It's Good Friday. The day Jesus was crucified for proclaiming to be the Son of God. The day he died to save us from Sin. I actually went to Church last week with the bidding of my father. I stopped going when the local church here had 2 of its priests transferred (2 priests whom I highly respected and enjoyed their sermons) and when getting a seat was next to impossible. During the 3 years I stopped going, the new monsignor whom I had never met was murdered in the rectory in a robbery attempt. That didn't help the likelihood of me attending church either.
So in going last week, much of the sermon centered on the turmoil in the church because of the cover-ups of sexual abuse of minors. Of course the priest danced a fine line speaking of our prayers for the victims as well as for the troubled priests who perpetrated these acts. While I understand how condemning the priests I guess would be un-Christian, but I do think more needs to be said in terms of the Church being resolved to prevent any more such cover-ups. It's not just the acts themselves, but the lack of intervention that is the problem. The troubling aspect of the whole thing. The priests were given more protection than the children. Jesus' lambs.
The other troubling aspect of this for me is having read an editorial about this that spouts off about homosexuality and its evils being the root cause of the problem. *Huh?* The priest in DC that was dismissed this week abused teenage girls back in the early eighties. No homosexuality there. And pedophilia does not go hand in hand with homosexuality. But what the hell...why not use another opportunity to bash gays? Sheesh.
And I'm not convinced celibacy is the problem either. There are plenty of priests out there that aren't abusing children. It's the handful that do that tarnish their reputation along with the upper management, so to speak, that permit known offenders to keep practicing. And the root cause of that is the shortage of men joining the seminary and devoting their lives to God and the priesthood. This means they end up retaining the bad along with the good.
The more viable option that the church needs to acknowledge is the potential for allowing women to join the priesthood. I mean how many Sisters have we heard abusing children sexually? And I've known more women willing to be celibate than men. Or at least more able to be so, LOL, perhaps not so willingly. Unfortunately, I do not see this possibility being addressed until the Church leadership has major changes.
Oh well...I'd expound on this more, but it's time to get to work. :)
I have some ideas for revamping the layout and design of this blog. Now it's just a matter of having the time to do it. Hopefully I'll get to it before the next millenium. ;)
Still doing the gym thing, though I haven't blogged much about it. I went to a body sculpting class on Monday after 10 minutes on the treadmill. Tonight I ran 2.5 miles on the treadmill in 30 minutes. I've been really improving my times. And 2 weeks ago I ran 3 miles in 40 minutes. And Thursday's Pilates Mat day. Pilates is such a relaxing class and great for strengthening your core and for balance. Love that class. Can't say I've lost any weight in the year I have been going, but I'm so much better toned. And muscle does weigh more than fat. The important thing is my clothes are no longer tight. And I did all this without losing the boobs, lol. I was convinced I'd go back to being a B cup, but it hasn't happened.
Hey, I'm determined to look great for bikini season. (especially since Charlie and I are just friends these days.)
This comment about the Oscars had me LOLing. :) And I didn't even watch them. hehehehe.....
I've felt this way since this story broke months ago. Andrea Yates' husband should bear some responsibility for what happened and it appears he may now be charged with child endangerment. Doctors had warned him about the severity of Andrea's post-partum depression after the birth of their fourth child. They had warned against having any more children.
My feeling has been "what freaking moron decides to have a fifth child when his wife attempts suicide after her fourth child?" Andrea and her husband attended group therapy. During these sessions, each person is supposed to talk about their situation, etc. It seems the husband kept doing all the talking even when the questions were directed toward her. That right there told me this asshole is too damn wrapped up in himself and in controlling her. Where the therapy was meant to help her, he prevented her from interacting with the group and put the spotlight on himself instead. His standing by her so faithfully during the trial is all part of it. All part of his self-appointed role as her protector. I feel he at the very least contributed to her illness by his over-protective behaviour and by not preventing a fifth pregnancy.
In the article it mentions that her mother and her siblings found Rusty Yates selfish and controlling. It would seem my read of this guy is about right.
