What You Give Is What You Get

Never did I think that I would be met with such intolerance. And not just that, but that it would come from within my own family.

As defined in the dictionary, intolerance means the "unwillingness or refusal to tolerate or respect contrary opinions or beliefs..." This is exactly what I have been met with over the last few months, although I thought that it had been somewhat tamed as of late. I guess I was wrong.

Last night, I received a forwarded e-mail entitled,"Social Security," from my third cousin (or her husband), whom I rarely, if ever, see or talk to. Not to mention that I NEVER correspond with these people through e-mail, so this was kind of a surprise.

Curious to see what this was, I opened it. I noticed that it was only sent to me. No one else. I glanced through it, came to the end, and surprise, surprise, it was basically letting me know that the Democrats in Congress are destroying our Social Security system, and the only ones who are able to save it are the Republicans.

No big deal. That was quickly deleted. (Actually, I archived it for evidence.) I don't believe that, and one little forwarded e-mail surely isn't something that's going to sway me.

What is a big deal, and what bothers me so much, is that this was a calculated move on her (his) part. They are hardcore conservative Catholic Republicans. And well, I'm far from that, to say the least. It's no secret that I'm very liberal and not at all religious. So what? Does that make me a bad person?

What also bothers me is that someone else in my family, I don't know exactly who, must have been talking about my recent political and religious awakening at a family Christmas party a few weeks ago (which I did not attend). Now, I don't mind that anyone talk about me; that's all fine. But, when it's to discredit me and bad mouth me, that's when I take issue with it. I have an idea of who this person may be, and she definitely hates that I have changed (for the worse in her eyes). I feel like I'm being treated like a savage behind my back. That may sound extreme, but that's how I feel.

So, back to the e-mail. After I read it, I decided that I'd take the bait and play the game. Politics, after all, is a game. I went to www.thetruthaboutgeorge.com (if you haven't been there, I highly recommend it!), copied and pasted a HUGE list of the lies that have been told about the war in Iraq and the human rights violations that have been committed by this administration, and hit send.

Did that accomplish anything? Probably not. But, I sure did feel better. Did sending me that e-mail accomplish anything? No. What I did was childish, but she (he) started it. (That sounds so childish!) I wonder how awkward it's going to be if I ever see them again... I hope I don't.

My point here is that it shouldn't matter what my beliefs or opinions are. They're MINE. No one has to agree. Just as I don't have to agree with your beliefs or opinions. They're YOURS. We're all entitled. All I ask is for respect. You give me respect, and it will be reciprocated. What you give is what you get. But, lately, I feel highly disrespected, and that e-mail was the last straw.

Let the games begin. It's going to be a long fight until November. And let the best woman win. (Yes, that means ME and HILLARY.)

Destiny

Robert Redford on January 17, 2008.

Me on December 25, 2007.

Who's stealing whose style here? Kinda weird. Not to mention HILARIOUS.

Oh, ignore my 3D glasses. Although, they kind of go along with the Harry Potter look that Bob's sporting.

Rants

Well, as we all know, I like to bitch and complain a lot. I've been told I act like a 65-year old woman, which isn't far off considering the woman I love and look up to the most is exactly that age. That would be Barbra Streisand for those of you who haven't yet figured that one out. So, let me put my age to good use.

1. What the hell is the deal with the constant bass coming from my apartment building at 8:30 IN THE MORNING!? First of all, who is ready for that "music" that early in the morning? Whatever it's called, rap, hip hop, crap, it's ridiculous. I don't appreciate my room literally shaking, feeling like I'm living in California on a fault line. And let me add, why oh why is it necessary to have your bass up so much that the windows of your car shake? Does that make you cool? I think it makes you look like an idiot.

2. Why must people run up and down the stairs like freakin' horses? Why gallop? Let's just walk up or down the stairs like human beings. Again, I don't need to feel like I'm experiencing an earthquake several times a day.

3. Are the words 'please' and 'thank you' ever used anymore? If so, I definitely don't hear them often enough. People are just rude.

4. When you're ordering at a coffee shop, fast-food restaurant, anywhere really, get off your cell phone. I work at a coffee shop, I know how this works. The person you're talking to can wait a few minutes. And so can you.

5. Guys on the bus... when it's "standing room only" and there is a woman standing, barely able to reach the bar, why are you still sitting? Yes, I know feminism is alive and well, and we can take care of ourselves, but come on, it's the least you could do, and it would put a smile on her face.

6. Sidewalk etiquette... Walk on the right side! It's as simple as that. And when there are three of you, don't walk side by side by side. Then, there's no room for the other person coming towards you, and let me tell ya, I will not move. I'll run straight into you, and I won't apologize. Is that rude? I don't think so. I think YOU'RE rude for hogging the sidewalk.


That wasn't too bad, was it? I think we all have some of these kinds of thoughts running through our heads, but we choose not to say them out loud. So, here I am choosing to do it for you and for myself. It's therapeutic.

I think that's all... for now. I'm sure in about 5 minutes I'll be bitching once again about something else.

