awkward moments

Watching my stomach move in large and unusual ways makes me nervous. I don't think my body was *supposed* to move like that...i don't care how big the baby is getting!

hehehe - another food song

As perfect as my dog is, she has one or two flaws. In normal conditions these flaws could be addressed in a calm manner. Under super hormones, her life is in danger.

Her current favourite trespass is stealing rolls of toilet paper and shredding them on the lawn so it looks like it snowed outside.

Now i recite my mantra: I am MAD but i can control myself....i am mad but i CAN control myself...

hate world

It is no surprise to those who know me that i am often offended and frustrated by those claiming to be from the right wing (emphasis on *right*). I cringe when some talk about how "God hates gays" or "the Obama administration turning America socialist".

The video above is a response to 2 right wing commentators who suggested that the devastation in Haiti was bought on by devil worship and communism. The response is done in the same vein that the right wing commentators spoke. It was all hate.

The use of inflammatory words by either side creates an emotional response by the viewer. Do we really want more emotionally hate filled people? Perhaps the only real response to this kind of hate is to ignore it...but then again, does our silence suggest agreement?

I can't help but believe that i can disagree with someone on an emotional level and still respond to them without wishing them dead or in hell. But maybe that is just the pregnancy hormones talking. What do you think? Can we respond to vocalised hatred without resorting to the same rhetoric?

preparing for 2010

It might seen strange that i'm setting about preparing for a year that has already starting, and i can't really deny that it isn't. Last year (or at least the last 5 months of last year) are pretty much a wash for me. I spent more time aquainting myself with the bathroom than i did pretty much anything else. (not fun)

With the start of a new year brings so many things. The obvious one is bub, who is still a few months away. So before she gets here there are a few minor things that need to be done. (in no particular order)

1. Replace carpet
2. update kitchen
3. clean cupboards
4.assemble baby room
5. teach Faith to sleep on command
6. prepare birth plan
7. stock up on pet all pet supplies i will need for the next 6 months
8. entertain guests
9.pick out a name for newest family member
10. remain calm so bub has a happy environment

The list continues....

When the church ladies said i would start the 'nesting' thing soon, i honestly believed it was an old wives tail...apparently it is a bug that has moved into my house and attached itself to my brain!





26 weeks!

I got inspired to be more artsy crafty today...until the cat started stealing my crafts.

And that put an end to that.

highlights

Checking out Mount Taranaki...strangely the signs seemed to apply to me.



The awesome lawn art saw on one of many trips where we weren't quite sure where we were or where we were going...the sheep were too cute though! so it was all worth it.




The New Plymouth's lights in the park was inspiring. Very beautiful!

Australian xmas song

over-crowded commercialism and smiles

The Christmas season is upon us once again...and depending on how often you shop, you may feel this announcement is much belated (since most of the shops announced it in October). Yet much like every year, i find it difficult to really through myself into Christmas before December.

Every year, i comment on how different Christmas in Australia is to the Christmas i grew up with. This year i find myself enjoying the similarities.

My favourite similarity is the packed shopping centres. Now i am not a fan of over crowded commercialism, i am a fan of getting reactions from people. The easiest time to do this is Christmas season. There is the stress of finding presents for all your family and friends AND the office bitch who you would rather not buy a present for, but her stupid secret Santa HAD to be you this year. So as people try to navigate past the crowds to find that gift for so and so, i often see a somber facial tone. Yet it only takes a grin from a pregnant lady to reset the face to friendly. Like no other time of year, do you find people more willing to smile back at you. It is really kind of cool.

Merry Christmas

A beautiful lights display featuring the music of Trans Siberian Orchestra.

Think for yourself and know that i believe you can

As i prepare for the birth of my child, i am constantly thinking about things that i want my child to know; things i want them to believe.

The thing i want for them most is to be able to think things through for themself. I want them to believe in their heart of hearts that i believe in them.

I don't expect my child to have all the same beliefs that i have, but i do hope i have the courage to support their conclusions and praise their effort to get to the conclusions.

And every day i will quote them dr. seuss: “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose."

living down to expectations

Click picture to enlarge

Child pornography in society

For as long as there has been artists, there has been controversy about art. If art is meant to challenge society, not all art work will be pleasant. If art is meant to reflect society, not all art work will be pleasant. If art is meant to entertain society, art work will be frivolous.

Almost 2 years ago now Bill Henson displayed a photo of a naked 13 year old girl. She didn't wear make up or strike a seductive pose, she wasn't lit provocatively- but she was naked. This caused a fury about child pornography. The girl was nude, therefore it was porn, was the general gist of the news articles i read on the subject.

In a few days Miley Cyrus will turn 17. She is not yet at the legally be of the age of consent. About one month ago, she released the video 'Party in the USA' which (it can be argued, and i do argue) sexualise her. The song opens with her in short shorts and the camera panning up and down her legs. While the video refrains from showing her naked, it does sensationalise her sexuality even though she is not 'legal' in the United States, presumably where it was shot.

Why was there no outrage over this? Why is there no outrage when underage celebrities gyrate for a camera or an audience?

