The Ring

Tuesday night was a night that changed our lives forever!  Most of you all know that I recently gave Emily an engagement ring, but most of you don't know the story. So here it is.

For several months now, I've been planning on giving Emily a ring.  After much research and consulting with close friends and family, I found the ring I wanted to give her.  Words cannot express my gratitude to my father for giving me his mother's engagement ring to give to Emily.  I never met my grandmother (she died before I was born), but I was lucky to enjoy 17 years with my Grandpa.  And just knowing he gave his wife that ring makes it that much more special.  I will be forever grateful to Dad for giving us this ring.  It has changed everything. So thank you Dad Kelly. I love you so much!

After my parents planned to give me the ring, I decided it would be respectful to contact Emily's parents and tell them my plans.  I spoke with her mom and told her I was giving Emily a ring, told her what it was for, and where it was coming from. After that conversation, I felt confident in my decision to give Emily this ring.   We had the love and support from our friends and family and it was time for me to show her my commitment. 

We recently went home to WI and while we were in Rhinelander, Dad had taken the ring to get appraised at a jeweler. We picked it up and I've had it with me ever since.  Once we got back to FL, I really couldn't wait much longer to give the ring to Emily.  It was burning a hole in my pocket and I had to give it to her.

I decided Tuesday 6 July was the day.  It was a random, spontaneous day and she wouldn't have suspected anything.  I had been thinking for months about what I wanted to do, how I wanted to do it, and what I wanted to say.  So I chose something that wasn't too out of character for me.  Something simple and sweet.

I had written Emily a letter a while ago with what I wanted to say, so I took Tuesday afternoon to perfect it.  I then sent Emily a text message saying: "Your mission if you choose to accept it: Dinner with me tonight on Hollywood Beach".  Immediately she responds: "Are you paying?" I had to laugh. She would ask that! She assumed we'd be going out to eat when all along I was planning a beach picnic.

Then I called the flower shop down the road and asked if they had sunflowers in stock (in Southern FL, they sell out immediately) and as luck would have it, they had some left! They are Em's favorite flower so I got a small bouquet and brought it home.  I whipped up some raw veggie and cheese kabobs along with some sliced strawberries, wine, and beer and packed a cooler and waited impatiently for her to get home!  When I saw her getting out of her car, my heart was pounding in my chest and I was extremely nervous (which if any of you really know me, I don't get nervous about much).

When Emily got home, I told her I had a surprise for her.  She was surprised with the flowers (which she loved) and I told her we'd be going to the beach for a picnic.  When she asked why (which I knew she would), I told her we were having a picnic since we didn't get to celebrate the 4th of July since we were in airports and on planes all day.  And of course she believed it.

The weather at the beach could not have been more perfect.  It was a beautiful evening despite being hazy and overcast, but at least the hot sun wasn't beating down on us.  The water was calm, the breeze was cool and there weren't many people at the beach.  So we ate the kabobs and strawberries and drank our alcohol, just relaxing at the beach.  We were talking about what we did at work that day and then I said "You know what else I did at work today? I wrote you a letter." She proceeded to call me a dork but read it anyway.

The letter basically said how I believe every decision I've ever made has led me to her.  That I love her and will always support and encourage her.  How she has made me be a better person and how grateful I am that she's in my life.  How she is the best part of me.  And to top it off, I wrote "In the words of Kelly Clarkson: My Life Would Suck Without You".  Emily loved the letter and appreciated it but at the same time, she still had no idea what this hooplah was all about.

I then told her I had something else for her.  She grinned and was in disbelief that I had one more thing to give her.  I pulled the ring box out of my pocket and gave it to her.  She said "What is it?" I told her to open it (which she had a hard time figuring out the antique ring box) but when she got it open, she took out the ring and asked again "what is it?"

I then explained to her that it was my grandmother's engagement ring and I was giving it to her as a sign of my commitment.  She stared in awe at it and partial disbelief so I said "before you say anything, I just want you to know I have spoken with both our parents and I would not have given you this ring if I didn't feel confident that we had their support".  I told her about the conversations I had with my family, her family, and our friends and she burst into tears.

My heart sank.  She was crying and I thought I had ruined everything! I knelt on the sand by her and hugged her, asking her if the tears were good or bad tears.  Turns out, they were happy tears.  She looked at the ring again and I told her I loved her and asked her if she'd marry me someday, somewhere, somehow.  She laughed through her tears and said yes! 

It was a long few months planning and researching, but it paid off in the end.  The evening was awesome and she said she couldn't have asked for anything more.  Emily thought it was perfect and she is absolutely in love with the ring (except it doesn't fit! Kelly women have small hands!)


So that's the story! We sincerely apologize that we didn't/couldn't call everyone to tell them the same exact story. We basically only had time to talk to immediate family and after we put it on FB, the phone calls started pouring in!  It has been overwhelming and we've been busy the past few days! Using the Internet is truly the best way to spread news fast!

For those of you who have asked or are wondering, no, we do not have any current "wedding" plans for numerous reasons.
1. We cannot legally get married in our state, or approximately 44 other states for that matter.
2. We do not have the savings/money for any ceremony just yet.
3. We are fine with having a long "engagement" and whenever we do decide to start making plans, we will let everyone know.  It would be more of a commitment ceremony than anything.

Thank you for all your kind words and congrats for us! Your unconditional love and support means the world to us and we definitely could not have made it through the past 4 years without certain amazing people (you know who you are) pushing us and encouraging us to stay strong and never give up.  We have faced adversity and negativity but we refuse to stop trying! Our relationship has been the easy part; the outside factors have been the difficult part to face and deal with, but it is all worth it. Being with Emily is fun, exciting, and it just comes naturally.  We have a great, strong, and loving relationship and the love and support we've gotten and the things we've faced and accomplished over the past years have only made us better people. I can't imagine my life without Emily and I am forever thankful she has changed my life for the better in so many ways. We honestly couldn't be happier and couldn't ask for more!

Emily, your "yes" has made me the happiest woman in the world. I will love you forever.

Dick-For-A-Day

Here is another SAMPLE chapter from my collection of humor essays.
**This is a rough draft and subject to change**


Dick-For-A-Day

There have been many times in my life I was convinced I was a boy trapped in a girl’s body. I’m physically female but my personality and behavior resembles that of a teenage boy. 

Growing up, I preferred sports over dolls, t-shirts over dresses, and sitting spread eagle in a chair instead of crossing my legs like a woman with any dignity would.  Beer will always be better than wine; chicken wings will always taste better than a chicken Caesar salad.  Truth is, being ladylike is not one of my strong suits.

I would never go as far as Chastity Bono who got a sex change and legally changed her name because she felt so trapped in her own body. I think I can speak for everyone when I say I honestly thought she was a man before she announced to the world that she is now, physically and legally a man.  Clearly, her sex change didn't change that much.

I would also never go to an insane extreme like that woman who became a man, a “pregnant man” no less, and was featured on TLC, having babies because his wife couldn’t.  Listen pal, you’re not fooling anyone.  You may look and sound like a man, but you still have a baby maker behind that vagina of yours.  You’re not a medical miracle; you’re a mangina.

In fact, I love being a woman.  I love everything about it. But I also take pride in my frat boy-like attitude hidden underneath my female exterior.  Women are beautiful creatures (I am obviously exempt from this) and I would never trade my body for a man’s body.

The only exception to this is if a magic genie appeared and offered to exchange my vagina and give me a dick-for-a-day and granted me three wishes to accompany the exchange.  That I would certainly accept. 

If I had a penis for a whole day, there is so much I would do with it!  It would be hard parting with my muffin, but some things need to be sacrificed when a magic genie appears outside of the movie Aladdin.

