I need a hero -- NOT!

I am not looking for 'heroes' in this election. I am annoyed at the thought that there are politicians seeking office wanting to be the heroes, and those who want to bill them as such. They are human beings, supposedly wanting to work for the public good. Need a hero? Look into yourselves and find real people that have made a difference in your life and others. It could be your mom, your high school English teacher, someone who believed in you when all the cards were stacked against you, a doctor, your best friend, your child/pet.... It could even be you.

Parallels to country's racist past haunt age of Obama

CNN: Parallels to country's racist past haunt age of Obama
 (click link to view)

I've been pondering where all the political animosity the past 5 years has been coming from.... While the issues are complex, this makes a compelling argument that though we individually deny this is happening, perhaps unconsciously and unintended, it persists whether we like it or not, and therefore one of the issues at stake. And part of why high drama is so pervasive in our political landscape today. I firmly believe that in order to move on as a nation, we have to let a lot of stuff go and forgive and reconcile. This doesn't mean turning our backs on the past, it just means in order to move forward, we have to acknowledge the past and remember it so it never happens again.

When Americans purchase legitimate goods, they should be assured that the goods can be resold, given away, and used in any legal manner they see fit. As an retailer, this could impact how we can sell to our customers. This could undermine the ability of online retailers like eBay, Amazon -- and small business owners like myself -- to sell to you. Please check this out, and support this effort. 

 

 

 

http://www.youvebeenowned.org/ 

Saturday Night Live - Lids/Gangnam Style

This is becoming one of my favorites! 

Saturday Night Live - Tech Talk: iPhone 5

Some of my friends have said this could be potentially perceived as racist.  To me, it makes a statement about some of the product development decisions that went into making iPhone 5.  If they had focused on the living and working conditions of the workers, I would have been pissed, as it would have discounted them in a forum such as SNL,  especially if the actors weren't Asian.

Here's the link if you don't see video here.  Having issues trying to get the video to appear. http://youtu.be/ybDKfGEw4aU

What this election is really about

I think it's about change or the fear thereof.

People, mostly the upper class, mostly white, mostly male, are truly afraid of losing the influence they actually have. People who are trying to ensure equality for all Americans -- economically, politically and socially -- are viewed as a threat. They just happen to be lower class, people of color, the younger generation, women.

Whatever happened to the thought that everyone was created equal and that we all contribute equally to society? Do the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, the 14th Amendment, Civil Rights matter still?

We have become a nation of picking and choosing what viewpoint we want to hear. Right or wrong. What happened to presenting information in an objective manner so that people will have to draw their own conclusions? So our opinions are skewed to what we hear and don't hear. And for this I blame the media, and being a market economy.

It plays to the fears of people and not allowing us to really seek the truth and see it for what it really is. Hell, I knew the market was going to crash in 2008 because gas shot up to $4+, consumer goods were getting expensive, credit was way too easy to get, and too many houses were being built without regard to who could really afford them. And that's what I got from just being aware of what was going around me.

So the right wing brings out fears that play on race, wasting money, socialism/extreme left wing, sex/gender, who has control and (predominately white upper class) privilege. The left wing counters with fears of near fascism, race, wasting money, sex/gender, and who has control. See the similarities?

The right want to go back to life as it was in the 60s, that is if you were white. The left has embraced inclusion as part of the reality that is our country. Though both sides are in denial.

They need each other to save themselves from their own undoing. Remember checks and balances? Yup. The left acknowledges, but doesn't assert themselves. The right? Well, they're coming across as 'my way or the highway' at the moment. I'm sure that they'll learn that in this day and age, consensus building is important.

We fear the right because it will deepen the class struggle and stuck with values that not everyone believes in. We fear the left because it wants us to embrace the unknown that is the future and start acknowledging certain realities that may not be consistent with what people believe in.

Even though people say it's not a cultural war. It is indeed very much one. And a ideological one. And a class one. And yes, to an extent, a race war.

This is an over simplification of what I see going on. But it's important that people see things for what it really are, so, we can have a dialogue, and figure out what we need to do to build a future for our nation.

It's time to critically think about things in a rational and objective matter. Only then will we be able to start moving forward.

My first accupuncture session

Got my first acupuncture treatment today. It was different than acupressure massage, because it was with needles. Not a fan of needles, but this time it didn't bother me. It was cool feeling my chi and other stuff realign themselves, bringing a healing power to my back and other things. It left me drained, but I gained a different consciousness.

Saying "no"

Sometimes saying no is a good thing.   It means that one loves themselves enough to know there are limits and boundaries they are not willing to cross.  And once it is said, it ought to be respected.

No thanks....

This is an email I wrote to a cousin, whose family I have discovered I want nothing to do with.  Those issues involve race, class, morals and ethics, which could be a best selling book.  She found me on Facebook -- again.  I had to remind her of my wishes.

Dear Renelita,

Please respect that I wish not to have contact with you and your family.

When I found out certain things -- some of which I knew, some I didn't -- I decided I cannot have that kind of drama in my life.  I have too much in my professional life, I do not need it in my personal life.  Which means I do not wish to have contact with you or your family.

I owe it to my mother -- God rest her soul in heaven -- to meet and get to know you.  But I do not want to be hurt or used like she was when she was alive.  My life is full of hurt and pain, which I do not wish to be subject to anymore.  I want to be happy, and having contact with you will not enhance my happiness.

Thank you.  Please do not contact me anymore.

Take some responsbility!

Do people know how to read, ask questions, do their research, comprehend the information they are being given? Geez people! Have we turned into a bunch of brainless, useless drones?

I am tired of people assuming things they shouldn't, not reading the fine print, asking questions, or taking the time to understand what's being read or heard.  People need to take responsibility -- and not force the information giver into this trap -- for understanding these things, concepts or ideas before they commit to them, make a purchase, or 'objectively' come to a conclusion. 

