Reverb11: Day 31

First, I want to thank Writeous Babe for hosting this Reverb. It has been fun. For a blogger, it is especially nice to have a prepared outline to blog from every day!

Day 31: Where do you hope to be on January 1, 2013?

I hope I will be enjoying a holiday off from my new job, whatever that might be. I hope I will be fortunate enough to find a job I enjoy with a salary that will allow me to at least live with my current level of comfort, slim though it might be.

(source)

Most importantly, I hope I will still be striving to achieve a balanced life. I accept my personal limitations, yet hope to achieve balance wherever possible.

Weekend Cat Blogging #343

Jules 

Evolution of a Stretch

All felines and their humans know what is truly happening here, right? A cat has never seen a door that he/she did not want opened. Cuteness usually works to open said doors.

This week's New Year's Eve edition of Weekend Cat Blogging is hosted by Kashim, Othello and Salome.

Feel Good Friday

Reverb11: Day 30

Day 30: Write a letter to your future self.

Dear Judi,

I hope this finds you alive, healthy, alert, and sleeping on a mattress. Are you still stealing quotes from Chris Rock after all these years? Do you even remember Chris Rock?

How are you? Was it everything you hoped it would be? I sincerely hope you aren't wasting time on regrets. Remember what you used to say: I am doing the best I can with what I have available to me at the moment. Are you alone? That could be scary, even sad, at this point in your life. Remind yourself how much time you spent alone during your lifetime. You know how to do this. There is no reason to be afraid. Besides, no one is ever alone if they have their memories and, if you for some reason you can't remember, hold on to a feeling or a fragrance or a piece of music or use your imagination.

Make your own decisions. Don't allow anyone to call you baby, honey, sweetie or any of that other baby-talk nonsense. Don't forget to laugh often. Continue to sing and dance, if only in your head.

Judi

Prompt by Writeous Babe

Film Review: Newlyweds

Film synopsis from Rotten Tomatoes:
Buzzy (Edward Burns) and Katie (Caitlin FitzGerald) are a newly married couple living a seemingly conflict-free life. But when Buzzy's damaged and impulsive half-sister Linda (Kerry Bishé) arrives at their doorstep expecting to stay for an indefinite period in their Tribeca loft, her antics threaten to disrupt the couple's commitment to an "easy" marriage. Meanwhile, with Katie's sister Marsha projecting suspicions of her own husband's infidelity onto Buzzy, will the couple's formerly trusting and insulated life be able to withstand the dysfunctions of their respective siblings? -- (C) Tribeca

Do you realize what filmmaker Edward Burns did for me? I was able to access his new film, Newlyweds, on my iPad2 via Vudu for $5.99 plus tax. Not living in a large market for independent films, it was likely I would not be able to see this so it was the perfect set-up. (I  will pay my penance for using something owned by Wal-Mart.) Newlyweds will be released to iTunes tomorrow.

I saw the influence of Woody Allen throughout this film and, as in Allen's Manhattan and Midnight in Paris, Burns used his neighborhood, TriBeCa, as an extra. The film's quick cuts, edits, conversations, interview scenes were also reminiscent of Allen's films. I will admit those choppy edits left me a little dizzy at times. The film was also quite verbal, reminiscent of Hannah and Her Sisters. As a plus, there was humor throughout.

Why do we love certain films and not others? Because we relate viscerally. I believe I have been in each of these characters' situations at some point in my life and have even had many of these conversations. In my lower middle-class neighborhoods, it was not uncommon for couples to marry after short courtships or even work separate shifts. None of us lived in expensive cities and lofts but the human aspects are there regardless.

I vacillated between liking and hating these characters, yet also wanting to help them. I wanted Buzzy to tell Caitlin that he didn't call her sooner because he didn't want to wake her or for Linda to tell Caitlin about the situation with her ex-boyfriend so that maybe Caitlin could have better understood Linda's thoughtless decisions. Isn't that what families do - love and hate each other, sometimes simultaneously? Only Marsha, Caitlin's sister, had little saving grace here - hard, bitter, intrusive.