My first request—no balls.  Balls are gross.  Just the twig; not the berries. If I can still come without testicles, why would I need them?  Having balls is like hanging things from my rearview mirror; it doesn't serve a purpose and are just decorative.

The first thing on my agenda would be naming my penis.  Every dick needs a name, and no I would not name it Dick.  How cliché.  I would name it Fitzgerald (Fitz for short; he would be a cool, yet classy penis), introduce myself with a firm, yet welcoming handshake and let him hang loose, commando style in my pants.  There’s no way I would constrict Fitzgerald with underwear.  He deserves wide-open spaces where he could stretch out without being constricted.

Next I would measure Fitz.  With a yard stick; not a ruler.  My second request—I would have to be hung, similar to a Johnsonville summer sausage log. No cocktail wiener for me.  Both Fitz and I deserve better than that.

After I am satisfied with the length and girth, I would masturbate for hours on end.  My third and final request—unlimited orgasms.  If Fitz and I were going to be pals for the same length of time it takes the Earth to make a full rotation, (or approximately the same time amount of time Britney Spears was married to that Jason guy), we were going to party like it was Y2K all over again.  Except without the panic of people waiting for the world to end.

The point of masturbating for hours on end is to get accustomed to Fitz and figure out what we both enjoy.  I know how it feels to rub my bean and pleasure myself as a woman, but I would have to teach Fitz tricks, shortcuts, and critical technique before I could take him out and introduce him to people.

After Fitz and I participate in a penile crash course, we would be ready to tackle the world and finally introduce him to a woman besides myself.  Since I already sleep with a woman, I would have no problem sleeping with as many women as I possibly could.

Sleeping with a woman is something everyone should experience, male or female.  With Fitz attached to my body, I would have to disguise myself as a man so straight girls would take me seriously (I would consider sleeping with a lesbian, but being one myself, I have discovered most gay women prefer the papaya over the banana at this particular time in their lives.  I once enjoyed a bunch of bananas but now, I’m strictly a papaya gal).

In order to share Fitz with as many women as possible, I would have to find a place where a gaggle of women would be centrally located.  Where would I look first?

The obvious option would be a bar. It might be a good place to start lady hunting, although I would only have a one in five chance that a woman would actually sleep with me within minutes of meeting me.  Even at a college bar.  I only had twenty-four hours; I couldn’t take the chance of being rejected.  Fitz was eager for a beaver.

What about a sorority house?  From my experience with sorority girls, they liked to play fast and loose and weren't afraid to spread their school spirit (legs).  But they were also unpredictable and cesspools for STD’s.  I wasn’t ready for Fitz to be afflicted with a disease besides sex addiction.

A Curves gym? It was possible, although I wouldn’t enjoy fucking a post-aerobic sweaty mess, and I’m pretty sure Fitz would not appreciate being forced down that slippery slope. 

A Bed, Bath, & Beyond store? It seemed like a logical place.  The store offers several different beds, college aged clerks and candles for mood lighting, but it was still a bad idea.  A soaps, suds, & sheets store is not the place to experiment different body contortions and sexual positions with the customers and employees.

Where could I find women who would sleep with me willingly, as many times as I wanted? 

The answer was in front of me this whole time—literally because as I write this, I’m watching the E! True Hollywood Story about Heidi Fleiss.  I would have to visit a brothel.  It seems like a perfect plan.  I would have to find a moderately priced whorehouse, where the girls were easy, the prices were reasonable, and I wouldn’t get arrested.  If I only had Fitz for one day, I wasn’t willing to get arrested and spend time in jail, although I’m sure I could find someone who would love to meet Fitz in jail.

Since I don’t live in Nevada, I would just have to risk being caught with Fitz in a prostitute’s mouth.  If politicians could get away with it, surely I could as well.  It was a small price to pay to share my dick-for-a-day with as many women as I could. 

I would then drive to an ATM and empty my savings account, which wouldn’t amount to much (I’m a writer for Fitz’s sake).  It wouldn’t matter; I was willing to spend the new bed or the down payment on a house to share my penis with hookers. 

Fitz wouldn’t need the women to be beautiful either.  Sure it’d be like finding money in a pair of jeans you haven’t worn in months, or scoring an extra soda from the vending machine when you only paid for one, but it wasn’t a necessity.  Just an added bonus.  A papaya was a papaya no matter how you cut it.  The only thing he required was an audience with willing (and legal) participants.

After surrendering my life’s savings, I would then pick the woman with whom I would share Fitz with for the first time.  She would have to be compliant with the missionary position.  If I’m test driving Fitz for the first time, I want to make sure he performs correctly in the parking lot before I take him to the race track.

Of course Fitz would pass the test; he was attached to my body and as an amazing lover myself, Fitz wouldn’t let us down.

After I had my first woman, I would be ready for anything.  Threesomes. Blow jobs. Anal (with women and/or men. Don’t judge me). Hand jobs (although I would prefer to skip that since I could do it myself).  Sex toys.  Role playing.  S&M bondage. Foursomes.  Group orgy. I would even consider shooting a porno flick with Fitz as the star.  I would do it all.

Of course I wouldn’t sleep.  I couldn’t take a break from sex; I only had one day.  My goal was to drop the big “O” at least 100 times in the span of a day (and yes, that includes self-love).  I wouldn’t give up until I met my goal.  If Lance Armstrong can win the Tour de France 400 times with only one testicle while wearing a LiveStrong bracelet, surely I could come at least 100 times with just a penis and perhaps a cock ring.

When my twenty-four hours were up, I would be a changed woman.  No longer would I wonder what it would be like to have a penis.  I would know what it was like to pee while standing up (and not have it running down my leg).  It would give new meaning to the phrase “blowing my load”.  I would finally know how a hot dog felt in a bun; how a pig felt in a blanket.  How a chocolate covered banana felt in a banana split.  I would understand why a nut-cup was important to male athletes and fully grasp the concept of pitching a tent (something I struggle with when I go camping).

After returning my dick-for-a-day to the genie, he would return my papaya and I would greet her with two fingers, or even give her a vibrating toy as a welcome home present.  I would appreciate the beauty of having a vagina and treasure her for the rest of my life.

Friends would ask “how does it feel hanging from your body?” And I would reply “similar to the set of twins hanging from your chest”.

“What does it feel like to get a blow job?”  To that I would reply “Licking  is always better than sucking”.  Women have more erectile tissue than men; therefore, blow jobs don’t even compare to what women experience during oral sex.

“What does it feel like to be inside a woman?”  That one was easy.  “Ever been on a water slide?” I would respond.

“Don’t you want to have a penis for more than a day?”  No brainer.  I would say, “How much time can you realistically spend with your boyfriend/husband before you reach your boiling point?”  They would look at me as if they had just had an epiphany.  Yea, that’s what I thought.

Having a penis for a day would be phenomenal and it would answer many questions.  The only reason I would ever want a penis for a day is strictly for sex, nothing else.  But once it was gone, I would remember how proud I was of my muffin.  I would realize the lawn isn’t always mowed on the other side, so why leave the yard at all?

Of course men and women experience different things with the gear they’re equipped with, but the feeling is basically the same.  An orgasm is an orgasm.  Sure, some are better than others (some are out of this world), but it doesn’t matter if you have a banana or a papaya.  It doesn’t matter if you’re the branch or the stump; we’re all connected to the same tree.

I cherish the woman’s body I was born with.  I’m glad I’m a woman.  I am comfortable being a tomboy—drinking beer, wearing t-shirts, and playing video games—and anyone who doesn’t like it can meet Greta, my angry beaver, and take it up with her.  I’ll even let you take her home for the day.

