I am a bit concerned about the upcoming presidential election. It is fraught with those who want no government involvement, too much government involvement, some who put you to sleep whenever they speak and some who make you wonder if they ever took a history class or even follow current events. These, my fellow Americans, are what we have to choose from to hold the highest office in the land. May God help us all! I am unimpressed with the lot of them but the biggest offense for me as a woman who has been voting for almost forty years, is the thought of the possibility of the first woman President, to have the wits of a cow in the pasture. Yes, I am speaking of both women, Michele Bachmann and Sarah Palin. It shocks me that some very nice people whom I truly respect seem to be one of their greatest cheerleaders and I have to ask...Why?
Both women are what you might call...I will try to be polite... okay, "Media ( second word rhymes with S'mores). I would strongly suggest that the lovely to look at Ms. Bachmann spend more time attending her district in Minnesota and less time trying to make headlines. She is an adept fundraiser and is degrees more intelligent than Ms. Palin but who isn't? I have a problem with someone representing our country very strongly opposing the rights of certain groups of citizens , mainly those in the gay community. It also disturbs me greatly that her husband, who is a christian counselor (nothing wrong with that) takes it upon himself to convince said community that this lifestyle is sinful according to HIS beliefs. Noting the high pitched ,lispy lilt of his voice, I fear Mr. Bachmann doth protest too much. I also find it interesting that Ms. Bachmann commented that "All cultures are not created equal". I could go on but I really, really can't wait to move on to the next female candidate.
Let's chat about Sarah Palin fer a spell. There are some who think that people are mean to dear Ms. Palin but I am here to tell you this woman is about as helpless as a shark in a tank full of sardines. I can appreciate that she likes huntin, fishin. shootin and guttin as well as the next gal from the tundra. Hell, I bet she can harpoon a whale if she sets her mind to it. My question is:
Is she capable of leading this country? Uh, let me think about it...NO! When I say these things it is not out of malice but you have to admit that she is so much fun to make commentary on.
What bothers me is how many people actually buy her down home, you betcha, deer in the headlights (when you ask her a question which requires a contemplative thought process )demeanor.
I do not hate these women, as I truly do not hate another human being. I do not dispute everything they say, not really and I fully believe they have every right to state their views and I am sure they truly believe what they say and I do admire their conviction. I am a fan of neither but I am not a fan of any potential candidate at this time. My pick isn't running in this election and I mourn that she did not win the last one. I want anyone who represents the office of the Presidency to do well, as when they do not, we as a country do not as well. Lets face it fellow citizens, we all succeed together and we fail together and we can no longer afford any more failure. Let us hope that whoever sits in the oval office will bring hope, peace and prosperity for all who reside in this great country we all call home. Even those who can see Russia from their backyard.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Livin in da hood!
The title alone speaks volumes but let me elaborate a bit upon my ire, born of countless hours and sleepless nights due to certain residents of my neighborhood. Do I live in the most poverty stricken area of the city? No, nor does it not have good qualities and some wonderful people who live here. There are many who have resided in this area for many years but they have seen a drastic decline in this once, peaceful, well kept, residential area in what was once considered a great place to live. Why the decline you ask? Let's start with a few contributing factors.
- Influx of troublesome residents who have transferred here from Chicago, Rockford and other cities with problem areas and we have inherited their upstarts.
- Residents of public housing who utilize the generous system of state aid that our state cannot afford but still manages to provide.
- Said residents are not gainfully employed (due to generous state aid) and party all night as they do not have to work in the morning as many of their sleeplessly tired neighbors do.
- Unsupervised youth who run the streets in large groups and do not seem to be able to communicate within normal vocal decibels as they most likely have lost their hearing due to the booming vibration of the music they listen to and the rest of the neighborhood must listen to as well, whether we want to or not.
- Youth and adults alike of problematic residences scream, yell, utter profanities, threaten anyone brave enough to ask them to please lower the volume of all of the above.
- Landlords who own these buildings could care less if anyone close by is inconvenienced as long as they receive rent money and continue to rent to the very people who are creating havoc for anyone within a two block radius.
