The other day, I was thinking and planning about the weekend, and I realized that this Saturday is July 11.
I guess I always have had a pretty good memory for significant dates, and this one's actually a pretty big one: On July 11, 10 years ago... well, I guess I could say that my adult life began, really, though it sounds sorta pathetic to say that, seeing as I was 26 at the time. But looking back, that's probably the best way to put it.
On July 11, 2005, I started seeing my first boyfriend, and we went on our first date.
Yes, that did not end well. And moments of that relationship were very, very damaging to me. But other moments were very happy, the happiest I'd ever been at that point in my life. And all of it was a learning experience: I learned so many things from that relationship, about love, about respect, about myself. And I came out the other side both stronger and wiser, and I carried those lessons forward into my next relationship, with the man who would become my husband.
In 10 years, I've done so many things, many of which I would never have expected in 2005.
I've had two boyfriends, and one very painful breakup. I've gotten engaged, and I've gotten married, in a beautiful wedding ceremony, on a day that is still the happiest day I've ever had in my life, so far.
I've traveled, both accompanied and alone, to both coasts and in two countries. I've stood under the rushing waters at Niagara Falls, and I've ridden in a bobsled on an Olympic track, and I've tested my rusty French in Montreal, and I've touched a cactus in the Arizona desert, and I've walked on the Golden Gate Bridge.
I've met a few famous people, briefly, including a best-selling author, an actor, and the vice president.
I've hiked up a mountain, and I've jogged a 5K, and I've been a published restaurant reviewer.
I've lost 50 pounds... and then eventually gained it back. But if I did it once, I can do it again.
I've moved into an apartment, and I've moved into my very own house.
And I've given birth to a beautiful baby daughter, and though parenthood has been challenging, it's also taught me a lot, and it has had its rewards, too.
It's funny, 'cause part of me thinks that wow, a decade is a long time, and how did 10 years go by so fast? But then I realize that actually, 2005 seems like it was pretty long ago now, and maybe that's because so much has happened since then and I've come so far. And back then, I could never have imagined any of those things, would never have thought that 10 years from then, I'd be where I am now.
I guess I always have had a pretty good memory for significant dates, and this one's actually a pretty big one: On July 11, 10 years ago... well, I guess I could say that my adult life began, really, though it sounds sorta pathetic to say that, seeing as I was 26 at the time. But looking back, that's probably the best way to put it.
On July 11, 2005, I started seeing my first boyfriend, and we went on our first date.
Yes, that did not end well. And moments of that relationship were very, very damaging to me. But other moments were very happy, the happiest I'd ever been at that point in my life. And all of it was a learning experience: I learned so many things from that relationship, about love, about respect, about myself. And I came out the other side both stronger and wiser, and I carried those lessons forward into my next relationship, with the man who would become my husband.
In 10 years, I've done so many things, many of which I would never have expected in 2005.
I've had two boyfriends, and one very painful breakup. I've gotten engaged, and I've gotten married, in a beautiful wedding ceremony, on a day that is still the happiest day I've ever had in my life, so far.
I've traveled, both accompanied and alone, to both coasts and in two countries. I've stood under the rushing waters at Niagara Falls, and I've ridden in a bobsled on an Olympic track, and I've tested my rusty French in Montreal, and I've touched a cactus in the Arizona desert, and I've walked on the Golden Gate Bridge.
I've met a few famous people, briefly, including a best-selling author, an actor, and the vice president.
I've hiked up a mountain, and I've jogged a 5K, and I've been a published restaurant reviewer.
I've lost 50 pounds... and then eventually gained it back. But if I did it once, I can do it again.
I've moved into an apartment, and I've moved into my very own house.
And I've given birth to a beautiful baby daughter, and though parenthood has been challenging, it's also taught me a lot, and it has had its rewards, too.
It's funny, 'cause part of me thinks that wow, a decade is a long time, and how did 10 years go by so fast? But then I realize that actually, 2005 seems like it was pretty long ago now, and maybe that's because so much has happened since then and I've come so far. And back then, I could never have imagined any of those things, would never have thought that 10 years from then, I'd be where I am now.
