What the $%#@!

So, something is really wrong with the world when Paris Hilton's (who has no discernable talent) engagement tops the news on Good Morning America! There are some serious things happening in the world and THIS makes the news? I am a lover of pop culture, but I will watch E! for my fill of fake news. Come on Network TV, perhaps this is why FOX News has a such a following.

Another long summer to come....

So the Alias and LOST finales were unbelievably fabulous. Still more questions than answers regarding the wonky island on LOST.... who are these "others" and why did they take poor psychically gifted Walt from his dad? Is Sawyer dead? How will Michael, Sawyer and Jin get back to the island now that their boat is blown up and they are 15 miles out to see. And where the hell does the freakin' hatch go? Lance thinks the island is purgatory, and when people "die" they did something altruistic enough to deserve to move on to Heaven. (Except, of course, the crazy psycho guy played by Tom Cruise's cousin, who Charlie offed in a fit of rage during February sweeps) I don't think it is purgatory, but I am wondering about the whole "fate" idea of Locke's. Funny that character is named John Locke, but the way, as that is name of an English philosopher.
So, I am wondering how many people think Alias "jumped the shark" with Vaughn beginning to tell Sydney his secret (alluded to by her mother Irina). However, who the heck saw that one coming? "well... for starters, my name really isn't Michael Vaughn...." I loved Sydney saying, "well you aren't a bad guy are you.... wait, you aren't a bad guy, right?" And of course, the gigantic cliffhanger, the car slamming into them..... Is Vaughn dead, is Sydney dead. Likely she will be in a hospital bed for many episodes next season, as Jen Garner is pregnant and that would a convenient way to hide her real life pregnancy. I don't think they jumped the shark, actually I think it will be interesting to see the "Vaughn" character develop some, not be this brooding dude, who is hot and all, but has little back story. Other thoughts and observations from tonights episode: Victor Garber was again wonderful as Jack, I think he will play my dad in the movie of my life, when he has a beard he looks freakishly like Verne Marr. Also, hope they develop the whole Dixon/Chase romance, as they are both great actors, and we rarely see interesting stories involving people of color on TV.
I plan to take it easy this afternoon, take the cat to the vet (she's limping), and run some errands, then a much needed nap (was too wired from Lost and ALias to sleep well).

A clean dog! And other random stuff....

Zoey went to the groomers today! For the first time in a long time, she smells good, and she is once again fluffy. She is so freakin' cute, it is obnoxious. Gandhi was very unhappy when I left with her and then returned without her. He did a lot of sighing and pouting.
Well, 2 of the best shows on TV end their seasons tonight: LOST and Alias. I am looking forward to both finales, and am really wondering how Jennifer Garner is going to play a kick ass spy next year, while she is hugely pregnant. I imagine she won't be doing her own stunts.
As usual, the republicans are pissing me off. Bush got his way, and Priscilla Owen has been approved by the Senate as a judge. Aargh! The very idea that they were going to try and remove the practice/allowance of the filibuster shows how very scary our government has become. I am rather annoyed that the Dems "caved" to a compromise, that heavily favors the republicans. If only I ruled the world..... lol.
Read yesterday that many Evangelical Christians are trying to seperate themselves from being automatically associated with the Republican party and/or Religious "Right". Hmmmm..... 40% of people who identify themselves as Evangelical also identify themselves as moderate or democrat. Very interesting. Now I have come to a place in my life where I say "to each their own" when it comes to religion. I admit I have a long way to go when it comes to being tolerant of other viewpoints, as evidence by my loud complaints last night, while Lance was watching Hardball. Chris Mathews had people from the Family Research Council (yikes!) and Trent Lott (yikes again). I said "How can you watch them?!" and he told me it was good to know what they were saying. Plus, he likes it when Chris Mathews grills the Republicans. Lance has a cooler head when it comes to watching the people I call "freaks" in politics. Although, he does sometimes yell at the TV too.

Friday....phew!

Did some retail therapy today, got new curtains for our bedroom (washable satin from Martha Stewart, attractive and affordable) in navy blue. We have a southern facing window, and I hope they will help block out some of the heat this summer. Went to JoAnn Fabrics and got more cool stuff for the house/yard, also on sale. Got these cool paper lanterns that are battery operated, which will really look great in the backyard.
Lance has been busy this spring working in our yard, and I may be partial, but it looks fabulous! He took a very overgrown, neglected yard and made it welcoming and pretty. There was a lot to work with, we have moved some nice plants around, planted grass, and took down some sickly trees. He planted out garden last weekend, and so far we have not killed anything. We will have more tomatoes, peppers and onions than we could eat, but it will be fun. We planted only 1 zucchini plant, so we will hopefully be able to keep up with than. We plan to get some fruit trees in the fall, so eventually we will have apples and nectarines to go along with our rhubarb, raspberries, and blueberry's.

