2ndchance

Friend Smoothie

Facebook continues to amaze and amuse me.  What has really struck me lately is how it takes friends and acquaintances from wildly different parts of my life and puts them all in the same place.  One friend of mine called this 'homogenization' of people. (Thanks Mark) I guess I am used to my friends being compartmentalized. . .college, former youth, family, online friends, etc.  Some of these friends know some things about me. . .others are privy to a whole different slate of information.  (For example, many people know what the name of this blog signifies.  Many do not.)

Just the other day, a several friends posted their status messages, as usual.  The first one was one of my more conservative friends who was ranting about President Obama.  Directly after that, was a status from one of my gay friends talking about a Pride March he was in.  Right after that was a family member talking about moving from one state to another.  And after that was a Christian friend of mine, using her status to broadcast her faith.

You get the idea.  I had to chuckle.  I started to think, which one of my friends would unfriend me if they could see all my other friends.  Would my pro-choice friends disown me because I also have pro-life friends?  Would my atheist friends sneer at my christian friends?  Would my straight friends be shocked that I have gay friends?  What kind of conversations would ensue if everyone was gathered in one room?

It only makes sense.  I usually describe myself as a mutt when meeting new people.  I have threads of many different philosophies, beliefs and choices flowing through me.  It helps me to relate to individuals and groups of many different backgrounds.  I was just always the kid who had friends of all different kinds, shapes, and colors.  I always try to respect other people for their beliefs; while still holding intact my own beliefs.  So my FaceBook friends are a reflection of all of this.

I would like to bring everyone together in one room.  Just to see.  How many people would get into heated conversations.  How many people would make new friends.  How many people would storm out of the room.

Wouldn't it be fun to watch.

Frogs for Rainforest Conservation

To learn more about this issue, look here.

Snow

I've been in the process of writing a post, but have hit writer's block.  In the meantime, I can report that my area received about 6-8 inches of snow.

I love snow.  It reminds me of my growing up years in New England.  We seldom get a decent storm down here in the south.  And work is closed today. . .the first time in over 5 years.  Guess it is play time. .

Here is a pic from earlier today:

Tag

Here is a thought-provoking essay from my friend Liz on the socio-political place Christianity has in America and around the world today. . .including some needed reminders of the history of religious persecution, and a surprising story of one parish's fight to live out their beliefs.  Take the time to read the whole essay.

Happy New Year

Good wishes and peace to you for the new year.  May the coming year be as least as good as your dreams, may you walk among those who love you, and may we all make the world a better place.

Now go out and party like it's 2009!  Cheers!

Prelude to Goodbye

The last two weeks have been amazing.  First there was the time spent at the cabin.  Then there was the buildup to Christmas and finally it was upon us.  Although the weather in the mountains was misty and foggy, we really had a great time.  Lots of indoor games, DVD's, puzzles, good food and a warm fire.

There was a stream running behind the cabin, and we spent some time playing there. Lots of leaves to unclog and rocks to explore.  Then there was the trip to the top of Wintergreen Mountain to see snow (albeit human-made).  I have not been as content for ages, as I was watching "A Christmas Story" with my niece beside me, and the rest of the family sprawled across couches and chairs.  I knew that it wouldn't last forever, so I savored every moment.

Upon our return from the cabin, we got together several evenings in a row to Christmas shop, to eat, and to watch the kids while their Mom and Dad went out on the town.  Finally it was Christmas eve. . . .the evening candlelight service. . .the wonder in the kids' eyes as they looked around at the hundreds of candles. . .followed by supper at Nana's and the opening of stockings and presents and cards.

The next morning, my sister and her family departed for North Carolina to visit with my brother-in-law's family for the next three weeks.  All too soon after that, it will be time for them to return to their home in SE Asia.

I guess only people who have to live for years at at time w/out seeing their family can understand how it feels.  It will be four more years before I can see my family in person again.  We will all be four years older, and the kids especially will have grown up. There is a tangible sense of urgency to spend as much time together as possible in the meantime.

I will miss them very much.

Mountains

In two days, my family heads for a cabin in the mountains.  In spite of the fact that rain is expected for the entire week, I am looking forward to the trip.  This will be the last concentrated time I will be able to spend with my sister's family before they head back to Asia in January.  Then I won't see them for around four years.

