Catching up...(and a COLD run this morning...BRRRRRR! I've had enuf of winter!)

Still trying to make some headway on email I'm behind on...been busy, plus my Mom has been a lil under-the-weather of late...had to take her to the doctor's yesterday, she'd had some really sharp pain that she thought might be a recurrance of pneumonia she'd had awhile back (she has lung/breathing problems as it is...self-induced...anyone thinking of starting smoking? DON'T!) Apparently she's OK, but as she's getting older, any health plaint is worrisome...

I have a friend who seems to be getting burnt out on her TG "community" involvement of late. I can't blame her, and after reading of some of the BS she's put up with, even moreso now. Over the years, being involved with "this thing of ours" (transgenderism as La Cosa Nostra? Who knew?!) I've met and befriended some truly wonderful, thoughtful, intelligent, giving people; some almost carbon copies of me in terms of backgrounds, interests, views, etc...some quite different. But over the years I've also met and been exposed to via "the community" (and I tend to put that in "" because to me, from experience, I've found the idea of a monolithic TG community about as absurd as, say, a monolithic African-American community; it ain't there!) some of the most self-centered, self-absorbed, petty, angry and unstable individuals one could imagine. If those attributes could all be pinned upon their TG status (marginalization by family, society, etc...because of their TGism resulting in their adopting those behaviors and mindsets) it might be understandable, but many of these people simply appear to have poor manners, little-to-no empathy nor understanding of/for others, even toward those who have reached out to them and tried to comfort, help, and understand them, time and time again, only to receive little reciprocity, or even attention, in return. I'll be the first to admit- I can be quite opinionated at times, and I don't suffer fools easily. But I'll give most anyone the benefit of the doubt until they prove otherwise, and I make a concerted effort to treat others with that reciprocity I've spoken of before. Which brings me back to my friend. She's a good, caring, and- perhaps best of all!- normal, regular person, in interests, outlook, and attitude, a solid Midwesterner! She's married, has kids, and, at a slightly older age (early 40's) is trying to come to grips with where her TGism needs to fit in to her whole life, while still meeting her obligations to those she has 'em to. Work and finances have been a bit stressful for her of late, and apparently her efforts at trying to be a caring, supportive voice in "the community," with it's drama queens and pettiness and all, and receiving- apparently- little caring, support, or even interest in her life and her struggles, etc... have taken their toll, and she's burnt out. I believe I've been there for her as best I could (given time and distance factors) but I'll have to examine my conscience a bit on that score as well.

But whether it is this particular example, or others in other realms, it is always sad when those who give, freely and generously, of their time and efforts and resources, end up burnt out or disillusioned due to the lack of consideration, the lack of reciprocity, the lack of appreciation, for those efforts from those to whom they've reached out.

Waiting On A Friend (One of the most underrated songs by Mick and the boys, IMO.)
Watching girls go passing by
It ain't the latest thing
I'm just standing in a doorway
I'm just trying to make some sense
Out of these girls go passing by
The tales they tell of men
I'm not waiting on a lady
I'm just waiting on a friend.

A smile relieves a heart that grieves
Remember what I said
I'm not waiting on a lady
I'm just waiting on a friend
I'm just waiting on a friend.

Don't need a whore I don't need no booze
Don't need a virgin priest
But I need someone I can cry to
I need someone to protect
Making love and breaking hearts
It is a game for youth
But I'm not waiting on a lady
I'm just waiting on a friend.

A quick shot (sorry!) on the Cheney hunting accident...

First, for the Dems and libs looking to score partisan points off of this, one word: Chappaquiddick. Two words: Ted Kennedy. Three words: Mary Jo Kopechne. The last time I ck'd, Dick Cheney's hunting rifle had still killed less people than Teddy Kennedy's Oldsmobile. Enough said.

