To hell with all that.

On occasion I'll go off on here about politics and religion. But not often. The truth is, I hate discussing these two topics. I hate when they're brought up. It makes me uncomfortable, and I feel out of my element. These are not discussions I can really contribute to. I've made attempts, but I really prefer not to, as I do not feel qualified to comment on either about ninety-five percent of the time. I don't follow politics. I'm not clever enough to understand any of it. It's confusing as hell, and I prefer to ignore it. I did my research on Obama during election season, I liked what I was reading about him, and my gut told me he was the candidate for me. Beyond that, I just sat back and watched the fireworks. I put in my two cents on health care reform, since I'm no longer covered by the government-run health insurance that I enjoyed for six years, Tricare. Yes, that's right, I said ENJOYED. Bite me. Again, though, I prefer to sit back and await the results of the...well, whatever the hell you wanna call it. Debate?? Fight?? War?? Meh. As for religion...I ranted on that recently, but I really truly honestly HATE it when someone brings it up. Even more than politics. Do not try to drag me into a discussion/debate/argument, because I want none of it. Religion has always been a very personal thing for me, not something I care to emblazon on a banner and hang from the rooftops. It's unnecessary. Let me worry about my soul or fate in the afterlife or what have you, and you worry about yours. I was beyond offended when a Christian, upon hearing that I was a pseudo-Wiccan, tried to LECTURE ME. It was my fault for mentioning it in the first place, because it was none of his business, but HOLY SHIT. You know nothing about me, how dare you lecture to me?? Basically what I'm saying is...don't bring that shit up around me. As I said, I'm just not clever enough to understand politics. Yes, I voted for Barack Obama, and yes, I find it incredibly offensive when Obama supporters are compared to socialists, communists, or worse...NAZIS. Fuck you. As for religion, I could care less about "In God We Trust" being on the dollar bill, I could care less about the Ten Commandments being posted outside of a courthouse. I still sorta believe in some kind of higher being, but I'm not stupid enough to think the earth was created in six days or that the earth is only six thousand years old. And don't ask me to expand on any of that, because I'm not going to. I've been burned in the past for trying to, and I won't make that mistake again.

And for the record, I do believe Scientology is a crock of shit. I will not expand on that, either. The end.

From the mouths of babes.

Yesterday my friend Ben and his wife Carrie brought over their daughters Hannah and Emma for a few hours. I put on some movies for them, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, which they admitted to never seeing previously. (Srsly, what's wrong with this new batch of children?? These are classics, for chrissakes!!) Emma has a loose tooth, and kept wiggling it back and forth. I encouraged her efforts, and provided many a napkin to sop up the blood. She expressed distaste for the blood, saying, "It tastes like an old lady dying in my mouth."

Emma is six years old.

I swear to gawd this happened.

Keep religion out of it.

Currently religious leaders are throwing a shit fit over abortion coverage as part of the healthcare reform. I have a middle-ground view on abortion, but I won't go into it. Instead, let me remind you about a little girl with Type I Diabetes whose parents refused to seek treatment for her, choosing instead to pray and "leave it in God's hands," allowing their little girl to die.

Remember that. The lesson I gathered from this tragic incident?? Keep religion out of healthcare.

And we know what happens when religion and affairs of state mix. Remember Mary I of England, Bloody Mary, who sent hundreds of Protestants to the stake for daring to worship God in a different manner. Not even children were spared during her bloody reign. During that same time period, an innocent girl named Jane Grey lost her head because the Protestant faction did not want a Catholic monarch and disregarded Henry VIII's will, known as the Act of Succession, which turned out to be illegal because it had been passed by an Act of Parliament. The lesson to be learned? Keep religion out of affairs of state and politics. Those are just two among the thousands of examples provided by history.

Have you heard that the Catholic Church in DC is threatening to withdraw their social services (ie, assistance to the homeless, etc) if the local government doesn't drop a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage?? I think Ghandi had it right when he said, "I like your Christ, but I do not like your Christians. They are nothing like your Christ." So true, Ghandi.

I can't keep defending religion when it's used in the worst way possible. When it's used to defend actions such as suicide bombings and honor killing. When it's used to  keep a woman from seeking an abortion when she's raped, or as an excuse from getting medical treatment for your children. When it's used as an excuse to commit  treason or persecute people who see things a little differently than you do.

I am losing faith in mankind, and as a result am less able to believe that there's a higher being that created us and cares about us. Where was God when over a million people lost their lives in the American Civil War?? Where was God when Hitler persecuted and murdered over six million Jews?? Where was God when the World Trade Center towers fell?? WHERE WAS HE????

Dealing with shit: The teaser trailer.

