Hugs and KKK Kisses

Two stories in the news caught my attention the past two days. First, there was a archaeological discovery in Italy of a couple whose remains were found. They were hugging one another when they died. The find was just outside of Rome and scientists believe the fossils date back to the neolithic period. Scientists say the remains are definitely that of a man and woman and from preliminary testing, the couple was young when they died. I found it fascinating obviously for the love component attached to the find but also because of the information that can literally be unearthed and ascertained from bare bones. I am really into stories and I can only imagine what story scientist will come up with as to who this couple was, how they lived, and what caused their demise. Just amazing.

On the flip side of something so interesting was also a piece in yesterday's news about a resurgence of the KKK right here in our back yards. New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland are all seeing a rise in interest and enrollment, particularly from young adults, in this racial cult. I always laugh when I hear people say that racism doesn't exist anymore and that we are living in a racial democracy. My counter to that has always been if racism and true democracy exists, whey are we still talking about firsts in the 21st century? First black woman to win a Best Actress Oscar, first black man to win a Best Actor Oscar, first African American to have a shot at the White House presidency, first woman to possibly become president, first two black coaches in the NFL to make it to the Super Bowl. The clan and other similar hate groups have continued to be a prominent force in our world and from the looks of things they will remain as such. Unfortunately, Martin Luther King Jr.'s wish that we be judged for the content of our character and not for the color of our skins has not been fulfilled yet.

The $12 Billion Dollar Mystery

How could I have forgotten to talk about yet another failure within our government system? When I heard that the U.S. shipped overseas to Iraq during the beginning of the war I couldn't help but get really angry at our politicians. Who the hell loses twelve billion dollars??? We do. No records of exchanges, no accountability, no concern that 25 billion has been lost (since we replaced the missing funds with even more funds). We can fund unnecessary wars but we can't figure out how to make sure everyone has heat in zero degree weather. We can't fund food programs or education or affordable housing. How messed up are we? From the sounds of this newly revealed screw up...we are very messed up as people.

On a completely separate note...I had another dream this morning. This time I was wearing a really sexy sleeveless black floor length dress. I also remember being thinner like a size ten or something. I was with a guy but I don't know who. The feeling I got from the dream was that it was someone with whom I was involved. We stopped to go buy something in a store. As we approached the door to the store, a group of police officers passed by and whistled at me. Once in the store...there was nothing but shelves of chocolate candy. I don't remember any more. At least the dreams are now putting me in really great clothes. I would love to go to some event that requires formal wear. I think it's fun getting all dressed up every now and then. Oh well...I better get moving. Maybe i'll revisit later.

Wacky Day in News

So much weird and wacky news...so little time:
1. Astronaut arrested in stupid lover's triangle
2. Class action lawsuit one step further to reality for Walmart
3. NY politician set to introduce legislation banning IPods, Cell phones, etc from being used when crossing the street.
4. Rudy and Judy
5. Woman snaps and kills all news reporters and the directors who let the crappy information filter into our television sets.

O.k. so number five isn't true but come on! What the hell is going on with our news coverage. Even the 6:30 world news formats are slipping. Nothing new, no originality and deeply thought out expose pieces. So what that an astronaut actually acted...human. Even smart people do really stupid things. Now NASA has something else to add to their negative PR campaign. I'm surprised it took this long for Walmart to get sued. More minorities work at the lower ranks of the company than any other major chain. It's about time people are coming forward...all two million of them. Can't remember the politician introducing this stupid bill. Here's another case of Theory and Practice. In theory, the bill makes sense...too many people are distracted and are getting hurt on our city streets. This bill would help make them more alert to their surroundings. In practice...come on...do you think people are going to remove the IPODs from their ears at every street crossing??? I don't think so. As for Rudy and Judy...their publicist needs to be shot. Rudy doesn't need his image "softened" for his political run. You can't hide his failed marriages and that's what we women voters would focus on despite his leadership during 9/11. Hillary has a lock on the female demographic. Besides..does Rudy ever give off the impression he's a soft cuddly guy? Nope.

I'm sure there was lots more that I didn't get to but i'm a little busy so what can I say except I kept it simple stupid. I had this crazy dream this morning that I was in some store shopping and I ended up in the bed section and eventually ended up sleeping with some guy. Wait...why am I calling that a crazy dream? Ha ha. That was actually a pretty good one. Time to sleep. Maybe in the next dream i'll hit the lottery for millions or create an invention that the government wants to buy. Tomorrow's another day.

