Nothing but Bullshit

The following article in which I will be copying/pasting is nothing but City Government Bullshit, plus a little extra. The article comes from the Lexington Herald Leader newspaper, dated 11-26-2005. The link to the article is here.

• CHARITY VS. CITY CODES
  Lexington officials, church at odds

By Frank E. Lockwood

Herald-Leader Staff Writer

Lexington's parks and recreation department wants a Christian youth group to stop feeding the poor and homeless at downtown's Phoenix Park on Sunday afternoons.

Deputy director Bill Carman warned Hill-n-Dale Christian Church this week that its charitable workers could be violating city park and health codes.

Church members say it's their Christian duty and their legal right to serve the poor. They'll be serving beef vegetable soup, cookies, lemonade and probably hot cocoa Sunday.

Carman concedes there's not much he can do to stop them if they operate in the park without a proper city permit. "If people just choose to ignore the law, what do you do? Arrest the church?" he asked.

Yesterday, mayoral spokesman Bruce Edwards said the church might be legally entitled to serve food in a public park. "Constitutionally, there's no argument there."

There are several other programs that provide meals for the homeless, but few do it in a more prominent public space.

Phoenix Park, a 1-acre spot where the homeless often congregate, is next to the Lexington Public Library and Park Plaza Apartments.

Aaron Allen, a Transylvania student and Hill-n-Dale homeless ministry volunteer, says the meal program makes some Lexingtonians uncomfortable. "They'd rather sweep it under the rug and put it in a part of the city where the white upper-class suburbia can kind of ignore" homelessness, he said.

Park officials worry about the lack of restroom facilities and they say litter is a problem when homeless people eat in the park.

Hill-n-Dale volunteers say they pick up the trash after every meal and haul it back to their own church's dumpster.

Park Plaza residents and library workers have complained about the hungry throngs.

Library patrons don't like being panhandled, Edwards said.

Library executive director Kathleen Imhoff has also complained to the city. In an interview, she said meal recipients bring their food into the library and leave litter inside the building.

Other locations, such as the old courthouse off Cheapside, might be better, Carman said, offering to work with the church.

Hill-n-Dale senior pastor David Welsh says he's willing to cooperate with the city. "We're not being contentious. We don't want to cause problems. Our kids just want an opportunity to continue this ministry," he said.

Hill-n-Dale's young people, mainly college students, have been bringing food to Phoenix Park every week for about 21/2 years.

The church says roughly 75 to 100 people eat lunch at the park each Sunday. Carman puts the number at 200.

State Rep. Stan Lee, R-Lexington, a Hill-n-Dale elder, took issue with the city. "You shouldn't try to stop that. You shouldn't throw a bunch of bureaucratic red tape and nonsense" in the way of the project, he said.

In an e-mail to church leaders, Carman suggested Hill-n-Dale's aim is praiseworthy. "We endorse your mission, but we cannot endorse the date, time or place where it is being accomplished," he wrote, adding that the program was having an "impact on other taxpayers."

Yesterday, poor people in Phoenix Park criticized city officials for trying to move the meals. "They don't want us around here," said Grover Rawlins, 42. "It ain't right. It just ain't right."

• Where should I begin with my comments about this? I don't know where to start.

• OK... I'll start here... From personal experience, the library executive director, Kathleen Imhoff is nothing but an executive BITCH. (That felt good to say that. I've always tried to be nice in putting into words how much I dislike her, but damn, calling her an outright BITCH is nice.)

• I might as well say this, I once worked at this library. Everyday I went to work and I crossed Phoenix Park. I wouldn't really call it a park. There's no grass. What it is, is a concrete area, with some trees (a little parkish), and benches located around the trees. It's a corner location where two streets cross, and to one side is the five story Central Public library, and the other is about a 20 story apartment complex. Supposedly the premiere apartment complex in downtown Lexington. People hang out at this park all the time. Occassionally the city will hold small events through the year, and this part of the location for the farmer's market during the summer.

• The homeless of Lexington has sat in this area for MUCH longer than the church has been giving out food. The homeless have made the library a place of refuge for years. It didn't just start when the church started handing out food. So for the executive bitch and the city elude to the fact that this incident has caused other non homeless people to be approached by the homeless because of this charity is just bullshit. I really like the comment about the apartment residence not liking to be panhandaled. If they can afford to live in Park Plaza apartments, they can damn well give some pocket change, and even a meal to the homeless.

• Just some background information, the church started bringing sack lunches to the library and handing them out to individuals. Food isn't allowed in the Central library. At least not above the first floor. (There's a small deli on the first floor and a couple of tables to sit and eat.) As I'm at the reference desk I see a teenager giving what looked like a sack lunch to a gentleman in our "lounge area." Unofficially it's called, "Sleey Hollow." Comfortable chairs to sit and read, but also a tempting place to catch some ZZZZZZZs. (Sleeping is not allowed either.) Anyways, I watched the teenager give him the lunch, and I didn't have the heart to say, "Food isn't allowed up here." I mean, I don't know when was the last time he had a meal. Granted I'm going on the assumption that he was homeless, but working there day after day, I had a good feeling. Next week, some other teenagers did the same thing.

