God Bless America

Well, readers, it's nearly that time of year again. When we all gather to eat hot dogs, indulge in either boxed wine or cheap beer, watch fireworks (professional or amateur) and celebrate our independence. Or alternatively, the day that both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died. Your pick.

This year, my entire dysFUNctional extended family will be traveling to a dude ranch of sorts in French Lick. For those of you not native to Hoosier, this is a town, not a brothel. I envision wonderful moments of trying to get my grandmother on top of a horse and perhaps some drunken awkwardness during the hayride. One can only hope.

Your Moment of Zen

WTF, Connie.

Staying Current

I've been attending and presenting at a conference for the past two days. As is typical, we heard from a couple different Big Deals on What's New. Apparently, the new thing now is to go back, to jump back in the Box.

Now, last year, we learned the World is Flat. Previous to that, we learned Not to Sweat the Small Stuff, Who Moved our Freakin' Cheese and the Seven Steps to becoming a paragon.

Of course, at the background to all these comments is the apocalyptic notion that India and China and Sri Lanka are leaping forward of us and This Solution will fix our problems. We've heard about the Gap and GM and how they have failed us as Americans and the new world order is filled with Toyota and some call center in New Delhi.

Frankly, I've decided I don't want to be in the box, out of the box or beside the box. I want a new box where people aren't paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to come up with corporate b.s. and sell us all on their new non-revolutionary revolution.

Damn Yankees

This past week, my family and I embarked upon the annual family vaca. The only thing different is that, for the first time ever, we took a city vacation instead of our traditional Floridian trip.

So, off to Boston we went. It was wonderful. I had a history orgasm while looking at Paul Rever's grave, the place where Abigail Adams listened to the Declaration of Independence being read and touring Old Ironsides. We stayed across from Mother Gooses' grave, for the love of God.

However, most suprising to me, was my conversion to a baseball fan. Now, I've gone to many a baseball game, minor leagues and family softball tournaments. I even sat through two seasons of t-ball for my brothers. But I have never actually enjoyed a baseball game. After sitting through a most exciting bottom-of-the-ninth-bases-loaded-home-running win, I'm a Sox die-hard. Who'da thunk it?

Stickin' It To The Man

Well friends, it is the start of another political season. Yesterday, I attended the Indiana Democratic Party state convention.

As usual, it was filled with the usual potshots towards Their Man Mitch, humorous wonderings by Representative Julia Carson, and the beauty of the democratic process. In what other country could a little ole lady bus driver from Vigo Country run for state auditor? It warms the heart.

I myself purchased a button with the words "Ditch Mitch" and was happy to receive my complimentary tote bag. I'll take that over running for office any day.