Perhaps the fault lies with the belief that naked = porn when in fact titillation = porn. If the object of pornography is to arouse the viewer, then Miley's video makes a good effort. If the object of pornography is simply to show a naked body...then shower gel commercials should be banned.

My point is not to say that Bill Henson was blameless to display images of a naked girl. My point is to question our values as a society. Perhaps while we were busy boarding up our house from the obvious we forgot what we were really trying to keep out. We've inadvertently attempted to gag those who want to talk about our exploitation of children and paid the exploiters extra for more shows.

ritual, tradition, and hell

Jack-O-Lantern Halloween Greetings
Originally uploaded by Fort Photo

Growing up my family had few traditions. But one of the few was celebrating Christmas on Christmas Eve. We would read the Christmas Story, open presents, and all sleep under the tree. It was magical.

A good friend of mine, however, did not have these traditions for Christmas. In fact their family tradition at Christmas, was to pretend it didn't exist. They were fearful that the roots of the Christmas celebration hearkened back to pagan origin. They of course had proof. The evergreen tree was part of this ritual, the time of year Christmas is celebrated corresponds with winter solstice celebrations...and of course the family was absolutely correct. These are the origins for many of the things associated with Christmas. So does this suddenly make Christmas less Christian and more 'evil'?

I have often noticed that my local Church carries around dual baggage. On one hand they are quite fearful of the idea of accidentally celebrating and revelling in something that may actually hold less than savoury beginnings. Halloween, for instance, is definitely out! There is a fear that if you celebrate something that has "satanic" origins than, you are in fact worshipping the devil himself.

On the other hand, it is impossible to accidentally worship God. They tell me that even if i do all the rituals, like go to church weekly, say prayers, and read my Bible, I'm not *really* worshipping unless i give my heart to Him.

So dual beliefs continue. If i ritually keep a holiday, i could in fact be unconsciously giving myself to evil, yet if i ritually keep religion, i'm still in danger of hell.

I suppose there is no satisfying others.

Avenue Q

I was invited to go see a play in Sydney with Melody. It was so much fun. We went to see Avenue Q. It had some striking similarities to sesame street. The main difference was the language, drug references, and sex with puppets (which was very funny). Here is a taste...without the sex scene:)




And a bit of background, if your interested...

pop dogma

I was first introduced to 'Buddy Christ" in the film Dogma. Buddy Christ is used as a religious parody icon. It was created to BE a parody icon. It was created with the idea of making people go "woah! someone is taking their religion to the ridiculous level"

So it always makes me second glance when i see Buddy Christ being held with reverence, or placed in a home where it is taken seriously. "Of course, Christ is my buddy" i hear people say.

I suppose i could be in awe that something that was created to be ridiculous has been re-branded for a 'holy' or more meaningful purpose.

But generally i just think those people got scammed.

creating a top five

Could you come up with a top five favourite Joss Whedon characters? Sci Fi Uk thought they could.

They compiled a list of characters they believe are the most enduring Whedonverse characters. I disagree. So because i have my own blog, i will give my list.

5. Fred
4. Dr. Horrible
3. Willow
2. Spike
1.River Tam

The only problem is that after writing this list up, i realise that there are other characters who really should make this list.

Xander, Anya, Zoe, Captain Hammer, Lorne, Kaylee, Faith, Buffy, Tara, Topher....oh dear...my list of top five is turning into quite a mess. I guess the truth is i can't limit it to a mere top five. I'm not even sure i can really put them into an order!

I am left with no alternative but to admit that Joss and his people have some mad skill when it comes to character creation. I wonder if i can learn the skill...

sad story

Details are still emerging but it looks to be more proof that carrying a gun doesn't protect you from gun violence.

A US mother who openly carried a gun to her 5 year old daughter's football game last year was shot dead this week. (story here)

Whether she was carrying her gun at the time and who was responsible for the shooting are still being investigated.

Her open advocacy for her right to carry a gun did nothing to protect her from getting shot. Nor did it keep the trauma of that kind of violence from her 3 young children.

I could give another speech on gun control, but i think i've already made myself very clear on the topic.

Cleopatra Stratan

The translation (as far as i can find out) is a children's song about animals and a very talented cat. I found the translated lyrics here, but you might find the song fun without knowing the lyrics. She is such a talented little girl.

I do feel bad for the director though. They say never work with children or animals and this poor person obviously did both to an insane level. You can see the dogs barking in some of the background scenes and the cats getting upset...it could not have been a headache free set.

Top 5 reasons to be happy

For the last couple of weeks i've been working on building a tiny life form. Some of the time it sucks...(or rather blows). If i'm not careful i can find myself completely obsessing over the hard part of it. So i thought i would remind myself of 5 things that are great about my life right now.

5. Getting to eat blueberry pie without any guilt at all.
4. Getting phone calls from friends/family to cheer me up
3. Being brought meals in bed
2. Listening to my animals 'talk' in their sleep. (it makes me giggle)
1. Watching my husband's eyes light up when we talk about bub