I thought Burns captured the differences between men and women quite well, too. Guys would never understand or even care about the towel situation or the coat fiasco, but many of the women viewers will know and they will indeed care. Isn't it the little things that drive us crazy, after all?

Buzzy:  That's what we do. We tell each other everything. It's called honesty.
Linda:  Really? That sounds like a terrible idea.

I don't think this film is for everybody, nor do I think it is an outstanding film. But, I liked it. I wanted to care about the characters and understand who they were and why. These weren't even unique situations. It was just life so don't look here for escapism.

3 of 5 stars
Access: Priceless!
Watch Trailer

Edward  Burns and the Socialization of Indie Cinema

Reverb11: Day 29

Day 29:  How did your spirituality transform this year?

I didn't invest a lot of time on the subject this year so I have nothing to add. Next question.

Prompt by Writeous Babe

Reverb11: Day 28, Part 2

The previous Day 28 Reverb was written late at night when I felt vulnerable, yet hopeful. This morning as I drove to Mississippi, I was thinking about my strengths. I wanted to add.....


HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT.

I can take it.

Reverb11: Day 28

Day 28: What new strengths did you discover about yourself this year?

My strength this year was the courage to take the risk to imagine a different dream for myself.

It is scary. It is exciting.

Reverb11: Day 27

Day 27:  What are 12 things you want to add to your life in 2012?

Wordle

Prompt by Writeous Babe

Trying My Peas and Carrots

From my food blog - Dear Kitchen: Let's Be Friends

Many may not know what all goes in to writing a food blog - the constant recipe search; shopping; cooking; tasting; photographing; scrolling through numerous photographs in hopes of at least one being decent enough to post or, at the very least, not showing any cat hair; trying to think up little interesting and/or witty things to say; posting to social media; responding to comments; and the expense. Geez, the expense. Food bloggers can receive high praise (authoring cookbooks, media appearances, a salary) to extreme criticism (recipe too unhealthy to eat, recipe too healthy to enjoy, being accused of increasing the obesity rate of an entire state). Yet, we continue to sacrifice for the craft.

That is what I did today. I sacrificed for my craft of blogging. Anyone who knows me or who has read my blogs knows that I'd rather have a Jelly Belly Tropical Mix Jelly Bean than the most decadent dessert, and that the only food I truly dislike is green peas. When I saw the Jelly Belly Peas and Carrots Jelly Beans I felt it was my obligation as a food blogger to try them and report back to you, my reader(s).

I can honestly say that I am grateful I did not mix these with my Tropical Mix Jelly Beans or I would have been carefully pushing these to the side so as not to have to eat them, just like I do the vegetable-variety green peas. These are said to be a  Mellocreme Mix, similar to the candy corn jelly beans. I prefer my intense sugar-flavored beans, please.

Since there were no children around to push these on then, sadly, the candy went into the trash. As I said, food bloggers sacrifice a lot. I sacrificed $1.98 plus tax so you would know. You're welcome.

Reverb11: Day 26

Day 12: What are 12 things your life doesn't need in 2012? How will you eliminate them?

Good questions, Writeous Babe.  Time for serious reflection, right? For the most part, I am reasonably satisfied, or at least resigned, to my life to date.

1-10: Negativity. Some interactions I can prevent and some I can't. I am better about my response to negativity than I used to be. I hope to seek out more positive energy by continuing to be involved with local groups who share similar interests.

11: Self-criticism. I need mega-confidence right now so I can get a job and I am, as many people can be, my worst critic. I may have to break down and do some things that will make me more employable, despite how strongly I feel against it. How will I eliminate it? I'm not 100% sure, as I am really, really good at this.

12. Body weight. I definitely don't need as much as I have right now. How will I eliminate it? Begrudgingly and with basic nutrition.

Can anyone tell I have been on Pinterest a lot lately?

Weekend Cat Blogging #342 Round-Up

I thought this was a cute Christmas video. Oskar may be blind, but what a wonderful sense of hearing and play. Thanks to everyone who find and give forever homes to our feline friends.

The 30 Most Important Cats in 2011
*We all know the most important cats are our Weekend Cat Blogging cats!

