Civic Responsibility

I've realized the reason we all hate the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles)...that's how you get chosen for jury duty.  Yep, thanks to my birthday gift and the need for tags and registration,  the DMV used my information to enter me into the jury pool  -- more chances to win than the lottery and a host of unhappy people to spend the day with -- and I won!
What did I win, you ask.  I won the opportunity to sit in a plush lounge in PG County for nearly the entire day until assigned to be selected for a case.  Bored to tears and feverishly trying to find some reason, any reason, why I'd be partial to the defendants, I failed at every turn and was selected for the jury.  I notified my employer and settled in for a long second day of what was sure to be much less exciting than the OJ trial.  After instructions from a studious bailiff and a very amicable judge, I listened to opening statements and a few witnesses before the case was dismissed and I was relieved of my duties.
Fortunately, I made new friends along the way.  We shared information on a number of topics, a meal, a couple of rides, exchanged phone/email/social networking information, and even hoped we'd be called back in 3 years to meet again.  How optimistic we are!
This puts in perspective another civic duty that will occur in just a few weeks.  I've stated repeatedly that your choice in candidate's is as personal as the nose on your face, but please exercise your right to vote.  After receiving my elections booklet, I'm taking the time to research the candidates running for other offices in my state and county in an effort to decide who I prefer to select and I strongly suggest you do the same.  I'm never one to force my beliefs on others (though I feel that anyone over 65 should no longer remain in office) but strongly encourage you to do your own research -- don't rely on TV commercials and campaign slogans, billboards and discussions around the water coolers of corporate America, sound bites on the news and signs in yards, bumper stickers and the opions of others -- but use your common sense and weigh your values.  This is your opportunity to do more than just talk. Your vote does count, so use it.
After a long day in the courtroom, I feel more strongly about it than ever.  Until next time...

Top Ten Bookish Confessions

Interesting title right?  Yeah, it caught me too.  And being a nerd, well I just had to read Shannon's confessions - Reading Has Purpose - and come up with a few of my own.  The original, as well as other Top Ten Tuesday ideas, are proudly posted on The Broke and the Bookish.

So, here we go...

10. Interesting titles, not graphics, draw me to a book.

9.  Bargains (6 for $1) are my guilty pleasure.

8.  I follow the authors I like faithfully, even on FB, but I'm not big on book signings because...

7. I give my books away -- unless I really, really, really like them or they're signed by the author.

6.  I have to finish a book, no matter how long it takes me, because otherwise I'll feel beaten.

5.  I prefer to read real books instead of digital books (Kindle) or audio books.

4.  I read extremely slowly because I take notes and underline things I want to remember.

3.  I will borrow a book from the library and determine after reading it if I want to purchase it.

2.  I have large library fines because I read so slowly.  Two renewals is just not enough!

1.  I LOVE my Kindle because I can carry so many books (I've downloaded more than 150 free ones) so easily.

Confessions anyone?

Amazing Grace

I just finished watching a documentary called Amazing Grace (published in 2007) that, while entertaining, was extremely white-washed.  It told the stories of the writers of several well-known hymns with great scenery and performances.  But there is some dispute over the title song.  I'm enamored by this account --> http://youtu.be/AVcjnNry4do

I implore you to view both and choose for yourself.

2012 Olympics Recap

First, IT'S OVER!!!!  Finally, no more constant talk, tweet, pics/videos posted, etc.  We can rest for another few years.

Second, the disclaimer.  The following statements are unofficial and terribly biased (in case you weren't sure).

Third, let's begin so that this blog, like the Olympics themselves, can be over!

Opening Ceremony
I heard lots of gripes about the difference from Beijing (2008).

• Get over it...different country, different opening.  
• I didn't realize that even the opening ceremony was a competition too.  Is it really that serious?  
• Historically the opening ceremony is supposed to highlight
• Real differences:  London, the capital of the United Kingdom, is made up of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland (I guess Southern Ireland is its own entity).  I digress.  The UK (or Great Britain as most of us recall) is an oppressive force throughout history-- a boring legacy with great writers to record it. Note the grim faces they always seem to have.  How do you display that during the Olympic Games? China, on the other hand, has an ancient and colorful past that stretches for thousands of years and is riddled with folklore and traditions.  Combine that with their love of precision and technology and sprinkle in the thousands (yes, thousands) of people who participated and you can see why there was such a difference in the ceremonies. It's just logic.

Athletes
Several caught the spotlight.  I'll discuss those that mattered most (to me).

• Uceny - Fell...again...didn't get back up...actually broke down on the track.  There is NO crying in the Olympics.
• Mitcham - Who cares if he's gay.
• Douglas - her ponytail needed some help.  Yes, I said it.  If you're that sensitive about it, think about the following people and let me know if you've ever said ANYTHING about their hair...Sanjaya, Donald Trump, Oprah...you get my point.  Talking about someone's flaws takes nothing away from their accomplishments.  Get over it.
• Phelps - Olympian with the most medals.  
• Bolt - fastest man.  Great finishes.
• Wieber - crying allowed when you're under 21.

