Power hungry

So Heroes has started again.
I know it's restart was highly anticipated, and we are a few episode's in, now. What do you all think of the new plotline? I read today that they are actually going to do a wee spinoff called "Heroes, Origins" for 6 episodes in April/May. (Isn't that the time the TV industry calls "Sweeps?". Hmmmmmm.) They'd better be careful, they may saturate their audience with all things Heroes and cause Heroes burnout.
Anyhow.
MM and I were watching Heroes last night, (Hi, MM, and MM's sister! Really, I am going to have to start calling her something nice and friendly here, not just MM's sister. Perhaps if she reads this she'll comment and leave me a suggestion. . . MM seems perfectly happy with his name. Aren't you?)
oh where was I now.
Yes, watching Heroes, with MM. And we had the conversation of who's powers would we like most to have?
Now, I had to consider my options here. I ruled out Claire immediately. I don't want to be able to painfully destroy my body then regenerate. That doesn't look fun. I also rejected Peter's powers, because, well, if I could absorb everyone else's powers I'd probably be hell to live with, because I'd be doing things to people all the time.
It would be cool to do what DL used to do, go through solid objects. But, really, how far would that take me? He is dead now, after all.
Hiro's, now. That one I seriously considered. I'd love to be able to manipulate the space-time continuum. My problem, though, is what Hiro is kind of facing, now. I'd go back and alter history. Worse? I'd do it on purpose. I'd kill Hitler in his youth, and do other things that would change the world, and maybe not for the better. Nope, better pass on that.
I also don't want to fly, I don't want to hear other people's thoughts, (that has potential for lots of hurt feelings and anger on the listeners part) and I don't want to locate people either. (usually, I want to avoid them. But if I knew where they were, hmmm. Wait, may have to reconsider that one.)
Who's powers I chose were Niki's.
Yes, I know, she's strange. But I like her super-human strength. I'd be able to open every jar I got stuck on, and win lots of arm wrestling competitions!
No, seriously. Despite her other personality thing (and I don't have a dead sister to name mine after) I think having super strength is a good power. If you can muscle your way through things, you can get away from anyone. You can throw them, shove them, kill them, block doors. The things I'd be able to do, countless. So, I chose Niki.
MM chose Peter Petrelli's powers. He likes the idea of being able to do it all. He was especially sure to mention that he'd like to be Peter AFTER he was around Micah, so that he'd absorb Micah's ability to talk to electrical devices, and gain control of them. (He's a 'technopath'.). Since MM's line of work involves electrical devices, this makes perfect sense to me.
So, how about all of you out there? What super power would you like to have. If you don't watch Heroes, you can still answer this. Just pick a super power that floats your boat, and tell me in my comments.

Does charity begin at home?

I like to donate money to worthy causes.
Especially causes that mean something to me. I have donated to a few of the Cancer societies, especially the Lymphoma one, since that's what my Dad survived. And, Breast Cancer, because it affects every woman. We all know someone who has had it. St. Jude's? The childrens cancer center in Tennessee? Of course. They are leading the research of cancer cures.
I have other causes I consider "worthy", as well. This weekend, at the Renaissance Faire, I donated some money to the organization that rescues the horses they use for the joust. Percheron's. Great big, handsome horses. They are beautiful. And all of them are rescued. The group calls themselved "The Knights of Avalon". I have more fun watching the horses than the Knights. I donate to charities that try to prevent drug abuse, charities that do things for children, ect. ect. I'll donate to almost anything. Not large amounts of cash, but what I can afford, at that time.
Anyhow. One of my points today, is this.
When I donate. I don't expect anything back from the charity. I also expect NOT to be stalked. And lately? Stalked.
I made the mistake of donating to the Policeman's fund, once. "For the families of killed in action policemen" they tell me. I like to support those kind of things, especially when they're local. But they call me, ALL THE TIME now. I am not going to be giving them money weekly, and really, it makes me angry to get called all the time. It makes me NOT want to donate to them anymore. And I've told them that. Next time I am going to find a way to do it anonymously.
And, address labels. I have SO MANY address labels. I have no hope of using them all. I'd have to put two on every piece of mail I sent out for two years to get rid of them all. They are cute and all, but seriously? Stop. And, don't those cost money? Are you spending the money I donated to you for address labels to stalk other people with? It makes me not want to donate to you. . .
Habitat for Humanity stalked me for a few years. I donated to them, and even thought it would be fun to donate some hours to building a local house. If I hear of one, I still may do so. But I am going to do it under an assumed name so that I don't get 10 years worth of address labels, and letters from Jimmy Carter. Maybe I'll use my Pirate Name, Dirty Grace Kidd. They should like that. . .
One group I've never donated to are the people who advertise on television with all the emaciated, fly encrusted starving children in the other countries. They are seriously trying to manipulate us. That's their job, to manipulate us. But how much money do they spend on those LONG commercials? And, what about the starving children in the United States that have nothing and want to go to school? We all know our own country has the problem as well, right? Is it better to be starving in a country that's not a third world country? A hungry child is a hungry child, and I will find a way to feed the ones around me first, every time. Sorry.
One of my friends showed me a website the other day called Heifer International. You can actually donate money and buy farm animals for people. I have to admit, it's kind of cool. Because your giving them a tool to make their lives better.
I worry, though. If I buy a farm animal for someone, what am I going to get in the mail after that?. . .

