Is it possible?

I understand that we all have been affected by the recession in some way. I thought I was fairly insulated but sometimes I feel like the collective downturn in the national attitude is rubbing off on me. I don't want it to. I want to keep an air of optimism.

What will it take to be better?

Beet it.

I’ve been run over by a ride but I eventually got back on. I’ve hated things for no reason, but I eventually grown to love them. I lost a lot of time questioning myself rather than just doing it. I didn’t eat weird vegetables either because my mom couldn’t make them, I didn’t like the looks of them, or I was scared. I’m not scared anymore. I love them. I love the new surprise of something old becoming something new.



Take the Beet. It was never in my realm. It was something purple or red and pickled and scary and not for me. Now it’s something I cherish, pickled or not. It’s sweet, it’s a taste of the earth, yet not earthy. It’s a bit ugly but yet inside it reveals its majestic qualities. I think that’s what draws me to it now. It is a hidden pleasure. Not normal, but majestic. Nuanced.

Furniture and Presidents

So Joan and Dave (aka Mom and Dad) were in town this weekend. And as promised they purchased a dining table and chairs for me. Thanks so much J & D (or M & D). By the way, my mom sent me a nice Valentine's Day card signed "Love, Joan and Dave (aka Mom and Dad)". I got a good laugh and teased my mom about it for a while. I think she was confusing me with my brother-in-law who does call them Joan and Dave.


"The Table"


"The Chairs"

And we also stopped by Arlington National Cemetery, final resting place to over 320,000 soldiers and their family members. I am not sure how to feel about that. They average 28 burials on weekdays, another staggering fact. I felt conflicted between the historical nature of the site and the fact that so many men and women have died for the country. Should we be traipsing on these hallowed grounds. I also felt this compelling need for silence and respect. The numerous school groups annoyed me with their fleeting and cavalier attitudes towards this place of awe.

I respect those who fight for our country. I just wish we didn't have to fight so much.

The right move by the Catholic Church?

So the Catholic church is back at it again. The cause of the Protestant Reformation has been reinstated (well re-encouraged by Pope Benedict) by the Catholic Church. Indulgences. This isn't as obvious as it sounds, but it is a huge source of concern. Priests abused indulgences, "the full or partial remission of temporal punishment due for sins which have already been forgiven," in the 15th and 16th century leading to the Protestant Schism.

It would seem that the Catholic Church is trying with such desperate fortitude to draw Catholics back to the church. Perhaps it is their patriarchal, ultra-conservative stance on society that has ruined their reputation and sense of moral authority and not the extra-forgiveness that one seeks through indulgences. Indulgences did lead to the abuse of power and the rich seeking favor over the poor. It was also a significant source of fund raising for large capital projects, i.e., St. Peter's Basilica. It didn't seem to work back in the 16th century when Martin Luther posted his famous 95 Theses on the church door. Why will this theory (theology?) work now. It seems desperate and a scary road to go down.

Door of the Schlosskirche (castle church) in Wittenberg 

to which Luther is said to have nailed his 95 Theses, sparking the Reformation.

When we fail to heed history's lesson, we are apt to follow its similar (and sometimes scary) path.

Speaking of Comedy

So this past Saturday, I went to the DC Improv to see Ben Bailey, of Cash Cab, do his stand up. Jenn, my sister, got me and Martyn, my brother-in-law, tickets for christmas. Well it was freaking hysterical. I mean I was laughing so hard at one point I thought I was going to pass out from the lack of air. I cried. It was great. I mean Ben almost got in a fight with a patron, the patron was drunk and obnoxious and not picking up on the very clear clues to shut the F up.

Anyway, I couldn't recommend Ben Bailey enough and it was great to laugh so hard. I mean really amazingly fun.

Here is a clip from Ellen DeGeneres Show. The 4 minute mark is really funny.

Comedy is best with Friends

So after the Superbowl last night, The Office came on. For those of you who stumbled away from their couch before this 1 hour of pure entertainment, you missed out.  The show started off with Dwight conducting a very realistic fire drill. It was awesomely funny.  Two hightlights, the cat and Kevin looting.



My friend Jessica was laughing so hard she cried. I was keeled over with laughter, thinking all the amazing food we had prepared might not last long in my stomach. It was amazing. Did I say that already?

The best part of comedy is sharing the laughter with someone. I've decided that I need to see comedies with others. I think I feed off others laughter and vice versa. It's going to be a new policy. Plus I love movies and will go to almost anything as I enjoy the entertainment of the big screen. I think the reason I didn't think Step Brothers with Will Ferrell was as funny as it could be was that I was alone when I watched it. Never Again!