Not too pleased with what transpired earlier today. Though I was assured towards the end that I am worrying more than is necessary, these assurances do nothing to alleviate my concerns and apprehensions that now beset me. It's far too late for me to go into further detail, but I will go more into it tomorrow. I'll be getting a lot off my chest.

Someone answer me this: What is left for a person when they no longer feel comfortable just being their self??

Hi Laggin!!

Still alive!! I swear, it's me!!

So what's new with me?? Hm. Rich came home, and picked up a nasty cold, and somehow I dodged it. Woot!! I just got back from two weeks of work in Anchorage, Alaska. It is absolutely beautiful up there, we were surrounded by gorgeous mountains, but it was coooooold. We worked with some great guys up there, one of which I went to tech school with. It was crazy, but fun, to see him again, and we had a great time up there.

I'm home now, and my house is a mess, but it's not bothering me too much at the moment. Dee's sister, Nikki, stayed the night and we had french toast, eggs, and bacon for a very late breakfast this afternoon. Dee came over and we had Italian food and watched The Holiday. I love that movie.

Btw, Dee is pregnant!! I totally called it. I had a dream three weeks ago that she was preggers, and I called her the next day and told her to get tested. She called me crazy, but guess who was right?? Bwahahahahahaha!!!!

Farewell!! I'll check back more often, promise!!

I love this job.

I think my brain just blew up. By the time this meeting is over, I'll be bleeding out of my ears.

Speaking of which, anyone see The Surrogate yet?? Good movie.

I has a Rich. :)

I am picking up the Fiance tonight!!!!

More good news...

...Fiance will be home a day earlier than expected!! Less than a week!! Yippee!!

<3

My "new" car.

On Saturday, Dee dragged me to our local dealership for a little browsing. We were immediately set upon by a pleasant man named Juan (these guys do NOT waste time, they should make an Olympic sport out of this). He showed us the 2010 Ford Fusion, and I asked if they had any 2007s or 2008s. He showed me a few, including a 2008 that was a lovely shade of red, but the one that caught my eye was a 2007 SE with a price tag under $14K. Dark blue with less than 28K miles on it, I was intrigued. I explained to him what I was looking for in a car: safety, fuel efficiency, and a low price. It already met two out of three, so he explained the safety features to me. I like what I was hearing.

After making a few ominous references to the middle-of-nowhere dealership from hell that I had recently visited (okay, I'm exaggerating, but they still suck), he finally asked me, looking a little surprised and confused at my hints, where I had gone. "Reiss Ford," said the Dread Pirate Davi. Juan's reaction was to roll his eyes. That spoke volumes right there about Sucky Dealership's reputation. I explained to him my confusion over what I thought to be my decent credit score. We sat down, go to talking, went over some options, etc etc. They came up with a figure for the trade-in value of my 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS, which was $1K ovver blue book value (and, conveniently, a hundred dollars over the payoff price for the loan...sweeeeeet). After coming up with guestimated monthly payment, I decided to go home and sleep on it.

After class the next day, I went back. I was told that my credit score was not what I thought it to be (thanks for nothing, freecreditreport.com), and the obstacles standing in the way of my taking home the car that day. Without going into boring details, we managed to clear them. These people were really working hard to get me the best deal possible. The bank they were working with (who, according to the finance officer, is a bad subprime lender...I'll have to look up the exact meaning of that) would not seal the deal without a $1600 down payment. So they gave me another grand for the trade-in value, which would go towards the down payment, and I just needed to give them $600. I could live with that. Finally the finance officer sat me down, told me my actual credit score (so appalling that I will not share it with you), and even explained to me why it was that low and why the bank they were working with was going with an APR of...take a deep breath, sit down, grab the nearest bottle of liquor...19.9%.

(I can see Laggin having a stroke as she reads this. Breathe, Laggin, breathe!!)

I felt so defeated. My payments would be around $370. I wouldn't be able to afford extending the warranty. But I took the deal. Why?? As I spelled it out for Fiance (necessary, because I die of swine flu, the poor man will inherit all my ghastly debt):

1- Even with taxes and what have you figured in, I was getting the car for less than blue book value.
2- The dealership was giving me the payoff amount for my car and more ($2K more than it's worth), and I don't see anyone anywhere giving me that kinda deal; Reiss Ford was only giving me $2200 for it. The Santa Fe will be paid off, and I have a down payment.
3- The Santa Fe has 111,000 miles on it. And I'm still making payments towards it?? No thank you.
4- It's a simple loan, which means I can pay extra towards the principle without incurring penalties.
5- I plan on refinancing in six months to get my interest rate down.

I signed the paperwork, but the finance officer said he might be able to get a better deal come Monday. I did not hold out hope for this. But at least I had a "new" car.

I missed a call from his this afternoon, and listened to the voicemail later. He told me that he had indeed gotten a better deal, and that my payments were now $327 with the warranty. Happy dance, anyone?? I just needed one document, and the deal was done.

