Food and the word "Nasty"

Maybe it's a southern thing here, but I wish people would stop using the word "nasty" to describe food they don't like. Nasty means dirty, filthy, foul, and/or disgusting. It is very unfair to the cook to worked hard to prepare a meal, only to have somebody turn it down because, "it tastes nasty." Adults are just as bad as the children are about the overuse of this word. There are many words in existance that can describe disliked food more appropriately. Grrrrrr!!!


Soul Sister has a home!

After four months of stress, Soul Sister called me at work today to let me know she found a home of her own. She already had the keys and was moving stuff in. I was so happy and relieved for her that I cried when I got off the phone. This woman has had a string of bad luck, and having to live in a, shall we say "negatively critical environment" wasn't helping with her morale.

Her new home is great! The homes she had lived in while in Moultrie had no ice maker, no dishwasher, no washer nor dryer, and one home didn't even have working heat or air. This is a relatively new place with all the above-listed luxuries plus sturdy floors, new floor tiles, a fireplace, and a back yard with a fountain. She doesn't have a lawn, but her lot is covered with granite rocks. I am so happy for her!!!

I Hate E-mail Spam!!

I hadn't accessed my SpamCop account for a couple of days, so I was taken aback by 75 pieces of e-mail that were spam. I'd hate to think how much more spam I'd have if I were using Yahoo or Hotmail instead.

I recommend SpamCop for their ease and ability to report spam and for the filters they use for their e-mail. The $30.00 a year I pay for the account is worth it. Still, with 75 spam mails in my inbox, it was obvious I needed to add a few filters of my own.

The following domains are now blocked: consultant.com, winning.com, yahoo.co.hk, address.com, canada.com, attbi.com, hongkong.com, mail.com, and e-mail.com. Any e-mail with an address using these domains will not reach my inbox. In addition, if the word "mundlingzone" is in the subject line, that e-mail will be blocked as well.

It's a shame that those of us who don't want unsolicited e-mails have to resort to such measures.

YMCA

Back on April 6, I signed up for a three-month membership to the local YMCA (stands for Young Men's Christian Association). Here is my two-week report:

I have made some progress using the weight machines as I've been able to move the settings up one notch from my starting level. There is one machine I have am still struggling to do three series of 10 repetitions at its lowest weight setting, but I'm not giving up. As Susan Powter said in her workout video "Moving," when it gets too easy, it's time to increase the weights.

Tonight, I got into the pool for the first time. It felt good after using the machines. I started doing what I call the underwater bicycle, which is you move your legs as if you're riding a bicycle. I thought I was doing well, until it was time to get out of the pool. Every step I took getting out made me realize just how weak and worn out my legs were. Gravity was NOT my friend. I just posted to Soul Sister on the green screen that I am having trouble walking. I'm about to go bed because I'm so wiped out. And yet, I'm going back toomorrow night. Determined to get in shape, or glutton for punishment? Stay tuned!

Happy Easter!

Here it is Easter. People have made plans to go to church and/or prepare a large dinner for family members. Aunt Mavis will be coming over for Easter dinner, consisting of picnic ham cubed and slow cooked in the quart-sized crock pot, instant mashed potatoes with gravy, refrigerated southern style cornbread dressing (not bad!), beets, and English pea salad. My family doesn't believe in going all out to make a fancy meal these days; it's too much work and the cook doesn't get to enjoy the meal nearly as much as the rest of the family does. We thought about going out, but we decided to take it slow and easy at home today.

MREs and Emergency Kits

Found a website called Heater Meals. The site claims to sell "The Self-Heating Meal ... Comes with everything needed for A Hot Meal Anytime Anyplace." I'm very surprised at the cost of these meals: $3.99 for the basic meal and $5.99 for their "plus" version. Considering the packages never needs refrigerating AND have a shelf-life of two years, the cost is competitive. Most MREs (meals ready to eat) have been priced higher. Some sites are charging $129.00 for a case of twelve complete MREs. That's $10.75 a meal, and it's not even the self-heating kind! Uh, big difference! Seriously, check out Preparedness.com. Just do some comparison shopping. A quick search on Dogpile.com will show the various sites in which you compare prices.

