Unless you've been under a rock or something for the past few weeks, you should know that today is Superbowl Sunday. I am an Indianapolis Colts fan, and my team is playing my husband's team (the New Orleans Saints) today.. This friendly rivalry has been the highlight of the season and as our daughter is proud to say, a true measure of how we much we love each other. I'm taking a moment from my preparations to do what I always do on Superbowl Sunday... panic.
I am a football fan. I've been a football fan for as long as I can remember. Saturday afternoons propped up in front of the television with my father or uncles, Sunday afternoons learning the minor details of the game. I love football.
This time last year, I muttered about how NEXT week would signal the end of the football season. Since the Pro Ball was moved to the week before the Superbowl this year, I realized this is it... the season is over tonight. I think I need to be put on suicide watch.
The really sad thing about the end of football season is there's 8 weeks before baseball season starts. The eight weeks in between are torture for me. Even with the winter olympics this year, I just don't know what to do with myself. I only like skiing, and not even that much. Hockey is out of the question, and basketball, ugh... tall, skinny people in baggy shorts shooting balls at baskets just doesn't move me.
So, the orgasmic high that is the Superbowl will end with a bang... tonight. After nearly 20 weeks of foreplay, teasing, moments of joy, tears, sadness, confusion, amusement, my annual affair with football is over. Tomorrow at school, I'll discuss the game with students and teachers and by Monday night, I'll be circled up in a ball in my bed wondering if I will survive. Its over; I can't stand it.
Although I'm not as big a fan of college ball as I am of pro ball, I will, if not otherwise occupied, watch the draft and at some point in July, I'll begin my flirtation with the sport again. Then, as always, I"ll be back here, the first weekend of February, suffering... interruptus.
Lord help me....
Labels: random thoughts
Okay, its time for the political correctness police to dust off their robes and wander around aimlessly as people make excuses for saying what they say.
In case you've weren't aware, Chief of Staff Rahm Emmauel, behind closed doors (where most of us assume we're safe from the PC Police) called a group of liberals who wanted to run ads against conservatives "f*ckin retards". Somehow, our favorite Republican Barbie Sarah Palin found out about his comments and noted that what he said was inappropriate. Remember, Sarah is the mother of a child with cognitive and physical disorders. I, as a teacher, a parent and a citizen of the world, agree with her, that word is not on the cool list. (don't panic, I'm allowed to agree with her sometimes, ok?)
In the meantime, our favorite Republican Mouthpiece, Rush Limbaugh used the term publically during his radio program basically denouncing Sarah's need/desire to make that word go away. When asked about what she thought of his use of the term publically, Sarah, kinda, sorta, reprimanded him. Go figure.
Tim Shriver, CEO of the Special Olympics isn't happy about any of it. He jumped on both Emmauel and Limbaugh about it. Emmauel apologized. Limbaugh hasn't yet (and knowing him, probably won't; man, I hope I get to eat those words) As part of the Special Olympics' "Spread the Word to End the Word" campaign, a website has been set up to pledge not to use the "R-Word" anymore. Shriver has also sent our dear Mr. Limbaugh a very strongly worded email that in part makes it clear that members of our society with intellecual disabilities are human, same as he is (personal tongue bite), and that his position as a public figure and commentator has an enormous influence on others. Basically, Tim told Rush to quit being a retard.(yay for Tim!)
I, as a teacher, mother, daughter of a special education teacher, and member of the world, have always tried to be sensitive to the hearts and emotions of my fellow humans. I am female, of African descent, height challenged, sight impaired, intelligent and outspoken: all of the stuff that is foder for comment and ridicule. I've been called a "dumb girl/woman", nigger, midget, blind, wannabewhite and bitter, arrogant bitch. I can relate to not wanting to be called something negative.
I join Sarah, fellow female, sight impaired, intelligent and outspoken, who also happens to be mother of an intellecually impaired child, in saying to Rush, just shut the hell up man. This time, you are really out of order. Apologies are in order, you know it, get to it.
Everyone, make the pledge, make the "R-Word" go away.
Labels: mah peoples..., politics as usual
Three random thoughts today...
