injaynesworld we ponder "Paths Not Taken..."

 

I’m looking out on a large oak tree that is probably 300 years old.   Each year winter strips it of its leaves, rendering it little more than a giant black carcass.   In spring, its shape slightly altered by new growth, its height a little closer to the heavens, it returns, never questioning its purpose or path.

As humans, we question everything.   Like all of us, sometimes I look back on my life and wonder what if…?

Not with regret, because the paths I’ve chosen, however erratic they may seem to others, have managed to lead me to a place that I wouldn’t change for anything.   Well, I’d have more money, but hell, anyone can say that.

Every once in a while, though, I do fantasize about other things I’d like to be doing and wonder what my life would have been like had I chosen to emulate '60s TV attorney, Perry Mason, as opposed to my comic book hero, Millie the Model.  

Oddly, I never think what if I’d gotten married and/or had children.  

Sometimes I wish I’d gone to Stanford and gotten a law degree.  When I was in high school, we’d often cruise the campus for parties.  You’d have thought that, in and of itself, would have motivated me, but I was never a great student.   Still, that’s where Sandra Day O’Conner got her start and I would have had a kick-ass time on the Supreme Court. 

It would have been exciting to go to Columbia University in New York and study journalism, too.  I might have been Christiane Amanpour, Diane Sawyer, or Greta Van Susteren.  Okay.  Scratch that last one.   

I’d have killed to have been a rock star, but the gods wickedly deemed that I would be born tone deaf.  

Crossroads happen at every stage of our lives.   Opportunities present themselves only to disappear in a flash if not grabbed, but I’ve found that if you keep your eyes and mind open, there’s always another one.   

I, of course, want them all…

You never know what you’re going to get here injaynesworld.  Sometimes it’s nipples, sometimes nostalgia.   

Join the conversation…

injaynesworld "Sunday Recap LATE EDITION..."

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.... because I kinda couldn't get it together yesterday, but I didn't fool you, did I?

Let’s get started by awarding this week’s WTF award to Virginia Thomas, wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, aka “Long Dong Silver” for those of you who remember his confirmation hearings.

Virginia, a supporter of the Tea Party movement, has created a nonprofit lobbying group whose website will organize activism around a set of conservative "core principles," she said.  The group plans to issue score cards for Congress members and be involved in the November election. 

Now here’s the kicker:  She said it would accept donations from various sources -- including corporations -- as allowed under campaign finance rules recently loosened by the Supreme Court -- a decision made possible in part by her husband’s vote of support.     

WTF!    If stuff like this doesn’t scare the crap out of you, you’re just not paying attention.

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And while we’re on the subject of scary crap… Anyone got kids in the Texas public school system?

An ultra-right bloc of The Texas Board of Education has made some radical changes to the way millions of students will be taught history, social studies and economics lessons for the next decade.  Some of the most egregious:

Gone -- the philosophy of Thomas Jefferson.  Replaced by religious right icon,  John Calvin.

Gone -- any teaching of the Constitutional separation of Church and State

Gone -- any teaching of the difference between sex and gender in sociology classes because it “might lead students into the world of transvestites, transsexuals and who knows what else.”

Gone -- any teaching about liberal or minority (aka “civil”) rights groups.  Replaced by studies about leading conservative groups, including Phyllis Schlafly, the Contract With America, the Heritage Foundation, the Moral Majority and the National Rifle Association.”

Are we having fun yet?

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Glenn  Beck takes on Jesus…

…and manages to piss off Catholics, Mormons and Christians of all denominations.   Could he possibly have gone too far this time?  Oh, please God.  Say yes.

On his radio show last week, Beck told his listeners that they should “run as fast as you can” from any church that preached “social or economic justice” because those were code words for Communism and Nazism.

The leader of the National Council of Churches had this response: 

“Mr. Beck called for his listeners to disregard central tenets of their faith because they do not conform to his political ideology. He is advocating that they abandon the full Gospel message in favor of a hollow idol, and he is doing so for worldly gain. His statements cannot be allowed to stand unchallenged.”
 