Russ Chastain, a guide for Hunting/Shooting with About.com gave a favorable review of most of the Heater Meals. It might not be a bad idea to stock up on a few meals, like you stock up on batteries, fresh water, candles, dry matches, radio ... for, you know ... just in case.

All the fighting going on overseas and the after-effects of the September 11 attacks have made me think about getting/creating emergency kits. I've been to a few sites, and I must say I'm confused. There is so much to take into consideration as to what may be needed ... things we take for granted.

At the same time, I can't help but chuckle in disbelief about what's included in these kits that pass for "first aid," like small band-aids and non-aspirin pain reliever (similar to Tylenol). If someone is really injured or sick, band-aids and Tylenol are not going to begin to cover it. Some of these kits need to offer more real first aid products, like bandages, compresses, smelling salts, iodine, alcohol pads ... more serious stuff.

The Green Screen

One can read the most interesting topics on the Green Screen.

Today, someone posed the question, "What really happened in Sodom?" This person's position seemed to be that many people misinterpreted what the citizens of Sodom were doing that brought about God's destruction of the city. This person further theorized that many people claiming to be Godly were hypocritical because many of the laws in the book of Leviticus are not being adhered to while two verses were used to perpetuate "traditional abusive use of the Bible regarding homosexuals."

Now, I'll be the first to admit that I'm probably not the best qualified person to offer learned responses to this person's theories about the history of Sodom nor the verses in the book of Leviticus. I did, however, offer this response when another person posted this response, "... I'm just stating what the word says will happen if we don't turn to Him and live the way He has instructed. "

This was my two-cents worth on the subject:

Live the way "He" has instructed? The bible was written by man ... numerous men, actually. It is full of contradictions and inconsistencies. It has been interpreted and misinterpreted in several languages for hundreds of years.

These are my theories on the situation:

Many of the laws that you listed in your original post were written at a time in which clean water was not easily available and hygiene warranted numerous days of abstinence from certain activities to ensure proper healing or disease prevention.

Many of the laws were written forbidding tattooing, multi-textured garments, or certain hairstyles as a way to ensure identification and bonding of the Tribes versus the pagan tribes that surrounded them.

Even if you don't believe in Jesus, He did make a valid point: it is not what you eat that makes you unclean, it is what you say that makes you unclean.

I am by no means trying to diminish the significance of the Bible. It is still to be revered, respected, and used for guidance in how we are supposed to live our lives. I just don't believe it should be taken so literally that we spend more time arguing over verses than living as Godly people.

And of course, that is just my honest opinion.

My whole point was that the scriptures were written, interpreted, and translated into different versions of the book. None of us are going to agree as to which version is more accurate. All we can do is read the version that we understand best and pray that we're doing what God wants us to do. I do believe we shouldn't be hurting anyone in the process, just because we don't agree with their lifestyle choice.

Trolls Among The Internet Community

It's amazing how a couple of people can get in a chat room or on a message board and manipulate and bring out the worst in those around them. So much mortibo being expressed! Why do we as human beings resort to hurting others to feed a need to say, "I'm right; you're wrong?" Enflamed passions collide as each defends his/her own viewpoint as he/she would an endangered child. It's one thing to express a viewpoint and inadvertantly hurt someone by doing so. It's another thing to express a viewpoint with the dominant intent and purpose to hurt or anger someone; there lies the crime.

A True Story of God's Healing

Note: My sister Pamela, who lives in Kenosha, Wisconsin, e-mailed me yesterday. I thought I'd share the e-mail with y'all. She's not one to exaggerate. The following is in her own words.

Michelle


Greetings all!
Just a little note to anyone whose heart could use a smile.

Tuesday nite I was gathering some tools in my basement to use for a project at church on Wednesday. I was in house slippers, after all I wasn't working, just getting things ready. I bumped into and knocked off a table vice (you know real heavy) onto my right big toe. Do you have the picture, can you imagine what that would feel like? After icing my toe for 20 minutes or so I knew I would need something l little stronger than Motrin for a few days, so I drove (left footed) to the base emergency room (20 miles away).

