Lush

There are some things in life one should not be without. Lush is one of them.

I first discovered Lush through my friend Kitty. Kitty of the "Oh So Soft Skin". She took me there and spent a small fortune on me. She bought me one of everything I snuck a peek at. It was overly generous, thus is Kitty.

Since then I have been a devoted fan. I use the Body Butters every day. This isn't a cheap obsession either. These things last maybe five showers, maybe. But I can't stand to be without them. They smell good enough to eat. They make your skin feel like you are a baby again. They are essential.

Another must have is their The Strokes. My hair, which is finally its natural color, feels so soft and wonderful I could touch it all day. Although I miss the days of bright and crazy colored hair, having it natural, healthy and well treated kicks ass.

I am telling you, if you have the funds, don't ever use a grocery store bar of soap again. It ages your skin, removes healthy oils and makes you feel like a 80 year old. Spend a little people. You can't take it with you.

Kisses

Rated R for Strong Language

When I was a child, around 6 or 7, I used to torment other kids by calling them names. Names like fat, ugly, and/or stupid were abrasive insults to sling at my less fortunate peers. Vicious rumors could be spread about compulsive picking and eating habits or perpetual bed-wetters. These tidbits of information could destroy a child’s life through grade school and sometimes even beyond.

When I hit middle school the verbal tirade stepped up a notch. While I only ever picked on those that picked on others, it wasn’t uncommon to find me repeatedly punching someone in the face while calling them a slutbitchwhorecunt. As if that wasn’t enough, the rumors became tales of blowjobs behind the bleachers and made up teen pregnancies at the “hands” of the head coach. I was mean, simple-minded, and mean, but only to those I thought deserved it. A judge and jury of my adolescent colleagues; a vindictive Robin Hood, so to speak.

Around the age of 14 I met a group of girls that fascinated me. They believed that words like bitch, whore, slut and so on were base and beneath them. They never called people such names - no - they were much smarter, and intensely more ferocious than that. These girls used sarcasm and wit to put people in their place. They were not opposed to violence, which usually landed in my hands, but they preferred to make you cry with their words rather than my fists. And without fail, they would succeed at tearing apart anyone who crossed their path with ill intentions. They took me in, taught me their ways, and made me one of them.

But as time moved on, as we grew older, we began to realize something. Something that made us step back and rethink our strategy. Why fight at all? Why not remove negative people from our lives? We had a choice on who we allowed into our lives, and who we didn’t. It wasn't a “better than you” choice, it was an “I am not interested in being around people who contribute to my dysfunctional ways”. And our ways were dysfunctional. They were cruel and bitter and childish. They were not who I am or ever wanted to be. They were defensive and offensive behaviors that allowed me to steer clear of the person inside who was so sad and lonely.

By 18 I was in therapy, as were 3 of the women I had been friends with since I was 14. Amazingly, when we focused on whom we were and who we aspired to be, we found that our friendship could remain intact and that less people crossed the street when they saw us walking towards them.
We no longer resolved arguments with grievous banter; we would talk things through and listen to others. That is not to say that I was able to modify my behavior overnight. No, it took years of hard work not to raise a fist or a silver tongue at those who angered me. There are some days, even now, that I have to check my anger.

I am still friends with these women after 20 years. There are times when we talk about the “old days”, not with pleasure mind you, but with remorse and even some shame. We have accepted who we were and who we are today. We are stronger, gentler, and smarter women who use kindness instead of harshness to get through the world. It is a much more pleasant place to be.

Some Things are Better Left Unsaid

I just don't feel that way today. Things have been left unsaid too long. It pains me sometimes how cruel people can be. How selfish and rude. I make sure that I am gentle and kind with people, it is how I was raised.

My dad and step-mom are attorneys, fighting for people who have been wronged. My mom is a therapist, working with children who have insane parents, passing their insanity on to their children, making them miserable and frightened. My mom tries to see that the damage is minimized, if not erased. She has raised me to be strong, to stand up for myself, to fight for what I believe in. She also taught me to work hard, get paid a ridiculous amount of money and be sure to sock some away for things that "come up". And so I have.