Sex MISeducation

            Bearded clam. Papaya. Muffin. Cooter. Beaver. Punani. Pork sword. Schlong. Weiner. One-eyed Monster. Bologna Pony.

            Don't deny it; you just laughed. Out loud. Don't worry--these slang terms make me giggle too.  You may have even blushed a little bit. I know I did.

            But I can almost guarantee with as much accuracy as a pregnancy test that you did not bust out into a fit of uncontrollable laughter like I did in sex education in grade school. Or like I just did while writing these slang terms.

            When I first found out we would be having sex education in fifth grade, my first thought was, aren't we too young? And then I looked around the classroom and I saw a couple boys grabbing themselves and a few female classmates of mine had already sprouted decent sized tits.

            Then I looked down at my own chest and realized it was still as flat as my back and to make matters worse, I had no hair "down there". Everyone else was starting to go through puberty and I was in last place. Apparently I was too young for sex ed, but several of my classmates were not. I'm twenty-nine years old now and I don't even think I've made it all the way through puberty yet. I'm about 75% of the way there...still waiting on the tatas to stop training already and grow!

            After the afternoon recess one day, we were herded like baby calves downstairs to the gym where we sat cross-legged on the gym floor, waiting for our teacher to teach us about puberty and intercourse, two of my all-time favorite topics.

            The girls were put on one side of the gym while the boys were put on the other. Apparently they did this so the boys and girls could learn about themselves separately and then they would join the two sexes to incorporate what we've all learned.

            Before the class even started, I was stifling my laughter. I couldn't help it! There were visual aids—posters of male and female anatomy, plus for us young lasses, boxes of pads and tampons on a table.  There was even a bowl of water on the table, most likely to be used to demonstrate how pads and tampons absorb just like the commercials, except this water wasn't blue.

            I was clearly not mature enough to handle sex ed at the age of nine, but I was going to give it a whirl anyway. If I was going to sprout pubes and grow tits overnight, I at least wanted to be prepared.

            "This might make some of you uncomfortable at first, but I would appreciate it if you would all listen and wait until after I'm done to ask questions or make comments," the teacher instructed us. As if I could adhere to these rules! I was already armed at least thirty jokes that involved penises and vaginas that I was ready to fire away to my friends sitting nearby.

            "I will tolerate no jokes or laughing. I expect all of you to take this seriously. No teasing your classmates either," the teacher added. Man, I thought to myself, this bitch was really ruining my fun for the day.  The teacher discussed how our bodies would change in the next coming years—but all I heard was "menstruation, boobs, tampons". It was difficult for me to listen because it was like learning a foreign language. I hadn't experienced any of these things like some of the other girls did.

            When it was finally time to merge the boys and girls together after our segregation in the gym, I was already starting to sweat and I'm pretty sure the dorkiest kid in class had a huge boner as the teacher started using the visual aids of a woman's anatomy.  Somehow I managed to keep my cool as she continuously used the words "penis" and "vagina". Even as an adult, these words still make me laugh so looking back, I was impressed I had made it more than five minutes into the lecture.

            That all changed when the topic shifted from puberty to intercourse and she was explaining sex—or for a child like me, I interpreted intercourse as "boy meets girl. Boy gets boner. Girl laughs at boy for getting boner"—at least that's what I would do. But really all I heard the teacher say was the word "erection", and as part of my selective listening disorder (that I still have by the way) I chose to hear the word "boner" instead. I swear Helen Keller was better at listening than I have ever been.

            Boner, I whispered quietly. Once the word was past my lips, I lost it. I completely missed the teacher's explanation about erections because my childlike cackling cut through the air like a knife. My face turned bright red and try as I might, I couldn't hold it in. I knew I looked like a complete idiot, but I couldn’t stop laughing.

            My shoulders were bouncing up and down and my abs were starting to ache. I was laughing so hard I was starting to grow a 6-pack.  The teacher warned me that if I couldn't stop laughing, I would have to wait out in the hall until I could stop laughing.

            Since I didn't want to be the idiot who got kicked out of sex ed, I thought of things that were not funny. Poor kids in Africa with flies on their faces. Soap operas. Homelessness. My brother.

            It worked. I managed to calm down and my face was restored from a deep crimson to its original color. I looked around the room and saw a couple boys snickering every time the teacher said the word "erection" or "intercourse", so I knew I wasn't alone.

            Then came question and answer time. The teacher asked all of us if we had any questions. At first, everyone was as silent and still as if we were in a Catholic church, but one boy finally raised his hand.

            "What is an erec...um, an erection?" the boy asked, obviously confused. He must have been listening as much as I was. Oddly enough, he was the same kid who I suspected had a boner when the teacher was showing us the parts of a vagina. So here he is with an erection without knowing he had one? What...a loser.

            Turns out he wasn't the loser; I was, and I made sure everyone knew how much of an ass I really was. As soon as he asked the question, I could feel the slow and steady rise of hysterics boiling inside me, ready to explode and I held my mouth as closed as I could before I lost it. This time, my laughter was really uncontrollable. I put both my hands across my mouth, hoping I could push it back in but the laughter escaped out the sides.  I even laughed so hard I heard a fart squeak out, which only made me guffaw louder.

            To an onlooker, it looked as if I was choking while having a grand mal seizure on the floor of the gymnasium. My body was writhing across the floor like a boa constrictor and my laughter wasn't even audible anymore. My mouth was just wide open and my entire body was gyrating from guffawing.  The only sound that could be heard coming from my throat was a series of clicking noises that sounded eerily similar to the mating calls of dolphins.

            I was immediately kicked out. I had been warned once, but I wouldn't be warned twice. I was finally sent out to the hallway where I had to sit for the remainder of the class.

            I was the only person who got kicked out of sex education in the fifth grade in my school. After school, some of my friends were envious of me not having to sit through an uncomfortable lecture about puberty and sex in front of their peers.

            But I was pissed. Not at myself for not being able to control my laughter, but at my teacher for not letting me have another chance. And the fact that I would now be misinformed if I suddenly sprouted boobs and pubes and got a visit from the rusty beaver overnight! I wanted to learn what everyone else was in case I became a woman the very next day! I would be so unprepared.

            The only thing I could do was to go home and ask my mother for the information, but then that meant I would have to tell her I got kicked out of sex ed, and I wasn't ready for that.

            I had no choice but to rely on my friends for information. As it turns out, my friends were complete morons, but I didn't know it at the time. I believed everything they told me; why wouldn't I? I couldn't disprove them since I wasn't in the class, so I took them seriously.

            According to my friends, this is what I missed:

            1. The wiener goes in a girl's pee hole (she didn't know the difference             between the urethra and the vaginal opening)

            2. When a boy gets a boner, he puts it in the vagina (pee hole according to             her) and pees inside her and then she gets pregnant

            3. Pads are diapers (I have to admit; this one is basically true)

            4. Tampons will make you lose your virginity

            5. Every 28 days, women PMS (when I asked them to elaborate on what             the acronym meant, they stared blankly at me)

            6. The bumps on my nipples are Braille for "Lick Me"

            7. Every woman has an Aunt Flo (how could I not know her?)

            Imagine my surprise the first time I got my period. Or the first time I had sex.

            Joking. I'm not that retarded. Luckily for me, I learned everything I needed to know in junior high...both inside and outside of the health education classroom. I just hope my idiotic friends eventually caught on and realized how wrong they actually were, otherwise they were all wearing diapers, getting peed on, and having blind people molest their nipples.

            Needless to say, I never got kicked out of another class in my entire educational history. I, in fact, found out I do not have an Aunt Flo, after hours of yelling at my parents for keeping a family member from me.  My nipples are not like elevator button pads; they do not have Braille written on them.  This girl never wears diapers, only 'pons and oddly enough, I never get PMS.  To this day, I find the word "wiener" to be one of the top 5 funniest words...EVER.  The other words are queef, toot, butthole, and poop.

