Not a Hobby-Lobby Kinda Gal

I've never been the hobby type. I mean, I have varied interests in a lot of things but never took the time to really get in to something of interest. Painting, dogs, writing, coloring, dogs, reading, anything with the dogs, cooking, baking, dogs...I'm all over the place all the time. Moving in to a new home has brought new interests and new space to work on these new interests for sure but I haven't really landed on any one thing, sorta. For example, I like my yard. Mostly. Still needs some work of which my sweet Huckleberry will be facilitating. Hey, I help a little! My whole thing is chores (yard work) turn in to temporary hobbies and end up being treated like projects. When the project is done I start another or two and sometimes never finish one completely!

My mother has this magical power were she can grow anything in the most nutrient lack, sandy soil. Everything in her yard and planters flourish! The blueberries, mangoes, avocado, bananas, dragon fruit, star fruit, sugar apples, citrus, tomatoes, etc have all found their way to my belly at some point! I know at times some of her plants end up dead but not from her lack of trying to cultivate and nourish. Conditions being as they are on the beach - some things just don't do well with the salty air. My dad...he grew orchids in his trees!

Audrey III

I have always held some interest in gardening except for the dirt and the sweat and the weird caterpillars and spiders and other icky things associated with dirt and plants and the stuff that makes you itch but have no idea what you touched. You understand why Huckleberry ends up doing most of the yard work, right? Anywho, I always loved taking care of roses. I have a beautiful rose bush in a pot given to me by my darling for Valentine's Day several years ago. She has given me many sweet smelling blooms and I take care of her most. Clipped a bud to put in a vase today as a matter of fact. Her fragrance is wonderful! I now have a Don Juan rose bush climbing the side of the house left here by the previous owners. It's ok - needs a lot of work. The roses are larger since its a bigger plant but they don't smell. Huckleberry bought me two more rose bushes he planted by the climber - I can't wait to see how those do! I have other varied potted plants and herbs, too, all in different stages of hospice need.  

First self buy - Orange Girl

I bought myself an orchid when we moved in after almost killing my Christmas gift from dear brother and sister-in-law. When I saw how much the almost dead orchid liked being on the covered patio and started growing new roots and leaves, I was stoked! What did I do? Go buy more! I have eleven orchids now, a mixture of gifts and self purchases, and was hoping the bamboo orchids from Hawaii would grow (Xmas gift from Huckleberry) but I think I've murdered them in my early ignorance of caring for orchids. My favorite orchid is the phalaenopsis, the one with really big, flat leaves. I have a few dendrobuim and understand they are more suited for neglect which fits my level of care perfectly! 

Messy night shot but look at all those healthy plants!

I've read blogs and care sites all saying different, contradictory things about how to take care of these plants. I found my own variation of care using all the tips I've learned and seems to be the best type of care so far. I have new roots developing, leaves growing, and new flower spikes sprouting from the plant base. All good signs I'm doing something right! My tips: I water each plant once every 7-10 days when the moss feels dry with only a quarter cup. Stick your finger down in the pot...if its dry, water! I use a spray bottle with a weak fertilizer mixture and spray the base of each plant weekly. This seems to be the trick! Oh, orchids are sensitive to too much, too hot sun. Covered patios and indoor windowsill rotation are great locations to grow a healthy, blooming plant. Over watering causes roots to rot and plants to die. Too much and too hot sun burns the plant. Learned these lessons the hard way.

 

So I guess I do kind of have a hobby. Roses and orchids! 

Knock, knock, knockin' on 50's door....

I have learned so much about nutrition and the metabolic process in the past two months. I didn't even realize, at first, my new healthy eating habits have a name. I was more about not eating sugar, grains, and starchy vegetables. I am all about the low carb life because flour and sugar is not food! It worked for me 8 years ago when I lost 92 pounds and I am resolute it will work for me again. 

After 8 weeks and 5 days this is what I have learned. 

First, I found I inadvertently chose a Ketogenic way of eating. This means I eat low carbs, good fats (all about the fats), and moderate protein. Carbs are derived from vegetables and the few fruits I eat. Sometimes cheese. There is a bunch of science backing this way of eating to be super healthy for the obese, diabetic, and epileptic populations. As a matter of fact, the diet was specifically designed to help epileptic people improve brain function and reduce seizures. Keto has also been found to reduce bad cholesterol, increase good cholesterol, reduce high blood pressure, blood sugars, and improve female fertility (No! That ship sailed in 1993). Not to mention, this way of eating has increased cognitive function for those who suffer from dementia and Alzheimer's due to the amount of good fats eaten. Ok, I'll take it! 

Second, there is sugar in every effing processed and prepackaged food known to man. In dressings. In processed meats like deli ham or turkey. Even bacon and seasonings! If you do find there is no sugar (specifically) in the ingredients there are other forms of sugar listed. Gah! You can't get away from it! At this point you end up spending much more $$$ on grass fed and/or organic foods to avoid the sugar. Our commercial food makers are trying to purposely keep us addicted to their brands by adding sugar as a top ingredient to everything they market. You are better off learning how to make your own buttermilk ranch or blue cheese dressing let alone using single spices to make the steak rub you like minus the sugar. Imagine my disappointment to find out my favorite seasoning has sugar as a second ingredient. MFers.

Third, as you get older weight loss comes at a glacial pace. It is S-L-O-O-O-W. Really, really, really slow. I keep stepping on the darned scale and it doesn't move for weeks then boom, three pounds down to a total of 15 in a little over 8 weeks. Not bad. I wish it were more but I am exercising now using weights mostly so the scale isn't going to show weight loss progress if I'm trading fat for muscle. We all know that drill. I do see my figure changing as in my middle isn't much an XXL marshmallow now. Instead of having one big Buddha belly I now have rolls again. I realize happiness in that kind of progress is kind of messed up, but hey, I am kinda starting to see a waistline again and that has me pumped! Still wearing the same clothes but they fit so much more comfortably. I am becoming less self conscious in fitted gym clothes but that is more a change in attitude than self perception. I like exercising now especially when those endorphins kick in. Comfortable work out clothes is essential to a good workout. And duh, I'm fat so suck it with your fat shaming thoughts when you see me sweating at the gym wearing Fabletics like I belong in them. You heard me. Kiss my ass 'cause you can't miss it! 

