Politics of Attack

This is precisely what I'd worried about. This editorial - Politics of Attack - from the NYTimes.com lays out the problem in detail. The level of hate has been rising steadily over the past few years and has reached a fevered pitch. I wondered when the racist tendencies that have been lying just under the surface would pop up like bubbles in boiling soup. I guess we know now. The most recent thing that I've heard is "off with his head," referring to Obama. McCain referred to Obama as "that one" in a derisive tone. Now I don't think that is necessarily racist in and of itself (thought I suspect it might be, but that's another post**). For me it's just indicative of the level of partisan hate that's been rising.

I was in college in the 80s. My roommate (still a close friend whom I'm lucky to have) was a Republican. I was a Democrat. Both of us were active in our respective college groups. We'd often talk politics, she being a political science major and I a minor. We'd go to see politicians together, of both parties, and talk about their performances afterwards. The most memorable of these was seeing then-Vice President Bush. She drove and we discussed it on the way home, laughing and joking as we always did.

Let's compare that to the daughter of a friend of mine. My friend commented that her daughter would be glad when the election was over because then her roommates would speak to her again. See, Daughter was voting for Kerry. After the election, everything was fine.

I'm not sure exactly why we've had this decline in civility and polarization. All I know is that there are about two conservatives that I can talk to with respect and civility. WE need to get back to that point. The sooner the better.

** I have heard from some that "that one"is code for a person you'd like to call a n---- but you can't because that person in within hearing range. I can't confirm on deny that, but it's certainly worth thinking about.

Embarrassed Relief

Mountain Mama called me at work today. I saw her cell number on my caller ID at work and got a little nervous. When she calls me at work, it's usually on my cell. I got more nervous when I heard her teary voice.

"Laurel, I've got some bad news," she began. My mind whirled. Not my dad! Or my brother or his kids! Maybe my only aunt? I sat down.

"The minister's husband was killed in a car wreck yesterday evening. She was at a board meeting yesterday and hadn't heard from him yet. Then a few hours later, she found out about the accident. The wreck was so bad that it burned for 2 hours before they could get him out. Of course he was gone by then."

Mountain Mama and Daddy's minister is a really neat person whom I like a lot. I consider her my minister as I haven't yet found a church home here and my registration is still there, even though I can only make it a few times a year for services.

"Oh, my God! That's terrible. God bless her and the kids, and may He give them the strength they'll need. How is she?" I asked.

"Our friends spent the night with her. She's doing as well as she can be, and the kids will be coming today, which will help."

As we talked I looked it up online in the hometown paper, I felt an embarrassing sense of relief. Yes, it's terrible and I feel for the minister and her children, the youngest of whom started college this fall. But I breathed a little easier than I had before. My family was all fine. And then, of course, I felt guilty. I can't imagine what's like to lose my father so young. Actually, I can't imagine it now. I began my prayers for them.

Mountain Mama was still describing the horrific accident and memorial details along with the shock and disbelief. "I guess you just never know when your time will come," she said.

"Mama, Daddy's on the other phone. Let me call you back. I love you," I said, because Mountain Mama is right, as always. You never know. And when I called her back after I talked to Mountain Daddy, I ended the same way.

And that's why every time I talk to her, I tell her that I love her. Because you never know.

Prayers are appreciated for the minister and the congregation. They are used to being on the receiving end of her comfort. I'm praying that they, and I, will be able to comfort her half as well.

Would You Have been a Nazi?

Here's a fascinating question: would you have been a Nazi? Take the test. It's quite interesting.

Here are my results:

Your result for The Would You Have Been a Nazi Test...

The Expatriate

Achtung! You are 31% brainwashworthy, 32% antitolerant, and 24% blindly patriotic

Congratulations! You are not susceptible to brainwashing, your values and cares extend beyond the borders of your own country, and your Blind Patriotism does not reach unhealthy levels. If you had been German in the 30s, you would've left the country.





One bad scenario -- as I hypothetically project you back in time -- is that you just wouldn't have cared one way or the other about Nazism. Maybe politics don't interest you enough. But the fact that you took this test means they probably do. I'm gonna give you the benefit of the doubt.


Did you know that many of the smartest Germans departed prior to the beginning of World War II, because they knew some evil shit was brewing? Brain Drain. Many of them were scientists. It is very possible you could have been one of them.



Conclusion: born and raised in Germany in the early 1930's, you would not have been a Nazi.








The Would You Have Been A Nazi? Test

- it rules -

Take The Would You Have Been a Nazi Test at HelloQuizzy

But the problem is that I'm not sure that I would have left. I think I might have tried to stay and work for change. I know, dumb, dumb. What with the current state of affairs financially, I'm even more scared of the way things are going around here.

I will be Starfleet Crew

Your result for Reincarnation Placement Exam...

Starfleet Crewperson

52% Intrigue, 63% Civilization, 65% Humanity, 51% Urbanization.

Coolness!!!

As Mister Spock would say: Fascinating. It seems you've managed to hit the edge of the curve on all metrics. An extraordinary life is almost certain.

According to your answers, you want it all, you want a lot of it, and you're willing to do what it takes to get it! Adventure! Romance! Technology! Challenge! You love civilization. You like people. You love the complications and joys of a big, weird crowd of humans plus lots of other beings wandering into dangerous and complicated corners of the galaxy.

There is an ideal place for you, and you are ideal for it: Welcome to the crew of the starship Enterprise. Captain Kirk would have welcomed you aboard himself, but his head was too big to fit in the landing bay.

Take Reincarnation Placement Exam at HelloQuizzy

it woudl be so nice

That's the name of the early Pink Floyd song I'm listening to now. After learning that Pink Floyd founder Rick Wright died today at age 65, I had to put on some early Pink Floyd to soothe my soul. I've always thought of them as my favorite group, from the early goofy, psychedelic side with Syd Barrett to the later heavier concept albums characteristic of the Waters years. I always hope they'll get back together, but now I don't think that will happen, at least not in this life.

Is he now with the departed Syd Barrett, jamming and creating treats for the ears? It would be so nice.

Sexism Bad. Racism Good. Or at least acceptable.

I'm so mad right now I could just spit.

I just read that Georgia GOP congressman called the Obamas `uppity'. Now, quick quiz here: what word follows "uppity?" That's right...it's a six-letter word that starts with "n," ends with "r," and has ignorance in the middle. It is not acceptable on this blog or around me.

Yet Democrats have been so sexist because some have been wondering about Palin's family situation with an infant with Down Syndrome and a 17-year-old unmarried, pregnant daughter. I have been denouncing these under the "good for the goose, good for the gander" doctrine of "if you wouldn't say it about a man, it's sexist to say it about a woman." (My thinking on that is evolving as well.) I've heard no "don't worry your pretty little head" talk, which I've had directed at me in the past. So the sexism isn't the worst I've heard or even experienced.

But to say something so blatantly racist and THEN deny that was the intent, that's just beyond the pale. I've had plenty of lies this week watching the RNC so I should be inured, but this one takes the cake. For someone in rural Georgia to NOT know what follows "uppity" is like claiming to have never eaten a biscuit. it just doesn't happen. I lived in rural Georgia and am very well aware of the racism that can still exist there. (Doesn't everywhere, but it's there enough to be a problem.)