Hello Erik the Awful

Hey Erik! Welcome. Hope you enjoy posting some of your profound thoughts, I know I will enjoy reading/responding to them.

Politics: George Galloway on the Iraqi "Oil for Food" Scandal

British MP George Galloway recently provided this interesting speech to the US Senate, in response to US Senator Norm Coleman's (R-Min.) accusations that Galloway profited from the Iraqi Oil for Food program.

I told the world that Iraq, contrary to your claims did not have weapons of mass destruction. I told the world, contrary to your claims, that Iraq had no connection to al-Qaeda. I told the world, contrary to your claims, that Iraq had no connection to the atrocity on 9/11 2001. I told the world, contrary to your claims, that the Iraqi people would resist a British and American invasion of their country and that the fall of Baghdad would not be the beginning of the end, but merely the end of the beginning.

I'd like to include the whole transcript of Mr. Galloway's speech here, but it's just too long. I highly recommend the Common Dreams full transcript. Its a very interesting read.

Guess I'll stop with the politics now. I'm already too angry for the day.

Read More:
The Independant - Galloway: The man who took on America
World Socialist Web Site - British MP Galloway blasts US Senate on Iraqi oil probe
Alternet - Galloway Goes To Washington
Yahoo News - Mr. Galloway Goes to Washington
CNN Inside Politics - British MP denies oil-for-food charges
Common Dreams - Galloway vs. The US Senate: Transcript of Statement

Lost, Alias, and working with crazy people (I mean that in the nicest way possible)

So, I am obsessed with LOST and Alias... both episodes last night were rocking! Even got dear ol' hubby into LOST, so we have fun wondering what is going to happen next. Am really bummed that new episodes will be finished next week, but maybe I will finally be inspired to get back to the gym.
So I work with people for my job, which is both very interesting, and sometimes frustrating. But it would be hard to be a Social Worker and not work with people. I have some to realize we are all a little crazy from time to time, guess it is what keeps us from being too boring.
Welcome Rocker chick with brains and chick with brains mom!

chick with brains mom

I'm Mary, the "chick with brains" mom. I'm very proud to be blessed (however that happens) with two very intelligent children, one very handsome, nice, intelligent son-in-law and a "pseudo" daughter-in-law who is also very nice and has been a very good influence on my son.
I used to be a moderate "independent" republican, but can no longer associate myself with that party in any way, shape, or form. I'm not yet sure whether I am completely comfortable calling myself a "democrat", so I will probably just go with the "liberal-moderate-independent" title. (no, I am not schizophrenic). I also watch my share of television, but am hooked on computer games, chat, texas hold'em poker (computer version).

By the way...hi Kelley!!!!!

Rocker chick with brains

Ok, so I am obsessed with American Idol and I am ok with it. I never thought I would... but here I am wondering who won. My guess will be that Bo will win ultimately. I have to mention that I am planning an American Idol final party on Tuesday night. But, I am still ok with it.
Kelley

welcome to my life on the world wide web

Well, here is my foray in to world of blogging, been thinking about starting one for awhile. I find myself oddly drawn to the random blogs I have some across, so figure, heck, I might as well try it too.
A little about me: I am 30, been married for almost 3.5 years, have 4 fur kids- Gandhi, Zoey, Simon, and Big One (you will read more about them in the future, I am sure), am a Social Worker at Blue Mountain Heart to Heart (www.bluemountainheart.org) and a therapist with Palouse Counseling (www.palousecounseling.com), I love to read, travel, work on our home, spend time with family and friends. I am also a Democrat (with strong socialist leanings) and Agnostic/Unitarian. I watch too much TV, but don't really care. Don't really like watching the news, and have been known to yell at the television whenever Fox News is on. I have a degree in religion, have studied singing very seriously (am a soprano), and finished my Masters in Social Work a year ago. My husband is an educator, and loves to garden and is quite good at it! He also can build stuff, and speaks Spanish fluently. He loves to watch the news and watch any sporting event he can! Sigh..... But he is nice, funny, and really handsome, so I think I will keep him around!