My Big Backyard

Finally.  The internet has been freaking out for the past week or so.  It is back now.  Although the internet outage allowed me to gather my thoughts on everything, it also took some of the potency away.  A series of open letters:

Dear America,
I knew you could do it.  Thank you for not letting me down.  You made the best choice, hope over fear.  I can believe in you again.  You voted with your heart, and you will reap the rewards.  We will prosper again, economically and otherwise.

Now that all is decided it seems so inevitable.  Election night, I sat tense and white knuckled, but now that seems so silly.  As soon as Obama made his speech, it felt so obvious that it couldn't have turned out any other way.

Anyway, you made me proud.

With citizenship,
Megan

P.S.  Can we all agree that having health insurance is not the same as having healthcare?

Dear President-Elect Obama,
Congratulations!  I know there isn't much I can say that hasn't already been said, but I want to say that I believe that you truly represent the ideals of America: optimism, intelligence, diversity, and compassion.  You proved that you don't have to resort to despicable (read: Rovian Republican) tactics to win an election.  You trusted that the American people were better than that and they did not disappoint.

With admiration,
Megan

P.S.  What are the odds of Dennis K. getting a cool job like Secretary of Diminutive Awesomeness?  As a diminutive (and some might say awesome) person, I really feel like we are under-represented, and he would be a good spokesperson.  No?  Okay.  Think about it, though.

Dear Senator McCain,
Where were you during this campaign?  I remember seeing you give your concession speech and correcting some lady who was concerned about Obama's muslim status, but other than that I don't recall seeing you.  I remember seeing some pandering, Evangelical-Christian-Moral-Majority-Religious-Right-wing sellout who looked a lot like you at most of your rallies and stump speeches.  I think a lot of people thought that was supposed to be you!  Why did you let him choose Palin?!?  That was just ridiculous.  I think if you'd shown up at more of your campaign events it would have been a lot closer race.

With respect and confusion,
Megan

P.S.  What is with your stand-in's followers?  Those people are crazy.
P.P.S.  Seriously, Palin?!?!?!?

The past two days have been eventful.  Which means super eventful in my world.  I think I will go in chronological order.

Thursday morning, I went back to ETSU and reapplied.  I should get back in!  I have an appointment with an advisor in two weeks.  Then, Guy and I went to eat with our friends from work, Melissa, Jessica, Bridgette and her baby Isaac.  We went to a place called Bistro in Jonesborough.  It was okay, but nothing super tremendous.  But something tremendous was in Jonesborough.  A place called Earth and Sky Confections.  We went in and it was super cute.  I got a Blackberry-Thyme chocolate, and it was tasty, but perhaps more importantly, it was beautiful!  See?

Candy!!

Pink and purple swirls with metallic gold stars.  Full disclosure: I bought one and ate it, and bought another so I could look at it, and document it on film.

That afternoon we went to visit Guy's mom.  That morning she'd had a myelogram, which is an ouchy thing where they put dye in your spinal fluid!!!  Ow!!!!  So we went to visit her, and we had talks about universal healthcare, and buying a house.  After that I went to Britny's to watch The Happening.  We didn't, though.  We just talked and gossiped and whatnot.  It was fun, though!!  She let me borrow The Happening and that is a whole different post.

Friday, we took Bimble to the vet.

Bimble and Bumble

Bimble is the mostly gray one. Anyway we took him to the vet, because he has a weird wound on his tummy (probably from fighting with Bumble), and it wasn't healing.  When we got to the vet, he told us it looked like he had a fungus, and so we have to give him anti-fungal medication.  It turns, out what I thought was a boogery nose is actually the fungus too!  So I said he has athlete's nose!

After that, we went to Target, my most favoritest store.  We bought Archer Farms Five cheese macaroni, curtains, a kitty watering system and a toaster oven.  Have you tried the five cheese macaroni?  It's delicious!!!  As are the Herbs De Provance.  Archer Farms anything is tastilicious!

Wait.  I take that back.  I have had one thing that was not so fabulous:

Smores?!?!?!?

Yeah.  That says S'mores flavored tortilla chips.  They were really weird.

Anyway.  After that we went to eat at Pizza Hut Bistro, which unlike Bistro of Jonesborough, is awesome!  After that we went to a new organic type grocery store that just opened up, Earthfare.  We got a bunch of things.  Guy got tasty flavors of granola and a lemon bluebarry bar from the bakery section!  I got Tiramisu and something called Berry Bot!  It's a fruity water with a bunny on it.  I haven't tried it yet, though!  Also, vanilla chai yogurt.  We'll see about that as well.

Post Earthfare, we headed to the B&N, and Guy got a Star Wars graphic novel, while I looked at Aranzi Aronzo books, and the like.  So anyway, eventful.

Oh, and one last thing!  My Obama bumper sticker came in the mail!  Yay!!!

Hope!

Today, I read a book, and I got religions!  A few, maybe.  Here is the book:

The Savvy Convert's Guide to Choosing a Religion

Knock Knock

It was kind of like a Consumer Reports style comparison of 99 religions.  It was super informative to me, a person who has really never gotten familiar with religion.  Besides a brief excursion into Wicca.  So here is what I narrowed it down to, in no particular order (in addition to what I've always considered myself, Agnostic):

• Transcendentalism (not to be confused with Transcendental Meditation)
• Deism
• Secular Humanism
• Unitarian Universalism
• Ethical Culture
• Science of Mind

I also bought a book!  As opposed to just reading it in the store, due to semi-poverty:

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World

Vicki Myron

It is a true story about Dewey, a kitten who was abandoned in the overnight bookdrop, and became the library's mascot!  I heard he died (at age 19!!), but I hope it will still be a good book!

