Burris on Blago: Before...and after

I Decided to Ignore Her.

I decided to listen to the voice of reason and just ignore the Friend request. Clicking it felt good. Maybe not as good as telling her off, but I also realize that saying my piece wouldn't make me feel any better.

One reader e-mailed with a (kind) suggestion that I should forgive this woman. Let me share a little backstory to explain why this person makes me so angry.

11 years ago she sat next to me at my first law firm. She was a few weeks my senior, and we struggled together to learn the ropes. It wasn't a good firm to work as a paralegal, and I soon moved on. Several months after I landed at my last firm, another position opened up. I knew that she was miserable at the first firm, so I used my influence to get her the job.

Within a few weeks of taking the job, she started talking about me behind my back. I didn't find out about it for some time. I suspected someone was poisoning the well, but I didn't know who or why. I almost lost my job because one of the name partners (whom my co-worker worked for) wanted me out. Her lies about my performance cost me my bonus and a good portion of my sanity. Unless you've lived through the trauma of living on the brink, never knowing if the next call to a partner's office would mean getting the sack -- well, you can't imagine what that does to your head.

How do I know my coworker was behind it? Because one day the office manager called me into her office and closed the door. (I almost passed out.) She told me that I couldn't trust this coworker. I said that we had known each other for many years and that I was certain she was trustworthy. My manager told me she admired my loyalty, but then put a file in front of me that had been compiled by the name partner. In it were 20 to 30 e-mails from my coworker. All of them blaming me for something that, in truth, had been her doing. Or had just been made up.

One e-mail string -- at a time when money was tight at the firm -- specifically suggested the firm fire me to save money. When the partner replied back that he had floated her suggestion, but that the other partners had objected because I was the most profitable paralegal at the firm, she intimated that I was only profitable because I padded my billable hours. He suggested in return that she keep an eye out for proof of that because partners couldn't ignore "criminal activity".

I'm so lucky my managers and the partner I worked for were so supportive. They saved my life.

I can't tell you how this affected me. I'm never going to get over this betrayal. But I'm going to put it away for a while.

Some People Have ALl the Nerve

I've mentioned a former co-worker who treated me very badly. And I took the advice of some, though not all, of the comments and completely ignored the advisory e-mail I received.

Today, though, I received a notification from Facebook that this person wanted to be my "Friend". (I think she should have thought about that before she repeatedly tried to stab me in the back.) Her exact message said, "Would love to know how you and your family are doing and swap pics so you can see my newest addition."

Her new addition is probably a rabbit or a pup or some such. What I really suspect is that, with the economic downturn (and her full, thick beard) she isn't making enough money selling Mary Kay and wants some help getting a job.

I never understood why she didn't look for another job right away when our old firm closed. I mean, I know she said she wanted to "ride the Unemployment Train as far" as she could. (I never understood why someone would be so set on becoming a stay-at-home-mom when her kid was finally in school for a full day.) I figured she'd need the money. She's married to a low-achiever...a guy who wore a black AC/DC t-shirt to his wedding (under his tux shirt) because she told him to "wear a t-shirt underneath". Last I heard he made barely more than minimum wage after being at the same job for 10 years. AND they have to support her sister and her baby. I mean, I'd be desperate for a job. Desperate enough to try to shinny up to people I've treated terribly in the past and hope they don't remember the number of ways I've tried to screw them and their families.

I assure you that, though I may be bitter, I am not heartless. I will happy to help her. Just as soon as monkeys sprout wings and fly out of my ass.

Now all I have to decide is if I should just "ignore" her request or weather I should decline and tell her why.

Your opinions?

Message for the Day

You will find the message for today in someone else's blog.

I'll be singing this all day. ALL day. And maybe tomorrow, as well.

Perfect.

I am so excited. Hanukkah just can't get here fast enough! I have found the absolutely perfect gift for Myfanwe -- one which will elicit a squeal and hand clapping, maybe a tear, and definitely hugs, kisses, and warm feelings. This is a gift she will treasure for the rest of her life.