• I finally notice, there were no more lunches being brought. Or it could be I was busy and didn't notice. Then one day I look outside down below to Phoenix Park and there are tables set up and a line of people receiving food. I wanted to applaud (did I spell that correctly) those individuals giving out food. It was quite a cold day.

• Imagine my surprise that months later, when I was still working at the library, and I hear about the city, and some downtown businesses, complaining about a church giving out food. And here it is in print.

• When I left the Lexington area, the government was doing their best to establish the downtown area a place to live, eat, shop, and work. So for the homeless to sleep on these benches at Phoenix Park, and receive charity, is putting a damper on their elite plans. What a punch of assholes. There's a reason why I didn't vote for the current mayor of Lexington (that and I wasn't living in the city at that time.)

• If the library is so concerned about the homeless coming into the library, to sit, rest, sleep, use the restroom, they should just quit their complaining. If the city government continue to be the assholes they are and stop the church from providing food, the homeless are still going to come into the library. They are still going to use the restrooms, catch a nap, and panhandle. Nothing is going to stop that. It happened before the church, it's going to happen after.

• Let me make a comment about the other programs in Lexington designed to help the homeless. Some of them are really inconvienent (I think I spelled that wrong too). Some are extremely out of the way. Others put restrictions on who can be helped. Here is a church willing to go where the homeless are located to give them what they need. No one else is willing to do that. Why stop it?

• That's all for now. Wait, did I mention the library executive director is a BITCH? I just wanted to make sure I got that point across. Now I am glad I never received a phone call from that library after I sent in my application for a recent job post.

Elton John Concert - the Details

Finally - I have the chance to talk about the concert. I have to say, for someone who only knows maybe 1/4 of Sir Johns songlist (maybe not even that much) the concert was enjoyable. He doesn't over do things. He plays his songs, with some videos with a mix of light art involved. Elton talks to the audience but he knows why people come to his shows -- for his music. This guy knows how to create magic on those keys. He does. I was amazed.

The Songlist... (I'm sorry if I forget some, but then I had to ask my friends the titles of most of these)

• Funeral for a Friend
• Tiny Dancer
• Rocket Man (played it for a good 15 - 20 minutes)
• Crocodile Rock
• Daniel
• Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting
• Bennie and the Jets
• Don't Let the Sun go Down on Me
• The Bitch is Back (imagine a full arena shouting "Bitch" with Elton John, with the word up on the big screen - very fabulous)
• Don't Go Breaking my Heart
• I Guess that's Why they Call it the Blues
• Something about the Way you Look Tonight
• Many songs from a new album.
• The song he sang with Dolly Parton on the County Music Awards.

My ticket cost $35.00 which put me up in the nose bleed section. But, my seat was near the stage, and I was facing Elton John while he was playing the piano. The seats on the floor were running somewhere around the $100 mark.

I didn't realize how many fans Elton John has. I know he's a musical icon, but I was still amazed. The arena was packed, and his fans are wild. Dancing in the aisle. Bowing to Sir John. And this was all ages. From pre-teens to older adults. They don't know the lyrics to just one song, they know them all. To tell you the truth, I was very happy to hear some of his new songs because that ment I wasn't the only person there who didn't know something.

I'm still trying to figure out how some of the individuals got front row seats. They looked to be college age, acting as if they were at a frat party. They almost stole the show. I couldn't help but watch them act like idiots. One particular guy and gal were dance close to the stage and my (close and close to erotic) and my eyes almost popped open when I saw her drop close to her knees in front of him, crotch level. I thought, "Holy hell people, every one of us can see, get a room!"

Elton John wore two different outfits. I was expecting more. I expected something flashy and sequin like. He came out with a long black overcoat which looked like Gingo Tree leaves on the back. For the encore he came out with a sweatsuit/pantsuit outfit with the word, "SuperSoul" on the back.

He had is band with him. The bass guitarist received a "boo" from the audience because he was unfortunate to come from Michigan. There's one thing to know about being in Ohio, there is a HUGE college football rivalry between University of Michigan and Ohio State University. The following day was the big game. You know that college football (Ohio State University football) is big when waiting for the concert to begin you hear the chant... "O-H--I-O." Some guy was nice enough to scream it in my ear on the way out. (The idiot). Btw - Ohio State did win the game. I watched the last 5 minutes. Michigan was up, but Ohio State made some very good plays at the end.

What else... the concert lasted for a full 3 hours. All Elton John. He had a back up group from Atlanta, Georgia. These individuals are on his new album and decided to take them on the tour. He takes the time to autograph items during the concert. I suspect this is done for two reasons, 1) for the fans, and 2) give the guys and himself a break from playing. Three hours is a long time. Believe me, my butt knows. It became numb half way through. Sure I could have stood and danced and what not, but being in the nose bleed section, I was afraid that I would fall forward if I stood.

