Update: I don't get to go to Houston. But I've been told that next week will be horrible so at least I will get lots of overtime!

I wanted to link to this: VIGIL IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN RAPED AND MURDERED IN JUÁREZ AND CHIHUAHUA .

Happy Halloween and All Saints Day!

Well, it looks like I will be going to Houston next week. I'll know FOR SURE tomorrow, but I've been told to prepare to go. And this weekend, I really needed a weekend. Waah. But I'll get more money for going on this trip, which is quite needed!

The Perfect Firestorm

I just read this article at Commondreams.org. I heard this morning on NPR that Congress is working to draft a bill to permit more logging to decrease the rick of forest fires. Are they serious? It's Bush's "environmentalism" at work. I'm going to look for more information on this bill.

edit: I found an article on it on the Guardian: Wildfires give boost to logging bills.

what I just can't stand

One thing that really irks me is that General Clark is running for President and has not told us what issues he stands for. Maybe I'm just old-fashioned, but I like when candidates have the good ol' platform. Here are some examples from other candidates:

Dean's page on "Ensuring Civil Rights and Justice for All"

Gephardt's "Issues and New Ideas"

Edwards "Real Solutions for America"

EVEN Al Sharpton lists his platform: Sharpton's platform.

But go to Wesley Clark's page and this is what you find: On the Issues. All he has are plans - no list of specific issues that he stands behind.

What I can't stand - candidates who won't say what they stand for!

I forgot that I wanted to be sure and link to this interview. After reading it, I was tempted to go to seminary. Well, only slightly.

Bill Moyers Interviews Union Theological Seminary's Joseph Hough

This is so frustrating to me: Iraq: Civilian Deaths Need U.S. Investigation

WHY DO WE KEEP KILLING INNOCENT CIVILIANS??!!!!???!!!

This is why I was opposed to going into Iraq. I hate that I knew that this would happen. It makes me so sad and angry. I hate that all these innocent people are being killed for oil: Iraqi civilians, American soldiers, members of the foreign press. . .

Sure Saddam was bad. But I don't think it was worth all this. Not at all.

I added a new link on my side menu. Laura at Mousepads, Shoe Leather and Hope is now linking to me as a "Dean Related Blog", so I felt I should return the favor.

I just wrote Margaret Cho a fan e-mail. How cliche is that? I wonder if I'll get a reply. When I emailed Harry Connick, Jr. years ago, I got a few replies. We even had a short email discussion, if you will. This was pre-"Will and Grace".

Last night Rush Limbaugh was in my dream. I was at some sort of small conference where the Republicans and Dems were in separate rooms and I went to the Republican section for kicks. I can't remember what I thought was so funny about his speech, but I went over to the Democratic room and was telling someone about it, in between laughs. Then I realized he was behind me, and I laughed right at his face.

This is after I watched The Haunting (the original) last night. One would think I would be affected by that (and I was - I was spooked out trying to go to sleep last night). It is a scary film, and so well done. I didn't realize it was directed by Robert Wise (West Side Story, The Sound of Music). There is one scene where Russ Tamblyn's character jumps off some shaky stairs and it really reminded me of West Side Story (when they sing the Jets song).

This week has been "harr-ible" and I can't WAIT for the weekend. I seriously need a break. Especially b/c I might be going on a business trip to Houston again! Ack!

Thom is my man. . .
Thom: Design Doctor


Which Member from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy is your type?
brought to you by Quizilla

A neat interview with Maurice Sendak (see earlier post):
Sendak and Kushner Let Humor Get Through

Also, the newest issue of Mother Jones has an interview with Tony Kushner. Before I read it, I didn't know much more about him than his penning "Angels in America". But now I know he is a smart progressive Liberal. Good for him.

More later.

My close friend R just e-mailed me and asked me to cosign for a loan. I have no idea what kind of loan, but I'm assuming educational. I know she is extremely responsible and will be good for it, but I am still wondering if I should or not. I really want to help her out, but I am kinda scared that something will happen and I will have to pay her loan. I honestly can't afford to. However - I know that otherwise she can't afford to go to school. It is a pickle. So that's what I'll be doing this weekend - trying to decide what to do as far as that is concerned.

Have a good weekend!

Shouldn't you be the one with the answers?

But I can believe you don't have them. Rummy, Rummy, Rummy. What will we do?

The guy who gave me free tickets to see Liz Phair is now touring with Steve Burns (the ex-Blue's Clues guy) in the UK. They are opening for the Flaming Lips. If you want to see a lovely pic of him, Steve, Steve's wife and their dog, then this link is for you. He's a cutie! He's taken, ladies, by some lucky gal in OK.

Sarah Bird

I went to hear Sarah Bird speak on Saturday. The event was called "Lunch with Sarah Bird", but since it was at the library, I didn't think they would actually have food there. They did! It was neat to hear her. She is just as funny as her books are. She discussed her books, starting with the first book she wrote (a murder mystery no longer in print). Apparently Avon Books paid her $1500 for it, then asked for their money back! Then she talked about Alamo House, which she just wanted to title "Women Without Men and Men Without Brains". Sadly she had a NY editor who wanted to give it a "regional" title. So although her book has NOTHING to do with the Alamo or a house nearby, it is stuck with that unfortunate title.

