CummingBear

A co-worker passed this along to me today. Not sure how old it is or how many times it's already been around the internet, but I hadn't seen it before and wanted to share it with others who haven't seen it.

'Why Can't I Own a Canadian?'

Dr. Laura Schlessinger is a radio personality who dispenses advice to people who call in to her radio show. Recently, she said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22 and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following is an open letter to Dr. Laura penned by a east coast resident, which was posted on the Internet. It's funny, as well as informative:

Dear Dr. Laura:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the other specific laws and how to follow them:

When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15:19- 24. The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?

Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? - Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Your devoted fan,
Jim

Current Mood: anxious

Cause I'm ready to be done with winter! Can't believe that it's snowing today. Thankfully the ground is a bit too warm for anything to stick. Can't wait for the 70 degree days to return!

Current Mood: relieved

...little purple pill! lol. I hate going to the Dr. And I really have been very busy the past couple of months. But, I ran out of Nexium about 2 months ago and have been trying to self medicate with Zantac instead. Let's just say it's been a miserable two months. I was forced to go to the Dr. yesterday and thankfully got that prescrip refilled! I hope to never lose you again little purple pill.

Current Mood: contemplative

...Jamie Lee Curtis going grey is making me feel my age a bit. And damn, she sure does look old. Almost grandmotherly.

Current Mood: excited

Grr. I hate Mondays. It never fails and I guess I should just prepare for it going forward. My morning was going well. I didn't oversleep. My lunch was already prepared and ready to go. I had my clothes laid out for after my shower. Then, BANG! The limited patience of the other half caught up with my Monday morning. 

He had recently lost his MP3 player which provides him with some sanity on the roads. So, rather than have him suffer, I bought him an early birthday present. I just happened to fall upon a great deal on one a few days after he mentioned that he lost his. Ever since it arrived last Friday, that MP3 player has been the bane of my existence. First it was, "I thought you said we couldn't afford it now". Then it was, "I don't like any of the features". This morning it was, "I don't know how to make it play a damned song." Now, keep in mind, that when I gave it to him, I also provided an instruction manual.  He completely flew off the handle and we didn't 'come to an understanding' until we were both on our way to work.

I've come to accept his total lack of patience. I've even figured out how to deal with his rants. But why, oh why, does every Monday morning have to start off like this?

On a side note, when I got off work yesterday at 7, I noticed that it was still faintly light out which was exciting. I hate the darkness of the winter months. It contributes to my SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). I was extremely excited to realize that we change the clocks forward this coming weekeng. YAY! No more driving home in the dark with all the idiots that can't drive. And soon, I might even have some daylight to do some things outside after I get home. W00T!

Current Mood: mellow

Wow. Just looking back at my last post. Geez. Almost 2 years ago. Reading that post, it feels like a lot longer. A lot of things have happened since then. Some good, some bad. Just life, I suppose. 

I've said this before, but I'd really like to try and post on a regular basis. If nothing else, it's interesting to look back and see what was going on. 

So, anyway. Just sittin here in my cube at work. BORED AS HELL! Have lots I should do. But just have no interest. Only have 20 mins left on my shift, and how much can you get done in 20 mins anyway, right?

I have been in such an introverted mood lately. Not that I've ever been an extrovert. But I haven't been keeping up with missed calls or incoming email. I'm just feeling overwhelmed. So much to do and so little time to do it all. I know that I can't put this stuff off forever. It's not just going to go away on it's own. I'm just exhausted when I get home from work each night. It's not that it's that mentally challenging. Just very fast paced. And after a long, fast-paced day and the hour long commute home with all the idiots on the road, it's a whole lot more appealing to make some dinner, turn on the tube, just tune out and take care of some *business*, rather than accomplishing any of the tasks before me. 

One day at a time is the best any of us can do.

That 20 mins went fast. I'm goin home. G'night.

Well, I just got out of a meeting with my second line manager. It didn't go as well as planned. 

The team that I'm on is being done away with in 120 days. We've all been promised that we will have a job within the company when that time is up, but who knows where or doing what. There is one job on the team that I moved from 2 yrs ago that I'd really like to have. I thought that since my current 2nd line manager was my first line manager that hired me into the company from being a contractor, that it would give me a leg up, so to speak. Anyway, I really expected her to be all gung-ho for me to get this job. But when I told her what I wanted to do, she seemed reluctant. I just feel so "cut down", since I don't have a better term to use. Unfortunately, I don't think my application is being taken seriously. And if that is the case, then I'm not sure where, if anywhere, within the company that I'd like to transition to. 

That opens a whole other can of worms. There's a lot that I'd have to give up to leave the company. The biggest thing is that the cub is currently on my health insurance because they offer partner benefits. There's no guarantee that I'll be able to find a job with another company that offers partner benefits. That is just the most important in a long list of fringe benefits that I'd be giving up.