X-ray revealed a thru fracture of my toe, it looked like an extra joint had been added. I could barely move / wiggle it, nor did I want to. The nice doctor gave me several Vicadin and permission to use them which I did as soon as I drove home in the snow.

On Wednesday I woke up to a nice swollen, bruised all over and quite painful toe. Took my drugs and went to church to help out (taking my tools, ice packs, house slippers, and of course Vicadin) I also used a cane to keep some additional pressure off my toe. I was a fairly good girl, staying off of my foot, keeping it up and iced as much as possible. It's important that you have this picture even though it isn't a pretty one.

On Wednesday nite I went to Bible study. My limp and cane attracted attention so before class began, I showed off my toe, everyone was impressed. My leaders began to pray then praise God for my healing. I couldn't believe my eyes at first, the purple began to fade, they kept praising and more purple faded, I could only whisper amazement (picture Pam speechless). After about 40 minutes of prayer and praise, mostly praise I could curl my toe (couldn't wiggle when we started). About 90% of the bruising was just gone! About 90% of the swelling was just gone! Most of the pain was just gone! I could touch the area where the fracture was and not cringe. I started walking, then jumping up and down. I was walking briskly around the church to show off my new toe, 'cause that was not the same toe I limped into church with that morning!

This morning, Thursday, I woke up, my foot felt a lot better than yesterday morning. There is still some residual bruising and aching. God spoke to me and said that's two weeks worth of healing and asked how I liked it, I love it!!!!!

I took a couple of aspirin, I'm still being good (for me) but I am so thrilled about my toe, I'm curling it as I write this. (yes, I am easy to entertain)

Just wanted to share this smile with my friends and remind you that our Lord is still in the miracle business these days, if you could use one, just begin to praise Him for the miracle you need, be willing to invest a little time to do this and expect him to come through.

Well I'll stop now, but He wont!

Hugzzz in Jesus

Pamela Mundling

All-You-Can-Eat-Buffet?

A few weeks ago, I ranted on the Green Screen about being charged extra the last two times I got a buffet-to-go from a local Chinese restaurant. Monday evening, I thought I'd give them one more try and made it a point to put less in my container. The lid closed easily as I made my way to the cash register. The cashier opened up my container and looked at the contents. I was still charged extra: $8.98 instead of $7.90. This was the same cashier who rang up my purchases previously. I probably should have asked why, but I was too tired and too hungry to argue. I have no one but my self to blame for paying it and walking out with my food.


I e-mailed some of my friends about my experiences, and a couple of them suggested that I call the manager and express my grief. It had not occurred to me to do that, but once I read that suggestion it made perfect sense. Another friend whom I e-mailed my experiences became miffed because the cashier opened up my container to see what I had and then charged extra. I even had a co-worker tell me that it looked like I was being discriminated against because of my body size (I don't want to go there). My supervisor told me that a restaurant shouldn't offer "all you can eat" if they're going to charge you extra for some of the contents.

Anyway, I called the manager yesterday afternoon. He was extremely friendly and took the time to answer my questions completely. As long as the lid can be closed on the container, the cost is $7.90. If the lid has to be bent to be closed or if it cannot be closed, then they have to charge extra; that has always been the policy. Also, if there is an excess of seafood items, they need to charge extra for that because the seafood items are much more expensive. Admittedly, I had a lot of braised shrimp in my container the last four times.

I explained to him how it seemed that the extra charges were added to my dinner cost coincided with the new cashier that works during the evening, that I had not seen the other two cashiers in a while. I'm embarrassed to say I did not understand everything he said in his answer, so the following is an assumption on my part based on what I could understand: in recent months, he had seen an increase in the amount of food being placed in the containers, and the restaurant was losing money. The other two cashiers I had referred to earlier apparently were not charging extra for customers overstuffing their to-go containers. When the new cashier started working in the evening, the manager started to reinforce their posted policy about being able to close the lid on the to-go containers, plus start charging extra if the customer had a lot of seafood items.

