Just 'cause

The Strange Questions Survey
Have you ever licked the back of a CD to try to get it to work?:	uh...no.
What's the largest age difference between yourself and someone you've date:	10 years?
Ever been in a car wreck?:	yes
Were you popular in high school?:	no
Have you ever been on a blind date?:	kinda (long story...didn't work out well!)
Are looks important?:	to me? not so much......
Do you have any friends that you've known for 10 years or more??:	not quite, though DD is close
By what age would you like to be married?:	I may never get married, and that's okay with me.
Does the number of people a person's slept with affect your view of them?:	No, and it's not like I ask (though many friends volunteer that info, but usually after I know them fairly well).
Have you ever made a mistake?:	None. Kidding. Yes, of course. That's a stupid question.
Are you a good tipper?:	Yes, very good.
What's the most you have spent for a haircut?:	Well, I usually go to Great Clips so that's less than $20.
Have you ever had a crush on a teacher?:	yes
Have you ever peed in public?:	Public meaning "in front of people," no. (Well, except in Russia, but that was kind of different situation due to bathroom set-up in some parts of Siberia.) Public meaning "outside behind a tree," yes. (Who hasn't?)
What song do you want played at your funeral?:	I'll have to get back to you on that.
Would you tell your parents if you were gay?:	I'm not, but if I were, I would not tell them unless I had a compelling reason to do so.
What would your last meal be before getting executed?:	Peanut butter chocolate ice cream. (Hey, it's my last meal-- it doesn't need to be nutritionally balanced!) Linc (in Prison Break) chose blueberry pancakes.
Beatles or Stones?:	Beatles
If you had to pick one person on earth to die, who?:	see "Death Penalty" post
Beer, wine or hard liquor?:	tea
Do you have any phobias?:	snakes
What are your plans for the future?:	to set goals for my future
Do you walk around the house naked?:	yes, though not usually completely naked (but it is rather hot here, as I previously mentioned)
If you were an animal what would you be?:	dolphin
Hair color you like on someone you're dating?:	not picky (about hair!)
Would you rather be blind or deaf?:	deaf (easier to be independent than blind)
Do you have any special talents?:	yes
What do you do as soon as you walk in the house?:	drop everything in a heap by the door and let Pippin out of her cage
Do you like horror or comedy?:	comedy (if those are the only choices)
Are you missing anyone?:	not really
If you weren't straight, what person of the same sex would you do?:	Hmmm....maybe this is why I'm not gay!
Where do you want to live when you are old?:	someplace warm with a beach
Who is the person you can count on the most?:	my dear DDD :)
If you could date any celebrity past or present, who would it be?:	Oh gosh, where do I begin? Scott Foley, Wentworth Miller, Kiefer Sutherland (bit too old), others would do. :) I think Scott and I would work personality-wise. Wentworth might be a bit too impressed with himself, but I can't quite tell if it's that or exhaustion when he's doing interviews. Kiefer seems like a great guy, in general, not to mention that he is JACK BAUER.
What did you dream last night?:	can't remember
What is your favorite sport to watch?:	I hate sports.
Are you named after anyone?:	My middle name is after my mom.
What is your favorite alcoholic drink?:	N/A
Non alcoholic drink?:	Blueberry-pomegranate juice with sparkling water
Have you ever been in love?:	no
Do you sing in the shower?:	no but I sing around the house and in the car
Have you ever been arrested?:	no but I've been chased by the police
What is your favorite Holiday?:	Arbor Day
Would you ever get plastic surgery?:	not unless I was in a disfiguring accident
Have you ever caught a fish?:	nope, never been fishing (though I used to have a pet fish named Spot-- because I really wanted a puppy)

Good news (but I may die from the heat before anyting actually happens)

The two big grants I co-wrote for the district were awarded, meaning close to 900,000 dollars for at-risk kids over the next 3 years. Yay! Now, everyone's acting like I'm already re-hired, which is great, but the district doesn't actually have the money yet...or board approval for hire...etc. So...even though my supervisor and the school's principal are calling and e-mailing as though I already have the job, I'll feel better once I have a signed, legal document to that effect.

In other news, it was 109 today when I drove by a temp thing. Yeah, and even in the car with AC full-blast, it felt 109. Yuck. It's supposed to be 110 on July 4th.

Computer survives transplant surgery

Well, things were touch and go for some time, but it seems that the new hard drive has given my computer more time for us to share together. I'm glad because I really missed my computer while it was away. I'm very grateful to my friend who attempted the risky procedure and saved my computer and my data as well!

The Death Penalty

I have been opposed to the death penalty for quite some time, but Prison Break just reminded me about some of the reasons. However, I think the best, summative explanation for my position is explained by J.R.R. Tolkien (writing Gandalf's response to Frodo that Gollum deserves death):

“Deserves it! I daresay he does. Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment, fearing for your own safety. Even the wise cannot see all ends.”