I have money. It is my money that I will use to set things right. My sister works for one of the top family law attorneys in California. She has been a wonderful support for us. She let's us know what we should be asking for and what not to settle for. She is fond of telling me not to settle for anyone's bullshit. So I won't. No more bullies, not more insanity, free ride is over.

I love who I am, I love who I share my life with. I find myself angry at times that people I love have brought their ugly baggage into my serene life, but they have also brought so much love and joy that it has all been worth it. I would not trade a moment with my love or his family to be free of the sickness the baggage contained. Not one moment.

I don't hold onto anger, I let it go, it isn't good for me. So I think about all the amazing things I have in my life and it soothes me:

I have a family that is always there for me
I have a partner who loves me, cares for me and makes me laugh all day long
I have a job I love going to that pays me a wonderful salary and just gave me a specialty award ($2500) for being an exceptional employee
I have an extended family who constantly remind me of how loving I am
I have a new car (god I love my Audi)
I have a new motorcycle (well I gave it to my partner but I get to ride it)
I have my health, my sanity and my best friends Pea and Mary, who keep me healthy and sane

I have it all, so what is left to say?

Done Being Nice

I am done playing nice. I am done watching the people I love be trampled on, manipulated and threatened. I will use all my connections, all my power and ALL my money to see that things are changed. And when they are, some people will be very sorry they didn't play nice with me when they had the chance.

A little gift

He loves it!

Viva

OK so I went to Vegas. Went with my sister and three other friends. We had an amazing time. I actually won $600 on the silly nickel slots. I had a blast sitting with Anna, both of us winning, smoking, drinking, laughing. Anna is my sisters best-friend, has been since they were 16 (they are both in their late 30's now). We stayed up till the wee hours of the morning together. She is a real kick.

We spent our days (Saturday, Sunday and half of Monday) visiting all the sites and being basic tourists. Vegas is at odds with itself in that it is both lovely and a mess. At night, with the warm winds and bright lights, it is amazing. When the sun lays heavy on your skin and the streets are crowded with drunken frat boys, well I am sure you can guess how I feel about that. Overall, I like Vegas. Next year we will all go again and stay at New York - New York. I hope to fly MY best friend in for the trip.

Life has been pretty chaotic lately. Not bad, just busy. There are so many things to plan and so many people to see this year, I am unsure how the man and I will fit it all in. The most important thing we want to do this summer is see the kids. His kids. If we can find a full week to spend with them we will be thrilled! It may be a problem with his daughter as we have a rough time with her mom but I am sure it will all work out. As hard as it can be to set everything up, it is always worth it.

My best friend flew out for the weekend to see our other best friend perform her Master's Thesis. She is graduating in May with her Masters in Speech and Communications. Her performance was AMAZING. She is so talented. She received a standing ovation. Pea and I gave her a bouquet of flowers fit for a Miss America winner. She cracked up when we handed it to her. MK never ceases to amaze me.

Family is all great. My sister and I will be working on her house this summer with her contractor hubbie. They are getting a new entryway, kids are getting a new bathroom and I am doing all the painting that needs to be done. I think we will work on my mom’s kitchen as well. Mom will be in England for three weeks this summer to see our family so I may try to knock it out then.

Much love and kisses

Maintaining Decency

Anyone who knows me knows I have never wanted children of my own. Since I was 17 I have made it clear to any partner I have had that they would never have kids with me. I feel as though too many people bring children into this world selfishly and for reasons of needing to be needed or for monetary value. I also feel that although kids are amazing, there are too many people in this world as is.

Kids like me; some even love me, because I am kind and loving with them. I can spoil them because I have the means to, not because I wish to purchase affection from them. And some children I have spent time with are so starved for love that it makes me hurt for them. I never pass judgment or make them feel anything other than cared for when they are with me. I have made bonds with some kids in my life and I really love that.

My partner has two WONDERFUL children. They are both in their teens. I love spending time with them whenever we get the chance to. They both love spending time with me. They call me independently of calling their father, to seek advice or just to say hi. It is great. But they both know I am a friend and an advocate for them, not a person trying to raise them. They reach out to me because I always make myself available to them. I have cooked meals for my BF’s son and done hair and makeup with my BF’s daughter. I have also held them both when they have cried. As I am with most people, I try to be there for them when they need me.

