In my experience, there are two types of people in the world. People who will admit that they like celebrity gossip or read their astrologies, and liars.
I'm out and proud about my fascination with astrology and the fact that I buy copies of People magazine and other celebrity gossip rags.
Hell yes.
And I don't make excuses. One time, I was standing in line, waiting to board a plane and I overheard two people talking about how they'd never buy "those" magazines.
They were staring at me as I stood there, sorting through the Special Double Issue of People magazine to find out who got liposuction and who didn't.
Inquiring minds want to know!
Their stares started to burn a hole in my magazine cover, and I was quite perturbed. How dare they try to read over my shoulder!
So I did the only thing any self-respecting Celebrity Gossip Queen can do. I stared right back and said, "I don't pretend not to love these things. I buy all I can. I read it all."
They stared at me in disbelief. Then I got the last laugh when they borrowed my copies of People and US magazine on the plane ride.
The knowledge I have gained has more than once benefitted me in my life, thankyouverymuch. For example, any of my friends or family know who to call for a Phone-A-Friend if they ever happen to be on the "Millionaire" game show and need a phone-a-friend to answer a question about England's Royal Family.
I saw Diana and Charles' wedding. I sobbed when the boys were born and when Diana died. I know Fergie's name isn't really Fergie (and we're not talking about the woman who sings with Black Eyed Peas). We're talking the former Duchess of York.
I mean, do you know the last name of England's Royal Family?
I predicted Britney would go crazy at the time she appeared on Star Search.
I am a vast Encyclopedia for Useless Celebrity Information. It is my useless skill, albeit very, very entertaining.
When Dante is working his NYTimes crossword puzzles, who does he go to for celebrity information?
I don't believe all the stuff I read, thank goodness. God gave me a brain for a reason. But today, I was astounded at the accuracy of a horoscope I read. (I'm a Scorpio, by the way).
And all of you who know me know that this describes me to a T! Admit it!
"Taking care of business is a major theme where your emotional orientation is concerned now. You crave organization and practicality, and you want to get things accomplished. You aim to have a place for everything and everything in its place - and anything that gets in the way gets on your nerves."
(If you want to know the source of that horoscope, I will keep your secret. Because you know you want to look up your own. Unless you're a Scorpio. Then I've done it for you.)
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Obama and Clooney
This is why the McCain campaign is running so many commercials (expect more to come) of Sen. Barack Obama (D-Illinois) and the celebrity status.
It should be a concern to voters that Obama is getting style and oratory advice from actor George Clooney.
Apparently, according to recent reports, the two of them have become great buddies.
I wasn't impressed when former President Bill Clinton played his saxophone with great fanfare and became one of the top celebrity presidents.
I certainly am not impressed that Obama is courting the Hollywood elites. I think Hollywood is the Land of Narcissists, where what you say has no meaning. And Clooney is the King.
And it doesn't impress me that Michelle Obama has been named one of Vogue's best dressed.
This is like a job interview, and if I was interviewing each of them, I would be more interested in tangible results than in a bleached, large-toothed smile.
Can they run a country that is at war and handle foreign policy issues that will forever shape the United States' role in the world?
Who can get the results this country needs, especially on domestic issues?
I implore each and every one of you to critically think through who gets your vote this November.
It should be a concern to voters that Obama is getting style and oratory advice from actor George Clooney.
Apparently, according to recent reports, the two of them have become great buddies.
I wasn't impressed when former President Bill Clinton played his saxophone with great fanfare and became one of the top celebrity presidents.
I certainly am not impressed that Obama is courting the Hollywood elites. I think Hollywood is the Land of Narcissists, where what you say has no meaning. And Clooney is the King.
And it doesn't impress me that Michelle Obama has been named one of Vogue's best dressed.
This is like a job interview, and if I was interviewing each of them, I would be more interested in tangible results than in a bleached, large-toothed smile.
Can they run a country that is at war and handle foreign policy issues that will forever shape the United States' role in the world?
Who can get the results this country needs, especially on domestic issues?
I implore each and every one of you to critically think through who gets your vote this November.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Hunan Province and the AIDS Epidemic
As we watch the spectacular Olympics in Beijing, we have to also look at the human rights abuses in a country that, for all its economic prosperity, has done much to conceal horrors such as the AIDS epidemic in its Hunan Province.
I've known about this for some time, but was reminded of it again as I listened to the program "The Story" which broadcasts on National Public Radio. "The Story" focused its August 11 program on a doctor who had to leave China under heat for the work she had done to help AIDS victims in Hunan.
The reason the peasant population of that province is suffering from AIDS is because of the government, who convinced poor farmers to donate their blood, from which officials extracted the plasma, then officials pooled the blood communally (never testing it for any disease, let alone HIV) by blood type and then, here, come here, get your blood back.
This has been practiced through blood collection centers.
If you want to read more about the doctor and her fight, click on this link here.
