I think that it's great to be able to donate blood, tissue, and organs.  Unfortunately, my health condition and use of prescribed medication for this disorder prevents me from donating.  With so many people who are in need of transfusion or organ donation, I think it's a valuable service.  I think that with the screening technology available to health care agencies such as the Red Cross, they are able to spot potential abnormalities in donor blood or tissue before it's given to a particular patient in need.  

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Pastor Rick Warren is a staunch supporter of the Proposition 8 bill which will eliminate the chance for Gay and Lesbian couples to marry. His belief is that the bible felt that this is sinful, and should be abolished. This person obviously lives under the ignorant delusion that humanity is not equal.

(If you do believe that his thoughts and theories are right, then please refrain from reading further. This is really a personal opinion about an issue that I feel very strongly about.)

Sign this petition, and say no to Rick Warren's benediction at President Obama's Inauguration:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/107914679

I wrote this letter when I signed the petition:

Please take the time to consider the disappointing motivations of Pastor Rick Warren. He is someone who chooses to prevent and speak out against equal rights for gay and lesbian couples. Gays and lesbians should have the exact same rights to marry and raise happy families as any other couple. Please do not let someone who lives and breathes ignorance speak a benediction for a new President who seeks to promote Change as the leader of the United States of America. In short, I believe that love is love and shouldn't be classified by gender. If this is any notion of change, then it's one step toward the regression of humanity. Let's really exercise Change in our country, and find someone who cares about the whole of humanity instead of a person who only thinks that his ignorant version of life is the right one. Just a thought. I think that Proposition 8 should be thrown in the toilet and so should the bad ethics and values of Mr. Warren.

I'm waiting to purchase some new music this week.  I can usually just wait for it with same patience as I do any other musical purchase.  Although this one comes with the same delicious anticipation that usually follows buying a novel, attending a great concert, or going to a movie that I've been "dying" to see.  Is it possible to be over-enthusiastic over something so ridiculously minor in the grand scheme of things?  Hmmph... I may be a candidate for this syndrome.  At least I can admit this character flaw (or quality, which is my definition for it) and am able to be casual rather than excruciatingly obvious to the point of saccharine overload.  Yes the eager expectancy is fervent, but I can refrain from equating the event to something of a higher grandeur.  I don't want to expend the excitement all at once.  Though I have to say it does put a pleasant spin on what is a relatively boring and mundane Halloween holiday.  I feel that my mid-thirties disposition may be getting the best of me, but I don't find it all that unwelcoming.  Here is the attitude as of late:  I've done the droll act of fashioning a costume, and my halloween soirees are pretty much concluded for the rest of this year.  The only remaining Halloween act I have to pursue is extending candy to teens and small children within my small neighborhood.  My husband will be working that evening, which leaves me to this occupation by myself.  I wish that I could count on children to be less greedy so that I may leave the treats in the jack-o-lantern bowl on the porch.  This is a pipedream of course, but one can always reflect on those with hope.  You may say to yourself, "Why is she such a killjoy?"  I have really come to the realization that the best Halloween celebration is one where you get to watch Fear Fest, and revel in classic and contemporary horror.  This is usually accompanied by a sizeable bowl of lowfat popcorn and a root beer.  If Halloween were that simple, I would absolutely love it.  I truly think that, like the new CD's I long to purchase or the horror movies I view on Halloween, I find myself liking the simple pleasures.  I don't need the pomp and circumstance anymore, I just like to savor things without blowing all the enthusiasm away.  I'm striving to preclude my overeager human nature, and learn to smell the roses or something to that effect.  Maybe this can be attributed to my being sick, although it seems rational enough.          