Even though she doesn't read this blog -- she thinks it's frivolous -- I can't tell you what it is because that would be wrong. But it is the perfect gift, and I'm just about to explode! I only have to hold it in until Sunday night!

ARE YOU AN ART LOVER?

I believe that art is important to civilization. Without it, life seems colorless and dull. I would much rather have art in a room that furniture. And I tend to look down on people who dismiss art as extraneous.

I am intellectually able to look at art I personally dislike and still recognize its significance. I am personally not fond of the bulk of Georgia O'Keefe's work, though I acknowledge her brilliance and the beauty of her creations. They just aren't my cup of tea.

And I rarely am ambivalent. (Not just about art. Anything. I am a person of strong opinions.)

So it was surprising to me when I ran across the following McCarthy sculpture. The scale is impressive. (Sometimes size does matter.) But I'm really, truly ambivalent. Myfanwe is always saying that I can't intellectualize art too much -- that sometimes I just need to let art flow over me. Tell me what you think.

Santa's Little Helper: Paul McCarthy

Santa with Butt Plug (2007). Vinyl-coated nylon fabric, fans, and rigging. Installation view, Middelheim Sculpture Museum, Antwerp, Belgium

Jon Stewart and Mike Huckabee on Gay Marriage

Jon Stewart is my new hero.

"Semantics is cold comfort when it comes to humanity."

Current Events

Illinois' Governor was arrested this morning on charges he, among other things, tried to sell appointment to the United States Senate Seat vacated by President-Elect Barack Obama.

The Feds had been listening in on Governor Blagojevich's phone conversations for over a month.

I have known Rod Blagojevich for 16 years -- since his first run for State Representative. At the time, Myfanwe and I lived in his then district. I got to know him pretty well during my days as a lobbyist. He and another (asshole) legislator used to play practical jokes on me. I did a small contract job for him once and he made it very clear that he expected me to buy tickets to a fundraiser for his first run for Congress.

I believe everything the Feds say. All of it.

And the saddest thing? This guy had potential. But he lacked one thing -- a conscience. I don't know if he's missing a chromosome or what, but he is totally and completely without morals. I wish I had a DSM IV on me - I think looking for a diagnosis could be an entertaining party game. He's certainly delusional -- a week ago he was taped discussing a run for the Presidency in 2016. Have I mentioned that his favorables in Illinois are (were) running at 13%? Just for sake of comparison, that is half what George W. Bush is polling at these days!

The Governor is taped on numerous occasions talking about the financial stress his family was under. The Governor makes somewhere around $175k a year. His wife has also made a good deal of money in (shady) real estate deals. Now I don't want to diminish their financial stresses, but Myfanwe and I together don't make what what the Blagojeviches make, and we live in a lovely home, send our son to an excellent private school, are adequately clothed and fed. And we do it all without borrowing a penny, let alone resorting to theft or coercion.

I hope someone hardworking and honest and diligent and dedicated is appointed to fill President Obama's Senate seat. I know who I'd like to see in the seat -- the best man at my wedding is consistantly mentioned as a strong contender -- but I don't want to jinx it. I'm just going to keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best.

100 Life Experiences

100 Life Experiences

(Things I've done in bold.)

1. Started my own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than I can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sung a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched lightning at sea
14. Taught myself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown my own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice (No the weather was crappy when we were there!)
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught myself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (Almost. But I still want a television for the family room.)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had my portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had my picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Rode an elephant

So what have YOU done?

I AM NOT A NICE PERSON

This morning I received an e-mail from a friend and former co-worker, forwarding an e-mail from another former co-worker -- one I do not like. In this e-mail she relayed the news that her mother had died unexpectedly and asking for prayers in this difficult time.

Now my normal response to news like this is to immediately say a small prayer and then to jot off a note expressing my sympathies and asking if there is anything I could do for them or their family.