I obtained said document, and headed over there with Dee. Juan was waiting, and he brought us in to see Anthony, the finance officer. He said he had found a better bank to go through, and showed me what the numbers were now like. He ripped up the old forms, and brought out the new ones for me to sign. I asked what my APR was now, expecting something between 10 - 15%.

"Seven point seven-five," says he.

My jaw dropped, and I turned to Dee who mirrored the expression on my face. I was in shock, and I was so thrilled!! I could afford the warranty now!! My payments would only be $18 more than before!!

Juan put my new plates on my car, and even did a favor me (beyond what he had already achieved for me!!). When I was in Puerto Rico last summer, my dad bought me a car decal. It has the American flag, and next to it the Puerto Rican flag. Beneath it, in Spanish, it says "Orgulloso de las dos." It means, "Proud of the both." Which I am. When my dad bought it, I said I would not use it until I had a new car to put it on. And now I did. So Juan, being of Puerto Rican himself, was happy to put it on for me - - oh, I just realized something. I had him put it right above the break light at the bottom of my back window. My poor car has a tramp stamp!! Ha ha...Now, to come up with a name for her...One that isn't too prissy for her "tramp stamp"...I've got it. I shall name her Bella, short for Isabella. And it has nothing to do with Twilight. I liked that name long before Stephanie Meyers was writing.

As I have denounched Reiss Ford of Marissa, Illinois, so shall I praise Auffenberg Ford North of O'Fallon, Illinois. I want to thank Juan Cruz, Kim Robison, and Anthony Brinker for all their help in putting me into a new car. They were friendly and helpful beyond belief. Thank you.

2007 Ford Fusion SE 4D.
Front-wheel drive.
< 27,000 miles.
Between 25 and 31 mpg.
ABS and MP3 multi CD changer.
Dark blue.
Tramp stamp on the rear window.
Named "Bella".

PS...Juan told me to blog about this, but he might not have thought I'd actually do it. So, if you go there, and you deal with him, tell him about this post.

I am LIVID.

On Monday, I received an ad from a dealership informing me that I was a guaranteed winner of one of five prizes, and that the dealership was having a huge sale on top of that. After reading the fine print, I was convinced it was legit. So Tuesday, after work, I drove 40 minutes to the small Ford dealership. Once their, I allowed a man named Bill to show me some of their used cars. I was particulary smitten with a black 2006 Ford Fusion SEL with black leather interior and a moon roof. We took it for a test drive before we went inside to get my prize and talk financing. I wasn't really serious about buying a car, but I would like a change in vehicles, and I was curious. For one reason or another, they couldn't come up with the numbers right there. So they gave me my prize, and they let me take the Fusion for the night.

Now, as I said before, I was a guaranteed winner of one of five prizes: $100 in cash, a $250 WalMart gift card, a Ford Edge, another cash prize...and I forget the last one. I won the gift card. I was pleased.


Now, to make a long story short, it was not going to work out with the 2006 Fusion, so the dealership tried to get me to buy a 2010 Fusion. Finally, I told them this afternoon that it just wasn't going to work on my end, and Bill said that with my permission, he would keep looking around to see if he could find me a 2008 and call me if he did. I said this was fine.

I got off work and headed to WalMart to spend my gift card. I got some groceries, and then grabbed $238 worth of clothes, shoes, bedding, picture frames, a book, and a dish rack. I headed to the register, and the total was $403. I gave the cashier the gift card and told her I would use debit to pay for the rest. She swiped it, and my new total was $398.

Three hundred and ninety-eight American dollars.

I blinked, and said, "That's it?!" She said, "Yeah, it only had $5 on it."

Five American dollars.

I blinked again. I'm pretty sure I turned red. I paid the balance, and left.

My friends, I am livid. Tomorrow I am calling Bill to give him a piece of my mind. If you live in Southern Illinois, do NOT go to Reiss Ford. Avoid them like the fucking plague.

Update: I just left them the following message on their website.

On 22 September, I went to your dealership with an ad in my hand stating that I had won one of five prizes. My prize was a $250 WalMart gift card. This evening, on 24 September, I attempted to use that gift card. IT ONLY HAD FIVE DOLLARS ON IT. I cannot believe how close I was to purchasing a brand new 2010 Ford Fusion from Bill Range. I will never come anywhere near your dealership again. Furthermore, I will inform all of my acquaintances within a fifty-mile radius to avoid your dealership. I am absolutely livid, and frankly disappointed that my good impression of your employees has been shattered. 

The Good Left Undone.