weekend goodies

This blog will be many things, and perhaps, none. I don't know. I'll start by saying it's Renaissance Faire Weekend, and I will be leaving shortly to go back in time. Celtic Rose and I will be absent from the internet until Sunday, but I am sure I will have some good stories and pictures to tell.
My second order of business is to, well, say hello to MM's sister if she is reading this. (which I found out yesterday is a possibility).
So, HELLO, MM's sister!! How are you? Nice to 'cyber' meet you? Feel free to browse away here in my blog. Comment if you like.:)
And now. For pictures. CamiKaos didn't out me yesterday, so, today, I am outing myself, and my family with some wacky, photographic goodness. Here you go. Something to stare at for the weekend, whilst I am enjoying the Ren Faire:




so, this is my family. In the 80's. We were taken to an old mining town that was nearby, and of course, we had to have the standard, old fashioned pictures taken. EVERY TIME we went to this place, we did this. Every. Stinkin. Time. Iam the one with the basket.



Isn't the color on this FANTASTIC? I loved the 1970's. I am the small child sitting on her mothers lap, trying not to look horrified.


I was 7 months old in this pic. Still trying not to look horrified.


I like to call this one "how many things can you find wrong with this picture?" Aunt Tuna was enjoying a large hair day, and her cigarettes (note the ashtray) and I, at three months old, was enjoying baby food. (you can see it on my face). Lovely.


The ever present Santa Claus pictures. . .



And last, but not least. . . .
This is why they call me, oh well hell. Most of you know my 'real name' by now, don't you? don't you?
This is why they call me 'Racy Traci'.
Enough said.

Have a nice weekend-off I go!

Because I have to

according to Sybil, that is.

Alright.
Something I've broken.
I've been giving this a lot of thought, lately, and I have come up with many things I've broken, or have broken me.
Hearts, of course. Everyone has done that, I think.
Materialistic things? Of course. I even dented my flute once. Material things are replaceable, though, and I tend NOT to be upset if something of mine gets broken
But something that means something to me, hmmm.
This is what I keep coming back to.
I broke myself of a habit. I've actually broken myself of many habits. I think we all do that. But this habit. I had it bad, and it needed to be broken.
My habit?
Always being the one to apologize, for every argument, every perceived wrong doing, every major, or minor schism that involved anyone else.
My theory about this habit of mine is that it formed because, in part, of my temper. I have a fierce one. (It's something else I 'broke', and I am proud of that.). Because my temper flare ups would cause trouble, even as a kid, I'd apologize. Usually, I was the only one who would. This happened, A LOT. I really hate confrontation, arguments, and the ugly feelings that linger after while the involved parties try to wait each other out for the apology. I'll do anything to avoid that uncomfortable, uncertain, cold feeling. It makes me so sad. By saying I was sorry, and I was wrong, I learned that those feelings would start to go away. Even if I didn't think I was wrong.
Before long, this became expected of me in every relationship I was in. Parental, sibling, lover, even some friendships. It sucked.
What got me to take a cold, hard look at this was my divorce. On a cold, winter day, in Rhode Island, I realized that I DIDN'T have to be that girl. I SHOULDN'T be that girl, and I enabled every relationship I had into THINKING I was that girl.
I promised myself to change that. It was painful, it was hard. I back-slid. But I changed it. It took me a long time. I still, at times, back slide. And sometimes? I don't back slide when I should. Its become a little bit hard for me to admit when I am wrong, and say sorry. Because I am afraid that if I do it too often, I will fall back into my old ways. So if I owe any of you reading this an apology for something, well. Maybe, this is my way of giving it.
But, honestly, (and, this is one of the most starkly honest blog posts I've written), I feel like I am healthier now, and I have learned how to walk the middle of the road. I can admit when I'm wrong. BUT, I will also stand my ground when I feel like I am right.
So there.
What I broke.
I'm glad I did it.

Song lyric Wednesday (again)

I'm at work, and I am tired. This isn't difficult. First one to guess the right song and artist can pick a blog post for me at their leisure. Yawn.

