Future Ms. Justice?

Today’s been a hot bed of news for this nation.  Our President has nominated federal appeals judge Sonia Sotomayor to become the nation’s first Hispanic Supreme Court justice.  This is sooooo cool.  Finally to have the possibility of two women again serving on the nation’s highest court (getting us closer to having women fill high positions.)  And the fact that she’s Hispanic is also really cool.  Her background of coming from poverty in Harlem to a federal appeals judge is what we’re taught is the American Dream.  Hopefully her nomination will fly through without many problems.  (And hopefully she’ll turn out to be a much more empathetic justice than some of the ones we have now!)

What to do with California?

I’m watching CNN live, and the courts have upheld Prop.8, which bans same sex marriage.  If there is any light in the tunnel, the 18,000 marriages that did take place last fall in California are still legal.  I’m thrilled for my friends Jason and Chris that their marriage is still valid ! 

I just want to say that I am very sad!  I think this is no longer an issue of whether or not same sex marriages are Biblically correct, but that they are a civil rights issue.  I believe that everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, gay, straight, able, disabled, of every race, color, creed, and religion (I think that just about covers it !) should have the same rights, opportunities and laws to support them in their legal and equal right to get married.  And I am proud to say that I live in the great Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which recognizes that this is an equal rights issue, and was one of the first states to legalize same sex marriages.  Maybe living in Massachusetts gives me a different perspective, I don’t know, but it still saddens me about California.

A little “light” reading :)

Given the reading habits of some, I had to laugh at the following news story.

“TOKYO — In a country where ghosts are traditionally believed to hide in the loo, a Japanese company is advertising a new literary experience — a horror story printed on toilet paper.

Each roll carries several copies of a new nine-chapter novella written by Koji Suzuki, the Japanese author of the horror story “Ring,” which has been made into movies in both Japan and Hollywood.

“Drop,” set in a public restroom, takes up about three feet (90 centimeters) of a roll and can be read in just a few minutes, according to the manufacturer, Hayashi Paper.

The company promotes the toilet paper, which will sell for 210 yen ($2.20) a roll, as “a horror experience in the toilet.”

Toilets in Japan were traditionally tucked away in a dark corner of the house due to religious beliefs. Parents would tease children that a hairy hand might pull them down into the dark pool below.”

Hysterical.  This is the best idea I’ve heard in ages.  Just think about how we could get our kids to read the classics. 

 ” “The Complete Works of Jane Austen” sold on one ply in a multi-pack at your local Walmart.”  I love it.

Memorial Day

As Memorial Day approaches, I’d like to thank all those service people, past and present for serving this nation!  Memorial Day is about putting politics aside and honoring all those who put their life on the line every day and in so many different ways.  Thank you!

July 8, 2009 (07/08/09)

At five minutes and six seconds after 4 AM on the 8th of JULY this year, the time and date will be 04:05:06 07/08/09. This will never happen again !!!

(unless you use the European way of using the calendar, then it will happen again on August 7th- 07th day of the 08th month!)

St. Theresa’s Prayer (and a bit of family history on the side)

A long time ago in a galax….

Wait, wrong story.  A long time ago, part of my family was NOT Lutheran (I know, a shocker.)  But Catholic.  (I know, you’re gasping at this.)  Anyway, my great aunt Julia was baptized Catholic, and when she was born, she was given the St. Theresa medal.  Somehow, I inherited this necklace, which is really quite beautiful.  I came across this prayer which is attributed to St. Theresa.  I think the prayer is so calming and wonderful that I’d like to share it here.  (And by the way, I have nothing against Catholics, it’s just that I’ve posted so much Lutheran humor, that I thought you might find it amusing that my family was Catholic at one time.  Oh, and somehow my family became Lutheran during the time in between the birth of my great Aunt and my Grandmother, because my Grandmother was baptized Lutheran- go figure!)

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received,
and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing,
dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.

Still awake

It’s now 1:03 am on Wednesday and Alec Baldwin was pretty funny on Letterman.  Due to sheer laziness, I’m now on to watching Craig Ferguson.  No one interesting as his guests, but at least he’s darned funny.

I’m tired, but for a reason (I think…)

It’s 11:53 pm and for some reason I can’t sleep, so I decided that I’d write an entry letting you all know that I’m having trouble sleeping tonight.  It might have something to do with the fact that both the Boston Celtics and the Boston Bruins won tonight, giving both teams a very good shot at advancing into the next round of each of their respective playoffs.  It’s been really funny being a New England sports fan lately, because on any given evening (like tonight) you could have the Celtics, Bruins and Red Sox playing at the same time.  I’d like to thank the people who invented 1) the remote control, allowing me to flip and watch the Celtics and Bruins at the same time.  And I’d also like to thank the person who invented the DVR, because I was able to tape Dancing with the Stars, and not miss a minute of my reality tv addiction.  OK, I’m going to try and go to bed.  Maybe not.  Letterman has Alec Baldwin on.  He’s always good on Letterman.  I may not sleep for days if this sports thing continues.  Or if Letterman keeps getting good guests.