Sh*t I Don't Get Vol. 3

Wearing Socks with Sandals: When the weather gets warm or when people go on vacation, one of the first things they get excited about is wearing sandals. Gone are the constricting socks and the shoes that make feet feel claustrophobic.  I love sandals. I hate wearing shoes and even more than I hate wearing shoes is wearing socks.

Sandals are the closest thing a person can get to being barefoot.  But when some douchebag decides wearing socks with sandals is a good idea, I really don't get it. What is the purpose of wearing sandals if you're just going to put on socks before hand? Hello! Sandals are for us barefoot folk, not you socked folk!

While I understand there are some reasons people want to wear socks with sandals, I tell those people "Wear Shoes". There is no reason to EVER wear socks with sandals.  If your feet are covered in corns and callouses, it's best to keep the shoes on.  If you're embarrassed about your piglet feet, keep your shoes on.  If you think your feet might get cold or sweat, wear shoes. The whole purpose of wearing sandals is to let your feet rock the outside air, not to keep them constricted.

The worst offenders are the ones who wear socks with thong sandals. Wearing socks with sandals makes no logical sense whatsoever, but what's even more puzzling is wearing socks with thong sandals.   It's like wearing a super tight skirt and trying to walk.  You are spreading apart your toes but are limited by the sock. WTF! How is that even comfortable?! It's not; it's idiotic.


No one will ever convince me there is ever a reason to wear socks with sandals. There is no logical explanation. If you must wear socks, then you must wear shoes. Don't embarrass yourself by wearing socks with sandals. It's completely unacceptable.


People Who Don't Read:  I absolutely love to read.  I always have. As a 5th grader, I had a reading level of a high school senior.  I always chose reading over watching TV.  I excelled at reading, writing, and grammar during my entire education. Although I'm an avid reader, I understand other people aren't.  And that's ok. As long as you read once in a while and keep your mind engaged, I don't have an issue with it.

But what I really don't get is people who don't read...at all! It is frightening the amount of people who only read what is absolutely necessary--street signs, food labels, and a TV guide--how can you survive without reading?

For me, reading is escaping reality.  My life isn't horrible; don't get me wrong. But sometimes I like to live someone else's life for a while.  When I open a book, I'm immediately taken to another world, another life, and I get to experience something I never will unless I read that particular book.  Stories have been around since the beginning of time, but people have gotten lazy.  Reading keeps brains active, motivated, and engaged.

I want to strangle those parents who don't read to their children, or even encourage reading. Reading is one of the most important parts of childhood development. It's not just the simple process of reading a book, it's learning different words, sounds, concepts, and generally using your imagination.

Make time every day to read. There are so many good stories and amazing authors out there and it's a shame not everyone takes the time to honor the ageless process of story telling.


Man Boobs (aka Moobs): In civilized society, any female with breasts is expected to wear a bra to keep their tits in check.  I'm sure there are other reasons why women should wear bras, but let's focus on one point at a time.  If your boobs are large enough to bounce up and down, it's time for a bra. 

But why is it not the same for men? Men with boobs should have to wear a bra, just like any female.  If it's not acceptable for me to go to the grocery store with my boobs sagging (which they don't; they're quite perky actually) and my nipples poking towards the cashier, then men should not be allowed to either.  If I can't walk around the community pool with my tits flopping about, then neither should that fat guy with the DD cup!  Tits are tits no matter whose body they're on!

Moobs are not only creepy, but they're just nasty.  Men should not have boobs. Men have nipples, but should not have tits. They serve no function. They're not even pleasant to look at. But, some men do have tits and I think this is a huge problem.

Men get moobs from being overweight, thyroid problems, an increase in estrogen, and/or a decrease in testosterone; women get boobs from simply being women. Yet the same rule about bras should apply.  That's my point. There are only certain situations where I actually show my tits to other people (and yes, sometimes I do it in public, but mostly in private situations), but it's not generally accepted in our society.  So, next time a man with moobs decides to hit the beach and let his DDs hang, he should wear a tankini top...just like I have to.

Honky Tonk Not So Honky Anymore

Country music has its roots planted in deep conservatism.  Country music has many different genres, including honky tonk, rockabilly, outlaw country, pop country, country rock, and many more.

But country and its sub-genres have something in common.  Basically every single country artist is white and straight. That's how it always has been. Until now.

With the recent success of black country artist Darius Rucker and Chely Wright "coming out", we know have black and gay people entering the country music world.  FINALLY! Who decided this genre should be so uptight? I'm pretty sure there was also a Cowboy Troy somewhere in the mix, but I think we've all forgotten about him.

Whether or not they'll be welcomed by all who listen to country music, especially the bible-beating folk in the South, I say it's about damn time someone breaks through the stereotypical barrier of country music.  These two artists have certainly opened the doors to make being different okay in a tight knit, conservative music genre known as country.


Now we can look forward to hearing songs about how a woman's wife beats on her, steals her Kia and foodstamps from their crackhouse in the ghetto, and heads for California to find a hot lesbian actress to live happily ever after with.

Joking. I'm a fan of country music, and I'm an even bigger fan of people breaking down barriers that other people before them have been afraid to break through.
Hootie: 1.
Single White Female: 1.
Country Music World: 0.

Sh*t I Don't Get Vol. 2

Smart Cars: This is a perfect car for a virgin. Anyone who drives one of these cars has pretty much guaranteed themselves no chance of sex whatsoever.  This is also a perfect car for a nugget. These cars remind me of a toddler shoe, but with wheels.  Anyone else see the resemblance? I understand these cars are probably relatively eco-friendly and are not gas guzzlers. They are an economic solution to fuel efficiency and pollution, but so is a bicycle.  Because these could be considered "green" cars, I have a small iota of respect for the idea behind them. But when I see people driving them, I want to punch them in the mouth and kick their tin can toddler shoe over.  There are other hybrid, eco-friendly cars you can buy. Even electric cars, although some Smart cars are electric. But a toddler shoe with wheels? What's next, a refrigerator box with wheels? (Wait...see Nissan Cube). I hate Smart cars almost as much as I hate PT Cruisers and Mini Coopers.


Vests:   Obviously, the inventor of the vest either ran out of fabric for a whole shirt, or couldn't make up their mind regarding short sleeves or long sleeves...so why sew on sleeves at all?  Vests as part of a daily outfit should be banned.  The only acceptable vests belong in law enforcement, sports, for formal wear under a suit, or as a life vest. Period.  If it's cold outside, don't put on a sweatshirt and then a vest. It doesn't make sense.  If you're afraid of being too warm but want to be warm enough, put on layers.  Put on a long sleeved shirt under that sweatshirt and if you get warm, you can always take off the sweatshirt or long sleeved shirt.  A vest is just bulky and completely pointless. It's not that hard to decide between short sleeved and long sleeved.  If you're really torn, go long sleeved because you can always roll up your sleeves. Or just wear both.  But put the vest away unless you need to wear one to save your life. People who drive Smart cars probably wear vests too...and you know what I say about people who drive Smart cars...same thing applies to people who wear vests.