"I am definitely feeling a sense that something eternal has been lost. I know it's not eternal. But for me it was supposed to be. We need a word for that, for something that is not always was and always will be, but that is for the length of my life always this way and must be so until I'm gone. Me-ternal. The Cubs don't win the pennant is a Me-ternal situation. American supremacy is a Me-ternal situation. That this spot on the earth is a place of safety and home is me-ternally true. Except it's not."
I found these words online the other day, and they struck a chord with me.
I found these words online the other day, and they struck a chord with me.
I love the Olympics, and the opening ceremony is always the best part.
London put on a great show, a really awesome event, capped by a torch-lighting that made a powerful moment even more meaningful. The British blood in me is proud tonight.
But more than that, the thing that always gets me, the thing that brings a tear to my eye, it's this gathering, this parade of nations, this global party. The whole world is in one place, gathered together, for a common goal, one peaceful celebration -- America and Iran, Sudan and Korea, France and Iraq, Tuvalu and Kiribati and Andorra and the Maldives, everybody, whether you hate each other usually or not, whether you have much money, or the rest of the world can even name what continent you're on, or are even good at sports, really, or not.
This is everyone's goal, the global pipe dream, the impossible, made possible: It's world peace. It's incredible, just awe-inspiring. And it gives you hope, a little. If we can achieve world peace, even just in a microcosm, in one city... maybe it could happen more than every few years, in more than one place, someday, just maybe.
London put on a great show, a really awesome event, capped by a torch-lighting that made a powerful moment even more meaningful. The British blood in me is proud tonight.
But more than that, the thing that always gets me, the thing that brings a tear to my eye, it's this gathering, this parade of nations, this global party. The whole world is in one place, gathered together, for a common goal, one peaceful celebration -- America and Iran, Sudan and Korea, France and Iraq, Tuvalu and Kiribati and Andorra and the Maldives, everybody, whether you hate each other usually or not, whether you have much money, or the rest of the world can even name what continent you're on, or are even good at sports, really, or not.
This is everyone's goal, the global pipe dream, the impossible, made possible: It's world peace. It's incredible, just awe-inspiring. And it gives you hope, a little. If we can achieve world peace, even just in a microcosm, in one city... maybe it could happen more than every few years, in more than one place, someday, just maybe.
Welcome, Ichiro!! Glad to have you as a Bronx Bomber. Hope you enjoy playing for a team that doesn't suck. :) :)
This day, five years ago, was one of the worst days of my life.
It's hard to believe that I'm the same person, really, hard to believe that I went from that situation to this one, hard to believe that one life can change so much. (And yet most of us didn't go to our five-year reunions, 'cause not much ever happens in just five years. I guess it makes a really big difference which five years.)
Five years ago tonight, I was sitting on Deb and Eric's couch, crying. (I'll always be grateful for that, by the way, Deb and Eric, grateful for how you were there for me that day.) Five years ago today, I was falling apart.
I still remember that day very well. It started with a shopping trip: I thought I'd go find myself a ring, maybe a topaz, something pretty, something just for me, and something to go on the finger that had held a diamond the day before. I was struggling to hold myself together even then, trying to be strong, looking to get myself something to keep me centered, something to focus on when I needed to collect myself together again. But I never made it into the store. I got as far as the parking lot before the phone rang.
The last ring that had rested on that finger, the one that stayed there only seven weeks, had a flaw in it; I didn't notice it until the day after it was purchased. It was a little bit of charcoal inside the diamond, an inclusion, an impurity that I could see if I knew where to look, which I soon did. At the time, it didn't bother me, 'cause I saw it as, I don't know, almost a sign that it was real, 'cause real things have flaws. It was like the relationship it symbolized, I suppose -- nice on the surface, but very much flawed if you really looked at it closely.
Five years later, there's another diamond on that finger, this one accompanied by a few little friends. This one's pure and clear and sparkling, like the sentiment that led to its purchase. It was bought and given out of love, out of a true desire to win my hand in marriage, with a clear head and a sense of real commitment. And I'll wear it for the rest of my life.
I honestly never would have dreamed, five years ago, that any of this would have happened. I know now how little I even knew about love then. Love is not about savoring the happy moments that come between the moments when you're totally debased, frightened or in pain. A good relationship should never make you feel like that. Pain and fear aren't the price you pay for love, as I thought then. Love is about making each other happy, but it's not about doing whatever it takes to make the other person happy at the expense of yourself, your sanity and your dignity.