So, Senator Obama, go after them. Take off the gloves and make everyone see what kinds of folks these are. It's bad enough to make this "slip of the tongue." It's even worse to deny it.

Watch this space for updates as my thinking evolves and I cool down.

The Charleston Gazette - Latest News - Southern West Virginia women living shorter lives�

The Charleston Gazette - Latest News - Southern West Virginia women living shorter lives�

In W.Va., Unexpected Riches

Here's a fascinating article from washingtonpost.com about a place I've been meaning to visit for years, Bramwell, WV.

Bramwell (pronounced Brammel, not as it's spelled) was Grand Central of the coal operators back in the day. My home town was as well. In fact, the Watson mansion is a lovely, sprawling mansion in the center of town, now the home to two businesses, a rest home and a funeral parlor. With my morbid streak, I've often wondered if there's a two-fer deal if residents contract for services at both businesses.

But back to it. With my love for all things old and Victorian, I'd love to go to Bramwell to see the architecture. Plus, you've got to want to visit the location of the world's longest poker game (according to Ripley's Believe it or Not).

But nothing comes for free. While the operators were imbibing centuries-old Scotch and their wives were bathing in Chanel No. 5, miners and their families were suffering. The riches the article speaks of did not extend to the coal camps. Or the mines. Abhorrent safety conditions in the mines and dreadful sanitation practices in the coal camps (set up by the operators) lead to extreme mortality rates. That's not to mention the massive disasters. Don't worry...you'll hear personal accounts on the Monongah disaster of 1908 (OK, so I wasn't around then, but Grandma was) closer to the anniversary. These conditions were what financed Bramwell and the Watson mansion. There was a lot of money made those days. None went to the ones taking the risks and doing the work.

I just don't know if I can visit Bramwell and marvel at the architecture without seeing blood from my people dripping from the gingerbread.

What say you?

Sexist Attacks on Palin

Over the past few days, I"ve seen plenty of attacks on Sarah Palin. I've got to admit, I don't like her, and I think it's a terrible choice for McCain to have made. On the other hand, I thank McCain for this choice as it's an obvious and blatant ploy for Hillary's supporters. In fact, I giggled most of the day on Friday when I heard. And it wasn't just because Friday was the first day I was able to smile or eat solid food (mouth infection last week...Mother warned me that it would happen if I keep saying dirty words).

But one item that concerns me is that there have been a number of sexist attacks on her over the past few days.
I know you've seen the allegations that her youngest child is actually the offspring of her daughter. There have also been attacks saying that, with a young Down Syndrome child at home, she should be taking care of him.

I have just one question. If Sarah Palin were Seth Palin, would these questions still come up? I don't think so. Is anyone asking who is taking care of Barack Obama's children? Or who is taking care of Jenna and Barbara? Or Chelsea Clinton? Nope, didn't think so. When we attack a woman on a topic that we wouldn't even think of attacking a man on, that's sexist.

"but Laurel, Obama has been subjected to racist and xenophobic comments for months!" some may say. And that's right. But I expect a higher standard from us. We know evil and injustice when we see it, and we fight against it in any instance we see. We don't perpetrate it. (In this case, WE=fair-minded individuals who haven't drunk the Republican Kool-Ade and actually have two firing neurons. Which means most of the folks who read my blog.)

Besides, attacking family lives indicates that there's nothing else for us to attack, and that's just not true. Take a look at this 2006 Gubernatorial Candidate Questionnaire and especially Palin's responses. There is so much there to attack. As a matter of fact, last night my Honey and I sat here and picked apart these answers. Try it. It's fun!!

I'll get you started:

11. Are you offended by the phrase “Under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance? Why or why not?

SP: Not on your life. If it was good enough for the founding fathers, its good enough for me and I’ll fight in defense of our Pledge of Allegiance.

OK, fact check here. Let's take a look at the history of the Pledge, shall we? The first thing you'll notice is that the pledge was written in 1852. That's a good 50 years after the Founding Fathers had passed. What did they do, dictate it by Ouji board?

But even then, that pledge didn't include the phrase "under God." That was added in the McCarthy era. And boy, oh boy, if there's a time that the Republicans love and would like to return to, it's the McCarthy era.

And funny, I've read the Constitution, but I didn't see McCarthy's name on it anywhere.

I'd like for my leaders to have at least a glimmer of an idea about the history of the US and our most important documents.

Your turn. Pick a ridiculous position and pick it apart. it's easy and fun!!

Crossposted at Appalachian Greens.

baROCK the Vote

baROCK
Originally uploaded by burch25276

Rebecca, local art teacher, mother, blogger, and all around cool kind of lady, designed this Barock t-shirt. Click the image to get to her Flicker page with ordering instructions.

Two Answered Prayers

It's been a busy few weeks in Laurel Land. Right in the midst of that were two answered prayers.

You may recall that I had an issue with my eyes on a recent trip to Las Vegas. Recently I went to a local retinal specialist who had the head of a buffalo on the wall and religious materials in the waiting room. The head of the buffalo was bigger than I am. I wondered if he had prayed for the buffalo before he shot it. I resolved to keep my mouth shut.

He did a through exam just as the doctor in Las Vegas had. He told me that I am indeed at greater risk. "You do not have a normal eye," he said. I held my tongue for I had figured that out when I was four and had eye surgery. But he said that my retina was in great shape. His diagnosis was that I had a migraine, despite my lack of a headache. My honey later told me that it was called an aura, and it could appear with or without a headache. I rejoiced and celebrated. I never though a migraine could be an answer to a prayer.

The other prayer was longer in coming.

Ever since I can remember, my best friend Sis had wanted to make a career of the Air Force. She didn't want to go join the military; she wanted to join the Air Force. She didn't want to do a tour; she wanted to make a career of the Air Force. She enlisted for six years on her eighteenth birthday. In retrospect, it made sense for the oldest of a divorced mother who probably couldn't pay for college. But what I always remember is her single-minded devotion to a career the Air Force.

The Air Force worked out well for her. But with her attitude, I can't imagine anything NOT working out for the best. She met and married her husband in the Air Force, and she had three beautiful children. We always have the same home base. I went to her weddings. She came to my graduation when I finally got my doc. I mailed her care packages. She sent exotic postcards. I visited her base when it was close enough. We were even on TV together.

Now, this is not a career path without risks. She did her time in the Middle East. I was nervous when she went in 98, and that was in peacetime. When I got the email in 2004 that she was being deployed and couldn't tell us where, I cried for two hours, worried sick about her. Yes, she is a trained professional, and I reminded myself of that. But she is also Sis, who hung upside-down from trees with me and cried over high-school breakups. She came back safe and sound, if a little thinner. She has lines on her face now. But then again, don't we all? We're not as close as we once were, sharing clothes and stories like we did when we were teens. But we still love each other and call each other "sis."

She retired after 20 years in, on the day after her birthday. Twenty years and one day. She didn't want to retire, but her next assignment was to "a place with b's and m's where they shouldn't be" (according to My Honey...neither of us caught the actual name), so she decided to retire and get a part-time job so she could be a full-time mom.

