It's been a while

I just found out I am going to be an aunt. I adore my brother and I don't want to say anything bad, but I will say that he is perhaps not the most prepared parent, but I am so happy for him. He is such a great guy and he is so good with children. I know he will be a great dad. I am so excited for him. I have not met his girlfriend but I am sure I will soon. This is a weird picture without explanation - but this is the only electronic pic I have of my brothers and I, on this computer, sad, I know. My brother with a baby on the ways is on the right, Ryan, next to him is my oldest brother Jordan, and my hubby is on the left.

New Mexican Drivers

The other day my husband and I were driving back from our favorite movie house and a woman cut us off. Because it is our favorite movie theater and we go there often we knew the lane she cut us off to get into would end soon - this happens a lot in Denver, lanes ending that is. So he knew she was going to want to get back in. So he said, "You never know when you are going to piss off a New Mexican diver." Meaning New Mexicans are assholes (his experience) and that he was not going to let her back in. But she had this new Lexus and we are driving the old Subaru and though he tried the poor Subaru let Jerome down and the lady got back in the lane. I laughed so hard.

Boo!

I recently finished reading To Kill a Mockingbird. It was the One Book, One Denver this year, and I must say I loved it! I read it when I was in jr. high but I must say that is pretty young to really get this book. I completely fell in love with Scout, I so want to be her. I loved the descriptions such as I busted open my knuckle on his tooth, or the tree was so wide that two children could wrap their arms around it and not touch. I loved rereading this classic and highly recommend it. Oh and by the way, the movie is awesome!

Biggest Loser

I guess I am really behind – I don’t have TV so I have to watch everything on Hulu, delayed. So, last night I was finally able to watch The Biggest Loser finale. This is the first season that I followed the show. Overall I am really annoyed at the shameless advertising, and the constant repetition. But overall, mostly because I am fascinated, I think it is OK. I am not sure that I will continue watching.

Of course, by now everyone knows that Danny won Biggest Loser and Rebecca won the at home challenge. I wasn’t really cheering for anyone but I must say out of the final four I really liked the men a lot more. I just liked how they just did it. They didn’t complain, they weren’t dramatic (like Amanda), and they rocked. But I would have been happy if either Rudy or Danny won. I think they both looked awesome and deserved a win. Liz and Amanda not so much – what was the difference from the last Ranch weigh in from the finale – to me it didn’t seem like much. But that’s just me. I am glad crazy bitch Tracy didn't win.

I though Shay looked fabulous. They didn’t pick the most flattering outfit but her hair and makeup were awesome. I, like many Americans were inspired and touched by her hardship but one thing that really shocked me was that she is married. Through out her time on the Ranch it seemed like she was single, no family, etc. because that is the impression she gave but she is married. WTF. I don’t have a strong extended or immediate family support system but I have my husband and I think of him as a great family support. Maybe that is naïve but we are each other’s family and support. So I was shocked to see that she was married. I thought it was funny that she said next year you’ll see me at 204, I was thinking why stop there go for $150,000 and 154. But that is an awesome challenge and I hope to see her rock that challenge.

As I was watching my husband said that Rebecca looked like a crack head. I wasn’t really a fan of her and I thought she handled being voted off very badly and again when she was on Leno. But I always thought she was pretty and normal so disregarded my husband but when she won, I thought oh yeah, she does kinda look like a crack head. She wrapped her legs around two separate people, none of whom are her boyfriend, weird. I just didn’t think she looked good, she looked thin but not good. I really liked her hair in the beginning.

Plan B

Thank goodness for Plan B!

** I am editing - I am talking about plans I made in my life, not the morning after pill. Just thought maybe I should clarify...

Strong Woman

Disney has finally come out with a black princess, about time. I must say I have mixed feels about it. I know that there is a lot of controversy surrounding this issue. I think that all children should have access to a variety of role models that are positive and diverse, and of course that they can relate to. If that means, this doll looks like me so be it but I guess my issue has to do with the “reality” or human likeness of any of these dolls. It is similar to the Barbie debate and how her body type is totally unrealistic. The same is true of the Disney Princesses; none of them are based in reality. It seems long overdue that Disney finally included a black princess but I think Disney’s attempt at diversity is weak at best. I know that they have very skilled, talented artist but all of the Princesses are essentially the same with different color hair, skin tone, and outfits. Even Jasmine who is suppose to be Arab looks like the other Princesses. The only real variations I see are in Pocahontas, and to a lesser extent Mulan.