I've learned so much in five years. I've learned about what love is truly meant to be, and I've found that for myself. I've learned to be more adventurous and more confident, and I have a much greater sense of self-respect, of valuing myself and my opinions, wants and needs. I know that I never, ever have to do anything I don't want to do, and I have a supportive, loving fiancé who encourages me to remember that, and to get out and do things, and to take time for myself and with my friends -- he doesn't feel threatened if I need to do something without him.
Earlier tonight, I was thinking about my fiancé's bachelor party, and I was thinking that if he wanted to have a party full of drinking and strippers, y'know, that would be alright with me, 'cause I trust him completely. (Never mind that he's not interested in either of those things -- which is nice, too, I must say, to have someone who isn't obsessed with porn and scantily-clad chicks on TV and who doesn't drink, either.) And then, all of that sort of hit me, that five years after I thought I'd never open my heart up to anyone ever again, I've given mine over so completely, without any fear or hesitation, to someone who deserves it, someone who I can trust to always love me and care for me and stand beside me. And I cried again, five years later, but this time, they were tears of joy, celebrating how I've grown and the happiness that I've found, and marveling at what still lies in store.
It's hard to believe that I'm the same person, really, hard to believe that I went from that situation to this one, hard to believe that one life can change so much. (And yet most of us didn't go to our five-year reunions, 'cause not much ever happens in just five years. I guess it makes a really big difference which five years.)
Five years ago tonight, I was sitting on Deb and Eric's couch, crying. (I'll always be grateful for that, by the way, Deb and Eric, grateful for how you were there for me that day.) Five years ago today, I was falling apart.
I still remember that day very well. It started with a shopping trip: I thought I'd go find myself a ring, maybe a topaz, something pretty, something just for me, and something to go on the finger that had held a diamond the day before. I was struggling to hold myself together even then, trying to be strong, looking to get myself something to keep me centered, something to focus on when I needed to collect myself together again. But I never made it into the store. I got as far as the parking lot before the phone rang.
The last ring that had rested on that finger, the one that stayed there only seven weeks, had a flaw in it; I didn't notice it until the day after it was purchased. It was a little bit of charcoal inside the diamond, an inclusion, an impurity that I could see if I knew where to look, which I soon did. At the time, it didn't bother me, 'cause I saw it as, I don't know, almost a sign that it was real, 'cause real things have flaws. It was like the relationship it symbolized, I suppose -- nice on the surface, but very much flawed if you really looked at it closely.
Five years later, there's another diamond on that finger, this one accompanied by a few little friends. This one's pure and clear and sparkling, like the sentiment that led to its purchase. It was bought and given out of love, out of a true desire to win my hand in marriage, with a clear head and a sense of real commitment. And I'll wear it for the rest of my life.
I honestly never would have dreamed, five years ago, that any of this would have happened. I know now how little I even knew about love then. Love is not about savoring the happy moments that come between the moments when you're totally debased, frightened or in pain. A good relationship should never make you feel like that. Pain and fear aren't the price you pay for love, as I thought then. Love is about making each other happy, but it's not about doing whatever it takes to make the other person happy at the expense of yourself, your sanity and your dignity.
I've learned so much in five years. I've learned about what love is truly meant to be, and I've found that for myself. I've learned to be more adventurous and more confident, and I have a much greater sense of self-respect, of valuing myself and my opinions, wants and needs. I know that I never, ever have to do anything I don't want to do, and I have a supportive, loving fiancé who encourages me to remember that, and to get out and do things, and to take time for myself and with my friends -- he doesn't feel threatened if I need to do something without him.
Earlier tonight, I was thinking about my fiancé's bachelor party, and I was thinking that if he wanted to have a party full of drinking and strippers, y'know, that would be alright with me, 'cause I trust him completely. (Never mind that he's not interested in either of those things -- which is nice, too, I must say, to have someone who isn't obsessed with porn and scantily-clad chicks on TV and who doesn't drink, either.) And then, all of that sort of hit me, that five years after I thought I'd never open my heart up to anyone ever again, I've given mine over so completely, without any fear or hesitation, to someone who deserves it, someone who I can trust to always love me and care for me and stand beside me. And I cried again, five years later, but this time, they were tears of joy, celebrating how I've grown and the happiness that I've found, and marveling at what still lies in store.
