Phone Post:

Not what I was expecting

So like I said, I ran into a dinosaur and some clowns today. I wasn't expecting that but this is what happens when you completely forget that there's a Thanksgiving parade going on. In my defense, it's not Thanksgiving yet. It's not my fault if they pre-parade for the holidays.

I had actually gone out to get some shopping done, but the parade was close enough to the shopping center that I was going to that I was able to walk down and watch some of it. By sheer luck I ended up in what is possibly the best place to stand, as it was the crossroads where they start everyone off. Thus guaranteeing that I could see everything, plus that I could watch the balloon handlers trying to get these enormous balloons to fit between two stoplights. I have to say you really haven't lived until you've seen a T-Rex trying to duck under a stoplight.

On the other hand, there were clowns. Luckily we made no eye contact.

Shopping went well. I know own boots to go with the skirt that needed boots. They aren't the ideal boots I had in mind, but they go and they were on sale, so I shan't complain. I also now own cards to mail out to everyone, more lights for my tree (my hope is to decorate for Christmas next weekend), and a new cast-iron skillet which I'm going to use tonight to make cornbread. I do not own a wreath for my front door (my wreath last year ended up breaking thanks to the deep freeze of winter) but I suppose that can come all in good time.

Speaking of the holidays, I have been asked if I have a wishlist. ( Yes, I do. )

I hasten to add that this is not a demand for gifts on my part, or is it that I am expecting any, but rather because thanks to my sister in law I know there's few things more frustrating than when you want to buy a gift for somebody and they make it hard for you. Personally, I like it when people make wish lists known because if I want to get them something it's so much nicer knowing I'm getting them something that they want or would like.

So, related to that, I encourage all of you to post your wish lists, whatever they may be (I know there's a fannish meme going around to this extent as well). I can't promise that I'll have money or time to send gifts to everyone, but it's still nice having the option =)

Now to put things away and get to making cornbread =)

Must control fist of DEATH

Found thanks to trollprincess: Conservatives Urge Closer Look at Marriage.

Okay, I'm glad that those who are claiming to be "pro-marriage, not anti-gay" are actually trying to at least pretend to give a shit about doing things to actually protect heterosexual marriages, and I'm glad that these guys are at least vaguely getting in the area of things that do possibly hurt heteosexual marriages but dude, DUDE! Am I the only one who wants to sit these people down and ask how it's any of their damned business? Who are they to say it's their job to make sure anybody is happily married? Isn't the goal an overall happy and healthy society, be it with marriage, single living, or none of the above?

Don't get me wrong, if they're just saying that there are some people who could be happily married if not for things in our society which make it hard for them (eg laws which make it hard for people to support their spouses and/or families) then yes, by all means let's fix that. But when I read this article I can't help but get a sense that what's really going on here is the govermental version of a bunch of old biddies clucking their tongues and trying to pair everyone up out of some obsessive-compulsive urge to make things neater, and fall into compartments that they, personally, are more comfortable with.

And let's not even get started on "deliberate childlessness". If somebody has voluntarily decided not to have kids for whatever reason we should be thanking them for making a mature decision and doing their part to make sure there aren't unwanted children in the world. I suppose if that's a sooper sekrit code for abortions I could kind of get why they'd mention it, but considering that this gang seems to think happiness=marriage I wouldn't be surprised to find out if these were full quiver folks as well (ie We're only serving God if we pop out as many babies as possible - after all, God will take care!).

Plus? Speaking as somebody who's pro-life? You don't support the cause of pro-life by getting on people's asses for not having kids. You support the cause of pro-life via education and birth control. (Amongst other things, but here I'm just talking about the closing the barn door too late problem.)

So, you know, argh.