He was very apologetic about my dismay and confusion about being charged extra and not knowing why. He further stated that he did appreciate the repeat business I had given him and hoped that he was able to adequately answer my questions. I told him that I did understand and that I appreciated his taking the time to answer them and explain why.

On a final note, the restaurant is one of the few in town that are not charging their buffet-to-go by the pound.

The above entry was originally posted on the Green Screen. Since that post was made, several responses were made, perpetuating a "spirited" debate. A couple of posters disagreed with me and referred to me as a cheap glutton, but a large majority understood my viewpoint and felt the same way I did. Will I continue to patronize this restaurant? Probably, but not as often as I used to. Until I spoke with the manager, I was ready to completely write the establishment off my list.

It's Only A Dream (I Hope)

I've been having some weird dreams having to do with the end of existence as I know it. The theme is the same ... something runs out: electricity or food or gasoline or air or sunlight or whatever. The feeling is the same: hopelessness and anxiety. What I currently have is all I have, I cannot get any more of it, and I can't continue to exist without it. When it runs out, well, that's when I ask the million dollar question: then what? It's like I am too terrified to acknowledge what some people would believe to be the obvious answer. In these dreams, I look around, anxiously and repeatedly asking myself, "What am I going to do?" Usually, there are a few others in my presence who are in the same situation I am. We're all existing and asking each other questions about how to handle our situation. The dreams end there.

It's those kind of dreams that hang with me and make me think. I've seen two movies in the mid-80's in which the storyline was about a community grappling with the aftermath of a nuclear attack. The very things the characters took for granted were gone and would no longer be available in their lifetimes. Both movies ended the same, leaving the viewer with the understanding that there is no happy ending and there will be no happy ending.

Think about it: let's say (for the sake of the argument) something happened to the planet in which electrical current has been neutralized. Planes can't fly, cars can't run, buildings and streets go dark, and refrigerators and freezers have been rendered useless. This same force that neutralized all electricity has also poisoned the soil so nothing can grow.

Now, imagine sitting on your front porch and looking at your neighbors and/or their homes. They are in the same situation you are. You no longer have access to medicine, food, batteries, candles, matches, clothing, blankets, or other supplies you find yourself in need of stocking up on. What you have is ALL you have. You have to make due with that. One day, you're going to run completely out. You won't be able to turn to your neighbors for help because they'll be in the same situation. What's even worse, you might have to defend yourself, your family, and your supplies from thieves who will, in time, become bolder as they become more desperate for supplies.

Unnerving feeling, isn't it? What will you do when you run out of medicine ... candles ... food? You need food and some need medicine to stay alive. Everything you thought would be there is no longer there. Would you become a thief? Would you starve until you died? Would you become a cannibal? Would you terminate your life since you figure you're going to die anyway and want to avoid the pain of starvation? What personal values would you have to compromise to be able to survive? These are the hypothetical ponderings I have to make sense of these dreams.

Last night, I did have one of those dreams again, but this time it ended with some hope. In my dream last night, our "resources" were depleting quickly. We only had a matter of months before the "resources" would be completely gone. It was dark outside because the sun died. I remember wandering through an abandoned home and finding a couple of boxes of cereal, clutched by the hand of a corpse laying on the floor in the kitchen. I found two live children and a teenager hiding in the pantry for safety. Then a guy in his late 20's came in the house. We all talked about the pending situation and decided to travel together. We started walking outside until we got to my house. In reality, we don't have a basement, but in my dream, we had a basement. A strange man had a LARGE aquarium with an air chamber underneath it. Somehow, walking through the air chamber created static electricity, and the strange man was able to collect the charge and use it as a "resource." I remember walking out of the house and looking over the horizon with a feeling of hope and relief because the strange man found a renewable resource that would replace what was depleted. Of all my dreams that follow this theme, this was the first one that ended with hope.