Trivial facts I learned:
- Sarah Bird moved here from New Mexico to go to grad school and follow a man. Said man joined the Church of Scientology and moved to California, promising to come back and marry her. Whereupon in California, said man, a Mr. Rogers, met an actress and married her instead. Who is this actress? Well, let's just say she left this guy (after taking his last name) for Tom Cruise, who then left her for Nicole Kidman.

- My favorite of her books, The Boyfriend School, was made into a movie, Don't Tell Her It's Me (1990), starring Steve Guttenberg and Shelley Long. Huh??!!

I believe I was the youngest person in the room. She definitely has more of a varied audience now, after the publication of The Yakota Officer's Club. If you haven't read any Sarah Bird, I would recommend you start out with that one. It is her deepest work. The rest are much lighter.

She warned us that what she's working on now is going to be a whole lot darker. We'll just have to wait and see!

morning sidenotes. . .

1) This morning I caught the video for Brad Paisley's "Celebrity" and it made me laugh out loud. Look out for it -- if you like funny social commentary or cute country singers.

2) On my way to work I noticed a construction sign flashing "John", then "3:16". I thought, well, do they think that will really convert people? It confused me, because I thought it was going to tell me that John Street was going to be closed soon. Where is John Street? Then the "3:16" flashed and I thought, Oh, those crazy Christians. People who think that putting a Bible verse on a flashing construction sign will bring in the heathens amaze me. All you are doing is confusing the driving public, who will think that some non-existent John Street will be closed soon.

3) I am not used to gawky teenagers scoping me out. One did this morning by the high school on my trip to work and I just stared right back at him. That'll teach him. Yeah.

More later about my weekend - I've got to do an entry about the lovely and Hi-larious Sarah Bird.

I've always depended on the kindness of strangers. . .

Well, not really. But thank you to the wonderful woman who gave M and I two of her tickets to the symphony. We got to the symphony early to stand in line for student tickets. We were hoping that they wouldn't look too closely at M's ID, since he really isn't a student anymore (sidenote: I haven't been one since 2000 and people still think I'm in school!). We stood in line debating how Tschiakovsky(sp) died. I said at least it wasn't syphilis, like those crazy Western European Romantics! This woman came up to the three kids in front of us and asked if they already had tickets. She had four extra tickets since her friends weren't coming. She said they were free and handed two right to me. I gasped my thanks and M and I rushed in to our fantastic free seats! We were on the fourth row, with seats even better than when I won free seats from KMFA.

The concert was really quite good, and I adore the last movement of Tschiakovsky's "Pathetique" symphony. And am I right that Piano Concerto No.1 In Eb Major by Lizst contains Gargamel's theme from "The Smurfs"? I don't think I could make that up. But maybe I did.

Anyway, thank you, kind lady. People like you restore my faith in humanity. =)

Hahahahaha!!

This week's This Modern World is hi-larious! Check it out at working for change.

Mass Exodus

Thanks to TPM for this link: Many Troops Dissatisfied, Iraq Poll Finds. I find this fact most interesting:

"A total of 49 percent of those questioned said it was "very unlikely" or "not likely" that they would remain in the military after they complete their current obligations. In the past, enlistment rates tended to drop after conflicts, but many defense experts and noncommissioned officers have warned of the potential for a historically high exodus, particularly of reservists."

This article basically says that regardless of what this administration would have you believe, the Stars and Stripes put together a survey and found some enlightening results. They realize that this was NOT a scientific survey, but I think the results are still quite relevant. As the article says, "the survey results suggest that a combination of difficult conditions, complex missions and prolonged tours in Iraq is wearing down a significant portion of the U.S. force and threatening to provoke a sizable exodus from military service."

How will the neo-cons handle this? And don't tell me they will re-instate the draft.

You know, I read a few days ago in a major news source (so it must have been big news) that most of our current soldiers are from rural areas. Is this supposed to be surprising? I didn't read the article, but I wonder if it pointed out that a majority of people in service are also minorities. And how many minorities are in Congress again?

There is a great article in the current issue of Harper's Magazine about the GOP's obsession with the military. If you haven't read it yet, I recommend that you do. If it were online I would link ot it, but it isn't. =( It is an in-depth article about the kind of people who make up the military and why the GOP wants America to be more like the military that serves it.

what doesn't suck . . .

. . .as much as I thought it would: the Angelina Jolie flick Life or Something Like It. It was actually not bad at all. Certainly it had moments of cheesiness, but it was a whole lot better than I expected. And if I hadn't watched it on HBO last night, I'd never have known.

Guster is going to be here Saturday night and I haven't decided what to do. I am tempted to go, since I haven't seen them since I first saw them in St. Paul a few years ago. I'd love to catch them, but it would save me money not to. What to do, what to do. . .

What went wrong?