But I don't like this woman. And I have many good reasons for not liking her. Among them is the fact that when my mother was dieing of cancer, she used my absences from work as an opportunity to stab me in the back with the powers-that-be, writing e-mails to partners about how my absence was making things difficult for others. (Which meant that instead of doing nothing all day, my absence meant she actually had to work for a living.) And when my mother died she never said so much as an "I'm sorry for your loss." She didn't acknowledge my loss in any way.

I'd like to say that I have been able to call upon my better nature and say that prayer and dash off a note with a couple of consoling lines. I came up with "I hope you know what it feels like to have people around you talk about you behind your back, kick you while you are down, all while ignoring the death of your mother. And please pass on my regards to your sister. Is she still trying to convince people her son was a virgin birth? And if you really want to be taken seriously as a Mary Kay consultant, maybe you should do something about your beard."

But something tells me that isn't a good letter to send.

Like I said, I am not a nice person.

I KNOW YOU ARE SICK OF VIDEOS

...but you will have to live with one more.

Today I met my latest unmeetable deadline, and I'm so tires I cried at the effort it took to order Thai for delivery. I've already got my pajamas on and as soon as the Pad Se Eiu is disposed of, I plan to pop a West Wind dvd into the player and fall asleep to the snappy reparte of CJ Craig.

In the meantime, watch this and discuss amongst yourselves.

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

A Colbert Christmas: Jon Stewart

Colbert at Christmas
Colbert Christmas DVD

Green Screen
Bill O'Reilly Interview

Free Hugs

"Everythings Amazing...Nobody's Happy"

I don't know who Louis CK is, but this man is absolutely dead-on! A prophet.

MY FEELINGS EXACTLY.

I Am an 80-Year-Old Woman

A brief description of dining out last evening:

We decided to go to a restaurant we loved 20 years ago -- the same restaurant, in fact, where our wedding reception was held.

It is no longer there. Apparently it hasn't been for some time.

So we re-grouped and chose another restaurant, The Bagel, because we knew it had parking.

I ordered the Mish Mosh -- a half-gallon-sized bowl of chicken soup with matzo ball, kreplach, rice, noodles and kasha -- and hot tea. I commented on the fiber content of kasha.

I re-used the tea bag three times, ate only an eighth of my soup, and took the rest home, commenting that I could get two meals out of the leftovers.

As we got back into the car, I commented on how I hoped to get home and into my pajamas before the news came on.

Upsetting

Hello. I know I haven't written since the election. As you can imagine, I'm quite pleased. I just haven't been able to completely process the event. I tend to shut down.

Living 150 feet from the President Elect of the United States of America is very different from living 150 feet from a presidential candidate. We live within the perimeter, so our dry-cleaner has to have his van scanned and checked by bomb-sniffing dogs before he can deliver my shirts. One need carry identification at all times -- even when walking the dog -- because you never know when it will be requested of you.

The Secret Service is supposed to set up a command-center hotline so we can call to put expected guests "on the list". The problem is, they haven't set up that line and they don't have anyone assigned to keep the list. I'm having a bunch of people for Shabbat dinner on Friday -- they said I should make a list and give them several copies in advance. I wanted to ask them if this was the first time they had protected a President, but I didn't think it was prudent to mess with a guy who, while looking like Anderson Cooper, I knew to be a highly-trained killer.

All in all, I'm glad they are protecting President-Elect Obama, and, while I may grumble at the thoughtlessness which has accompanied their implementation, I won't complain if they go overboard. As long as the President-Elect is alive and safe, I'll grin and bear it.

So, what is upsetting?

We live in a 9-unit condo building. Two units recently changed hands. The unit above ours is now owned by a lovely couple and their 1 year-old son, and I am glad to have them around.

The other unit that sold is another story. It is another couple -- both from Sri Lanka, I believe -- and their 7-year-old daughter. I have known the mom for 10 years -- she teaches in the pre-school at Norbert's school. She is a genuinely pleasant person, and I like her very much.