Some people think that unless you personally breed you will always be jealous of what they have. Let me tell you what I have – I have the freedom to do whatever I please. I can travel, I can explore, and I can be with just me whenever I want. I made a choice a long time ago that I just didn’t want to give up my freedom. Maybe that sounds selfish, but with all my nieces and nephews I figured my sister took care of the kid thing for both of us ;)

There will never be a time when I regret not having kids because I know who I am. I feel great about my life; my job is fun and satisfying (not to mention pays me an arm and a leg and with my stocks I will be rich one day soon, heh). I have a lovely home, drive a fucking fantastic race car, travel when I please and shop even more than I travel. But way more importantly – I have a wonderful, supportive family, an amazing partner, the most beautiful friends – and I have me. More than any Princess could ever wish for.

What a Waste

Some people, well, they just aren't nice. That is me being polite. What I really want to say may be just too brutal. I can not understand people's greediness, the need to be hurtful, and the unbelievable ability some people have to be selfish. People who think only of themselves and ways they can fuck others over make me feel so sad. Pity is lame, and yet it is what I feel for some (well really just one).

Lately I have been loosely involved with a pretty nasty situation. The hard part, for me anyway, is that I can't stop trying to figure out a way to make it all better. See, it is in my nature to TRY. It is killing me that all I can do is throw money at it. I want to be more helpful, more resourceful, and more proactive. But I made a promise to beware of toe-stepping and not to rough anybody up. I don’t make promises lightly.

So I do what I can. I know that the situation will be resolved and good will triumph over evil (it HAS to). The evil will pay and I will secretly do my white hat dance, most likely in nothing but the hat.

Most times life feels wonderful. Some days, life is challenging. How do you balance all that comes your way? Take on today, leave tomorrow alone and resolve that yesterday is done. I am not always good at this, but I keep trying.

Kisses

PS - I miss my Best Friend!

I Do

People pointing
Finger-painting the world
Leaving me the siloheutte of my life
And I'm filling in the negative space with positively everything

I do, I do
And it's all because of you
I do, I do
And it's all because of you

It's not emotion that I feel for you
It's not devotion that I want from you
I want someone to follow who doesn't lead the way
I want someone to listen who won't repeat what I say
And I'm filling in the negative space with positively everything

I do, I do
And it's all because of you
I do, I do
And it's all because of you

Sins, sins and more sins

OK, to start...I have gained weight since I quit smoking (I use the word quit lightly). It is bothering me despite the fact that I knew it would happen. I am now back OP with WW and it will take a few months to get the weight off but it will happen damn it. I won’t disclose how much I weigh or what I gained but it is way more than I thought it would be and I am done. That being said I will give only positive updates from here on out.

Now, why do I use the word "quit" lightly? Because I cheat. That's right, I am a cheater. One here, one there...they add up. Since I know it is purely emotional I need to figure this out. My BF is nothing but supportive here (except when I cheat and walk by him and he says "ewwww, you stink".) I hate the habit; it smells bad, tastes bad and feels bad. So why am I doing the cheating thing? I just have no other answer except I have done it for 23 years and old habits are a bitch to break. I will keep on it though, it is important to me not to return to the pack a day walking cancer victim.

The holidays, awww the holidays. They ROCKED. From Thanksgiving through New Years I loved them all. I am a spoiled Princess (you all know that though) and on top of all the wonderful things bestowed upon me I got to visit with everyone I love over the 6 week period. Plus I had a 10 days vacation with my BF! We were both able to take some time off work, visit with friends and family and generally relax and enjoy. It was awesome, especially seeing BOTH his kids. That was the best.

I generally think New Years Resolutions are BS cause no one I know every stick with them so I am not going to commit here (I did see one blog resolution – 5 in ’05 which I thought was inspiring and witty and I wish her much success!) but I will say this:

I am resolved to be a kinder and gentler person this year. I will respect and love those around me and I will give out to the world what I wish to receive in return.

Oh and I resolve to call my Best Friend more often too!

Kisses

I do Try...