                                              Jesus had this response:

    
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Robbery Industry Hit Hard By Recession...

A Riverside County, California, woman armed with a semi-automatic pistol robbed 11 customers at the La Chicanita Market for a total take of $6.00 before fleeing the scene in an old car... She was last spotted heading for the nearest Starbucks.

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Finally, lest I be accused of not calling out the Democrat sleazebags... Much has been said and printed about "Tickle Me Elmo" Eric Massa, Congressman from NY, busted for groping a subordinate.   He even managed to out-crazy Glenn Beck on Beck's own show.  Quite a feat.   But it really takes Saturday Night Light to do this whacked-out perv justice.

So was it worth the wait...?
 

injaynesworld it's the "Sunday Comics..."

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In a departure from the usual  Sunday Recap format, today I bring you "How Fairy Tales Really End," an e-mail sent to me this week that so appealed to my skewed view of the world, I couldn't resist sharing...

Snow White

Cinderella

Little Red Riding Hood

Belle (Beauty and the Beast)

The Little Mermaid

If I've made you smile, my work here is done...

injaynesworld we take "A Look Into The Future..."

CatLadyLarew tagged me with this question:  Where do I see my life in ten years?

Since none of us is promised the next moment, much less the next year or ten, this isn’t something I think about often.  Also, I’m not going to lie.  These are tough times.   There are many nights when my last thought is “Score!  Made it through another one!”

Long, long ago and far, far away in a land known as my youth, I had big plans and lots of goals.   Looking ahead, all I could see was a vast expanse of time with no “check-out” line in sight.  

The scariest scene in the “Wizard of Oz” for me has always been when the wicked witch turned over the hour glass to show Dorothy how much longer she had to live.  

Not fond of “Like the sands of time, so are the Days of Our Lives” either.

And the freakin’ spinning globe from As the World Turns…?   Yeah.  I get it.  My days are numbered.  

I grew up in the 1950s and 60s, a time of great hope and prosperity in this country, much of that due to a Republican president, Dwight D. Eisenhower, who launched one of the largest, federally-funded public works programs in our nation’s history, the Interstate Highway System.  Today, he wouldn’t recognize his own party, but that’s another story.

Our house cost $17,000.  Moms stayed home because a family of four could live quite nicely on one income.  No one worried about health care.  If you got sick the doctor came to see you and hospitals were non-profit entities.  Candy bars were a nickel and twice the size. 

I could go on and on, but you’d think I was making this stuff up.  The truth is I was damn lucky to be born when I was, to grow up when I did and, if my luck holds, I’ll get off the planet before it all goes to shit.

I don’t know if people having children today are incredibly optimistic, courageous or just delusional.  Maybe each one believes theirs will be the golden child who manages to save all humanity from the brink.   It would scare the crap out of me to bring a kid into this world now. 

However, people are remarkably resilient.   We’ve come back from great depressions, wars, and natural disasters of all kinds.   Our rally cry of recent years has been “hope.” 

So on that note, here’s what I hope for my life ten years from now:

I’ve been blessed with remarkably good health.   If you don’t count the time I broke my neck, I’ve manage to avoid hospitals entirely.  I’d like to see that continue.

It would be good to have enough money to meet my needs and perhaps some extra to spare and to share.

For some reason, I’ve always had the love of a network of amazing friends – and I’m not always so nice.  Go figure.   In ten years, I hope they’re still hanging in there with me.

I’d still like to be able to launch my ancient ass up onto the back of a horse once in a while, and wake up to Dixie's kisses and Mason's purring.  

And it would be lovely to be able to look out my window, as I’m doing right now, and see a family of deer peacefully nibbling their way through the strawberry field in the morning sun.

Finally, I’d like to see an end to hatred, discrimination and war, and the return of a strong and vibrant middle class.  That one may be a little optimistic. 

