Random musings and activities of a 30 something mom, potential sprint triathlete, vegetarian, dog and cat owner, and a evolving urban homesteader just trying to do the right thing in life for my daughter and the world around us. If the blog seems random, it's because life is and hits us all at 100mph.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006

PostHeaderIcon Women Can Be Dumb, I'll even confess to it

originally posted on May 24, 2006 on myspace.com

Women can be dumb.

Admit it ladies..... when there is a guy involved, we do some dumb things.

Guys, we know you talk about it when you see your friends, sisters, and co-workers do it.

We get all ga-ga over a guy and do things that are out of character. I'm not talking about that white lie you told about loving to sky dive or that you find NASCAR interesting.... I'm talking about the blowing off of friends, hearing what we want to hear, and overlooking those glaring red flags that say you should run, not walk, from him.

Remarkably, I'm not talking about me (though I could have been the subject at many times in my life), but a girlfriend. All I can do is sit back and watch the train wreck occur.

You know she'll be on my couch in 6 weeks crying her heart and wondering why men are jerks. Well, honey, he was a jerk to begin with... and told you up front how he was .... and either :

a) you didn't hear him
b) you ignored what he said
c) thought you could change him

I get no pleasure out of "i-told-you-so's" and will not even go there. It's my job as the girlfriend to pat her on the back and make sure there is plenty of ice cream in the house. I also know I'll be baby-sitting her on the next Friday night while she drinks in a way that was only remotely cool in college (or was it???)

Women are dumb..... not because we go ga-ga, but because after the episode that I explained is inevitable.... we will blame the man. Yes, it will be a man-hating scene from Jerry McGuire where all the women in the bar will tell their latest date horror story.

This is the part where I lose patience.

The problem really isn't men (well, totally - there are some first class a-holes out there), but us women. If we wouldn't be at their call, drop our friends, and put up with them treating us anything less than with total respect, then they wouldn't act that way. Why do men act that way? Because they get away with it.

Cara, a friend of mine explained her success to a happy marriage.... she said her husband (feel free to disagree) only needs 3 things:
1) good sex
2) good food
3) a woman who doesn't bitch too much
I'm sure there are many women who just had their feathers ruffled about that. But for a moment, think about it......

Hmmm..... kinda true. Men are simple creatures, and not in an insulting way.... it's just us women like to complicate them.

Cara does those 3 things for her husband, and I'll tell you what, he treats her like royalty and they have been married 9 years.... not too shabby in today's world AND she's happy.

So women, let's stop being dumb, stop putting up with men who treat you less than you deserve, and let's not forget - they only dish out as much crap as you're willing to take.
Monday, May 22, 2006

PostHeaderIcon People Just Don't Care About Politics

originally posted on myspace.com on May 22, 2006

In general, less than 20% of the population votes in mayoral races.

DC re-elects Marion Barry after a crack conviction....

Then New Orleans re-elects Nagin, "Mr. Chocolate City"

I really don't get it......

Friday, May 19, 2006

PostHeaderIcon It's Called Entertainment, Seriously, not Real (Da Vinci Code)

originally posted on myspace.com on May 19, 2006

I know wrestling is fake and I don't waste my time watching or arguing about it. IT'S CALLED ENTERTAINMENT. I feel the same way about "The Da Vinci Code".

The movie is just a marketing scheme by a best-selling author. I would do it too. SHOW ME THE MONEY!! He will make A LOT of money from this movie, and I believe all this negative press will only make him more.

Ron Howard had a suggestion Wednesday for people riled by the way Christian history is depicted in "The Da Vinci Code": If you suspect the movie will upset you, don't go see it. "There's no question that the film is likely to be upsetting to some people," Howard told reporters. "My advice, since virtually no one has really seen the movie yet, is to not go see the movie if you think you're going to be upset. Wait. Talk to somebody who has seen it. Discuss it. And then arrive at an opinion about the movie itself. Again: This is supposed to be entertainment, it's not theology," he said.

Let's face it, certain topics sell. Christ, obviously is one of them. Look at "The Passion". Book Of Judas. Heck, how can we forget "The Ten Commandments"?

I do not believe the book set out to unfairly portray albinos as evil (anyone remember "Powder"?).

I do not believe the book is capable of tearing down the Catholic establishment.

I do not believe that the Mona Lisa holds a secret to the story of Jesus.

Opus Dei wants disclaimer at the beginning of the movie that this is a work of fiction. How many mystery thrillers do you know have that?

20 million people aren't reading the code in The Da Vinci Code as a way to understand why the Catholic Church. Face it, it's fiction.

A prominent cardinal in the Vatican is urging legal action against the book and film versions of Dan Brown's "The DaVinci Code," claiming the story is offensive to both Christ and the Church.Cardinal Francis Arinze, a Nigerian who was among the candidates for the papacy last year, made his appeal during an appearance in a documentary titled, "The Da Vinci Code-A Masterful Deception." He call follows by ten days the entreaty of another Vatican cardinal who called for a boycott of the film when it is released on May 19th. What will this accomplish? Chances are the people boycotting this already know it's fiction, so why prevent people from seeing a movie?