It's an extremely interesting story.
http://en.epochtimes.com/news/7-3-26/53326.html
I've known about this for some time, but was reminded of it again as I listened to the program "The Story" which broadcasts on National Public Radio. "The Story" focused its August 11 program on a doctor who had to leave China under heat for the work she had done to help AIDS victims in Hunan.
The reason the peasant population of that province is suffering from AIDS is because of the government, who convinced poor farmers to donate their blood, from which officials extracted the plasma, then officials pooled the blood communally (never testing it for any disease, let alone HIV) by blood type and then, here, come here, get your blood back.
This has been practiced through blood collection centers.
If you want to read more about the doctor and her fight, click on this link here.
It's an extremely interesting story.
http://en.epochtimes.com/news/7-3-26/53326.html
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Cheering with the United States
By now, the United States has impressed in several categories at the Beijing Games.
Michael Phelps took the gold in men's 400-meter swimming. That doesn't surprise anyone, most likely.
Dara Torres pushed the women to a silver medal position in the 4X100 meter relay. That's significant for Torres, who at age 41 has had to answer more questions about taking performance-enhancing drugs because of her ability to perform at her age.
(For the record, she says she hasn't taken any drugs. She feels she has to be a role model for people her age and to be pure in her performance).
And if you aren't into watching fencing or fencing-related sports, the United States scored all three medals in women's sabre, which is a fast-paced fencing form where nothing is off guard, even the head.
Now, we're enjoying watching LeBron take on Yao Ming. This is when you appreciate the triumph of the individual spirit, especially when you watch someone like LeBron. I don't even have to write his last name. That in and of itself is powerful.
Michael Phelps took the gold in men's 400-meter swimming. That doesn't surprise anyone, most likely.
Dara Torres pushed the women to a silver medal position in the 4X100 meter relay. That's significant for Torres, who at age 41 has had to answer more questions about taking performance-enhancing drugs because of her ability to perform at her age.
(For the record, she says she hasn't taken any drugs. She feels she has to be a role model for people her age and to be pure in her performance).
And if you aren't into watching fencing or fencing-related sports, the United States scored all three medals in women's sabre, which is a fast-paced fencing form where nothing is off guard, even the head.
Now, we're enjoying watching LeBron take on Yao Ming. This is when you appreciate the triumph of the individual spirit, especially when you watch someone like LeBron. I don't even have to write his last name. That in and of itself is powerful.
Will Power
I've long been a fan of columnist George Will, who I believe is one of the more intelligent writers of our time.
His column this week holds particular appeal, because he writes about progress.
Sounds like potentially boring topic, right? Unless you look at American history and watch the progress over the last 100 years of how United States society has treated blacks.
Then you see the progress when you look at the 2008 United States presidential race.
(Link to Will's column here http://jewishworldreview.com/cols/will081008.php3)
He encourages the reader to remember Springfield, Illinois, race riots and killings in 1908.
It provides an interesting perspective. No matter how messy the presidential race gets over these next few months, remember, we're still making progress.
His column this week holds particular appeal, because he writes about progress.
Sounds like potentially boring topic, right? Unless you look at American history and watch the progress over the last 100 years of how United States society has treated blacks.
Then you see the progress when you look at the 2008 United States presidential race.
(Link to Will's column here http://jewishworldreview.com/cols/will081008.php3)
He encourages the reader to remember Springfield, Illinois, race riots and killings in 1908.
It provides an interesting perspective. No matter how messy the presidential race gets over these next few months, remember, we're still making progress.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
The Spectacular Olympics
Dante and I sat at a sushi bar in Edmond on Friday evening, caught up in discussion about our weeks at work and what yard projects we would tackle over the weekend.
And then it mesmerized us on the 32-inch flat screen behind the sushi bar. It was the opening ceremonies for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
I've never been to China, but I've been blessed to know many people who have come from that country and I wouldn't expect anything less than perfection in executing opening ceremonies for an event that would welcome the whole world.
It's a country that very much has worked to make economic and political gains. Obviously, right? Otherwise, we wouldn't worry about teaching our children Mandarin and universities wouldn't be offering courses called, "How to do business in China."
This past week, we were asked to participate in a survey at the University of Oklahoma, where officials were gauging our attitudes toward China.
"Do you believe China deserves to host the 2008 Summer Olympics?"
Yes, of course.
Then they gauged our attitudes on other areas, including how we feel toward working with Chinese folks, etc.
Then, the question that I couldn't wait to answer: Do you trust the Chinese government?
No.
Furthermore, I do not believe nor will I ever believe that a communist structure is best for the long-term gain of a nation's people.
The irony of the Communist Country host is that China is welcoming the world's athletes who embody the power of the individual spirit, and the gains made when people work together, of course, but the glory that is achieved through each human being who has been given the right to pursue his or her personal best.