For those of you who may be thinking, "Why did you move there?" Because despite an unheeded warning that living in this neighborhood might be a problem, my apartment is very nice and spacious and the nicest place I looked at for the money. Uh, the warning bells should have gone off on that one. I am now moving to a wonderful house in a quiet neighborhood and one might say "If you're leaving, what's the big deal?" Well, I have never been one to just worry about myself. There are good people who live here and they do not want to be forced out because they were here before the bad elements came to town.
The police are on most people's speed dial in this area and it is getting old for law enforcement and residents alike. Due to financial cuts (thanks Scott!) Police officers are limited in this area and even if they do come, the problems still continue to occur. I do not believe in vigilante tactics at the hands of angry citizens but we need to get a handle on the neighborhood and let our city officials and support agencies know that we want a solution. Here are a few suggestions from yours truly.
- Bye bye state aid for those who can work. I have compassion for single mothers but when you have three plus children, spend less time in the sack and more time gainfully employed. This needs to begin with Section 8 monitoring and control.
- Parents who continually fail to supervise their children should be fined for multiple disturbances.
- If you can't afford to work and pay your bills, you can't afford drugs or alcohol.
- If landlords want troublesome tenants and do not keep their disturbances under control, let them pay a fine or two and I guarantee you will see these tenants get sent packing.
- Don't expect law enforcement to do everything. Citizens have rights, contact those who can go above and beyond and remind them who votes them into office and whom they represent.
I have said my peace and vented my frustrations but the fact is that the problem still exists and everyone deserves to live in a community where they feel safe and feel like their home is a haven from this crazy world we sometimes live in. It is a sad commentary that there are those who haven't a clue that anyone exists besides them. It is also a fact that most of these people come from generation after generation of like mentality but it has got to stop for the sake of the sanity of the many good people who deserve to live in a neighborhood they can be proud to call home.
Monday, June 6, 2011
If R-E-S-P-E-C-T is good enough for Aretha, it should be good enough for the rest of us!
I have been precipitating how to go about writing this commentary and I have just decided to "tell it like it is" in my humble opinion. The subject is the decline in respectful behavior among some of today's youth, especially noticeable around the ages of thirteen and fourteen year olds.
I realize this is a difficult age. They so badly want to be grown up, make their own decisions and do not particularly like guidance from authoritative figures such as parents, teachers, older siblings, martians...okay, you get my drift.
Please realize that I am not referring to the many respectful, giving and wonderful youth who are a joy to our society. I have noticed of late, the many youth in my section of the city who run in herds (such as twenty or more) and plague their neighborhoods with language that would make a porn star blush and can be driven into a confrontational rage from zero to ninety seconds with each other or anyone who happens to cross their path. Communication is based upon high pitched shouting and screaming as if they are in a stadium instead of a city neighborhood and the only way they can be heard by those within a matter of inches from them is to use their mega voices. If you as a reasonable adult, happen to nicely mention that perhaps they should keep their voices at a more reasonable decibel out of courtesy for others around them, you will be met with a string of obscenities and threatening looks, not to mention the possibility of a physical confrontation and downright defiance.
I will try to state this as delicately as possible when I say that on every occasion that this occurs, it is with youth who are mostly African American. Am I prejudice? I have friends of every ethnicity and sexual orientation and do not consider myself racist but the above statement happens to be a fact. Another fact is that I can guarantee that most, if not all of these youth have either neglectful or abusive parents who behave much the same way. Am I racist? No, I am fed up with this behavior and with similar behavior from their parents who conduct themselves the exact same way! How can these kids possibly be any less respectful than the adults who should but do not set any positive example?
My statements may be perceived by some as singling out a particular race as if they are the only ones guilty of such behavior. In my neighborhood,this is often the case. On one occasion, upon being awakened at three in the morning by music that makes your house rattle, along with booming voices in which my roommate asked them to please tone it down. He was greeted with the ever popular "hater!" I loved my roommate's comment."I hate anyone who wakes me up at three in the morning!"
There are so many youth within the black community who want to make a difference in the world and have great talent and amazing personalities as well as respectful of adults and set a positive example of youth in their communities. It frosts my mini wheats that these fabulous kids will be thrown in the same category with the youth who are troublesome, just because of their color. Our world would be very bland without diversity of all kinds and there are problems with not only youth but adults as well of all ethnicities. I actually do not care what color your skin is, what religion you belong to or don't belong to. I don't care if you are a purple tutu wearing Lady Ga Ga loving banjo playing snake charmer...whew... Just behave like a civilized human being and be respectful of others from time to time, including yourself.