What effect can movies have on our culture? Look at....

"Bowling for Columbine" and what it did it to the gun culture.

"Super Size Me" did it to fast food.

Will "The DaVinci Code" do the same to Christianity? Don't think so.

It's amazing to me that these Christians who are taking the time and energy to protest this movie have not taken the same energy to protest other community and cultural issues. How many have taken the same energy to volunteer at a homeless shelter or their child's school? How many of the protesters have the same amount of time writing a letter to their Congressman concerning issues in their state? I could go on, but you get the point. Is this seriously the most important issue concerning Christians today? What about protesting the Fred Phelps of the world? Will someone please explain to me how this FICTIONAL movie will topple Christianity as we know it?

Maybe the moral of this story is that there ARE many who do not have enough intelligence to discern between fiction and non-fiction. If there is some good that comes out of these protests, it is that Christians again have an opportunity to rediscover their beliefs and fortify their faith. It is good to question, strive and search for understanding.

Whatever the big deal is, I just don't get it. Is it REALLY worth boycotting and reporting on?

Go ahead, flame away.... I'm a big girl.
Jen


p.s. The DaVinci Code is the most popular book at the Chicago airport last week. I counted eleven over a 3 hour span. I don't get it. It is almost creepy that our culture has become so homoginized (they were all sipping Starbucks too... well, ok, not ALL of them). At least people are reading.

Also, if you truly don't believe that there are common, everyday people upset by this movie, check out
This blog inspired by the ex of a friend. Seriously, I bet more time was put into that email that community service last year. /rant.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006

PostHeaderIcon Slippery Slope and the Patriot Act

originally posted on myspace.com on May 17, 2006

The slippery slope is an argument for the likelihood of one event given another. Invoking the "slippery slope" means arguing that one action will initiate a chain of events that will lead to a (generally undesirable) event later.


There are a lot of slippery slope arguments that I always find interesting, because it forces me sometimes to draw a line in the sand and say "I believe this" but "I do not believe in this". For example, a common one is about gay marriage.... if we allow gay marriage then next we'll have to allow polygamous marriage (which I don't believe).

A slippery slope argument that is on my mind today is that a small decrease in liberty will grow larger over time. Once we allow small liberties to be taken away, then it'll be easier in the future for more to be taken away. This is one slippery slope argument I can support.

Daily in the news we hear about our phone records being gathered, easedropping without warrants, and even our library records. After the Patriot Act was passed, a book club I belong to will not keep your previous orders (supposedly) on record more than 90 days. Simply because if compelled, they would have to release those records. If they don't have them, there is nothing to give to the government.

This is not the first time in our history where liberties that have taken decades to build up have been taken away from citizens. Hindsight makes the shameful internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II and the FBI's ruthless prosecution of civil rights leaders in the 1960s and 1970s universally condemned. We must be mindful of those lessons today.

George Orwell was right after all. In 1984 (one of my favorite books), Orwell wrote his book as a cautionary tale to underscore the insidious danger of slowly eroded individual liberties. His Thought Police may not yet be on the march, but it's not hyperbole to point out the eerie parallels with today's America. In America today, Big Brother is watching.


Ben Franklin said, "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." I'll admit, after 9-11, I was more ok with the Patriot Act than I am now. I had reservations, but believed in the "greater good." I was alone in Minneapolis in my apartment, pregnant, and wondering why can't the government protect us. How far my opinion has changed since then and I question more. The so-called "Patriot Act" scares me, as does the wiretapping and eavesdropping stories we're hearing about lately. I fear that like the Galactic Senate in Star Wars (Revenge of the Sith), we're letting liberty die... to thunderous applause.

I am reminded of a news story within the last year of a pizza parlor in Israel. They were having a grand reopening on the 1 year anniversary of a bombing that killed about a dozen patrons, including school age children. Some of the patrons that were injured and witnesses the day of the bombing were present at the reopening event. In the interviews with each of them the overwhelming theme was that they were there to show the terrorists that the survivors were not scared and the terrorists did not win.

Mark Twain said once, "that courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear". If we are to be courageous and stand up to threats again us and our country, then we can not allow our fears erode our freedom. THAT is how we fight terrorism.

(oh, and obviously spell check was not used, but hopefully you get the point....)

Friday, May 12, 2006

PostHeaderIcon Funniest Story on Jon Stewart

originally posted on myspace.com on May 12, 2006

.. so, I'm watching Jon Stewart last night (yes, I'm still on hiatus from watching network news at 10.... whole different rant, I mean, blog).... and saw one of the funniest stories in awhile.... Turns out there are two tribute bands of Kiss that feature little people. They obviously have a strong rivalry and aren't scared to expose it. Can the world handle two dwarf Kiss tribute bands??? Time will tell..........