In fields where nothing grew but weeds,
I found a flower at my feet,
Bending there in my direction,
I wrapped a hand around its stem,
I pulled until the roots gave in,
Finding there what I’d been missing,

But I know…
So I tell myself, I tell myself it’s wrong.
There’s a point we pass from which we can’t return.
I felt the cold rain of the coming storm.

All because of you,
I haven’t slept in so long.
When I do I dream of drowning in the ocean,
Longing for the shore where I can lay my head down,
I’ll follow your voice,
All you have to do is shout it out.

Inside my hands these petals browned,
Dried up, fallen to the ground
But it was already too late now.
I pushed my fingers through the earth,
Returned this flower to the dirt,
So it could live. I walked away now.

But I know…
Not a day goes by that I don’t feel this burn.
There’s a point we pass from which we can’t return.
I felt the cold rain of the coming storm.

All because of you,
I haven’t slept in so long,
When I do I dream of drowning in the ocean,
Longing for the shore where I can lay my head down,
I’ll follow your voice,
All you have to do is shout it out.

All because of you…
All because of you…

All because of you,
I haven’t slept in so long.
When I do I dream of drowning in the ocean,
Longing for the shore where I can lay my head down,
Inside these arms of yours.

All because of you,
I believe in angels.
Not the kind with wings,
No, not the kind with halos,
The kind that bring you home,
When home becomes a strange place.
I’ll follow your voice,
All you have to do is shout it out.

Rise Against

The Sufferer and the Witness

2006 

Kanye West vs Beyonce.

Kanye West : Terrible music. Stupid popped colors. Drinking Hennesy straight from the bottle on national television where all the kids who idolize you can see. Humiliating a young girl in front of the entire world as she wins her first Moon Man. Being such a jackass that even our President admits it out loud. I could go on, but I'm the middle of a writing frenzy.
Score: Negative-inifiniti cool points.

Beyonce: Great singer. Great dancer. Class act. Gave a poor girl her interrupted moment of glory.
Score: A bajillion cool points.

Yes, Kanye, your mother would be very ashamed of you. The higher you climb, the farther you fall. One day, you will wake up to find yourself alone, with nothing but your arrogance and your $12 million-dollar music videos to keep you company.

And so the torment begins.

Today is Day One of THE DIET for myself and the Roomie. Roomie was under the impression that the reason I'd been losing weight lately (not including this past week...I've been naughty) is because for a week or so there, I was on a grits-only kick. She made this observation as I sat with her and her GF eating breakast. They were eating leftover Chinese; I was feasting on grits, toast, and two boiled eggs.

(And before you say anything...grits, when flavored just right, are DELICIOUS. I eat the instant grits, and mix in the following after heating it up: a drop of vanilla extract, a Tsp of sugar, 1/2 Tbsp of butter or margarine, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Yum!!)

So I was telling Mom about this on the phone, and she told me about this diet that she's used. I told Roomie about it and she got all excited about it. So we're gonna motivate each other and get this done.

Last night, for our "last meal", I decided to go all out...and I made THIS. It was heaven!! But there was sooo much food left!! Next time, I'm gonna skip on the broc-stalks and onions...not my cup of tea. For the cheese, I used Colby-Jack and Provologne. For meat, we browned some ground sausage...might throw in a bit more next time.

So, I had breakfast a little while ago. Half a grapefruit, a slice of toast with 1 Tbsp of peanut butter smeared on it, and a cup of tea. I'm not HUNGRY hungry...but my stomach feels odd with so little food in it. I'm used to massive breakfasts. The other day, I made a three-egg omelette. Inside I put two slices of ham, two slice of cheese, and a few strips of bacon. On top of that, I added some shredded cheese. Yummm...

See why I need this diet?? Ha ha.

Twenty-four feels a lot like twenty-three.

The birthday wishes began to trickle in a couple of days ago on Facebook. Sister and Fiance wished me a happy birthday shortly after midnight in my time zone. My mother called me at SIX IN THE FUCKING AY-EM to sing Happy Birthday to me. I'm not entirely sure if I was coherent during that phone call. I only know it wasn't a dream because I checked my call list later when I was more conscious. Dearest Dee also called to sing to me, and then harass me once again about applying for a job at Best Buy, and to shut down any arguments I had against going out on the weekend for my birthday. I believe her exact words were, "...if I have to go over there and drag you out of your house...!" I'm a little scared now.

The cats are being particularly cute and rambunctious this morning, to the point where I must restrain myself from throwing them out a window.

This morning, in addition to the video camera I received from the Fiance last week, I found on my front porch two dozen roses, a teddy bear, a box of chocolate, and three bottles of lavender-scented bath essentials. I hope I can restrain myself from eating all the chocolate before the end of the day.

Also, I should note that for the health-conscious, you can still enjoy the recipe I posted the other day. Simply substitute ground turkey and turkey bacon for the ground beef and bacon, and use low fat American cheese.