That's it for now. Have a good day everyone.

Back from Concert

Back from the Elton John Concert.

It's 1:23 a.m. EST

I'm dead tired.

Talk later.

Goodnight.

Thoughts on the Floor of Congress

From time to time, I like visit the United States Library of Congress website and visit Thomas. Yeah, I just like to see what Thomas is doing. Is he making sense? Is he reasonable? Wasting his time? Even making an appearance? And by Thomas I refer to the website which allows the common people of America to see bills being presented and passed during Congress sessions. You can search for historical and current information, but just to let you know it is done as only the federal government can do, very pain-in-the-butt like.

Let's see what I found for Yesterday November 16th, 2005...

H.CON.RES.301 : Expressing the sense of Congress that any bill or joint resolution that provides for the establishment of a new Federal program should contain a provision that eliminates one or more current Federal programs of equal or greater cost.Sponsor: Rep Conaway, K. Michael

I find this one kinda silly. In my own words, "The government giveth, the government take it away." If this passes, Congress will have the nice fortune to balance one program for another. I can see where Rep. Conaway is making an attempt to find a way to control the U.S. Government spending. My opinion would be, take some damn money management classes. There are plenty of fine programs on money management in the United States to enroll in.

H.CON.RES.302 : Supporting the national motto of the United States.Sponsor: Rep Davis, Jo Ann

Should the national motto of the United States have been supported when it was created and approved by Congress? Must you spend time on the Congress floor asking them to support it. Which brings me to another question... we have a motto?

H.RES.547 : Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit deplorably infringed on parental rights in Fields v. Palmdale School District.Sponsor: Rep Murphy, Tim

This one is kinda interesting. I always considered that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit was kinda "off their rocker," but I am surprised at their ruling in favor of the school district.

Whereas the Palmdale School District sent parents of elementary school students at Mesquite Elementary School in Palmdale, California a letter requesting consent to give a psychological assessment questionnaire to their first, third, and fifth grade students;

Whereas without the informed consent of their parents, the young students were instead administered a questionnaire that contained sexually explicit and developmentally inappropriate questions;

Whereas seven parents subsequently filed a complaint against the Palmdale School District in a Federal district court;

Whereas on November 2, 2005, a 3-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the decision of the United States District Court for the Central District of California in the case (Fields v. Palmdale School District) and held that parents `have no constitutional right . . . to prevent a public school from providing its students with whatever information it wishes to provide, sexual or otherwise, when and as the school determines that it is appropriate to do so';

Whereas the Ninth Circuit stated, `once parents make the choice as to which school their children will attend, their fundamental right to control the education of their children is, at the least, substantially diminished';

According to this, the parents were given permission forms for psychological assesments to be

completed on their children. It seems they were not told their children would receive information of an sexual explicit nature. Had the parents known, they may not have signed it.

Now we don't know what all the permission form included. The sponsor of this bill didn't say. I'm of the opinion 1) parents why in the world do you want your kids to have a psychological assesment at school. See a professional for that. 2) these are young children, and I know some children are aware of sex and things of that nature at that young age, but if parents don't want their school to teach them about it, give another option. At that age, they might not be able to digest the info. A couple years down the road, that's different. At that point the parents should know and understand that sex education is a part of the school curriculum.

H.RES.556 : Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a National Methamphetamine Prevention Week should be established to increase awareness of methamphetamine and to educate the public on ways to help prevent the use of that damaging narcotic.Sponsor: Rep Baird, Brian

Do you realize that the U.S. has a week for everthing. (Either a week or a day.) We even have a day, or was that a week, for celebrating masturbation. I kid you not people.

H.R.323 : To redesignate the Ellis Island Library on the third floor of the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, located on Ellis Island in New York Harbor, as the "Bob Hope Memorial Library".Sponsor: Rep Engel, Eliot L.

All I had to say was, "what the fuck?" Why would you want to rename the Ellis Island Library in favor of Bob Hope? Nothing against Bob Hope. He was a good ENTERTAINER. What does Ellis Island have to do with entertainment? We're not talking about New York City. We're talking about a place that was the entry way for many many many individuals making their first entrance into the United States. And some congressman want to change the library name in honor of Bob Hope? Oh please. They'd be better off naming the football stadium the New York giants play in honor of Mr. Hope. Because he just loved football.

H.R.866 : To make technical corrections to the United States Code.Sponsor: Rep Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr.

I can't help but get a laugh out of this one. Do you mean to tell me that a member of congress has to make a motion to make corrections to the United States Code?