Littering: The act of throwing trash on the ground makes me sick.  We all know better. It's not natural for garbage to be piled up on the curb or around a stop sign.  Littering=ignorance/selfishness. People who drive and throw trash out the window should just keep it in their car until they're near a garbage can.  Keep a plastic bag in the car and when it's full, dispose of it appropriately.  There's no reason for people who wait at bus stops to throw their trash on the ground, especially when there is a garbage can nearby. It's completely ridiculous. Littering destroys the beautiful scenery, it can be a breeding ground for disease-carrying insects and rodents, and can harm our water sources.  It's not that difficult to throw garbage in the proper receptacle.  I'm one of those people who will pick up trash if I see it near me, and I don't hesitate to tell people to pick up their trash if I catch them carelessly littering.  It takes an extremely long time before litter disappears. Below is a list of how long certain things take to disintegrate or disappear:

• Paper and paperboard: 6 months
• Used Cigarettes: 2–5 years
• Plastic (PET) Soda Bottles: 5–10 years
• Plastic shopping bags: 10–30 years
• Gum: 20–25 years
• Tin Can: 80–100 years
• Polystyrene Chip Wrapping: 90 years
• Aluminum Can: 200–400 years
• 6-pack Bottle Wrapping: 450 years
• Golf Ball: 100–1000 years

Most of these items will never disintegrate in our lifetime.  Think about that the next time you decide to toss a Coke bottle or a piece of gum on the ground.  That will be there for years, and it is your fault.  Your family and your future children will suffer the consequences of your laziness.  We are all responsible for keeping this earth clean, and although it may not seem like a big deal that there's a soda can on the ground, over time, the effect of that is detrimental to the environment.  Every time you litter, you are destroying the planet. I don't know about you but I certainly don't want that burden.

White Trash Family

This past Saturday night, Emily and I had gone to a graduation party and out for drinks before we stopped at IHOP on our way home.  When we got there, the place wasn't that busy, but there was only one cook and two waitresses on duty.  One waitress was a heavier woman with not a full set of teeth; and the other was an elderly woman who walked with a crooked stance.  Obviously, they are not working third shift for fun.  They need the money.

Upon first glance, there were only a few tables occupied. As we waited to be seated, some white trash woman wearing a tank top (no bra) and sweatpants walked past me and exited the restaurant and said "You'll wait 30 minutes for a pop" in a deep man voice, similar to Kathleen Turner's voice.  I was puzzled, but ignored it. I hate it when strangers talk to me for no reason, and this bitch was certainly no exception.

When we walked around the corner to the dining area, we noticed a very large (both in size and quantity of people) family occupying the entire back half of the restaurant.  A booth lined the entire back wall and instead of occupying one or two tables, this family scattered themselves everywhere.

Our waitress came to take our order and as soon as she brought our beverages, the complaining started.  According to one of the daughters (aged 20-something), they had been there for 30 minutes and had no food and they waited forever for their pop. Who the fuck says pop anyway? It's soda you dumb bitch.

The party in the back was full of white trash. Not trash you put in the dumpster, although I would have loved to throw them away like garbage...I'm talking the trashiest white trash people that have possibly ever crossed my path. Pretty sure most of the women looked like the women in this picture.

There were a few couples and a few children (all adult age). A good mix of mother/father and uncle/aunt combo.  The woman who sounded like Kathleen Turner came back inside from a smoke break and was served her food.  While she and her husband ate, the rest of the family complained about how they hoped they enjoyed the food because everyone else had to wait.

The elderly waitress was waiting on them and explained that they had to send two staff home and so there was only one cook and they were doing the best they could.  Any compassionate human being would have stopped complaining after that and just sucked it up.  Our snaggle-tooth waitress came over and explained the same thing and I smiled at her and said "it's okay. shit happens" and she was grateful for our patience.

We were there about an hour. Within that hour, all I heard was this family talking shit about both waitresses, hassling the cook, and taking at least 37 smoke breaks.  There was even a point in time when at least 5 police cars sped by with lights flashing and sirens blaring and it didn't take long for most of the family members to run outside to be nosy.

There was one lady in particular, a real gem, who was the worst. She was real disgusting like-nasty teeth, horrible outfit, and a haircut that even the 80's would have rejected.  She complained the entire time about not getting enough pop, her food being late, and when her sirloin tips were delivered, she complained that there were onions in them.  The waitress offered to bring it back and she refused because she didn't want to wait any longer. She even referred to our waitress as "tubby wubby"; meanwhile, she's packing DD tits, a few spare tires around her torso, and a very large FUPA to boot.  Tubby wubby? That's you lady. Look in the mirror as you spill sirloin tips and mashed potatoes on your clearly unwashed tank top and in your greasy, frizzy hair that's resting in your pile of gravy.

The elderly waitress was really patient with the white trash family.  Instead of getting upset while they complained about the cook, and threatened to get the other waitress fired because she forgot their "pop", she asked them questions about where they're from and why they're here.  The couple who got their food first drove down from Michigan and the other ones flew here. Guess why?

They're all going on a cruise! Holy shit do I EVER feel bad for anyone on that cruise who is so unlucky to encounter this family. When the waitress asked if they like Florida, the sirloin tip bitch says "Eh. I prefer Michigan". You know what tubby wubby, you would say that! All you need to say is yes, because that's clearly why you're here. If you preferred Michigan, please, by all means, go the fuck back! We already have a 87.9% ignorance rate in this damn state so we don't need you here. I just hope none of these white trash women don't decide to dress like this women while on the cruise.  Although I'm sure they will. I even mentioned to Emily that these women are the type of women who honestly think they look phenomenal in a biking.

While the sirloin tip bitch was stuffing her face, a woman I believed to be her daughter would not shut her damn mouth.  "This is bullshit. I've been here for a fucking hour and a half. I ordered pancakes. How long does it take to get pancakes?" Meantime, I whispered to Emily that I really hoped our food came out before theirs did.  And guess what. It did. And as soon as it did, it was literally a redneck verbal explosion in the back of the restaurant.

To make matters worse, there was an Indian guy attempting to enjoy a cup of coffee while he attempted to look up my skirt. I was sitting in the booth, wearing a skirt but my legs were crossed, and I knew the most this perv could see was my knees, but that didn't stop him from peering over his creepy Coke bottle glasses to get a good look at my goodies. I told him he wasn't gonna get a free show, but I don't think he heard me because he kept peering over the top of his glasses while tilting his head down. Creeper.

While Emily and I were eating, a couple next to us were damn near falling asleep because there food still hadn't arrived.  The Indian guy asked us how long we had been waiting and Emily replied we hadn't been waiting that long.  Then at least two fat white trash bitches pipe up from the back of the restaurant and say "We've been waiting two fucking hours!" (keep in mind their idea of time was moving way faster than the actual clock. They said they got there at quarter to midnight and when we left, it had only been an hour and fifteen minutes that they had been there).  Then Emily says "he wasn't asking you. he was asking us" and they just glared at her.

After we had completed our mediocre meal (while enduring an hour of constant bitching and whining from the back and the sides of the restaurant) our waitress brought our bill.  I was really concerned for the elderly waitress that these fuck sticks would stiff her on the tip.  They kept saying "oh, it's not your fault. it's still fucking bullshit, but no, it's not your fault". Clearly, they're basically saying they didn't care whose fault it was.  They even went so far as to say "can we get some free pop for having to wait for so long?" Can you imagine if they have to wait in line during their cruise? They're gonna be those people and complain and try to get free shit they don't deserve.

The bill was only $18.95.  I paid with my debit card but asked my waitress for two ten dollar bills in exchange for my $20 bill.  We traded and then I explained to her I wanted her to keep $10 and give the other $10 to the other waitress.  She looked shocked, but I told her I had a bad feeling neither of them were going to be tipped well all night.  Usually, I wouldn't fork over a $10 tip at IHOP on a barely $20 bill, but I felt someone had to.  These poor waitresses were not at fault for being short staffed in the kitchen.  Our waitress did as instructed and took the other $10 to the elderly waitress, who didn't hesitate to come over to our table. I explained to her that she was doing a good job and the $10 was because I knew she wouldn't get a good tip, if at all, from the classy family in the back.

