Politics and Life

I've had a lot of things I've wanted to say lately, but haven't really had the time to sit down write them out properly.

Many things about politics, the focus of the media, and the distractions that are being offered up instead of actual news. Please keep in mind this coming from a democrat who very proudly voted for Obama -- all of this is very frustrating to me. I really put my trust into a system that I feel has always been, well, off kilter or unfair, and I really thought that would make a big direction change. Maybe it's unfair to judge this harshly 6 months in, but Obama gave us HUGE promises, direction and most of all HOPE. While I know that some people still think of him as too liberal, in my eyes he is not liberal, at least not the liberal we were promised.

On top of all my infatuation with news as of late, I have been job hunting (yikes) as well as trying to sort out what I'm doing for school in the fall. Once I have more concrete news on that, I'll be sure to let you know.

Happily, my puppies are doing fabulously, and River is now TEN POUNDS. Less than 2 months ago she was a shrimpy 4 pounds, so she's growing well, and Simon and River absolutely love eachother.

Calm.

Ok, so, I'd typed out this long whiny entry, and the decided to delete it. I'm going to attempt to keep the "positive energy" going, and say how thankful I am for the things I have in my life. While I may at times get frustrated, hurt or sad, I love my family, my friends, and my puppies. I am lucky enough to live in a nice place, with running water, electricity, internet and cable tv. I have no idea what real hunger feels like. I am educated, informed and have many opportunities, I only have to have the courage to follow through with them. While I have had some terrible things happen to me and those I love in my life time, I have always had the support and love of others to get me through those times. It is very easy to take for granted these beautiful things that we all have, and I am trying to realize this. I am trying to better myself in many ways at the moment - and this is a journey I am just beginning. The journey of self-satisfaction and self-worth. A desire for a sometimes more simple way of life and happiness. A higher understanding of my place in the big, big world, and an acceptance that things will happen as they will, and aside from trying my hardest at whatever my endeavour, there is not much else I can do.

Kindness of Strangers

So, for some unknown reason my spell check was not working last time, so my apologies for my inability to spell certain things...

As some of you may know, I am in the present position of searching for a job. My contract with my families is over at the end of August, and I have decided to leave the world of Nannying behind for something a bit more secure, or at least something that would allow me to collect unemployment should I find myself in that position. I have been frantically submitting resumes, and trying to battle this dreary economy in which we reside. Pretty much all of my experience is in Health Care, and as such, that is where I am looking. It's rather difficult: I'm still relatively new here, and because I am a Nanny I have not really had much option to expand my social network to include many professionals. Enter Stranger. While at the dog park on Sunday with the two pooches, I struck up conversation with a couple who also had a young puppy and was playing with River. In the course of the conversation it came up that I was looking for a job. Stranger said he used to work for a health care company, and knew some of the higher level executives here in Charlotte and would be happy to pass along my resume. I must say, this was tremendously encouraging. Not because I expect anything to come of it, or to magically find a job, but because this stranger offered to help me. Asked nothing in return, and really doesn't even know me. But, I e-mailed him my resume, and he forwarded it on as promised, and the sent me a very encouraging e-mail.

I don't always have the greatest faith in mankind as a whole, but finding these golden people who will be selfless and think nothing of it is a shining point. I certainly plan to repay the favor as well as I can -- not nessicarily to him, but to some other person who may be in need of a hand.

Tattoos

I feel that "these days" most people have tattoos. It's a pretty common place thing, and even the most bedecked of people don't get super strange looks from our generation. I have 2. And I love my 2. But I want many many more. The image to the right is what I would like, most likely, my next one to be. As it stands this is one of at least 5 tattoos I plan to get -- and I'm sure I'll end up wanting more. I don't plan to go on my arms or lower legs, and I want to leave my stomach area alone, so that should I ever be pregnant I won't end up with enormous blobs. A lot of people (especially elder folks) tell me how much I'll regret it when I'm older and such, but I honestly don't think I will. All the things I do have meaning to me , and when I'm older they will simply be reminders of parts of my life.
Having said all this I am really looking forward to having my next one done, although I don't know when that will be -- tattoos can get expensive, and some of the ones I want are larger and a bit more involved. Although, This one isn't too bad. So, we'll see. Anyhoodle, I hope I end up with some new ink shortly, so I can share it here.

(didja catch that Salty?)

Patriotism.

Anyone who knows me can tell you I'm not the most patriotic American. I don't hate America, but I'm not blinded by the lights shining at us. I don't believe that we are the greatest nation on Earth, and I think that we have a lot of work to do. I can't really speak on many of the fiscal matters -- that has never really interested me. I know we're in a recession and it sucks. I don't know enough about the stimulus plan to really make comments on, so I'll leave that alone. The matters that most concern me are the social ones. The equality ones. The ones that deal directly with the people, and how they are viewed and treated by our government.

Obviously the big issue right now is "The Gay". With Don't Ask, Don't Tell and Gay Marriage on the forefront of political issues. I hope this is not ignorance speaking, but I firmly believe we are headed in a positive direction on that front. It helps that we have a more tolerant leader, but he is certainly not the only reason I feel this way.

Our country has a history of resistance to Change. From The Holocaust to Desegregation to Women's voting rights, we have had to fight our hardest to be recognized and once laws were passed, to overcome the prejudices. While I know many of these prejudices still exist, they are now in the minority. I believe in our country and in our government to do the right thing. I believe that 40 years from now we will think it was ridiculous that there was such a hoopla over having gays in the military and letting people marry who they love. I believe that there will still be conservative, religious families who don't agree, but I also believe that we will not interupt their faith by acting on our rights. I believe that people are starting to understand that loving someone isn't really hurting anyone else, while it might not be your cup of tea, it's ok that it's some one elses.

Many of this is new to me. This feeling of accomplishment. I am too young to really remember any major political rifts, and so this will be the torch that I carry. Belief that, in the words of Lt. Dan Choi, Love is Worth It.

Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart.

Anne Frank

4th

I'm really really really really really really ready to be off work so I can go to Maryland now.
Kthxbai.

Everyone have a super 4th of July. And please, don't blow your hands off with fireworks.