Next week's hosts: Dec 31/Jan 1 New Years Edition Kashim, Othello and Salome

Twitter List

My name on a list with Reg from Reg's Coffeehouse? Very cool.

This morning I woke up to find Magic City Post had placed me on their Magic City Post Conversation List. I'm not really sure why, unless maybe this group of tweeps tends to converse too often? Whatever the reason, I realize it will bring my name to a new group of Twitter users, which I appreciate.

Merry Christmas 2011

Reverb11: Days 23, 24, 25

Day 23: Who do you want to attract in your life in 2012?

I have been that person, the one who sucked the happiness out of the lives of other people who were important to me. Being back in a (bleep-bleep) environment did that to me. Wake-up call! Be the kind of person you want to attract.

Day 24: What things added beauty to your life this year?

Being back in Birmingham; listening to good music; viewing great works of art; nature; continuing a hobby I have come to love.

Day 25: How did you add beauty to the lives of others?

I can't speak to that, but I hope that in some small way I did not allow an entire year to pass without doing something positive for somebody, somewhere.

Weekend Cat Blogging #342: Christmas Edition

Seasons Greetings!

To all the cats in the blogosphere and to the humans who love them, welcome to Weekend Cat Blogging,

hosted by Jules and Vincent

Vincent, watching the rain
taken through the screen or the moment would have been lost forever

Jules, viewing the world from his printer perch

Please leave a link in the comments section so we can visit you over the holidays. We know everyone is busy, and we understand if you don't have time. 

Feel Good Friday

More Faux News Outrage (that I can't resist)

Update:  3:18 p.m.

Who can turn a Christmas card similar to all the Christmas cards that have come before it into a "scary" news story? Why, none other than the news corporation whose viewers were the most likely to be misinformed about the news, Fox News.

By showing a segment from The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC, I risk being dismissed as biased (I am) although there are numerous websites in which to find similar stories.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Here is the scary Christmas card Palin questions:

Funny tweets seen on The Maddow Blog:

Let me be clear. I realize this is the job description at Fox News. So, if we stop talking about Palin will she go away? No. The trailer for the film, Game Change, has been released and is set to open in theaters can be seen on HBO in March 2012.

This is when phrases like the "gotcha" media entered our lexicon, things like "what do you read?" became "gotcha" questions. They became "gotcha" questions because it wasn't something she had seen on a bumper sticker at the local gun and bait shop or on an inspirational card at Cracker Barrel.

Oops. I don't sound filled with much holiday spirit here, either. Off the soapbox. No. One more thing. I am proud that a female was chosen to be a vice presidential candidate in a political party not known for supporting women's issues. There are so many extremely intelligent, capable women available who could do the job and make us proud. Why, pick a Palin? For those of us who have not read the book, this film should fill us in on the details and all the "why, why, why" questions.

BCS Championship Game: What to Wear

Represent the Crimson Tide in championship style at the BCS Championship Game in New Orleans January 9th! Christmas Schmismas, we have a game to win! Check it out Polyvore. Roll Tide!

Reverb11: Day 22

Day 22:  Who did you miss?

I have been fortunate that the few people in my life remain in my life, maybe not daily but still around. That said, it isn't so much who I miss but what I miss. I miss the conversations, those long caffeine-induced running conversations that fed my soul and gave me the one thing I needed more than anything - someone closer to me than anyone else to talk and listen in return. I miss those conversations - routine, shallow and deep. I miss that so much sometimes that I literally can't breathe, that my eyes fill with tears.

Those particular conversations can never happen again because the trust and connection are gone, and it can never be recovered. It is a loss that hurts more than a loss from death.

Who do you miss? Do you have someone to talk to? Do you have someone who will listen to you?

Prompt by Writeous Babe

Update: 3:20 p.m.  I will miss
Amy Winehouse's voice
Clarence Clemons' musicianship
Steve Jobs' vision

Reverb11: Day 21

Day 21: What new friendships blossomed in your life this year?

