Understanding the Blog October 31, 2008

blog: an online diary; a personal chronological log of thoughts published on a Web page; a shared on-line journal where people can post diary entries about their personal, thoughts, opinions, experiences and hobbies

 

I just finished reading a final blogpost of a friend of mine. Apparently, some folks have been offended by the things that she has to say. Because of this, she feels that she should no longer blog. The author of this blog is one of the most loving, wonderful, intelligent young people that I have ever met. I have nothing but the utmost respect for the opinions and values of this person.

Please note that I do not agree with every word that is said or written by this person. However, I do respect the opinion of my friend.

The fact that my friend is getting so much slack and anger aimed toward her, because of her thoughts and opinions, to a degree that she feels that she is being chased away from her personal blog angers me. As noted above, a blog is a place where a person can journal their personal views and thoughts. The way that I see it is that if you can’t deal with the views of the post or the blogger, move on and find another.

I’m hoping that my friend will change her mind and keep writing.

Don’t let the views of others scare you away from sharing your life with us. I love you very much.

Farewell Bob and Nancy October 29, 2008

Tomorrow I will be heading to Rex Hospital to have a Lithotripsy procedure. Lithotripsy is a non-invasive procedure that used vibrations from the body to demolish the kidney stones that keep revisiting my body. Non-invasive, yes. Painless, no!!

Apparently, I will have a grand battle scar (okay, a bruise) over my right kidney from the pressure of the water that will keep beating on my body.

So, say goodbye to Bob and Nancy… let’s hope that they didn’t create little baby kidney stones while they were in there making a sweet little home for themselves.

Phase Two… Complete October 27, 2008

Phase One… getting rid of everything. Check.

 

Phase Two… completing the Oasis application. Check.

The application will be in the mail by the end of the week.

One step closer to achieving my goal.

This is a good thing!!

Stinky Fish October 23, 2008

I have some craziness going on in my life and I am not really sure of what to do with it. It’s not something that I am entirely comfortable talking about. It’s not something that I want everyone in my business about. It is something that I have put on the back burner and have managed to keep under wraps for several years. Every once in a while, this thing comes out of the woodwork and haunts me. It hangs around like a stinky fish. Eventually, it will disappear again and resurface in a year or two.

This time, it’s seemingly here for an extended visit. It is my stinky fish.

My head is foggy. I feel like I am constantly lying to myself, although I am perfectly okay with this situation. I just want to be okay with the situation and not have to deal with it.

I have recently been fascinated with the truthfulness of a friend. I have another friend who is dealing with a similar situation, but in reverse… our stinky fishes are opposite each other.

On a side note: I have begun writing again. I used to write, a lot. I stopped. Now it’s all coming back to me. It feels good. This would be my non-stinky fish.

On another side note: I am nearly done with my Oasis application. I’m waiting for a respose from the ladies in the office in London. Apparently, they are both on holiday for the week. Once I get in touch with them, the application will be in the mail, on it’s happy way to England for processing. Yay!!

Another Instance of Trafficking in the U.S. October 22, 2008

New search warrant served on evangelist’s compound

By CHUCK BARTELS
Associated Press Writer

Posted: Today at 1:37 p.m.
Updated: Today at 2:15 p.m.

TEXARKANA, Ark. — Former followers of evangelist Tony Alamo testified Wednesday they were often beaten at his instructions and one said Alamo took a 9-year-old girl as his wife, as prosecutors sought to prevent him from being freed while awaiting trial.

Alamo, 74, is in federal custody waiting to face charges that he took minors across state lines for sex. His trial is scheduled for next month.

While the hearing was under way in Texarkana, Arkansas state troopers executed a new search warrant at the Tony Alamo Christian Ministries compound in Fouke, State Police spokesman Bill Sadler confirmed. He said he had no other details. The mayor of the small southwest Arkansas town, Terry Purvis, said residents told him the investigators did not stay long at the compound.

Police previously raided the compound on Sept. 20.

One witness called to the stand by prosecutors Wednesday, Jael Sprinkle, 32, testified that she was taken as Alamo’s wife at age 17 and was considered his wife for two years. She said Alamo had five other wives at the time and that she knew of him taking a 9-year-old girl as his wife.

Alamo is an advocate of allowing girls to marry when they reach puberty but has denied such unions took place within his organization.

Sprinkle said she, her parents and others were beaten. She said a 12-year-old boy was paddled to the point of bleeding through his clothes and could only walk with assistance.

Sprinkle also described Alamo’s control over people in his organization, saying he even had to approve inconsequential expenses such as toilet paper and toothpaste.

Spencer Ondirsek, 18, testified that he left the compound last year after spending seven years there.