I finished watching "Truth, War and Consequences" this morning. I was left with a very disappointed feeling. What a sad state of affairs. Go to this site to read more about it. There are interviews and discussions that weren't in the show. One I am interested in reading is the cameraman's account of a shooting in Iraq. I was very disturbed by the soldier's reaction to finding out they had shot an innocent bystander (who was 5 feet away from the cameraman). *sigh* Here is what I'm talking about.

An excerpt from Anger's account:
"I never found out what the fistfight was about or why a man died on that hot sidewalk in Baghdad. I can understand the American soldiers being hot, tired and probably scared. But they overreacted. To compound the mistake, they incorrectly claimed that there had been a gunman in the crowd to justify their actions."

Quote for the day

"My wish is to ride the tempest, tame the waves, kill the sharks. I will not resign myself to the usual lot of women who bow their heads and become concubines."
- Trieu Thi Trinh, Vietnamese revolutionary circa AD 240

A few weekends ago I was cleaning/unpacking and I found a used role of film. I took it to be developed last weekend and got it back today. It mostly had pictures from North Carolina on it.

Like this one:

I don't remember the name of the volunteer I am posing with, that's how long ago this was. Don't I look authentic, though? We were there for a build in May and it would get so hot during the day (that's why my sleeves are rolled up). I was in charge of installing the door behind us. Here is a better pic of it. And here is the back door I was in charge of installing also. Since I never did roofing (too scary), I got to lead the door (and some window) installation. This pic was taken on the last day of the build (we all wore our Habitat*Americorps Build shirts). Our Americorps group got the farthest in the week we were there. I believe we just started with a capped foundation, and on Friday we ended with siding started on most of the house. It was pretty awesome.

(Yes, I am obsessed.)

Another Fountains of Wayne note:

Last night I caught part of Ellen and Elton John was on. I'm not a huge Elton John fan, but I do have his greatest hits. Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road is one of the greatest albums period. Anyway, he is at the piano and Ellen asks him what current groups he is listening to. He says, "Fountains of Wayne. They've got an album out now called Welcome Interstate Managers." I am a bit surprised, but very happy. So if you think that Elton is a good man to trust music-wise (and you haven't followed my advice already!!!), then go buy the damn album!

I am SLOWLY getting over my allergy attack. I sound a lot better and have been coughing less. But I'm still coughing.

I recorded Frontline last night ("Truth, War and Consequences") and started watching it this morning. It is quite educational. Yes. I LOVE Frontline. But why does it have to be on on Thursday at 9pm?

I'm glad it's the weekend, almost. I am hoping I get over this attack. Or at least get mostly recovered.

They played Fountains of Wayne on KUT today, so it has got to be a good day - never mind the fact that it is a bit gloomy outside and my allergies are still going crazy.

blah.

I am sick. It is all allergies, but I just feel awful.

I got to see Lost in Translation! It is really good. I really enjoyed it. Bill Murray should get some awards for his role - he plays a somewhat more restrained character than usual. One thing of note - his cell phone in the film has my new ring tone. Everytime his phone rang, I thought mine was ringing. It kinda freaked me out, because I knew I turned the ringer off.

I'm only working a half day today. I feel like the walking dead. Ugh.

I just found this pic of my old Americorps living arrangements online. My room was on the left side, on the third floor. That big window on the top floor in the front - that was mine! It's hard to believe but I got kinda homesick looking at this picture. I don't miss the hot summer evenings or the drunk people who sat on our porch, but I do miss Minnesota. *sigh*

I just took a survey for Blogger.

I love this weather - it is so crisp and cool when I walk out the door in the morning. I love that I don't have to have the A/C on at all. The only bad things are a) it is getting really hard to get out of bed in the morning and b) my allergies are starting to get bad. But I won't complain. It is almost worth dealing with to have this weather.

A sign that I am watching too many episodes of "Sex and the City": Characters from the show were in my dream last night. I don't remember much, except I was sharing a hotel room in a version of Houston that doesn't exist. Bizarre.

Is it just me, or was "Friends" really bad last night? I couldn't watch it. But "Scrubs" was great. I don't know what I think of Elliot's new look.

This weekend I am detemined to see Lost in Translation, even if I have to go by myself. I really want to see it that badly.

I'm going to try and write something this weekend, also. I've become so lax about keeping entries in my journal since I have this blog now. Bad Elizabeth.

Hey goosie - I'm going to give you a call this weekend. I miss you!

CD of the day: I'm still on Seal!

This morning I got gas at my favorite local service station. There was this weak looking forty-something man in greasy overalls walking with a harsh sort of limp. As I was getting gas he asked if I could drop him off at the light at the end of the block, where his van had broken down. I said, "Okay." Part of me was thinking, this poor, poor guy, and a small part of me was thinking, he could carjack me! When I was paying for the gas, the owner of the station asked me if I was giving that guy a ride. I told him I was, and that I thought it would be okay, since I was just taking him down the block. And that's what I did. As he got out of the car, he thanked me and said he would pray for me.

Driving the rest of the way to work, all of the scenarios that could have happened popped into mind. I find it sad that in our current society doing good for your neighbor has such ramifications, especially if you are a single female. Since it was the middle of the morning and this guy looked so down, I didn't think anything would happen. And it didn't.