Voluptuary

Cuban Sugar(plum Fairy)!



If you don't shake your ass to this?

You've died, and just don't know it yet!

I need beard conditioning advice. "Someone" says my beard is like steel wool. Who am I to argue?

I know that the world is a big bad nasty place with the TSA and paper cuts and North Korean nuclear centrifuges in it. I also know that choosing to look on the bright side is an intellectual choice that is not popular in certain circles, and is even disparaged and mocked by some if not all in the world.

But I just had a class today on the spiritual dimension of health and as the lovely snow fell outside the window, I realized an interesting set of things that the discussion about our lecture on grief, acceptance and forgiveness helped me become aware of:

1) The two angriest, nastiest-toned students, the ones who constantly challenge the teachers and ask questions they already know the answers to (as a test of the instructor, I guess?), those charming individuals?

They both argued against forgiveness. One said that "forgiveness is selfish."

My response was immediate and I blurted out: "Forgiveness is selfless."

She did not agree.

The other guy, who is, I'm sad to say, an Evil Queen Giving Us A Bad Name, said that "no one can truly forgive, they can only choose to ignore how they were wronged." *gasp* That? IS AWFUL!

I was filled with sadness for them both. Not from a superior position of pity, honestly, but a sadness about how their lives must be, day-to-day, with that mindset.

2) My mother is a Pollyanna. Of cosmic proportions. For the love of little green apples, her name is Glenda! We've called her the Good Witch for DECADES. (Yes, the Baum books spell it Glinda, and "Wicked" spells it Galinda, but I choose my own reality. BE TOLD!)

And that optimism rubbed off on me, big time.

Optimists think things are going to work out well, and in a self-reinforcing way only notice the instances when that belief is supported by events. Which makes them more optimistic because they were "proved" right. I refer to it as a Virtuous Circle.

Pessimists do the exact same thing, same reinforcement and all, but they focus on the instances that prove that things don't work out. Which makes them more pessimistic because they were "proved" right.I refer to it as a Vicious Circle.

Sure, that's a pejorative way to label the two mindsets. Um, so what? The term Pollyanna has come to have a negative connotation, and I reject that interpretation outright and am reclaiming the term Pollyanna for good. Why? Because I choose my own reality.

3) Mean people suck.

They just do.

I don't know if it's that they're lashing out, or that like Lucia in "The Opposite of Sex" they "have a death wish. I just direct it at others."

For whatever reason, malicious intent or no, they are Debbie Downers. Or worse.

I DO NOT WANT THEM IN MY LIFE.

My Livejournal is a ray of sunshine, dammit. I choose it to be. Sure I have some down times, and I've talked about them here, but by and large, and by a great margin, my posts are upbeat and happy-making.

Happy-making.

That is just about my favorite phrase in the world.

"That movie, 'Julie and Julia,' was so happy-making!"

"I just reread 'A Night In The Lonesome October' and it's so happy-making!"

"'To Say Nothing of the Dog...' is SUCH a happy-making book for me I can't stop rereading it!"

"tbass teases me in such a happy-making way!"

"My mom just called to tell me that it's snowing and she's watching it drift down from her recliner with a good book and it's happy-making!"

HAPPY.

MAKING.

HAPPY-MAKING.

Say it loud, say it proud:

I choose to be happy-making!

BE TOLD!

tbass just won Mr. Northwest Bear 2011!

I'm a first lady!

Really, this Tim Minchin audio is priceless:

BE TOLD!



I had no idea that my Sailor Blue scrubs would cause my hazel/green eyes to pick up that blue so much!

Thanks to bukephalus for taking the pic for me!

Nurse Ratched better watch out, there's a new bitch in town!

Preemptive Procrastination:

If I do the fifteen online quizzes today, which are all of the remaining ones for the quarter, I won't have to do them later and can be lazy and chill when everyone else is stressing in Nov/Dec.

If I do the project now by myself, I don't have to deal with a group later.

If I apply for the scholarship now, I won't have to worry about the due date.

Moral of story: it SEEMS like I'm super productive because I get shit done way in advance, but SECRETLY?

IT IS SHEER LAZINESS.

Be told!

*giggle*

Srsly. Hair Metal Heaven!

http://www.game1010.com/video/video/cRE5nICkEEo/Northern-Kings-Take-on-me-Eurovsion-live.html

Muchos besos a naamah_darling for the yumminess!

President Obama Is Not On Our Side.

President Obama's Department of Justice is defending the anti-gay Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy in court after a federal judge found it unconstitutional (*1) and is in the process of deciding whether to defend the policy again in the most recent decision against it. (*2)

President Obama's Department of Justice is defending in three cases the anti-gay Defense of Marriage Act in court after two separate federal judges found it unconstitutional. (*3, *4)

The day a federal judge declared California's anti-gay marriage Proposition 8 to be unconstitutional, President Obama's White House released a statement reiterating the President's opposition to gay marriage. (*5)

He took the Gay community's money and votes, and made impassioned speeches about being the community's fierce advocate. (*6)

I've been disappointed to find that President Obama works actively against our community. That is simply documented fact. As it stands right now, I am not voting for his re-election in 2012.

I am truly sad that this has happened, and I know it's got to be agonizing to admit for those in the Gay community who supported him that he isn't at all who they thought he was. Face it: he's ordered the Department of Justice to appeal every decision in our favor. That is 'fierce advocacy' all right, FOR THE OTHER SIDE.

The truth is:

"President Obama Is Not On Our Side."