H.R.1790 : To protect children and their parents from being coerced into administering a controlled substance in order to attend school, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep Kline, John

I'm really surprised this issue has to be addressed. What school makes parents coerce their children to take controlled substances before they can attend? I know these are the days of Ritalin (did I spell that correctly). I know there is a problem with hyper active children in school. And I have heard about teachers strongly suggesting that this children have Attention Deficit Disorder, or ADHD. I think they are jumping to conclusions with this. When did a teacher become a shrink? And when did a teacher know what medicine to prescribe? I'll stop on that issue b/c I don't want to go into the issue of a parent not parenting and the teachers have to suffer. That's another story.

H.R.4347 : To end homelessness in the United States.Sponsor: Rep Carson, Julia

Please don't tell me that Congress is just NOW concerned with the homelsess.

I'll stop for now. That's enough anyways. Have a good day everyone.

My Answers

Every so often I receive an e-mail which contains a questionaire. Something from a friend, asking basic questions about yourself. You can have as many questions as you wish, and any kind of question. Here's this set of questions with my answers.

1. What time did you get up this morning? 7:15am

2 Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Elizabethtown

4. What is your favorite TV show? Currently inproduction: CSI: Las Vegas; Past: I miss the Smurfs

5. What did you have for breakfast? frosted shredded wheat and a piece of ham

6. What is your middle name? ??????

7. What is your favorite cuisine? Americanized Chinese

8. What foods do you dislike? liver

9. What is your favorite Potato chip? BBQ

10. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Don't really have a favorite right now

11. What kind of car do you drive? Ford Taurs

13. What characteristics do you despise? judgemental, rudeness

15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation,where would you go? Hmmm, tough one

16. What color is your bathroom? blue, yellow, white

17. Favorite brand of clothing? Don't have one

18. Where would you want to retire to? Some place cozy
19. Favorite time of day? after work, ofcourse

20. Where were you born? KY

21. Favorite sport to watch? Men's College Basketball

22. Skip

23. Skip

24. What type of detergent do you use? Era Free

25. Coke or Pepsi? Use to be Coke, now it's Ginger Ale

26. Are you a morning person or night owl? Night Owl

27. What size shoe do you wear? I have a big foot

28. Do you have pets? 1 cat

29. Any new and exciting news you\'d like to share witheveryone? nope

30. What did you want to be when you were little? a shrink

31. Favorite Candy Bar? Snickers

32. What is your best childhood memory? being with my mom

33. What are the different jobs you have had in yourlife? babysitter, camp lifeguard, camp dishwasher (has some strange dreams with that job), social worker, library shelver, library assistant, reference assistant, reference librarian

34 What color underwear are you wearing? white (nothing fancy today)

36. Piercing? one in each ear

37. Eye color? blue, with some green, and a little brown around the pupil

38. Ever been to Africa? no

39. Ever been toilet papered? no

40. Love someone so much it made you cry? Yes - damn him

41. Been in a car accident? a little fender bender (promise it wasn't my fault

42. Croutons or bacon bits? it varies

43. Favorite day of the week? Friday

44. Favorite restaurants? Wallace's Station (the one and only)

45. Favorite flower? Tulips

46. Favorite ice cream? mint chocolate chip

47. Disney or Warner Brothers? Disney

48. Favorite fast food restaurant? I'm getting kinda sick of fast food

49. What color is your bedroom carpet? tan

50. How many times did you fail your driver's test? 1

51. Before this one, from whom did you get your laste- mail? something work related

52. Which store would you choose to max out yourcredit card? Linen's and Things, Joseph Beth booksellers, Best Buy

53. What do you do most often when you are bored? clean, crochet, sleep, read, watch television, surf the net

54. Skip

55. Last person you went to dinner with? People from work

56. Ford or Chevy? I own a Ford, learned how to drive with a Ford, and a Chevy survived my driving in high school and college

57. What are you listening to right now? the running of the computer

58. How many tattoos do you have? none

59. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Hasn't anyone figured this out already?

60. Skip

61. Time you finished this? 9:10pm EST

What's in my bag (Library Bag)

Not much to say today, but I'm in the mood to share. So I'll share the contents of my library bag. Most of the items will not be read or listened to due to lack of time. But here they are...

