Writing was really cathartic.
I tend not to stay depressed long in any case, and writing it out really helped. I guess, just knowing that someone was reading (whether ya'll agreed with my position or not) was helpful.
I still very much welcome your comments on why Obama is, IYO, the right guy; but know that I am not nauseated, sad, dejected, or shattered. I'd like a cookie, but I will survive!
07 November 2012
It's time to talk. You and me.
I am not merely disappointed with the results of last night’s election. For me it is not a little setback, a matter of just sucking it up and enduring for another four years.
I am devastated. Gutted.
I feel hollow. I feel the very same way I did on 9/11 when I began to understand the scope of all the attacks and schemes—that our nation's security and integrity is threatened, that everything that I know is going to change, and that we may not survive as a nation intact. I feel the awful uncertainty of what comes next.
As Abraham Lincoln said in 1858, a house divided against itself cannot stand. And we are a house divided: half the nation rejoiced last night, with the lightest of hearts and a feeling of hope; another roughly half of the nation mourned, feeling a gut-wrenching, sick fear. Through this entire election there has not been a single moment of unity. Liberal and conservative opinions are so dichotomous that neither side can see a single quality, skill, or plan that redeems the other candidate. There was no feeling of compromise, no effort of coming together to find something/someone that could benefit and prosper every American citizen “Ha, ha, conservative idiots, we beat you”—that was the sentiment I saw all over Twitter last night.
Someone I love and care for deeply posted this on Twitter on Sunday: “Shocked to run across someone I know, that I consider to be an intelligent and reasonable person, and find that they’re in favor of Romney.” That hurt. Liberals truly believe that theirs is the only intelligent, reasonable position? That conservatives believe what we believe out of ignorance, lack of serious thought, and despite all evidence to the contrary?
My non-US-citizen friends and acquaintances posted praise or congratulations to voters on making the right choice. I was *thisclose* to throwing up when Obama won Iowa, that’s how the “right choice” feels to me.
So if you have read through this and haven’t just skimmed or clicked away, I salute you. Thanks for reading. And I wrote this out for a very specific purpose: Please, please tell me what you see in him, why after these four years you wanted him to have four more at the helm of our nation. What has gone right? What positive direction have we gone? What is your hot-button issue, the one that convinces you he’s the right guy for the job? What do you consider his greatest success? (Have there been any failures? Do you think he’ll rectify them in his next term?)
Give me some hope.
Note: comments are moderated. This is my blog, and I can run it any way I want. I will not tolerate a single ad hominem attack, on me or anyone else. Those comments will be deleted instantly. Any thoughtful response, however, will be posted and, I hope, will lead to much discussion. I have spent so much time this election trying to see, trying to understand the liberal position. I am still trying, and I ask your help.
I am devastated. Gutted.
I feel hollow. I feel the very same way I did on 9/11 when I began to understand the scope of all the attacks and schemes—that our nation's security and integrity is threatened, that everything that I know is going to change, and that we may not survive as a nation intact. I feel the awful uncertainty of what comes next.
As Abraham Lincoln said in 1858, a house divided against itself cannot stand. And we are a house divided: half the nation rejoiced last night, with the lightest of hearts and a feeling of hope; another roughly half of the nation mourned, feeling a gut-wrenching, sick fear. Through this entire election there has not been a single moment of unity. Liberal and conservative opinions are so dichotomous that neither side can see a single quality, skill, or plan that redeems the other candidate. There was no feeling of compromise, no effort of coming together to find something/someone that could benefit and prosper every American citizen “Ha, ha, conservative idiots, we beat you”—that was the sentiment I saw all over Twitter last night.
Someone I love and care for deeply posted this on Twitter on Sunday: “Shocked to run across someone I know, that I consider to be an intelligent and reasonable person, and find that they’re in favor of Romney.” That hurt. Liberals truly believe that theirs is the only intelligent, reasonable position? That conservatives believe what we believe out of ignorance, lack of serious thought, and despite all evidence to the contrary?
My non-US-citizen friends and acquaintances posted praise or congratulations to voters on making the right choice. I was *thisclose* to throwing up when Obama won Iowa, that’s how the “right choice” feels to me.