Fourth, my body seems to be healing from the inside out. The eczema patches on my face are gone. The rough and bumpy skin on my arms is virtually gone. Oily scalp has subsided. Dry skin is on the mend. Female issue not so much anymore though mood swings are still a mess. That has to be menopause. I have taken two little purple pills for acid reflux in the past two months. I was taking one of those a day with a Tums chaser before. Haven't had a migraine headache since I started watching my diet and cut out sugar and grains. I did have a bout with sinusitis from Hell but if I am not mistaken a ketogenic diet that results in ketosis means you are burning fat instead of sugar (insulin) for fuel which makes this a common thing. Great! But Why? I'll tell you why. Toxins and hormones are stored in your fat cells. When I started burning fat instead of sugar I got all kinds of sick and cranky and funky from the release of toxins. Yeah. I kinda sorta knew this would happen but boy did not expect it to hit me like a bus.

Fifth, it's not all that hard to get in to the groove of eating the right foods to fuel your body. I have a minuscule amount of cravings for sweets. I like eating eggs and bacon and salmon and rib eye steaks with butter and avocados and olives and cheese burgers and all beef hot dogs. Don't hold the cheese please! I found the trick for me is variety but keeping the staples of what I know I enjoy on hand. For instance, my version of bulletproof coffee. Drip coffee, grass fed butter, MCT oil, heavy whipping cream, a good mix with the portable froth wand and SHAZAM! Instant breakfast that holds my appetite for hours and gets my brain out of the fog. 

Y'all, this climb up the 50 hill sucks. Hopefully my newly developing habits make the climb easier. Soon. 

Changing your ways in your late 40's

I've been on a pseudo keto diet for 15 days now. I say pseudo because I am following the philosophy of not eating sugar or grains (rice, beans, pasta, bread - you know, the good stuff) but I am not a 'macro' nut regarding tracking fats and protein. Every time I want to feed my face I ask three things: 1. Is this healthy? 2. Will this food help me be healthy? 3. Will I lose some of this menopausal thickness if I eat this healthy food? Seriously. I was saddened to not have a waist while carrying a wide load because, baby, I always had back. Unfortunately the itty bitty waist has become a dwindling bygone. It's a horrible feeling not being able to button my jeans and having to dig out the elastic waist pants. I was always tired and my hair was falling out. My face was breaking out. My skin is in bad shape with dryness and deepening creases. I was starting to look my age. GAH! As I see it though the only drawback to this journey is my boobs become first tribute when I start to downsize. On the flip side it's great my double chin is disappearing! Really...it's not touching my neck anymore. Look, I'm not on a path to be 15 year old me. It isn't realistic to think I'll ever be that thin again. Do I want to be healthier and a few pant sizes smaller as a result of eating healthier though? Heck yeah!!

It is so easy to put on weight and not notice. This is especially true when you work at home in yoga pants every day. Not having to put on trousers and jeans regularly is a disservice to your waistline people! Make good practice of putting on pants that have a button and zipper occasionally. That is most telling way of knowing if your waist is expanding. Eating like I didn't need to watch what I eat was a killer too. This is how I got to where I am now and why I need to lose some weight (ok, a lot) to decrease my blood pressure and keep my hypoglycemia in check. Nothing more fun than breaking out in to a cold sweat and shakes when you're in the drive through at McD's. Yeah, that was my life because I didn't give my body the right fuel.

The first few days were hell detoxing from the sugar. Day one was pretty miserable adjusting to not grabbing the crackers to fill the hole in my belly but day two...holy crap! I was hungry ALL darn day. I would have eaten the drywall if I thought it'd stop the gnawing agony of my stomach trying to digest itself. Day three was not so horrible but I was craving wine and sweets. Day four however is when I suspected I entered, or sort of entered, ketosis. Nah, I'm not going to go full "expert" on ya because that I am not. Here's the simple breakdown, "Ketosis is a normal metabolic process, something your body does to keep working. When it doesn't have enough carbohydrates from food for your cells to burn for energy, it burns fat instead." (See: WebMD) THAT is the whole point of being in ketosis - burning your fat reserves for energy thus reducing weight and ass spread. Yay for a smaller ass! 

One of the more challenging parts of activating my fat cells for energy is all the hormones that are being released from these fat reserves. One of those hormones released form fat stores is estrogen.  I have always been unbalanced and this has resulted in many years of womanhood suffering. Not to mention other atrocities that are better left unspoken. That is where all my problems began as a teenager with developing endometriosis and later developing fibroids and ovarian cysts. I am a raging estrogen factory and has resulted in a very difficult life pretty much every day of the month. I was recently - about two years ago, placed on a progesterone regimen to balance my hormones out. While it has helped to this point the new flood of estrogen being released from fat stores has made life a little, well, interesting. Needless to say the chains on my mood swing haven't snapped thank goodness but I have been experiencing some of the old discomforts resulting form the estrogen wash through my blood stream. I did not know estrogen and several other hormones were stored in our fat cells so this came as a surprise.

The benefit of changing my diet so far has been pretty darn awesome aside from the few surprises that came up. Not only am I down 10 pounds I am sleeping better. What was becoming a "I think I need a cpap" snore has waned to almost normal again. That's what I'm told anyway. C'mon. Everyone snores! Thankfully it's not loud like it was. I have more energy during the day and a better mental focus now because I am sleeping better. I didn't experience the keto flu that everyone complains about - or I did and had no idea it was happening. My acid reflux has really calmed down and not needing the little purple pill as often. I was a bit brain foggy in the beginning but that didn't last too long. I know my super wonderful boyfriend will beg to differ on that one - sorry Sugar, I'll always be part ditz. 

Anyway. Two weeks isn't long enough to start seeing results but I sure am feeling them. To me, that is a great start!

Why aren't DACA Dreamers seeking citizenship when they come of age?

Many times my opinions surrounding political issues are unpopular and is the primary reason I typically keep quiet. I feel compelled however to talk about the most recent topic in the news regarding DACA, immigration reform, and the 'dreamers' (many now adults) it affects. I had so many questions about this topic but after a little research found some clarification. Even armed with new knowledge I still feel the same. My final thoughts about DACA being rescinded by our current administration will likely remain unpopular.