Her husband may be one of the most disagreeable, ugly, rude, dismissive, hateful people I have come across. they have only lived in the building since September, but from the first moment I have disliked him.

The first time I met him, he came for an obligatory meeting with Myfanwe -- the president of the Condo Association -- which is required before a prospective owner can close on a unit. I, as you can imagine, brought out a pot of coffee and a plate of cookies as soon as I heard the bell. When I came into the room, he said, "I don't have time for this foolishness. I have somewhere to be. Let's get this over with."

NOBODY calls my cookies "foolishness".

Since early October, this man has been calling to argue over the heat. It isn't hot enough for him. He calls and leaves long, ugly messages on the voice mail. He calls during Shabbat to yell at me. Everyone gives him the same answer -- the heat is set at 71 degrees, none of the other units are cold -- in fact some of the units are too hot, there was never a complaint by the old unit-owner, and we can't raise the heat because one tenant isn't pleased. We already spend 40% of our association budget on heating.

Today I had to listen to a 30 minute argument he had with Myfanwe over the phone. It made me VERY upset. And I have to see him in the building. I don't know how to respond. I want to just be rude and ignore him, but I wasn't raised that way. Oh dear. What to do?

Obama, the Porch, and Grandpa Roscoe

Obama, the Porch, and Grandpa Roscoe

Posted using ShareThis

CHANGE

This video -- like almost everything today -- moves me to tears. You may need to try a couple of times -- I have gotten "No Longer Available" messages, but with persistence, you can view it.

Yes We Did!

YES WE DID!



This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Give thanks to the Lord, for G-d is good and His mercies endure forever."

This victory is not the end. It is the beginning. Everyone who worked to send Senator Obama to the White House must now commit themselves to working with him to bring the change this country has demanded.

More tomorrow. I'm more tired and more moved than I can find words to express.

My Neighbor.

Election Day

I woke up this morning when the alarm sounded at 5:14 a.m. and dutifully hit the "snooze" button on the clock as instructed by my Beloved, the Lovely Myfanwe. 8 minutes later, when the alarm again cried out, we both rose from our slumber -- Myfanwe to walk Mitzi and I to put the coffee on. (Myfanwe -- having not availed herself of the early-voting perogatiove -- still needed to vote.)

Having dispatched my duty with my usual efficiency, I decided to climb back into bed and enjoy the warm blankets. I immediately fell asleep.

A few minutes later, the Lovely Myfanwe woke me up with the words, "I need your help. I found a dog."

On our back porch was a poor wretch which, for lack of a better word, must be described as a dog, but was only barely recognizable, being so dirty, malnourished, and matted that it looked more like a pile of refuse. I'm calling him/her Buddy for the moment. (Can't even try to determine gender -- this dog is THAT matted.)

Buddy has water and dry dog food, but hasn't sampled either. I put out a can of chicken noodle soup, thinking s/he might have dental problems which make eating dry food difficult. Nothing. And I can feel how thin s/he is.

We are going to take him/her to the neighborhood vet as soon as it opens.

Oh, did I mention Myfanwe was at the polls before they opened, has been in line for over an hour, and doesn't expect to be home before we leave for work/school?

And there are helicopters constantly overhead -- I don't know if they are part of the increased security or if they are news, but they add to the level of unrest in the house.

If you haven't voted, you better haul ass to the polling place. Take a book and a good attitude.

Go Obama!

Another Funny

see Sarah Palin pictures

Political Humor

see Sarah Palin pictures

What An Incredible Video

TWO NOTES:

1. I was doing a pretty good job keeping my Irish bladder* in check -- until he started talking about how his generation was dying off. He and my dad, z"l, would be the same age.

2. THEN I started thinking about how he was married for 69 years. I won't get 69 years with my beloved Myfanwe. But I'd like to. (I do realize that this would make us 99 and 97 years old.)