Her retirement is the answer to a 20-year series of prayer. She's had three children. Her marriage has had its rough spots. it's hard enough with one partner in the military: both makes it damn near impossible, in my view. She has been deployed to places that are a little too close to harm's way for my taste. And through it all, I prayed and she came through with flying colors. Maybe I'm giving myself a bit too much credit, but I think it was a joint effort.

And I thank God for it! Two big old answered prayers in one week! At times I have doubts. But now is not one of those times, and I'm celebrating it.

It's Official

When a man tries to rob a video store with a Jello box, the world is too strange for even me to deal with.

It's coming....

And I can't wait!

It's been too long since the last Harry Potter movie. To prepare, I think I'm going to have to go back and re-read the series.

Finding God in the Desert

I was in Las Vegas last week for a conference. Since I like to get to know the landscape of the area, we rented a car so we could drive through the desert.




It was a forbidding place, desolate and absolutely lifeless. There were plants, desert grasses and bushes and cacti, but no animals of any kind. Not even the dead ones on the side of the road. My Honey remarked, "I can see how you could find God here."

I said, "Not God. Satan maybe, but not God." How wrong I was.

Wednesday I woke up and started watching the Today show. All of a sudden I saw bright flashes of light. Matt Lauer's face was mostly obscured by bright yellow flashes. Thsi wasn't good. I had My Honey walk me back to the bed as I couldn't trust what my eyes told me. I thought if I laid down for a while, the feeling would pass. Maybe it was lack of coffee. My Honey went downstairs to get the coffee (another reason I thought this was Satan's country...no in-room coffee) while I laid down with my eyes closed and waited for it to pass. it didn't.He asked me if it was both sides or one. When I determined that it was on the left side only, he said "we're going to the emergency room." I knew he thought I was having a stroke. I thought I was going blind. I don't know who was more scared.

While he was driving me to the hospital, I spied a Redi-Care. We decided to stop there and see what it was. If it was nothing, we'd spend less than an ER visit. If if was something, they'd refer us on. Which is exactly what happened.

They asked for my driver's license, which I must have left in the room. They took my work ID instead, I think seeing how scared and upset I was. The doctor said that something was pressing on the optic nerve or the retina was detaching. Either way, I needed to get to a specialist quickly.

I cried when he left the room. The only thing I knew about detached retinas were that they prevented you from flying. And how was I going to get home? A Mountain Laurel is not a desert flower. I had found that out.

The Redi-Care staff was great. They reassured me and worked hard to get me to a doctor as fast as they could. As I left, they said "don't est anything. If you need surgery, you'll have to have it on an empty stomach." Which wasn't all that reassuring, but I was glad they were honest with me. I had already thought the same thing myself.

Turned out that I didn't have a detached retina, thank God. Which is what I said when the specialist told me. Actually, it was more like "Thank you, thank you Jesus." And I didn't even care who heard. I still need to follow up as I'm at risk for a detached retina, but I didn't need surgery that day.

When I got back to the room, I laid down to wait out the dilation. When I got up, I turned the room upside down for my license. Nothing. So I went down to the hotel security and my conference, where I figured I must have left it. Nothing. But I did file reports and leave my phone number. Not knowing what else to do, I went back up to the room and began turning it upside down again, planning on calling the airlines once I got finished. There, between the couch cushions where I thought I'd looked, lay my license. Once again I thanked God.

See, the thing is that without the doctor visit I wouldn't have needed my license. I might not have noticed it missing till I went to get on the plane. And THAT would have been ug-ug-ugly. So things do work in mysterious ways.

Could all be coincidence, right? I thought that too. Till I read Kit's post about miracles. Go ahead and check the date. That's right...last Wednesday, when I was going though my drama and finding God in the desert.

Answers to my question

Yesterday I asked the question "What does this say about us?" Today I got two answers. One is a direct and insightful answer from The Film Geek. The other is an indirect one reproduced below.

I got this message in email today. It's a lovely answer to my question. Apparently the Taco Bell where young Ms. Gravely was killed is holding a benefit for her tomorrow, Thursday, July 10. If you're anywhere in the area, please consider supporting this effort.

*Friends,*

**

*Most of you have surely heard of the tragic shooting of the young
mother at our local Taco Bell Restaurant on Patrick Street this past
Saturday.*

**

*Taco Bell management has allowed the store to stay closed until
tomorrow, Thursday, at 10AM in the interest of their employees.
Management invited several pastors and counselors to meet with all of
their employees yesterday. We spent much of the time with them as a
group and also broke up for individual ministry. It was a powerful time
that surely will aid the healing process in their lives.*

**

*Taco Bell is going to contribute the total proceeds of Thursday's sales
toward the needs of the family of the young woman. We are encouraging
all who read this e-mail to purchase at least one meal there tomorrow.*

**

*It was a blessing to Nancy and I to find out that the Area Manager of
Taco Bell had been part of our congregation twenty years ago!*

**

*The management is to be commended for their interest in doing justice
for their employees and for the family of the young woman.*

**

It's A Great Day to be A Mountaineer

This must be WVU's week. First we name an interim president who's actually qualified, then Rodriguez , the slimy POS, agrees to pay WVU $4 millionAs Jack Fleming would say, "It's a great day to be a Mountaineer, wherever you may be."

What does this say about us?

This article from the Charleston Gazette follows up a story that has been bothering me. A young black woman was killed this past weekend. It's a tragic story. A teenage girl with a three-year-old son was killed by her ex-boyfriend. A tragic case of domestic violence that has reached a bitter end, leaving a three-year-old motherless and essentially, an orphan.

What disturbs me is that the police were quite familiar with this relationship. There were about 20 cases of domestic violence on the record. Violent, violent behavior, including kidnapping and weapons violations. Yet he was walking free, his restraining order apparently just a suggestion.

What does this say about domestic violence? That it's her fault? That she would leave when she got tired of it? Well, she did leave. And she was shot down as she was hiding from him.

Perhaps it's part of the Appalachian ethos that we don't interfere in family matters. West Virginia has a very low murder rate. But of these murders, most are related to domestic violence. If you're killed, you're most likely to be killed by a member of your family. Perhaps it's that we think that women who get in these situations and can't get out shouldn't have gotten into them in the first place. Perhaps it's that she's poor. Her family conducted a fundraiser today to pay for her funeral. Nothing about a college fund for the boy as a proper burial for the mother is more pressing. Perhaps it's that she's black. I'm not saying that we're burning crosses in yards. But there is a part of racism that suggests that a black person has less value. It's deeply embedded and harder to face.

Perhaps for Nalisha Fiona Gravely, the combination of being a young poor black woman trying to end an abusive relationship was the perfect storm that ended her young life.

Rest in peace, Nalisha. Your troubles are over. Now we need to face our troubles and see what we can do to see that your story is not repeated.

Crossposted at Appalachian Greens.

Are we Barking Down the Wrong Holler?

SagaciousHillbilly's Hillbilly Review Board series is well worth reading. His latest post has really got me thinking. Actually, it's probably that he has found a way to help me organize my thoughts that were taking root like the doggone locusts that I just pulled out of my yard. Try to pull them out by the roots and they grow from a piece of root you've missed.

