Expert Hikers

Expert Hikers
Originally uploaded by Pookah.

I spent a lovely Sunday climbing rocks at Purgatory Chasm and then painting rocks at Christy's home. This shot is of my godchild Sarol and Christy navigating some tricky tree roots (or, as Christy calls them: branches).

While I Do Not Claim To Have A Lot, What Little Intelligence I Do Have Has Been Offended

This morning, I received an email forward from someone I don't even know (every time my friend Laure sends out a group email - this time to let us all know she moved - the group starts hitting reply all and I get a lot of information about people I don't really know) and it really offended me. Mostly because the original speaker would like to believe that we should all take her at her word. My two brain cells, which have been rubbing together to create a little bit of friction up there, are offended.

The email went a little something like this:

You might have seen or heard this particular interview before, but it certainly needs to be reread especially in light of the bombings in London.

In light of the many perversions and jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke, it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her, How could God let something like this happen? (regarding the attacks on Sept. 11). Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response.

She said, I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?

In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.

Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school . The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves. Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.

Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.

Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.

Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing?

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they WILL think of you for sending it.

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

I think Anne Graham believes us all to be morons. For some reason, she is operating under the assumption that if we aren't teaching our children the Bible, or if we don't believe in the Bible, then we operate on a completely different value system. Apparently us non-believers don't know the difference between right and wrong, moral and immoral. We prefer to teach our children to despise differences, and we're standing outside of every Walmart handing out semi-automatic weapons to anyone over the age of 5.

Just because I don't believe in the Bible, that doesn't mean that I don't agree with some of it's morals. Just because I don't think that school-led prayer in the classroom is appropriate, even demoralizing to children of certain faiths, that does not mean I think God or religion has no place in peoples' lives. And just because some extremists decided to terrorize Americans on 9/11, that does not mean that I believe that teaching the Bible in our schools would have changed a damn thing.

Don't get me wrong, I have absolutely no problem with a class on religion in our schools, whereby all the major religions of the world are explored, but FAITH is not a matter of science and learning. Prescribing a faith to someone is NOT something that should be taken on by the school - it is an individual CHOICE. It isn't as easy or incontrovertible as 2 + 2.

As for the comment on Dr. Spock and his preference for not spanking his children, I think it is highly inappropriate to pass judgement. I know plenty of well-adjusted people who were both spanked and never spanked. I didn't even realize this was an issue that religion was dealing with - is Anne Graham saying we should all spank our children? Should that practice be reintroduced into our schools? I'm not really sure where she was going with that...

In any case, Anne Graham is working off of a lot of assumptions and telling people we're all being punished by war and terrorism because we aren't paying attention to the Bible and to God. Do you realize that those men who crashed those planes into the world trade towers thought they were on a mission from God? God is not as clear-cut as we would like to think.

Most of the wars in history have been fought in the name of God, and every one of these crusading soldiers BELIEVED he/she was right. They prayed, they worshiped, they carried their religious paraphanelia with them into battle. How can you say that it is by our neglect of God that "the world is going to hell?" What does that mean? What does that solve? And who's God are we supposed to worship to gain peace on earth?

Personally, I don't believe it's possible. I believe in the yin and yang of life - there will always be moments of great happiness, and they will always be balanced by moments of great sorrow. Whether or not you choose to believe in a deity or god, your life will be full of both extremes and all the moments and emotions in between. If we did not know sadness, would we really appreciate the good in our life? I tend to think not.

We humans are capable of so many things - we are such imperfect beings. There will always be war, famine, poverty, violence, crime... But there will also always be love, laughter, sunshine, hugs, family, friends. I don't need to believe in God to make that happen for me.

Of course, I am always open to the discussion - so long as it IS a discussion, and not just a monologue that presupposes I am going to hell for never having read the Bible. I don't like being preached at or disdained for my belief system, which is probably why a lot of people avoid discussing religion (and politics). Too many people cannot communicate their ideas without passing grave judgement on you and your character.

In any case, Anne Graham, I think you're missing a good portion of understanding, forgiveness and open-mindedness. And Sheri, thanks for the email.

Happy 4th of July!

Anthony & Ryan in Boston
Originally uploaded by Pookah.

It was a beautiful day at The Commons and I have Josh and Andrew to thank for this beautiful photo of the happy couple (can we work it for the camera or what?).

This was many hours after the blisters I had worked up in my cheap sandals, with many more hours to go. But at least I got to see Mel (note to college friends: send Mel lots of LOVE and laughter - she needs a little boost these days!).

Of course, I got to see Andrew too, but that goes without saying - being that we are both Massholes and all.