Sources:

*1 http://www.scribd.com/doc/29167760/Dept-of-Justice-Defends-Don-t-Ask-Don-t-Tell-policy. "Dept. of Justice Defends Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy."

*2 http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/09/23/DOJ_Counters_Log_Cabin_to_Keep_DADT/ "DOJ to Judge: Keep Enforcing DADT"

*3 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/12/obama-defends-antigay-def_n_214764.html "Obama Admin Moves To Dismiss Defense Of Marriage Act Challenge."

*4 http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/doj_files_appeal_defending_doma.php "the U.S. Department of Justice this afternoon filed notices of appeal in two cases striking down the federal definition of marriage, contained in the Defense of Marriage Act, as unconstitutional."

*5 http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/08/04/White_House_Statement_Prop_8/. David Axelrod, Senior Advisor to the President:“The President has spoken out in opposition to Proposition 8 because it is divisive and discriminatory. He will continue to promote equality for LGBT Americans. The president does oppose same-sex marriage but he supports equality for gay and lesbian couples."

*6 http://gay.americablog.com/2010/09/getequals-broken-promises-lgbt-remix.html "GetEQUAL's 'Broken Promises LGBT Remix, Vol. 1'"

Hey there, Microsoft, how's it hanging?

Good to hear, good to hear. But, hey, look, the reason why I'm calling is that I wanted to ask you if you remembered WordPerfect 5.1?

Yeah, I thought not.

Well, here's the problem, let me break it down for you:

Those Who Do Not Study History Are Doomed To Repeat It, you jackasses.

( Behind the cut because I say fuck a lot )

Just because you're the 700-pound gorilla doesn't mean that treating your old boyfriend like shit is RIGHT, fuckwad.

I HATE YOU.

*ahem*

So how's YOUR night going, friends list?

Vampires don't turn to stone, can't abide daylight, and most importantly, do NOT sparkle.

Therefore Edward Cullen is not a vampire.

He's a lawn ornament.

CUTE five minute film starring the impossibly hot Grant Roa!



*swoon*

"I want life, life wants me to breathe in its love."

TRUEFACT!



And people wonder why I'm such an optimist.

Music like this makes me wonder why everyone else ISN'T!

(Tip o' the hat to Jeb, DJ 50 Pound Note, for reminding me how much I love this!)

Two words:

LOVED IT.

As other half of best double feature ever?

Kick Ass!

This?

IS DIRTY.

And hilarious.



Great things come in bears.

OH YES THEY DO!

Did Judge Make Right Call In Gay Marriage Case?

* Yes -- Prop. 8 violates the Constitution.

* No -- Marriage is an institution between a man and a woman. I don't care what the judge thinks about the Constitution.

* I'm not sure but shouldn't the voters views count for something?

* Other (leave a comment).




Let me repeat that:

"I don't care what the judge thinks about the Constitution."

News flash: I don't care what a bigot thinks about my civil rights.

Suck it, Scalia.

I have just been awarded the [redacted] Family Endowed Scholarship from my [redacted] nursing school's Foundation for this upcoming year of school!

Full tuition for the year!

Happy Happy Joy Joy!

*doing the Snoopy dance, is shirtlifterbear*

Domo kills a kitten!





THINK OF THE KITTIES!

So. Not. Kidding.

Look, all you wannabe "parrotheads" and "margaritavillains", this is what life is like in the Florida Keys where I grew up, 24/7:

Stop to get gas and "Cheeseburger in Paradise" is playing at the pump. Go inside to buy a soda while the tank fills, and you get "Pencil-Thin Mustache".

Go to the supermarket to pick up six-pack of soda since the Buffet-ting made you flee the Quickie Mart, and "Son of a Son of a Sailor" is MUZAKING all over you. "A Pirate Looks at Forty" played by A Thousand Strings? Please. Kill. Me.

"Come Monday", it WON'T be alright, because the damn songs are omnipresent, loudly so, and are there SOLELY to convince you that the Keys are all about saying "Why Don't We Get Drunk And Screw" to anyone in a Hawaiian shirt. There will be no "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" my fine tourista terrorista, there will only be SUNBURN, and garish clothing. And flip-flops. Oh God, the flip-flops.

And the only respite from the Jimmy Buffet Playlist of Terror?

"Kokomo."

Which doesn't exist.

( Cut to protect the naive who still think Santa and the Easter Bunny exist! OOPS, SPOILER ALERT. )

DEATH TO THE OPPRESSOR.

I'm sure this will come as a complete shock to everyone.

(this is my shocked, shocked I tell you! face) o.0

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/02/tea-party-poll-more-than_n_597968.html

truefacts!

Hey folks, my buddy Jennifer has two tix to the sold-out Sounders-LA Galaxy game this Saturday (at 1pm here in Seattle at Qwest Field) she can't use! $60 bucks total for the two! ($90 originally!) Let me know if you want 'em!

I hate to get all Afterschool Special on you, but you know what?

You deserve happiness.

Totally.

This applies to each and every one of you.

So go get you some!

BE TOLD!

Happy birthday to three gorgeous men on my friends list:

pocketbearwa, hoo boy do we have prezzies for you, hot stuff!

osodecanela, super big hugs for my favorite Cinnamon Bear Doc!

exiledfromtribe, happy Seattle in the Spring birthday, cute neighbor!

It's a good day to be born!

TRUE FACT!

Happy tears, people, happy tears!

The growl and the fury, signifying nothing.