When I was younger, I dreamt that my sister and I were in the living room with our parents. My sister and I were to be placed on the shuttle, and she and I were protesting it for reasons I don't remember other than we didn't want to go. Mom yelled at and argued at us; she would not relinquish her plans nor her decision. Suddenly, my sister and I are in the shuttle, and I remember looking down at the planet and feeling homesick. Then the earth explodes! My sister and I are then looking out the window into space where Earth used to be. Again with the million dollar question: what do we do now? After all, we can't go home, and we don't know of any planet, moon, or asteroid that could support life. Eventually, we're going to run out of supplies ... and air.

Such pleasant dreams from my twisted mind! No wonder I haven't been sleeping well!

I Have a Creative Dad

I thought I'd take a break to make this journal entry. I've working on Dan's web pages.

I walked by my parents' bedroom just now and saw the cart he made for my mother so she can wheel things from room to room since she can't carry anything with weight anymore. He made this cart from pvc pipes and joints. He attached wheels to the bottom of this three-tiered cart. She can roll it around the house with stuff on it, giving her more independence.

He's done extraordinary things when I was younger. He made a set of doll-sized bunk beds for me when I was six years old. He used spare wood and thin plexiglass for the bed part. I thought it was especially amusing when Snoopy (our beagle at the time) adopted the bottom bed for his own bed. I remember waking up on weekends to find him laying there looking at me.

Dad also made a rocking horse for me from an old sawhorse. No, it didn't exactly look like a horse, but I didn't care. I had an imagination. I played with that rocking horse for years until I grew to be too large for it (kids do that, you know).

His creativity never ceases to amaze me. Thanks, Dad!

Behavioral Results from "The Passion"

EVERYBODY is talking about Mel Gibson's movie "The Passion of The Christ." I don't remember there being so much God-talk on the television and on the internet. This movie has, if nothing else, got people talking about God. That can be a good thing.

But then, the nut cases come out and ruin it for everyone else. These are the people who get off on a tangent and take the subject to the extremes. There are those who are declaring that those who view the movie will become anti-Jewish (puhleeze!) OR people who choose not to view the movie are going to hell (get out of my face with that bullsh!t!!!). Geez people! Granted, it's about a highly-revered biblical figure, but it's just a movie!!! Even though it is supposed to be an historically accurate interpretation of the scriptures, it is still a movie based on the vision of a man.

Everyone is entitled to their beliefs, and I will respect those beliefs. I do expect the same courtesy. However you may feel about the movie, remember that there are those who may or may not share your views. Please don't try to shove your views down their throats, even if you think the movie has moved you to warn people that they're sinning or unsaved or going to hell. We are all sinners and fall short of the Glory of God. We cannot judge who goes to heaven nor hell. Only God can make that judgment. And for those of you who feel the need to correct me because this is how I believe and you don't agree with it ... stay out of my face; I've had it with y'all.

I am choosing not to view the film at this time. My reason is simple: the part of the movie in which Christ is brutally tortured would be too upsetting to me; I couldn't take it. It doesn't matter if it was Christ, a thief, a child molester, an animal ... it doesn't matter! To witness a living creature being make to suffer horribly is too much for me. Even if someone were to break into my home to harm my family, I do not believe in torture. Instead, I believe in killing the @$$hole and putting him out of my misery, pure and simple.

Does it seem like I have an attitude? Yeah, you're right. I have a low tolerance for other people's bullsh!t ... other people's hidden agendas to their self-serving existance under the guise of "I'm dedicating my life to helping people in the name of God." Puhleeze! You want to help other people? Stop trying to help them so darn much; you're being too pushy. Live by example and let people come to you. Actions speak louder than words.

Lord, let me get off my soapbox ...

Gay Civil Unions as a Political Statement

Since I last wrote my blog entry on Civil Unions and Gay Marriages, I've been doing more thinking. Last night, I watched an interview Bill O'Reilly had with a talk radio DJ who was openly gay. This radio personality plainly said that he is gay and is on the "inside" of the gay movement, so he knows what he's talking about. He said the sudden influx of homosexual couples to San Francisco to get married are not "getting married" for the ceremony but instead are getting married as a political statement.