But hey -- if I'm not still around, I've got no complaints.  It's been a helluva ride.

Now tag -- it's your turn.

injaynesworld we are "Going To The Dogs..."

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This giveaway is now closed.  Thanks to all who entered.

In my first giveaway everrrrr I've got this cool doggie travel kit waiting just for you.   Even if you don't have a dog, it would make a great gift for a friend who does.  

On my right sidebar is a button that will take you to my giveaway blog.  So what are you waiting for?  Click it and go!

This product comes highly recommended by Dixie, the IJW official Chihuahua.   

You must be an IJW follower to participate.

injaynesworld brings you the "Sunday Recap..."

Is it me or does anyone else feel just a little uneasy at the sight of  someone “packin’ heat” at the local Starbucks?   Apparently, there are people out there who are so paranoid that they have to carry a gun while ordering their soy chai tea.  In the 43 states where it’s legal to carry weapons openly in public places, pro-gun groups are encouraging their members to parade around with handguns snug in holsters strapped to their waists.  Hey, I had “Lone Ranger” fantasies, too, but eventually you grow up. 

Despite the fact that businesses have the right to ban guns from their premises, as Peet’s Coffee and California Pizza Kitchens have done, Starbucks has said they will continue to welcome their gun-totin’ patrons and not to worry because they have security measures in place for any "threatening situation" that might occur.

Well, hell… I feel better already.  When one of these “Dirty Harry” wannabes decides to get trigger happy after finding out there’s no more chocolate biscotti I know I can count on the pimple-faced teenager behind the counter to talk him down.

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Come out, come out, wherever you are… 

Another “traditional values” Republican isn’t smiling today.   California State Senator Roy Ashburn, father of four and a fierce opponent of gay rights, was busted on a DUI early Wednesday morning after leaving the well-known gay nightclub, Faces, in midtown Sacramento with an unidentified man in his car.   Observed driving erratically, Ashburn was pulled over by CHP and failed a field sobriety test.

In the past, the good Senator has organized anti-gay marriage rallies as part of his “Traditional Family Values” campaign. 

Can you say hypocrite, boys and girls?  God, I miss Mr. Rogers…

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On a positive note, marriage equality became the law in our nation’s capital this week.  Starting Wednesday the 3^rd, gay couples in Washington D.C. could begin applying for marriage licenses. 

I say, hell yeah!   Gays should be allowed to marry, be miserable and get divorced like everyone else.   To show your support for marriage equality, grab the “White Knot” button in my right sidebar. 

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Vying for title of  “Rarely has so little gone so far…” the Gosselins were front and center in the news this past week. 

Kate Gosselin signed on to this season’s DWTS, which will pay her $200,000 plus bonuses as/if she advances in the competition.   Presumably, being able to run around after eight kids day after day has given her some awesome moves.   While Kate’s star appears to be rising, ex-hubby Jon is receiving more dubious offers.

Playgirl Magazine is said to have offered Jon Gosselin a mere $20,000 for a nude spread, citing his reputation for having a small penis.  Former girlfriend, Hailey Glassman, has described Gosselin’s manhood as “being hung like a nine-year-old boy.”  Ouch!   In a sporting gesture, Playgirl offered to sweeten the deal by paying Gosselin an additional $10,000 for every inch over four inches.  

So what do you think?  Should he take it?   He could always use the money for a down payment on a Hummer.

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“Today is a big day in America,” said Senator Harry Reid.  “Only 36,000 people lost their jobs today, which is really good.”

Yeah, you might want to tone down that positive spin, Harry…  While it’s true that Friday’s unemployment numbers held steady at 9.7% when economists had been predicted a rise to 9.8% or a loss of 68,000 jobs, if you’re one of  those who got canned, you’re not really finding it such a “good day.”