He's referring to the blog initiative that a Better West Virginia spearheaded to replace WV stereotypes with something more positive. I was all over that idea. Personally, I'm tired of the stereotypes. I guess I'm one of those educated folks that he describes as "white urbane pseudo sophisticates who want WV to be some socially hip mixture of urbane and rural culture. . . bluegrass and REM, pulled pork with demi-glace, corporate board rooms and ramp festivals. . . you get the idea." I've done some time in board rooms, I live for ramp season, and I listen to both REM and bluegrass. But you can hold the demi-glace on my pork. I prefer that straight up and mixed with beans of some kind.

I guess I'm what my parents hoped I'd be. I'm educated, much more than they hoped for. Take that for good or for ill...there's both there. I'm damned smart. I lost my accent. I'm fine in my field. Not one of the top, but not scraping the bottom either. But then again, I'm young and there's a lot of time for me to rise, or to find the place where I'm comfy. Whichever.

But that brings to mind my major grief. While I love West Virginia, I just get tired of the misconceptions. The "oh, that's where they don't wear shoes." The "how interesting that you live so close to the land and to your family." The "I have cousins in Richmond." The "haven't you heard of Deliverance" jokes. The "isn't it great that you have overcome so much to be successful." I grew up pretty middle class. Aside of the huge garden Dad and Grandma raised, my high school days would be pretty indistinguishable from anyone else's. I guess I get tired of the fact that when I mention where I'm from, everyone thinks that they know everything about my life and who I am. I get tired of seeing the Hatfields and McCoy commercials. I get tired of hearing how friggin racist everyone in WV is because Hillary Clinton won. I get tired of hearing folks react to atrocities such as the Megan Williams case with "what can you expect from a bunch of hillbillies?" And believe me I heard a lot of that.

SH also mentions his annoyance with Appalachian folks claiming prejudice: "If you had any fucking clue about what prejudice is like for people who REALLY have to fight it on a day-to-day basis, you’d shut your fucking pie holes." He's right. I think I have felt a tiny little bit of it from some of the shit folks have said. BUT I think that on my worst day, I experience maybe one percent of the racism and prejudicial attitudes that a black person experiences on a good day. So maybe I have one iota. Probably not even that much.

His solution to this "image problem" is that we need to foster it. We don't want everyone knowing what paradise we live in because we don't want the turkeys here anyway. For many turkeys he's right. We'd rather they not come. WE don't want endless suburbia. We've got enough of that as it is. We don't want crime. But we do want to be respected as individuals. As people, not as a hillbilly label.

Beginning to heal

My alma mater is beginning to heal. West Virginia U. Hires Former Chief of Land-Grant Association as Its Interim President

Charleston Rally for an Oil Free President

Crossposted at Appalachian Greens:

I have been saying for months now (or is it years?) that if a Democrat were president, people would be rioting in the streets if gas reached $2 a gallon. Well, after 8 years of Shrub and Cheney we've got gas twice that. It's time for us to take a stand and spread awareness of what another 4 years of this will do to us.

If you're in Charleston, join some like-minded people in getting the word out.

Greenbrier and Washington Street (near the State Capitol)
Wednesday, 9 Jul 2008, 4:30 PM
Oil has reached $140 per barrel, gasoline prices are soaring, and the Republican oil buddies just keep getting richer. It's time for us to get the message out - a vote for McCain is a vote for higher gas prices! We'll meet at the corner of Greenbrier and Washington Streets (near the Exxon) at 4:30 pm on July 9. We'll hold signs and pass out flyers to remind people where McCain really stands on this issue.

Even though I can't go, I'm officially a host, so if you want to RSVP, email me and I'll get it done. Or follow this link.


Address:
Greenbrier and Washington Street (Map)
Charleston, WV 25301
Directions: I-77 to exit 99 (Greenbrier Street/State Capital). We'll be at the bottom of the hill, at the Exxon station.

Please feel free to re-post on your blogs.

How West Virginia sees the United States

Got this graphic from Chris at A Sour Apple Tree, and it's cracking me up! Click the image for a larger picture.

Am I a Blagger?

I'm reading All Click's post Outside the comfort zone, in which he draws some conclusions about new blogs he's been reading. One of these is actually one that I contribute to. He observes that "not all bloggers post something every single day." Shoot, I don't always even post every week. Does that make be a bad blogger (or, my new word, a blagger)?

I could use all the excuses, some of which are even valid. I've got a new job, in my field that means a move, and I'm still not sure which end is up in my new town.

It isn't that I have no topics. I could blog about my growing Judge Judy and America's Got Talent addiction (shame that it is on both counts). I could post about how one of Ohio's typical drivers finally nailed me yesterday. I could post about what my favorite bloggers had to say about George Carlin's passing (hint: has nothing to do with the Seven Words)and what that says about why I like them. But all the posts seem to demand more time and energy than I currently can muster.

So where is that energy going? Well, I've been reading and commenting. Lots. I've been getting into Maura's blog and MacDaddy's blog, and of course there are my perennial favorites of Just Judith, Jedi Jawa, and all my co-contributors at Appalachian greens. These blogs certainly provoke thought, and I think that I'm still mulling over what they're saying. Perhaps I'm trying to get my groove back. I certainly hope so.

So what do you think? Have I been a blagger?

Group Working to Inventory West Virginia’s Assets | a Better West Virginia Blog - Culture | Arts | Economy | Government

A new effort, the
a Better West Virginia Blog has started a new effort to highlight the great things about West Virginia in hopes of creating a new, positive image of West Virginia to counteract the negative stereotypes. I'd love to see as many bloggers take part in this event.

Here's the way it works: On West Virginia Day (that's Friday, June 20, tomorrow) write a blog post highlighting the positive about West Virginia. Then, post a comment at the A Better West Virginia blog (linked above). The owner will post a link to your entry.

Even if you can't participate, be sure to read the blog posts made by other bloggers.

I hope to read your work there!

Words I never thought I'd say

These words I never thought would be on my blog: "I'm voting Republican."

This video outlines all the reasons:



(and yes, folks, it's sarcasm, all around!).

A Cicada's Life

Cicadas in the Apple Tree
Originally uploaded by Happy Monkey

"Sure are loud, aren't they?" I said.

"Yep, and that's just he half of them, just the guys," My Honey said.

As we continued this discussion, we came to realize that cicadas don't have a bad life. Sleep for 17 years, and then get up, eat, and try to reproduce. Of course, that dying after only one summer of experience kind of sucks, but otherwise it sounds like quite a pleasant summer.

We also noticed that we could hear their song change. After a while, it reaches a crescendo, and then it dies down to just almost nothing. Kinda of like a football game right after a long, but not quite long enough, third down run when the stadium quiets to let the quarterback concentrate. After a while, we were calling plays based on the cicada song. "That's a first down, at least, and as they measure....YES! YES! TOUCHDOWN!!"

So the summer of the cicadas seems to be a lovely time. They eat, drink, and try to reproduce. They make A LOT of noise. Just like a bunch of 17-year-old boys at a football game. And as they have no fake ID's, they can't get beer either.

As if there were any doubt

According to this test, I am a geek. Who'd'a thunk it?