Second, for Republicans and conservatives defending and/or minimizing this: don't. The Veep screwed up, even if by accident. Rule #1 of guns- never point unless you are prepared to shoot. Whether Cheney's pal stepped into the line of fire or not, it is incumbent upon the shooter to always maintain utmost control of his/her weapon. No excuses. Defending the Veep here is not a sign of party loyalty, but of partisan extremism.

All sides would do well to ponder the old chestnut "People who live in glass houses..."

Just a quick one on a snowy Sunday evening...

Why is it, whenever there is a snowstorm (or any severe-type weather event) they always stick some news crew out in the worst of it, who always intone, "If you don't need to be out on the roads, stay home." What is so vital about a news crew?! What makes them believe that they are so needed, that the "rules" don't apply to them? I mean, if they wanna show the storm, they can simply stick a reporter and a camera crew right outside their building and film! They don't need to be out on the roads anymore than anyone else, simply to show some footage of some snow!

Sheesh!

"I'm in love with modern moonlight/128 when it's dark outside/I'm in love with Massachusetts/I'm in love with the radio on..."

The Muslim cartoon riots...

If only these were cartoons...instead, they are making Islam appear as little more than a cartoon...More and more I truly believe many of these people simply enjoy rioting, protesting, raising mindless havoc...Apparently many Muslims the world over are incensed to the point of violence over European editorial cartoons which have depicted the prophet Muhammad in a less-than-flattering light. I suppose I can understand the indignation, but the violence over it? I'm no theologian nor student of comparative religions, but from what I recall from my junior high World Cultures class and from CCD classes, Muslims believe Muhammad to be a prophet, the last and, to them, greatest prophet. But a prophet still, a man, not God. One of their beefs with Christianity (and they also believe Jesus to be a prophet, BTW) is the Trinitarian concept held by (most) Christians. Muslims see this as blaspheming their most basic belief, "There is no God but God," to them it smacks of polytheism, and is an insult to their One, True God. Taking from this, one would think that, if any religion were to be irate to the point of violence over insulting depictions of it's founder, it would be Christianity, since Christ is seen as supernatural, divine, and not a mere man, or even a great man, as Muhammad is viewed by Muslims. Yet when was the last time you saw Christians riot, burn, storm embassies, kill, over unflattering depictions of Christ or other Christian symbols? Were Christians tearing up the streets in violence over the- reprehensible- Piss Christ photo? Were Christians rioting and killing over the- reprehensible- depiction of the Virgin Mary made from elephant dung? Indeed, some in the US media and "entertainment" worlds were aghast that there were "rubes" who even voiced offense over these depictions- where are their stout condemnations of Muslims not merely protesting, but rioting, committing violence, killing, over- at worst- similar depictions?

Over and over we are told, by our President, by many of our leading commentators and pundits and thinkers, by the multiculturalists, by Muslims themselves, that the worst behaviors associated with Muslims are not representative of Islam, nor the sensibilites of the overwhelming majority of Muslims worldwide (1 billion+,) that the acts of violence and terrorism and intolerance and ignorance are done and endorsed by only a small fraction, and that they are perverting the true message and meaning of Islam. I'd like to believe that. Sadly, I've seen little to persuade me toward that view, and much to dissuade.

(PS- Yes, I still need to catch up on my email!!!)

"By order of the Prophet/We ban that boogie sound/Degenerate the faithful/With that crazy Casbah sound..."

My apologies...

I've gotten wicked behind on email the last week or so. I will catch up on it this week, I hope anyone who is waiting on a reply will be a lil patient...

Just a quickie on this Super Sunday morning...I have no real dog in the fight this year (No Pats! Waahhhhhhh!!!) Generally, I've always kinda liked the Steelers, ever since I was a kid, but there are also a couple of Patriots' legacies (sons of former Patriots) plaing for the Seahawks, so there's some interest there as well...the last line I saw had the Steelers favored by 4, tough one to call, glad I don't have to play it...I guess I'm simply hoping for an entertaining game, without as much emotionally involved this year.

"Good girls don't/But I do..."