I had to wonder why a "dreamer" and/or any illegal immigrant in general failed to begin the naturalization process. Do they understand they continue to perpetuate a serious immigration issue by not following through with the proper citizenship process? Don't they understand they may be deported to a country they do not know (if here since childhood)? One they may not even speak the language? Are you that sure you will not break up your family by thumbing your nose at the law? A story broke yesterday about a gentleman that was forced by ICE to go back to his home country after being here 30 years illegally. Bear in mind, the rescinding of DACA was not the reason this fella was sent packin' as the article will lead you to believe in this case. He's too old to qualify for DACA to start. It's possible he may have qualified if and when a new executive order for DACA expanded the ages. Pfft. As if. It was not a gamble ICE was willing to bet on. Unfortunately he over stayed his illegal welcome and ICE decided it was time for him to go.

Here's the article: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/01/15/deported-after-30-years/1034668001/ 

Let's regroup and discuss. This fella knew since 2009 he had to do something to make his stay legal and didn't. The fact he was brought to the United States by an undocumented family member at the age of 10 doesn't change that he chose to do nothing to correct his situation. He went to school, became a productive member of society (paid taxes), married, and began his own family. He's a grown 39 year old man now with tween age children and a wife and he couldn't be bothered to clear up his undocumented illegal situation? I'm not an immigration lawyer nor am I an expert in immigration law but doesn't he have some protections being married to an American citizen? That is what I originally believed DACA was designed for. Essentially yes, but not in this guys case. Come to find out, he doesn't have protections because he is not here nor was he ever here legally. Even if he fell under DACA he is still unable to become a legal citizen. He will never meet permanent residency requirements to become a legal citizen due to the nature of his arrival and current immigration laws. The rescinding of DACA had nothing to do with his deportation. His separation from his family is of his own doing. He simply ran out of extensions to stay illegally. It's heartbreaking to see a family split up like this but when will people start taking personal responsibility for their own circumstances?

What is DACA?

What is the DREAM Act 2001

This is where the true topic of debate starts. DACA is not a law. It is a temporary executive order of relief implemented by the Obama administration directing USCIS to grant limited, temporary benefits to student "dreamers" (DACA was ordered as a short term solution to the DREAM Act of 2001) raised here in the US. DACA considers this group a low priority to immigration enforcement as long as they do not have a criminal history. They must apply, complete a back ground check, and pay a fee every two years to extend their stay. It is not nor is it meant to be a pathway to any form of legal immigration status such as permanent residency. Permanent residency is the primary step necessary to become a US citizen and DACA recipients are not eligible to become permanent residents, therefore cannot become US citizens. There is no legal pathway for anyone covered under DACA to become a citizen of the United States. Well, there is one way but it is VERY risky involving crossing the border to their home country and hoping to God they are let back in to the US. DACA was executed to keep these "innocents" from being deported and essentially separated from their families. DACA was designed as a humanitarian measure only until Congress could sort out their immigration reform laws. It was not meant to be a perpetual solution to the main issues of immigration reform. This why I believe DACA was rescinded by our current administration. DACA is a band-aid and it's long past time to rip it off.

I know for certain many of you are NOT fans of our current President. There is a visceral loathing for this man and it's understandable. He's rude, crude, and socially unacceptable to put it simply and mildly. I, too, flinch every time he opens his mouth in hopes he isn't eating his foot once again. But do you not realize he just did the DREAM Act, Immigration Reform, and Congress a favor by rescinding DACA last September? Don't forget there is still a six month stay on DACA so Congress has until March. Trump has essentially forced the hand of Congress to find a reasonable solution by way of new laws to advance amnesty that will be acceptable by all and a benefit to our United States. Congress is the reason we are in this mess. Congress is only rushing it now to close out the new spending budget. Congress has failed over and over to come to a reasonable and beneficial solution to provide legal citizenship to thousands of minor aliens (many who are now adults) here illegally by no fault of their own.  Side question of curiosity: What is the benefit of Congress keeping these folks illegal? Anywho...We need immigration reform in general. Fixing the DREAM Act, in my opinion, will be the first positive step Congress can make. It's time to succeed, Y'all. Seriously. Congress tried four years in a row to make this bill a law and gave up. Just threw up their hands and said "forget it." How confident does that make you feel about our legislative process? As a side note, this is why I support term limits. We have too many establishment elite's on both sides of the aisle taking handouts from their donors and no longer caring for their constituents, you and me.

Furthermore, Congressional threats of government shut down to prove the sad point of their gross incompetence is not the answer.  Get to work, Congress,  and stop your childish posturing! All of you! For the love of Pete, it's time to play nice in the sand box and work together. 

PS...

I never cared about a wall one way or the other. I'd rather we spend our tax dollars on more tangible infrastructure. Using the wall (this is the proverbial "stick" Republicans aim to beat the Democrats over the head with) as the only way to to come to an agreement on immigration reform is the wrong bargaining tool. We have no ground to stand on if you keep pulling that rabbit out of your hat, Mr. President. To hec with the wall for now. The Dems will never agree to it. Find the "carrot" the Dems want instead and use it to your advantage. You did write, Art of the Deal, didn't you? 

If the vinegar ain't workin' it's time to get the honey...

Passive aggressive behavior pisses me off and the irony is not lost on me.

Recently, I found myself in a situation where I made a mistake. It doesn't matter how big or small the mistake was, it was a mistake. I hid the truth from someone to avoid a confrontation. Call it a lie, an omission of facts, whatever. It was a mistake. I still feel my reason behind hiding the truth is legitimate and doing what I did really had nothing to do with what I was hoping to accomplish or directly related anyway. Yes I am trying to reason my reason. Human nature. Alas, this person took it as a personal assault and felt I was out to get them, throw them under a bus, de-legitimize, or discredit them in some way. No. That is not what I was doing contrary to what they may think and no, it never happened this whole throw them under a bus, de-legitimize, or discredit them thing. 

The important thing here is I realized my error and apologized. Sincerely. I acknowledged what I did and how I realized it was wrong of me and said I was sorry. And I still mean it with sincerity. It was not my intention to hurt this person, ever. We shared many great times in and out of work over the past few years and I didn't want to lose that over a mistake. I hoped this person would come around and engage in adult conversation again soon to get us past this speed hump. 