My fondest dream is, in our advanced years, to walk, hand-in-hand, to McDonald's once a week where we each have a Filet-O-Fish and split a diet coke and an order of fries. Then, as we prepare to leave, Myfanwe pulls the scarf around my neck and makes sure my coat is buttoned, and we leave to walk back home to listen to the news, have a pot of tea, and turn in early. I especially like the hand-in-hand part. I like holding her hand.

* Irish Bladder: An organ, about the size of a pea, located right behind the eyes.

I LOVE THIS WOMAN.

Cousin Barak

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=2008-10-27_D9436LC80&show_article=1&cat=breaking

ANOTHER ENTERTAINING VIDEO

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

I ALWAYS LIKED OPIE

See more Ron Howard videos at Funny or Die

INSIDE MCCAIN'S HEAD

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

Welche Juden auf Yom Kippur Tun, ist Denken an Nahrung

Zu meinen Lesern auf Deutschland:

Ich möchte um Ihre Hilfe bitten und begnadige mich bitte, wenn mein Antrag unanständig ist.

Ich plane das Menü für ein Gemeinschaftsabendessen, das den 70. Jahrestag der Kristallnacht markiert. Es gibt ein Programmfolgen, das liturgische Musik vom Vorkriegsdeutschen (?) kennzeichnet.

Meine Absicht ist, deutsche Nahrung zu dienen. Ist hier meine Frage: tun Sie German' s essen ein Äquivalent des Goulash? Meine Großmutter bildete ein köstliches Goulash, aber ich kennen nicht, wenn sie ihm hier ausgesetzt wurde, oder wenn es aus Deutschland kam. Es würde ein großer Teller sein, zum mit spaetzle und Rotkohl zu dienen.

Oder gibt es ein anderer Teller, den Sie sich empfehlen würden. Was denken Sie?

Oh -- auch lassen Sie mich sagen, dass ich traurig bin, sind gewesen ranting und raving über amerikanische Politik. Ich verspreche, nach der Wahl interessanter zu sein.

Als immer, verzeihen Sie bitte meinem armen Deutschen. Ich bleibe Ihr ergebener Bediensteter.

QUICK DEBATE COMMENT

Did anyone (besides me) notice Grampy John say to the black man "You probably don't know who Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are..."?

Not too condescending or racist, huh?

Was that because he figured the black man couldn't read, or because he thinks black people don't own houses?

No really. I want to know. I'll wait right here for my answer.

PERFORMANCE ART

I'm not huge on the music -- it's a little repetitive and doesn't move me much -- but I think the animation is a piece of beautiful art.



I'll admit that I'm a little confused. Am I mistaken, or are two of the lovely people depicted Divine and Quentin Crisp? If it IS Quentin, they created a good enough likeness of him, but I knew him for years and he never, ever seemed mean or cross to me. He was gentle and benign and witty -- sortof like the Queen Mum, only more feminine.

Anyway, I hope you like it.

I DO NOT PAL AROUND WITH SECESSIONISTS

FOR THE LOVE OF DOG! HOW STUPID IS SHE?

Heute bin ich ein Terrorist.

I am sick and tired of Palin's lies. Sick of them. And for all her blithering about the "liberal medial elite", they sure aren't saying, "Whoa, Nellie! Hate to put a hitch in your giddyup, ma'am, but that's a lie!"

Barak Obama loves this country. Anyone who says differently isn't a very good American. Because in America we can disagree with one another without calling into question each other's patriotism. That was sort of the point of the whole experiment with Democracy.

Barak Obama does not hang out with terrorists. Period. And anyone who says he does is a liar. I've been to parties with the "terrorist*" in question, and I've read the books written by the "terrorist". I can assure you a) that he isn't a terrorist, but rather a 64 year old professor, a devoted expert in the education of urban, high-risk children; b) he's a nice guy; and c) I happen to love American. (Yes, the do-gooder, hippie, tree-hugging lefty liberal commies love America.) I guess now that I have admitted to going to parties where he was in attendance, I can never be considered for vice-president. (Something which, a month ago, I didn't have to worry about, but now. Well. Who knows. Never say never.)