If this isn't the ultimate hallmark of humanity, I don't know what is.
And then it mesmerized us on the 32-inch flat screen behind the sushi bar. It was the opening ceremonies for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
I've never been to China, but I've been blessed to know many people who have come from that country and I wouldn't expect anything less than perfection in executing opening ceremonies for an event that would welcome the whole world.
It's a country that very much has worked to make economic and political gains. Obviously, right? Otherwise, we wouldn't worry about teaching our children Mandarin and universities wouldn't be offering courses called, "How to do business in China."
This past week, we were asked to participate in a survey at the University of Oklahoma, where officials were gauging our attitudes toward China.
"Do you believe China deserves to host the 2008 Summer Olympics?"
Yes, of course.
Then they gauged our attitudes on other areas, including how we feel toward working with Chinese folks, etc.
Then, the question that I couldn't wait to answer: Do you trust the Chinese government?
No.
Furthermore, I do not believe nor will I ever believe that a communist structure is best for the long-term gain of a nation's people.
The irony of the Communist Country host is that China is welcoming the world's athletes who embody the power of the individual spirit, and the gains made when people work together, of course, but the glory that is achieved through each human being who has been given the right to pursue his or her personal best.
If this isn't the ultimate hallmark of humanity, I don't know what is.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Oklahoma City Revisited
http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/08/08/travel/escapes/08American.html?scp=1&sq=Oklahoma%20City&st=cse
The New York Times has run a story today about the boom of Oklahoma City.
Dante and I have owned our home in the OKC suburb of Edmond now for three years. That in itself is hard to imagine. OKC is its own quirky place and I remember my first 18 months here.
I hated it, and hate for me is a very difficult thing. The wind grates against you, especially in the winter, like an unsolicited rub from an irritating stranger who won't stop drumming his fingers along your skin.
The culture was, at best, very bizarre. In two years' time, I saw horses grazing alongside my bank's drive-thru ATM machine; I had fought aggressive Thug Christians who were more interested in saving my soul than they were in looking at the man or woman in the mirror.
(Unbeknownst to them, my soul doesn't need saving. I gave my life to God a long, long time ago, more than 15 years ago, and I can't imagine a day that my heart isn't with the Man Upstairs).
I was fed up with the question (which came from many, many people): "How did your husband get that job in Oklahoma? It should have gone to an Okie."
It took me a long time to put this place into perspective, especially when Rep. Sally Kern's face showed up on the Ellen DeGeneres Show for Kern's assertion that gays are worst than terrorists.
As the saying goes, things happen for a reason and as I've believed all my life, God has a plan for me. I was all prepared to move to Texas to get my master's degree. But it didn't happen that way. The University of Oklahoma made me an offer I couldn't refuse, so, as one friend put it, "You must make hay while the sun is shining."
And so I'm making hay. I have come to know so many people here in Oklahoma City, and it's grown on me more than I like to admit. Oklahoma is its own quiet place, where the wind blows harder than it should and the pace may not be what some people like.
But for me, it serves more of a purpose now and I'm glad to see that OKC is getting some national attention that isn't about Rep. Kern or the silly county commissioner with such a controversial comic book.
The New York Times has run a story today about the boom of Oklahoma City.
Dante and I have owned our home in the OKC suburb of Edmond now for three years. That in itself is hard to imagine. OKC is its own quirky place and I remember my first 18 months here.
I hated it, and hate for me is a very difficult thing. The wind grates against you, especially in the winter, like an unsolicited rub from an irritating stranger who won't stop drumming his fingers along your skin.
The culture was, at best, very bizarre. In two years' time, I saw horses grazing alongside my bank's drive-thru ATM machine; I had fought aggressive Thug Christians who were more interested in saving my soul than they were in looking at the man or woman in the mirror.
(Unbeknownst to them, my soul doesn't need saving. I gave my life to God a long, long time ago, more than 15 years ago, and I can't imagine a day that my heart isn't with the Man Upstairs).
I was fed up with the question (which came from many, many people): "How did your husband get that job in Oklahoma? It should have gone to an Okie."
It took me a long time to put this place into perspective, especially when Rep. Sally Kern's face showed up on the Ellen DeGeneres Show for Kern's assertion that gays are worst than terrorists.
As the saying goes, things happen for a reason and as I've believed all my life, God has a plan for me. I was all prepared to move to Texas to get my master's degree. But it didn't happen that way. The University of Oklahoma made me an offer I couldn't refuse, so, as one friend put it, "You must make hay while the sun is shining."
And so I'm making hay. I have come to know so many people here in Oklahoma City, and it's grown on me more than I like to admit. Oklahoma is its own quiet place, where the wind blows harder than it should and the pace may not be what some people like.
But for me, it serves more of a purpose now and I'm glad to see that OKC is getting some national attention that isn't about Rep. Kern or the silly county commissioner with such a controversial comic book.
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