Now, I wish to restate that I am willing to acknowledge Civil Unions, but not a Gay Marriage. People should be getting married because they want to be together and raise a family: not for convenience, not to allow an illegal immigrant to remain in the country, and certainly not to make a political statement. In all religions, marriage is a sacred agreement between the couple and God. To marry for purposes other than for what has been traditionally intended is disrespectful to any religion represented.

If civil unions are being pushed mainly as a political agenda, then I'm not for them. I was willing to acknowledge them because I believed there are homosexual couples who wish to be monogamous together and be a family. I still believe those couples exist. Although I admit that I do not condone the homosexual lifestyle, I do believe that homosexual people should have the rights that heterosexual people do. However, I do not support any political agenda that makes a mockery out of respected ceremonies and rituals, religious or otherwise.

I watched Bill O'Reilly as he spoke in his February 16, 2004 Talking Points memo. This brings me to my next rant. If you believe a law is wrong, then work to change the law. However, that does not mean you can disregard and break the law you object to. I'm referring to San Francisco's mayor Gavin Newsom's behavior as mayor. According to California Law as of 2000, Proposition 22 was passed by an overwhelming majority of California voters. The proposition basically stated that only heterosexual couples can marry. It is an actual law, approved by a majority of the voters. Mayor Newsom is defying that law by performing gay marriages in his city.

This is not acceptable. If a law needs to be changed, groundroots campaigning is an effective (and legal) way to get the ball rolling. Create a website! Send letters to representatives! Send letters to your friends and ask them to contact their representatives! Write letters to the editor of local newspapers! Form a group to work on getting the law changed. But whatever you do, DON'T BREAK ANY LAWS while doing it. All it will do is damage your credibility and hurt your cause. Mayor Newsom is hurting his cause more than helping it. What he views as civil disobedience is what Bill O'Reilly calls anarchy. I'm inclined to believe Bill O'Reilly.

Changes to The Mundling Zone

No, it's not your imagination. I've got several posts backdated to January 2001. I have transferred the following to my blog Journal of the Tempered Storm:

What's New? and archives
Soapbox
My Struggle with Sleep Apnea
Did You Know ...
and all essays from Count Your Blessings website

I'm merging Count Your Blessings with The Mundling Zone so I can delete that Tripod account and be completely finished with Tripod once and for all.

Civil Unions and Gay Marriages

With an emphasis on live and let live

The ideal American family has always been perceived as a man and woman, married, with the average of two children. Most of these children are born into the family while the rest are adopted. As a family, they have responsibilities and privileges as specified by law (religious and/or civil).

There are homosexual couples in our country who live in similar fashion. Many have been monogamous and productive members of society. Some have even gone so far as to have/adopt children and make the effort to raise them responsibly, with morals and respect for their fellow human beings. They live and function as a family, but the only difference is they are same-sex couples. Why can't those couples who work and live like responsible families have legal access to similar privileges that traditionally married couples have?

I have thought long and hard about this. I know there are those that believe homosexuality is such a terrible sin and they should not be allowed any marital privileges at all. First of all, sin is sin. For example, those that are quick to preach the evils of homosexuality or promiscuity but will gossip or tell "little white lies," even for good intentions, are hypocrites. Someone who demonizes people who openly fornicate but will take work supplies home without thinking twice is a hypocrite. Yes, it is in the book of Leviticus that clearly states that no man is to lie down with another man as he would a woman. However, in the book of Exodus, two of the Ten Commandments are "You will not steal," and "You will not falsely testify against another." You can't denounce one sin as more repugnant than the other.

As for homosexuals, many are not the obnoxious, cross-dressing publicity whores that they are stereotyped as. Most are not the evil, lurking pedophile many imagine them to be, either. I know many that are basically good people. They have many friends and have productive lives. Many do volunteer work or have charitable causes they contribute to. Why should they be penalized just because some of us don't agree with their lifestyle? Shouldn't we be rewarding a citizen's good behavior regardless of skin color, sexual orientation, physical appearance, or some other insignificant thing that has nothing to do with a person's character?