As Barbra said so well in For Pete's Sake, "Go figyah, people."

Mark

I never thought I'd find someone who actually gets me. Truly gets me. Then, I met Mark.

We met in a not so normal way, and I'll save the details, but let's just say that Barbra Streisand had a lot to do with it. It's so much more than that, though, that's the thing. It started with Barbra, but it doesn't end there. We have a much stronger connection, a connection that is sometimes hard to identify and explain. One of my favorite quotes is "A hidden connection is stronger than an obvious one," and boy, does that ever ring true with us.

In the last year and a half, we've had so many great adventures together (New York City, Niagara Falls, his house for New Year's), had so many great conversations, made some wonderful memories, and the laughs have been endless. That year and a half has also been full of changes and realizations for the both of us, and we've really grown a lot together. I'm so lucky to have had such a great friend during that time to talk to, laugh with, cry with, and more importantly, to support me, and I'm sure he feels the same way. That's what best friends are for. And that's what he is to me.

I'm really looking forward to the next chapter in our lives. We're both taking a big leap, and I'm so glad we're doing it together.


"Wherever we go, whatever we do,
we're gonna go through it together.
We may not go far, but sure as a star,
wherever we are, it's together.

Wherever I go I know he goes.
Wherever I go I know she goes.
No fits, no fights, no feuds
and no egos, amigos, together!

Through thick and through thin,
all out or all in.
And whether it's win, place or show.
With you for me and me for you,
we'll muddle through whatever we do.
Together, wherever we go."

HILLARY WINS NH PRIMARY!!

READY FOR CHANGE. Let's keep it up, America!

Roommates

So, over the last year and a half, I've come to the conclusion that I hate roommates. Well, maybe not all roommates. Just the 6 that I've had, minus 1. Yes, I know hate is a strong word, but it's true.

Now, I know that I live in an apartment with 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, so we all have our own space, except the kitchen, the living room/dining room, and the laundry room. The kitchen is where a lot of the problems start. Ya know, who's going to take out the trash, who's NOT going to recycle because they're too damn lazy (which PISSES me off), who's going to unload the dishwasher, and who's going to decide NOT to clean up their crumbs that they leave on the counter.

And then we have the biggest thing of all: the thermostat. I had problems with it last year, and I STILL have problems with it this year.

Last year, my 3 roommates were always HOT. Always. Even when it was -20 degrees, they were still hot. So, what do they decide to do? Oh, let's turn on the air conditioning. Yeah, I know. The AIR CONDITIONING! Who does that!? So, we went on and on, having thermostat wars, with me turning the heat up (and actually having to get a small heater for my room), them turning it down, and finally I just HAD to say something. Actually, I did quite a few times. And what was the result? Well, I was the bitch of the apartment because I was trying to control everything and I was selfish. Excuse me, you aren't the only people living here. Compromise, people, compromise.

So, this year, all 3 of my roommates are always COLD. Usually, I am the one who is always cold. Always. I bitch about it enough that people probably want to kill me. But, who could be cold when it's 76 degrees in the apartment?! Truly, 76 degrees. I walk into the apartment one night, feel that it's not normal, look at the thermostat, and it's set to 76 degrees. That is RIDICULOUS.

And today, which prompted this post, I get that same not normal feeling coming from the vent, look at the thermostat, and what does it say, but 80 degrees! Not 76. 80! Who does that!? Add to that the fact that it's 60 degrees outside today. So, we've again been having thermostat wars and I've spoken to the roommates about it. Nothing's changed. Oh, but it gets worse.

I guess people are afraid of me or something because Post-It notes began to appear on the thermostat last quarter from the roommate next door to me. No, she can't come over and knock on my door to talk to me. She has to be passive aggressive and talk to me through a note, telling me to close my vent because other people besides me live here and they're cold. Uh, please. So, being the person that I am, I said "What the hell, I'll put a Post-It note right back up there and tell her it's not going past 70 degrees." Needless to say that the thermostat stayed there. And it stayed there for 6 weeks over winter break because they weren't here.

But, they came back today, and wouldn't you know that everything was back to again. The war had begun, and I played the Post-It note game, saying that setting it on 80 is RIDICULOUS, and it will not be more than 70 degrees in here. A few minutes later, I go out to the kitchen and there's a note on my door. Oh, this ought to be good, I thought. Basically what it said was that I want to control everything in this apartment and that she won't fight with me because, thankfully, I will be gone next quarter. Truly, that's what it said. I just laughed.

I'm never going to see these people again after this quarter, so I could give two shits what they think about me. It can't come soon enough. Good riddance! Goodbye!

Starting Here, Starting Now

Well, a new year has arrived, and because of that I decided to start this blog. I always said that I would never, ever, write about myself and what's happening in my life and post it on the internet, but times have changed and so have I.

This year is going to be filled with new beginnings and many things to look forward to, and with that comes even more changes that I want to document for myself and for anyone else who cares to read this.

So, here's to 2008. Let's make it a good one.