- The 2010 Census. I still hear some of my less informed, pretending to have a clue people talking about how the census is just the government's way of getting all in our business. Ok stupidos, if you need to beleive that, cool..
- Political Naivete. Ladies and gentlemen who didn't know where their polling place was before November 4, 2008, listen carefully. I love you, seriously, but shut up.
As intimated above, politics in this country requires participation in ALL aspects of the process, starting with getting counted. In order to have your voice heard, you must be counted among the living. That doesn't happen if you don't complete the census form people. If you want to continue to get your food stamp card filled every month, it would help if someone knew that, so that the money and food is there for you to use. Random thought #3 segue...
- The hidden rules of captialism. (poverty, middle class and wealth)
I have begun reading "A People's History of the United States", by Howard Zinn. Fascinating book. It tells the history of this country from the point of view of everyone except the wealthy and academia, who, in case you weren't aware, were/are the ones who decide what we should and shouldn't know about ourselves (all of us, not just the people with copious melanin in their skin). After I got beyond my general disgust at the way the Spanish and Italians killed off the aborigines on the Americas, I have been able to deal with colonial arrogance in the face of true economic and social wealth. We as a people in this country need to consider the words put to us via the media and from our pulpits. We really do.
so when pastor tells you not to complete the census form, or when the dudes on CNN only tell you the stuff someone upstairs told them to tell you, consider this:
This is still our country. We still get to comment and make our voice heard. We all have functioning brains and should begin to use them. You don't get to complain when your political lines are redrawn, or your taxes raised, or school funding in your district slashed... if you choose to be silent.
the forms come out in March. We shall revisit this topic at that time.
carry on.
Labels: mah peoples..., politics as usual
Labels: mah peoples...
I know, I know, I haven't been blogging. I decided to get a life... a little winter pagan holiday gift to myself, haha. But, its "time to make the random thoughts!"
However, the new year is upon us and all attempts on my part to make annual resolutions I know I will never keep have been squashed and I am now secure in my ability to resolve to do things...daily. Its working out nicely, thank you.
This will, naturally, be a year of continued growth, moving forward, only looking back to smile and wipe a tear where warranted. I have nowhere to go but up and out and over >>>>>there! There were a few bumps in the road last year, easily paved over with either blanket dismissal or amused denial and I will continue to work on the various things in my life that work for me, knowing its pissing the hell out of people that I'm doing it all without breaking a sweat.
I took it upon myself to pick up a new copy of Laurie Beth Jones' book Jesus, Entrepeneur (old title "Jesus, Inc") as I apparently gave away my old copy and am focused on a daily movement toward what she calls "spiritrepeneurship"... finding my gift (done), shaping it (getting there) and presenting it to the world for what it is, my spirit, my gift from God, to others (check back this time next year... or sooner).
If you've never read any of Laurie's books, I happily recommend them. Written in bible study form, using real world, real time examples, she applies Jesus' teachings to the fine art of business. Yes, ladies and gents, you too can love God and make a living doing it without fleecing the flock. People do it daily. Check out her stuff sometime, seriously.
In addtion to doing a little light reading, I'm working on a bonified marketing plan for the jewelry store. I've signed up for a few online marketing classes, am figuring out how google analytics works (help me Jesus!) and networking with other jewelry designers who aren't so full of themselves that they think everything they do is top secret. I am doing a lot of custom work. I've been told to hit the craft fair circuit... we'll see, we'll see...
Teaching the middle schoolers has been the experience of a lifetime. Would you believe, this bunch of knuckleheads want to learn science? Who would have thought! In one of the first studies in Jesus Entrepreneur, Laurie talks about taking the leap of faith that leads to your spiritual entrepeneurship. I do believe I've jumped, flown, and may never land. I hope not at least.
Well enough randomness for the 7th day of the 2010th year since Romans figured out how to put together a calendar. I'm watching snow fall and wondering if maybe I should put off moving to St. Thomas for 5 years. Man, I love winter! (did I say that?)
To all that read this, Happy New Year, and do one thing differently, every single month this year. You'll be surprised at the result.
Lubya!!
Labels: spiritual musings
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