I was and still am sincere in my apology. I know this person well enough though to expect it would be a while before we would speak again. Out of respect and loyalty to this person I gave them space and time to process their anger as any caring and loyal friend would do. I'm a firm believer of giving space to sort things out. It's how I'd want to be treated in this same situation. Imagine my surprise and how glad I was when this person liked a bunch of my posts a few days after the incident. They even sent me a nice "Happy 4th" text message to which I replied! I was hoping this was going to reopen dialogue. I was missing our friendship but still kept my distance out of respect. I didn't want to act as though nothing had happened or make them feel like I'm forcing myself back on them. For some reason though things turned south a day or two later. I am not even sure what happened or why. 

We were friends on Facebook and we have many friends and acquaintances in common. So I see it all. This person began posting quotes and memes about sneaky people, liars, shady folks, and even snakes in the grass. These were all of the things I was called specifically when the fight happened. This person was even making snide remarks on their own timeline in response to posts I made on my timeline like I was hiding some secret message that required a cryptic response. Look, I suspected these posts were passively aggressively focused on me and it wasn't coincidental. I'm pretty sure of my suspicion. Now I was siting here stupidly allowing this person to disrespect and insult me publicly on Facebook (albeit indirectly) thinking it was part of the anger purge. I remained quiet and didn't let it get to me and gave them the benefit of the doubt but I am now unfriended on Facebook! What the fuck kind of juvenile shit is that?

This isn't the first time this person stopped talking to me. This person stopped talking to me for six months or so over something that had absolutely zero to do with them and was a result of nothing I did at all. I'm not the only one that has been subject to this behavior. I can attest to that. This person is now likely talking about me behind my back as though I never mattered. Actually, I know this for a fact. I believe it's time someone speaks up and speaks out. I can't keep it zipped any longer. I did long enough out of respect but that shit is clean out the window now. 

But wait! After all this it hit me! While my mistake was the catalyst for this behavior this is not about me! Not about me at all!

This person has spent their entire life playing victim to their own circumstances. This story is no longer about how or why I hid the truth. This story shines a spotlight on how this person is unable to be a true friend through good and bad because they don't know true happiness. It's so sad. Conflict makes this person uncomfortable and wants nothing to do with it. Like it's a shameful act or something to deal with conflict. I know how to avoid conflict with me! Just throw me away and get a new friend or recycle an old one. Yep. I said it.

Show of hands, how many of you had serious fights with your friends over the years but work through it? You put it aside because the good times together outweigh the slights dealt each other over the years. You bond on common ground and you're heart breaks for them when they are going through tough times. I have life long friends I trust to forgive me for any transgression infinitely larger than the one I dealt this person. I love them and they love me. I am not saying there are unforgivable acts that can't be forgiven. I'm just saying we are all human and we all make mistakes. When you care enough about someone and the friendship you have, and you are a grown ass adult, you try to find an understanding instead of just kicking them to the curb with out the courtesy of a Fuck You.

Anywho, this story is about a person that claims loyalty to all friends but has no idea what true loyal friendship is. You don't publicly defame people you care about and are loyal to over a misunderstanding. You don't talk about them behind their back like they never matter to you. No, you just don't do that to people you care about. I didn't do it to you. 

Life is short and there is no time to waste on hateful, negative people. It's just a harsh reality y'all. Lesson learned.

It's a three ring circus and media focuses on the show in only one ring...

I have to admit, United Airlines is in the midst of massive negative publicity cycle (now exponential) after the most recent horror of a "customer service" issue this past Sunday evening. The media seems to be honing in on United Airlines as the only culpable party. More on that in a minute. Listen, I am in no way defending what happened. I am not supportive of how the events transpired. Just because they are legally or federally obligated to do what they did, I feel they could have done more to avoid injury to the doctor.

The facts of the events that I am aware: The flight was not over booked. Passengers were boarded and in their seats. The United Airlines flight 3411 was full with no open seats remaining. Four seats were needed in the last minutes to carry employees to their destination. Must-Ride employee passengers (I just learned about this) is a thing with all airlines and has to do with minimizing the number of passengers that must be inconvenienced, or rather re-accommodated - something to do with these folks having to get to Kentucky so they didn't have to cancel and entire flight displacing hundreds of flyers instead of just four. UAL asked for four volunteers offering $400 and a room for the night with a flight leaving first thing in the morning. No takers. UAL increased the offer to $800 and a room for the night with a flight out in the morning. No takers. The gate agent apparently did not have authorization to offer a higher reward. UAL used the computer to select four passengers to remove. They were going to be compensated with the $800 each, a room for the night, and a flight in the morning even though they did not volunteer since that was the going offer. Three of the four passengers selected by this random drawing decided to deplane when asked politely the first time by the flight crew. 

The one passenger that refused? Any of the federal laws that are going to be reviewed by FAA, DOT, or DOJ is not what I am going to focus on because I am not aware of those laws or rules or regulations or whatever. I don't work for an airliner or the government. It seems to be the consensus with most media sources (regardless of what side they are supporting) that United had the legal right to remove the passengers already seated. I'm more interested in who is responsible with the doctor's injuries. Media will have you believe it's all on United.  

Why the hec did this one passenger refuse to leave the plane when asked politely by United flight crew? He says he's a doctor and he has patients to see the next day. Well, my recall tells me United offered a flight so he'd make it home the next morning. What difference would it have made if he arrived that evening or in the morning? He was getting a good night sleep either way. Unless his patients have rare illnesses and he's the only doctor in the world that can treat them then, OK. Pick another passenger or something. Why re-accommodate this doctor passenger? Far fetched? Yes. Again, there may have been much more United could have done to avoid the doctor's physical removal but maybe there wasn't. I wasn't there to know for certain. Neither were most of you with your opinions of outrage of which you are all entitled.