I was once told by someone who knew me fairly well, someone who was a total social butterfly, that I did not consider someone as a "friend" unless I could sit down and have a serious, one-on-one conversation. I have come to realize that this is true, very hard to come by, and precious to me when I find it. Friendships are difficult for me, yet the one thing I desire most in my life.

I am happy to report that I have met several new people since being back in Birmingham through my hobbies and personal interests. The social butterfly would say I would consider these people as acquaintances, not friends.

What is your definition of friendship? Does friendships come easily to you? Are you a social butterfly?

Prompt by Writeous Babe

Can You Match The Headline with the News Organization?

Headline One:
Republicans in House Reject Deal Extending Payroll Tax Cuts

Headline Two:
After House Vote on Payroll Tax Cut, Obama Demands GOP Give In

Is headline one:
1) The New York Times
2) Fox News

Is headline two:
1) The New York Times
2) Fox News

These were too easy, I know. These were what I first saw when I did a Google search for the details of the vote.

BCS Championship On My Mind

My Favorite TV Shows of 2011

I won't claim these are the best since I do not watch a lot of commercial television. The first 10 listed are my "must see" for this year, in no particular order, and excluding all football games:

1) Homeland (Showtime)

2) Breaking Bad (AMC)

3) Boardwalk Empire (HBO)

4) American Horror Story (FX)

5) Shameless (Showtime)

6) Treme (HBO)

7) Nurse Jackie (Showtime)

8) The Big C (Showtime)

9) The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central)

10) The Colbert Report (Comedy Central)

I also watch and enjoy the following:

True Blood (HBO)

Damages (DirecTv)

Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO)

Enlightened (HBO)

The Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC)

Bored to Death (HBO)

Up with Chris Hayes (MSNBC)

The influx of film and stage actors to television and the excellent writing have made a huge difference this year: Clair Danes, Steve Buscemi, Michael Pitt (I'm going to miss you!), Kelly MacDonald, Mandy Patinkin, Laura Linney, Jessica Lange, Glenn Close, Laura Dern, Dylan McDermott, Frances Conroy, Melissa Leo, Wendell Pierce, David Morse, Toni Collette, Dabney Coleman, Gretchen Mol, William H. Macy, Emmy Rossum, Anna Pacquin, Evan Rachel Wood, Zeljko Ivanek, Zack Galifianakis, even Dustin Hoffman is starring on HBO's upcoming series, Luck... and these are just the names I recognize! Could this be leading us out of reality TV, Charlie's Angels remakes and TLC hell and back into good drama and comedies?

What were your favorite television shows this year?

Reverb11: Day 20

Day 20:  How did you build community this year? 

My personal community, not so well, although I do believe I became closer to my family this year with the help of  technology and spending more time actual together.

I helped my physical community in a very small way by raising money and buying supplies for the Tuscaloosa tornado victims back in April and May. When approached by my niece about what they might do for Tuscaloosa, I suggested they raise money in their Wyoming community. My niece and great-niece raised $420 from residents of Casper with no real connection to Tuscaloosa or Alabama.

Prompt by Writeous Babe

Cartoon: A Zen GPS

Reverb11: Day 19

Day 19: What movies did you see?*

Films I saw in 2011 and reviewed on my blog:
Bridesmaids
Midnight in Paris
Crazy, Stupid, Love
The Help
Win Win
Talihini Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon

Films I saw but did not review on my blog:
Water for Elephants

Commentary:
I scrolled through 2,500 of the 8,885 film titles on IMDbs Most Popular Feature Films Released in 2011 before I gave up and admitted I am paying way too much to DirecTv for the number of decent films I receive. Even my pay-per-view (PPV) selections are limited. This must change!

I viewed the IMDbs Top-US-Grossing Films in 2011 (thus far) and there is only one listed that I would be interested in seeing on cable. That said, I realize my taste in films do not run mainstream (I am an older adult, after all). Even so, I would be willing to pay extra per film to be able to select more interesting films on PPV.

Which were your favorites of 2011? Suggestions for a more cost-efficient way of seeing better films at home?

*Only listed those released in 2011. I saw several 2010 releases on cable.