1. How to crochet / Pauline Turner (book) - these days I'm passing the time by working on an afghan for my Memaw. An easy stitch and I'm gonna hate giving it away.
2. Never love you enough / Chely Wright (CD) - I'm a country music fan. Not a big fan of Ms. Wright but she does have some interesting songs. One title track is called Jezebel. Hmmm, could be interesting.
3. Songs about Jane / Maroon 5 (CD) - never listened to the group, or if I have, I didn't know it. Picked it up on a whim.
4. The Carols of Christmas / Various (CD) - I'm in the Christmas mood. My Christmas tree is already up with wrapped gifts underneath. Enough said.
5. Sahara (DVD) - What a dumb movie. Turned it on, became quickly bored, started washing dishes and before I knew it the closing credits were running. The movie is based on Clive Cussler's novel with the same title.
6. Walt Disney's Cinderella (DVD) - I told you I wanted to watch the movie. Didn't have to buy it though. I was walking through the children's section of the library and there it was. Sweet as always. *
7. Indian Summer (DVD) - movie is about 8 adults coming back for one week to the camp they attended when they were younger. The movie brings back memories since I spent many weeks at camp growing up.
8. The Muppet Christmas Carol (DVD) - probably my favorite Christmas movie. Refer back to number 4 for further explaination.
9. Minion / L. A. Banks (book) - about a woman who hunts vampires and demons. I'm a fan of Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series in which Ms. Blake raises the dead, and has the most interesting relationships with vampires and werewolves. **
10. Memiors of a Geisha / Arthur Golden (book) - when this book first came out, my friend told me I had to read this; that I would just love the book. At the time, she had no idea what books I like, but she somehow knew I would like it. Finally borrowed it from the library, and have yet to read it. I'll wait for the movie since it's coming to the movie screen soon.
11. The broker / John Grisham (book) - I haven't read a John Grisham book in ages. This one started out good, but never finished it. I'll get to it in a couple of months. It's a good thing I don't have to pay fines, and I can renew material over and over again. ***
12. A Charlie Brown Christmas (VHS) - I saw this movie for the first time just a week ago. Now I really do know what people mean when they talk about a "Charlie Brown Christmas Tree."
13. What's new Scooby-Doo?: merry scary holiday (VHS) - So am I going overboard with the Christmas item. Note: I am a Scooby Doo fan.
14. Miss Morison's Ghosts (VHS) - I never heard about this movie until I saw someone check it out. I'm interested about ghosts, I'll watch it. It contains 2 VHS tapes, and I listened to the first one while I was working on my Memaw's afghan. I might have liked it better had I actually watched it. I didn't watch the second tape.
15. Firefly: The complete series - Disc 3 (DVD) - this is a television series by the Joss Whedon. The same person who created Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. The dialog is quite funny. This is the second time I've checked it out just because I couldn't finish it earlier (being on vaction and being sick).
16. The essential cat / Caroline Davis (book) - basic knowledge about cats and how to care for them. Too bad it doesn't answer how to put up with a brat like my cat, Turtle. Don't get me wrong, I love my cat, he just has behavior problems every once and a while. Enough so that my jacket has to be taken to the dry cleaners. Yup.
17. Confessions of an ugly stepsister / Gregory Maguire (Audio Cassette) - I've tried to read is books, and I will continue to try to read his books. I thought listening might be helpful while I'm driving in the car. Nope. I can't concentrate on listening while driving.
18. The tender bar: a memior / J.R. Moehringer (book) - since I have a strange fascination with alcohol (I wanted to be a bartender at the age of 18, or was it 19) I had to pick the book up. The author basically grew up in a bar setting, surrounded by people, conversation and alcohol. What couldn't be a better read?
19. Healing rain / Michael W. Smith (CD) - Contemporary Christian artist. Kinda disappointed in his latest CD, though the tracks "Healing Rain" and "Here I am" are good. He's been around for years. First song of his I heard was "Secret Ambition," and I cried when I watched the video. I was probably 14 when I first heard the song.
20. A Confederacy of Dunces / John Kennedy Toole (Audio CD) - I first picked the book up a couple of years ago and never had the chance to finish it. The book is current at my parents place in Kentucky. It has a different kind of humor to it. Since I saw it available, I thought I would give it a second chance.
21. The story of the King James Bible and how it changed a nation, a language, and a culture / Alister McGrath (book) - it's books like these where I want to grab a pen and paper to take notes. I forsee keeping this book checked out for some time. I'm interested in knowing what all it says.
22. Wicked: the life and times of the Wicked Witch of the West / Gregory Maguire (book) -once again, I'm trying to read his books. This is now a Broadway musical which has gotten good reviews.
23. Wicked: the life and times of the Wicked Witch of the West / Gregory Maguire (Audio Cassette) - some how, I'm going to read this book.

* I'm sure there is a S&M version of Cinderella out there, but it's not available at the library. I'd have to visit an adult store for that version.

** If you decide to begin reading Hamilton's Anita Blake series be warned, the series starts out tame and becomes very graphic. Sexually graphic. I honestly couldn't read the last book because of all the sex. I couldn't find the plot anywhere. I've thought about listening to the book on Audio CD, but I'm quite certain I will be listening to soft porn.

*** Just to prove I'm not a stingy librarian, I will return books that I am not going to read back to the library if I know someone else is waiting for the book. No reason for me to keep it. I can always get it later.

(There are two more books in my car, but I couldn't tell you the title of them.)

Have a good day everyone.

The Truth about Christmas

Tonight I turn on the television to watch a special on Dateline. Dateline has been called a news magazine on television. Investigative stories on different subjects. They've done a special on decoding the Da Vinci Code, next week they will talk about John Lenon's killer, they do almost anything where research has to be done and new information is supposedly given to the public by watching this show. (I honestly don't know how better to describe it. It's a show on NBC if you want to look it up). Tonight's show was about the truth of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Now I wish I had the chance to watch the whole show. I'll only saw the last half. Ann Curry and Stone Phillips (who names their child Stone? Probably the came people who name them Apple and Coco.) made a comment at the end of the show saying they hoped they shed some light into the Christmas story with the upcoming holiday season arriving. While watching this show I felt, what's the phrase, talked down to.