Who is responsible for the doctor's injuries? It's reported he suffered a concussion, busted nose, two broken teeth and sinus injury that may require surgery, How did that happen? Well, when the doctor refused to get out of his seat an airport officer, not a United employee, had to forcibly yank him out of his seat. The force of the yank caused the doctor to fall forward and that fall forward - not push - is how the injury occurred. You see this in the videos plainly. Well, here's were you may decide you don't like me anymore because I feel the doctor, after refusing to leave his seat of his own volition, is partly responsible for his own injury. I do not know what the doctor's motivation was for NOT complying with a request to deplane by UAL and airport authorities. I don't believe the doctor intended to get his face bashed from his forward gravitational trajectory when yanked from his seat or even expected to suffer a concussion and broken teeth when he refused to leave the plane on his own. I don't know he man to know his motivation. But I bet you he saw an opportunity to turn an $800 award in to a multi-million dollar settlement. He just didn't gamble on needing surgery after all is said and done. 

As always,

M


http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/04/10/523275494/passenger-forcibly-removed-from-united-flight-prompting-outcry

http://time.com/4735340/must-ride-passengers-united-airlines/

https://thepilotwifelife.wordpress.com/2017/04/11/i-know-youre-mad-at-united-but-thoughts-from-a-pilot-wife-about-flight-3411/

http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2017/04/11/real-reason-man-dragged-off-united-flight-stop-happening/

    

I come in peace

Blogging or Facebooking is not a feigned attempt at hiding my true self from my friends and family. I'm not throwing my rants out for the world to read then ducking behind some imaginary wall to avoid the egg throwing. Yes, I was accused of this. I use blogging as an outlet like some use art, sex, or music. Blogging helps me sort my thoughts and put in order things I cannot find a rhyme or reason or simple understanding. Most times its just to rant. Yeah I am pretty opinionated and if you want to converse about my written opinions over a beer/wine/cheese fries, I'm happy to, just ask! My opinions are never meant to hurt anyone's feelings or be judgmental or insinuate stupidity or raise hackles in any way. Yes, I was accused of this, too. Honestly, if I am going to attack your intelligence I will tag you :) I don't make it a habit to verbalize my perspective to change the minds of those who's opinions differ. I do it to provide a different perspective and raise awareness that there is more than one point of view out there in the big blue world.

My opinions are based on my feelings, thoughts, and perceptions of the events that I witness taking place around me (on the TV, heard on the radio, or read somewhere along the way). Sometimes my reaction is immediate. Sometimes not. I have to add of course, I have a problem when I see others believing and using fallacy as fact. This will always compel me to try to set things right or educate the possibly misinformed. And, oh my, this is super fun for me when it's about the traditions and processes of our government!

What does Inauguration Day mean to me? You've heard it over and over. The presidential inauguration is about the peaceful exchange of power. Its about one president elected by the people in a democratic system handing the reigns over to the next president elected by a democratic system. It isn't about who is elected specifically because, face it, there will never be 100% of the people happy about who was elected to be president. Inauguration Day, the "installment under good omens," is unique to the United States of America in it's deep rooted traditions and ceremony. Anywho...

To me, Inauguration Day in the United States of America is about unity. About patriotism. About peace. The day is reserved for ALL citizens to come together and witness a peaceful transition of power. It's about honoring those who came before and those who will come after. I cannot express enough how awe-inspiring it is for me to witness this dignified exchange whether I voted for the new president being sworn in or not. Someday I will make that trip to our nations capital on Inauguration Day to see this transition with my own eyes.

It didn't sit well with me we had 67 democratic members of Congress choose this day to sit out such an important ceremony. This group decided to override the sentiment and meaning of inauguration in favor of their personal feelings for the person being sworn in. The example set by this group, I fear, will hold those like minded to continue a negative campaign in an attempt to override our President's message of unity and patriotism. It will cause the valley of divisiveness to continue to widen with the rough river waters teeming with disdain, contempt, and derision. As far as the protests go, let them. As long as it's peaceful. When protests turn violent the messages changes though. Observers no longer see a group peacefully assembling to protest a single sentiment when the group turns violent or destructive. The violence removes the sentiment and twists it to a personal agenda, one designed solely for 15 minutes of fame, taking away the voice of the whole group. The focus then becomes on the violence and destruction and no longer the message. And to repeat a friend's point - Protesting is legal and a right. Rioting is not legal and not a right.

More side bar...Hoping for our President to fail is like hoping the United States of America fails. No American wants to see our nation fail. So just STAHP already!

I voted for President Trump as you all know. I voted for him because I believe he will make the changes he promises and if he screws up, I will sorrowfully admit I was wrong about him.

Now, the big question I leave for you...

If President Trump doesn't screw up, will you admit you were wrong about him?

Goodness, me. I thought I was watching an entertainment awards ceremony...

I saw my first Meryl Streep movie in the late of night on HBO when I was supposed to be sleeping in '83ish. Sophie's Choice helped me understand what survivor's of the Holocaust endured - the horrors of a world and time I would never know. I think I had just read the Diary of Anne Frank in school and the movie helped me bring it all together-love triangle aside. I was still a bit young to understand the implications of how mental health wrecks havoc on relationships. I have always enjoyed her roles. Even the silly ones like Death Becomes Her and She Devil. She was the star of Into the Woods by far and omg The Devil Wears Prada? One of the best!

The downhill slide of shit talk started when she opened her mouth of course but mainly began when she started naming all the foreign actors. Those whom are not really foreign but maybe born in foreign lands, like South Carolina, Rhode Island, and Brooklyn (that one I get) and then changed direction and said, "If you kick 'em all out, you'll have nothing to watch but football and mixed martial arts, which are not the arts." That was when I audibly groaned and said, "Way to politicize a friggin' awards show." Dislike with both thumbs down.

I knew what she meant with that "kick 'em all out" comment too. You do as well so don't play dumb or uninformed. By the way, what the hec is wrong with football and mixed martial arts anyway? Both are arts in their own right. I weep, and get angry, and laugh with delight when I watch football. Football requires hours of training and practice. Wait, doesn't acting, too? Mixed martial arts is martial arts - it's fascinating all that fluid movement of the body which takes hours of practice and training. You see where I am going with this right? Anyway, I was riveted by her speech now but not in a good way. It was a train getting ready to derail and I could see it begin to happen. Then it happened. And I kept watching as the train derailed and box cars began flying all over the tracks this way and that with no real direction. All that carnage and horribly twisted metal...yeah, just like her words. 