If you gave me just a coin for every time we say goodbye
Well I’d be rich beyond my dreams,
I’m sorry for my weary life
I know I’m not perfect
but I can smile
And I hope that you see this heart
behind my tired eyes

If you tell me that I can’t,
I will, I will,
I’ll try all night
And if I say I’m coming home,
I’ll probably be out all night
I know I can be afraid
but I’m alive
And I hope that you can trust this heart behing my tired eyes

Cause I’m no angel,
but please don’t think that I won’t try and try
I’m no angel,
but does that mean that I can’t live my life
I’m no angel,
but please don’t think that I can’t cry
I’m no angel,
but does that mean that I won’t fly

I know I’m around each night
And I know I always think I’m right
I can believe that you might look around

Cause I’m no angel,
but please don’t think that I won’t try and try
I’m no angel,
but does that mean that I can’t live my life
I’m no angel,
but please don’t think that I can’t cry
I’m no angel,
but does that mean that I won’t fly

An Email from a Friend

ELECTION REFLECTIONS by Shailja Patel

Let's not deceive ourselves that a Kerry victory would have been a victory for peace or justice. Either a Kerry victory, or a Democrat majority in the Senate would have halted, to a limited extent, the assault on civil liberties and reproductive rights. In arenas of foreign policy, and economic and social justice, the Kerry agenda showed little or no difference from Bush's, other than not being driven by evangelical Christian fanaticism. Kerry is a multilingual, diplomatically polished, intellectually sophisticated imperialist; Bush is a wacko fundamentalist Christian semi-
literate imperialist.

Or, to quote Peter Phillips:

"November 2 gave us a choice between war and more war, corporate globalization and more corporate globalization; the continuation of gifting billions of dollars to Israel, the Patriot Act and an expanded Patriot Act; a police state and a seriously growing police state, media monopoly and even bigger media monopolies; and wealth inequality or an even greater wealth divide."

Read the full article at

http://www.dissidentvoice.org/Nov2004/Phillips1105.htm

So why was I so depressed on November 3rd? To start with, the results were devastating for progressive politics at state and local level.

11 states passed bans on same sex unions. Prop 66 (to amend the 3 strikes law) was defeated in California by the narrowest of margins.

Campaigns across the country that activist friends put their all into were defeated. Some of these defeats are actually a direct result of the huge redirection of funds, volunteer efforts, and political energy into the Get Bush Out movement.

I'm heartsick at the $1 billion that went into the Kerry campaign, and what those dollars could have done for communities across the world. This demonstrates beyond all question the need for campaign finance reform. The premise that nothing is fundable but opposition to Bush has gutted progressive work across the planet in the past year. And no election that is not publicly funded, and free of special interests money, is representative in any way of the people.

Until we get big money out of politics, the candidates available to us will continue to reflect nothing more than alternative brands of the same product.

Then there are the votes that weren't counted. Or destroyed. I've delayed sending out this mailing because every day, new information pours into my inbox on the level of fraud in this election. David Cobb (Green Party Presidential Candidate) and Michael Badnarik (Libertarian Presidential Candidate) have announced their intention to demand a formal recount of the vote in Ohio. Other organizations are mounting legal challenges to the results declared. You can read more at:

http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=041129&s==corn
http://www.blackboxvoting.org
http://www.votecobb.org/

Regardless of the conclusions you come to, it's obvious that the two- party corporate-funded electoral system is so deeply flawed, it's incapable of delivering representative government.

Replacing one pilot with another doesn't change the inherent structural problems of the machine. And yet we on the Left get caught up, over and over again, in putting our resources and energies into the battle to change figureheads.

It's kind of like being at a huge sports event. You may loathe the Superbowl. You may know without doubt that it is a corporate-driven money making enterprise. You know it has nothing to do with the dreams and aspirations millions of individuals project onto the teams. But a funny thing happens when you're in the stadium. Everyone around you is screaming, cheering, booing, groaning. There's no question that it matters to them. Intensely. That each movement on the field somehow channels their deepest hopes and fears. That they believe the players are playing for them, not for the team owners, not for the corporate sponsors, not for the multi-million dollar contracts and endorsement deals. So you start to applaud, politely, when they scream at a touchdown. You get up when your friends leap up. You feel your own excitement build. You start to think "We scored! We can win!"