If I had a kabillion dollars I would put adds out there with great big words -- "John McCain hangs with Child Molesters" and "John McCain -- cuddles up with graft and bribery!" and "Did John McCain's friends cause the latest failures, like they did the last ones?"

*I am intentionally not print the guy's name. It's been in the press enough, and, while I get an minuscule number of hits, I think the guy deserves whatever break I can give him, since he's being persecuted by the Stepford Wife & Mother. Imagine the irony -- The Weather Underground being dissed by weather girl.)

BE LIKE JULIE

John McCain: No, You Can't

John McCain vs. John McCain

TODAY'S AD

TWO CAN PLAY AT THAT GAME.

The new ad put out by John McCain really pissed me off. First of all, Bill Daley isn't a lobbyist. He's a former Commerce Secretary. McCain should remember that, since he voted for Daley's confirmation and praised his performance. And Emil Jones? Trust me, I worked for Emil Jones back in the day and, while I don't think he'd a candidate for sainthood, he isn't 1% as crooked or shady or evil as Grover Norquist or Carl Rove or Dick Cheney or Sarah Palin. I think McCain's douchebags wanted Jones' picture in the ad because Jones is black. (And not just mocha colored -- deepest, darkest Africa black.)

So I'm making my own ads.


I would like to point out that I have nothing against big gay men having big gay sex. I'm not too hot on them doing it in the bathroom. But what I don't like are a) hypocrites, and b) people who live in glass houses who think stones are off limits.

Now that that is out of the way, there are a couple of less upsetting topics:

MY SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

I know I'm a month late. Forgive me. But work sort of exploded in a way I didn't expect. It may be a little while longer, and I may end up doing it by e-mail instead of post, but I will do it, and you WILL know when I do! I think you're gonna likey!

KNITTING

Does anyone out there have their head around the Swallowtail shawl? I put it down for a couple of weeks (somewhere around 52) and I am feeling very uncertain about whether I have the right number of stitches. I'm knitting it out of laceweight silk, so I added repeats, and I have 175 stitches on the needles. How many stitches do I need in order to knit the border? Sorry to sound so pathetic, except that I am really pathetic.

KRISTY'S PUSHIN' YARN FOR CHARITY

While it is a given that regular readers here do not need to be encouraged to

• covet yarn,
• gamble irresponsibly,
• hoard yarn,
• support a good cause,
  
• NEED yarn,
  
• read a knitting blog, or
• want more yarn.

Well, Kristy has a way for you to do all of the above. But before you read her blog, know this: 100% of the funds Kristy raises goes to support the project run by my Beloved Myfanwe providing free civil legal assistance to people living with HIV or AIDS.

Now, go see Kristy and buy some raffel tickets. Or she'll sick her Wieners on you!

P.S. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE share the link to Kristy's blog with your fiber friends!
P.P.S. I am completely covetous of the Intention yarns. I like making knitting a prayerful experience, and that just seems like such an incredible way to do it!
P.P.P.S. I love how Kristy decorated her wall! I'd love to have enough lace yarn to do that!

WORST MOTHER IN THE EFFING WORLD, EVER!

Sarah Palin knew that her 17-year-old, unmarried daughter was pregnant when she made the decision to run for Vice-President.

Think about that.

No matter what happened, everyone in the State of Alaska was going to know that the unmarried, 17-year-old daughter of the Governor had, despite Alaska's abstinence-only curriculum (supported by her mother) and her mother's self-righteousness, been spreading it around the Yukon.

BUT HER MOTHER DECIDED TO RUN FOR VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SO THAT EVERYONE IN THE ENTIRE WORLD WOULD KNOW! So much for putting family above everything.

Apparently the McCain campaign knew about the pregnancy before offering Palin the VP slot. (Hard to believe.) It is also being reported by the Associated Press that they released the information on the unplanned pregnancy to dispel rumors that Sarah Palin's 4 month old son was really the illegitimate offspring of her 17-year old.

