of the actual bill, ok?

Civil dialogue, only, please. Stick to topic and argue the actual bill!

Ready Jonathan? Ready Phil? Ready Michael? Anyone else that wants to join in?

Here is your forum. Make your case. See if you can be fair and adhere to the rules of civil dialogue. Maybe then some points could arise that are actually important to everyone.

Here’s how this specific conversation started on Facebook:

I posted this link:

Swastika painted at Georgia congressman’s office – Yahoo! News – Someone spray-painted a large swastika on a sign outside the office of a Georgia congressman who was involved in a contentious argument over health care at a recent community meeting.

And this comment:

“So, this is Georgia and I’m confused. Is this an accusation or a proclamation?”

Feedback from Friends

Michael: Atrocities of WWII aside, that really can’t ever be put aside… EVER.. I’m actually kinda’ impressed that they have both the direction and the tilt correct.. given the usual pool of suspects, anyway. Unlike the one who painted it onto the Plymouth Rock backward… and was caught..

Heidi:
There’s a disconnect for me though. Rush, Limbaugh, etc. have been comparing Obama/Democrats to the Nazis all week, without being aware of the resurgence of the KKK and those sorts of attitudes among their base? Unlikely. Maybe it’s just especially weird here, this week.

Michael:
meh… he’s a clown who’s paid to fill a time slot.. you’d think by now people would wise up against per-minute ideology.

Phil: Typical. The sub-moronic trailer trash who are being goaded and funded to trash the nigg… I mean, that esteemed gentleman of color who happens to be president, praise Jesus and may the man die slowly… lack any apparent form of irony, rationality, intellect or historical knowledge. They DO, however, appear to know how to use spray paint. I guess all those opposable thumbs aren’t totally going to waste!

Phil: PS: Just in case my meaning was not totally clear, I am NOT referring to Obama by any form of racial slur. I am reflecting a sad truth about those who are so vehemently opposed to anything and everything the man does. At heart, they’re just terrified of a colored president, and will believe – or do – anything to counter that apparently terrifying reality.

Jonathan: I’m one of those who dislike the President’s policy decisions. I couldn’t care less what color he is. His policies scare me. Most frightening is the clear difference between his public words, and his actions. In other realms, that would be called lying.

Phil: *sighs*

The “lying” here, Jonathan, is being done by Obama’s opponents. Thanks for being one more American taken in by the high-stakes con-game being run to keep us shackled to the insurance companies! You are buying the lies wholesale, and we’re all paying the bill. If you want to know the truth, READ THE DAMNED PLAN, not the utter fabrications about the plan being spread by Sarah Palin’s lackeys and masters. It’s called “lying,” all right, but Obama isn’t the one doing it.

Phil: And as for “frightened,” be frightened by the people who are starting riots and inciting hatred at town hall meetings. This was done before, Jonathan, using exactly the same playbook. Germany, 1933. Look it up, and see who’s REALLY playing Hitler now.

Jonathan:
Wow. Do you have your tinfoil hat on to block the mind control impulses from the evil republican-neo-cons? We do have that vast right-wing conspiracy including insurance companies…

On a serious note, I’ve only seen/read excerpts from the bill, and those sections are disturbing. How about I post some links to those sections which clearly contradict the Obama rhetoric about the bill? I won’t have time until tomorrow night though. Gotta do laundry.

Phil: Who needs tinfoil hats? All you need is half a brain. As for the “mind control,” it’s quite simple, really: lies, lies, and more lies, backed up by utter fabricated hysteria from Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin and FOX News. Utter. Complete. Fabrications. No evil conspiracies necessary. Just the old Vladimir Lenin truism: “A lie told often enough … Read Morebecomes the truth.”

Regarding the insurance companies, please watch the interview with former Sigma executive Wendell Potter; in it, he tells Bill Moyers exactly what they do, why they do it, and how they get away with it… including a mention of the “third-party dirty work” that would be employed to stop health care reform attempts. See http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/07102009/watch2.html

As for the proposed bill, see: http://thomas.loc.gov/home/gpoxmlc111/h3200_ih.xml

Start from here – or start from your own concerns.

Beam Me On

Beam Me On

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I’ve started using my ancient page at Blogger for a new blog called Beam Me On.

It’s basically a catchall for all the things that make me beam and smile and light me up inside.

You know, in case of emergency.

Tip for the sniff snuffle cough wheeze COUGH

Tip for the sniff snuffle cough wheeze COUGH

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It appears as though my “get sick for Christmas” tradition is active again this year. Can’t blame the tree, since it started before I got it. I’ve got to work tomorrow, but that’s my last day. I’m hoping to get ecards out – at least – before Christmas. I managed to send out a box to my mom and grandma – who are adjusting to sharing a house again after all these years – but that’s about it. So today the plan is to putter around very slowly, and catch up on some work that needs to be done around the house.

I think I still have some Swiss Kriss – my secret weapon – around here somewhere. This stuff is the only thing I know about that might help, since I’ve started wheezing now. Swiss Kriss is a laxative tea. I’ve never actually tasted it, but the combination of herbs is powerful.

Swiss Kriss

Here’s what to do:

  1. Prepare a space on the counter, and grab a big towel.
  2. Get a nice wide pot and boil some water in it.
  3. Throw in a bunch of the Swiss Kriss tea.
  4. Turn the heat down to a simmer.
  5. Make it at least double the strength of tea that you’d drink, steeping for at least five minutes.
  6. Carefully transfer the pot onto the counter.
  7. Drape the towel over the back of your head like a parachute, to catch as much of the steam as you can.
  8. Be careful not to burn yourself. Gradually move into the steam.
  9. Take regular, deep breaths through your nose and mouth.
  10. Almost immediately, your sinuses will drain.
  11. Then your face will sweat, and you’ll start coughing.
  12. Continue to breathe in the herbal steam for at least 10 minutes.

This clears out all the gunk in your sinuses and in your lungs, and it’s even good for your skin. I usually follow up with a nice long shower to amplify the effect.

I’m really sensitive to decongestants and antihistamines and I try to avoid both. This more mechanical method has always been a lot more effective for me.