I realize this is a difficult age. They so badly want to be grown up, make their own decisions and do not particularly like guidance from authoritative figures such as parents, teachers, older siblings, martians...okay, you get my drift.
Please realize that I am not referring to the many respectful, giving and wonderful youth who are a joy to our society. I have noticed of late, the many youth in my section of the city who run in herds (such as twenty or more) and plague their neighborhoods with language that would make a porn star blush and can be driven into a confrontational rage from zero to ninety seconds with each other or anyone who happens to cross their path. Communication is based upon high pitched shouting and screaming as if they are in a stadium instead of a city neighborhood and the only way they can be heard by those within a matter of inches from them is to use their mega voices. If you as a reasonable adult, happen to nicely mention that perhaps they should keep their voices at a more reasonable decibel out of courtesy for others around them, you will be met with a string of obscenities and threatening looks, not to mention the possibility of a physical confrontation and downright defiance.
I will try to state this as delicately as possible when I say that on every occasion that this occurs, it is with youth who are mostly African American. Am I prejudice? I have friends of every ethnicity and sexual orientation and do not consider myself racist but the above statement happens to be a fact. Another fact is that I can guarantee that most, if not all of these youth have either neglectful or abusive parents who behave much the same way. Am I racist? No, I am fed up with this behavior and with similar behavior from their parents who conduct themselves the exact same way! How can these kids possibly be any less respectful than the adults who should but do not set any positive example?
My statements may be perceived by some as singling out a particular race as if they are the only ones guilty of such behavior. In my neighborhood,this is often the case. On one occasion, upon being awakened at three in the morning by music that makes your house rattle, along with booming voices in which my roommate asked them to please tone it down. He was greeted with the ever popular "hater!" I loved my roommate's comment."I hate anyone who wakes me up at three in the morning!"
There are so many youth within the black community who want to make a difference in the world and have great talent and amazing personalities as well as respectful of adults and set a positive example of youth in their communities. It frosts my mini wheats that these fabulous kids will be thrown in the same category with the youth who are troublesome, just because of their color. Our world would be very bland without diversity of all kinds and there are problems with not only youth but adults as well of all ethnicities. I actually do not care what color your skin is, what religion you belong to or don't belong to. I don't care if you are a purple tutu wearing Lady Ga Ga loving banjo playing snake charmer...whew... Just behave like a civilized human being and be respectful of others from time to time, including yourself.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
The World According to Patsy: Movin out, movin up, movin on
The World According to Patsy: Movin out, movin up, movin on: "The world in which we now live in is fraught with change and discourse, simultaneously. We are at odds with each other over political issues..."
Movin out, Movin up, Movin on
The world in which we now live in is fraught with change and discourse. We are at odds with each other over political issues such as health care reform, taxation and a brutalized economy worldwide. We are also becoming fearful of yet, the next natural catastrophic disaster, which seems to come in rapid succession these last few years. There are those who are taking a good long look at their lives, both past and present. Some of us are wondering what it is we may have done to bring on such negativity from humanity and the powers that be.
I often wish that life were simpler as it was in my childhood but was it really all that simple? I lived through the Vietnam War and remembered it's effect on people in my own community.
Parents lost their sons, often just out of high school, too young to have experienced life let alone death. The remnants of said war still remain in those who are still haunted by the aftershock of their experiences and their lives are forever changed. Movies were cheaper to attend, the cost of a candy bar was less than a dollar and you could buy three pieces of candy from a clear fishbowl at the local dime store for just a penny. Parents were also given carte blanche to take a belt to a child upon misbehavior of any sort without the blink of an eye. To me, this tells more about what lacks in the parent than what was wrong with the child.