Granted, I know they had a particular audience they were presenting this show to. Obviously, it wasn't me. As they were presenting fact after fact of the birth of Jesus, I kept thinking, "you didn't surprise me with that information. you missed you're mark if you were trying to blow me over with your facts." Now they may have surprised those individuals who don't study the Bible, nor study the people, places, and culture of the first century when Jesus was born. Frenquently through out the show they presented film from Christmas pagents played in churches all across the United States. These Christmas pagents look nice and pretty with a young girl being Mary, a young boy as Joseph, kids depicting shepherds, the Magi and angels. Yes, it looks pretty and nice. The parents like to take photos and enjoy knowing that their son or daughter had the chance to play Joseph or Mary. But please, I know it wasn't all pretty. I know the birth of Jesus is not exactly how I was brought up to know. I have a brain and I've used it to do my own research.

This is what I know (it's not everything, but I have to leave room for the things I will learn)...

• Jesus Christ was not born on December 25. (Sorry for all those who read this and remember the feeling when you knew Santa didn't exist. But just for the record, there are days in which I do want Santa to exist)
• December 25 use to be a Pagan holiday, changed by a ruler named Constantine (did I spell that correctly?)
• the Magi did not visit Jesus at a manger. They first saw Jesus when he was probably around two years old.
• and yes, I hate seeing manger scenes across town with the Magi (some people want to refer to them as the 3 kings) with Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. It's just not correct.
• Mary and Joseph probably never visited an Inn to look for a room. It was most likely a relative's "house" and there was no room, so they had to stay where they could - out back.
• Many scholars believe Jesus was born sometime in the spring.

That's only a short list. But that's all my brain is thinking about right now. I'll save my rant about more religion later. I'm calling it a night.

Have a good night everyone.

Read whatever down below...

Here's whatever is on my mind (I promise no alcohol has been consumed during this strange writing).

• I've come to like a new drink - Diet Canada Dry.
• It's a diet ginger ale drink.
• Still can't quite drink regular soda after that stomach virus.
• Still can't eat anything with grease either.
• I don't remember when I was so anxious about applying for a job.
• I still like working with the people I currently work with.
• But I would like to be in Kentucky.
• Just the other night I was reading a book with my glasses on and a magnifying glass.
• What's up with that?
• My eyesight isn't that bad, but my eyes become tired.
• It was small print.
• I'll give myself a break on that.
• I almost but the Christmas Tree up this past weekend.
• Made myself hold off for another weekend.
• But, I'm listening to Christmas music now.
• I'd hate to work a Bath and Body Works now. They started playing Christmas music in October. October 17th to be exact.
• I asked back in September when it was going to start.
• It was a spur of the moment question.
• I'm sure everything is red, green and gold in that store now.
• And the employees are having Christmas nightmares.
• "The customers are being transformed into reindeer, trampling on displays and products, singing "Grandma got ran over by a reindeer (that's not a Kentucky song).""
• Nice crisp and cold diet ginger ale. Feels good going down.
• That last statement can be taken the wrong way.
• I would say, "don't think it," but you probably have.
• (Brain fart occuring)
• Please excuse the brain fart with a "burp."
• small "burp"
• excuse me.
• the ginger ale has gotten to me.
• and i need something for my headache.
• i'm hoping to receive a good night's rest.
• I've been sleepy for a whole week now.
• I blame it on my cat.
• Twice the other night I woke up to my cat sniffing at my face.
• I don't even want to hear that its bad breath.
• So don't think it.
• It's not quite certain the levy passed.
• The outcome is so small that the absentee ballots can make a difference, or there may be a recount.
• The word "recount" still brings images of Bush v. Gore.
• I'm not a Bushman. Though my friend won't believe me.
• I still think Kerry is a wuss.
• Not that Bush was a great choice.
• Why couldn't McCain have run for Presidency?
• I won't vote for Hillary if she runs for Presidency.
• One Clinton was enough.
• I'll need to take a headache medicine with a sleep aid tonight.
• I'm heading to an Elton John concert soon.
• I've never been a fan of Elton John.
• But I'll enjoy the company I'm going with.
• I'm invited to a potluck dinner next week with some friends back in Kentucky.
• One of the people invited is the guy I had a crush on months ago, and then found out he started dating someone.
• I mentioned him in a post and then started a list about me.
• Kinda want to go, kinda don't want to go.
• I don't want to know how I'll react if I see them together.
• They're both invited. She's definately going to the dinner. Not for sure about him, but he probably will. As stated by the person who invited me.
• He wrote me a letter a couple of weeks ago.
• I thought someone else had written me until I read a couple of seconds and realized it was his handwriting and his wording.
• His letter contained information about one of the job openings I applied for.
• Last time he wrote me, he sent me a recipe for a sweet potato dish that I liked.
• I normally hate, and never eat sweet potatos.
• That was about a year ago.
• I'm going to take that headache medicine and go to sleep.
• Have a good day everyone.