Bizarre thing happened last night. I went to lay down in my bed when I felt something prick my shoulder. At first I wasn't sure what it was. Then, I heard a buzzing sound near my ear.
After turning on the light, I didn't see anything. Staring at my shoulder in the bathroom mirror, I began to see a bump developing. So I knew something bit or stung me. I heard Gee pouncing on my bed, chasing something, so I peaked my head back in my room. Lo and behold a wasp landed on my pillow at that moment. Then he flew towards me. Grabbing my hairspray I gave him a dousing with it. Best bug spray out there, lol. With his wings stuck together, he couldn't go far and then I proceeded to beat him to death.
The sting wasn't too bad since I had been wearing a very thick, warm nightgown since it was a very cold night. I think he only half stung me because his stinger didn't completely get through the fabric. The wasp got into my apartment last week when the weather was good. I had assumed he died since I hadn't seen him since last week. I assumed wrong. And despite all of Gee's best attempts, he never caught the wasp. (Last week he was up on my dining room table, leaping at the flying critter.) LOL.
I came home tonight in a fairly reasonable mood. Tired, but content, I guess. That was until I arrived home and collected my mail.
Inside my mailbox I found a bill I had not anticipated. An ER doctors bill. Back in January, after receiving a deep puncture wound from a bad cat scratch, I went to the ER to get a tetanus shot. That was because a) It had been 12 years since my last tetanus shot, b) My own doctor's office told me to go there because they could not give me the shot due to a nationwide shortage of the vaccine, and c) no other doctors office that I called would give me the shot unless I was a previous patient. I would have opted not to worry about it except my coworkers insisted I needed the shot since the scratch was deep and it had been so long since I was previously vaccinated.
If I had known how much this vaccine would have cost me overall, I would have taken my chances with lockjaw.
Why had I not anticipated this bill, you might ask?
Because I had already paid the hospital $183 last month. Yes, $183 to clean my wound and give me one lousy vaccination. My insurance paid not one red cent because ER visits must meet the $250 deductible.
Now, today I was sent a bill from the ER doctor for another $188, that was partially covered by my insurance since now I've met my yearly deductible. Which means I owe another $102. Fucking medical system. Of course I'm subsidizing someone else without insurance. Fucking government that can't guarantee everyone health insurance. If I don't pay it one way, I'll have to pay it another.
Ok....with barely that rant, I'll mention that I called home when I was in full steam pissed off mode about this. Mom wasn't home. So I ended up talking to Dad about it amongst other things. We had probably one of our longest phone conversations. I think the call was nearly an hour. He calmed me down and explained that life will be full of unexpected bills. We talked about how I don't feel I'm ready to buy a house. He expressed that moving closer to home I could live for cheaper. I explained that there are only a small number of job opportunities there. We talked about other things, life in general, the Catholic Church, etc. I felt pretty good afterwards, and I think he did too. He offered to send me the $100. I told him that's not what I was calling for. I was calling to vent, not plead for money. He said I was a lot like him, that I don't want anything from anyone, I'm self reliant, etc. And that's a good thing. :)
So I'm glad I made the call and I'm glad I took the time out to have a long talk with Dad. I may have a closer relationship with Mom but I love him just as much, too. I'm so damn lucky to have two parents that love and respect each other and love and respect me. They are my role models and I cherish them so much...I just hope they know that. I'm not sure there are words to convey that. Damn, I'm crying. I better quit, I'm getting my new keyboard all wet, lol.
It's just money.
My parents....priceless. :)
*Does Happy-dance*
I got a new keyboard AND it's USB with 2 USB ports should I ever one day get a USB mouse. It feels great to be able to type and actually have spaces between my words without having to go back and put them in. :)
I never did send that email out. Maybe today. I still need to replace this freaking keyboard...that would make my life easier.