Your Score: The Geek

You scored 50 anxiety, 60 awkwardness, and 64 neuroticism!

You stick out like a sore thumb, with your social awkwardness and mildly neurotic behaviors--but you don't let it get you down! You are The Geek, and are here to prove that people who know the first 1000 digits of pi and try to woo dates by talking about calculators can be happy too! You have friends...and they are probably just as odd as you.





Your low anxiety score implies that you are able to relax, can enjoy the here and now, and have a healthy amount of self-confidence.



Your high awkwardness score implies that you are socially inept, probably stick out from the crowd, and perhaps feel uncomfortable in large groups of people, such as at parties.



Your high neuroticism score implies that you exhibit neurotic behaviors--probably fanatic obsessions, counting compulsions, or other geekish tendencies. You may know every word to LOTR, or draw anime of all your friends.





__


See the other results!



Well-Adjusted



The Neat Freak



The Dork



The Geek



Phobic



Obsessive-Compulsive



The Subtle Neurotic



The True Neurotic

Link: The Neurotic Test written by littlelostsnail on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test View My Profile(littlelostsnail)

New Game: Guess the Context!!!

Since I've been out of touch for ages, I thought I'd bring you a game: Guess the context! I'll give you a few phrases overhead (or said) during the move, and you guess who said them: me (ML), my honey (MH), or someone else. Ready?

1. Follow the toilet seats.
2. I've never seen you so happy to have a dumb waiter, and God knows we've had plenty.
3. This should only take a few minutes.
4. I've never been so happy to see a Cracker Barrel in my life!!
5. Bears are blind. They're born with cataracts.
6. If anyone asks, we don't know how this line fell down.
7. What were they thinking?
   

There may be more later, so check back. Post your guesses in the comments and I'll post the answers in a few days.

Updates

It's moving time!! I've been crazy busy with the packing. The movers come tomorrow, and with any luck I'll be a couple of hours downriver tomorrow!

Voted today, for Barack and against ol'Joe. I just wish he'd spent more time in WV. We vote in the national too.

got calls from Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton. I agreed with what Hillary was saying, but she needs to work on her listening skills. Two real people called me to tell me to vote for Hillary.

If you are of the nature, please fling a little prayer that life isn't too crazy the next few days!!

Updates from Green Town next week.

The Cowhaus Lady

This is one of my closest friends. Not only is she a ton of fun, but she's very intelligent, loyal, and interesting. Golly do I miss Morgantown!

The Chinchilla Interviews: Mountain Laurel

I have been interviewed by the chinchilla. Which chinchilla, you may ask? Why, it's the most famous celebrity chinchilla interviewer, Mr. Chinchilla. Interview With The Chinchilla: The Chinchilla Interviews: Mountain Laurel

The Monty Hall problem

Am I an idiot because I just don't get this? This page, The Monty Hall page, is a cyber-equivalent of Let's Make a Deal. (I hold Monty Hall personally responsible for the amount of junk I carry in my purse.)

It just seems counterintuitive to me that the odds should not change when the problem changes.

If anyone can explain it to me, I'd appreciate it. Logically I can understand it, but I just can't "get" it.

Accent Test

You may have noticed that I like these tests. Here are my results for the accent test:

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland   "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.
The West
Boston
North Central
The South
The Inland North
Philadelphia
The Northeast
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

My question, though, is where is Appalachia in this test? I didn't see it in any of the questions, and I"m not sure where an Appalachian would fall in the list of results? Are we Midland? Or is this an idiosyncratic anomaly for me? What about the rest of you?

Mood of the Day

I just got a job offer from a major university not far from here! And even closer to my honey! Close enough that we could even live in the same house after we get married. It's a great position and the next logical step in my career. It's just, great.

The only bad thing about it is packing up the office, packing up the house, trying to find a place to live, figuring out how to get all this done in only 6 weeks, etc., etc....

But for now I'm celebrating!

What I've learned

I've lived here in the Mid-Ohio Valley for about six years now. Here is what I've learned:

• the difference between flash flooding, backwater flooding, and river flooding
• the river height which makes it impossible for me to get home via my favorite bridge
• that "Ohio State University" has a "The" in front of it, but
  
• TOSU is not an acceptable abbreviation for the school. Only OSU is.
  
• OU does not mean Oklahoma University.
• Just being from a decent area doesn't mean you'll turn out to be a decent person. Just pay the money, Rich!!
• Ohio has a moral objection to using salt on the roads.
  
• the joy of driving a stick shift, especially on ice. Seriously. I'll take a stick over an automatic in bad weather any day.
  
• every turn in the road on I-77 between Marietta, OH and Charleston, WV.

All in all, I've learned a lot!

D'oh!!

At my last job, I was in a Powerball pool. As a matter of fact, I stayed in it a while after I left (the pool coordinator emailed me to ask if I wanted to play, and I paid him when I saw him). After a few years, I dropped it. I always wondered what would happen if the pool at my old job hit the Powerball.

My close friend has a similar story. Except that the last place of employment for my friend was here. Said friend is now feeling pretty sick.



I think you call that "irony." Or perhaps you should file it under "things that suck."

Appalachia Class

I'm preparing for a new class that I'll be teaching about Appalachia. It consists of eight 2-hour sessions. I'm not sure where to go on the planning as when I teach about Appalachia I usually have a lot more time that just 16 hours. So I thought I'd ask the elite of Appalachia: namely, my loyal readers:

What would you most like to learn about Appalachia?

or, if you don't like that question,

What is most important for people to learn about Appalachia?

I've got my own ideas, but I'd like to hear yours first.

www.MyRecordJournal.com - Boy, 12, gets response to W. Va. coaching inquiry

www.MyRecordJournal.com - Boy, 12, gets response to W. Va. coaching inquiry

Extreme Makeover, Appalachian Edition

For those of you who watch Extreme Makeover Home Edition, this Sunday's show (8-9 p.m. on Sunday March 9 on ABC) will hold particular interest. The family who gets the new house is not only from my home town, but I knew the father when I was just a little bud. We were never really close, but I remember that he was a good guy with a great sense of humor. I'm pleased that they got this opportunity.

I'm also going to be interested in how they portray West Virginia. This blog post indicates that the crew was pretty negative about the location during the filming. I wonder if any of that carried over into the show itself. But I've seen other reports that suggest the opposite. It will be interesting to see.

Albino Deer Sighting

My brother was able to get these pictures of an albino deer near his house in southern Virginia.

Here she comes!

Note the normal colored deer next to her for contrast.

On this one you can see the pink eyes.

I think I'm insulted

Did this Blogthing just call me an asshole??

You Are a Colon

You are very orderly and fact driven. You aren't concerned much with theories or dreams... only what's true or untrue. You are brilliant and incredibly learned. Anything you know is well researched. You like to make lists and sort through things step by step. You aren't subject to whim or emotions. Your friends see you as a constant source of knowledge and advice. (But they are a little sick of you being right all of the time!) You excel in: Leadership positions You get along best with: The Semi-Colon

What Punctuation Mark Are You?