Sarah Palin sacrificed her daughter's dignity and privacy for her own ambition. She is THE WORST MOTHER IN THE EFFING WORLD, EVER.

John McCain's campaign put out a press release announcing the pregnancy, and in it said "Senator McCain's view is this is a private family matter." Well then why did they put out a press release?

It seems that there are several roads to stupid and the McCain campaign is determined to take all of them. I just wish they wouldn't take them all on one day. It's giving me a headache.

I've Been a Little Busy -- Boston Edition

We stayed at the Beacon Hill Holiday Inn at the Northern base of Beacon Hill. Perfectly acceptable. Great location. Although it did mean a lot of walking up Beacon Hill. (Myfanwe has not completely wrapped her mind around the hill concept until we got there.)

Our first visit to the Boston Common was awesome. It isn't a place that pictures can do justice. It is the oldest, and I believe the most incredible, public park in America.

Norbert, Myfanwe and I were particularly fond of the Frog Pond, as wading through it was cooling and a balm for weary feat. We walked a lot. A LOT. My feet still hurt.

It was Turkish American Day at the Boston Common.

And where there are Turks...

...there's Turkish Coffee.

We didn't understand the significance of the costumes, but these men really, really wanted to have their picture taken with Norbert, who was very kind to oblige.


We saw Senator John Kerry's house.

And the house where Louisa May Alcott died.


There were Lobster Rolls and Chow-dah.


An Unofficial Harvard Tour. (Highly recommended.)



(Note: DON'T rub John Harvard's foot for good luck. Apparently Harvard boys, when not attending meetings of their secret societies, like to get drunk and figure out what nastiness they can do with Harvard's feet, knowing that every day a new batch of people will come through and rub it. Upon since hearing this, I instantly became addicted to hand sanitizer.)


We went to Herrel's for Ice Cream!

This is malted vanilla with Heath bars smooshed in. Possibly one of the best things I've ever eaten.


This was the view of the Charles River from our hotel room.


We went to the Kennedy Library.



We went to the most unusual book store I've ever seen.


Boston's Chinatown, where we had some excellent Vietnamese. (Go figure.)



Everyone knows how much I love Laughing Buddhas.


We went here...



At my cousin Kevin's recommendation we stopped at Mike's Pastry in the North End.




Oh. My. Dog. Everything there was so good. Sinful. So sinful, we stopped in here:


We saw this:

And this:


We ate a Giacomo's -- possibly the hottest table in Boston. We lucked into it, really. If you look closely, you can see some of the 60 people lined up down the street waiting to get in.


We liked the name, so on our last day in Boston we ate lunch here.


We also a number of graveyards. I don't remember who was buried here, but it was someone dead.


I loved this statue of Benjamin Franklin at the old City Hall -- which is now a steakhouse.


The Irish Famine Memorial:



I believe this was the seat of the Colonial government.

Amazing that the lion and unicorn survive.



We got to go out on the water a bit. Just on the ferry to Charlestown. But it was free (we had Charlie Cards) and it was beautiful.




One day we did the Back Bay. This is the Boston Public Library.


The building is truly a work of art.


Shopping on Newberry Street was very pleasant. There was Condomworld...



... and Kitchen Arts.



So wherever we went, we were cookin'!

There is a monument in the Public Garden commemorating the discovery of ether as an anaesthetic.



I still think that is way cool.

We didn't see the signs that say not to feed the ducks until after we had fed the ducks. They ate right out of our hands.


Then we took a swan boat for another water excursion.


It was a glorious day.


That evening we were taken to dinner by an old friend of Myfanwe's from childhood. We dined at a waterfront restaurant.



Now, to close, I offer you a glimpse of the fountain in the courtyard of the Boston Public Library. Absolutely top drawer.




Now I have to go to bed. I start back to work in the morning. And I'm still a little tired!