Snow Despair

I've been in a bit of a funk today.  We've been mostly snowed in for the past few days.  I got out last night and was able to do some Christmas shopping for Lori, but I'm probably only 2/3 done.  I don't know if I'll be able to get the rest done before Christmas, but I guess I get a second chance as we're celebrating a second Christmas a few days after for family who skipped the snow for sunny Mexico.

I've been trying to figure out the funk.  I have a list... Obama... FOCA... the cancellation of Eli Stone, My Own Worst Enemy and Pushing Daisies... the economy... our need to refigure out the remainder of our home purchase... some things at work that have been more challenging that I know how to handle... I don't know.  No real good decent or real reason.  Maybe the lack of caffine all day.  Maybe the really crappy sleep last night.  I don't know. 

I feel like I need a pick-me-up.  But I think that's something I need to come up with on my own. 

Day 312

Tomorrow will be day 1,013 that we've lived in this house.  It will also be day 312 that my mother-in-law has not lived in the house.  There was a blow-out on Thursday and the line, crossed so long ago, became a straw that broke.  She would be out of this house by the end of this weekend, no matter what.  And she is.  This will be the first time that the four of us will be living together - alone - ever, since she's been here the whole time Ben's been with us, living in what was to be his nursery.   A weight has been lifted.

Stupid Politicians

Republican or Democrat, I hate them all.  I do not want to see the stupid Congressional Response to Automakers' Problems act get passed.  Riddled with problems and pork and derided by both sides of the aisle.  Please, please sink it.  

New Species

 

Some photos of new species.

New Face

Is it racist of me to think (or hope) that because Barack Obama is black that more focus will be made towards the African continent in the next four years? It may be a land of no-opportunity based in part on geography and resources, but as I read that rapes are on the rise and child soldiers are being recruited in the Congo that it's just stunning to me that the cruelties of this continent have been allowed to go on for as long as they have.

And with China then raping the continent of its resources, it just seems like in the long run, things will only get worse. (This is, by the way, a really long, but a really good read.)

I want to hurt for these people in their conditions -- which I recognize that I cannot even comprehend -- but I'm instead filled with anger towards the rest of the world that turns a blind eye as country after country on that continent does stupid things to its own people. Which in turn, in my opinion, makes us just as complicit as the person who seems someone being mugged and turns their head, more firmly gripping their cell phone in their pocket and walks on, doing absolutely nothing. And I'm not talking about giving money to help (which I would recommend as employee of a major non-profit that does provide aid to some of the poorest on this planet) but I'm talking about special forces assassinations of cruel dictators and warlords and helping good and earnest leaders to build a stable and lasting government structure that empowers people to improve their own lives and in turn prevents them from continuing to be passive victims, unwilling or unable to realize that their life can and must be better. (Yeah, we need to remind them all of the fact that there are far more ants than grasshoppers but now I'm aimed towards a tangent.)

I Have No Words

I had a really rough night. I lack the verbal ability to adequately express my feelings. They are much better now, but yeah. Pain, anger, frustration. Bad night's sleep. Admiration, gratefulness, awe. How Lori dealt with it, even before you compare it to me. I have to go to the office for a full days' work. Lori will be here dealing with two children, one of whom is apparently unwell, for that same length of time plus the extra hour when I stop for lunch (or however much of it I take).

Dear Mother-in-Law

Dear Mother-in-Law,

Every time I think I'm having a good day, you ruin it.

Good show.
James

P.S. Get out.