So if you have read through this and haven’t just skimmed or clicked away, I salute you. Thanks for reading. And I wrote this out for a very specific purpose: Please, please tell me what you see in him, why after these four years you wanted him to have four more at the helm of our nation. What has gone right? What positive direction have we gone? What is your hot-button issue, the one that convinces you he’s the right guy for the job? What do you consider his greatest success? (Have there been any failures? Do you think he’ll rectify them in his next term?)
Give me some hope.
Note: comments are moderated. This is my blog, and I can run it any way I want. I will not tolerate a single ad hominem attack, on me or anyone else. Those comments will be deleted instantly. Any thoughtful response, however, will be posted and, I hope, will lead to much discussion. I have spent so much time this election trying to see, trying to understand the liberal position. I am still trying, and I ask your help.
17 April 2012
Unbelievably precious
It's time for me to gush about my brilliant children. I LOVE THEM. And I love homeschooling them. I love playing a little part in their learning process; I feel like it is my job to get the ball rolling and then step back and watch it gather speed.
Today at the elder kids' high school they announced the honor roll recipients and the "Students of the term" (which is the kids who got perfect 4.33 GPAs, because this school actually awards an A+ for a class grade percent above 98%). Christian and Libby were the only two students of the term, out of 300 students. Emma was a student of the term and a student of the semester every single term/semester through her freshman and sophomore years. (Once junior year hit she sometimes got, gasp, just plain old A's! Her cumulative GPA is still above 4.0.) Less than five months and she'll be away at university. I'm filled with wonder to have been a little part of it.
Back here at the homestead in homeschool, we do science twice a week. This year it's chemistry, and I'll tell you the truth it's tough to teach chemistry to an all-elementary crowd. I've never done chemistry terribly well. So last year (earth/space science) it was mostly reading and writing and drawing illustrations, and this year it has been mostly silly little experiments. When we complete one, the kids all have to work at their own grade level. They draw a picture of what we did, and answer some questions (and I expect their answers to reflect their abilities—simpler for Kyrie, most complex for Jackson). I do not require these writings of Macklin, I mean the kid is only in kindergarten.
But he does them anyway, every time. And they are precious. I've never seen a kid who yearns so hard to express himself in writing. The questions he answered today are:
1. What did we use?
2. What did we do?
3. What happened?
Here is what he wrote. I did not, and never have, give him any of these words or coach him on what to write. This is just what he does when we complete science for the day.
I shall transcribe. Note: he spelled tin "tit". It was only when he was rereading over my shoulder that he caught this and I'll let him change it, but for some reason I wanted to preserve this version. ;)
Wea did git u bit uv tit foyle and wea got sum wotr
(We did get a bit of tin foil and we got some water)
wea put sum wotr on the tit foyle
(We put some water on the tin foil)
wea got sum awcuhol on tit foyle
(We got some alcohol on tin foil)
the water split.
Things I love: he doesn't think "we" should have a long e, so he added another vowel afterward so it would make the wee sound. And I love his spelling of alcohol! He didn't capitalize and didn't even put spaces between words, but he did end with a period. Ace!
Next, his illustration of the experiment:
First pic: the tin foil. Second pic: The green-tinted water on the tin foil. Third pic: The water split!
I would scan in each and every one, but I know my raptures of them would be mine alone. I'll allow this one to stand in for the others. I just adore being a part of their learning process, I wouldn't want to miss this for anything.
Today at the elder kids' high school they announced the honor roll recipients and the "Students of the term" (which is the kids who got perfect 4.33 GPAs, because this school actually awards an A+ for a class grade percent above 98%). Christian and Libby were the only two students of the term, out of 300 students. Emma was a student of the term and a student of the semester every single term/semester through her freshman and sophomore years. (Once junior year hit she sometimes got, gasp, just plain old A's! Her cumulative GPA is still above 4.0.) Less than five months and she'll be away at university. I'm filled with wonder to have been a little part of it.
Back here at the homestead in homeschool, we do science twice a week. This year it's chemistry, and I'll tell you the truth it's tough to teach chemistry to an all-elementary crowd. I've never done chemistry terribly well. So last year (earth/space science) it was mostly reading and writing and drawing illustrations, and this year it has been mostly silly little experiments. When we complete one, the kids all have to work at their own grade level. They draw a picture of what we did, and answer some questions (and I expect their answers to reflect their abilities—simpler for Kyrie, most complex for Jackson). I do not require these writings of Macklin, I mean the kid is only in kindergarten.