Ondirsek said he was beaten by a man working under Alamo’s direction. He said he was hit about 15 times on the face and smacked about 30 times with a three-foot paddle on three separate instances while being disciplined for minor misbehavior, such as playing around with a spray bottle.

The first beating happened when he was 12 or 13, Ondirsek testified.

A federal charging document accuses Alamo of taking a 13-year-old girl across state lines for sex in 2004 and of aiding and abetting her transport across state lines for sex in 2005.

Alamo, who is listed in court documents by his real name of Bernie Lazar Hoffman, has pleaded not guilty to the two charges, each of which carries a sentence of 10 years to life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Reminders… On How To Be A Grown-up October 20, 2008

I just received a text message from my sister (my younger sister) that said, “Call mom. Anniversary today.” Yes, today is my parents 19th wedding anniversary. Yes, they will receive a phone call later today when I have the time. I am not a complete idiot.

A friend of mine just went through something annoying where her mother yelled at her husband because she was in an accident on her scooter driving to school one day. She was pretty banged up and still is. How does my friend’s mother suppose that her husband is going to keep my friend from riding her scooter to class?

Last year, during the peak of my panic attacks, my mother came to town and yelled at my at-the-time boyfriend that I was panicking and was depresssed. How was this his problem?

It’s amazing how people forget that you are an adult… making adult decisions every single day of your life. I truly believe that my mother lives under the impression that we are all twelve years old. I believe that this is true even though I am nearly thirty-five years old. My brother is married with a child and my sister is nearly engaged to be married and has a massively busy career. Sometimes it’s easier to let my mother live under this delusion. Sometimes, it’s a huge burden and annoys the crap out of me.

Sex Trade of Minors in India October 17, 2008

Please check out the news coverage of sex trade of minors in India here. While you are at the site, please check out other news stories of Human Trafficking from around the world.

Chloe October 17, 2008

The most fearful part of my journey has come. It’s in my face. It’s scaring the crap out of me. I have to give away my dog. Thinking of this brings tears to my eyes, and actually hurts.

I know that Chloe is going to go to a good home. Heather and her family will love her like they have always had her. But after four years together, we have gotten used to each other like a married couple would. She knows my moods. She knows when to crawl into my lap and love me. I know when she isn’t feeling well by the look in her eyes. I can tell when she thinks that she has done something wrong. I can tell when she has to pee by the way that she stands near me. She can tell when I have had a rough day, she follows me around and wants me to pick her up so that she can give me kisses to make the problems go away.

After Chloe’s previous owner, Marilyn, died of cancer four years ago I promised Chloe that she would never have to find a new family. I feel guilty and sad. She has become like a child to me. I feel like I’m giving away my kid and that sucks.

I have a lot of support in this. Big Time pointed out that giving her away now and getting her settled into her new home will be good for me. Preparing for India means that these things have to happen. I understand this, but it doesn’t make it any easier. I cried all the way home from Raleigh last night. I called Heather and knew that she would try to find the right thing to say.

Heather and I decided that she will take Chloe home on Saturday, after the party at the commune. I will refrain from checking on her until Tuesday, when I have to meet Big Time in Raleigh for our run at the gym.

This sucks.

Run Faster Bitch October 16, 2008

After power-walking (I feel like an old lady using this phrase) the lake on Sunday, and the elliptical machine/running on the treadmill on Tuesday, I realized that my foot is completely jacked up. I mean, it really friggin’ hurts. This is the same foot that I thought that I had broken when I fell off of the couch at the Greenhouse a few weeks back. I went to my chiropractor yesterday and he suggested that I take the rest of the week off of training with Big Time. This sucks, as I am about to sign us both up for a 5K run on Thanksgiving Day here in Wake Forest.

I am bound and determine to run at least half of this thing. The 5K was a goal of mine earlier this year and I had neglected it. Now, nothing will stop me if I have to crawl across the finish line.

On another note, after being adjusted yesterday my cough has been more productive and the creature that lives in my chest is being forced to find new accommodations. I sound rough, but I am feeling better. My sexy/sick voice is starting to go away some… which makes me happy.

Technology Sucks and Also Rocks October 14, 2008

I can’t believe how much of my life revolves around a three inch piece of plastic.

I have been waiting for my new bank card since I moved into the commune and it’s not here yet. This really sucks because I need gas. So, because gas stations generally don’t take checks (yes, I have looked into this), I have to drive to the bank and write a check for cash so that I have cash to get gas.

I want my friggin’ bank card.

I have written more checks in the past three weeks than I have in the past three years. Since I am physically incapable of balancing my checkbook, this really chaps my ass that I have to keep track of this stuff. Hence, the beauty of on-line banking.

I want my friggin’ bank card.