They had also talked about having to leave together because they all came in the same van.  When Emily and I left for the night, we walked past said van.  Holy shit. How ridiculous! The van (keep in mind there were approximately 10 people in this white trash party) only had two seats. Two in the front.  The van appeared to have no seating in the back whatsoever. Not even sure it had windows on the sides, just on the back door and in the front.  It was like they were being herded like cattle into the back of the van, which is obviously fitting for them.

I learned a few lessons from this late night IHOP trip.
1. Never go to IHOP at night. Or ever.
2. Find it in your heart (and wallet) to over compensate on your bill when you know an elderly waitress is going to get stiffed.
3. Nasty fat white people with bad teeth, bad manners, and loud raspy voices are white trash. It's prejudiced but goddamnit, it's true.
4. These people absorbed the definition of white trash in their rolls of fat, bad manners, and horrific attitudes to the point someone needs to invent another word for white trash.

Can you imagine these fuckers waiting in line for a roller coaster? Not only would their bodies be sticky from sweat and spilled sugary pop 'tween their tits, but they would no doubt have extreme body odor coming from places on their bodies that shouldn't exist in the first place (see FUPA), but they would be obnoxious as all hell, completely ruining everyone else's good time.  They should be banned from cruises, Disney, restaurants, public, and basically life.

I hope someone gives you all a "pop" in the head so you all go overboard on your cruise and get lost at sea. You deserve it.  Oh, and sirloin tip bitch, you need to put this sign on your overly large back so we at least have warning that you're around.

Sh*t I Don't Get Vol. 1

I've decided to add a new series to my blog.  It's titled "Sh*t I Don't Get", which encompasses things I truly don't understand...not because I don't know the facts or that I'm illiterate or anything like that.  I'm not stupid; in fact, I'm a very smart gal. I'm not prejudiced or racist (well, everyone is to an extent, but as a general rule, I'm not). I have an open mind and broad horizons (and shoulders) but these are things that literally flabbergast me and I am left speechless, which doesn't happen very often.  I try to analyze them and make sense of this shit I don't get, but I just cannot wrap my mind around some things.  As my readers, please feel free to chime in with your opinions, knowledge, or back talk. Whatever you prefer.

Shit I Don't Get Vol. 1

Celestial Marriage: What the hell? Obviously, anything having to do with Mormons or the Church of Latter-Day Saints is beyond my comprehension.  I am convinced Mormons are aliens sent to Earth to destroy activities I take seriously--drinking, promiscuity, smoking, etc.  The idea that a man "needs" more than one wife for the celestial kingdom is not only obnoxious, but it's downright annoying.  That's not what it's about; it allows a man to have extra-marital affairs in a manner in which they are justified.  All I know is that I can't wait for these polygamist men to find out there is no such thing as a "celestial kingdom" and their marriage isn't "heavenly". I just wish I could be there to say "I told you so".

Why Black Guys Love Fat White Girls: I don't have a problem with interracial relationships or relationships that are out of the norm. I'm a lesbian for crying out loud...who am I to judge? But this has always confused me.  What is it about obese white women that black men are attracted to? Is it that they're good eaters, and there's always a guarantee of fried chicken at the dinner table? Or is it like catching a rare species? The black man snags the fat white chick (said in a National Geographic Host's voice).  Or is it the other way around? Do fat white women go for black men because they feel no white man could love them? I don't know. I literally cannot find an answer to this.  Maybe it's just a coincidence, but I doubt it. And why is it extremely rare to find both an attractive black man and an attractive white woman couple? That species is endangered as far as I'm concerned.

Speedos: Unless you're an athlete, more specifically, an Olympic swimmer, there's no need for any man to wear a Speedo**.  I'm not talking about the Speedo brand; I'm talking about a "Speedo"!  I live in Florida and when the Snow Birds (Canadians) are here for the winter, I see my fair share of pale white, hairy, fat men wearing Speedos.  They have no modesty. They let it all hang out.  I've seen some fruit baskets in my life, but nothing compares to these dandies.  These men come to the beach and bend over to put their towel down and share with me their family jewels.  Not some I want to see, but thanks for sharing.  Unless you're going to do a triathalon (the swimming part) in the Atlantic Ocean, there's no reason to wear a Speedo.  Even wearing one for sun tanning is unacceptable.  Wear beach shorts and when you want to tan, hike the shorts up your legs like normal guys do.  That way, we aren't forced to see the outline of your package. 

Recently, we were at Hollywood Beach and a man came with his daughter and when he got there, he put his stuff down right in front of us.  He then proceeded to strip down to nothing but a Speedo and a sweater (his chest hair).  We all noticed his Speedo was on inside out and apparently, he noticed as well.  Moments later, he went into the water, far enough out so he could take off his Speedo and turn it right side out.  Then he came back to shore and laid down right in front of us, showing us his not so private parts. 

Please, for the sake of humanity, either go to a nude beach and let it all hang out, or put on shorts with an appropriate length.  Your wife may not mind (although I'm sure she's so embarrassed she won't even be seen with you at the same beach) but the rest of us do.  Even Michael Phelps can barely pull of a Speedo.

**Unless you look like this guy in the yellow Speedo, Speedos should be illegal for you. And even then it's not that appealing...a hunk in a Speedo leaves nothing to the imagination. 

How To Agree With Someone Who Thinks Their Baby Is Cute When In Fact It Is Not: This is the worst position to be put in.  Your friend/family member just had a baby.  You're excited because you think all babies are cute...they're harmless innocent babies, how can they not be cute, right? F**king wrong my friend.  I have met many babies that I find downright fugly...it's not their fault. But I get tongue tied and I start to sweat when I encounter a fugly baby and have to pretend that it's the cutest thing since the Olsen Twins on Full House.  To Parents of Ugly Children: Although this is your child and you think the kid is the cutest thing on Earth, there has to be a small part of you that knows the child is NOT cute.  So, please don't put your friends and family members in a position to agree with you when you hem and haw over the alien looking baby. It makes us feel uncomfortable when you force us to lie.  Luckily, most ugly babies grow out of their fugliness.  For the ones who don't, sorry. Life isn't fair.

Posts From The Past

I have been frequently absent from my blog.  My fellow readers are disappointed in me so while I research new topics, I wanted to share with you my ten favorite blog posts from The Other 98¢. Think of it as watching your favorite movie again and again...enjoy and I'll have new posts for you soon!

1. You Think You Know...But You Have No Idea.  All about me f**kers! Read this post to find out things about me you never knew.


2. Is A Bad Haircut Considered Child Abuse? One of my all time favorites, simply because I focus on mullets...and you can NEVER go wrong blogging about mullets.


3. The United States of Stupid America.  Welcome to America...for all you immigrants, read this carefully before you decide to move here, legally or illegally. The desert is not always cooler this side of the border.


4. Earth Has a Fever; Humans Have The Cure. I participated in Blog Action Day where bloggers around the world wrote about the same topic on the same day.  Compelling blog, if I do say so myself.


5. Cyrusly Cyrus Family? Ah...I just enjoy making fun of any member of the Cyrus family...it's all in good fun though Miley & company. Hate to admit it, but I LOVE your new video. I hope your Dad's flavor savor falls right off his face when he sees his 17 year old daughter in her new video.


6. Jon and Eight Minus Kate and Her Horrible Haircut.  Remember when this was a big deal? Wait...it still is and I'm on a mission to figure out exactly why everyone cares so much about the damn Gosselin family.


7. People of Walmart.  Need I say more?


8. A Friendly Message From Your Local Toilet Seat.  Still angers me. To this day. Every time I use that damn toilet.


9. Mum's The Word.  You really cannot have too many code words for "menstruation" and associated lady parts. It's impossible.