But he does them anyway, every time. And they are precious. I've never seen a kid who yearns so hard to express himself in writing. The questions he answered today are:
1. What did we use?
2. What did we do?
3. What happened?
Here is what he wrote. I did not, and never have, give him any of these words or coach him on what to write. This is just what he does when we complete science for the day.
I shall transcribe. Note: he spelled tin "tit". It was only when he was rereading over my shoulder that he caught this and I'll let him change it, but for some reason I wanted to preserve this version. ;)
Wea did git u bit uv tit foyle and wea got sum wotr
(We did get a bit of tin foil and we got some water)
wea put sum wotr on the tit foyle
(We put some water on the tin foil)
wea got sum awcuhol on tit foyle
(We got some alcohol on tin foil)
the water split.
Things I love: he doesn't think "we" should have a long e, so he added another vowel afterward so it would make the wee sound. And I love his spelling of alcohol! He didn't capitalize and didn't even put spaces between words, but he did end with a period. Ace!
Next, his illustration of the experiment:
First pic: the tin foil. Second pic: The green-tinted water on the tin foil. Third pic: The water split!
I would scan in each and every one, but I know my raptures of them would be mine alone. I'll allow this one to stand in for the others. I just adore being a part of their learning process, I wouldn't want to miss this for anything.
24 March 2012
In the middle of an adventure
Last night while Blaine and I were on a date and our eldest kids were home babysitting, Macklin decided to learn to fly. Only, he did it in the dark and without wings so it was a very short flight.
As far as we can piece together, the kids were in beds with the lights off when Mack needed something or was playing and jumped off the bed. Only he didn't land on the floor, he landed on a big fully inflated hoppity hop and bounced off in the dark and hit, again this is guesswork, the dresser. Much wailing and desperate crying ensued.
The kids didn't call, thought he was just bonked and tired. When we got home a couple of hours later, Mack threw up for the first time, then three more times hours apart.
In the morning we took him to the ER in our adorable little community. They did a CT, but aren't equipped to deal with pediatric emergencies; so a few hours later, a couple of hours ago, he was transported by helicopter to Primary Children's Medical Center. We weren't allowed on the helicopter so we exceeded all speed limits, and now we are here with him. (His grandma Lee and aunt Joan were both good enough to hop in their cars and be here in time to meet the helicopter.)
He is sleeping and doesn't even know we've arrived. We don't know the extent of the damage, we're waiting on X-rays and such, but we believe there is a skull fracture and some small bleeding on his brain. He's stable and very well, but I'll keep updating on Facebook as things become clear as the day goes on.
Much thanks to the family and friends who have already rallied around us. Guess seeing The Hunger Games will wait another couple of days!
As far as we can piece together, the kids were in beds with the lights off when Mack needed something or was playing and jumped off the bed. Only he didn't land on the floor, he landed on a big fully inflated hoppity hop and bounced off in the dark and hit, again this is guesswork, the dresser. Much wailing and desperate crying ensued.
The kids didn't call, thought he was just bonked and tired. When we got home a couple of hours later, Mack threw up for the first time, then three more times hours apart.
In the morning we took him to the ER in our adorable little community. They did a CT, but aren't equipped to deal with pediatric emergencies; so a few hours later, a couple of hours ago, he was transported by helicopter to Primary Children's Medical Center. We weren't allowed on the helicopter so we exceeded all speed limits, and now we are here with him. (His grandma Lee and aunt Joan were both good enough to hop in their cars and be here in time to meet the helicopter.)
He is sleeping and doesn't even know we've arrived. We don't know the extent of the damage, we're waiting on X-rays and such, but we believe there is a skull fracture and some small bleeding on his brain. He's stable and very well, but I'll keep updating on Facebook as things become clear as the day goes on.
Much thanks to the family and friends who have already rallied around us. Guess seeing The Hunger Games will wait another couple of days!
17 March 2012
Favorite Music: DHOOM!
I am totally on a Bollywood kick right now. I am just inhaling the films as quick as I can on Netflix, I find them delightful—even the ones that make me cry/sob through the last half hour (I'm looking at you, Kites and Mujhse Dosti Karoge!) and the most embarrassing part is how many soundtracks I've purchased, because I can't get enough of the music too. Seriously, is there any greater joy than watching someone bust out into song and dance at just the wrong moment? And having everyone surrounding join in? This is how life should be.