In Prison Break, one of the main characters is framed as part of a vast conspiracy and is sentenced to die (so his brother has to break him out of prison). Okay, that's probably not going to happen too often. On a less paranoid note, the movie The Life of David Gale is also about the possibility of executing an innocent person. However, even if there were a way to verify guilt with 100% accuracy, I still would not be a supporter of the death penalty. A lot of that--probably most of that-- is because of my faith. It's odd to me that some of the strongest supporters of the death penalty are religious. My feeling is that if we truly believe in life after death, heaven, hell and eternity, we shouldn't be so hasty to send anyone into the afterlife. I don't want to be responsible for sending someone to hell, no matter what he's done. His eternity is between him and God. Moreover, I believe his life is in the hands of God. Yes, put him in prison without parole, but don't overstep your role.

Another argument for the death penalty is that it brings closure for the victims. (Well, if someone is on death row, he's probably killed most of his victims so we're probably talking about victims' families.) But does it really? I haven't seen the movie, but Dead Man Walking portrays the (mostly) true story of the execution of Robert Lee Willie. In addition to the gruesome rape and murder for which he was sentenced to death, Willie also kidnapped, tortured and raped Debbie Morris. Forgiving the Dead Man Walking is her story (which I have read). She herself is not for or against the death penalty. However, after her horrifying ordeal and countless court testimonies, she believed she would finally find closure and peace when Willie was executed. She did not. The peace she sought only came through a process of forgiveness-- not for his sake, but for her own. Now that's just one victim's perspective, but I would be surprised if others have also lacked a sense of closure even after the execution.

I know there are many more arguments for and against, but you're probably not that interested anyway. Just a few thoughts for today........

Media report

And now, it is time to report on the fabulous world of unreality!

*Prison Break-- Prison Break is my new love. I would marry Michael Scofield if I weren't such a diehard Sara/Michael shipper. I have just watched Season 1 DVDs in a whirlwind of late-night viewing, and this show is so awesome. I'm completely obsessed. I can't wait for Season 2 DVDs to come out. (This is one of those shows where many of the plot elements are not all that plausible-- requiring liberal suspension of disbelief, particularly when it comes to the wall-drilling cababilities of egg-beaters-- BUT the relationships, characters and emotions are very real and hard-hitting. And there are conspiracy theories, and who doesn't love a good conspiracy? And origami. And a smart, hot, tragic hero with a rescue complex....with beautiful blue-green eyes. :sigh: )

* Children of Men--Luminous, brilliant cinematography. Each scene could be printed and framed. Cuaron is a master of creating mood. I loved that aspect. I found the storyline incredibly depressing, and I felt a little too distant from the characters to make an emotional connection. However, even without the infertility crisis, I could see those situations being realistic. It's just an amplification of the problems we're currently experiencing in the world. That was sobering and thought-provoking. I didn't feel that it offered any real hope, though, and I didn't like the ending. As far as art, I'd give it 4 stars. As far as entertainment/enjoyment, I'd give it 3. I want Cuaron to direct Deathly Hallows.

*Pan's Labyrinth--Loved it, loved it, loved it! I love fairy tales, and this was very well done. It's difficult to mingle fantasy and reality, and the director did a fabulous job. It's ambiguous--did this really happen, or did Sofia only imagine it (classic dissociation in a traumatic situation)? The fantasy frames the story and provides meaning to the "subplot" that seems so desperate and cruel. It reminded me of the The Little Mermaid--not Disney but the real Hans Christen Anderson story. I won't say more because I don't want to spoil the plot. Anyway, I loved this movie. It's rare to find one like this.

*Music and Lyrics--Can you believe I watched this? I know, I generally hate romantic comedies, but I was in a silly mood and wanted something light...at about 1 AM. This fit the bill. Hugh Grant really is rather funny. It's contrived and schmoopy and cheesier than Velveeta...but it's amusing if you're in the right mood (e.g., not ready to watch a dark fairy tale about fascist Spain--see above). I'd suggest watching when half-asleep...or with generous quantities of alcohol....unless you generally like romantic comedies, in which case, you'll love this movie.

*Son of a Preacher Man by Jay Bakker--I wouldn't have chosen this book, but a friend who is not a Christian read it and wanted to get my opinion. In case you didn't catch it from the author, it is written by the son of Jim Bakker (Jay, aka Jamie Charles). I don't really remember much about the whole scandal, but this gives Jay's perspective of what it was like to live through all of that. He is fiercely defensive of both of his parents and feels that the church should have been a haven for them instead of dolling out criticism and contempt. He certainly went through a lot and turned to alcoholism and drugs before returning to Christ. Now he ministers to teens on the "fringes." What I liked: Jay talks about grace and how people change because they realize they are loved even in the midst of their addiction, sin, awfulness....not vice versa. This is the true message of the gospel, but it so often gets lost in rules and pettiness and proper church behavior. What I didn't like: Jay's constant criticism of specific groups and pastors seems a lot like what he condemns. His tone is sometimes a bit whiny. Overall: I think this book would appeal to certain groups, particularly those who know more about the Bakker scandal, as well as those who are in the church struggling with an addiction.