"Disrespect invites disrespect. Violence incites violence. When the powerful use their position to bully others, we all lose." - Uh, aren't you basically using your 3 seconds of live TV feed to do the same thing, lady? You are essentially using your powerful and well known station in the entertainment industry to bully the rest of us, low folks and all. And you called on others like minded to help! Yeah, you are absolutely right disrespect invites disrespect. You obviously have no respect for your audience and the people who chose to honor your work and lifetime achievements on and off the screen by running nonsense at the mouth. I do not care about your opinions. And c'mon. To use a politicized story about disrespect of a disabled person but use NO example of violence just means you are delusional about the events of this world. You know, the third rock from the sun where tacos come from. We are not on Jupiter. And for the love of Pete, doesn't part of being an entertainer mean you have to know your audience? 

And she continues...

"This brings me to the press. We need the principled press to hold power to account, to call them on the carpet for every outrage. That's why our founders enshrined the press and its freedoms in our constitution. So I only ask the famously well-heeled Hollywood Foreign Press and all of us in our community to join me in supporting the committee to protect journalists. Because we're going to need them going forward." - Gah! I agree with this sentiment in part, that yes, our press needs to be protected and to continue to be used as a tool of protected freedom. I however do not agree, as she ends this thought with, "And they'll need us to safeguard the truth." Assuming the "us" refers to the others in the show-biz community since she spelled it out two sentences previously, uh, no. Why do we want a bunch of Hollywood types dictating what is safeguarded or not safeguarded? Our journalists today need to take a good hard look in the mirror and decide why they are journalists. Is it to perpetuate the fake news and continue running the pure garbage they spew or is it inform the public of the realities of what is truly happening around the world? Because I do not trust main stream media to report the truth of anything anymore. And as if it is solely up to Hollywood Elite and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association alone to safeguard the TRUTH? My ass. Our journalists are no longer a respected source of information for any reason and nor is HFPA a respected source of news you dolt. The agendas set forth by HFPA are not the views of the world entirely. Get your shit together woman. Yeah, yeah...freedom of speech and all that. She has every right to speak her mind and she got her chance and all she did was vomit vile self righteous slime all over the audience, in house and at home. 

So Meryl, and the rest of you entertainers out there that follow her like lemming to a cliff, I do not give one iota of a F**K for your politics or feelings about what you think is truth in the world. You will NOT bully me in to believing your politics are superior to mine when it comes to how I live my life and what my beliefs and needs are. You have no idea what it is like living in middle-America. You have not nor will you ever walk in my shoes or shoes worn like mine. Not even in cinema, sister. Your self proclaimed responsibility and privilege of the act of empathy? Shut your pie-hole, all of you in Hollywood, and stick to your craft and entertain us. That is what you are being paid to do. Respect. 

Facts, opinions, and a confession...

The framers of our Constitution did not trust direct democracy. The reason we have an electoral college is to avoid factions and majority rule. What would happen if the popular vote was the system in place for our presidential election? Tyranny. Tyranny of the majority is what would happen. (Have you ever seen the movie, V for Vendetta?) A tyrannous government would violate the inalienable rights of the minority in order to further the interests of the majority. An electoral college keeps this from happening. We have never been a pure democracy, nor will we ever because the USA is a Democratic-Republic. 

***EDIT UPDATE ADDED 11/14/2016***

I realize now I must qualify my statements about factions and tyranny of the majority to show I'm not just talking out of my ass and bullshitting my readers...please look up Federalist No. 10 written by James Madison. When you're a Poli-Sci major it is easy to forget others did not study constitutional law as in depth as I have. My logic is always based on historical fact and writing, not just grabbed out of the clear blue sky on a whim and fancy. 

Our election in 2000 proves that it is entirely possible for the winning candidate to lose the popular vote yet still win the seat in the Oval Office. The way states apportion electors is how a candidate can lose the popular vote and win the election.  How does this work? Our Electorate is a group of people loyal to their party. It is very rare for an electorate to be faithless (voting for the other ticket) and it will be largely unlikely the electoral college will ever be removed. We have 48 states that award "winner take all" in the electoral college. Side note, the states can apportion their electors how they see fit. It is not a federal law or mandate. Anywho, the point for the electoral college, in the end, is to preserve the sense of the people as a whole and not allow one group or faction to overrun the needs of the remaining constituents. Here's an official link for those of you who wish to understand the electoral college further: What is the Electoral College

I don't even know where to begin on the topic of our election. While I wholeheartedly believe we should always take emotion and feelings out of any situation that calls for logic and common sense, I am saddened to witness the attitudes and divisiveness of the folks who abhor the winning candidate. How they apply his characteristics to the whole of the population that voted for him is reprehensible. Instead of acting as grown men and women and conceding to the political system in place (Republican voters did this for Obama twice mind you and God forbid we spoke against him - we were racist if we did) since the beginning of our nation, they have taken to the streets to protest a man that has been elected our president inciting violence and hatred. These protesters are asking for bodies to prove their point. These tactics are synonymous to the harsh words used by the man you hate so vehemently. Those of you lumping all Trump voters as racist, sexist, misogynistic bigots, are in whole, total hypocrites and are creating more divisiveness. Can you not see this? I have several friends that have been doing exactly this - lumping trump voters together as one collective instead of trying to understand why. Instead we have a cupcake nation (borrowed phrase) of dissenters trying to usurp a representative democratic republic they do not understand.

As evident to results of the election, Trump voters were mainly silent - the closet voters. We were not able to openly discuss our thoughts and why we chose Trump because we were not allowed to go against whom they felt was a better candidate, I am one of the aforementioned closet voters (not a surprise to many) and I will explain why. I could not speak freely about my beliefs with logic and common sense because I was criticized immediately for supporting the idea of Trump as president. Everyone felt because I am a white, educated female of Hispanic and Asian decent I'm supposed to run with the liberal crowd. I have been the recipient of hate language and bullying due to the fact I resemble my Latin and Asian roots with dark curly hair, slanted eyes, and high cheekbones. I have to tell you all, I have been the recipient of hate language and bullying due to the color of my skin. Talk about growing up confused! I could not understand why people hated me so much solely based on how I looked. I still feel the silent majority in the Trump win speaks volumes though. Here's why; We, the silent Trump voters, saw an opportunity to no longer be marginalized by the establishment. We used our voting right to choose a person we felt will address our concerns most. We overlooked words and personality to opt for more employment opportunities, lower taxes, and a better health care system. Policies that mattered to us as a whole. We wanted a hard working champion that didn't have any special interests or favors to pay. We wanted an unencumbered President representing the needs we have expressed over and over but largely went unanswered for the past 8 years. 

