The evolution of connection in modern times....

So, is it me or are there less brag Christmas cards going around this year? I like that. My theory is that it's because more people are doing family blogs and, well, that's where they do most of their bragging. But, seriously, even there, it seems people are bragging less. I like that.

Now, I do also notice that people are connecting in increasing quantity...but not quality. Lots of texting, blogging, facebooking, twittering going on. (I still have to understand twitter better- that's on my list of things to do next year- to understand it, I mean.) I mean, these days, I seem to have a lot of quick connections with people. Short, easy messages to express frustration, affection, connection, what have you.

But, I get the sense that I'm having less meaningful, deep, and vulnerable conversations with people. Also, is it possible that there are less person to person verbal conversations? I wonder. I wonder if that's been looked at yet....I'm sure it has. Listen, I'm just saying that if this keeps up...in 50 years, will there be less need for talking? How 'bout in 100 years? Or 500 years? Will our vocal chords be like one of those organs that our bodies no longer need, therefore, shrink in size or become unneccesary through subsequent generations? Hmmmm.

Giving Thanks

Once again, it's time to give thanks, officially, I mean. To be honest, this year I have focused more on giving thanks all year long than in other years past. So on this particular day of Thanksgiving, I have been reminded of more unusual things for me than the normal. Particularly, my health. Joaquin's ordeal, as well as many other reminders I have had lately has made me much more aware of the wonderful way our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have created our bodies. I am grateful for a strong and healthy body that can do so many things. Yes, I get more aches and pains than in the past. Yes, I get self-concious of my body and often wish it was less....bountiful. Butt, (pun intended), I can see, hear, dance, run and sweat, cuddle, ski (for which I am craving, thank you!), etc etc. Oh boy, it's not perfect. But perfect for my needs.

Sunday Laughs and Carbs

I wanna know what's the deal with Sundays and pig-outs. Why do I always pig out like I'm about to hibernate for months and have to store as much fat as possible in my body...on Sundays? I'm bored for like, 5 minutes, then I decide it's time to eat something. So, as I'm eating my 3rd bowl of cereal, I happen to turn to E!- I'm watching 101 Most Unforgetable Moments on Saturday Night Live. I'm laughing so hard I can't eat.

Eddie Murphy- Black Like Me "Go on, take it!" (I'm still laughing about that)

Phil Hartman as Frank Sinatra- "I ain't afraid of you, I got chunks of guys like you in my stool!"

Lyle, the effeminite heterosexual

Sprockets

Hannukah Harry

The Church Lady

Chris Farley- "I'm 35 years old! And I live in a trailer down by the river!"

I need more cowbell

"Strategery. Lock Box."

"A three hour tour! A three hour tour!"

and so on....more Cap'n Crunch Berries anyone?

On the President-Elect

Rewind to a July, 4 years ago in a Park City timeshare. It was a warm evening. Belo, Bela and the rest of the family lazing around after hours of swimming. I'm sitting at the kitchen table. Peanut M&Ms and Strawberry Twizzlers being passed around from person to person. The tv is on. Channel surfing. Nothing of interest. Pause at MSNBC. It's the Democratic Convention. A handsome young black man is speaking. Who is that? Let's see what he has to say. Within 5 minutes, it is apparent. Abuela turns to everyone and prophetically says "Wow. That's man is gonna be the President of the United States!" The rest of us are in awe-and we're all thinking "Yeah, no kidding". We listen intently, and don't turn the channel until after he is finished. Not one of us in that room considered ourselves Democrats. Not one, yet we were all frozen, hanging on to every word that came out of that unknown's mouth.

Fast forward back to November 4th. I voted. I won't publicize who I voted for, but I joined billions of Americans as we watched the news, as the map of the United States begins to take on those well-known colors of red and blue- lots of blue. (I watched Tom Brokaw pull out that white board from the last election. Awww! I miss Tim Russert!) History unfolding.