Only after it's over, and `your' team has lost, do you remember that it wasn't `your' team. That you didn't buy into the game; the game was not about you. That this game has entry stakes of millions of dollars. You were never anything other than a spectator..

Yes, the outlook for the next 4 years is horrifying. But it's no more horrifying today than it was on November 1st, before the election. We have to remind ourselves that the game was never ours by choice, and never gave us a real choice to start with. Reject the game, for as long as it takes. Assert, again and again, that our lives, all lives, are larger than this travesty, and get back to the real work of dismantling the system. Demand real choices, through electoral reform, campaign finance reform.

I'm not gonna say: Don't mourn, organize. It's patronizing and offensive; the Left has been organizing for hundreds of years. I will not say: the arc of history is long but it bends towards justice, blah blah blah, because I honestly don't know if that is true.

I am going to say: while we are alive, let's choose to live. Let's stretch our brains and wills until we feel it, to genuine, hard analysis of what works and what doesn't. What truly moves us towards peace and justice, for everyone in the world. Let's be willing to admit our illusions and go back to the real. Let's think about systems, about structures, about history.

Empires collapse. However long and hideous their dominance, eventually they crumble under their own greed, violence and sheer stupidity. We don't know if justice will ultimately prevail.

But as long as we are alive, we can choose what forces we align ourselves with. What side of history we're going to be on. There's a joy that comes from that, despite all we're up against.
Where do we turn for hope? Someone sent me a quote from Vaclav Havel this week. Havel said:

"Hope is not the optimistic conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out."

Professor Wangari Maathai, Kenyan hero and one of my personal inspirations, won the Nobel Peace Prize a few weeks ago. That makes sense. On a daily basis, we remind ourselves that justice makes sense. We choose what makes sense. That's hope.

by Shailja Patel

It is all I can do

I will their face
all on top of my face
I am the perfect target screen
For your blindly feuled rage

I bare the brunt
of your long buried pain
I don't mind helping you out
But I want you to remember my name

It's not all me
It's not all my fault
I need remind you,
but I won't take it all on

Past riddled rage
I see the buttons I engage
Is my dignity in place?
I'm all too happy to switch

It's not all me
It's not all my fault
I need remind you,
but I won't take it all on

Lest I find my voice
Find the strength to stand up to you
Lest I stay to my limit
And on take only what is mine to

We are a team
I'm here to help mend and rescind
All I trigger unknowingly
I job I hold in high esteem

It's not all me
It's not all my fault
I need remind you,
but I won't take it all on

I'll only take some of it

Never Easy

Every time you raise your voice
I see the greener grass
Every time you run for cover
I see this pasture
Every time we're in a funk
I picture a different choice
Every time we're in a rut
This distant grandeur

My tendency to want to do away feels natural
My urgency to dream of softer places feels understandable

The only way out is through
The faster we're in the better
The only way out is through ultimately
The only way out is through T
he only way we'll feel better
The only way out is through ultimately

Every time I'm confused
I think there must be easier ways
Every time our horns are locked on toweling throwing
Every time we're at a loss, we've bolted from difficulty
Anytime we're still made of final bowing

My tendency to want to hide away feels easier and
The tendency is picturing another place comforting to go

The only way out is through
The faster we're in the better
The only way out is through ultimately
The only way out is through
The only way we'll feel better
The only way out is through ultimately

We could just walk away and hide our hands in the sand
We could just call it quits, only to start over again
With somebody else

Every time we're stuck in struggle, I'm down for the count that down
Every time I dream of quick fix I'm swaged

Now I know it's hard when it's through
And I'm damned if I don't know quick fix way
But formerly mistreat me silence now outdated

My tendency to want to run feels unnatural now
The urgency to want to give to you what I want most feels good

The only way out is through
The faster we're in the better
The only way out is through ultimately
The only way out is through
The only way we'll feel better
The only way out is through ultimately

Portishead

It's a fire
These dreams they pass me by
This salvation I desire
Keeps getting me down
Cos we need to
Recognise mistakes
For time and again
So let it be known for what we believe in
I can see no reason for it to fail....
...Cos this life is a farce
I can't breathe through this mask
Like a fool
So breathe on, sister breathe om
From this oneself
Testify or tell
Its fooling us now
So let it be known for what we believe in
I can see no reason for it to fail...
Cos this life is a farce
I can't breathe through this mask
Like a fool
So breathe on, little sister, breathe on
Ohh so breathe on, little sister, like a fool

NOT in my Country!