Just A Thought -

The Heisman Pundit had a Thought -just how much of a tragedy do you need to have till ESPN shows up on your campus ad nauseum? I'm with the Pundit on this one. The family and friends of the victims at NYU are hurting no less than the family and friends of the VT victims did, yet you don't get that kind of outpouring of support from ESPN. Better yet, let's have ESPN stick to what it used to do best...SPORTS!!!!

Grandma would be proud

Your Language Arts Grade: 98%

Way to go! You know not to trust the MS Grammar Check and you know "no" from "know." Now, go forth and spread the good word (or at least, the proper use of apostrophes).

Are You Gooder at Grammar?
Make a Quiz

Happy Valentine's Day!

What's Valentine's Day without a LOLcat? Or a LOLmonkey? Or even a LOLbabboonbutt?

Book Meme

In response to SagaciousHillbilly: Sagacious Hillbilly (who certainly is both), I bring you what I call the Book Meme.

Here are the rules:

1. Pick up the closest book of 123 pages or more
(No cheating.)
2. Find page 123
3. Find the first five sentences
4. Post the next three sentences

Miller, D.L.; Hatfield,S.; and Norman, G. (2005). An American Vein: Critical Readings in Appalachia. Ohio University Press: Athens, OH.
In this extremely complex work, the device succeeds in providing a dramatic and objective focus to what otherwise might have devolved into an opaque interior monologue. Hannah, younger than Settle and more unsure of herself, wins the sympathy and interest of the reader as shes searches for and finally discovers the answer to the questions that have inspired the writing of both cycles. If Hannah is a fictional construct as Rosenberg maintains, she is also an autobiographical construct. In this work fiction and autobiography merge in a unique way.

When the Beulah Quintet and the Canona Cycle are considered together, as The Killing Ground demands that they must be, Settle's accomplishment becomes even more awesome.

Now tagging
Banewood
JediJawa
Geeky Mom
Muze Euterpe
Rebecca
Elvis Drinkmo
Kayak Dave (he knows where he is)
Buzzard Billy
Anne Johnson
Ms. Jamie

Who'd'a Thunk it?

Apparently I'm an old-school Democrat.

Bob's House -- Pepsi's new Super Bowl Ad

This was my favorite Super Bowl ad, even though it didn't make it on during the actual game.

The last Christmas present

What do you get someone when you know it will be the last gift you ever give him? That was the question I had to deal with last Christmas. My honey’s Pop wasn’t doing well and we all knew that this would be the last Christmas together. So what should I get him? A memento probably wouldn’t be good, and, as my honey pointed out, this just wasn’t the time to get him a savings bond. So after much consternation, I settled on a box of sugar free chocolates, which he loved. At the last minute, I found a lovely group pic of my honey’s pop, his 2 sisters, his stepmom, his brother-in-law and, of course, my honey and me. I printed out the picture and put it in a frame for the present.

That picture sat by his chair and later his hospital bed. Last week, the picture was in his casket as we said our last goodbyes. I think the present was OK in the end, but not nearly as good as the one he gave me.

Rest in peace, Pop. And thank you for the greatest gift I’ve ever gotten: your wonderful son.

This Is My Life, Rated
Life:	7.1
Mind:	7.7
Body:	7.3
Spirit:	7.9
Friends/Family:	5
Love:	9.2
Finance:	7.2
Take the Rate My Life Quiz

University Investigates Whether Governor’s Daughter Earned Degree - New York Times

Heathergates reaches the New York Times. All I can do is shake my head at this point.

Even in fictional world, I'm a Nerd.

What's Your Reputation at Hogwarts? (26 different characters)

Quiet Nerd:House: RavenclawBest Friend: Hermione.GryffindorsHarry: Wants you to speak up more during class because he loves your voice and thinks you are quite intelligent.Ron: Hopes that you get less like Hermione as you get older.Hermione: Loves that you study as much as she does.Oliver Wood: Doesn't know who you are.Fred and George Weasley: Try to get you to play pranks with them to crack your tough shell.Seamus Finnigan: Doesn't bother trying to get to know you.Neville Longbottom: Is too busy dreaming about Ginny.Dean Thomas: Bought you a book for Christmas because he had a crush on you.Ginny Weasley: Tried to burn that book so that you would have more time to spend on being normal.Parvati Patil: Is always too busy flirting with the Gryffindor boys to notice you.Padma Patil: Same as Parvati.HufflepuffsCedric Diggory: Doesn't know who you are.RavenclawsCho Chang: Same as Cedric.SlytherinsDraco Malfoy: Picks on you as often as possible because he knows it hurts your feelings.Crabbe: Don't know you.Goyle: Same as Crabbe.Pansy Parkinson: Is always picking on you with Draco.Marcus Flint: Wants to be smart like you, but knows he can't so he makes fun of you for it.Blaise Zabini: Is the only Slytherin who's somewhat nice to you.TeachersDumbledore: Tries to get you to like new things so that you won't be so shy.Professor McGonagall: Likes how you don't talk during class.Professor Flitwick: Knows you are afraid of showing you're true skills in class and tries to get you to demonstrate them in class.Professor Trelawney: Predicts a lonely life for you.Professor Snape: Forgets your name on a daily basis.Filch: Doesn't even know you exist. Take this quiz! Quizilla | Join | Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code

Democrat? No, Republican. No, seriously!!

I may not be the brightest candle on the cake, but I'm sure I'd never register as a Republican. And, if by some fluke of nature or butterfly ballot type of form, I sure as hell wouldn't tell anyone like this guy did!!! Registered Democrat leaves GOP race

Is there a Santa Claus?

Is there a Santa Claus? The classic question as answerered by Cecil Adams of The Straight Dope. If this doesn't get you in the holiday spirit, I don't know what will.

Dear Cecil:

Over one hundred years ago, on September 21, 1897, a little girl with great doubts asked the editor of the New York Sun for the answer to a question that had been bothering her. There was no Straight Dope then, so she had to settle. The Sun came up with an answer, a good answer, the correct answer. But folks have forgotten it, or no longer believe it. The man who answered her question was just a staff writer who got the assignment from his boss. He wasn't the World's Smartest Human, like you are. He didn't command the respect that you do. So, I hope you won't mind settling this question once and for all, for all the little Annies, Ryans, Joshes, Megans, and Tammys in the world. If I may paraphrase:

Dear Cecil: I am 47 years old. Some of my friends on the Straight Dope Message Board say there is no Santa Claus. JKFabian says, "If you see it in the Straight Dope it's so." Please tell me the truth. Is there a Santa Claus? --Ranger Jeff, The Idol of American Youth

Dear Jeff:

Let's just say his existence can't be definitely ruled out.

I'm not saying there aren't improbable aspects to the story. You have x number of kids (even leaving out the Muslims, Shintoists, Hindus, animists, etc., who one presumes get shafted, giftwise), you have y time per visit, you have z average distance between domiciles, you have an earth of known diameter, and you have 24 hours in the day. It doesn't add up. You have the problem of access to the gift-giving venue in the absence of chimneys with fireplaces, unless we're assuming that Santa Claus oozes through the keyholes in the manner of the critter in The Abyss, which is not a pretty picture. You have the problem of what in all likelihood is the earth's single largest concentration of toy manufacturing facilities in a polar region remote from resources of every type (cold excepted), that's so carefully camouflaged as to be invisible to satellite surveillance, and that produces no detectable emissions. Although now that one thinks about it, there's that ozone hole over the south pole. Hmm.

