Saturday, November 08, 2008

How Do You Solve A Problem Like Sarah?


"Politics is the art of postponing a decisions until they are no longer relevant."

-Henri Queuille

The election is over, but Sarah Palin isn't going away. I am betting that we will be hearing more and more from her as the next four years progresses. I don't know that it would be a bad thing, especially if what we see is the real SarahPalin . See, I don't think we ever really got to know the real Sarah. How could we have, when all we saw was the odd... and I mean... odd... interview? From the very beginning of her introduction to national politics, she has been, if not the butt of the joke, the secret. As long as I live, I will wonder, what was John McCain thinking? It has been well substantiated that he meet with her only once or twice, before choosing her as his running mate, and then rarely spoke with her as the campaign progressed. And now, I can't help but wonder about the bitterness from within the McCain/Palin camps.

For a long time I have held the theory that Republicans eat their own, but now with all the mudslinging back and forth, it appears I have been right. That doesn't necessarily bring me any happiness, after all, while the Republicans implode, their constituents sit back and wonder which side to believe in. Or even whether or not to take sides. I think it would be difficult to be an average American Republican right now. With the election having just gone to Democrats by a landslide, and the Republican party in tatters, who do you look to as the clear leader of the party that represents your ideals? I really want to step into the shoes of the Republicans for a moment. If I were a Republican, would I be sitting back right now, wondering what just happened?

It's clear that in the beginning of the campaign, Sarah Palin excited things. Conservative women probably felt like for the first time they had a voice for them. And what a voice she was, when she was allowed to talk. I don't think the republican party did her any favors by keeping her hidden most of the time. As for the media, well, they simply did their job. Charles Gibson, Katie Couric , even Fox News! Honestly, you can't really blame the media in this case, they asked the questions they would have no matter who had been chosen, although it McCain had chosen someone with more foreign policy experience, some of the nonsense could have been avoided. So, if the picture seemed less then perfect, well, it's because it was. But how many of their own problems did the Republicans bring on themselves?

"Joe The Plumber" might have been one of the biggest mistakes of all time! I still don't understand that one. The only thing that keeps me from thinking that he was some kind of plant by John McCain to give him something to talk about, is the fact that he won't go away! Weird. Very Weird. Another seemingly large misstep was John McCain running back to Washington to work on the bailout... I mean rescue... I mean bailout of the American financial system. The Republicans clearly didn't want him there, and had no problem telling the media that. Weird. Very weird. And then there is the little problem with the "coast to coast looting of Neiman Marcus." You know, the spending spree that apparently took place on behalf of Sarah Palin. Wow... what a mess!

You know, I kind of felt sorry for the governor the last night. Yesterday, as she returned to her day job as the governor of Alaska, the press were asking the questions they should have been asking, and she seemed a little sad as she answered them. It has to have been hurtful. Fractions of her own party have thrown her under the bus. But yesterday, she seemed a little more believable as she tried to find the right words, or the correct words, or whatever words it took to make it all stop. Sigh. I felt sorry for her. It made me want to sit down with her, one on one, with a hot cup of Green Tea and some fat-free cookies, and talk to her woman to woman, about boys, hair and make-up. You would be surprised how many problems I have solved while discussing those three subjects. Call me a bad Democrat, but I can't kick someone when they are down. You know?

So tell me, if you could sit down with Sarah Palin, one on one, what would you ask her? Would you discuss politics, or do you have something else you would like to know about? Do you think she will make another run for the White House in four years? Do you think she will succeed Sen. Ted Stevens, if his felony convictions stand? Sing out. Tell me what you think. You know you want to!

-Carly

Thursday, November 06, 2008

Steven's Feline Friday... Oops We Did It Again!

"There is one order of beauty which seems made to turn heads. It is a beauty like that of kittens or very small downy ducks making gentle rippling noises with their soft bills, or babies just beginning to toddle."

-T.S. Eliot


Introducing Dylan, as himself! LOL. Yes, it's true, Alan and I made the wacky decision to adopt a second kitten. Why you ask? Well, see, Hendrix was lonely for feline company. Mommy's legs made great scratching posts, but her tights weren't much fun to climb! Especially when she squealed! LOL. Just joking there, actually we had planned to adopt two kittens all along, but after a really bad experience at a local shelter, one I will never forget or forgive, we changed our minds and settled in with our new baby Hendrix. But in this ever changing world we live in, fate decided to step in an unite us we our new orange baby Dylan. :)

How did we find Dylan? Well, the phone rang early last Wednesday morning, it was Donna, from Dr. B's office, and she said there was a little orange kitty who had been through a traumatic experience, and he was all alone in the world. LOL. Well, I am paraphrasing, but basically Ms. D, who had helped Hendrix find us, had an orange kitten for us, if we were interested. Hmmmm... was I interested? You bet! It was a sunny day, the election was a landslide for Obama, democrats were very close to taking a 2/3 majority in the senate, and I slept better the night before then I had since the Clinton years! LOL. Holy cow... the planets have aligned! Yes, give me that cat! Tee Hee.