What I can tell you is that when two rival bands of dwarves (or Little People) fight, nobody wins. Well, I guess unless you happen to witness it in person. In that case I bet it'd be hilarious. Anyway. The 4'4" lead singer of the KISS tribute band Mini Kiss, Joey Fatale, is denying reports that he tried to sneak past security at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas to confront 4' "Little" Tim Loomis of Tiny Kiss for ripping off his idea for a group. It's not revealed how Fatale attempted to get past security, but it's assumed he either crawled under a snack cart, hid beneath a blanket in a baby carriage, or stuffed himself in somebody's guitar case like they do in the movies.

While Little Loomis claims he had Fatale thrown out of the hotel, Fatale insists that he left on his own. The two men used to be friends (Little was the original drummer for Mini before starting Tiny). The f-bombs were flying last night and the rivalry is intense....

You know..... it's a shame like a little tiny thing like this would come between them. I'm a teensy bit upset. Granted it's a small world, but a little competition never hurt anyone. Hopefully they grow from this. Because life is short

::: snicker snicker ::::



The official site : Mini Kiss


Monday, May 01, 2006

PostHeaderIcon Remember when 30 was old?

originally posted on myspace.com on May 1, 2006

Here I am a 2.5 months into the "last of my 20s". Yes, on Feb 24th of next year, I will start a new decade in my life. So, I've spent some time lamenting all the things on my to-do list that I didn't get done by time I'm 30 (or will not have time to get done). Poor Johee, I think I was quite sour on the ski trip on my birthday weekend b/c I couldn't get past all the things I hadn't done.

I could list all the things here, but I'm sure you have your own list and know what I'm talking about....

So I spent the month following my b'day pondering all those things and basically feeling sorry for myself.... then I snapped out of it and realized I love my life. Sure, I haven't checked off all the boxes yet, but some bumps and detours in life happen (actually those bumps in the road ARE life). In my case, my biggest detour was Abigail, and I have to say most of what I listed above did not get accomplished because of her. Am I bitter? HECK NO! Having her was the best thing to happen to my life. I asked myself, why can't the daily flexibility that I am required to exercise with her be applied to my own life and goals? Of course it can.

So, that is the first thing about 30 closely approaching that went through my mind and realized I spent WAY too much energy on that lamentation.

The next thing that occured to me is that 30 seemed so old..... as a kid I always considered anyone in their 30s to be very, very old......

Yes, 30 seemed so OLD..... yet, here I am closely approaching 30 and still enjoy vegging out in front of the xbox once in awhile and playing video games. I still watch cartoons. It used to be transformers and looney toons - but it was just replaced by Family Guy and Adult Swim. I notice it most when I end up behind a group of giggling moronic prebuscent teenagers while in line at the local Starbucks. I used to be one of them and I remember it like it was yesterday. Yes I still giggle, but not like I did back then which I suppose is as it should be. Once in awhile, I still have trouble focusing in church even... that's ok when you are 7 or 14, but 29???

I thought when you were "old" you knew so much (like when I was one of those giggling girls). I don't know what Aardvarks eat when my daughter asks and I don't know why slugs are slimey. Thank goodness for Google. I also can't always answer her questions to life.... I wish I could, I have a few of my own that need to be answered.

30 is also when athletes are considered "old." The best athletes in the world are revered as heros if they compete past 30. Well, I'm not an athlete. Being that I am in no where near the shape an athlete is...what does that make me?

:::: long pause ::::

I'm sorry...I forgot what I was saying. (that's not related to old age, is it?)

I will no longer be a woman in my late 20s, but a woman in my 30s. I have always looked to woman in their 30s as wise and so put together. It seemed to me, that women just know what they are doing by that point. Maybe this is why I am hesitant to turn 30. I so do not know what I am doing (do you think I'm fooling my daughter?).

The ride has been fun and if I would have achieved all those things on my checklist, would my life have been over or would a new list have evolved? I want to grow as an individual. I feel it is just as important for me to grow as it is to help my daughter grow

Mark Twain once quipped, Age is a matter of mind; if you dont mind, it doesnt matter.

It's taken a little bit or reflection and time, but I'm starting not to mind..... (but check back with me next Feb....)
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Quotes as I come across them......

“Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, an hour, a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it last forever.” ~~~Lance Armstrong

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." ~~~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

"I like running because it's a challenge. If you run hard, there's the pain----and you've got to work your way through the pain. You know, lately it seems all you hear is 'Don't overdo it' and 'Don't push yourself.' Well, I think that's a lot of bull. If you push the human body, it will respond." ~~~Bob Clarke, Philadelphia Flyers general manager, NHL Hall of Famer. (Will-Weber's "Voices From the Midpack" chapter.)

The reason most people never reach their goals is that they don’t define them, or ever seriously consider them as believable or achievable. Winners can tell you where they are going, what they plan to do along the way, and who will be sharing the adventure with them.~~~Denis Watley

Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not; it is the first lesson that ought to be learned; and however early a man's training begins, it is probably the last lesson that he learns thoroughly. ~~~Thomas H. Huxley (1825 - 1895)

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