On the other hand, consider the following:

1. A great many seemingly improbable events do in fact occur. Florida winning the World Series. Cleveland winning the World Series. Compared to this, what is the accurate delivery of zillions of packages in the course of a single night?
2. Besides, Fed Ex does it. So what if we're talking Memphis and drivers in baseball caps rather than the north pole and elves? It's the principle of the thing.
3. OK, so there's a certain amount of mortal participation involved. Perhaps, as a parent, you've personally done your bit to help Santa and thought you did so of your own accord. The ants in the anthill probably think they're doing it on a whim, too. But looking at the matter objectively, we can't deny that a larger purpose is at work and that we are in the service of an agency greater than ourselves.
4. You mean the IRS.
5. I mean the impulse to be generous. Three hundred sixty-four days out of the year humankind commits all manner of heinous acts. On the 365th day we give toys to the kids. I'm not saying that the latter compensates for the former. I'm not saying Adolph Hitler wouldn't have given presents to his children, if he'd had children. But come on, it's got to count for something. The giving of gifts in such a way that no credit will devolve upon ourselves is sufficiently at odds with our routine behavior as to be accounted a mystery, and we may as well give that mystery a name. Santa Claus it is.
6. Besides, to believe in Santa Claus is to believe in magic. The belief in magic in many respects is a pernicious thing. Because of it you've got countless multitudes thinking that aliens abduct people, that Elvis is alive, that you can earn big money stuffing envelopes in your home, and that the TV preacher can cure you if you send him 50 bucks. A certain class of persons, of whom your columnist is one, will go through their lives attempting to extinguish these foolish hopes. No doubt in the main it is good that we do so. But even the sternest among us remembers the wonder we felt as children to think there was a force having a kindly interest in us that wasn't bound by the rules of this drab world. Wherefore if there's someone who's going to say flat out that Santa Claus doesn't exist, it's not going to be me.

The Fraudriguez Story, as Motown would Tell It

Via Bob Hertzel at the Times West Virginian. The genius just never stops pouring out of Marion County!

The following is Reason 23 on his list, but it deserves its own column, which is why I'm reprinting it here as a post. If I get ambitious, I'll post links. (Don't count on it.)

• Basketball coach John Beilein says goodbye to Rodriguez as he leaves for Michigan: “Someday, We’ll Be Together” (The Supremes)

• The rumors begin: “I Heard It On The Grapevine” (Marvin Gaye)

• The rumors get louder: “What’s Going On?” (Marvin Gaye)

• Rodriguez gets an offer, then talks to WVU officials: “Shop Around” (The Miracles)

• West Virginia asks Rodriguez not to leave: “Stop In The Name of Love” (The Supremes)

• Rodriguez thinks the offer over as Michigan awaits an answer: “You Keep Me Hanging On” (Diana Ross)

• Athletic director Ed Pastilong learns Rodriguez has decided to go to Michigan: “Don’t Leave Me This Way” (Thelma Houston)

• Rodriguez tells Michigan he accepts their offer: “Let’s Get It On” (Marvin Gaye)

• Michigan says fine, but you have to beat Ohio State: “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” (Diana Ross)

• Ed Pastilong laments: “Where Did Our Love Go?” (The Supremes)

• Rodriguez flies to Michigan: “End of the Line” (Boyz II Men)

• And then the final chapter, Rodriguez loses to Ohio State and has to catch “The Midnight Train to Georgia” (Gladys Knight and the Pips)

I'm adding my own postscript: WVU finally realizes that they deserve better than that: "I Will Survive" (Gloria Gaynor).

Hey, what would a post about football and Motown be without that last one? ;-)

I guess I'm spicy!!

Is this a good ting?

Your Score: Saffron

You scored 100% intoxication, 50% hotness, 75% complexity, and 50% craziness!

You are Saffron!

Those other spices have nothing on you! You're warm, smart, and you make people feel really good (and with no side-effects!). You can be difficult to get to know and require a lot of those who try, but you're so totally worth it. *Sigh*

Link: The Which Spice Are You Test written by jodiesattva on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

Happy Holliday?

According to the Parkersburg News and Sentinel WVU is poised to hire Doc Holliday, a former WVU assistant coach and player originally from Hurricane. I've heard this on other sites too, so it might just happen! Wait and see...

The strangest and funnies thing I've seen this holiday

Finally, the barking dogs singing Jingle Bells have competition.

What's Behind Rodriguez Leaving for Michigan - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

Folks have been asking me how I feel about the whole Rich Rod thing. Well, gee, let's see. I'm at a level of POd that I haven't been to in a long time.

It's not the leaving. People have all sorts of reasons to take and leave jobs, and I'm not judging their reasons, even if I may not agree.

It's the way he left. First, he calls his recruits and tells them. Then he tells the team. That's wrong. The players had calls from the recruits before the meeting even started! Then, when he gives his letter of resignation to a GRADUATE ASSISTANT (who's about as low on the pecking order as you can get...trust me, I remember) to deliver to the officials. At least be a man and don't hide.

I'm not crazy about Nehlen's comments either. But that's another post.

Here's some local opinion on What's Behind Rodriguez Leaving for Michigan at the WVU FanHouse

And here's a view from Michigan's Detroit Free Press

Local reactions from University officials and players: http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news;_ylt=AoHHSvo5x1f9jEdQhNB76QvjvbYF?slug=ap-rodriguez-reax&prov=ap&type=lgns

In summation, Rich, you gotta go. Thanks to WVSoundman for the inspired song. I can't believe he got it written and produced that quickly!

A Letter from Jesus

I found this on an online forum. Since I'm pretty sure it's a forward, I'm reposting here as I love the sentiment. It's what I try to do. Fail more often than I like, but I try.

Dear Children,

It has come to my attention that many you are upset that folks
are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten
that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and
that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate
My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival.
Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be
most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed
with children of your own.

I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate
My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the
town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My
birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa's and snowmen
and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If
all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such
a scene on the town square because there would be many of them
all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree
a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made
all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree.
Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that
one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and
what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one,
look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth
here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My
birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope
to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and
lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know
them personally. They just need to know that someone cares
about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on
the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write
and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family
this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you
again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't
afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them
the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down
here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love
them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him
or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take
their own life this season because they feel so alone and
hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving
everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town
calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there.
Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't
allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you
from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday.
If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd
close and let their employees spend the day at home with their
families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a
missionary - especially one who takes My love and Good News to
those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole
families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas"
tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or
receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few
gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other
charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery
for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief
in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do
things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let
people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love
Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all
the rest.

Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll
help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a
most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and
remember:
I LOVE YOU,
JESUS

~Earthly Author Unknown~

w00t!!!!

It's official: Merriam-Webster's word of '07 is 'w00t'. Another example of hacker terminology infiltrating popular parlance. Personally, I have never said w00t before...I'm more of a woo hooo! kind of gal.

One Hundred Years Ago Today: Monongah Mine Disaster

Here's my post from yesterday on Appalachian Greens: One Hundred Years Ago Today: Monongah Mine Disaster. I'm linking because I'm too lazy to crosspost, and I think I'll be making some additions.

