What I'm Reading at the Moment

Thanks to KatieCali - I picked up this book yesterday. I can't put it down.

Don't know why.

I haven't read a book in months -- I've actually started picking up magazines, which I blame on travel completely. As a matter of fact, I looked everywhere for Everyday Food this morning on my trek to procure the newspapers -- but I couldn't find it. I think I'll have to make a trip to B&N (again).

I am totally procrastinating cleaning my house.

I loved this story. Yes, I cried too.

Today's Metro section from The State has a fabulous story. Read it here.

A solidier returns from Iraq to see his sister graduate high school. It just hits ya, right there.

It's Memorial Day Weekend. And I think of all the solidiers who are away from their families and loved ones at the start of the summer. I think of all the soldiers who will never return to their families and loved ones, who will never enjoy another summer.

We all have different opinions about the War on Terror. I personally think there's a great difference between the War on Terror and the Mistake in Iraq, but I think we all guessed that. I'm almost without words. The mistakes we have made in the past four years will resonate for generations to come.

The mid-term elections are coming up -- watching the news shows this morning, all the pundits keep mentioning that there's this monumental election around the corner. Thank God. It's time for a new perspective. It's time for new leaders. It's time to dismantle what the Republicans have done and begin to repair the damage to American lives.

AEN would be so proud.

I love WalMart. I know I shouldn't - but I do. There was a point in my life where the greeter, Mr. Louis, knew me by name. (Yes, seriously).

So today, reading the paper, I see that Chicago is taking a great stride in alleviating my guilt for shopping at the Big Box. The City Council is mandating an ordinance for a living wage for employees of companies with at least $1 billion in annual sales and have at least 75,000 square feet of space.

We should all be able to agree that the minimum wage isn't enough money to support a family. It just isn't. I'm not sure it's enough money to support one single person.

AEN used to tell me I shouldn't shop at WalMart; I disagreed. Almost every retailer treats their employees without consideration. If I stopped shopping at WalMart - what would happen to their bottom line? I won't lie though, I felt guilty picking up my Gatorade, stockings and Tide. I knew that the employees who were ringing up my random purchases didn't have a chance at the good benefits I enjoyed.

And, we know how I feel about the importance of benefits.

So, I think Chicago has a good idea -- we need to hold corporate giants accountable. It's about time.

Thank God for this Woman...

I went to Orlando a while back to see one of my dearest friends wed the man she loves. It was amazing. Beautiful, completely her and entirely romantic.
It was glorious to be around so many friends -- great friends who have seen you grow up and are still waiting for the day when you decide to actually be a grown up.

I also had a very interesting experience in Orlando. I walked around Lake Eola in a beautiful formal gown, that my dear friend had the genious to pick out... I walked around Lake Eola in the moonlight. And I have not stopped giggling.

Hence, the flats.

Always something new.

[19:10] LawHobbit: even if you're in the 99.9 percentile
[19:10] LawHobbit: there are 1.85 million people in the world smarter than you
[19:10] CCS: damn

High or Low?

I like shoes. Wait, I love shoes. I haven't bought new shoes in quite a while though.

So, today - when I realized I had to buy new shoes for a series of upcoming events, I was overjoyed. Until I started looking...

I need flats. Flats. No heel.

Let me tell you, save for Anthro, there are no flat sandals to be had. I think I'm going to scope out Main & Taylor tomorrow, if I can escape for a while. This might require a trip to Kicks.

Why, you might ask, am I looking for flats? This, from a girl who prizes her 3"+ heels? Tee hee hee.

Me & KCali...

Spent a great deal of the afternoon on the phone. The girl shouldn't be in the sun, but was gloriously lolling about by her pool in StL... I, having spent the day before (read: Saturday) in the sun on the lake, was working diligently from my living room.

Well, we decided we needed a vacation. Neither of us have been on a real vacation in years. She, as a hardworking student, and me, as a poor N4P gal, had missed the opportunity for vacation. We both realized we desperately needed some beach time.

Of course, between the weddings and Miss California's upcoming move, the summer is rather booked up. So, we've decided to make a Labor Day - Last Days of Summer - visit to the 'Bama shore.

We found the perfect condo and even entertained the idea of inviting some respective favorites. We shall see. I'm already excited.

Nearly a month...

Egads, it's been nearly a month! I was told, by a dear friend, that if I didn't get my butt in gear and start writing again, I was going to be taken off of her daily list.

I blame it entirely on having a new job and... Yeah, I have no excuse.

So, this morning - I grabbed The State, the AJC and the NYT off the rack at the local Publix and promised myself that I would read them front to back. That didn't quite happen. But here goes...

