Let There Be Light

Several people today told me I looked "sad." I can't picture what that looks like - even when I see myself in the mirror. But that's actually beside the point.

Kevin and I always had our worst fights between the middle of January and end of February - and I'm talking some doozies. I wondered if it was tied in to post-holiday spending "issues" - I always overspent. But maybe we had this and it wasn't really about the money at all. Go figure.

Since muscular therapy isn't covered by insurance, maybe phototherapy will be?

Starts with a G...and I Don't Mean Greenspan

Can you spell "greed?" That's actually a better question than "Where was Washington?" as the sub prime mortgage debacle unfolded. As always, there were a few brave souls willing to speak out - but the forces against them were pretty powerful.

No Punishment Harsh Enough

On my way home tonight, an idiot SUV driver too lazy to wipe the snow/ice off the rooftop sped past me, leaving a trail of flying ice in my path. Not once, but twice.

Luckily, I wasn't following too closely so only a few small chunks hit my car but I'm telling you this is one of the most hazardous conditions on the road. And if some serious injury did occur due to flying ice, the responsible party would likely get away scot free, blissfully unaware that their thoughtlessness and irresponsibility was the direct cause. Which is just outrageous. And I'm not overstating - if it's happened to you once, it's one time too many. Just ask this guy. It should be a crime (though I think it might be in New Jersey.)

One final word: if you are unable to wipe snow off the roof of your car because it's too big, you should get a smaller car. One you'll be able to handle.

Outrage Roots Grow Deep

Seems I come by it honestly. The priest who baptized me and was a profound influence on me and my family as we all grew up together has started a bit of a holy war in Virginia Beach. Not that that's anything unusual. He left our parish in the mid 70's - but he's remained a lifelong friend to all of us. While I wouldn't presume to get into the theology behind all this, I was struck by the level of outrage all around.

So here's the original article about the Congressional prayer caucus. And here's TQ's letter to editor about it.

My favorite quote from the article: "It’s about whether this person as an individual believes God is the only hope for this country’s future – not Washington, D.C., but God," Jones said. It reminds me of an old joke: a man of strong faith is drowning and starts praying. A boat comes by but the man waves them off saying "God will save me." Just as he's about to go under for the final time, a second boat comes by but again he declines the help, saying: "God will save me." So he drowns. And when he comes before God he asks "why didn't you save me?" God looks at him and says: "I sent you two boats. What more did you want?" But I digress.

Quinlan's outrage obviously upset the conservative bloggers at BearingDrift. Quinlan may be a lot of things, but he's no heretic. And he's taught me things about faith and honesty and integrity and generosity that will last me a lifetime. So he doesn't mince words. There isn't anything factually incorrect about what he says - and to attack him for his opinion on the most personal level is unforgivable.

Say It Ain't So, Joe

Another one bites the dust. When news websites are run by marketing morons, the end is truly near. (thanks for the link JB)

Every time I turn around

Is it me or are there a lot of movies about spouses dying lately? Went to see Enchanted Friday night (very sweet movie btw) and one of the previews was for P.S. I Love You, about a woman who receives letters from her dead husband - written before he died of course. Who comes up with these plots? And is there really a market out there for it? My older sister turned to me and said "don't go see that." Not that I had planned to.

Then there's John Cusack's latest movie "Grace is Gone." I tend not to miss Cusack movies - but that all changed with the last one about the scarey hotel room.

So as I stumbled across this article in the Daily News, lo and behold, I discover that my former start up Inform is now on the Daily News site. A much more pleasant thought. Nice going guys.

Hanging Together

As a former "permalancer," I applaud the MTV freelancers walkout - not only for the protest itself, but for sticking together. Collective outrage is a beautiful thing.

Two Minutes and a Cell Phone

First, why would ANYONE think Donald Trump's $10,000 tip was a plausible story? Seriously. No one that rich blows money like that. (Thanks for the link JB) I was set to be outraged over the present state of journalism - then realized that Fox News appears to be the only legit news org that ran with it. So maybe the system did work this time. As my younger sister is fond of saying, "could be worse."

I waited tables for a time at two fine establishments (burgers & beer) on Capitol Hill - Duddingtons and Hawk 'n Dove - during and after college. The best tip I ever got - percentagewise at least - was a $100 tip on a $50 bill. I still remember his name. In hindsight, I think there may have been some expectations there but I was young and naive - and got by with just a thank you. A very sincere thank you - but just a thank you nonetheless.

Five Year Plan

December 19 marks the 5th anniversary of Outrage.com. Thinking of a nice quiet dinner somewhere...but any suggestions on how to celebrate this milestone would be greatly appreciated.

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

Saw Mary Poppins on Broadway this weekend with my mom and sisters. Great show, even with the Disney overkill. We were six rows from the stage so couldn't have asked for better seats.

But what struck me greatly was the three separate moments during the show that brought tears to my eyes. And as I tried to wipe them away without anyone noticing, I look over and realize both my sisters are crying too. Something struck each one of us - some memory or feeling from childhood I think. I'll likely never know - I would have analyzed what happened all night - and tried several times -- but they weren't having any. So we enjoyed a nice seafood dinner instead.

It was a perfect weekend - or practically perfect as my younger sister corrected me.

Chicken or the Egg

I was looking forward to reading the CSM's reporting of the CIA torture tapes shenanigans. Only to find that the article is a compilation of OTHER reporter's work. Despite the name, I've been a fan of CSM - some of the best investigative journalism around. I'm outraged by the sheer laziness of it.

And obviously there's not a lot of outrage over the fact that the CIA lied. I always figured that's what the CIA does. But it once again proves that the coverup is almost always worse than the original transgression.

Get the Connection

No shortage of outrage in this story about a 13-year old's suicide.

The issue isn't about naming names. The "teachable" moment as far as I'm concerned: "people need to be far more connected to their words." Then again, it's that disconnection that's fueled much of my outrage over the last five years.

Note to Self: Don't Stop Saying Hello

What happened to Christina Copeman scares me deeply. Part of it is living alone for the first time -- ever. Part of it is the reality of getting older. Just another confirmation from Brooklyn that people tend to die the same way they lived.