10. Jazzy Jeans.  Discovering new ways to incorporate "Mom Jeans" into any blog never gets old.

Mum's The Word

**Previously published...changed web address of post**

When I discovered this website, my first reaction was, WTF?!?!?!  And then, I nearly menstruated with excitement about this magical website..  


Welcome to the Museum of Menstruation and Women's Health.   This is a website, poorly set up I might add, but educational and clever, dedicated to menstruation and women's health.  I was unaware menstruation needed a museum, but here we are. 

On this website, you can find articles titled "The Beauty of Artificial Virginity", and "Solving The Period Problem: Researchers Develop Sanitary Pads From Local, Organic Materials", which are both great and educating reads.

Perhaps one of the best parts of this website is the Tampon Directory, where you can learn the history and brands of tampons and their early uses.

What really is the icing on the cake, or the string in the tampon if you will, are the various words and phrases used to describe menstruation.  After researching at length on this website, I have compiled a list of my favorites.  If you are a woman, I hope you enjoy these as much as I did, as they are now added to my already impressive and extensive vocabulary.

Top 20 Words/Phrases To Describe Menstruation
1. "A Little Ketchup With My Steak"
2. "A Snatch Box Decorated With Red Roses"
3. "Attracting The Lesbian Vampires"
4. "Black Towel Time"
5. "B.L.A.S.P." (Bleeding Like A Stuffed Pig)
6. "Blow-Job Season"
7. "Code Red"
8. "Congratulations! It's An Egg!"
9. "Double Barrel Technique"
10. "Dracula's Tea Bag"
11. "Get The Crime Scene Tape"
12. "I'm Not Pregnant"
13. "Lady In The Red Dress"
14. "Losing My Lining"
15. "Not Tonight Dear; Miss Scarlett's Coming Home To Tara"
16. "Pad Straddling"
17. "Riding The Cotton Pony"
18. "Rusty Beaver"
19. "Shark Week"
20. "Your Vagina Is Emo! It's So Desperate For Attention, It's Bleeding!"

MexiTexaForniaZonaNewMexico

This new Arizona immigration law has not only heated up the Arizona desert, but the rest of the nation as well.

Recently, Gov. Jan Brewer of Arizona signed the nation’s toughest bill on illegal immigration. Its aim is to identify, prosecute, and deport illegal immigrants.

It's about damn time someone takes control of this problem.  Let me just say that I have no problem with foreigners coming to America; but what I don't like is when they are not US citizens and receive more welfare and benefits that people born on US soil.  Most Americans have been immigrants at one point or another, but for most Americans, that was hundreds of years ago and the dynamics of our country have changed and it's time to recognize that. Not everyone can come and go in America as they please, treating our country like a hotel.

President Obama thinks the Arizona law threatens “to undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans, as well as the trust between police and our communities that is so crucial to keeping us safe.”

According to NYTimes.com, "The law, which proponents and critics alike said was the broadest and strictest immigration measure in generations, would make the failure to carry immigration documents a crime and give the police broad power to detain anyone suspected of being in the country illegally. Opponents have called it an open invitation for harassment and discrimination against Hispanics regardless of their citizenship status."

The law requires police officers, “when practicable,” to detain people they reasonably suspect are in the country without authorization and to verify their status with federal officials, unless doing so would hinder an investigation or emergency medical treatment. It also makes it a state crime — a misdemeanor — to not carry immigration papers. In addition, it allows people to sue local government or agencies if they believe federal or state immigration law is not being enforced. 

While police demands of documents are common on subways, highways and in public places in some countries, including France, Arizona is the first state to demand that immigrants meet federal requirements to carry identity documents legitimizing their presence on American soil.  And I agree with this law 100%.  If I, an American, am required to carry ID on me at all times (not necessarily required but highly recommended), why shouldn't immigrants? What's the point of a green card or a visa if you're not going to carry it? Pretty sure they make wallet size documentation that fits easily into your pocket.

I wonder...how is it different for immigrants to surrender their citizenship papers when asked by police, than it is for me if I went to the Bahamas on a cruise and they demanded to see my papers before I could step foot on the island? Seems the same theory to me. If you're a legal citizen in one country and immigrate to another, then you should have to show proper papers.  Period. Whether you're in another country to visit, to work, to attend school, or to live, you should always be required to have ID and surrender it when asked by law enforcement.

Many people worry this law will lead to racial profiling, something that exists anyways. The law "may" lead to racial profiling, "may" being the operative key word here. What about the fact that racial profiling already exists? I don't condone it; it's a fact of life. I understand it might be annoying to a person who is Hispanic and was born on American soil. I would be irritated if I got pulled over and was asked for ID all the time, even though I was born here in America and happened to have Mexican ancestry. I get that.  But, if I were to go to Chad, Africa, people would wonder if I were a citizen too. So, does that mean it's racial profiling? Not quite.

With that said, I don't blame you Arizona citizens who are of Mexican heritage and were born in America. Not one bit.  But, as an American, don't you want your freedom, benefits, home, and borders protected? Racial profiling already exists in every city, in every state, in every country, not just Arizona, United States; if you want to argue and stand up against racial profiling, just focusing on the Arizona Immigration Law will not get you anywhere...racial profiling runs much deeper than that.

Governer Brewer acknowledges the critics' concerns but says racial profiling will not be tolerated and that we have to trust our law enforcement.  Isn't that what we're encouraged to do anyway? Who do you call when there's been a crime? A threat of violence? A tragic accident? You call your local law enforcement and we're taught to trust them as public service agents. Granted, a lot of cops can be shady, but the majority of them are good and won't abuse the system.  They're here to protect us and if that means that Arizona cops are legally required to ask someone for their papers, then so be it. People just need to get over it.  If you act like you have something to hide, chances are you probably do. So to avoid getting caught, don't hide. If you want to be an American citizen, do the leg work.

If anything, this law might discourage foreigners from sneaking into this country, reaping the benefits that should belong to actual American citizens. If you want to come here so badly, learn our history, learn our language, and learn our customs and take the citizen test and become a citizen.  Otherwise, go back home.

I'd be expected to do the same thing in any other country, so why is America different? I think people are more upset about the possibility of losing cheap labor (gardeners, maids, construction workers) and politicians losing possible votes for the next elections more than they're concerned about anything else.

I think the goal of this law is to protect America and its citizens. Look at all the drug smuggling, human trafficking, and violence on the American/Mexican border throughout the years! Something needs to be done because clearly, Border Patrol isn't doing enough.

Seriously...the minute someone finds out about a law they can complain about, all hell breaks loose.  Especially when it involves one of three things, or even all three. 1. Race. 2. Religion. 3. Homosexuality.  This is another one of those things people love to complain about.  Boo fucking hoo. People are making too big of a deal about this law when they should simply step back and say "is it a big deal that a cop asks a Mexican for ID? The same cop would ask me for ID". I've been asked for ID more times in my life than I care to count and I would surrender it in a heartbeat in America or any other country. It's our right to know who is here legally and who is not.

And this is not about bigotry either...if it were, why haven't more states enacted a law like this one? Why just Arizona? There are far more racist and prejudice states in the union than Arizona. See Missisippi.

I think there are more important things to worry about in American than whether or not an immigration law will lead to racial profiling, which seems to be the main concern.  I certainly don't condone racial profiling, nor do I approve of prejudice and hate crimes. I also don't approve of many of the American laws (gay marriage being illegal to start) but I just don't think this bill is that bad.  Let's just get over it so we can focus our attention on a more important matter...our dependence on oil and the havoc it's wreaking on this Earth. See: Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

Oh...one more thing. No matter who passes what bill, no one will ever be satisfied. Such is the nature of government. 