I spent a nice evening out on Thursday. My friend and former coworker Nicole and I went to Macaroni Grille for dinner (it was her birthday last week) and we walked around the nearby lake and retail stores since it was very nice out. We especially had fun roaming around Pier One, lol. Hopefully we will both be able to take more time out of our busy schedules to have a girl's night out every so often.
Where we've had gorgeous weather the last few days, once again it is raining on the weekend. My brother is especially disappointed in this since it has rained every weekend since he got his new digital camera. Granted we need the rain, but I'm tired of having to work during all the nice days and have rain during my free time. *sigh* What can you do?
Ok...this keyboard is annoying me...a bad spacebar is beyond frustration.
Tiffy sent me this today, so I had to participate with my own answers, though there is no way I'll be nearly as humorous as she.
1.IF YOU COULD BUILD YOUR HOUSE ANYWHERE, WHERE WOULD IT BE?
Probably by the ocean. I love the sound of the waves crashing. I just would need to find a job near the beach, lol. :)
2. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ARTICLE OF CLOTHING?
I guess it would be the charcoal stretchy turtleneck that emphasizes my chest, lol. Hey...it looks good. It's nice to be noticed. LOL.
3. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PHYSICAL FEATURE OF THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Tough one. Where my friend Karen goes for butts and Tiff likes her hubby's round belly, I prefer a man with nice shoulders and a pleasing smile. But I won't argue having a nice butt as part of the whole package. Package, lol...better not go there. ;)
4. WHAT'S THE LAST CD THAT YOU BOUGHT?
I just bought three: Garbage's Beautiful Garbage; Hooverphonic's Magnificent Tree; and The Best of Three Dog Night.
5. WHERE'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO BE?
At the beach or out hiking.
6. WHERE'S YOUR LEAST FAVORITE PLACE TO BE?
At work on a beautiful day.
7. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO BE MASSAGED?
Umm...Where wouldn't I be willing to be massaged? And it depends on who is doing the massaging. *evil grin* LOL. Actually a great foot massage is to die for. And I often need a neck/shoulders massage. If money were not an issue, I'd go for a full body massage more often.
8. WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT, STRONG IN MIND OR STRONG IN BODY?
I agree with Tiff's answer....Need a strong sense of humor!
9. WHAT TIME DO YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING?
Between 6 and 7AM
10. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW?
In the past, La Femme Nikita. Currently, none. But I do enjoy watching Witchblade, MASH reruns and Match Game on Game Show Network. LOL.
11. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE KITCHEN APPLIANCE?
Dishwasher so I don't have to do dishes. :)
12. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY?
Winning Bon Jovi tickets in high school. (I was the 15th caller) Going to Germany to see where mom grow up, also in high school. Getting my banana seat bike at age seven at Christmas.
13. WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Humor.....I dunno. Whatever strikes me as funny at the moment. Actually Julia Louis-Dreyfus' new show made me laugh good last week.
14. WHAT MAKES YOU REALLY ANGRY?
The ignorant rude drivers around here who ride up your ass despite the fact you are going 10 miles over the speed limit.
15. IF YOU COULD PLAY ANY INSTRUMENT WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Piano
16. FAVORITE RESTAURANT/CAFE/EATERY
Il Pizzico in Rockville.
17. SCARIEST MOMENT OF YOUR LIFE?
Standing alone at the Metro bus stop in Houston while this homeless guy explains to me how he has a knife in his pocket and he could just kill 30 people that day. Oh, but not me, of course. I was too afraid to leave and go back to my apartment since he might follow me and I would have had to unlock the gate to get into the complex. Thankfully the bus came into sight and he didn't get on. The second most was also in Houston. This guy jumped out in front of my car. I swurved to miss him without ever stopping, thankfully. Apparently he was attempting to carjack me. Hmmm....wonder why I don't live in Houston anymore? (Besides it being too damn humid)
18. IF THERE WAS A MOVIE MADE ABOUT YOU, WHAT CURRENT/FORMER HOLLYWOOD STAR WOULD PLAY YOU?
Oh shoot...who was that girl Wickeddoll said looked like me, lol? If I get to pick, Cate Blanchett, since she's my favorite actress.