Did you have a phone in your bedroom when you were little?
Yes
3(30.0%)
No
4(40.0%)
No, but I really wanted one
3(30.0%)
When you call someone who lives with a close friend or significant other, do you presume that they might be in the room and might overhear what's being said on their end?
Of course, unless you're talking about Christmas presents or something, something that needs to be kept secret from the other person.
3(30.0%)
Of course, all the time -- it's their house, too, why wouldn't they be there (not purposely eavesdropping, but present, going about their business)?
7(70.0%)
No -- the person you're calling should always take the phone into another room to have privacy when they're talking to you.
0(0.0%)
A conversation with my honey this morning made me realize that while I covered terrible holiday songs on here, I never talked about the good ones, the ones that you hope to hear every holiday season and find yourself singing along to every time you hear them.
So, what're your top five?
Here are mine, though there are so many good ones that this list is subject to change from moment to moment:
5. "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" by Gayla Peevy: Such a cute song, and way more fun (and less annoying) than "All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth."
4. "Keep Christmas With You": I'm pretty sure I learned this one in school, with the sign language. I'll bet a lot of you did, too. You don't hear this one that often these days, but it's a nice warm-fuzzy sort of song.
3. "Wonderful Christmastime" by Paul McCartney: This song is just so damn peppy, so happy-sounding, I can't help but bob my head when it comes on. :)
2. "12 Days of Christmas" by Straight No Chaser: Though I really like a few other interpretations of this song, too, (like the "12 Pains of Christmas" or the McKenzie Brothers version), I think this one's my favorite.
1. "Ain't No Hole in the Washtub": Alright, "Jingle Bells" it's not. But don't you have one holiday special or movie that you have to watch every year, without fail, and it's just not the holidays without it? For me, that's always been "Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas."
So, what're your top five?
Here are mine, though there are so many good ones that this list is subject to change from moment to moment:
5. "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" by Gayla Peevy: Such a cute song, and way more fun (and less annoying) than "All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth."
4. "Keep Christmas With You": I'm pretty sure I learned this one in school, with the sign language. I'll bet a lot of you did, too. You don't hear this one that often these days, but it's a nice warm-fuzzy sort of song.
3. "Wonderful Christmastime" by Paul McCartney: This song is just so damn peppy, so happy-sounding, I can't help but bob my head when it comes on. :)
2. "12 Days of Christmas" by Straight No Chaser: Though I really like a few other interpretations of this song, too, (like the "12 Pains of Christmas" or the McKenzie Brothers version), I think this one's my favorite.
1. "Ain't No Hole in the Washtub": Alright, "Jingle Bells" it's not. But don't you have one holiday special or movie that you have to watch every year, without fail, and it's just not the holidays without it? For me, that's always been "Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas."
So the holidays are here again. And with this time of year comes holiday music. And in that mix of carols, there are surely some that you just can't stand, the ones that make you change the channel or cover your ears every time they come on.
Here are my top five suckiest holiday songs, counting down (and let's just leave Justin Bieber out of this -- let's just acknowledge that we all know he sucks, so we don't need to include anything from his holiday album here):
5. "Jingle Bells" by the Singing Dogs: It's fricking dogs. Fricking dogs barking. Do I really have to explain why this song sucks?
4. "Christmas Shoes": What a horrible piece of glurge. Such a godawful pile of dreck. Actually, I think Patton Oswalt has a pretty good take on why this song is so bad.
3. "Dominic the Donkey" by Lou Monte: What was this guy smoking when he wrote this song? A Christmas donkey, seriously? WTF? What's wrong with the damn reindeer? They can fly, but they can't get through mountains? That's bullcrap. And to boot, this is one of those songs that jumps into your head and then stays there all day, no matter how much you hate it. Bonus suck points for that.
2. "Feliz Navidad": Another ridiculously catchy, ridiculously bad song, which is a double-whammy. I mean, come on. One, we live in America, so speak English, or possibly Latin since it's Christmas time. And two, write some more words, dammit! This whole song only consists of two lines' worth of lyrics!