Fuckers...

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/usatoday/20041109/pl_usatoday/druggistsrefusetogiveoutpill

Time to move to Europe.

Kisses

Thank you Michael

17 Reasons Not to Slit Your Wrists...by Michael Moore

Dear Friends,

Ok, it sucks. Really sucks. But before you go and cash it all in, let's, in the words of Monty Python, “always look on the bright side of life!” There IS some good news from Tuesday's election.

Here are 17 reasons not to slit your wrists:

1. It is against the law for George W. Bush to run for president again.

2. Bush's victory was the NARROWEST win for a sitting president since Woodrow Wilson in 1916.

3. The only age group in which the majority voted for Kerry was young adults (Kerry: 54%, Bush: 44%), proving once again that your parents are always wrong and you should never listen to them.

4. In spite of Bush's win, the majority of Americans still think the country is headed in the wrong direction (56%), think the war wasn't worth fighting (51%), and don’t approve of the job George W. Bush is doing (52%). (Note to foreigners: Don't try to figure this one out. It's an American thing, like Pop Tarts.)

5. The Republicans will not have a filibuster-proof 60-seat majority in the Senate. If the Democrats do their job, Bush won't be able to pack the Supreme Court with right-wing ideologues. Did I say "if the Democrats do their job?" Um, maybe better to scratch this one.

6. Michigan voted for Kerry! So did the entire Northeast, the birthplace of our democracy. So did 6 of the 8 Great Lakes States. And the whole West Coast! Plus Hawaii. Ok, that's a start. We've got most of the fresh water, all of Broadway, and Mt. St. Helens. We can dehydrate them or bury them in lava. And no more show tunes!

7. Once again we are reminded that the buckeye is a nut, and not just any old nut -- a poisonous nut. A great nation was felled by a poisonous nut. May Ohio State pay dearly this Saturday when it faces Michigan.

8. 88% of Bush's support came from white voters. In 50 years, America will no longer have a white majority. Hey, 50 years isn't such a long time! If you're ten years old and reading this, your golden years will be truly golden and you will be well cared for in your old age.

9. Gays, thanks to the ballot measures passed on Tuesday, cannot get married in 11 new states. Thank God. Just think of all those wedding gifts we won't have to buy now.

10. Five more African Americans were elected as members of Congress, including the return of Cynthia McKinney of Georgia. It's always good to have more blacks in there fighting for us and doing the job our candidates can't.

11. The CEO of Coors was defeated for Senate in Colorado. Drink up!

12. Admit it: We like the Bush twins and we don't want them to go away.

13. At the state legislative level, Democrats picked up a net of at least 3 chambers in Tuesday's
elections. Of the 98 partisan-controlled state legislative chambers (house/assembly and senate), Democrats went into the 2004 elections in control of 44 chambers, Republicans controlled 53 chambers, and 1 chamber was tied. After Tuesday, Democrats now control 47 chambers, Republicans control 49 chambers, 1 chamber is tied and 1 chamber (Montana House) is still undecided.

14. Bush is now a lame duck president. He will have no greater moment than the one he's having this week. It's all downhill for him from here on out -- and, more significantly, he's just not going to want to do all the hard work that will be expected of him. It'll be like everyone's last month in 12th grade -- you've already made it, so it's party time! Perhaps he'll treat the next four years like a permanent Friday, spending even more time at the ranch or in Kennebunkport. And why shouldn't he? He's already proved his point, avenged his father and kicked our ass.

15. Should Bush decide to show up to work and take this country down a very dark road, it is also just as likely that either of the following two scenarios will happen: a) Now that he doesn't ever need to pander to the Christian conservatives again to get elected, someone may whisper in his ear that he should spend these last four years building "a legacy" so that history will render a kinder verdict on him and thus he will not push for too aggressive a right-wing agenda; or b) He will become so cocky and arrogant -- and thus, reckless -- that he will commit a blunder of such major proportions that even his own party will have to remove him from office.