But then I have to ask myself – Should they be based in reality? They are cartoons. I know I should be happy that Disney is making an attempt to create strong, independent female character and that we have come a long was from Sleeping Beauty but what can I say, I know they are capable of doing more, and I feel a duty as a woman to ask for more.

Signs of hate, right here in Denver

So, I am editing because I didn’t really write anything thoughtful about this email that I received. What I want to say really is WTF?!? But I am sure I can find a more eloquent way to express my feelings…

Okay even if you seriously thought Obama was not a natural born citizen, I am not sure what your sources are but I think people probably do believe this. How do you get from Kenyan immigrant to Jihad? Yes, I realize that there are Muslims in Kenya, but there are Muslims probably in every country in the world and in no way does being a Muslim make you a member of an extreme fundamental group. This ad is not only disrespectful and outrageous but extremely racist. Oh and by the way, didn’t Obama get shit for his ties with his former Christian pastor Rev. Wright? You can’t have it both ways. Just because you don’t like someone or don’t agree with someone you cannot make things up as you go along.

This birther movement is outrageous. Do people really thing there is some conspiracy to elect a non-citizen. Why would anyone do that? I think if there was some conspiracy to elect someone, for whatever reason, (anyone remember the 2000 election) they would at least find an American citizen.

And while I am on my rant about the ignorance and racism in American politics I would like to say that this is a lot like the parallels being drawn about Obama and Hitler. Seriously, does that even make sense? Its like the news throws out some hate inspired words (Nazi, Communism, Fascism, dictator, death panel) along with the President’s name and all of a sudden he is a Nazi.

And I would like to say, whatever you want to call it death panel or not I think that everyone should have a plan of what they would like to do if they were to become incapacitated. I am 26 and I know that I should have a living will and direction for my funeral and instructions about life support. I remember when the Terri Schiavo debacle was going on and thinking how awful it would be if my spouse had to go through this. It is not enough to tell your spouse I want to be kept alive or I don’t want to be kept alive, it should be in writing.

I once watched this documentary where a man had a series of unbelievable trials and after some 20-30 years he was finally exonerated for a crime he did not commit. But the trial was unbelievable, they let a member of the KKK testify years after the original trial, it was so bizarre and it breaks my heart to know that that happened to someone (many people) and that racism is still present in our society and things like this still occur. But the point I am making is that there was this one man who said you can’t argue with hate. It is completely irrational and you just can’t argue with it. And I agree. It is irrational, there is not support for it and I guess that is why it has been so eradicate.

Dear Friend,

What is our country coming to?

A few minutes ago we learned about an offensive, racist billboard right here in Colorado--attacking President Obama and comparing him to terrorists. The billboard was created by Wolf Automotive, at their location here in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Check out the photo to the right, then join the pledge to boycott.

http://www.ProgressNowColorado.org/WolfAuto

I called Wolf Automotive to ask them what their intent was in putting up that sign. The man I spoke with defended the sign, and indicated he has no intention of taking the sign down, and it was quickly apparent to me that he was a "birther."

The "tea party" movement and the "birthers" are becoming more and more outrageous. They're in the thrall of demagogues like Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Peter Boyles, Sarah Palin, and right-wing elected officials in Colorado like Senator Dave Schultheis--who sent out a statement last week comparing President Obama to the 9/11 terrorists who flew United Flight 93 into the ground.

We'll defend anyone's First Amendment right to speak his or her mind. However, the "marketplace of ideas" that the First Amendment protects only works when everyone speaks out. If hate like that spread by Dave Schultheis and the owners of Wolf Automotive are allowed to go without a response, then we allow the perception that these ideas have merit.

We have both the right and the obligation under the First Amendment to publicly reject ideas that we find abhorent and offensive.

Please help us respond to this latest attack from the Right by doing a couple of things. First, please click on the link below and pledge to boycott Wolf Automotive until they take down this billboard. Then, please spread the word by forwarding this email to at least 5 people you know and ask them to sign the boycott pledge as well.

http://www.ProgressNowColorado.org/WolfAuto

After you sign the pledge, we'll provide you the phone numbers for the Wolf Automotive Group--they have four dealerships located in Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. Please take a few minutes to call and ask them, respectfully, to take their sign down. We want to respond, but we want to resist being dragged into incivility by the hatred that we're confronting.

Thank you,
Bobby Clark