Meet Christine Kent

When I went to work on Friday morning, I thought my day would be the usual type of day.  Do some work, read the news, get some writing done.  I visited CNN.com like I normally do and I came across a headline that read "Paralyzed Shooting Victim Competes in Marathons".  I clicked on the headline and read the story.  By the time I finished, I had tears in my eyes.  Tears of sadness, but also of inspiration.  I knew right then and there I wanted to contact her to offer some sort of support.

Friday turned out not to be a normal day for me.  Reading that article ignited a spark inside me and I felt compelled to reach out to Christine Kent after reading her story and realizing she lives in the greater Ft. Lauderdale area, just a few miles away from me.

I visited a couple websites dedicated to Christine and read her story several times.  On one of the websites, I found her email address and sent her an email telling her a little about me, who I am, and that I would like to help.  I told her I couldn't necessarily help her monetarily (she has a fund through NTAF to raise money for her medical expenses and a wheelchair van) but I would like to meet her and help her out somehow.

To my surprise and delight, she responded that very same day and said she would love to meet me and that she had some gardening she needed assistance with.  I admitted I didn't have much of a green thumb, but I would be more than happy to come over and help her anyway.  She called me on Friday evening and we made plans to meet on Saturday.

I arrived to her house at noon on Saturday and when she opened the door, we both had wide smiles on our faces, grateful to meet each other.  No sooner did I step inside her house did she stretch her arms out wide to envelop me in a hug.  We had just met that day, but it was almost like I had known her for years.  She and her house are very warm and welcoming, as is her extremely adorable cat.

Christine was grateful for my contacting her, saying "one can never have too many friends", but even more grateful that I was willing to help her tend to her garden, an activity she used to love, and in fact still does, but faces many challenges navigating her backyard in a wheelchair.

If you haven't clicked on the two links above, I will tell you why Christine needs help gardening. It sounds like a simple task to most people, but for Christine, it is far from that, even though that doesn't stop her from having a passion for a beautiful yard.

Christine is in a wheelchair.  She hasn't always relied on a wheelchair; in fact, she used to love skiing and she even used to be a model.  She was as mobile as any person could get.  But her life changed on August 4th, 2007.  On that night, she was the victim of a horrible crime that has left her forever changed.  She was attacked by a stalker at her home in Ft. Lauderdale by a man she had considered to be a mere acquaintance.

A man by the name of Allan Sinclair IV plotted an attack against her and showed up at her house one random night.  He was not a friend of hers, nor was he a complete stranger, so when he knocked on her door that night, she was apprehensive, but opened the door to this acquaintance of hers.

Before she knew it, he put a gun to the back of her head.  She spoke to him about God and told him he needed to let her go.  When she fled for her life, he opened fire and one of the bullets completely obliterated the T-12 section of her spine and paralyzed her.  She landed in the gravel beside her driveway, conscious.  Sinclair then got in his SUV and ran over her in her own driveway, turning the wheel on top of her abdomen, crushing her.

He fled the scene and she desperately screamed for help, but no one came.  Her neighbors phoned the police when they heard the shots being fired but were too afraid to come to her aid.  She lie there, paralyzed in agonizing pain when suddenly Sinclair came back within minutes, grabbing her by the ankles and dragging her across the driveway behind the hedges.

She was left there to die.  She prayed for her life and prayed to be saved while waiting to be rescued.  Christine Kent survived by a miracle, by the grace of God, and she is ever so grateful.

Fortunately, this dangerous man was apprehended the very next day.  On October 2, 2009, Allan Sinclair IV pleaded guilty to attempted rape and first degree attempted murder and was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.  She has some closure and peace of mind knowing he will never get out of prison to hurt her or anyone else again.

On August 4, 2007, Christine was sentenced a life of paralyzation because of this man.  Thank God that same day, she was also granted life.  The doctors confirmed that the injuries to her spine were so severe, she will never walk again.  She spent over six months in the hospital and in rehabilitation facilities, but is grateful to be back in her own home.  Every day is challenging for her, but through sheer will, determination, and an amazing support system, she keeps pushing forward.

Christine tries to remain positive despite chronic pain and her disability, but she sincerely believes that every day is a gift and life is truly a blessing.  She has attended support groups who have helped her adjust to her new life, to solve problems, and to set goals and since becoming involved, she has been helpful and encouraging to others who struggle with the same issues.  Christine has become more involved with various activities and sports geared for the disabled.  Handcycling is now one of her favorite sports and she has just completed her third full 26-mile marathon!  She feels such a sense of accomplishment and her family and friends are very proud of her.

Christine Kent is an amazing woman who has overcome a violent, brutal attack that should have killed her.  But it didn't. And it certainly didn't kill her spirit either.  She wants to make the most of her life and by sharing her story, experience, and perspective, she believes she can help others as well.  She speaks at various groups and hopes to have a positive impact by promoting awareness of disability and giving motivational speeches.  Her goal is not to get sympathy from anyone, but rather to help people understand the importance of not taking life for granted.

Christine says living with paralysis is extremely difficult and every day she has her challenges, but she manages and wants to be as independent as possible once again. 
She has modified her home to be handicap accessible by installing ramps in the front and back of the house, as well as interior modifications which have made it a bit easier for her to maintain independence.  She also has an aide who assists her in her home five times a week, helping out with various tasks and chores.  But she is still a long way from reaching her goal of independence.  Having her own means of transportation, a wheelchair van, would help her fulfill this goal.  She would be able to stay active and commute to as many places as needed. 

Christine is amazing.  Instantly, her presence warms your heart because she is one of the rarest people a person could ever meet--truly kind, caring, and sincere.  Instead of feeling sorry for herself, she realizes things could always be worse and she is still alive, and while she is alive, she will settle for nothing less than making the most of her life. But she needs our help.  Due to her condition, she is unable to work and receives government aid.  But it's not enough. 

To assist with her injury related expenses, a fundraising campaign has been established with the Catastrophic Injury Program of the National Transplant Assistance Fund (NTAF). NTAF is a nonprofit organization that has been serving the transplant and catastrophic injury community for 25 years. All contributions are tax-deductible and are administered for injury-related expenses only.

If you wish to make a donation:

Make check payable to:                   

NTAF Southeast Spinal Cord Injury Fund          

Write on check memo line:              

In honor of Christine Kent

Mail to:

NTAF

150 N. Radnor Chester Road Suite F-120

Radnor, PA 19087

Otherwise you can visit her personal NTAF website here to contribute a donation online.  Christine also tells her own story on her own personal website called Christine's Survival. Luckily, Christine has a huge support system--family, friends, doctors, therapists, support groups.  Without them, Christine may have taken a different approach to her new life.  She is lucky to have them and they are all lucky to know her and care about her.

Christine's story is a lesson to all of us not to take anything in life for granted, particularly life itself.  A random act of kindness can go a long way and change someone's life. I wish everyone I knew could meet Christine.  But there are other people like Christine out there who need help as well.  I urge you to find someone in your community and reach out to them with a helping hand.  You don't have to donate money to make a difference.  There is someone in your community who struggles with day-to-day activities, just like Christine, and you can help.

Meeting Christine truly warmed my heart, and although I'm not a gardener by any means, I can only hope that I helped in some way.  I hope I didn't cut that pineapple plant down too much, and I hope those bulbs we separated actually grow!  I look forward to seeing her (and her cute cat) again and I hope her story reaches the masses, one person at a time.  Everyone could use a little help and inspiration once in a while.

So Christine, I thank you for opening your door to me, a complete stranger, and letting me into your life.  I will be forever grateful for your trust, your kind words, and inspiration.  You are an amazing woman.  I hope you reach your goal and get that set of wheels you want so badly.  I have faith that one of these days, you'll be cruising around town in no time.