Prompt by Writeous Babe

Boots v Birkenstocks: MoJo article by Josh Harkinson

Seen in Mother Jones online magazine: Inside the 1 Percent's Texas Enclave by Josh Harkinson

A few things from this article struck me. 

We don't need the government to do things for us—that's why the town is very, very independent," says Ray Washburne, a co-owner of the Highland Park Village mall and a native "Parkie."

Yet, Harkinson reports that Highland Park has: 1) the lowest property taxes in a state with no income tax; 2) one of the nation's best school systems; 3) and, emergency response time of 2.5 minutes. Apparently, they need the government for some things, which is why I suspect they donated the most money (77%) among 24 zip codes to politicians, specifically Republicans. This area gave the GOP more hard cash as well. This number, as reported by Harkinson, was from the Center for Responsive Politics.

The second thing from this article that struck me was this:

Real estate mogul Harlan Crow often hosts party fundraisers at his $24 million spread. He's presented numerous gifts to Clarence Thomas, including funding for a library project dedicated to the Supreme Court justice, a bust of Abe Lincoln, and, according to Politico, $500,000 in seed money for Thomas' wife, Virginia, to start a tea party group.

Is this why Clarence Thomas sits on the bench and reportedly never asks any questions or talks? He already knows which way he is to vote on any given argument? Here is a man who probably would not fare well in this community if not protected by his position. Is that why Thomas appears so angry? His soul has been sold?

The last thing is the two "bubbles" themselves. It struck me as how similar these two neighborhoods are in their affluence, yet so starkly different. I admit to my personal prejudices, these being, but not limited to: 1) Adults in Highland Park practice yoga and buy organic food because of its trendiness. 2) Adults in Berkeley have a lower political giving rate because they have less need to get their sense of worth from being closely connected to power. 3) Then, there is the question of all the gun-porn. If Highland Park feels so safe, why are guns so status-worthy? 4) I don't understand golfing in Berkeley any more than I understand gun-lust in Highland Park.

Any thoughts are their similarities? Their differences? The gun-porn? The golfing in Berkeley?

Listen Up, Denver Broncos!

SNL's skit on Denver Broncos' overtime win against the Chicago Bears last Sunday and Tim Tebow.
 "If I'm the Son of God, Tom Brady has got to be God's nephew. That guy is a miracle worker." ~SNL Jesus

Reverb11: Day 18

Day 18: What books did you read?

God, If You're Not Up There, I'm F*cked by Darrell Hammond
Bossy Pants by Tina Fey
Then Again by Diane Keaton
Cool, Calm & Contentious by Merrill Markoe

Two books by junior high school/high school classmates:
Sinner from the South by Alabama Jane Brown
Tales from a Southern Madhouse by Gale Major Vanderpol

Prompt by Writeous Babe

Reverb11: Day 17

Day 17: What were your favorite songs of the year?

It comes as no surprise to anyone that 21 by Adele has been my favorite album of the year. I have listened to these songs so often that the other favorites pale in comparison. I have also become a big fan of Alabama Shakes.

The following songs and artists turned up on my iPod as my most played songs behind Adele from 2011, unless otherwise specified:

You Ain't Alone - Alabama Shakes

Hold On - Alabama Shakes
Violin - Amos Lee


Windows Are Rolled Down - Amos Lee

See You in the Spring - Court Yard Hounds featuring Jakob Dylan (released 2010, but I only discovered this year)


Lonely Boy - The Black Keys



Barton Hollow - The Civil Wars

Calamity Song - The Decemberists
This is Why We Fight - The Decemberists

Rock N' Roll is Free - Ben Harper

Time Spent in Los Angeles - Dawes


Shake It Out - Florence + The Machine


I have to mention Pumped Up Kicks - Foster The People because it is the song most likely to get stuck in my head after I hear it. Catchy tune.


Prompt by Writeous Babe.

Weekend Cat Blogging #341

Jules has been enjoying our unseasonable weather. As is the norm, the door must to be open so he can come and go as he pleases. If not, he begs to get in then begs to get out. I am well-trained to respond to his demands.

This week's Weekend Cat Blogging is hosted by Billy Sweetfeets Gingersnaps.