Life is now more complicated in different ways. We are more academically challenged and value is placed upon performance and financial wealth more so than of moral character. I believe that education is a right and not a privilege but there is a difference between being educated and being intelligent. We have academic achievers who cannot put two sentences together without misspelling and proper writing structure. One could walk into a place of business, fill out an application and get a job, or not, without having to go through a sometimes misguided recruiter who sometimes hire poorly, which may explain employment turnovers. Employees now text, place messages on facebook and tweet during working hours. How many of us would last long at our jobs if this was done years ago?
My computer is my lifeline and my greatest form of technical communication. I however, have not forgotten the art of spoken word and verbal communication which many seem to be lacking of late. Has anyone noticed accelerated rudeness among the masses in general? We are angry with those who serve us for what I consider to be pettiness. I will admit that I am an expert at razor sharp verbiage if need be but I try to take the higher road and be a source of light rather than that of darkness. There is already enough darkness in this world.
Let us all rethink what we can contribute to a more positive, forward thinking society and utilize our technology, education and advantages to bring about a world of great diversity, acceptance and peaceful exchange and rid ourselves of negative thought and actions. It's time to move out, move up and move on to a better place within ourselves.
I often wish that life were simpler as it was in my childhood but was it really all that simple? I lived through the Vietnam War and remembered it's effect on people in my own community.
Parents lost their sons, often just out of high school, too young to have experienced life let alone death. The remnants of said war still remain in those who are still haunted by the aftershock of their experiences and their lives are forever changed. Movies were cheaper to attend, the cost of a candy bar was less than a dollar and you could buy three pieces of candy from a clear fishbowl at the local dime store for just a penny. Parents were also given carte blanche to take a belt to a child upon misbehavior of any sort without the blink of an eye. To me, this tells more about what lacks in the parent than what was wrong with the child.
Life is now more complicated in different ways. We are more academically challenged and value is placed upon performance and financial wealth more so than of moral character. I believe that education is a right and not a privilege but there is a difference between being educated and being intelligent. We have academic achievers who cannot put two sentences together without misspelling and proper writing structure. One could walk into a place of business, fill out an application and get a job, or not, without having to go through a sometimes misguided recruiter who sometimes hire poorly, which may explain employment turnovers. Employees now text, place messages on facebook and tweet during working hours. How many of us would last long at our jobs if this was done years ago?
My computer is my lifeline and my greatest form of technical communication. I however, have not forgotten the art of spoken word and verbal communication which many seem to be lacking of late. Has anyone noticed accelerated rudeness among the masses in general? We are angry with those who serve us for what I consider to be pettiness. I will admit that I am an expert at razor sharp verbiage if need be but I try to take the higher road and be a source of light rather than that of darkness. There is already enough darkness in this world.
Let us all rethink what we can contribute to a more positive, forward thinking society and utilize our technology, education and advantages to bring about a world of great diversity, acceptance and peaceful exchange and rid ourselves of negative thought and actions. It's time to move out, move up and move on to a better place within ourselves.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Hail to the (Drag) Queens!
I am a heterosexual woman (well...what does it mean when you find NO one interesting?)
My best friend is gay. (Not the Maaarryyy, no you didn't! kind) however, I shall now direct my attention to those fascinating, delicious creatures known as "Drag Queens". You've just got to love the wigs, makeup, gowns, cattiness (sometimes) and the names are the best!
Helena Troy...Cinnamon AllSpice...Miss Suki Yaki and Lola Flamboyah. I think you get the drift.
For those of you who think being a drag queen is all play and no work, guess again! I would never attempt to walk in stillettos, let alone attempt to dance and perform in them. Many of these superdivas not only design but sew their own costumes or reconstruct a ready made ensemble to create their savvy characters. Let us not forget the wardrobe of wigs and the creativity required to transform a five o'clock shadow into a flawless beauty!
A true drag queen must possess some sort of talent, be it believable lip syncing, comedic routines or the art of impersonation which often requires awesome vocal ability. What are a drag queens favorite divas to impersonate? Well, there's Cher, Liza, Judy, Barbara and let us not forget, Madonna and the newest star to recreate...they are all goo goo for Ga Ga!
These entertaining vixens come in all shapes and sizes and while there are some (I hate them, yet I love them) who possess gams, breasts and posteriors that could make a straight man look twice! Most drag queens are quick to state that the characters they create are considered their career and not who they truly are. They consider themselves men, who like men but dress as women for entertainment and employment purposes as an art form. Ru Paul has been a drag queen and great supporter and spokesperson for the LGBT community and has had a long and very financially rewarding career with a large and diverse fan base.