I guess on one hand, I'm ready for a big change. If the cub didn't still have to finish his undergrad, i'd consider putting the house up for sale and looking for somewhere else to live. Probably somewhere a little less bible belt and a lot more liberal. We've actually talked about moving to Vancouver when he is completely done with school, but I doubt that will be our next move. 

Guess it's time to update and post the resume and see what comes of it.

"Gay cowboys eating pudding". That clip from South Park is what immediately popped into my mind the first time I saw the trailer for Brokeback Mountain.

About a week ago, I was laying in bed, channel surfing trying to find something to ease me into my slumber. I came upon a behind the scenes look at Brokeback Mountain on Logo (the gay channel). I figured I'd put it on, see a few gratuitus clips of the two hotties goin at it and pass out soon there after.

The first thing the show discussed was the challenge that the movie faced being labeled "the gay cowboy movie" and the fact that the screenplay/script floated around the entertainment community for 7 or 8 years before anyone attached their name to it. The show then went on to explain that the movie is more a love story than anything else. Being the romantic that I am, I was immediately drawn in and I watched the whole show.

I am impressed with the two actors that agreed to take the leading roles. You would expect that with such a taboo topic that the cast would include either 3rd rate, no-name actors or one of the few well known actors that usually accept gay roles. But they were able to cast two HOT straight mainstream actors in the roles. From the few scenes I saw, the on screen chemistry between Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal is amazing and makes the story believable.

During the show, they make mention that the movie is based on a short story. While I had some free time to burn at work yesterday, I was excited to find the text on the web (Brokeback Mountain, the original short story by Annie Proulx). Now that I've read it, I'm even more driven to go and see it in the theatre. Keep in mind that I average about one in-theatre movie a year.

Unfortunately, because we are in the land of the bible thumpers and homophobes, I was very disappointed to find that as of today there is only ONE theatre in the Atlanta metro area that is showing the film. But I really think this movie is worth the trek into midtown.

I'm just hoping that as more people see it and it gains more and more support that people will open their minds and realize that not all gay men conform to the typical flamboyant stereotype and that love between two people, no matter who they are, should not be discounted because those two people are of the same sex.

Wow, where did November go? As I look at the calendar, I see that we are a mere 3 days from the last month of the year.

Had a great Thanksgiving dinner. Originally thought we were going to end up going to the cub's mom's house, but she asked if we would mind hosting. So we had the cub's mom and step dad as well as his sister, her new husband and her son. Lots of great food and company. But it was certainly nice to just relax and hang out on Friday.

Now just getting ready for the big holiday push. While I do love the sentiment of this time of year, all of the commercialism just about completely ruins it for me. I can't stand the fact that it's every where you turn. From TV to radio to magazines to billboards to websites, it has infected everything. I think you would have to lock yourself in a closet with the light off to be able to get away from it all.

On top of the commercialism is the family drama. I would love nothing more than to spend the holidays in my own home, in front of the fireplace, enjoying a cocktail with family and friends. Unfortunately, all of my immediate family lives in upstate NY. So every year I am guilted into flying up there for a few days. In general, I don't mind going back to where I grew up. But I just hate having to travel in the week between Christmas and New Years. Too many people. Too many chances for weather to interfere with travel plans. Blech! The only thing keeping me from completely saying NO is that my widowed grandmother looks forward to my visit each year. She's getting on in years and is not really the traveling type. So, for her, I will make the trek. And honestly, if it were just that simple I probably wouldn't belabor it as much as I do. But with it also comes the decision of who I'm going to offend/upset by not making plans to visit with them while I'm in NY. Again, family drama. You get the idea.

Oh well. Could be worse, I suppose. Guess I should get to making my holiday shopping list.

After having left work by 11am on Tues and spending the rest of the week in a Nyquil induced coma, today I almost feel back to normal. Have a bit of a sore throat lingering and some minor congestion, but otherwise feel like myself again.

Think I'll just take it easy over the next few days. My mom and step dad will be arriving Thursday for a visit. So, other than cleaning up the house and work, just going to keep everything low key.

Current Mood: sick

Well, it seems that I have caught a cold. I knew something wasn't right when I woke up yesterday morning and my head was a bit congested. After I got home last night, I was making dinner and I went to go into the cabinet to get a pan out and all of the sudden I got this sudden rush of the chills. I put on a heavy shirt and heavy flannel pajama pants, but I still couldn't get warmed up. We ate dinner and I got under the covers in bed by about 8:45. Thankfully, I was able to fall asleep fairly quickly. But then I woke up around 11:30 and I was hot as hell. I shucked off my clothes and got back into bed and went back to sleep. When I woke up this morning, I felt ok but still congested.