The levy passed

Barely.

Waiting and Waiting and Waiting

I'm currently waiting for the election result to finalize here. To see if a levy is going to pass. It's currently neck and neck with the "Against the levy" slightly ahead. We'll see what happens.

Heard on the news today that a school board in Kanasas passed a motion to allow Intelligent Design (a.k.a. Creation) to mentioned alongside the Theory of Evolution in the school curriculum. I wonder how many people are going to be pissed off at that news?

I was weak today. Bored and depressed too. Which most likely led to my weakness.

No embarassing conversations today. Thank goodness.

This is one of those nights where I wouldn't mind sitting in a smokey bar. For no reason at all but to just sit and watch everyone around me. Good company would be nice too.

I've put in applications for two jobs back in Kentucky. I become homesick just writing the word.

I'm looking forward to seeing (maybe reading) Anne Rice's new book. She's completely changed topics from vampires, witches and erotica. Her books is in first person. And that person would be the one and only Jesus Christ as a seven year old boy. Come on, you have to be just a little curious about this book. I've never read an Anne Rice novel. I've tried, but I could never finish it. I'm looking forward to reading everyone's views about the book. So far it's gotten good reviews, but I want to know what her fans think. I wonder if any Christians will read it?

I'm in the mood to watch Walt Disney movies. Well, only Cinderella. Every now and then I like to mention those movies to my best friend just to make her mad. (It's a funny mad.) She hates the idea that Disney has taken tales written by other people and made a fortune from it. She hates it more that many people believe Disney created some of these tales. I would have like to have seen the Disney version of Snow White incorporate killing the ugly witch with the hot iron shoes. That would have made the kiddies scream.

I'm going to check the results again.

I just want one

In the past three weeks I've had 1/2 a cigarette. Only 1/2. And damn it, I want a cigarette. I'm not stressed. It's not social smoking. I just want one for the pure enjoyment of it.

Yes, I know, no one is stopping me. I could very well grab one from my stash in the kitchen drawer, but then I would feel completely weak. Damn it!

I didn't need to hear that

For those of you not working in libraries, you really are missing out on some of the most interesting (and embarassing) conversations you could have with a complete stranger.

Another interesting conversation with an older lady. She's only 58, not really old by today's standards. To tell you the truth, she looked older. I'm thinking she must have had a hard life, but she has a good spirit, and I don't believe any subject is taboo with her.

After being sent to the library from another nearby library, she comes to the desk looking for a couple of books handwritten on a list. A brief look indicates books about menopause. (I should have looked closer.) We walk to the books on women and health and she asks, "are there books about men here?"

I'm thinking, "men? I thought you were interested in menopause?"

"Are you looking for books about men or about menopause?" (I should have just directed her to the books on men, but then I didn't know exactly what she wanted to know about men.)

Here's her lovely response (and it doens't stop here.)

"Well, I don't mean to be gross or rude, but my boyfriend... sometimes he ejaculates and sometimes he doesn't. I just found out that men go through menopause and I want to know more about it. I want to know if I'm the reason why he's not ejaculating, or is it physical."

Oh my God!!!!! Do I know how to get them or what?

"Okay. So you are looking for essentially men's health. Information about male menopause and impotency. Alrighty then. Let's see what we can find."

(Occassionally I'll receive those questions where I try to detach myself from the person. Just focus on the question. Don't go past the question. Find the answers.)

So, we are looking through men's health, which is also around women's health and some sex books. Most of our sex books have been stolen. (They were educational sex books. So don't get any ideas.) She decides to continue talking. She's a friendly lady, though too much information comes out of her mouth. She tells me her boyfriend is 62. And at the time she told me that I couldn't help but think, "my dad is around that age. NO! NO! Don't think it. Don't think it. My parents don't have sex." No one wants to imagine their parents having sex. As far as I'm concerned my parents had sex 3 times - once for me and once for my sister, and their honeymoon. In my mind, I know it's more, but I don't want to think about it. And I don't like hearing those little statements that slip from my mom's mouth about sex. I don't want to think about it.

This whole reference transaction is just, I don't know, I can't explain it, but just too much. But it doesn't stop.

"You know, I didn't have sex for five years when I met him. I didn't realize I would dry up. It's like having sex with sandpaper."

Oh holy night! Is this going to stop?

"We have this stuff that I just hate and find embarrassing to use. What's that stuff called?"

"KY Jelly," I said in my mind.

"Jelly. KY Jelly. I hate that stuff. It's embarrassing to use. He doesn't mind it. My doctor (female) tells me to rub some on him and he would like it. She said that. That's not me. I'm old-fashioned."

