Monday 26 November 2012

So Lucky

I feel so lucky, so thankful, so fortunate, so privileged.

So, so, so.

And I'll go into details later-- about hanging out with Aloha, about exploring Honolulu, about muumuus, about sea turtles.

I will, because I have to share my pictures! Because it was the best weekend ever, ever, ever!

Sometimes I felt like my "happy" was too big to fit in Hawaii, and I was forced to jump into the ocean to give it more space to frolic.

It's not a bad solution, actually.



Monday 12 November 2012

Brave

Last week, I got to witness two people, in separate situations, be brave.

It wasn't the kind of bravery you normally think of-- no cliff jumping, deep sea diving, or rescuing of babies and puppies from burning buildings. It wasn't a physical sort of brave, instead, it was the kind that wrapped itself around my heart.

Both of these women-- ladies who I liked before, but whom I respect and admire even more now-- opened themselves up.

That's the only way I can really describe it. They shared parts of themselves that were private and personal, made themselves vulnerable, were truly open and honest.

There is no avoiding it: when you choose to do that, you do so with the knowledge that others' views of you may change. In fact, it is almost unavoidable. In some way or another, people will think of you differently.

I do.

I think they are brave.

Friday 9 November 2012

Proud

When I watched Obama's acceptance speech, I cried. If you know me at all, you'll know that this is not surprising. I'm a sensitive kitten, a delicate blossom, empathetic to a fault.

So it shouldn't surprise you that I cried.

But let me tell you why I did. 

I cried because this brave, dependable, determined man is still at the helm, and because I trust him to do his very best. I believe that nobody is perfect, but that he has all of our best interests in his mind and his heart. I feel safer, knowing that he believes in my ability to make my own decisions about my body. I respect him, because I know that he respects the American people, no matter what life may have doled out to various individuals. 

I cried because democracy works, that millions of dollars were shoveled into the gaping maw of this campaign, but that all of Romney's slippery money could not buy him the presidency. I cried because so much money was spent on this campaign-- on both sides-- when it could have been spent on our country. 

I cried because I cannot believe we are still fighting over whether women should be treated like second class citizens, and whether everyone should have the right to marry whomever he or she chooses. 

I cried because I was scared of losing my rights, because now I'm less scared.

Because I'm feeling hope.










Tuesday 6 November 2012

Election Day

I voted for you, today.

I voted for me, too-- and for all of those who are too young to vote, and for everyone who will come after us, and for everyone who came before. I voted for all of us.

I voted for our rights, for our opportunities, for health, for jobs, for truth.

I voted for love.

I voted because not voting is unacceptable.

Because my voice has value, because my beliefs have worth, and because I live in a country that gives me the legal right to be heard.

Because people died for my right to vote, because even today some people are still trying to suppress voters.

I voted for all of us.

I hope you did too.


Monday 5 November 2012

This is NOT a toy

There is a certain obsession with labeling various toys, tools, and household items with warnings. Be they pictures:
Or helpful hints about product usage:

Oh, thanks. I guess I won't shut the kid in a plastic box, or let the baby play with a plastic bag. Thanks for that help there.

My favourite label, though, hands down is:

And that's helpful enough when the item in question is not, actually, a toy. Like in the case of a plastic bag, for example.

But what about when it IS a toy?

But also, you know, NOT a toy...

Written, in bold, on the side of the box is "NOT A TOY." Thanks for clearing that up, Archie McPhee, but what is it then? A tool? 


And this:
This is a pool noodle that I bought at Costco. Very fun for use in the lake or swimming pool! BUT:

It is not a toy (certainly not!) and it's not a life saving device. It's a true mystery.