Blog Archives: 1922 Newspaper Clipping

Originally posted here on May 20, 2008:

I found this wonderful 1922 newspaper clipping at Going Gray Looking Great, as submitted by one of their members.

Feel Good Friday

Reverb11: Day 16

Day 16: Oprah asks you to write an article on your favorite things of 2011. What are they?

I rarely shop and don't generally lust after material items that often. Most of my favorite things this year were my favorite things last year and the year before that: Oil of Olay Body Wash and Body Lotion with Shea Butter, Erno Laszlo Light Controlling Lotion, Sea Mud Soap, and pHelityl Lotion with SPF15, and Jelly 
Belly Tropical Mix Jelly Beans. These favorite things never change.

Kashwere Robes

I discovered these at my hair salon in Nashville for $95. I bought one for me and three more for gifts. They are now listed for $135 so I take very good care of mine. Since then, I don't want any other robe. It is so warm, better even than a blanket. It is so soft. My cats love it, too!

iPad2

Perfection! Thin, light and easy to use. I read with my Kindle app and watch TV in my bedroom with my HBOGo and Directv apps. And, I'm totally addicted to Twitter. I am still more attached to my iPhone, but my iPad2 is a very close second.

Merrell Shoes

I said to hell with fashionable shoes over a decade ago. I choose comfort all the way!

Ralph Lauren Scarfs

My brother gave me two Ralph Lauren scarfs last Christmas. I pulled up YouTube and took a couple of scarf lessons. I wear them all the time. They are a wonderful accessory to an otherwise plain shirt, sweater, or coat, plus they are very warm.

Artist: Adele, Album: 21

I first heard Adele on the radio singing Chasing Pavements several years ago and was completely intrigued by her voice. This album, 21, speaks to the emotional rollercoaster that is personal relationships the same way Bonnie Raitt's I Can't Make You Love Me and Alanis Morrisette's You Oughta Know did. She has an amazing voice, but it is her lyrics that make this my favorite album of 2011.







Prompt by Writeous Babe.

It's 3 a.m. Do you know where your thoughts are?

Currently.


I woke up at 3:11 a.m., after only three hours of sleep. Instead of trying to go back to sleep, I shocked myself with the bright light from my laptop and a 12-ounce Diet Mountain Dew. This was also a cue for my cat, Jules, to snuggle up under my left arm leaving me in a very uncomfortable typing position. It is now 5:30 a.m. That said, I was skulking around the web and saw the Writeous Babe, Javacia, had picked up this post from her friend. I decided to pick it up as well. As you can see, I have a whole lotta' traveling on my mind.


Obsessing over: traveling. What better time than now? I am still healthy enough to enjoy it and I may never get another opportunity. I am on the Travelocity website so much I expect the help center window to pop up begging me: for the love of God, please let us help you!

Working on: how I can travel during the time I have available, but with limited resources and a rapidly aging automobile.

Thinking about: taking the train to New Orleans; the Clinton library in Little Rock; the new Walton American art collection in Bentonville, AK; Las Vegas to see The Beatles' LOVE; Christmas Day with my family in Casper; the Grand Canyon; the Blues Trail in the Mississippi Delta eating tamales, taking cooking classes at Viking, and pampering myself at The Alluvian, and more.

Anticipating: my great-niece arriving on Friday. Today will be my last day available to clean up the apartment and get her bedroom ready and free of cat hair.

Listening to: the sounds of early morning, particularly my upstairs neighbor. I think he must be bowling. At some point later in my day, I will listen to NPR, Birmingham Mountain Radio and at least one Adele song. 

Drinking: every chance I get:) Right now, though, it is Diet Mountain Dew.

Wishing: i didn't have to go back to a paid job, that I could work on being a more creative cook and blogger. Also, I am wishing that I would listen to my more practical voice that says if I would find a job then I could use my saved money as a down payment for a newer car. It is a values thing - I value travel experiences more than necessities. 


Ask myself this: When I am on my deathbed, will I look back and appreciate that I experienced nature's Grand Canyon, spent Christmas with my family, and viewed great works of art OR that I once had a newer automobile? 