Yes, I took in to consideration the implications of choosing a candidate that seemed to be outwardly racist (though I never saw any evidence of such) and how it may effect the rest of the true racists and bigots out there - as in them feeling like they can now act out with presidential approval. Assholes will always be assholes folks. We've had hate/race crimes happening for a very long time y'all. I don't believe Trump will make it any worse than it already is (based on feelings instead of facts for this point) and I firmly believe the hate has only grown exponentially under the Obama administration. I chose to overlook the media's rabid purported claims of sexual aggression and overtures. Listen, I've been the object of unwanted attention from men since I grew tits at the age of 12. I am not innocent to any sexual advance (verbal or physical) that I was not able to fend off. I hold on the thought that bragging does not equate doing. And if he did actually grab any woman by the P, I hope she kneed him in the nuts and gave him a fat lip. It's what I've done in the same situation. YES, women get attacked in this manner all the time and no, we don't always tattle on our assaulter because, why? For the sake of ousting your attacker that will not be punished for being a jerk? Unless of course you were paid by the Democratic National Committee to turn the table on a candidate that you want to sink for your own selfish needs. Like winning a presidency?

So, to my friends that put all Trump supporters (which includes me) in one lump group of racist, sexist, misogynistic bigots - what are you bringing to the table? I guess I am a deplorable human being. 

Rude, crude, and socially unacceptable...so the eff what?!

I have a great number of friends that will not be happy with this post. I also know that this will invite many to unfriend me or un-follow me. A few of my friends outside of Facebook may even stop being my friend all together. Shoot, I may even lose the respect of my family. The purpose of my post is not to sway your opinion about your choice for presidency. I respect your opinions and do not devalue you in any way because we do not agree on who should be sitting in the Oval Office. I only ask you to please respect me and my opinion in kind. I will never call you stupid or idiot for your beliefs so if you think I am stupid or an idiot just keep it to yourself. My rant begins with...drum roll please...Hillary Clinton does NOT deserve to be our next Commander in Chief.

My female intuition kicks in and whoa.

Trump is a better choice. Yep, said it. With six degrees of separation I hear Trump is a cock with a capital C. While I do not know him personally and only seeing his mannerisms on TV, I have to agree. He's probably the biggest prick known to mankind. He's chauvinistic, egotistical, and likely lacks the social skills required keep friends. So he allegedly treats women poorly. I don't care. We've all seen his tweets and interviews and know he can't be that dumb, can he? He chooses to bully and speak nonsense. This is before actually thinking out the outcome and opening his pie hole. His ridiculous hair and spray tan face make us believe he's an imbecile of the umpteenth power. The ridiculous claims of being a great businessman and building a wall Mexico will fund creates a great amount of comic fodder for other countries to laugh tears. Rivers. 

These are all the reasons Trump is a better candidate for President. He's not a politician. He's a businessman. He has no earthly clue how to conduct himself as a politician. He's true to himself and the people supporting him. This makes him seem clumsy. I firmly believe he will fight for our country in no way any self serving politician will. His interests lie in ensuring our collective safety and prosperity. Probably his own interests too but I am not bothered by it. He is not a mollycoddle. He will not cater to the career politicians sitting on the Hill, the ones there for way too many years. He will choose the best upholders of the Constitution. He will not allow an other country, especially the ones that don't respect us yet rely on our money, to back-bite and undermine our patriotism. So what if he treats women poorly. C'mon ladies. Y'all want equal treatment and equal pay to men? Stop your whining and work for it. Sorry, that's a different topic.

My intuition tells me that Hillary is all wrong for this role. I never liked her. Not even as far back as when she was on the campaign trail with her husband. The facts aside, her feigned contrite delivery of words just turns my stomach. I know as a woman I am supposed to be building up other women so we are a stronger unit but, sheesh, I'm nauseated by the thought. 

At this point Trump hasn't won my vote but he has helped me understand why Hillary is a sham.

A prelude in an election year and other news...I'm in a ranting mood.

Politics.

As a general rule I don't spout off on politically charged tirades on a normal day or regular basis. I do not feel my opinion is anyone's business. Having a political opinion is like having a penis. It's great you have one and are proud of it but please, do not try to shove it down my throat. Once in a while I may read something or hear something that makes me tip my head sideways like a confused puppy but I move past the painful affront leaving the profane delusional fucknut to flail in the wind alone. When we, our great nation, enters in to a presidential election year it seems the political crazies come out. And boy does it make me cringe.

I rarely tell anyone this (because it's no one's business) but I consider myself a moderate with conservative leanings and I'll explain why. First of all I earned my undergraduate degree in Political Science. I concentrated my studies on the US Constitution. I did deep and meaningful research surrounding the creation and implementation of our constitution. I have dissected and pondered historical writings for the reasoning behind the movement for more or less government. My moral and religious upbringing led me to the right side of the spectrum as well. I am also an Army brat raised in a conservative household so there is some validity to upbringing. Now, there are firm conservative beliefs that I do not adopt as my own and why I consider myself a moderate. For instance, I believe that life begins at conception but I also believe it's a woman's right to choose if she will foster that life to birth. Pregnancy, from rape or incest or if a health matter becomes dangerous, by all means it must be a woman's choice to end. Sometimes the choice is a necessary part of life. In all matters, a woman must be able to choose what to do. I do not however feel a woman should use abortion as a means of birth control. Please use a contraceptive or sterilize yourself for crying out loud if you don't want to be a mother. Don't force society to support your poor decisions. And there is that conservative side rearing her head.  

Long story short - if you plan to voice your political opinion please make sure you know what you are talking about first. If you don't understand your rights do a little research then talk about it as a learning experience not as an attack on others because your ideas don't match the ideas of those around you.

I do not have a favorite in the presidential primary by the way, on either side.

Pets.