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On the other end of the economic realm…

Got an extra $14 million lying around?  If so you could be the proud owner of these digs:

Pretty sweet, huh?   Rush Limbaugh has put his 5^th Avenue penthouse on the market.  It would seem that he was none-too-happy about a proposed tax on New Yorkers making over $500,000 a year.  Hey, I can understand.  Nobody likes to pay their taxes.

Did I mention that Limbaugh’s current contract, inked in 2008, garnered him some $400,000,000 for his pollution of the airwaves?  Yes.  That would be four hundred million.

And yet so many of those who find themselves jobless and, in some cases, homeless, think this guys speaks for them.  Go figure...

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Either someone in the proofreading department at the New York Times has a wicked sensor of humor or they just became one of the aforementioned 36,000 statistic…  What’s wrong with this picture?

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And finally…

Won’t all those bitches from high school who called me a slut be sorry now… 

This week the Funny not Slutty network published their first online Big Blog Book and yours truly was honored to find herself in the company of a bevy of fine, funny broads including my great gal pal, the infamous CatLadyLarew.

To get your FREE (my second favorite “F” word) download just click here:  http://www.funnynotslutty.com/?p=736 or on the image in my left sidebar.

Thanks so much to FnS for selecting me.

Injaynesworld does not allow guns on the premises.  Comments, however, are always welcome.

injaynesworld we're always "Up For A Party..."

The Coffee Party is the fastest growing group on Facebook.   In just two weeks over 52,000 people have signed up as fans of this new grassroots political group that bills itself as the antithesis of the Tea Party.

Right away I liked it because no creepy costumes are required. 

Started in mid-February by Annabel Park, a documentary filmmaker who studied political theory at Oxford University, it now has chapters in 30 states and more are percolating by the day.  

Frustrated by all the media attention being given to the Tea Party, a group whose hyper-ideological, right-wing views seemed to be squeezing out more centrist and progressive voices like her own, Park vented about it on her Facebook page.  When her inbox and page wall began filling up with comments from others who were in agreement, the “Join The Coffee Party Movement” fan page was born. 

Unlike the Tea Party which decries the government’s very existence, the Coffee Party believes that we are the government.  Their overall goal is “to promote civility and inclusiveness in political discourse, engage the government not as an enemy but as the collective will of the people, and push leaders to enact the progressive change for which 52.9 percent of the country voted in 2008.”

Civility and inclusiveness.  Who can argue with that?

Oh, wait…

At last week’s CPAC, Glenn Beck, in his typical rabid fashion, mocked the notion that Republicans needed to create a bigger tent by reaching out to moderates.  He demanded conservative ideological purity and called progressives “a cancer in America that’s eating our Constitution.”  After that, he declared his man-crush for all things Dick Cheney.  

A lot of people are angry with government these days.   They’re jaded and distrustful, and with good reason.   People like Beck make millions of dollars exploiting this anger.  Our polarization is their job security. 

The motto of the Coffee Party is “progress is patriotic.”   Its members say they realize that a lot of people of different political affiliations actually have many of the same goals, and they recoil from the theatrics of the Tea Party whose tactics, they believe, obstruct reform and discourage thoughtful deliberation.  

You have to admit, it is kind of hard to have a thoughtful discourse with people in strange hats, screaming that Obama is a Nazi, and carrying signs that read, “Keep government hands off my Medicare!”

We’ve all heard that “the squeaky wheel gets the grease.”   Up till now the Tea Party has been making a lot of noise.   With Faux News as its personal mouthpiece, it’s easy to get the idea that theirs is the prevailing thought in the nation.    Park’s purpose in starting the Coffee Party was to show that there are other voices out there that the Tea Party does not represent and, from the way this new grassroots movement is taking off, she’s clearly onto something.   

Coffee or Tea?   Whatever your brew, grassroots activism seems to be alive and well.

For further information on the Coffee Party go to  http://coffeepartyusa.com/ or just click the button in my right sidebar.  

Oh, come on… You’re not really surprised to see it there, are you?

Comments with you coffee…?