http://www.ragnard.com/rm_onxm/Richard%20Marx%20-%20Complete%20Session.mp3

Sometimes you just run out of ideas and feel stopped up.  Getting past that feeling, condition, or emotion is always harder than it seems.  It's not something you can consciously control; you just have to wait it out like a bad cold.  Eventually it will pass, because it's not so insurmountable.  You can only find comfort in the nothing, because that's the space your mind is occupying.  Nothing to say without being a bore to yourself or others, or just clamming up and contemplating your navel.  (Not sure why someone would contemplate your navel, but the phrase seemed to fit.)  I can't help but to chuckle when I think of it.  Sounds ridiculous and quite mundane right?  You can be quite assured that it's exactly that.  Ridiculously bland without a cent of complexity.  Then one day, the dam breaks and you creative juices flow faster than the Colorado River in springtime.  You are suddenly able to pour out five pages of material without blinking an eye.  You become livelier and more effervescent.  Life seems to be swimming along as it should.  You get so unbelievably used to this wonderful, yet temporary sanctuary in your life that you feel so surprised when that feeling, condition or emotion just ebbs away.  It's very cyclical in it's way; almost seasonal in a sense.  Worse in the winter of it's time, and less extreme in it's summer-like incarnation.  Funny how life is like that.  Along with the purest moments, there is an equal part of the ridiculous.  Even when I write this, I feel the flat line of my prose.  It's slowly dribbles from my brain, onto the keyboard, and thence into this post.  Even though I know that this isn't necessary, and probably will garner no real importance, I still feel the fondness for this medium.  This thing called writing is part of me.  Like the ocean tide, it changes from strong to placid every minute of every day.  Writer's block is the unfortunate side-effect of this exercise and it too shall pass.    

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I think that girls should look to strong women role models.  Those women who make a distinct and valuable difference in life.  Young girls should buck the stereotype of the female appearance.  I think that it's sick that our culture makes an unhealthy standard for girls to follow.  Women were able to push past the domesticity requirement and have a choice for the way they want to live their life.  If women are smart enough to further careers or be stay-at-home mothers, why can't they reap the benefits of being a unique and secure women who pride themselves in being healthy individuals?  We have these nauseating beauty pageants that exploit women, or we have magazines like W and Vogue that convince the reader that they have to look a certain way in order to achieve success in life.  I think that is utter bullshit and it keeps a woman's self-esteem in the toilet.  Now I have to admit I read those publications.  Not for the way that women look body wise, but the style and artwork that goes into making a piece of couture.  Honestly, I think these girls look like skinny little boys with long hair, but that's my opinion.  I look at a piece of fashion, and try to find similar pieces (in my own size) that reflect the character of the ensemble I've viewed in the publication.  I don't look at the page and say, "Oh dear, I have to throw up some of my lunch so that I can fit the image of the girl in this ad."  That's sick and, frankly, a bit morbid.  It's stuff like that that keep eating disorder clinics open, therapists and psychiatrists employed, and twelve step programs in existence.  That may sound really mean and insensitive, but it's the truth.  I also think it can stem from the stress that someone's personal life or homelife entails.  It's all about control, and subsceptability to the image portrayed within the media or publication.  I may have run off topic, but I think my point is well made.  Look up to strong women like Nancy Pelosi or Sandra Day O'Connor.  Don't look to Kate Moss for your insight.   

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I had planned, a while back, a weekend with my husband in Connecticut.
Don and I went to see a concert in Ridgefield, then had a lovely late
night supper at Bulls-Head Diner. This was the only thing open past
eleven o'clock. I have to say that I was not disappointed at all. The
food was fantastic! I had a greek gyro, and my husband had a veggie
wrap. As an appetizer, we split a spinach pie. Delicious. After that we
went back to the hotel, because we were exhausted after driving all the
way up and then driving to the venue. The concert was fantastic.
Although I have to say, Matt and Richard never disappoint. It was great
to see Helen and Mary as always. This is my last concert for the year
for any artist, because I've more than past my quota. (Next year is
Chris Botti in May) The next day, Donald and I went to breakfast at the
hotel, then we got ready to do some sightseeing. We decided to go the
Stamford Museum and Nature Center, which was really beautiful. They
have a fantastic farm out there with all kinds of animals and gardens.
They also have some gorgeous sculptures and scenic views of the water
and trees. They farm bees and sell some really tasty honey. They also
have really wonderful maple syrup. After we spent the day there, we
went to a wine tasting at DiGrazia Winery in Brookfield, CT. They have
some really great selections. I ended up getting a dessert wine called
Harvest Spice. Very yummy. Afterward we found a really great Indian
restaurant called India Kitchen. Fabulous lamb curry and Navrattan
Korma. Afterward we took some nature photos and took in some nice
views, then we headed on home. It was a perfectly romantic New England
weekend.