Commentators

• And speaking of Wieber, the commentators for this year's Olympics were abhorrent.  I was unsure of their allegiance quite often.  They (I never could figure out any names of correspondents) consistently pointed out negative performances, flaws that would warrant deductions from the judges and teams that were favored to outscore USA.  They were repeatedly wrong and often loudly professed it.  Maybe it was underdog syndrome gone wild.  Maybe they didn't understand what commentating is about.  Maybe we won't hear from them in four years.
• Ryan Seacrest - had to mention him because he's my crush...eye candy rocks!

Sports
Some don't need to be in the Olympics.  Like the following:

• Badminton
• Handball
• Weightlifting
• Trampoline
• Shooting
• Speedwalking
• Water Polo
• Ribbon Twirling

Miscellany

• Gray Jackets -  Hyper reflective to show off medals better.  I disagree.
• Flowers - Medal ceremony flowers were small and ah well.
• Colored Tape - Kinesio Tex Tape - Theratape used for pain and injuries and coming to a gym near you.  But does it work?
• Uniforms - 'Tards and tights that sported the stars and stripes not only boosted morale but also motivated many of us to get up and move our butts.  We may all be relay-ready in time for the Summer Games in Rio!!!

Closing Ceremony

• Snoozer -- so boring that I'd rather not discuss it. 

See ya in Rio in 4 years.

Over the past two years, I’ve been wallowing in a dark place. Though there have been bright moments along the way – marriages, births, etc. – the majority of the time was marred by self-doubt and questions.  But after every storm comes the sunshine, and it’s so warm and soothing to know I made it through.  Not one to take the credit, I appreciate my support network made up of those who commiserated and encouraged, advised and suggested, re-designed and cajoled, motivated and enlightened and generally helped to keep my spirits up.

Now that things are beginning to fall into place, I’m focused on my writing.  Unfortunately, I can’t write from a place of negativity, of anger and self-loathing.  I am much more creative in the positive space of joy, the energy of hope, and the tide of dreams realized.  I can only hope that my support network will bask with me in the glow of ingenuity.  Are you ready?

Counting My Chickens

I've been taught not to count my chickens before they hatch. Hmm…let's see if I can do this without mixing adages.

I have a basket full of eggs that I'm carrying around. Wild ideas, odd jobs, fancy dreams…a quite lofty "to do" list of things that weigh on my heart and my mind. I want to create, assist and be successful. But I'm tired of eating eggs…I'm ready for some meat and poultry works fine. So I've counted the chickens and dropped the eggs and…well, I'm collecting eggs again.

See, I refuse to believe that I can't have the desires of my heart. Especially since I'm willing to work for them, taking nothing away from anyone else's success and accepting the help that comes my way. Yes, I believe that putting positive vibes in the atmosphere brings the same back to you – karma – as well as sweat equity helps you to appreciate the payoff. I put 100% into every endeavor…but I'm still dropping eggs.

So I take this moment to reflect. What could the problem be? What could be keeping my eggs from maturing? Ahhh…maybe it's the basket! Yes, it is. Too large a basket is causing me to carry more eggs than necessary. Smaller basket, fewer eggs, better focus. So, what am I really saying?

I have many interests and desires and need to streamline my ideas and focus better and hopefully have fewer setbacks. I like the chicken analogy better.

Until next time…

Now, I'm Angry...

I was more than willing to see posts about Trayvon Martin and not comment.  I viewed it as the big topic of the day/week until something new breaks -- thanks Jeremy Shockey.  But now, it's getting out of hand.  So, I am compelled to share my opinion.

• Many don't know the details of the situation.
  That child was killed by a white man for walking down the street all because he had on a hoodie.  That man should be brought to justice.  Do you know what happened and what has taken place since the shooting on February 26?
• Misspellings of the child's name are abundant.
  Even with the ease of the "share" button on FB and most news sites, it's amazing how we are so outraged that we lose focus on even the name of the person we're supporting.
• Many compare this campaign to the Kony campaign as if we need to choose which to support.
  Why is it either/or when it should be both both/and?  I'm free to support more than one cause at a time aren't I? 
• Unsolved murders in our neighborhoods go unnoticed.
  I'm in DC and here is the proof --> http://mpdc.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1243,q,541992,mpdcNav_GID,1533.asp 
• Comparisons to Emmit Till.
  Really?  If we know our history and really want to take it back ... well, that's another post.
• Bandwagon behavior.
  How incensed were we about the Jena 6 without all the details of that case? Tawana Brawley?

Before you point fingers at me for being insensitive and not bandying with others for the "cause," please understand that I never wish for hurt or harm to come to anyone, and further to go unpunished.  And yes, I agree that change comes when we demand it.  I am, in no way, keeping anyone from doing what they feel they must do. I'm simply urging you to #1 - get all the facts (and remember there is more than just one side to a story) and #2 - do something in your own area first.

Here is a timeline of events: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/03/trayvon-martin-case-timeline-of-events/
One of the original stories: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/08/family-of-trayvon-martin-_n_1332756.html