19. DO YOU BELIEVE IN AFTERLIFE?
To copy Tiff, In some form, yeah.
20. FAVORITE CHILDREN'S BOOK?
Babar the Elephant
21. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON?
Spring...it can't come soon enough. Love those cherry blossoms and spring flowers.
22. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE HOUSEHOLD CHORE?
Cleaning the bathroom/cleaning litter boxes.
23. IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Telepathy....moving things with my mind...or is that telekinetics? Hey, I wouldn't mind being able to read minds. Then maybe I might figure out how a man's mind works. But I probably would still get a headache from trying to figure them out, lol.
24.IF YOU HAVE A TATTOO, WHAT IS IT?
none
25. WHO WAS YOUR FIRST LOVE AND AT WHAT AGE?
Love...hahahaha...obsession, probably Matt and I think I was 19.
26. THE SONG YOU WISHED YOU HAD WRITTEN?
A Tori Amos song...gotta check the title...Hand Me My Leather, perhaps? I was listening to it on the way home tonight.
27. DO YOU PREFER CAT'S OR DOG'S?
Cats, the smarter breed.
28. WHAT'S IN THE TRUNK OF YOUR CAR?
Trunk is empty except for trunk liner.
29. FROM THE PEOPLE YOU EMAILED THIS TO-WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO
RESPOND?
Maybe Karen or Kristina. Sue already got it from Tiff, lol.
30. FROM THE PEOPLE YOU EMAILED THIS TO-WHO IS LEAST LIKELY TORESPOND?
That's tough...Trish has been busy, so perhaps her.
31. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DAY?
Saturday.
32. USING ONLY ONE WORD DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
Intelligent
33. USING ONLY ONE WORD DESCRIBE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
Caring
Other than close friends I doubt there's anyone reading this anymore considering I have next to no content these days. I think I'm just out of the habit now. And by the time I come home from work and/or the gym I'm too pooped to write anything intelligent. So I am gonna try yet again to post more frequently.
At the moment I could really use a new keyboard since the spacebar on this one is dying a slow but painful death. Looked at Comp USA but didn't find one I like for the price I want to pay. Part of it is I would like to get a USB one rather than a PS/2 one. One of the best choices I have is just ordering it from Dell if I don't find a suitable one in the store. I did see one on Dell's site for $25.
Okay, this is futile....I think I'll start posting more once I have a new keyboard, lol.
The only thing else to mention is that I'm looking for a good less expesive hotel in London to stay in for a week in May. If anyone knows one of those, drop me a line. Email addy is on sidebar. I'll feel so much better once my airplane ticket and hotel reservations are completed. :)
Anymore answers today? Maybe. LOL.
I'm just too busy to worry about it. I've been meaning to get my Passport application in the last couple weeks. Now that it is crunch time, I went to Kinkos tonight to get the photos. Think mug-shots from hell. Either that or I really look like shit lately. Actually I know the lighting sucked. The pisser is the photos cost $13. I'll just have to make sure I don't show off my passport too often. I think I like my old passport photo better--as a 15 year old with '80s hair and big glasses. That's pretty sad. LOL.
Also, been trying to figure out airline ticket and hotel reservation stuff for London. The problem is in addition to worrying about travel plans I've been dealing with a failing romance (if you could call it that), issues with having a new cat, a stressful work atmosphere due to much uncertainty and frustration due to a variety of factors, $$$, seasonal depression, lack of sleep [see mention of new feline], future plans of buying a home, hospital bill/insurance not paying, $$$, unfinished projects [catching up on fanfic reading, working on story ideas that pass through my mind, Witchblade music web site pages, reading fic that others have mailed me, answering emails] you got the idea.... Ugggh. I need to find a few hours to de-stress as well as a few hours to accomplish things that are getting pushed aside.
Help...Calgon, take me away! LOL. :)