Marketing for JC?

I was driving home on the highway, and I passed a car with a bumper sticker that said, "Jesus". I had to ask myself, "why does Jesus need a bumper sticker?" It seems really unnecessary. I'm pretty sure that people know about him -- even people who don't believe in him.

Get a Room

Last week, I was in a local Target store picking up some household items. Normally, I love being at Target. It is the one store that I can go into specifically looking for one item and emerge with fifteen completely random items. I usually wander up and down all the aisles looking at the new products for sale or looking to see if anything is on sale. Last week, I was, admittedly, not my usual chipper self. I had been suffering from a severe cold for several days that robbed me of my voice and completely eliminated my ability to breathe through my nose. So, this trip to Target was strictly an in and out type visit. So, I began to zoom around Target to get the items I needed. Everything was going smoothly and then there they were. Two little lovebirds. Now, do not get me wrong. I am not completely against public displays of affection. If you feel the absolute need to give your significant other a kiss, by all means do so. I only draw the line when you are blocking the Tide. So, this couple was sharing a kiss in front of the laundry detergent. Not wanting to interrupt their love bubble, I discretely pulled my cart (with the five billion pounds of paper products I was buying - there is no chance we will be running out of toilet paper, kleenex or paper towels any time soon) next to them in an effort to say "excuse me, please move your love somewhere else." I waited. No movement. So, I moved a little bit closer. Nothing. I made clearing of the throat noise. No movement. I gave a little sigh. Nothing. Then, finally after what seemed like a lifetime, they finished their exchange of saliva and moved on. Honestly people, get a room so that the rest of us can retrieve our Tide in peace.

Books Online

I stumbled upon the following site: The Online Books Page. The site provides a listing of free books online.

Finding Happiness Under Your Nose

Several days ago, I finished reading "The Late Bloomer's Revolution: A Memoir" by Amy Cohen. The author takes us through her life journey. A large part of that life journey was her unsuccessful, but laugh out loud, attempts to find "the one". The author is sort of on a pursuit to find a happiness or what maybe society says will make her happy only to wake up one day to discover that she is happy. The book itself is a great and fast read.

I have in recent years been in pursuit of something that I think will bring me great happiness. Of course, that pursuit is to be a parent. For so long, I have wanted to be a mom. To be told that you may never have your "own" child is completely devastating. The doctors become almost the enemy, the great naysayers. What do they know? So, you spend countless hours, days and years, obsessing about ovulation. Is this the month of the miracle baby? Each time you are disappointed. You think, if I could only have a baby, then I will be happy. In recent months, I have begun to think that maybe a kid will not bring me happiness. Maybe, I am pursuing an illusion of happiness. Maybe, just maybe, I am happy now with my husband and dogs. Maybe that's the great lesson that comes with all of this. Maybe like the author Amy Cohen, happiness is just right under my nose.

Election 2008

"Change has come to America" -- Barack Obama, President-Elect of the United States

Talking Doggies

I finished reading a book that I think is a must read for any dog lovers out there. The book is entitled, "Walking in Circles Before Lying Down" by Merrill Markoe. The main character is Dawn Tarnauer. She works in as a dog sitter and in a vet's office operating the doggie daycare. She's had a bit of bad luck in her love life. She's had two divorces, and she just cannot find that special someone. Halfway through the book, Dawn suddenly is able to hear her dog talk. Well, not just her dog, she can hear all dogs. They provide commentary on her life as they see it. The dogs critique her love life and give their opinion on whom she should be dating.

As the owner of two dogs, I wonder what my dogs would say about my life if they could talk? I can't imagine that my dogs would be all that interested in my life. They pretty much live for sleep, the backyard, walks and food. One dog is extremely high strung and likes to eat my furniture. The other dog is extremely laid back. I am just one of two people who help them get what they want, when they want it. Nevertheless, it would be interesting to here my dogs' commentary on my life.

My favorite character in the book is Halley - the main characters sister. She is a life coach to the stars and part time life coach to her sister Dawn. Ironically, she's probably the one who needs a life coach - she carries on a relationship with Scott Peterson as in death row guy & once married to Laci. From Scott, Halley's relationship choices just go downhill from there.

Overall, it was a good book and a pretty fast read.

The Gender Issue

I just finished reading a very interesting article on the NY Times website. The article, Women’s Support for Clinton Rises in Wake of Perceived Sexism, published January 10, 2008, was very intriguing and reflected in some way what I have been feeling. The article examined why some women have changed the candidate they support for the Democratic Presidential nomination. This change did not occur until after Hillary Clinton's loss in the Iowa Democratic Caucus/Primary. The reason for the switch was a general feeling that Clinton's loss has highlighted sexism that seems to still exist in this country. According to the article, Clinton has been criticized for the pitch of her voice, the bright colors of her suit, for staying with her husband after his affair, for getting choked up, etc. These criticisms are typically made of the male candidates. Women have found that they too have faced similar criticism in their lives either during their education or in the workplace. This realization has found some women feeling drawn to support Clinton.

It is a very interesting conundrum. Do you vote for someone because his or her ideas and political philosophy may be closer to your own? Do you vote gender because you can understand the fight and struggle that woman still face today? I too find myself more and more thinking I may actually support Clinton's candidacy rather than my first choice for the nomination. The reason seems to be gender. The criticism of her does not seem to center around her policies or ideas, but rather it is more personal in nature. I too cannot help wondering if some of her criticism is not due to sexism. I think that women of my generation do not have as big of a struggle as previous generations of women. In my prospective, I think as a woman, you are pretty much free to pursue any career you want. I do not believe anyone will say you cannot chose that career because your a woman. Maybe the inequality exists below the surface. Does anybody complain about the pitch of a man's voice?

It is all very interesting and you should read the NY Times article.