BS Flag

I SO need one of these. I mean, yes, it would be great for games, but imagine how useful it'd be in meetings!! Picture this: the flag flies, and the committee chair says "we have unnecessary jargon. 15-donut penalty, to be assessed at the next meeting." Or this: "Prior to the point, illegal whining. Penalty is one carafe of coffee to be served immediately to avert any risk of sleepiness to the attendees who've heard all your whining before."

Aaaaaah, in my world.....

Slightly nerdy

To recover from the trauma that was Saturday's game, I took the Nerd Quiz and found I was "slightly nerdy." I think that means "nerd wannabe."

WVU Belongs in the National Title

This article in the Charleston Daily Mail says it all.

Take that, OSU!

Cook, Furfari can measure depth of WVU-Pitt rivalry

Cook, Furfari can measure depth of WVU-Pitt rivalry: "you will hate Pitt for eternity," which is my favorite Jack Fleming quote. I'm getting much more into this Pitt game than even I had in earlier years. And I'm already getting nervous. Golly I hope we pound them good, in a fashion that would make even Jack Fleming's ghost call to the Mountaineers for mercy.

But this is part of what I enjoy about rivalries. Check out the Backyard Blog, with entries from Pitt and WVU diehard fans. It's good clean ribbing, which can be lots of fun.

Angel from Montgomery by John Prine and Bonnie Raitt

This is probably the most beautiful song I've ever heard. I have fond memories of singing this with one of my best friends. And the montage is perfect...exactly what I pictured when I first heard this lovely song.

The Backyard Blog

The Backyard Blog

Bad Santa!!!

This is the funniest picture I've seen in a while. Courtesy of The Jacknut Chronicles.

Sucks to be Santa sometimes.

Eight Things Meme

I was tagged by JediJawa with the Eight Interesting things meme, so here goes:

1. My house (my bedroom, to be precise) was hit by a tractor-trailer when I was five years old. Since then I've harbored an irrational fear of tractor-trailers.
2. I'm thinking of growing my hair out for Locks of Love. But I'm afraid that they'll send it back because they can't do anything with it either!
3. I took gymnastics lessons at the same place (and at the same time) that Mary Lou Retton did. She learned much better than I did.
4. My eyes are terrible and have been all my life. My secret wish is to wake up in the morning and be able to see.
5. Contrary to common belief, I was born in Richmond, Virginia.
6. My family has lived on the same piece of land since the Revolutionary War.
7. My first major purchase after I finally got out of grad school and got a real job was WVU season football tickets.
   
8. Eight is my lucky number!

Now tagging:
Banewood
Ms. Jamie
Kayak Dave
Anne Johnson
Elvis Drinkmo
Lulu Bunny
Just Judith
Yellowdog Granny

(links to follow after I cook Thanksgiving dinner)

RIP, Mr. Yup Yup

Here's a video of the Yup Yup man. It's a bit grainy, but I thought the clearer video was insulting, so you're going to have to suffer with graininess.

He was a fixture around Morgantown, a little odd to be sure, but never hurt a fly, and never drank alcohol, regardless of how many bars he frequented.

He never spoke to me, and I've heard rumors that he didn't speak to women. I can believe that. He was a gentle soul.

I remember when his landlord died in the early 90s, the concern was "what's going to happen to Mr. Yup Yup?" as we all knew that the landlord provided a place for him to stay and looked out for him. I never knew till today, but I continued to see him around town so I knew he was all right.

Goodbye, Mr. Yup Yup

A part of my childhood is gone. Morgantown says Farewell to the Yup Yup man

Dying Languages

When we lose a language, we lose another way of looking at the world. It is through language that we create meaning and interpret our world.This article from the New York Times illustrates this concept perfectly.

So I guess I am on the level of undergrads

Saw this tool on several blogs and had to try it.

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UPDATE: Three days later, I had either gotten a lot better at writing OR the blog readability is pretty random. But I couldn't resist having the GENIUS label on my blog! I've known it for a long time.... :-)

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Pre-Thanksgiving Christmas Songs

I get really grumpy when I hear Christmas songs before Thanksgiving. So here are my alterations.

Stop the Bells (to the tune of Silver Bells, as if you didn't know)

Stop the Bells
Stop the Bells
It's too damn early for Christmas songs
Ring a ling
Stop that thing
Christmas is two months away!

God Rest Ye Merry Customers (again, to the tune of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen)

God Rest Ye Merry Customers
Let nothing you dismay
Just put it on your credit card
You'll pay it off in May

And if your debts get too darn high
You can always get a loan
Oh put up your retirement and home,
Retirement and home
And forget about a cruise to Rome.

More to come as my creativity and annoyance level rises.

How Privileged are You?

Found this on a blog focusing on Quakers and social class. Ones that apply to me are bolded. I'm not sure what this says. I grew up pretty solidly middle-class, I thought. What do you think?

Father went to college (for a year)
Father finished college
Mother went to college (again, for a year)
Mother finished college
Have any relative who is an attorney, physician, or professor. (Dad's first cousin that I never really knew)
Were the same or higher class than your high school teachers
Had more than 50 books in your childhood home
Had more than 500 books in your childhood home
Were read children's books by a parent
Had lessons of any kind before you turned 18 (Guitar, believe it or not, briefly)
Had more than two kinds of lessons before you turned 18
The people in the media who dress and talk like me are portrayed positively
Had a credit card with your name on it before you turned 18
Your parents (or a trust) paid for the majority of your college costs*(All of undergrad, but after that I was on my own)
Your parents (or a trust) paid for all of your college costs*
Went to a private high school
Went to summer camp (Does 4-H Camp and Church Camp count?)
Had a private tutor before you turned 18
Family vacations involved staying at hotels
Your clothing was all bought new before you turned 18
Your parents bought you a car that was not a hand-me-down from them (Yeah, RIGHT!!!!)
There was original art in your house when you were a child
Had a phone in your room before you turned 18
You and your family lived in a single family house
Your parent(s) owned their own house or apartment before you left home
You had your own room as a child
Participated in an SAT/ACT prep course
Had your own TV in your room in High School
Owned a mutual fund or IRA in High School or College
Flew anywhere on a commercial airline before you turned 16 (once when I went to the West Coast to visit Dad's sisters)
Went on a cruise with your family
Went on more than one cruise with your family
Your parents took you to museums and art galleries as you grew up
You were unaware of how much heating bills were for your family

What have you done?

Today I was at work where we were testing out furniture for our really awesome new building. A co-worker was saying that she didn't like the desk chairs because the arms didn't go out far enough to the sides. Me being me, I messed with the arms and got them to turn to the outside more.

She was amazed. "How did you do that? We've all tried it, we even read the directions, and the directions said you couldn't do it!"

My reply: "I wasn't encumbered by the directions."

Which brings to mind the question: what impossible things have you done lately?

Unravelled: The mystery of why strings tangle - tech - 30 September 2007 - New Scientist Tech

Unravelled: The mystery of why strings tangle - tech - 30 September 2007 - New Scientist Tech What's next: the mystery of the missing socks in the dryer?