Something happened today on social media that really had me scratching my head. A "friend" on Facebook posted:

Ok, let's just say this instantly pissed me off. The way I read this and understood the words of what was stated here tells me the poster feels that people who have pets and treat them as children are wrong and they shouldn't get mad if someone points that out. That pets cannot be our "children" simply because they are animals. I have been blessed with the joy of raising a human child to adulthood. But there are people out there that will never know that blessing and joy and to fill that void they have dogs and cats (or exotic birds, or monkeys, or whatever). They treat there pets as children and refer to them as fur-babies or fur-kids. The post was subsequently removed when I personally called them out publicly saying it was pretty insensitive and unnecessary. I was accused of name calling. Whatever. Of course the poster also had to privately qualify their opinion. Seriously? You know what you did. You know very well what you said. Don't try to make it better by saying it's not what you meant. Pfft.

I'm not a critic, ice cream, and puppy dreams...

Sometimes I stumble on a TV show while exercising my thumb on the clicker. Of course ownership of said clicker has since departed my now un-exercised thumb but that isn't the point of my story today. Since I haven't had regular control of the remote my recent clicking excursion ended on a show which I am surprised is being aired. Two Broke Girls. The riches to rags and still in rags story doesn't do anything for me. The chemistry of these to actors is scripted. I will say there were a couple laugh out loud moments but more from the sheer ridiculous antics than from actual humor. I only stopped on this silly show because Mike & Molly is on next. I know it's a rerun I've seen at least three times in the past month but it's still a creatively funny script. Besides, why can't all shows have the easy humorous chemistry like Mike & Molly or Big Bang Theory? Ok, no. I am not a TV show critic or reviewer nor do I have aspiration to be one. Gone are the times of Siskel and Ebert because now we have fresh or rotten tomatoes. My choice of TV shows is personal and I really don't care if you like what I think of some of the TV fodder out there. Now, this doesn't mean I am giving up my Thursday night line up so get that idea out of your head.

I recently recounted a childhood memory to my darling Huck regarding the Lady. There was a time when Bubba and I were around the age of 5-ish when we went out for ice cream as a family. The Lady ordered ice cream for us to share with her. This was normal behavior of hers but looking back on that fleeting memory made me realize something. She didn't really want to share her ice cream with us. Why do I think that you ask? Because what five year old child likes rum raisin? Really. She ordered a scoop of rum raisin on one of those cake cones (which I would rather not have to this day) and proceeded to invite us to each have a lick of it. I remember vividly in that moment eyeballing a raisin and scrunching my nose up in distaste and saying, "I don't like it" without tasting it. And I never got a lick of ice cream that day. Around the same time frame the Lady tried to make home made strawberry ice cream because we asked for some. I didn't like that one with out tasting it also because there were large chunks of real fruit in it. Why can't a kid just get plain old chocolate or vanilla or pink strawberry ice cream? There is absolutely nothing wrong with being thrifty with food when you have small kids around. I've done it. The time and energy she spent to make that ice cream only for us both to turn our noses up at it makes no sense to me. She could have spent a few dollars on store bought and the Bubba and I would have been blissfully happy. Oh dear, my life is an episode of Fresh Off the Boat.

The fact I actually like rum raisin and real strawberry ice cream now isn't the point. 

Annie dog did the cutest thing today and I didn't catch it in time to get video. I was quietly working and knew both of my puppy girls were close by sleeping as they do for approximately 20 hours a day in their old age. I mean sheesh, the life of these girls...Eat. Shit. Sleep. Repeat. Anyway, I shifted slightly in the chair. I immediately hear this light thumping sound behind me for a good three or four thumps then it goes quiet. I figured Annie heard me and thought she was going to get pets. A couple heart beats later I hear it again. I didn't move in the chair this time so I realize I didn't trigger the tail tapping. I slowly turned around to see her sound asleep but wagging her tail. I am surprised she didn't wake herself up she was beating her tail so hard as if she were awake. Huck says she must have been having a good dream. I must concur. I think she was dreaming Huck came home :)

I've been a little busy

Life is ebb and flow like the tides of the ocean. Sometimes you find yourself with nothing to do but the mundane like grocery shopping and picking up dog food - the tide is rolling out leaving a clean shore behind and nothing obscuring your view to the vast ocean. It's peaceful tranquility. Sometimes your schedule is jammed packed with activities and meetups and events you are left exhausted thinking about all you have planned-the tide is rolling in with big crashing waves threatening to grab you and drag you out to sea. It's pure chaos. Occasionally the ebb and flow of life masterfully join and quietly roll in and out without incident where you get enough tranquility with some chaos peppered in there.

I really don't care to be balls to the wall busy all the time. It's fine to have multiple things scheduled in a week or weekend but I am not a back to back event participant. And I don't mind set plans but am more of the "fly by the seat of your pants" kind of girl. For instance, Huck and I had this idea for the gym, late lunch, then a movie yesterday. Well, we ended up ditching the gym and went to Walmart instead. Yes we grabbed a late lunch that was more like an early dinner. And no, the movie didn't happen. There was beer involved at a Happy Hour in our favorite beach spot which explains blowing off the movie. No big deal. So our plan changed on the fly. Oddly this happens more often than not with us. I'm totally good with it too. With all that said though, we are good about making scheduled engagements too. My Huck says he feels like a show pony and you know what? I love showing him off! 

On a completely unrelated note, I recently began working from home. It is something that I have been busting my ass off to do for the past year and finally earned the privilege to maintain my own virtual office. I worked at home years ago and was challenged not by being able to stay focused to work. The challenge came from working too much. Back then I was a salaried employee and it was just too easy to work all hours of the day and night. I had tons of autonomy and as long as I met my numbers the boss didn't care when I worked or how long. Things are different this time. But then again not really. There are distractions but not the same as before. I now have a schedule to keep one that I chose myself over a year ago. I am also older so my ability to focus is more finely tuned. 

After all these years I love working from home again. I get up at the same time as if I have to go to the office. But now I have an extra hour of leisure time to enjoy coffee and watch the news. I can take longer walks with the girls in the morning. Not that we walk further just dawdle longer so the girls have more sniffing time. The best thing is my job is no different. I just do it in my jammies now. There is no more racing the clock in the morning or fighting traffic on the short leg to work. I don't have to witness the palpable negativity of the Debbie Downer's in the office. It's quiet at home and comfortable. I feel so much more relaxed to do what I do. This of course makes me one happy chick.