Surprise Visit

So.... Rachel made a surprise visit last weekend. We had both had crummy weeks, but her visit made it all better.

-My two favorites-

Dining Companion

So.... sometimes at Sonic I let Travis order for both of us.

None of the Above

So.... Arrrgghhhh! The Presidential debate was such a disappointment. Neither of them answered the questions. All they did was regurgitate their campaign talking points. I had heard it all before. I actually like both McCain and Obama less after the debate than before. Isn't a debate supposed to help you decide for whom you want to vote or inspire you to rally around your chosen candidate?

I think part of the problem was their apparel. Obama's tie was totally lavender, and I don't know what McCain was thinking with that pink striped piece of work, or that ill-fitting suit jacket. Don't their campaigns pay people to consider how a color is going to read on television?

I was annoyed with the format (well the inability to stick to the format). Some pundits spoke ill of Tom Brokaw and his aggravation with the candidates not adhering to the rules of the debate. I have no problem with Tom on this point - I like order, and even Presidential candidates should play by the rules (Tom was just bringing some very needed oversight and regulation to the debate). I was more offended by Brokaw when at the very end, being the consummate professional that he is, he very obviously darted his head to-and-fro to read the teleprompter (and told the candidates to move)! Tom, can't you wing it by now? Make up something! I was also annoyed with the way that the candidates made sure to tell the undecided Nashville area voters (yeah, right) how great their boring and unimaginative questions were. And come on, Undecided Middle Tennessee Voter, practice your question before you read it live on national television! And don't wear magenta dress shirts! Where on God's Green Earth does any self-respecting man buy a magenta dress shirt (to wear to a Presidential debate)? That guy is probably the one who picked out the candidate's neckties.

I did enjoy the moment when the Senator from Illinois said his opponent thought he was "green behind the ears." What a mixed metaphor! Green? Green-horn? Wet behind the ears? Green around the gills? What did you mean to say, oh, Great Orator?

McCain sure didn't win any points with me with this HOME Plan which gives deserving Americans the "opportunity to trade a burdensome mortgage for a manageable loan that reflects their home's market value." How much is that going to cost? Way more than this ill-conceived debacle of a Bail-Out Bill! Is there no personal responsibility anymore? Where's my gov'ment check?

I am completely unimpressed and underwhelmed with both candidates. By the way, I know you can be over- or under-, but can you ever just be whelmed? Sorry. So... I am not pleased with either option. Can I mark "none of the above"? Oh where, oh where has my Huckabee gone? I'd probably be happier with the other viable Arkansan option... gasp... dare I say.... Hilary? Scandal! I know, but I really think she'd do a better job than either of the two that will be President. Those of you who know me (and my politics) well, know just how telling a statement that last one is.

My favorite part of the debate was when I fantasized about one of the candidates running over and hitting his opponent in the back of the head with his microphone. So, who will I vote for on November 4th? Who I always vote for: the lesser of two evils.


Actually, in living out my Pursuing Pineapple World View, I'll probably vote for the candidate whose spouse will be most likely to do the least amount of damage to the White House.

Dancing Dog Art Shop

So.... this past spring I went a little crazy with eBay. I won a few auctions for some art and art books that I wanted; then I started buying more because I decided I could start selling them myself on eBay. I've obviously been involved in too many projects because only today did I finally post some items for sale. I honestly was a little overwhelmed with the process for listing something to sell (I think I was just too worried that I might mess up). I'm sure that for some of you eBay is old hat, but I'm still new to selling, and I was very excited to see that three of my auctions already had people "watching" them!

The original plan for Dancing Dog Art Shop was to purchase original lithographs, have them custom framed, and sell them in a retail store (probably one of the many stores - clothing, art, bakery, bed & breakfast, books - that I've planned on opening); eBay seemed a lot easier. So, I amassed a small collection of mid century art prints and lithographs, established an eBay "seller" identity (dancingdogartshop), had stationery printed, opened a free checking account at my bank, authenticated my PayPal, and waited until I was bored enough or desperate enough for extra cash (Do I hear wedding bells?) to start selling. Well, today was the day!



I spent almost three hours just going through a couple of the books and folios that I have, to pick out just a dozen pieces to sell. I would have had more items, but first I went through and culled out the pieces that I wanted. This 1948 Matisse print was saved from the auction block as I was typing up the listing - something about the blue striped wall and the red on the shutters wouldn't let me part with it. Now that's atypical - not an exposed chicken boob in sight!



I spent another three hours typing the listings into eBay. Don't worry; by the end of the day, I had gotten the hang of it.

Oh, and Travis, the Dancing Dog, he kept busy too, supervising from his position on the sofa, the bed, or the floor.

Pursuing Pineapple... Electable?

So.... as I'm sure many of you did this evening, I watched the Vice Presidential Debate (Sarah Palin vs. Joe Biden). I am fairly sure that I would not make a very electable politician because when confronted with a question or comment which I felt strongly about, I would be more likely to say what I truly believe as opposed to saying what sounds good to "Main Street America."

When asked who was to blame for the problems with the economy/mortgage debacle, Palin enthusiastically attacked the predatory lenders (who are to blame), but I would have also added (getting on my high horse, likely only to face the same fate as Eight Belles) that those borrowers who knowingly and willingly did their best to take advantage of the situation to buy a house that was significantly out of their means of ownership are also to blame. I hate when anyone goes through tragedy, and I wouldn't wish the situation of losing a home on anyone, but those people who intentionally borrowed more money than they could afford or borrowed more on a house than it was worth must face the consequences of their actions.

Biden at one point in the debate stated that he and his ticket mate supported legislation that allowed bankruptcy judges to not only rewrite the terms of someone's mortgage (the interest rate) but also to rewrite the amount of principal owed. At that point in the debate, I would have inappropriately (or appropriately) shouted, "Oh, hell no!" and furrowed my brow disapprovingly. Why does the person who made a bad financial decision get a free pass? I'm not saying I'm better than anyone else, smarter than anyone else, or have a better sense of style than any one else. I'm no financial sophisticate, but I bought a house I can afford, drive a dented, payed-for car, rarely pay full price for clothes (or shoes), and buy the cheapest dog treats available. Why should I not be rewarded? Judges should not be able to "rewrite" the principal owed on a home! If you borrowed the money, you need to repay it! I can't go back to Kohl's tomorrow and tell them that I'm going to change the amount that I payed for the jeans that I bought earlier today (which were on sale - yeah, I know, everything's on sale at Kohl's every other week).

Citizens, we have a responsibility to make responsible decisions! We must be disciplined in our budgeting, saving, and spending! We should not buy things we cannot afford! Before agreeing to a contract, we should read the fine print (the title company people are surprised that I've read the documents I've signed at my house closings - that's ridiculous)! We should not borrow money (or print money, you listening to me Washington) without considering the cost!

Thanks for enduring my rantings. Usually my diatribes deal with uncontrollable giggling, forsaken yard work, or mean old women in Wal-Mart, so I felt I was allowed this one focusing on something of substance. Please understand I am compassionate; please know that I genuinely feel for those honest people who have been taken advantage of and those hard-working people who have fallen on hard times.

So, though I feel I would probably do a good job if elected (not that I have any intentions or aspirations), I doubt I would be elected because I'm likely to (too quickly) speak my mind and say things people don't want to hear. No matter, I'm sure at the nano-second that I had my above mentioned outburst, Dr. James Dobson would call for a boycott against me, and my credibility with the "religious right" would be gone, but "Joe Six-Pack" might like me a little more, and I'm sure my siblings would have enjoyed hearing me cus on national television.