We're
famous.

My top 5 "go to" musicians that I keep coming back to when times are rough.

• Deborah Harry - She was the first pop star that I wanted to be. I spent
  a lot of time around the age of 10 smearing my face with lipgloss and trying
  to make my lips "pouty." Hey, Blondie has a new
  album out. Go buy it if possible. Buy
  it for me.


• Carol King - My go to when I need a little girl power or it is time to
  sing karaoke.


• Robert Smith & The Cure - They influenced a generation. It was a little
  tough in the Deep South to be a big Cure fan. The heat just did not mesh
  well with
  all
  of
  that black and make-up. During the same time frame I loved Depeche Mode,
  Jesus Mary
  Chain, and Ministry.


• Nick Drake - If ever a man sold his soul to his music, this is the one.


• Nina Simone - A diva to contend with. A strong, powerful woman whom I admire
  for her audacity and sheer hutzpah. If you ever get a chance, check out this
  profile of her from NPR. The stuff of legends.

 

What is there to say about last night's press conference with Bush... He embarrassed
us, avoided actually answering any questions, and bumbled through what may
have been the most important questions of his presidency. Personally, I am
not at
all pleased that we have a president that is incapable of learning something
from the events since 9/11. Unfortunately, I am pretty sure that this press conference
simply solidified loyalties and didn't change any minds.

Speaking of education, I am going to get an opportunity to meet the US Secretary
of Education Ron Paige Monday morning. He is here in Columbia to present
at a forum on NCLB. I have already been warned by my organization not to ask
tough questions. Le Sigh.

Alrighty folks, thanks for the many reminders. My taxes are now done and mailed.

On a lighter note, have a little fun on Tax Day. April 15th Billionaires
for
Bush will be showing up at Post Offices everywhere to thank the Average Schmoe
for paying thier taxes for them.

I read an article this morning asking if
Kerry is Catholic enough for the
American public. Unfortunately, to the press and the American public, the number
of times the word, god, is sprinkled into speeches is the measure of devotion.

Take Bush for example, today the smiling Bush family is plastered across
the papers walking into their United Methodist Church on Easter morning. We know
Bush is a devout Christian who takes his religion seriously. Right? He does
talk about God and Christ an awful lot. What does his own church have to say
on the matter? They have been silent lately but not long ago it was made clear
that there is a huge rift between Bush and the church he claims to love so
much.

this:

"Jim Winkler, head of social policy for United Methodists, added that all
attempts at a 'dialogue' between the President and his own church over the
war had fallen on deaf ears at the White House. "

and
this:

“Preemptive war is immoral and illegal,” Edgar said. “It
is theologically illegitimate and profoundly violates our Christian beliefs
and religious principles. As disciples of the Prince of Peace, we know that
war is completely antithetical to Jesus’ teachings.”

 

Mike and I are moving in together. Into his house. This means that I’ve
been
spending my evenings after work sorting and boxing. This pile for the garage
sale, that pile for storage, and a final pile that will move with me. When I
began, the pile to move with me was the largest. Slowly though, I’ve been
dumping more and more into the garage sale pile.

It is good to know that someone will use the album that my wedding photos
used to be in, the unused and even unopened wedding gifts, the couch Kevin
and I bought for our house from the Furniture Factory Outlet. It feels lovely
to get rid of these things, and with them the responsibility to care for the
memories they held.

This is a spiffy little gadget that I would
love to have. You know, my birthday is coming up soon. Hint hint...nudge nudge.

Mike and I worked on the yard yesterday. We rebuilt 4 flower beds, edged them,
mulched, and mowed. The yard looks fantastic and I look pretty ragged. In fact,
I was so sore this morning that I took two of the mysterious blue pills that
have been rattling around in the bottom of my purse for the past year or so.

For all that, I certainly feel like we've accomplished a lot. I am glad though
that we have 5 working days to recover before our camping trip.

Oh, and I must do my taxes... please help me remember to do my taxes.

Spam is funny... I recently got an offer to buy an acre on the moon for only
$29.99. What was the selling point? Apparently every piece of land comes with
a great view.