The Big Red Shiny Icy Apple

As I put on my second layer of clothes, I can't help but to wonder about all of those who don't have heat right now, let alone a place to live. So many of us take for granted just how fortunate we are that when it's literally 10 degrees outside, all we have to do is turn up the heat. What about those who actually work and live in homes where they can't afford to pay for home heating because prices are still too high for their budgets. The choices should never be to either buy food or pay for home heating services. It makes me think about my cousins out on the Island. Last year when I visited during the winter, I actually had to keep my coat on because the house was cold. They live in a modest home however property taxes are so high that they have to "conserve" the best way they see fit. Even renters are subjected to conservatism. Landlords want to clear a profit even if it means not providing adequate heat. It's amazing just what actually goes through the minds of most people. It is February so this will be the coldest month for winter. I haven't even thought about what i'm going to give up for Lent yet. I better get moving. As I walk outside i'm going to seriously be thinking about the Christmas vacation and that beautiful beach I visited. Mind over matter right? It's hot outside! Ha ha. When I get back I still have to tweak my homework and start on the next assignment. Will revisit later.

10:55pm...Let me just say I have been sleeping so well lately its crazy! Maybe it's just sheer physical and mental exhaustion. Either that or its the calm before the really crazy PMS kicks in. I don't care as long as i'm getting in some serious sleep time. It's freezing outside. I love the cold but damn...it's cold! All of my friends seem to think I don't get cold but sometimes I do..funny thing is today wasn't one of them! This morning's walk to my workout I felt fine. When I got to my destination I was hot! Same thing happened when I got to class too! I did see the weird people who decided to come outside in shorts and other inappropriate clothing. What the hell are they thinking??? I guess I know how to dress warmly and they don't. I have a slight headache so I don't think i'm going to get much reading in before I turn in for the night. It's going to be a really busy week so I need as much sleep as I can get. Despite alot of other things overall I feel good. I'm going to push myself even more by working out four days this week. My space is starting to look like a guy's bachelor pad..namely the sofa. It's a vicious cycle. Looks like for this week I will lose the battle. Ha ha. I'll have a breather at week's end so I should get a chance to file some stuff and get organized in that front again. I better go...my bed is calling me.

Super Bowl Sunday

All I know about football is the most basic of the basics. What I do know is that I would have killed to have been at the halftime performance! One word....PRINCE! What can I say except WOW. He even sang a small portion of my theme song! Love it. I wonder what it felt like for all those people to literally have been washed in purple as he performed the song in the rain. It must have been amazing. I was getting chills just watching it on t.v. so it must have been really powerful to true Prince fans. When I saw him in concert two years ago I was in awe. I must say that the Purple Rain album still remains in my top three favorites of all time. I'm glad I was able to catch the halftime entertainment. It made me feel better. I feel a little achy today. It truly didn't help hauling all of my groceries, etc. up the stairs. It was a two trip day. At least it was a mini-workout right? I ate pretty badly yesterday. My mother surprised me with fried whiting, one of my favorites. I can't remember the last time she made it. It's bad because it's fried...but it was so darn good! I think i'm going to put in a request for conch fritters for next month. Ha ha. I'm really going to have to work extra hard on my workouts this week. I'm going to try for four days this week. The goal is to get to five but i've found it hard to motivate myself past three days.

On a different note, Professor Goldstein sent me a really cool email telling me he liked my thesis abstract and that i'm a good, logical thinker. I needed that encouraging boost. It also makes me nervous because I want to do really well but am scared that I won't logically work the project. I know i'm worrying myself over nothing but it's a little unnerving that if I don't do well I won't graduate. I've gambled a lot on myself so I have to come up with a huge payout now that i'm in the homestretch. Last Thursday while I was on the phone with the brokerage specialist talking about my new IRA account, he said something that made me smile. He said "I can tell that you are a very smart and wealthy woman" I joked with him that I'm quite poor right now and he said "You won't be for very long". I thought it was interesting. What are people, even strangers, seeing in me that I am not? I guess I know logically that I have potential. What I can't really feel is if what I want will really ever come into fruition even if I work five times as hard. I guess I shouldn't worry about the unknown...just work with what I do know. What I know right now is that I have tons of reading and this draft MOU to finish since it has to be submitted tomorrow. Why do I procrastinate on some things??? I think that's just the way I work. Ah...the joys of being me.

Alison is home recovering well so far as is her mom who is also sick. I think i'll go visit both of them at the end of the week. Alison's birthday is Friday so I think I have an idea for a great gift. It's going to be busy this week. I didn't get that other job that they had me interview for so many times but I feel good about it...wasn't quite the right fit. I do have an appt. with career services to I have a feeling that will be beneficial. Also, one of my classmates works for a nonprofit placement agency. What luck for me! He gave me his card so I can email him. Cher and Lor also gave me some leads too so that's good for me and i'll definitely follow up. Better do that this week. I think I'm going to treat myself to a manicure too. Haven't done that in a while. Oh well...I better get some schoolwork done. If I don't keep up I won't be able to catch up.