Condemnation
Tried
Here on the stand
With the book in my hand
And truth on my side

Accusations
Lies
Hand me my sentence
Ill show no repentance
Ill suffer with pride

If for honesty
You want apologies
I dont sympathize
If for kindness
You substitute blindness
Please open your eyes

Condemnation
Why
Because my duty
Was always to beauty
And that was my crime

Feel elation
High
To know I can trust this
Fix of injustice
Time after time

If you see purity
As immaturity
Well its no surprise
If for kindness
You substitute blindness
Please open your eyes

Nessie's gone missing!

The tourism board of Scotland is getting very concerned, as the Loch Ness Monster sightings have been decreasing over the years. Only 3 sightings were reported last year, and I guess, only 2 have been reported as of yet, this year.
The number of Nessie sightings used to be at least 10 a year just a decade ago.
This causes me to wonder
What has happened to Nessie? Is she sensitive to global warming, and, perhaps, staying in the bottom of the Loch in protest?
Maybe, she got tired of the dumb tourists visiting lately. Maybe, just maybe, one of them had the audacity to bring her Canned Haggis. (Surely, no one would be that stupid. We all know the Loch Ness Monster MUST have fresh Haggis, right? Of Course, Right.)
Maybe Nessie is just getting old, and arthritic, and canna make the trip to the top much anymore. After all, she is rumored to have been around since the dawn of time. I doubt any brave, Scottish veterinarians have made the trip to Loch Ness, with the purpose of giving her a good vitamin shot, and maybe some chondroitin for her joint aches and pains.
Lets face it, we've been neglecting Nessie. And because of the neglect, we could lose her forever.
She is already an endagered species, and I have not heard of any other monster we could mate her with for the purposes of procreation. She would probably break either Sasquatch, or Bigfoot in half in the process. Godzilla might do, but, I don't think she'd like him. All the dinosaurs she might have had a hope with are extinct. The poor girl is destined to live her life, alone, as the 'spinster Aunt Nessie'.
So, I think we should all go to Scotland, to Loch Ness, and see if we can help poor Nessie out, and give the Scottish tourist board their third sighting of the lass.
Anyone interested?

Big Rock, Canned Haggis, and You

The weekend was really fun and, surprising in a lot of ways.
MM and I went to the annual Celtic Festival held at our local fairgrounds. We were sitting on a bench, waiting for our lunches, when he really took me by surprise.
He gave me a ring. Not just any ring, either, it would be one of those rings that people who care about that kind of stuff would call a 'big rock'. I was speechless with emotion, and didn't quite know what to say. It was a really nice moment. . .


Okay, pick your jaws up off the floor.

Here is the rest of the story.

We were, indeed waiting for lunch. A shiny object on the ground caught MM's eye, and he retrieved it. Examining it, we discovered it was one of those fake, metal rings that has the squeeze prongs to hold whatever fake jewel you choose to place in it. Being the funny man he is, he bent over, picked up a rock, ( a real rock) and placed it in the prongs, and presented me with my 'big rock'. My speechless with emotion? I laughed my ass off. So, there we were cracking jokes about my 'big rock'. Yes, I wore it for the rest of the day, and we evilly plotted the jokes. Like this blog, and telling our families we spent the day in Reno, ect. ect.
I love this man's sense of humor. It was fun. When we got home, we decided he needed a ring, too, and since NOTHING is too good for my man, I made him one of tinfoil. LOL. Here is the picture.
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnhMSSXZRb2VDZ-_RP4jzp0bPo-gyWsRorC_4GKAl9SeX1XLhp0oYIz5AvIuAc1fxrENF_GvcpPKD0scmMnUoCadw9ewTHgDfFNiBKWICzqhb_XJezczXz2joruo2pGfztKR0sqQ80Zg/s1600-h/Ring+exchange!+9-30.jpg">
This is the only picture of MM and I anyone will ever see on this blog. . .
I can't wait to hear my Mother's response to this.
While we were at the Celtic Festival, we also found a booth advetising Haggis. Canned Haggis to be exact.
Do we all know what Haggis is?
Well, this little lady INSISTED I could not hate it until I tried it. I found myself, standing there, spoon in hand, with a tiny amount of canned Haggis on it. MM was in the same boat with me. Gamely, we actually tried said Haggis. It tasted like something I can't even think of how to describe. But it didn't kill me. I told the lady the truth, that I didn't care for it. Then I promptly bought a can to give to Celtic Rose. (I'll give it to her at work tonight, she won't have read this, yet. (And I can show her my big rock!). So MM carried around Haggis in a Can for me throughout the day, in a plastic bag, and we joked about what a great weapon it would make. Eventually, though, I had to have ice cream to wash the taste of Canned Haggis off my palate. They had a booth there making hand dipped ice cream. I got chocolate, dipped in white chocolate, rolled in almonds. MMMMMMM . Sure did wipe out the Haggis. But it was so rich I could only eat about half of it. . .
So, fun was had by all. We had a great, laughter filled weekend.