16. There are nearly 300 million Americans -- 200 million of them of voting age. We only lost by three and a half million! That's not a landslide -- it means we're almost there. Imagine losing by 20 million. If you had 58 yards to go before you reached the goal line and then you barreled down 55 of those yards, would you stop on the three yard line, pick up the ball and go home crying -- especially when you get to start the next down on the three yard line? Of course not! Buck up! Have hope! More sports analogies are coming!!!

17. Finally and most importantly, over 55 million Americans voted for the candidate dubbed "The #1 Liberal in the Senate." That's more than the total number of voters who voted for either Reagan, Bush I, Clinton or Gore. Again, more people voted for Kerry than Reagan. If the media are looking for a trend it should be this -- that so many Americans were, for the first time since Kennedy, willing to vote for an out-and-out liberal. The country has always been filled with evangelicals -- that is not news. What IS news is that so many people have shifted toward a Massachusetts liberal. In fact, that's BIG news. Which means, don't expect the mainstream media, the ones who brought you the Iraq War, to ever report the real truth about November 2, 2004. In fact, it's better that they don't. We'll need the element of surprise in 2008.
Feeling better? I hope so. As my friend Mort wrote me yesterday, "My Romanian grandfather used to say to me, 'Remember, Morton, this is such a wonderful country -- it doesn't even need a president!'"

But it needs us. Rest up, I'll write you again tomorrow.

Yours,

Michael Moore MMFlint@aol.com www.michaelmoore.com

Kisses

Christmas makes me giddy...

My GOD I love shopping. It is almost a sickness, but my BF says he really enjoys watching me shop so I will remain illin'. I have nearly finished purchasing Xmas gifts for my BF's family, then we will cover mine and finally friends. It is going to be a GREAT Xmas. My BF and I love the holidays and we have spent the last couple of years together with our families, both in Marin and in SD. This year will be no different. Except I think it may even be better than the last few because the man and I have finally figured it out.

I am looking forward to spending time with the BF's dad and step-mom. Have only had one dinner with them and it was something. Can't wait to hang out with his mom too, I just love her and her husband! They are so good to me.

Of course, my family is a blast. Goofy like me, festive in a kinda over the top way (ummm, just like me). I can't wait!

Kisses

Ain't it the TRUTH

Read my lips...



Kisses

I just don't own enough Satan Jewelry!

Catch up already...

Big news of the day...this:

http://www.audiusa.com/model_home/0,,bodyStyleId-1,00.html?bodystyle=a4sedan

That's right! I bought myself a 2005 A4. My car was a 2001 and out of warranty (this is where I get my nickname). It is black on black and so beautiful I almost cry whenever I walk out the door and see it sitting there waiting for me. I am my mother's daughter, that is for sure.

In other news, let me say that the elections made me so sad. Carmen and I have agreed to get our citizenships (mine English, hers Spanish, both on our mothers side) and move to Europe when she graduates. I am shocked that the nation is so ignorant and or stupid as to let that man stay in office for another four years:

PLEASE CONSIDER MY EXPERIENCE WHEN VOTING IN 2004…errrr

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Law Enforcement:

I was arrested in Kennebunkport, Maine, in 1976 for driving under the influence of alcohol. I pleaded guilty, paid a fine, and had my driver's license suspended for 30 days. My Texas driving record has been "lost" and is not available.

Military:

I joined the Texas Air National Guard and went AWOL. I refused to take a drug test or answer any questions about my drug use. By joining the Texas Air National Guard, I was able to avoid combat duty in Vietnam.

College:

I graduated from Yale University with a low C average. I was a cheerleader.

PAST WORK EXPERIENCE:

I ran for U.S. Congress and lost.

I began my career in the oil business in Midland, Texas in 1975.
I bought an oil company, but couldn't find any oil in Texas.
The company went bankrupt shortly after I sold all my stock.

I bought the Texas Rangers baseball team in a sweetheart deal that took land using taxpayer money.

With the help of my father and our friends in the oil industry (including Enron CEO Ken Lay), I was elected governor of Texas.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS GOVERNOR OF TEXAS:

I changed Texas pollution laws to favor power and oil companies, making Texas the most polluted state in the Union. During my tenure, Houston replaced Los Angeles as the most smog-ridden city in America.