How about you? What are you up to today? Are you rationalizing in the dark, too?

Reverb11: Day 15

Day 15:  Which blogs did you enjoy most this year?


Do you know how you quickly lose a dog's attention when he sees a squirrel or a tennis ball? I am that dog with blogs. I jump around with wild abandon! And, I am easily distracted. Squirrel! 


Favorites or at least the ones I follow daily:
sidewalkshoes
The Bloggess
The Maddow Blog


Could these be more different in style and content? 


What conclusions can we draw from these choices? I am apparently a big "L" liberal skewing towards geek (Maddow Blog) with a quirky sense of humor (Bloggess) who dreams of living in a lovely southern home surrounded by good food, books, cats and a yard full of beautiful herbs and flowers while drinking wine every Sunday on my porch - minus the teacher's job (sidewalkshoes). 


Prompt by Writeous Babe.

Fox News Graphic Glitch

This is too funny not to share. How did President Obama's photo end up above Romney's name?

For the dedicated Fox News viewer who might believe this is some "liberal" or "lame-stream media" graphic hoax, here is the video (originally seen by me on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart):

President Obama's Southern Dilemma

Revised, 9:14 a.m.

I understand the ways of the Internet. I also understand not everyone is as geeky as I am about following national politics. I don't imagine too many people watched the GOP debate in Iowa on a Saturday night and then turned to Current TV to hear the panel discussion. Geez.

I see so much bulls**t online. Usually I bite my tongue, roll my eyes, and move on. Sometimes, as in the case below, I commented because it was posted by someone I know and this was a really good book.

Below is a good example of where many conversations I have had or have attempted to have about President Obama tend to go. I'm not sure how to explain it except to say that it must be some deeply held, emotional wound that trumps any and every fact where President Obama is concerned. It is as if every conversation goes directly to "I think everyone should work for a living..." whether the conversation is about foreign or domestic policies.

The above photo was shared on her wall by a Facebook friend.

Wall Photos:SOMEONE NEEDS TO GIVE HIM AN AMERICAN HISTORY BOOK. I AM CONVINCED THAT HE DOES NOT KNOW AMERICAN HISTORY.
If each person sends this to a minimum of twenty people on their address list, in three days, all people in The United States of American would have the message.
THIS WILL CURDLE YOUR BLOOD AND CURL YOUR HAIR.By: ********

Comment: Why am I not surprised!!!

ME: I've read The Post American World and it is an incredible book by Fareed Zakaria. He is a prolific writer who takes a thoughtful and realistic look at the rise of other countries, not the decline of the US. This book is at least 3-4 years old. Zakaria has since published a follow-up, and I look forward to reading it as well. (I got two likes.)

My Facebook Friend: I am conservative and don't agree with the direction our country is headed. The book may be ok, but don't like Obama. I think everyone should work for a living and that government should not stick their nose in every facet of my life. I'm thankful to live in a country where we can openly express our opinions without the fear of being killed or beaten.

ME: I completely respect your personal beliefs. I may have misread the intention of the photo, but it appeared to be focusing on the book rather than the person. Having read the book, I knew it was an incredible read. In fact, I would recommend it to any serious college student hoping to compete in today's global economy.

My Facebook Friend: I appreciate your comments, Judi. Yes, we are all different. That's what makes the world go round.

There was absolutely nothing in my mind about this conversation on what I thought was about Zakaria's book that would lead someone to comment on people working for a living. Who these "people" are, I don't know. It seems that any conversation I have about President Obama immediately goes to a lowest common denominator comment. Decisions about President Obama appear to be made based on what people around me fear or what they believe might happen versus what actually happens. Many people I have listened to believe the most bizarre things they hear about the President, not based on any factual information. It continues to just baffle me.


I can't help but believe there is a racial edge to this. There is fear. There is ignorance. And, there isn't a snowball's chance in he** that President Obama will be able to convince some voters here in the south to vote for him. No matter how much he accomplishes, how intelligent and compassionate he is, or how he does everything people 'claim' they want, some people just will not vote for him. As I said, it baffles me.