Dylan has a story, and I will tell it next week. I have been so cat heavy lately on Ellipsis that I bet you think I have gone all things cats, so don't worry I am not going to only speak about felines, I have plenty to say about politics, and humor, and cooking, and holiday madness, and general madness, and photography, so please don't go running from my blog in a fit of cat allergies, there's more to come I promise!

Now, this is an entry for Steven's Feline and Furball Friday, because Friday is the day for pets! Go post your own pet photo and play along. It's fun!

;)

-Carly
"Introducing Dylan As Himself"
Berkeley, California
November 6th, 2008
Afternoon

Hendrix's Story

"The smallest feline is a masterpiece."

-Leonardo da Vinci

The vacation is over. The election is THANKFULLY over. As of today, I am settling back into a normal routine. LOL. I laugh because I just used the words "normal routine." Why you ask? Well, see, there is an unstoppable energy in our house. It's name is Hendrix! Hendrix came to live with us just last week, so you might think we haven't much time to get to know one another, but to the contrary, he has planted himself firmly and completely in my heart, in fact, I am a goner! I have already told you that he is quick, and bright, and full of fun, but he is also cuddly and very, very kissable. He insists on it! LOL. Yes, I am in love. But you know all this, now let me tell you about what his life was like before he came to live with us. He has quite a story.

First, I have to go back a little ways. Back to the day my Elvis passed away. I was in shreds that day. I had such mixed feelings going on. On the one hand I knew Elvis was dying, and his little body had put up a good fight, but it was apparent that all the joy was draining out of his life. He didn't want to play with his toys, and food was refused, unless it was Oscar Meyer Turkey lunch meat, and the worst part of all, he was beginning to feel pain. I made a deal with my boy a long time ago, he would have a happy life, but if the worst should happen, and it did, I would say goodbye while he had some dignity left. He was my child, how could I not promise him that. So, I said goodbye.

Dr. B., who clearly felt as sad as we did that day, helped us let go of Elvis, and then reminded us that one day, when we were ready, there are tons of cats who will be looking for someone to love them, and who they could love. "Especially the black cats," he said. It seems most folks don't think of them as special enough. Weird. A good cat is a good cat. Don't get me wrong, my heart belongs to the Tuxedo cats, I have owned two in my life, and both of them were dreamboats, but I know the joy that cats bring us and it is available in all cats, regardless of the packaging. If you own a kitty, then you already know all the attributes that escape people who swear that dog's are man's or woman's best friend.

Cats can be fiercely loyal. They aren't as aloof as people seem to believe. They will chase your feet by day, and keep them toasty warm by night. They are gentle. They are kind. They have their likes and dislikes as all God's creatures do, but if you love them, you will always be a hero in their eyes. Stubbornness is a virtue, it can be depended on. Each cat is born with a quirk. Something special in their personality that is uniquely theirs. With Elvis, it was his ability to love first. Animals, people, rabbits, birds, squirrels, opossums, and even dogs in his last few months of life. After having lived with a cat like Elvis, who could I possible love again?

The answer is Hendrix. (Insert smile here). A couple weeks after Elvis passed away, Alan and I noticed how quiet the house was. No putty pads running across the floor, no sound of bells, no funny little conversational mews. We had already decided that one day, perhaps after the holidays, we would look for the next great cat, but we were both now in tears. Tears of great sorrow, and longing. It was clear, we needed that energy back in our little house. After all, a cat makes a home... right?

So, we made the call to Dr. B, and asked that a meeting be set up with the nice lady who fosters the cats. Ms. D., and later that day, we met her, and Hendrix at Dr. B's. At the time we adopted him, his foster name was "Moose." It suited him perfectly. We liked the name Hendrix for him better, but his official nickname will always be Moose. LOL. He had a rough start to life. He was left in a box, all alone, in front of a different veterinarian's office, late on a Saturday night. The doctor came in the next day, and saw that tiny, wee abandoned baby and asked Ms. D. to take him in for foster care. She said yes, but she keeps the legal limit of kitties at all times. Her love for cats is endless, she is an angel on earth who tries her best to unite lonely humans, with wayward kitties. She will always be our angel, for bringing us together with Hendrix. It's a perfect fit.

There is happiness in our house again. Happiness runs, and eats like a moose, plays with my feet, and picks at my tights, and sometimes turns his bed over, and falls asleep in my arms. Happiness has a name, it's Hendrix. Elvis is in my heart, and I still wish I could hold him once more, or feel his paws on my face when I wake up in the morning, but somehow I just know that Elvis would approve of Hendrix. Elvis hated it when I cried, he would pat my tears away, and sit by my side until I stopped crying. Hendrix has made me laugh for a solid week, and somehow I can almost hear Elvis laughing too, all the way from Heaven. :)

There is some additional news to share. BIG, BIG, BIG news. Tune in tomorrow for my entry for Steven's Feline And Furball Friday. The fun just keeps coming!!!