*Pigs in Heaven (Barbara Kingsolver)--I finished this on the trip. I must say, I liked The Bean Trees more. It's good, but I found the multiple viewpoints a bit distracting. The book lagged in parts, and the ending was a bit too convenient. However, it's still better than most contemporary fiction, and it's interesting to pick up with the characters from The Bean Trees.

*Big Love--I really like this tv show. I watched Season 1 on DVDs sometime this year, and I caught the premiere of Season 2 on HBO while I was in San Diego (and now I have to wait for the rest of it to come out on DVD). I don't love this like Prison Break or VM, but I find it interesting. For those of you who are unfamiliar, Big Love is an HBO drama about a fundamentalist, polygamous LDS family living in the suburbs of Utah in the present day. Like Six Feet Under (which is higher on my list of favorites), elements of the show range from completely ridiculous and contrived to spot-on, heart-piercing reality...often within minutes. This is not The Brady Bunch, and this is not a caricature of a polygamous family. This is a "real" family, trying to live what they believe to be God's will. I like the aspects relating to the cult/compound (not where they live but to which they have complicated ties), the power of The Prophet and the difficulty of extricating themselves from those relationships. I really like 17 year old Sara. (I don't know the actress's name, but she played Lilly on Veronica Mars.) I like the new storyline with her going to the ex-LDS support group. She is obviously a talented actress and her range is evident as the two teenage characters mentioned (Sara and Lilly) are truly worlds apart in situation and personality. Sara holds her cards tight to her chest. She manages to be the supportive and dutiful daughter, while at the same time completely disagreeing with her family's lifestyle. In a less skilled actress's hands, Sara could seem petulant or deceptive, but she doesn't. I like the teenage son too and his desperation to be good enough to live The Principle...and his agonizing failures. The wives and Bill are interesting too. I'd like to see Nikki get hit by a bus....but other than that.... :) Anyway, it's a good show. It is on HBO though so be prepared to see more skin than you might on network tv. (Like most HBO shows, this seems to be patchy, i.e., you might have a couple of episodes in a row with a lot of nudity and then that's it. For example, I don't think there was anything in the premiere last week that would go beyond PG-13.)

Ocean therapy should be an insurance-approved treatment

You know, I think maybe they had it right a century or two ago when they sent people to the ocean for "resting cures." I just love watching the ocean and listening to the surf. I had a great time during my very short San Diego trip and even came home with a little sunburn souvenir (is that spelling right?). Did I go to the zoo? No. Seaworld? No. Legoland? Nope! I just spent my time at beaches, on the bay and wandering around Coronado. That's it. It was great. :)

I know I haven't updated in a long time, but it's not been for lack of trying! For some reason, my computer is throwing tantrums again and especially hates Blogspot. I think one of my friends is going to do something to help my computer. It sounds like radical surgery, so the computer may or may not make it out alive. It's about to crash its last crash, though, so I think it's time for desperate measures.

But he owns his own trailer park!

I made my weekly call to my grandma today, and her sister insisted on speaking with me to tell me about the wonderful guy she has picked out for me. She wanted me to tell her my e-mail address so she could give it to him.

Aunt Gertrude: “They are like family. Our kids didn’t even though they weren’t blood relations.”

(And you want to set me up with this guy? That sounds a tad bit incestuous. Who’s next? The really cute, super nice guy who just happens to be my second cousin? Yikes.)

Aunt Gertrude: “Super Christian even owns his own trailer park.”

(Gosh, that sounds appealing, but…I’m going to have to pass.)

Aunt Gertrude: “He’s married to his Bible.”

(And I hope he and his Bible have a long and happy life together!)

Aunt Gertrude: “Super Christian’s a virgin.”

(Not all that shocking, but why does my great aunt even know this? If he’s discussing his sexual life—or lack thereof—with a woman pushing 90, I’m starting to get genuinely concerned.)

Aunt Gertrude: “I don’t know why he can’t get a girlfriend.”

(Quite an enigma, that is.)

Of course, I’m way too sweet to actually say any of those things to my great aunt (who really is a great lady). I just explained that, as appealing as this guy sounds, I really have so many friends with whom I correspond by e-mail, that I couldn’t possibly add another pen pal. She acquiesced a bit too easily, though, so I expect I haven’t heard the last of Super Christian.