Reverb11: Days 13 & 14

Day 13:  Write about a time this year when you gave up.
Day 14:  Write about a time this year when you persevered. 

As it turns out, these responses are surprisingly very similar. As I've written before, I lost my job on November 1st. In anticipation of this possibility, I was approached about what jobs were available for me at the same company and the opportunity to present an acceptable alternative. From what was presented to me past and present, I began to focus on marketing, utilizing our latest technology for customer involvement and introducing the use of social media. I spent my weekend hours designing the requested brochures, packets, PowerPoint presentations, and other marketing materials, while continuing to push for a Facebook and Twitter presence.

Whether I failed to convince anyone I had the ability to succeed in this position; whether it was never intended for me to work at any other position or only the one they had chosen for me; or, whether it was an attempt to allow me to work for as long as possible, it became apparent there was no longer a place for me. So, mentally and physically, I gave up. I gave in. I accepted my fate.

If there was a position available for me then why didn't I stay? It was a "job", after all. If I listened to many of the people I know, there is zero chance that I can find another job. Others are more supportive. I didn't stay because the job offered was such an extremely poor match to my personality and to my abilities. Driving three hours a day, five days a week to perform job duties in which I had no interest or skill would have been personally defeating before I ever started.

Photo source

That said, staying true to myself, in my opinion, is the definition of perseverance. Hopefully, I will continue to persevere and prove to my doubters that I can indeed find a job that I enjoy and that utilizes my skills and personality. Stay tuned.

Prompts by Writeous Babe.

Road Trip: Picasso to Warhol Art Exhibit, Atlanta

High Museum of Art

Atlanta, Georgia

A beautiful Sunday called for a road trip. A mere 150 miles from where I live is the leading art museum in the Southeastern United States and architectural beauty, High Museum of Art. Despite this, I've not visited High but once since the Olympics in 1996. A Sunday afternoon before Christmas was the perfect time to go.

The Picasso to Warhol: Fourteen Modern Masters exhibit was curated by staff at New York's Museum of Modern Art, together with High. Several of the works I have had the opportunity to view in the past at other venues; however, I have never been allowed to photograph any of the museum's paintings. 

From October 2011:

The High Museum of Art, working with award-winning Second Story Interactive Studios, has developed a new Smartphone application called ArtClix, which brings together photo-recognition software and social media to create a new kind of museum app that moves beyond traditional audio tours. The app has been created in its initial iteration to be used in conjunction with the High’s exhibition “Picasso to Warhol: Fourteen Modern Masters,” which opens to the public on Saturday, October 15.

ArtClix is free and currently available both for iPhones and Androids. It is available for download from Apple’s App Store and the Android Marketplace. (continue reading here)

High Museum website

The fourteen masters featured were Romare Bearden, Louise Bourgeois, Constantin Brancusi, Alexander Calder, Giorgio de Chirico, Marcel Duchamp, Jasper Johns, Fernand Leger, Henri Matisse, Joan Miro, Piet Mondrian, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, and Andy Warhol. More than 100 masterworks were displayed.

Below are a few of the photographs I captured:

Girl Before a Mirror, March 1932

Pablo Picasso

Dance (1), 1909

Henri Matisse

Goldfish and Sculpture, Spring-Summer 1912

Henri Matisse

Endless Column. Version I.

Constantin Brancusi

Dutch Interior (I), July-December 1928

Joan Miro

(Note: Example of the ArtClix prompt shown above.

The 100 numbers were for adult audio; 200 numbers for children audio; 400 numbers for ArtClix.)

Gothic, 1944

Jackson Pollock

Number 1A, 1948

Jackson Pollock

Self-Portrait, 1966

Andy Warhol

Morning Star, 1943 (foreground)

Flying Saucers, 1969 (left)

Snow Flurry, I, 1948 (background)

Alexander Calder

I know very little about art, historically or creatively. I go to museums and specific exhibits because I want to go. At certain times in my life, I need to go. It is like using a potent drug for the first time, as I have heard described. I am constantly searching for that same exhilaration I felt the first time I saw an original Renior or a Pollock or a Matisse.