Then I watched Senator McCain give his concession speech. I was touched. I was impressed. I absolutely loved the grace and leadership he projected.

On to Obama. I witness history. I was touched. I was impressed. I was moved. All I kept thinking was, no matter who you voted for, you can't help but be moved by this man. You can't help but be moved to witness such an unforgettable moment in the history of this nation. I, too, like many others, hope that he continues to inspire and lead and move us. I kept thinking, I hope I never forget this moment.

Dems been dark days

Hi! remember me?
I'm curlygirl and I write my thoughts here. It's been awhile. Why?

Dems been dark days. Been reading Dracula. Been working alot. Been Facebookin' too. Not that it really matters because I have, like, what? 3 readers who read this?

And I haven't read other people's blogs either.

On a brighter note, did anyone see Marion Jones's post prison interview on Oprah? I didn't, but wish I did.

Since you asked, I am proud of her. I'm proud that she came clean. Is she still a role model? Yes. A role model for people who are willing to take responsibility for their behavior. Remember...she wasn't caught. She came clean and confessed- without being cornered. Can you imagine being in her shoes? Actually, I can't. Due to the fact that, well, she runs pretty fast. With or without performance enhancers. Performance enhancers. Hee hee hee! That makes me giggle. Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Years ago, the word "performance" used to conjure up thoughts such as automobiles, horsepower, musicians, dancers, the arts. Now I think of...male peformance...male performance enhancers...little blue pill...hee hee hee. Oh damn those stupid Cialis/ Viagra commercials. Oh...I've got some thoughts about those commercials!

#1- who looks that good at that age?! They make those men and women look like they're friggin in the prime of their lives lookswise. Every one of them! Reality- most (I know, not all) people that age don't look that amazing. We're talking a little more weight around the middle- at best.

#2- who the hell puts two stand alone tubs in the middle of their front yard overlooking the sunset?! And even worse, who the hell wants to sit in a tub sitting in a front yard? Naked?! Lady, if you're with a guy who likes to sit naked in a tub in plain view of others, you got a lot more to worry about than his performance.

#3- sometimes I can't get that stupid ViVa Viagra! song outa my head!

Anywhooo.

I'm back. Maybe I can keep this blog up. Hope so. More thoughts to come when i think of them. In the meantime, Vivaaaaaa Viagra!

Don't drive like my brotha!

Okay, let me give you a tip...you gotta listen to NPR at 10 am on Saturday mornings! You gotta!
There's this show on called Car Talk hosted by a couple of brothers out of Boston. Holy Crap they're funny. Really funny. You don't have to love cars to really dig the show. I dig it. How did I find them? I stumbled on to them a few weeks ago while driving around running errands. For some reason, I'd never heard of them before. No one's ever talked about them. When I mentioned them to my dad, he immediately responded with "Oh, I love them! The're hilarious! I used to listen to them on my way to the office and I used to laugh my head off!" Then I wondered...it's NPR, I'm in Utah, and I just left a different age bracket. That's why.

Then, after that, listen to the 11 am show called Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me. Warning. It's very funny, BUT I didn't like it as much the first couple of times I listened to it. Now I think it's hilarious too. It's a gameshow based on the news over the past week, and you kinda have to keep up with the news to get a lot of the jokes.

Anyway, these 2 shows are great to listen to on Sat mornings while you're cleaning the house, running errands in the car, etc. You'll be glad you did.

Rejected.

So, I'll admit it. I lurk. Through the stroke of luck, or genius, several months ago i found several blogs of people I know through other people, etc. And I check on them regularly. There are a few blogs that I quite like reading...but then one fine day, I clicked on one I hadn't checked on for awhile only to find

the door locked

no trespassing.

They're soooooo exclusive. Who do they think they are?! Special?! Too good for us? Private club for members only?

I hate it when people do that. (but not when they've always done that, just the ones who suddenly do that. So that doesn't count you Rachelle or you Heidi, just others)