1. "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" by the Jackson 5: Y'know, I like Michael Jackson, but whenever I hear this song (which seems to be on every retail outlet's playlist, so it's unescapable), I want to reach back in time and strangle little-kid-Michael. Shut up, kid! First of all, you don't have to keep telling us "I did, I really did!" We get it. You saw Mommy kissing Santa. We believe you, really. Now shut up. And plus, why is he so excited about this? Think about it: He just saw his mom making out with Santa, while his dad's asleep. Mommy's cheating on Daddy, and Santa's a homewrecker! Why are you so excited about that, kid?
Here are my top five suckiest holiday songs, counting down (and let's just leave Justin Bieber out of this -- let's just acknowledge that we all know he sucks, so we don't need to include anything from his holiday album here):
5. "Jingle Bells" by the Singing Dogs: It's fricking dogs. Fricking dogs barking. Do I really have to explain why this song sucks?
4. "Christmas Shoes": What a horrible piece of glurge. Such a godawful pile of dreck. Actually, I think Patton Oswalt has a pretty good take on why this song is so bad.
3. "Dominic the Donkey" by Lou Monte: What was this guy smoking when he wrote this song? A Christmas donkey, seriously? WTF? What's wrong with the damn reindeer? They can fly, but they can't get through mountains? That's bullcrap. And to boot, this is one of those songs that jumps into your head and then stays there all day, no matter how much you hate it. Bonus suck points for that.
2. "Feliz Navidad": Another ridiculously catchy, ridiculously bad song, which is a double-whammy. I mean, come on. One, we live in America, so speak English, or possibly Latin since it's Christmas time. And two, write some more words, dammit! This whole song only consists of two lines' worth of lyrics!
1. "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" by the Jackson 5: Y'know, I like Michael Jackson, but whenever I hear this song (which seems to be on every retail outlet's playlist, so it's unescapable), I want to reach back in time and strangle little-kid-Michael. Shut up, kid! First of all, you don't have to keep telling us "I did, I really did!" We get it. You saw Mommy kissing Santa. We believe you, really. Now shut up. And plus, why is he so excited about this? Think about it: He just saw his mom making out with Santa, while his dad's asleep. Mommy's cheating on Daddy, and Santa's a homewrecker! Why are you so excited about that, kid?
If you have moved in the past year and I might not have your address, please give it to me -- comment here, or e-mail if you'd rather. :)
Originally posted by 
dynamicsymmetry at Congress wants to take away your internet.
dynamicsymmetry at Congress wants to take away your internet.Folks, I know you're tired of me yelling at you, but you should be aware that there's a hearing this morning being held by the US House Judiciary Committee on a "copyright" bill that will essentially break the entire internet.
You like the internet, right? I mean, you're here.
From the link above:
This is being framed as an attempt to fight hackers and pirates. Don't buy it. And don't think for a minute that it's going to stop there. This is bad. And at the hearing today, only one opponent of the bill is being allowed to testify.
Please do whatever you can to fight this. Email congresspeople. Sign petitions. Yell about it in every venue you can.
And/or
You like the internet, right? I mean, you're here.
From the link above:
As drafted, the legislation would grant the government and private parties unprecedented power to interfere with the Internet's domain name system (DNS). The government would be able to force ISPs and search engines to redirect or dump users' attempts to reach certain websites' URLs. In response, third parties will woo average users to alternative servers that offer access to the entire Internet (not just the newly censored U.S. version), which will create new computer security vulnerabilities as the reliability and universality of the DNS evaporates.
It gets worse: Under SOPA's provisions, service providers (including hosting services) would be under new pressure to monitor and police their users’ activities. While PROTECT-IP targeted sites “dedicated to infringing activities,” SOPA targets websites that simply don’t do enough to track and police infringement (and it is not at all clear what would be enough). And it creates new powers to shut down folks who provide tools to help users get access to the Internet the rest of the world sees (not just the “U.S. authorized version”).
This is being framed as an attempt to fight hackers and pirates. Don't buy it. And don't think for a minute that it's going to stop there. This is bad. And at the hearing today, only one opponent of the bill is being allowed to testify.
Please do whatever you can to fight this. Email congresspeople. Sign petitions. Yell about it in every venue you can.
And/or
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okay, done stalking now.