(And yes, it is three-something in the morning. I couldn't sleep. More on that later.)

Upcoming Weekend.

In case you didn't know, this weekend is the Annual Democrat Extravaganza weekend. Wahoo! All the faithful gather in Columbia for a weekend of political discussions, fried fish, good candidates and other Democratic stuff. It starts off with the Prayer Breakfast, followed by the Young Democrats Lunch (at Liberty!) and then comes the Jefferson Jackson Dinner (did I ever tell y'all about the time Sewell's named it the Jefferson Davis Dinner on their marquee? It was baaaaad), with the Clyburn Fish Fry ending the night. Good times on Friday, good times.

Saturday marks the South Carolina Democratic Party's State Convention, with the Young Democrats Convention directly following. The YD's are also hosting a Happy Hour after their Convention at the Flying Saucer.

All in all, a fabulous weekend. I will provide commentary and pictures following. Plus, one of my favorite people in the world is traveling all the way from Alabama to attend. I cannot wait!

I've always loved the color Pink.

The Washington Post is jumping on the "I'm not impressed with Republicans" bandwagon as well. In today's editorial by Richard Morin, Pink is the New Red, red states - once confirmed hotbeds of Republican activism, are starting to pale. I'm not sure they're ripening to blue quite yet, but I am sure that this President's inability to lead effectively will increase the chances of leaders who can.

I read somewhere that Democrats don't have a cohesive plan - we've been an opposition party for the past six year and that's all we've shaped up to be. Partially right -- but how could we sit by and not be an opposition party? When the President consistently makes bad bad bad decisions for the future of this nation - how could Democrats not raise their arms in protest?

And what do we see now, more and more conservatives are also begining to raise their hands to question the activities and mismanagement of the current administration. It's about damn time.

Not Watching TV (WW)

It's been a while since I sat down to watch the West Wing. M&D Tivo it regularly, but I have quite a few episodes to catch up on. Imagine my surprise to learn last night that it's the last season!

WAIT! You mean I won't get to see Jimmy be President? I won't get to watch Donna finally snare Josh? WHAT? I am heartbroken, devastated. Whatever will I not regularly watch now?

Cracks are Beginning to Show

The State reports that Greer voters are less than enthused by Republican candidates. Surprise, surprise. When Republicans talk big, but don't act - it's not really a shock that voters aren't turned on by their more conservative choices.

On the other hand, Democrats have a strong stable of candidates that have a plan to turn this state around and head it in the correct direction. It's not about moving to the right or the left, it's about moving forward. And it sure is time for South Carolina voters to realize that the choices they made in 2002 have hurt our state.

On being considered one of the guys...

I went out last night with some usual (and rather unusual) suspects. When you're the only female in a group of guys - as is becoming increasingly the case in my life - the dynamics of polite, reasonable conversation change. Whether it's discussing angels and puppies (I kid you not) or a favorite body part or a particular comment (No, I will not repeat the favorite refrain of the evening), being considered just one of the guys is an interesting aspect of gender education.

It was a good night, but I stayed out far too late on for a school night.

This morning, I got stuck behind a train - but I still got my DC from Sonic. Taking a hint from JCristG, I've decided that a morning fountain DC makes life a little sweeter. Plus, I still haven't figured out where the coffee pot is.

Random Saturday Thoughts...

I'm sitting at Greenville Memorial Hospital on a gloomy Saturday afternoon. Lovely. My father, the illustrious daddio - man of Pimp Songs and Shoes - fell off his boat and fractured his back. I swear, I should have my own parking space at GHS - or more appropriately, my amazing mother should have complimentary valet service. Regardless, it is bizarre to be here. He'll be okay, just out of commission for a while. So, like, no dancing at the Clyburn Fish Fry. (Last year he cut a rug - I think he even danced with Gilda).

So, that brings me back to my week. Long and weird for sure. I have decided, in my spare time (heh!), to redesign this site. Since I now have the tools, and am surrounded by the brains, to do so - I think it's time to take M&MDC a step forward. Any ideas? Any suggestions of what you'd like to see?

Immigration & a Thank You.

Leaving work this evening, I was listening to NPR - in particular, to Richard Rodriguez as he discussed the multitude of jobs immigrants do. Jobs that, let's face it, most Americans would simply not do. He said that "Thank You" were the two words that had not been spoken during this entire debate. And he would be absolutely right - we have discussed giving and taking and the burden of illegal immigration - but we have not paused to reflect on the gifts that immigrants have bestowed upon us.

I really recommend you listen to the piece. It was very good.

WaPo on the Prez.

