...Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said of his newly appointed starting quarterback, rookie Jay Cutler.
Classy, Shanahan. Very classy.
Update: Sunday has passed ... "nanner nanner."
"He's our future; he's our present"...
...Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said of his newly appointed starting quarterback, rookie Jay Cutler.
Classy, Shanahan. Very classy.
Update: Sunday has passed ... "nanner nanner."
Annoyed
Mike Shanahan (AKA "The Genius") has decided to start the Broncos' second-string quarterback over Jake Plummer this weekend. So much brilliance I cannot describe. This will truly solve all his problems -- even his defensive ones! How? I have no earthly idea ... but The Genius must. Why else would he choose a rookie over a veteran this late in the season? Bravo, Shanahan. I now have the rare opportunity to root against Denver this weekend. So thank you at the very least for broadening my sports fan horizons.
And to Jake, a (GASP!) less-than-perfect quarterback -- I'm sorry, man, that you're the fall guy for all the problems on your team. We'll always root for you, friend, whether you're playing or not.
What this day is all about...
"The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving."
~ H.U. Westermayer
Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
More proof that the N-word must go
Michael Richards' entertainment career is over after video surfaced of him shouting racial slurs at hecklers during a stand-up performance in a comedy club. Last night he appeared on David Letterman's show to apologize for his outrageous actions.
As part of his apology, Richards talked about a rage that took over as he confronted the rude audience members. What could have been handled professionally and even humorously turned shockingly ugly -- a far cry from the lovable Kramer we're accustomed to.
I couldn't help but think of Mel Gibson, as well, who had to say he was exceedingly sorry for anti-semitic remarks he made while drunk.
It was stupid, irresponsible and hateful of these men to speak those words. There is no excuse, only apology.
Yet I wonder how often these hateful slurs would surface if they weren't in our collective American vernacular? Gibson at least can say he was drunk -- who among drinkers has not said something outrageous while inebriated? Richards has no "defense" at all, really. He got angry and said awful things because he wouldn't control himself.
I'm thinking of a conversation Oprah had with rapper Ludacris when he was on her show to promote the movie "Crash." Oprah is not much of a rap fan, for those who don't know. She finds the "N-word" highly offensive, and rightly so. Artists such as Ludacris defend their use of racial slurs because as black people, they're "owning" the terms -- loosely related to the logic of "laugh at yourself before others laugh at you." Only instead of "laugh," it's "label."
At a "multicultural education" night in college, one man tried a different approach to help us non-minorities understand: Among my family, I may call my sister words like "idiot" or "moron." But if Suzy Chapstick from the down the street yells at my sister and calls her a "moron," I jump to my sister's defense and want to kick Suzy's butt.
OK, I get that. But ideally, shouldn't I just stop calling my sister a "moron"? If the N-word is damaging for a white comedian to say, it should be damaging for ANYONE to say. It's an ugly word with years of hatred and brutality tied to it.
As long as the N-word is being bandied about in our consciousness, it can push itself to the forefront of our thoughts at any given moment -- all the more in moments of blind rage or a drunken stupor.
THIS WORD DOES NOT BELONG ANYWHERE IN OUR VOCABULARY.
The big day
Thursday is Thanksgiving. More importantly, it's the first Thanksgiving for which I'll play hostess. And I am floored.
I really enjoy entertaining, and try to do it often in spite of our apartment living situation. Is it big enough for eight people at once? Technically, yes. Will four of us invariably be in the kitchen at the same time and bump into one another's bums, which may lead to frustration? Without a doubt, yes. But still I couldn't be happier. I actually think close quarters are best -- when family is involved, I like when the room gets almost uncomfortably warm and five different conversations are going on at once within earshot. It's melodic chaos to me.
For those of you keeping tabs, this also means I'll be attempting my first turkey. It's a rite of passage of sorts for lady-folk, as my husband keenly noted -- "like when guys start scratching themselves." The heart of a poet, that one :)
So, what are y'all doing for Thanksgiving?
Dumb jocks?
As explained in this article, a soccer team in North Carolina has been suspended for playing a Nazi propaganda speech over the loud speakers before a game (they had thought it was Hitler when they picked it). Apparently the teammates liked the "on to victory" phrase in the speech.
Hmmmmm. What's just as puzzling as these kids not foreseeing the negative consequences of their actions is the idea that Nazis were somehow a picture of victory for them.
What DO they teach the kids these days?
Hmmmmm. What's just as puzzling as these kids not foreseeing the negative consequences of their actions is the idea that Nazis were somehow a picture of victory for them.
What DO they teach the kids these days?