"As if telling me all this is old-fashioned." (By this time I'm holding my head in my hands.)

"Well, I can see I've embarrassed you."

Hell yes, she has.

"I'm going to go now. Thank you for your help."

"You're welcome, have a good day."

I was going to tell her to have a good night also, but who knows where that statement would lead to. Just so you know this conversation lasted about 20 minutes or more. I just highlighted the interesting parts.

The view from the balcony of my "hotel" room. I've told everyone that I was lucky in getting this vacation.  

I wanted to cature the texture of the sand just under the water before the surf comes in. 

Myrtle Beach at Sunrise.  

A sweet old lady and Sen. John Kerry

One artform that must be developed as a public librarian is to listen to people's opinions without presenting your own comment (that is, if it is different from the person talking to you.) We librarian have the job of being completely unbiased. No matter our thoughts, religious or political views, or anything thing else, we are not to make comments which would (what's the best way to put this?) hinder one's experience at the library. The library is a place where all thoughts and opinions are welcomed. At least in theory.

I like the fact that a public library has this intention. I like working at a place where I can present material to people which they want to read and learn about. No matter the subject. Just this week I browsed thru our Bible to make sure a gentleman had the King James Version to study. No other version would do. Just two days later, I helped two teenage girls find books on Wicca. They wanted spells and charms, and I hated to tell the girls those books are frequently stolen. Some people would be thrilled with that notion, but stealing is stealing and I hated not being able to provide those girls with the books they wanted.

There are times when I really want to state my opinion on something but I have to bite my tounge. And to tell you the truth, had I been outside of the library talking with one particular lady I still would have held my opinion back because she was just as sweet and nice as could be.

An elderly lady comes up to the desk wanting books about history. Actually biographies. Particularly in Hollywood, and she would be greatful if it was about Dean Martin. Once in the stacks, she quickly changed her mind to political biographies. She's read every book about Lincoln. Loved reading about the Kennedys. Especially about Jackie O.

She just likes to chat and I couldn't help but want to listen and talk with her because I had the feeling she was lonely and doesn't talk to many other people. And how can you not like a woman in her 70's who gives a great description about a relative who... "wore a pinstripe satin suit, looked like a used car salesman, but was nothing more than an alcoholic jackass." Right there at the reference desk in front of everyone. I couldn't tell her to watch her language, because I would have loved to have heard it again.

But once we are in the stacks, she's browsing through all the biographies, making comments about a couple, and she comes across a Sen. John Kerry biography. (A biography promoting Sen. Kerry) She holds the book out and says, "Oh I just like him, don't you?"

O, how can I answer that question without sounding rude? Thank goodness she wasn't looking for an answer and just went on talking. It wouldn't have been nice of me to say, "Hell no. What an ass. The Democrats couldn't come up with a better candidate then him? What idiots. I don't even buy Heinz ketchup."

I hope to see her again some day. Even though she's a fan of Sen. Kerry, she brought a smile to my day with her comments about her relative. There's nothing like a 70 year old lady swearing.

Elizabethtown: the movie

Finally had the chance to see the movie Elizabethtown. The only purpose for me to see the movie was setting. Back home in Kentucky - small town atmosphere and country roads. I had the biggest desire to make a day trip to Kentucky just to drive along the back roads with brick fences and catch a glipse of horses sprinkled across the farms.

Here are my thoughts...

• Still can't stand Kirsten Dunst. Each time I see her I can't help but see a small version of her dressed up as a vampire saying "I want more." I can't get the picture out of my head.
• Orlando Bloom isn't as cute as everyone thinks. He's okay.
• I still think Susan S. is a good actress, but I don't like her choice of politics.
• My former car (green Plymouth Breeze) was not in the movie. I didn't think it would be, but I had to look. During the filming of the movie, I drove past Orlando Bloom being escorted by one big red truck with filming equipment, and a Kentucky State Trooper. On one of those back country road.
• Those back country roads are nice to trip except when you have an emergency to arrive quickly to a restroom. (Don't ask, I just know.)
• Not every Kentuckian collects pop bottle openers.
• A true Kentuckian knows the importance of Ale81. A wonderful drink. No alcohol needed. The movie would have been a flop had this drink not made a presense.
• Maker's Mark bourbon did make a presense. Not as much as one as I hoped, but this is a movie fit for the family.
• Not all of us have a thick Kentucky accent. Kirsten Dunst laid it on thick, but then her character was actually from Tennessee. Little bit more south.
• The cemetery and church scenes take place in a beautiful part of Central Kentucky. Located on a road frequently traveled by yours truely on those occassions when I had to go for a drive to clear my head. Unfortunately, you're not given the chance to see the outside of this small stone church. One of my former friends said he wanted to get married at that church. Well, he didn't. He married his wife in a big ugly church and I received broken heart. Note: I shredded the wedding invitation.

That's all for now. Thank you for the well wishes when I was sick. I'm feeling much better. Have a good day everyone.