I'm sitting at Cool Beans, drinking my second cup of coffee, perusing my favorite newspapers. Usually on Sunday I try to read them in paper, versus virtually. Today, however, I'm blaming the time change for messing with my schedule.

So. I'm reading the Washington Post and I see this as the headline - The President as Average Joe : Trying to boost support, Bush lets down guard and plays up anti-intellectual, regular-guy image.

Does Bush really need to play up an anti-intellectual image? I mean, seriously. C'mon. I don't think the people of this fine nation are scratching their heads, thinking, "I would really like that President, but he's too darn intelligent." Strategery, people, strategery.

The Let-Bush-Be-Bush strategy might be refreshing, but bright it isn't. It is, as the Post suggests, a last ditch attempt to salvage a failing presidency. Bush can traverse this nation - he can hold town hall meeting upon town hall meeting - he can make jokes with the press corps and imitate French accents --- but he cannot return the thousands of lives that he has sacrificed. He cannot turn back time and his bad decisions. He cannnot repair this economy. He cannot return a nation's trust.

Grocery Shopping (the morning of the Cup).

I don't know if I've ever shared my love of grocery shopping. I love it. Rows upon rows of orderly stacked items - if you look for it, it can be kind of zen. I love my excursions to the grocery store. I've gotten to the point where I have favorite cashiers. I don't even buy that many groceries. I just like to go look at the possibility of what I could make, what I could cook, what I could create.

This morning, however, it looked like Easter had exploded in nearly every aisle of the Rosewood Publix. I had completely forgotten the Carolina Cup. Folks were running around, purchasing styrofoam coolers, yuengling and ice. (Apparently, the ice thing had to be refilled FOUR times). There were guys in plaid pants, girls in strapless dresses - I remembered the experience fondly. Drinking Bloody Marys and mimosas on the ride down, lots of beer and, often, pimento cheese sandwiches... Sore feet and ruined shoes. Stashing tp and hand sanitizer in our purses because the lovely "bathrooms" would inevitably run out. Seeing so many friends and their friends and their friends... And who can pass up the opportunity to wear a hat?

Then I realized, I might have outgrown the Cup. Shocking, I know. I didn't think I'd ever feel that way -- but when I figured out the date had just about passed me by, I didn't feel too bad. After all, I think I have a date with DLF tonight!

But, if you have stories -- guys in seersucker or girls in white shoes (the horror!) or anything else interesting about this year's Cup - let me know! I'll live vicariously through y'all.

My Favorite on "Big Love"

Dooce is rather interesting today. If any of you have been watching Big Love on HBO (I wrote about it a while back, here), then you'll find the perspective of a former Mormon interesting. I did. It's an interesting show, but I'm still not sure if I like it or not. Dooce's analysis helped put it into perspective - how do you watch something - enjoy something - you find morally disturbing?

According to a joint report issued by the Utah and Arizona Attorney General's Offices, July 2005, "[a]pproximately 20,000 to 40,000 or more people currently practice polygamy in the United States." The Mormon Church officially banned the practice of polygamy in 1890.

I'm still wondering where Nicki gets her outfits. Pilgrims R' Us?

Tuesday, Tuesday.

I had a lovely Tuesday. Upon hearing word of the imminent totaling of my car, I began to examine my options. What's next? Having had Taurus upon Taurus upon Sable - I am looking for something new -- and most importantly, not beige. (Every car I have had has been some form of beige. My father might try to convince me that the cars were champagne or even gold - but in my opinion, they were all beige).

I'm looking for an SUV. But not a gas-guzzler... I wouldn't feel right with a war based on oil revenues, driving around in something that gets 12 miles to the gallon. Instead, I started off with the compact SUVs: the Escape, the Sportage, the Highlander, the Element. I am (I think) in love with the Saturn Vue.

It's compact, gets rather good gas mileage, isn't too much like a car or an SUV. It sits up off the ground, which I like - and the Saturn salespeople were the nicest I have dealt with yet. (I made the rounds today - six dealerships in four hours, seven test rides). So, I think it might be time to consider getting a newer car. Egads. This is huge. My dad isn't even weighing in on the decision. I told him tonight about the Vue and he said, "That's nice."

Oh Andy!

The man who tipped the President about Chicken Finger Wednesday at the University of South Carolina (for Bush's commencement address at Carolina in 2003) has resigned.

Andrew Card, Chief of Staff, has decided to leave the struggling White House. The Washington Post reports that Republicans have been calling for new aides and fresh ideas - amid a White House that has stayed the course for the past six years.

Budget Director Josh Bolten will take Andy's place. Like rats leaving a sinking ship...