:)

-Carly
"Hendrix In Autumn"
Berkeley, California
November 3rd 2008
Afternoon

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Yes We Can... And Yes We Did!


"If you are walking down the right path, and you are willing to keep walking, eventually you will make progress."

-Barack Obama

Say hello to the future, and what a bright one it has the potential to be! Now it's time to roll up our sleeves, and get to work! Hopefully, we will remember to be patient. We didn't get into this mess overnight, and we won't emerge from it overnight either, but we will emerge. And we will be great again! Doesn't it feel amazing to have HOPE back once again?

-Carly

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Vote Baby Vote


"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost."

-John Quincy Adams

Let's have a little fun... shall we? If you voted today, leave me a comment that says "I Voted!" You don't have to say anything else, just "I Voted!" Of course, if you want to say more you are welcome to, but for one day I thought it might be nice to simply share something all American's have in common. THE RIGHT TO VOTE! Is there a better way to spend the first Tuesday in November?

:)

-Carly
Note: Laura has written a very touching entry about accompanying her daughter to the polls, as she voted for the first time! Go read her entry. :) You'll smile!

Monday, November 03, 2008

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot # 10: Feet


"In life, as in dance: Grace glides on blistered feet."

-Alice Abrams

NOW CLOSED!

EMPS #10: Feet.
Feet. They take us here and there, and to and fro. Let's share our hardworking feet this week. If you are a ballerina, you dance on the tippy-toes of your feet. If you are scared, you might say, "feet don't fail me now!" If you are running away from a big bully, it is your feet that will whisk you to safety. You use your feet for pedaling your bike, and for driving your car. If your toes are webbed, you are probably a decent swimmer, or a duck, which means you are still probably a decent swimmer. It is your feet that encourages you to purchase high fashion shoes, and fuzzy wuzzy slippers. You can photograph your own feet or someone else's feet, just be sure to get permission first! Just show me feet with shoes or without!

Extra Credit:
Show me your favorite shoes, sitting next to your favorite FEET!

Ok folks, as always, you have until next Sunday evening at 9:00 PM Eastern time to participate in the EMPS. All you have to do is take your photo, post it to your blog or website, and comeback here with the direct link to your EMPS entry. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE A GENERAL LINK TO YOUR BLOG OR WEBSITE, IT MUST BE A LINK SPECIFIC TO THE EMPS!

Linking List for EMPS #9: Happy Halloween 10/27/08

NOW CLOSED!

Karen... Outpost Mavarin

Vicki... Maraca

Judi... Talking To Myself

Laura... Adventures In Juggling

Tammy... The Daily Warrior

Martha... Menagerie

Connie... Far Side Of Fifty Photos

Me... Ellipsis (I played along this week too!)

Go Get The Photo... Go Be Photographers! See you in one week, with an all new Monday Photo Shoot assignment!

-Carly

Sunday, November 02, 2008

Wink Baby Wink

"One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics, is that you end up being governed by your inferiors."

-Plato

On Halloween night, at Starbuck's, I saw witches, and a lot of little cowboys, and Snow Whites, but by far my favorite Halloween costume had to be the lady dressed as vice presidential nominee, Sarah Palin. She had the character down pat. She had a sash that said "Caribou Barbie" and various political buttons that pretty much explained it all. My personal favorite was the one that said, "Ask Me What The Bush Doctrine Is." Need I say more? Well, probably not, but I will anyway. See, here's the thing. The Halloween costume this lady wore was scarier then any ghoulish, bloody, Frankenstein-ish getup anyone could possibly come up with, because it was a pretty accurate depiction of someone who could very well be the next V.P. of the United States. Sigh. And that is the scariest thought of all.

It shocks me that there is still a percentage of folks who haven't made up their minds about who to vote for, even as we are just two days away from voting. It also shocks me that John McCain can run a campaign that basically played out as an object lesson in how not to run a campaign, and still be doing as well as he is in the polls. Choosing Sarah Palin was probably the worst choice he could have made. It has been LOL funny at times, watching her try to be vice presidential material. It has been amusing to watch the campaign implode from within, and I ask you, if you never hear from "Joe The Plumber" ever again, will you be disappointed? Good Lord, if it weren't all so absurd... it would be, well, scary. Wink Wink.

Opinions, Opinions...

You all know how I feel at this point, but truly, I want to know how you feel before we go to the polls. If you think I am dead wrong... tell me. If you think I am absolutely right... tell me that. If you are still unsure who to vote for, tell me why you still can't decide. What is your number one concern, whether or not you have already made your mind up. Speak up. Tell me what's on your mind!

-Carly
"Wink Baby Wink"
Starbuck's
Castro Valley, California
October 31, 2008
Late Afternoon