You can't really tell in this picture, but Anthony was a nice shade of red (his shins especially glowed) after our day at Salisbury Beach on Saturday. Mr. "I never burn" didn't put on sunblock until 10 minutes before we left. Isn't it nice that my fair-skinned, Swiss-Italian boyfriend thinks he won't burn to lobster hues after 3-4 hours in the summer sun? Let's just say I was highly amused.

It has been a few days and now the tops of his feet are almost pasty pale again. After spending most of yesterday in bed (nasty, nasty headache), I am now out and about searching for apartments and jobs in the D.C. area. Today is also laundry and clean the bathroom day, which I know is more exciting to you all than rearranging your sock drawer.

In any case, it is time to go beg for my jobs while I scrub down the shower stall, so au revoir!

Thank You, Andrew

Andrew has delightfully reminded me that I haven't posted in something like five days and if I don't start writing soon he may actually have to do work while he's sitting at his MIT desk. I think he's mostly upset that I haven't yet begun to describe the ecstasy of sleeping on his parents' living room floor on Sunday night. It was mentioned that Anthony and I should NOT "mess around" on our little foam pallets, but, Josh, I must tell you - it was HEAVEN.

Since my mother informs me that dinner is now ready, I must give you the short-form version: we came, we saw, we conquered Harvard Square and the little bratty high school students who complained about Josh's cigar. Note to youngsters: If you so much as look at Josh again, Anthony will come to your homes personally and rip out your testicles. Females will have me to contend with.

We ate about 10 lbs. of meat at RedBones on Saturday, and I was declared a non-team player because I wouldn't eat the last scrap of brisket. Doug, our waiter, even pointed out this terrible sin and I just wallowed in my shame for the rest of the weekend.

Mel actually allowed me to meet her best friend, the world-renowned Beth, and all was good.

Now I must eat...

I'm Beginning To Dislike Erin And Her Quizzes (But, Dammit, I Just Can't Resist!)

Have you ever...
( ) smoked a cigarette
( ) smoked a cigar
(x) smoked anything else
(x) made out with a member of the same sex
( ) crashed a friend's car (does it count that I've been in two car crashes with two different friends? and that it wasn't my car?)

(x) been in love (I am right now, thank you! - and it's NOT the Starbuck's barista!!!)
( ) been dumped (I'm afraid I've always been the asshole, but if it makes you sleep better at night, I've also asked all my boys out, too)
(x) shoplifted (god, my mom was so angry she beat me with a stick - literally!)
( ) been fired (rule of thumb: always quit when it's getting to that point)
( ) been in a fist fight (although my brother and I did fight all the time, it never really came down to us with two black eyes - there were A LOT of Charlie-horses though)

( ) snuck out of parent's house
(x) had feelings for someone who didn't have them back
( ) been arrested (despite being caught stealing, they never had me arrested or pressed charges)(x) made out with a stranger
( ) gone on a blind date
(x) lied to a friend (white lies, guys, white lies! I'm only here to help!)

( ) had a crush on a teacher (all of my teachers seem to be of that age where they need a walker)
( ) skipped school (I was such a goodie two-shoes)
(x) slept with a co-worker (Anthony is technically a coworker)
( ) seen someone die
( ) had/have a crush on one of your [insert chat client here] friends
(x) been to Canada
( ) been to Mexico (but I've been to a lot of other places!)
(x) been on a plane

( ) thrown up in a bar
(x) eaten Sushi
(x) been snowboarding
( ) met someone BECAUSE of [insert chat client here]
(x) been moshing at a concert (most recently at the Dropkick Murphy's concert in NYC)

( ) been in an abusive relationship
(x) taken painkillers (pulled my right quad a few times while in training - with regular PT - and needed a little something-something to help me run ten miles a day)
(x) love someone right now
(x) laid on your back and watched cloud shapes go by
(x) made a snow angel

( ) had a tea party
(x) flown a kite
(x) built a sand castle
(x) gone puddle jumping (just last Sunday, while Christy and I were out mountain-climbing)
(x) played dress up

(x) jumped into a pile of leaves
(x) gone sledding
(x) cheated while playing a game
(x) been lonely
(x) fallen asleep at work/school

(x) used a fake ID (there was the traditional cutting up of the fake ID at my 21st birthday - thanks Mommy A. for all your help finding the ID though!)
(x) watched the sun set
( ) felt an earthquake
(x) touched a snake
(x) been tickled

(x) been robbed (somebody stole all my camera lenses at Penn - the bastard!)
( ) robbed someone
(x) been misunderstood
(x) pet a reindeer/goat (I live in the middle of nowhere - we even have llamas here)
( ) won a contest (always been a loser...)