Introductions
This is Miss W, one of my oldest and dearest friends. She is new to the blogosphere and, if her first post is any indication, will provide a unique flavor. Please stop by: Denelian
Constant comfort
What a bunch of pansies modernity has made of us.
If it's cold outside, we're accustomed to being warm no matter which interior we end up in. Heaven forbid there be some houses or offices that are cooler than others. It's one thing to feel cold and point it out. It's another to repeat the sentiment every three or so minutes.
Hello? Conditions are not always optimum. Deal with it! (And yes, I'm talking myself as well.) Will you be warm again? Before you die? If yes, then zip it.
If it's cold outside, we're accustomed to being warm no matter which interior we end up in. Heaven forbid there be some houses or offices that are cooler than others. It's one thing to feel cold and point it out. It's another to repeat the sentiment every three or so minutes.
Hello? Conditions are not always optimum. Deal with it! (And yes, I'm talking myself as well.) Will you be warm again? Before you die? If yes, then zip it.
"Follow your bliss"
Defining your bliss is invigorating. Finding it must be amazing. But following it? Not so blissful. It's uphill; there's a nagging urgency and constant longing. One must always remind one's self to take steps back and take deep breaths. Inhale ... Exhale ...
"Go and do all that is in your heart for the Lord is with you." (II Samuel 7:3b).
What else can I do?
"Go and do all that is in your heart for the Lord is with you." (II Samuel 7:3b).
What else can I do?
Finally
I am really interested in this book. It's called "Female Chauvinist Pigs: Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture," and the title alone should spark some curiosity.
I saw an interview with the author, Ariel Levy, on "The Colbert Report" and was intrigued. It seems she has been able to intelligently articulate the very thing I rant about at least once a week: Women objectifying themselves with the justification of "owning their sexuality," while unwittingly giving any ounce of power to the men around them. Most interesting to me in Levy's interview were her observations of young women at "Girls Gone Wild" tapings, who effect stripper moves for their male audience. Levy said there's something seriously wrong when women emulate women who are only stimulating pleasure. Authenticity is no longer achieved.
Wow. Awesome statement. I hope that many women -- from "Girls Gone Wild" to "The Girls Next Door" -- will take a look at what this book is getting at.
Palatable
For a month now I've been waiting for the other shoe drop on NBC's new hit, "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip."
It really is a superior show (no surprise with Aaron Sorkin at the helm), despite the heavy use of "Christian right" material. It's smart, funny and thoughtful with a superb cast.
That cast includes Sarah Paulson as Harriet Hayes, a "devout" Southern Baptist who's actually quite cool for a Christian character on TV. She says a few lame things every now and then, but mostly she's sharp -- discerning between Christians who ought to be off-limits on the fictional comedy show and those who are all but asking for it.
Ever since the show started, I was wondering how they were going to handle the whole sex thing with her. It's inevitable because one of the central plots is her long-term relationship with one of the show's writers, who is not a Christian. On Monday night, they cleared the air.
As her character was being interviewed behind the scenes, a reputable journalist asks about the conflict between her faith and the content of the sketch show. What about a skit with pre-marital sex? "I have no problem with pre-marital sex," Harriet replies. "It might be the only sex I ever have."
Ah, there it is. Not only is it a reach that a Southern Baptist woman who prays daily wouldn't have a problem with fornication, but it's kind of sad. This is how they're going to make her character palatable -- she's got to be compromising. Should they try to pass off a Christian character as flawless? No. That's why it would have been better for them to at least make her conflicted about it (i.e. she has sex, but doesn't think it's great for her). Instead they make her milquetoast.
The upside is there's a prime-time Christian character on TV who doesn't pledge allegiance to Pat Robertson and is actually intelligent. Baby steps, I guess.
It really is a superior show (no surprise with Aaron Sorkin at the helm), despite the heavy use of "Christian right" material. It's smart, funny and thoughtful with a superb cast.
That cast includes Sarah Paulson as Harriet Hayes, a "devout" Southern Baptist who's actually quite cool for a Christian character on TV. She says a few lame things every now and then, but mostly she's sharp -- discerning between Christians who ought to be off-limits on the fictional comedy show and those who are all but asking for it.
Ever since the show started, I was wondering how they were going to handle the whole sex thing with her. It's inevitable because one of the central plots is her long-term relationship with one of the show's writers, who is not a Christian. On Monday night, they cleared the air.
As her character was being interviewed behind the scenes, a reputable journalist asks about the conflict between her faith and the content of the sketch show. What about a skit with pre-marital sex? "I have no problem with pre-marital sex," Harriet replies. "It might be the only sex I ever have."