Also:

Radar Magazine September 2008 What's So Scary About Michelle Obama

What's your favorite scent?

Vanilla-like!  Totally for sures.  But not like a trashy vanilla.  Not like Bath and Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar.   A yummy vanilla.  Buttercreamie.  Like Yankee Candles buttercream candle, or Victoria's Secret Slice of Heaven.  Guy and I went to Walgreens today and I seriously huffed a cupcake scented candle.  I got a little buzz!  Mmm.  Vanillie.

With our winning smiles, and us with our catchy tunes, and us, now we're photogenic, you know, we don't stand a chance."

I often wonder if it is put to democrats just this way, when they run for office.  It makes me sad.

I don't like republicans.  I don't like what they stand for and I don't like their methods.  And I think if most Americans would feel the same way, if they voted with their hearts instead of their checking accounts.  Republicans essentially only care about one thing, themselves.  If they had their way, they'd eliminate most government programs.  Why?  Because they believe everyone should take care of themselves, and screw everyone else.  Hilariously, they wrap this sentiment in Christianity, when really, it's just about as un-Christian as you can get.  I suppose their idea is that charity should take care of the "needy," but charity is the first thing to go out the window in times like these.  That is sad, but it is true.

Democrats may want to raise taxes, but only on those who can afford it.  I suppose I cannot speak for every democrat, but it is my belief that most democrats feel it is important to take care of those around us.  I know it is to me.  I make a comfortable living, with good benefits, but I know that not everyone is so lucky, and I think we need to help those people.  Some people might say, is it fair to punish those who are successful?  And I say, if it comes down to someone getting their second Bentley, or someone getting food, the Bentley guy is just out of luck.  If it comes down to getting 20,000 square foot lake house, or someone getting health care, you can kiss the lake house goodbye.

I think it is not that people disagree with this way of thinking, I think it is that the republicans have a very attractive way of packaging their beliefs.  I just can't believe that people fall for it.

I wish I thought the problem with government was the people in it.  But it isn't.  It's the people they represent.  And until the American people have a change of heart (and perhaps more importantly, brain), we're in trouble.

Election season is in full swing, and I'm sure there will be more like this.  I apologize in advance.

Imagine you knew someone who hadn't been on the internet in like .. a year and a half.  What interesting things would you tell them about?

I feel like I've missed out on so much.  I haven't been on the internet, really, in over a year, and I haven't had cable in a few months; I just feel so lost!  I used to keep up with all the cool new things "teh interwebs" had to offer, but not anymore.  So I'm turning to you, my fellow VOXers, to tell me what, in fact, is up.

Tell me some of the sites you like to visit, things you like to do.  Any and all suggestions welcome!  Except, like, porn stuffs.

What is your all time favorite board game?

Ah, the QotD.  I missed you too.  Without further ado, it's a tie: Trivial Pursuit, Whoonu, and Balderdash.  Not the new Balderdash, but the original, where you made up definitions for words.  That was so awesome.  I'll never forget one of my sister's definitions: "a breed of horse used in water polo."   Classic.

Dear vox and everyone at the vox,

Here's the way it is: I'm back!  I missed you so much!  I mean it.  All the coolness and culture.  I had some pretty spectacularly crazy junk happen, but now everything is super good again!  I'm sorry I was gone for so long.  After being gone that long, it's kind of hard and awkward to pick back up but everything in my life is starting fresh, so I'm trying this.

The majorly basics:

I have a boyfriend.  His name is Guy.  And that is a very good name for him.  He's extremely cute!!  He has red hair.  And freckles.  And glasses.  Trifecta!  Also diabetes and narcolepsy.  And sometimes seizures.  Double trifecta!!  He makes me feel very special, and takes good care of me.  We live in a townhouse with two kitties: Bimble and Bumble.  They are the most ridiculous kitties in the history of kitties.  They are brothers.

We both work for a bank.  The bank name rhymes with Bitibank.  We answer letters that people write to the bank.  I want to apologize in advance if your credit card is in default; I think it is a ridiculous policy too.  Write a letter and we'll see what we can do.  Hopefully your letter won't go to South Dakota or India.

The smaller details:

I got a new car!  A yaris.  It's super adorable.  Fluffalo Storytime was also put on hold during the craziness, but now that things are getting back to normal I hope to start working on it again ... as soon as the kitties grow up, and stop chewing on everything!  Grr!

Anyway, it feels awesome to be back.

Yours sorrily but excitedly,

Megan

What's the weirdest thing you've ever eaten? 
Submitted by Megan.

I have been reading the answers to this question and let me just say: everyone on vox is jacked up.  Everyone is like "live octopus!" and "crickets" and "(select random animal)'s genitals!"  What is wrong with you people?!?!  I am really gagging just thinking about these things!

I don't really eat really weird things, well not that are considered "food" anyway.  And absolutely not squishy things, under any circumstances!  Frozen corn (good!   Sweet and cold and crunchy!).  I do have some crazy picas though.  I use to eat paper sometimes when I was younger (pulpy and gross).  I like sand though!  I would never eat it intentionally, but if I accidentally get a little sand in my mouth I am secretly happy.  Shut up!  It's so crunchy and gritty!  It's like salt without the nasty saltity.  The other day I got a piece of salmon served on a piece of cedar.  You know what I did?  I ate a bite of the wood!  It was a tiny part, and I couldn't really taste it.  I wanted to eat more but I was afraid of getting a splinter in my stomach!

I realize this answer has labeled me as totally crazy, but I do not even care, because I kind of am.