I applaud those compassionate queens who make a difference in their community as advocates for youth and speaking on behalf of those who have been victims of bullying as well as HIV and AIDS, gay marriage and the right for partners to support their loved ones during times of illness and end of life process. As a performing artist and writer, I support the arts in all it's diversity and consider drag queens to be just as entertaining or more so than many other creative arts professions. I also support without exception, ones right to be able to bring to life, their vision of arts and performance without criticism based solely on narrow mindeness and prejudice.
"Jesus loves drag queens too people!"
Sincerely, Mary Magdalena Just kidding!
Hugs&Bitches
My best friend is gay. (Not the Maaarryyy, no you didn't! kind) however, I shall now direct my attention to those fascinating, delicious creatures known as "Drag Queens". You've just got to love the wigs, makeup, gowns, cattiness (sometimes) and the names are the best!
Helena Troy...Cinnamon AllSpice...Miss Suki Yaki and Lola Flamboyah. I think you get the drift.
For those of you who think being a drag queen is all play and no work, guess again! I would never attempt to walk in stillettos, let alone attempt to dance and perform in them. Many of these superdivas not only design but sew their own costumes or reconstruct a ready made ensemble to create their savvy characters. Let us not forget the wardrobe of wigs and the creativity required to transform a five o'clock shadow into a flawless beauty!
A true drag queen must possess some sort of talent, be it believable lip syncing, comedic routines or the art of impersonation which often requires awesome vocal ability. What are a drag queens favorite divas to impersonate? Well, there's Cher, Liza, Judy, Barbara and let us not forget, Madonna and the newest star to recreate...they are all goo goo for Ga Ga!
These entertaining vixens come in all shapes and sizes and while there are some (I hate them, yet I love them) who possess gams, breasts and posteriors that could make a straight man look twice! Most drag queens are quick to state that the characters they create are considered their career and not who they truly are. They consider themselves men, who like men but dress as women for entertainment and employment purposes as an art form. Ru Paul has been a drag queen and great supporter and spokesperson for the LGBT community and has had a long and very financially rewarding career with a large and diverse fan base.
I applaud those compassionate queens who make a difference in their community as advocates for youth and speaking on behalf of those who have been victims of bullying as well as HIV and AIDS, gay marriage and the right for partners to support their loved ones during times of illness and end of life process. As a performing artist and writer, I support the arts in all it's diversity and consider drag queens to be just as entertaining or more so than many other creative arts professions. I also support without exception, ones right to be able to bring to life, their vision of arts and performance without criticism based solely on narrow mindeness and prejudice.
"Jesus loves drag queens too people!"
Sincerely, Mary Magdalena Just kidding!
Hugs&Bitches
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Is this a coffeeshop or an office?
Isn't it wonderful that we can bring in our laptops to our favorite cafe or coffee shop and work, socialize and browse the net while enjoying our favorite espresso beverage or tasty treat?
Am I the only one who notices that there are some cafe net users who seem to feel that their particular space is their very own private office and those around them must be silent or not invade the private domain they dutifully and covetously protect?
I have observed college students hovering over their computers, while sipping on a lone drink for well over and hour or more, feverishly typing data into their WIFI brainwave, looking around from time to time, protectively letting those around them know that this is THEIR area and dare enter the perimeter at your own risk. Lone student has taken a table for 4 to allow room for their many textbooks and lone beverage.
There are also the well dressed or business casual individuals who place hand on chin while in deep thought and then, as if the hallelujah chorus resounded an epiphany, they begin to suddenly type furiously as though whatever great wisdom entered their head would leave as suddenly as it came to them. These are the big spenders as they will order a lone beverage and a food item which they will partake of while spending two or more hours working in their "mini" office.
My very favorite is the female teen duo specie, whose giggles and "Oh my God's" trill about the establishment while typing intermittently on their pastel machines of socialization. Their favorite beverage of course is usually a blended espresso frappe, no whip because, like, "I don't want to get fat, oh my gaw!" They are so in their own little world that they barely notice anyone around them, unless of course it is another, perhaps prettier teen queen than they and then the claws come out! A cute guy however, brings about flirtatious looks and knowing whispers. Harmless but oh they are so amusing to observe.