Ah, there it is. Not only is it a reach that a Southern Baptist woman who prays daily wouldn't have a problem with fornication, but it's kind of sad. This is how they're going to make her character palatable -- she's got to be compromising. Should they try to pass off a Christian character as flawless? No. That's why it would have been better for them to at least make her conflicted about it (i.e. she has sex, but doesn't think it's great for her). Instead they make her milquetoast.
The upside is there's a prime-time Christian character on TV who doesn't pledge allegiance to Pat Robertson and is actually intelligent. Baby steps, I guess.
For Helen
We all have enemies in this life, Lord willing.
If you are a man or woman of principle, you will encounter opposition if you stick to your guns. In the 11 days since Helen Chenoweth-Hage's passing, many words of remembrance have been uttered -- many drenched with love and some dripping with hate. The latter came from people who never met the lady. Anyone who had the pleasure would choose their words carefully and graciously. Of course it's sad that so many did not encounter her, and thus twist their political disagreements into personal ambushes. But for the last 11 days, and for the rest of my life, their words fall away like water off a duck's back -- they're empty and obsolete. Helen's best qualities are the ones that will be remembered. Her faith, grace, genuineness, class and strength are indelible.
I didn't write the following; I heard it on a television show. But I love it. For Helen...
I stand on a mountaintop
As the great bird approaches,
She is small in my sight
but grows larger on approach
Until I am blessed with the full sight
with her graceful wing...
all too quickly she grows small again
on the horizon,
and disappears from view,
and I cry out "there, she's gone"
but there are other mountaintops beyond me,
and at the precise moment when I note the
great bird's departure from my view,
I know there are new eyes,
taking up the sight of her,
and fresh voices calling out "here she comes"
If you are a man or woman of principle, you will encounter opposition if you stick to your guns. In the 11 days since Helen Chenoweth-Hage's passing, many words of remembrance have been uttered -- many drenched with love and some dripping with hate. The latter came from people who never met the lady. Anyone who had the pleasure would choose their words carefully and graciously. Of course it's sad that so many did not encounter her, and thus twist their political disagreements into personal ambushes. But for the last 11 days, and for the rest of my life, their words fall away like water off a duck's back -- they're empty and obsolete. Helen's best qualities are the ones that will be remembered. Her faith, grace, genuineness, class and strength are indelible.
I didn't write the following; I heard it on a television show. But I love it. For Helen...
I stand on a mountaintop
As the great bird approaches,
She is small in my sight
but grows larger on approach
Until I am blessed with the full sight
with her graceful wing...
all too quickly she grows small again
on the horizon,
and disappears from view,
and I cry out "there, she's gone"
but there are other mountaintops beyond me,
and at the precise moment when I note the
great bird's departure from my view,
I know there are new eyes,
taking up the sight of her,
and fresh voices calling out "here she comes"
Running to stand still
I've decided there are few things more satisfying in the 21st century than forced stalling.
A couple weeks back, after driving girlfriday to the airport, she called me from a pay phone to say she'd forgotten to pack her cell phone so we shouldn't try to reach her on it. A few hours later she discovered it was a false alarm and the phone was just hidden in her makeup bag. She confessed to me that those few hours were actually quite liberating, and finding her phone was even a little bit of a letdown.
Without her phone, girlfriday couldn't answer or make calls -- it was out of her hands and out of her control. After the first five minutes or so of panic wash over, situations like this are kind of comforting.
It's the same effect when I'm driving down a busy street and the car in front of me is going the same speed as the car beside me. Both are too slow, but I can't do anything about it. Even though I'm a typically efficient driver, it feels a little good to know that getting to my destination on my own time ain't gonna happen.
There's one more way that letting go is a beautiful thing.
A couple weeks back, after driving girlfriday to the airport, she called me from a pay phone to say she'd forgotten to pack her cell phone so we shouldn't try to reach her on it. A few hours later she discovered it was a false alarm and the phone was just hidden in her makeup bag. She confessed to me that those few hours were actually quite liberating, and finding her phone was even a little bit of a letdown.
Without her phone, girlfriday couldn't answer or make calls -- it was out of her hands and out of her control. After the first five minutes or so of panic wash over, situations like this are kind of comforting.
It's the same effect when I'm driving down a busy street and the car in front of me is going the same speed as the car beside me. Both are too slow, but I can't do anything about it. Even though I'm a typically efficient driver, it feels a little good to know that getting to my destination on my own time ain't gonna happen.
There's one more way that letting go is a beautiful thing.
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