I cut taxes and bankrupted the Texas treasury to the tune of billions in borrowed money.

I set the record for the most executions by any governor in American history.

With the help of my brother, the governor of Florida, and my father's appointments to the Supreme Court, I became President after losing by over 500,000 votes.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS PRESIDENT:

I am the first President in U.S. history to enter office with a criminal record.

I invaded and occupied two countries at a continuing cost of *over one billion dollars per week*.

I spent the U.S. surplus and effectively bankrupted the U.S. Treasury.

I shattered the record for the largest annual deficit in U.S. history.

I set an economic record for most private bankruptcies filed in any 12-month period.

I set the all-time record for most foreclosures in a 12-month period.

I set the all-time record for the biggest drop in the history of the U.S. stock market.

In my first year in office, over 2 million Americans lost their jobs and that trend continues every month.

I'm proud that the members of my cabinet are the richest of any administration in U.S. history. My "poorest millionaire," Condoleeza Rice, has a Chevron oil tanker named after her.

I set the record for most campaign fundraising trips by a U.S. President.

I am the all-time U.S. and world record-holder for receiving the most corporate campaign donations.

One of my best friends, Kenneth Lay, presided over the largest corporate bankruptcy fraud in U.S. History, Enron.

My political party used Enron private jets and corporate attorneys to assure my success with the U.S. Supreme Court during my election decision.

I have protected my friends at Enron and Halliburton against investigation or prosecution. More time and money was spent investigating the Monica Lewinsky affair than has been spent investigating one of the biggest corporate rip-offs in history.

I presided over the biggest energy crisis in U.S. history and refused to intervene when corruption involving the oil industry was revealed.

I presided over the highest gasoline prices in U.S. history.

I changed the U.S. policy to allow convicted criminals to be awarded government contracts.

I appointed more convicted criminals to administration than any President in U.S. history.

I created the Ministry of Homeland Security, the largest bureaucracy in the history of the United States government.

I've broken more international treaties than any President in U.S. history.

I am the first President in U.S. history to have the United Nations remove the U.S. from the Human Rights Commission.

I withdrew the U.S. from the World Court of Law.

I refused to allow inspector's access to U.S. "prisoners of war" detainees and thereby have refused to abide by the Geneva Convention.

I am the first President in history to refuse United Nations election inspectors (during the 2002 U.S. election).

I set the record for fewest numbers of press conferences of any President since the advent of television.

I set the all-time record for most days on vacation in any one-year period. After taking off the entire month of August, I presided over the worst security failure in U.S. history.

I garnered the most sympathy for the U.S. after the World Trade Center attacks and less than a year later made the U.S. the most hated country in the world, the largest failure of diplomacy in world history.

I have set the all-time record for most people worldwide to simultaneously protest me in public venues (15 million people), shattering the record for protests against any person in the history of mankind.

I am the first President in U.S. history to order an unprovoked, preemptive attack and the military occupation of a sovereign nation. I did so against the will of the United Nations, the majority of U.S. citizens, and the world community.

I have cut health care benefits for war veterans and support a cut in duty benefits for active duty troops and their families -- in wartime.

In my State of the Union Address, I lied about our reasons for attacking Iraq and then blamed the lies on our British friends.

I am the first President in history to have a majority of Europeans (71%) view my presidency as the biggest threat to world peace and security.

I am supporting development of a nuclear "Tactical Bunker Buster," a WMD.

I have so far failed to fulfill my pledge to bring Osama Bin Laden to justice.

During the Iraq War and Occupation thousands of American troops were injured and killed. I did not have the time to attend any of the funerals for our fallen soldiers but I did have the time to attend more than 43 fundraising events of the Republican party.

RECORDS AND REFERENCES:

All records of my tenure as governor of Texas are now in my father's library, sealed and unavailable for public view.

All records of SEC investigations into my insider trading and my bankrupt companies are sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public view.

All records or minutes from meetings that I, or my Vice-President, attended regarding public energy policy are sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public review.

Our President...makes you proud, don't it?

Kisses