Being apart for so long is hard.  I wish I could be consistently around to see the kids grow up and to simply hang out with my sister and bro-in-law.  But I'm really very proud of what they do in SE Asia, and I understand the sacrifices they must make to do their work.

We are busy working on the menus and busy gathering games and books to occupy our time.  There will a wood-burning fireplace to take off the chill.  I am still hoping that the weather channel is wrong and that we will have snow.  I can dream, can't I?

Catch Up

The root canal went well.  What residual pain there was has faded, and I'm now able to chew on both sides of my mouth.  One more trip to the dentist next week to permanently seal up the crown and it's over with.

Driving down to North Carolina for Thanksgiving with my brother-in-law's family.  I think we are expecting 23 or 24 people. . .some of whom I have not seen for years.  My brother-in-law's mom is a great cook, and there will be turkey and ham and home-made Southern pies like pecan and lemon.  Mmmmm.  By special request from my sister, we are bringing down a mince pie and a pumpkin pie, as those are not typically southern.  Since my sister is only home to the States once every four years or so, she has a craving for these family tradional pies that we have had for years.  Ever had mince pie?  It's an aquired taste. . .much like viet fish sauce. . . or coffee if you are not used to it. 

Two days more of work, then off for the holiday for five days. Can't wait.

It's starting

I joined the "Yes we did" group on Facebook, and already a family member. . .and of course a McCain supporter. . .is calling me a socialist.

Incidentally, I'm expecting Russ Limbaugh to have a loyal following again for at least the next four years.  I'm so looking forward to having his views re-surface all over the media. /sarcasm

If John McCain can say 'lets work together and support the new president" on Jay Leno , why can't his supporters do the same?

A break

Most people who know me know that I am fairly private about my political beliefs.  I have never been one to have the stickers on my car nor the signs in my yard.  In my lifetime I have voted Republican, Democrat, and Independent.  I vote for the person and not just for the party.  That being said, it's safe to say that I lean more toward the Democratic Party.  However, for much of the current presidential race, I have been 'undecided'. . .looking closely at all the issues and weighing the big picture.  This is such a crucial time for the USA. . .on the domestic front and the international front.  I want to be sure that my vote is invested wisely for our future and for the future of my niece and nephew.

Tonight, I have to break with personal tradition of being private and just say that I fervently hope Barrack Obama wins.  I'm not sure that I want to live in a country which is run by John McCain and Sarah Palin.  No, I am sure that I don't want to live in a country run by McCain/Palin.  It literally scares me sometimes to think where we would be headed with them at the helm.  I do have a great respect for John McCain and his service to the country.  It's just that we do not need his tired old ideas and erratic personality leading our country.  I think Sarah Palin is spunky, funny, flashy, and totally out of her depth when it comes to the national picture.  I think that the McCain organization has run a despicable campaign. . .playing to the fears of Americans instead of to their better sense.

I have conservative friends who will vote for McCain because he is a Republican, or because of his stand on abortion, or because he is an American hero, or because their church tells them to (no, seriously), or because they believe all the negative hype about Obama.  I know people who will not vote for Obama because of his race and because of their questions about his religious views (omg, that's another whole post there).

I have liberal friends who will vote for Obama because he is a Democrat, or because of his stand on abortion, or because he is an African-American, or because of his stand on the environment, or because he represents a new generation, or because he is calm, cool and collected under pressure.

It can be hard for me. . .'cause I respect and love friends/family who vote. . .some for one candidate and others for the other.  For me, at the end of the day, it all comes down to which candidate I believe and who has the best plan for the country.  And I believe Obama more than McCain. The plans he has placed before us for our country make sense to me. Obama's unique personal background and experience gives him the tools to relate to a wide diversity of people.  And that is exactly what we are in this country:  a widely diverse country.

I want to be proud of my country again.  I want to be proud of my president again.  The last eight years have been a nightmare.  (Yes I voted for Gore).

So on Tuesday I will cast my vote based on what  my intellect, heart, and spirit tell me. I expect there will be some controversy surrounding voting in certain states. (in my state, there was a locality in the 2004 election which ran out of ballets. . .thousands of votes probably didn't get counted.)  I hope that when it is all sorted out, that Obama and Biden will become our next President and Vice-President.