Without the ability for critical and independent thinking, we will turn into brainless, useless drones, much like the outsourced workers overseas answering our customer service lines when we call.  Unable to think outside the box, unable to see that there are truly ways around obstacles, and unable to understand that things are not as black and white as they seem or supposedly should be.

Even the converse pisses me off.  The lack of information, transparency and the attitude of working with the information given is pretty bad.  This leads to assumptions, and the attitude of being forced to believe that the information available is gospel.  Most of the time, it can be.  However there are people don't take the initiative to ask questions, because apparently "That's all there is to know".  

Sure whatever. 

Don't blame me if your mind refuses to work a little harder to be a little better informed.  It just shows that you're lazy and really don't care until it affects you.

It tis a dangerous thing being a drone.

People and their bad juju

I just don't have time to deal with those who think that their behavior is acceptable, when it really isn't. I just don't want to be around those people, as they are engaging in a type of negativity that is damaging. My life is full of many different types of bad juju, I don't need other people's on my plate either.

Shop creepiness

Processing the never ending mound of eBay orders late last night. Leaving the shop, turning off the lights, I noticed a glow from one of the shelves. Was it a creature waiting to devour me? Was it a spirit of a former occupant? Was it a fire waiting to happen? No, it was glow in the dark makeup. Tee hee!

Ann Coulter is a moron!

This from Upworthy....

This proves that Ann Coulter is a dumb white cunt.  Not to throw race in it, but I really hate it when white people think that they are the experts on the race issue, it shows that they are really clueless like this idiot.  They can be empathetic and supportive, but they should never dare to speak for us and our struggles.  Those who 'advocate' in the manner that Ms Coulter is in this segment, needs to open their eyes and see how hurtful and harmful they are really being.

I guess what makes this infuriating is that her 'authoritative' stance comes from her white, presumably upper class privilege.  She doesn't understand that engaging in this really messed up power play really hurts people nor does she understand how it hurts people.

Read and watch:  Ann Coulter Tries To Tell Whoopi Goldberg How Black People Feel About Things. It Does Not Go Well.

A baby shower cake

I have no idea how appropriate this cake is for the occasion, but its funny! Thanks Kristen!

Halloween Glut

So driving around town, I noticed that there were at least 8 Halloween stores within a 5 mile radius. That doesn't include my shop, Target and Wal-Mart, and all the arts and craft shops. And there's 2 Spirit Halloween stores within 3 miles of each other.

I understand that the Halloween industry is a $13 billion industry. But this is overkill. No one is going to make the dinero people think they are going to make.

A joke

I noticed driving on I-4, that people can't center their cars in the lanes. Instead, they tend to drive towards the left side of the lanes. Does this mean they are left-leaning?

(insert moan and throw tomatoes here)

Facebook post

Here's something I posted on Facebook today:

Just helped someone register to vote. Remember that we all need to exercise our voice to get the government we want and speaks for the will of the majority.

Here's a conversation that ensued.  It wasn't good or bad, it was voicing frustration at the system as it is, and the importance of holding on to the ideal that voting is important.

Person PLEASE show me a candidate worth voting for instead of the lessor of two evils.

 

Me  Until the state of American politics changes, it will continue to be the lessor of both evils. Until things change, we, regardless of our beliefs, must use our vote and voice, to start a conversation about the direction we, collectively as a nation, want to take.

 

Person Drew, I agree with you to a point, However, I have always felt that to vote for someone is the same as me saying I approve of them. I cannot even begin to say I approve of either candidate.

 

Me For me it was like choosing the iPad or Kindle Fire. I chose the Kindle because, despite certain things, it was the best way to go for the money and I'm a diehard Apple fan. We all have to make value judgements, and that doesn't mean approval or acceptance. It's about what will work.  In my old age, I've learned that it is important to be pragmatic and prudent.

-----

 

So if he wants candidates worth voting, he should consider doing the following:

--Become a candidate himself.  We currently have the left and the far right covered.  We're missing center, center right and center left.  (Americans will never go to the far left on principle.)

--Start another political party.  See above.

--Become an activist and start lobbying politicians and educate the public that change is necessary.

 

Basically, the point is:  

People need to be a part of solving of a problem or effecting change.  Their inaction or apathy makes them part of the problem.   I don't care if they're marching in protests once a week or engaging in laptop activism.  At least they're doing something to make it better.

 

 

 

Help someone register to vote....

I did!

It was interesting.  It was a conversation with someone about the state of politics today.  Then I mentioned that they should exercise to their right to vote. 

This person didn't even know who was running for president.  I said, just remember -- the black guy is President Obama, and the white guy is Mitt Romney.  You want to consider Obama as your guy.

This person asked, why?

As a student with student loans, and still under your parent's health insurance, a Romney government would change a few things about your loans and your ability to have insurance.  Since this person was also worked for one of the theme parks here in Orlando, they do have access to insurance, but their parent's plan is a lot better.

This person said that they have never voted before. 

Well, I said, turning to my laptop, it's easy.  I found the Orange County Supervisor of Elections website, clicked a few buttons, and the voter registration form appeared.  I even said I'd give them the envelope and stamp for it.

It's important to exercise the right to vote.  Many people in many countries, including ours, have fought and died for the right to vote.  It is one of the few ways we can legally have a say in the governance in our nation.

And if you can help someone to register to vote, especially in Florida, it is important.  Especially since our worthless governor, has instituted voter suppression tactics.  (Thank god the Republican Party is in the process of writing him off!)

James Taylor Sings "Romney & Bain" ("Fire & Rain" Parody) - Jimmy Fallon

A Vagina Monologue

It's my body....  Hers, rather....