My least favorite is the soccer mom/executive with the blond bob which looks as if a bottle of Clorox was dumped on their heads and their curt little (or not so little) ensembles, which never
have a wrinkle or a crease and the tappity tap of their purposeful stride as they walk to their table with their "tall, skim, sugar free vanilla latte, no foam, 130 degrees" while trying to look important as they carefully type with their perfectly manicured nails which tap, tap, tap on their snotty little keyboards. Do not DARE look in their direction! I am sure the Barista's who must serve these persnickity snobs as they smile and nod and tell them to "Have a great day!" secretly wish they could serve said beverage on top of their bleach blond do.
To be fair, there are many who are polite and order food and beverage to compensate for the space and time they are taking up in their favorite establishment. Some don't even give dirty looks if patrons sitting at a table near them actually want to socialize as they realize that they are in a public place of business and not their personal office.
Cafes, coffee shops, etc are in business to make money and not to supply anyone with unlimited space to conduct business and to expect this is just plain rude! Be polite and do not take up space for 4 if you are alone and you see the place is busy. Do not expect those around you not to have conversations because you have "work to do!" If you want a quiet place, may I suggest a library or the privacy of your own home. Let us all enjoy our favorite food and beverage while socializing with friends, family or co-workers and do so while respecting the business we patronize and fellow customers and "have a great day"...really.
Am I the only one who notices that there are some cafe net users who seem to feel that their particular space is their very own private office and those around them must be silent or not invade the private domain they dutifully and covetously protect?
I have observed college students hovering over their computers, while sipping on a lone drink for well over and hour or more, feverishly typing data into their WIFI brainwave, looking around from time to time, protectively letting those around them know that this is THEIR area and dare enter the perimeter at your own risk. Lone student has taken a table for 4 to allow room for their many textbooks and lone beverage.
There are also the well dressed or business casual individuals who place hand on chin while in deep thought and then, as if the hallelujah chorus resounded an epiphany, they begin to suddenly type furiously as though whatever great wisdom entered their head would leave as suddenly as it came to them. These are the big spenders as they will order a lone beverage and a food item which they will partake of while spending two or more hours working in their "mini" office.
My very favorite is the female teen duo specie, whose giggles and "Oh my God's" trill about the establishment while typing intermittently on their pastel machines of socialization. Their favorite beverage of course is usually a blended espresso frappe, no whip because, like, "I don't want to get fat, oh my gaw!" They are so in their own little world that they barely notice anyone around them, unless of course it is another, perhaps prettier teen queen than they and then the claws come out! A cute guy however, brings about flirtatious looks and knowing whispers. Harmless but oh they are so amusing to observe.
My least favorite is the soccer mom/executive with the blond bob which looks as if a bottle of Clorox was dumped on their heads and their curt little (or not so little) ensembles, which never
have a wrinkle or a crease and the tappity tap of their purposeful stride as they walk to their table with their "tall, skim, sugar free vanilla latte, no foam, 130 degrees" while trying to look important as they carefully type with their perfectly manicured nails which tap, tap, tap on their snotty little keyboards. Do not DARE look in their direction! I am sure the Barista's who must serve these persnickity snobs as they smile and nod and tell them to "Have a great day!" secretly wish they could serve said beverage on top of their bleach blond do.
To be fair, there are many who are polite and order food and beverage to compensate for the space and time they are taking up in their favorite establishment. Some don't even give dirty looks if patrons sitting at a table near them actually want to socialize as they realize that they are in a public place of business and not their personal office.
Cafes, coffee shops, etc are in business to make money and not to supply anyone with unlimited space to conduct business and to expect this is just plain rude! Be polite and do not take up space for 4 if you are alone and you see the place is busy. Do not expect those around you not to have conversations because you have "work to do!" If you want a quiet place, may I suggest a library or the privacy of your own home. Let us all enjoy our favorite food and beverage while socializing with friends, family or co-workers and do so while respecting the business we patronize and fellow customers and "have a great day"...really.
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