Dhoom:2 is worth watching, people, every second of it, and if you do you'll see the following two songs in all their glory. These are the songs I'm totally obsessed with this week—in fact every Lee child with an iPod is listening to these (and the others from the Dhoom soundtrack) on repeat, we just can't get enough.
I genuinely love this song, and the choreography is more traditional. Can't get it out of my head.
Touch Me:
http://youtu.be/TWcSSDtSz0o
(And please, please note the guy in the red tank top with long hair, I can't take my eyes off him when he's on screen!)
And the title song from the movie. Starring maybe the most beautiful leading man ever? Who can really dance. But it's more hip hop than traditional.
Dhoom Again:
http://youtu.be/19yQgZXX0q8
Such delight and wonder! So cheesy, in the best way. Plot isn't very tight though, it's all about the pretty.
(Then, after Dhoom:2 if you want tight plot, beautiful songs, and a story that makes you a little teary, I 125% recommend Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, but you actually have to watch Dhoom:2 first to get some of the jokes in it!)
Dhoom:2 is worth watching, people, every second of it, and if you do you'll see the following two songs in all their glory. These are the songs I'm totally obsessed with this week—in fact every Lee child with an iPod is listening to these (and the others from the Dhoom soundtrack) on repeat, we just can't get enough.
I genuinely love this song, and the choreography is more traditional. Can't get it out of my head.
Touch Me:
http://youtu.be/TWcSSDtSz0o
(And please, please note the guy in the red tank top with long hair, I can't take my eyes off him when he's on screen!)
And the title song from the movie. Starring maybe the most beautiful leading man ever? Who can really dance. But it's more hip hop than traditional.
Dhoom Again:
http://youtu.be/19yQgZXX0q8
Such delight and wonder! So cheesy, in the best way. Plot isn't very tight though, it's all about the pretty.
(Then, after Dhoom:2 if you want tight plot, beautiful songs, and a story that makes you a little teary, I 125% recommend Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, but you actually have to watch Dhoom:2 first to get some of the jokes in it!)
13 January 2012
Favorite Music Friday: White Rabbits
White Rabbits is a band that I discovered sort of accidentally when iTunes gave away their fabulous Percussion Gun video for free. It grabbed me around the throat and wouldn't let me listen to anything else. (I'm an obsessive listener like that, I can listen to the same song, no lie, 40 times in a row when I'm obsessed with it. I can listen to only one song for 3 or 4 days or longer before I move on to something else.) And once the urge eased up just a tiny wee bit, I managed to go back to the iTunes store and listen to other White Rabbits, and I loved it all and downloaded it. That, for the record, is pretty rare; lots of people put out one good song, even one amazing song. But to investigate and find I like everything? I just think they have tons and tons of talent. When they came through SLC in 2010 my sister and I went to their concert and we sat in the front row. They're coming back in March, we just heard, and we're going to be there again. I sort of imagine this band is going to be huge someday, and I'm going to be able to say, "I've been with them since the beginning, I've seen them every time they've come to town." I'll be able to say I knew them when they played at little 125 person venues for $10/ticket.
The more I listened to all their music, the more this song, They Done Wrong We Done Wrong, began to eclipse Percussion Gun (which is still so good it's in my list of all-time favorite songs). I love it. I think TDWWDW is a masterpiece of music making, and I've never gotten tired of it no matter how many times I hear it. :)
Introducing: White Rabbits! Here are three ways to listen to this song. (1) Embed:
(2) Link to youtube: http://youtu.be/Xp3MsiIZ1ww
(3) Link to my profile on blip.fm: http://blip.fm/profile/alysonell/blip/76618074/White+Rabbits%E2%80%93They+Done+Wrong+|+We+Done+Wrong
The more I listened to all their music, the more this song, They Done Wrong We Done Wrong, began to eclipse Percussion Gun (which is still so good it's in my list of all-time favorite songs). I love it. I think TDWWDW is a masterpiece of music making, and I've never gotten tired of it no matter how many times I hear it. :)
Introducing: White Rabbits! Here are three ways to listen to this song. (1) Embed:
(2) Link to youtube: http://youtu.be/Xp3MsiIZ1ww
(3) Link to my profile on blip.fm: http://blip.fm/profile/alysonell/blip/76618074/White+Rabbits%E2%80%93They+Done+Wrong+|+We+Done+Wrong
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