It's the weirdest thing, but I seem to get a cold/the flu after dramatic weather changes. It usually happens right after we turn on the AC in the spring and also when we turn on the heat in the fall. Guess maybe I should just start planning for it since it has happened pretty consistently over the past few years.

I came into work, but now I feel like crap again. And the worst part is that for my job I talk on the phone all day. I would probably be ok if I didn't have to talk. Halls cough drops don't seem to be helping much. I get this bit of congestion that lingers at the back of my throat and it makes it difficult to talk and I can clear it out, but it's back after a few minutes. Wishing I could go home sick, but I've already missed a bunch of days this year for sickness. I don't want it to affect my review coming up at the end of December. Guess I'll just sit here and deal.

Current Mood: amused

Get your mind out of the gutter! While I do participate in that activity, that's not what this is about.

So, last weekend for my weekend off, I ended up not going out of town. Well, at least not to NY or FL. Basically did stuff around the house on my days off with the exception of Saturday. Saturday, I took a trip up north to the mountains with the cub. His mom and sister live up that way as well as some good friends.

After we had a visit with his friends, the next stop was to see his sister. I was supposed to meet her husband who is newly imported from the UK. Unfortunately, when we got there no one was home. So, we trekked off to our next destination to visit the cub's mom. We get there. Chat with his mom and step dad for a while. Stepped outside for a while to pet the 8 month old puppy they have in the back. He was very excited to see us and happy to have visitors. After we get done petting the puppy we go back inside to chat some more. We talk some about the puppy and the cub's mom states that if the humane society was open, that's where the puppy was headed. At first I didn't think she was serious, but we were then assured that she was. They had been having problems with the puppy digging up the yard and chewing stuff up. Then out of the blue, the cub looks at me with his puppy dog eyes and says, "well, maybe we can take him home." Me, being the animal loving person that I am, says "OK, for a trial basis". I still wonder if I was being set up and they had this planned the whole time.

Truth of the matter is that since the spring we had talked about getting another dog so that our 75lb lap dog would have someone to play with.

We got him home and acquainted with the four cats and our other dog. Got him plenty of chew toys to play with. And now after a week with us, he seems to have adjusted pretty well. He is definitely still a puppy and needs lots of attention and discipline. I, of course, have become totally attached to him. So, it's a pretty sure bet that he will be staying permanently.

The only issue at this point is the dwindling amount of real estate available on the bed. A bear, a cub, a 75 lb boxer/pit bull/rotweiler mix and a doberman mix puppy fill a king sized bed pretty quickly.

Just relaxing now after having taken the dog to the vet today, mowed about 2/3 of the yard before it got dark, came in showered and made dinner.

Hmm...What to do? What to do? Since I was forced to schedule the remainder of this years vacation time by Sept 1, I requested this weekend thru monday off. I thought I might go visit my family in NY and find out what furniture and housewares my grandparents will be giving me when their house finally sells. But at this point, even to drive would cost a couple of hundred dollars with the price of gas what it is. That's just an added expense we don't need at this point. And besides, I wasn't too keen on driving for 32 total hrs by myself within 5 days. Sucks that the cub didn't have some time off and we could drive up together. I would love to show him where I grew up.

So, now the choices I have are to stay home and do stuff around the house and possibly go out this weekend. Or drive 5 hrs each way and visit my Aunt and Uncle in north FL. They just built a new house with a nice and private screened-in in-ground pool in Palm Coast, which is just off the Atlantic coast between Jacksonville and Daytona Beach. Might be nice to go lay out in the sun by the pool before the hurricane passes through. But I don't know if I want to be involved with hurricane evacuation traffic. Guess I'll make some sort of decision after I wake up and get moving tomorrow.

Current Mood: contemplative

For a long time whenever someone mentioned anything about having surgery to control obesity, I always thought to myself that it was something that I had no intent on ever doing. I always have had the mindset that when I lose my excess baggage, it will be on my own, strictly through diet and exercise. And I also didn't like the fact that after the surgery you are very limited as to what you can eat for the rest of your life. I love food. And there a lot of things I can go without for a period of time, but there are some things that I'm just not ready to give up forever. In my opinion, moderation is truely the key.

Recently through friends, work, LJ, etc I have come into contact with more and more people that have had the surgery and it has changed them dramatically over a relatively short period of time. I have been overweight for almost my entire life. I have tried just about every diet and exercise routine. About ten years ago while I was in college I lost about 50-75lbs through diet and exercise, but I have since gained it all back. I'm almost to the point where I might consider investigating one of these options.

I guess I just need to decide if I have the willpower to do it or if I need to take one of these options to help force me to permanently change my lifestyle.

I think I'm going to give myself one more opportunity to do it on my own. Three months or so from now, I will evaluate how much progress I have made and if things haven't changed much I will start my research.