( ) been suspended from school
(x) had detention (the last time was in third grade when I got caught throwing rocks at little boys)
(x) been in a car accident (five actually - none of them major, though)
(x) had braces (although I lost my retainer many years ago and my teeth have shifted)
(x) eaten a whole pint of ice cream in one night (unless you're lactose intolerant, I don't know how you could have avoided this!)

(x) had deja vu
(x) danced in the moonlight
(x) hated the way you look
( ) witnessed a crime (although I HAVE arrested people for crimes)
( ) pole danced

(x) questioned your heart
(x) been obsessed with post-it notes (still am)
(x) squished barefoot through the mud
(x) been lost (all the friggin' time!)
(x) been to the opposite side of the country (many times)

(x) swam in the ocean
(x) felt like dying
( ) cried yourself to sleep
(x) played cops and robbers
(x) recently colored with crayons/colored pencils/markers (I make scrapbooks - enough said)

( ) sung karaoke (I'm just a voyeur when it comes to karaoke)
(x) paid for a meal with only coins
(x) done something you told yourself you wouldn't
(x) made prank phone calls (the last time was in the sixth or seventh grade with my friends Janice and Wendy)
(x) laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose (and it really hurts too)

(x) caught a snowflake on your tongue
(x) kissed in the rain
(x) written a letter to Santa Claus
(x) been kissed under a mistletoe
(x) watched the sun set with someone you care about

(x) blown bubbles (I just went to Toys R' Us a few weekends ago and bought a refill)
(x) made a bonfire on the beach (I didn't make the fire myself, but I was there, Michelle was there, and it was there so I think that counts)
( ) crashed a party
(x) have traveled more than 5 days with a car full of people (most of my experience comes from driving cross country with Burly, but it FELT like the car was full of people!)
(x) gone rollerskating/blading

(x) had a wish come true
( ) humped a monkey (???)
(x) worn pearls (oddly enough, I gave mine away to Catherine before ever actually wearing them)
( ) jumped off a bridge (but I'm looking forward to it)
(x) screamed "penis" in class (it's such a release)

(x) ate dog biscuit (actually, cat food, but I think it's about the same idea)
(x) told a complete stranger you loved them (I tell my waitstaff I love them all the time - how often does a girl get to be serviced like that??)
(x) sang in the shower
(x) have a little black dress
(x) had a dream that you married someone

( ) glued your hand to something (of all the klutzy, stupid things I've done in my life, I've managed to avoid that one)
( ) got your tongue stuck to a pole
( ) kissed a fish
(x) worn the opposite sexes clothes (boy's undies are SO comfy!)
( ) been a cheerleader (UGH!)

(x) sat on a roof top
( ) had sex at a church
(x) done a one-handed cartwheel (I used to take gymnastics)
(x) talked on the phone for more than 6 hours
(x) stayed up all night (in high school, my friends actually had a contest to see who could stay awake the longest - boy, were we bored!)

(x) didnt take a shower for a week (that's what happens when you raft the Grand Canyon for a week)
(x) picked and ate an apple right off the tree (I'm from New England, we do that sort of thing)
(x) climbed a tree
( ) had a tree house
(x) are scared to watch scary movies alone (I try to avoid them at all costs)

( ) believe in ghosts
( ) have more then 30 pairs of shoes
(x) worn a really ugly outfit to school (Having been bred with an innate fear of god, a.k.a. my mother, my "outfits" were chosen by my mother through the 8th grade. Enough said.)
( ) gone streaking
( ) played ding-dong-ditch (??)

(x) played chicken fight
(x) been pushed into a pool with all your clothes on (you can't avoid that if you own a pool and have an older brother)
(x) been told you're hot by a complete stranger
( ) broken a bone
(x) been easily amused

( ) caught a fish then ate it (I've caught fish though...)
(x) caught a butterfly
(x) laughed so hard you cried
(x) cried so hard you laughed
(x) mooned/flashed someone

(x) had someone moon/flash you
(x) cheated on a test
(x) forgotten someone's name
(x) slept naked
(x) French braided someones hair (my mom's a hairdresser, what can I say?)

(x) gone skinny dippin in a pool
( ) been kicked out of your house

I Remember My Little Pony

You Are Absinthe!
You have a unique personality. Although most like you, sometimes you take some getting used to. You can be a bit strong. You are full of energy and sometimes flamboyant. You are the life of the party but if people are not careful you can knock them on their ass.

What Naughty My Little Pony Are You?

How A Neanderthal Like Me Survives Is Beyond My Comprehension

I just figured out how to use the title bar in Blogger. I need to be dragged out into the street and shot.