Having said that, I believe that they should be allowed to have civil unions. It would be a legal acknowledgement (without any religious implications) that two people wish to live as a single-family unit. It's not a marriage, but it would let them have access to (for example): filing their taxes jointly as do married couples, and have access to health, life, fire, and auto insurance coverage as a family.

I've heard the argument from the homosexual community that they want to be able to "marry" their life partner. Speaking for myself, I do not believe there is such a thing as a gay marriage. If I'm not mistaken (and I'm sure someone will correct me if I am), don't most religions reference a marriage as a union between a man and a woman? Don't these same religions also discourage homosexuality (if not outright forbid it)? That's why I believe a civil union would be a compromise between gay people and the laws of society. It would be a non-religious status that would respect the unity of the relationship without changing the original definition of the word "marriage." If a homosexual couple still wishes to have a religious marital-type ceremony, that will be a decision between them and an official of their religious faith. However, unless their religion specifically allows homosexual marriages, their ceremony will not be a true marriage, no matter how bad they want it to be one. This is a consequence of their choice to pursue their orientation. I'm not saying their orientation is a choice; I believe it is hereditary. However, the pursuit of that orientation IS a choice.

Now, I'm sure some Christians are probably thinking that I've flipped my lid and need an exorcist for my views about this. I keep thinking about what Jesus would do. I keep seeing the scenario as referenced in the Bible about a mob that caught a woman in the act of adultery and brought her to Jesus for judgment. They said, "The law says she is to be stoned to death. What do you say?" Christ said, "He who is without sin may cast the first stone." One by one, each person in the crowd dropped their rocks and left. They knew Christ was right. Here the mob was eager and ready to end the life of someone they chose to scapegoat, and He gently reminded them that they had no right to judge; they were just as guilty of other sins as the adulteress they openly condemned. We all need to remember that! Christ told the woman not to sin anymore, but He did not condemn her.

Remember Mary Magdelene? She was a former prostitute and shunned by everyone in the community. Mary, mother of Jesus, welcomed her into her home and treated her with love and respect. Having Ms. Magdalene in her home did not mean Christ's mother had to act like a prostitute or condone prostitution. It meant that Mary, mother of Jesus, could show Ms. Magdalene how a person should treat another person, simply by her own actions. Following that course of logic, just because someone is homosexual doesn’t mean we can’t treat him/her like a human being.

Not everyone in our country adheres to a religious faith that denounces homosexuality. If we want our faith (or lack thereof) to be respected, we have to be willing to acknowledge and respect those of other people. If this must include the enactment of civil unions in our country, then so be it. God gave us all free will, and we are not responsible for what other people do. Ultimately, we are only responsible for our children and ourselves.

Old Tripod Location is No More

Well, I did it. I logged into Tripod and deleted my mundlingzone account. The website location of http://mundlingzone.tripod.com is no more. I figure a year and a half was long enough to forward people to my site's current location.

Migraines suck eggrolls!

This one was pretty bad. It has finally eased off some, but I'm sitting here in the livingroom with the drapes closed and wearing sunglasses. Even my computer screen has been darkened. I know how Gizmo in Gremlins must have felt: Bright light! Bright light! Bright light baaaaaaaad!

I sleep with a fan on at night, but not since early this morning. Even the sound of my fan hurt. And let's not go there about the attitude, when I feel like the bitch from hell. You know the feeling ... when your upstairs neighbor walks around in those clickety high heels and you want to break her legs just to stop the noise.

I hate having to call in sick for a migraine. I'm not eating anything to trigger one, so I'm wondering if it's hormonally triggered (and I strongly suspect that). If that's the case, I dread menopause.

To hell with it; I'm going back to bed.

Watch Those Shipping Charges!!

Got my t-shirts from KingSizeDirect.com this evening (yes, I'm a woman who wears oversized t-shirts from a men's catalog; got a problem with that?) The colors are: forest green, burgundy, rust, and navy blue. I do love their shirts -- soft and comfy and loose and long.

I do have one beef with the company about how they calculate their shipping charges. As of this writing, the site is offering free upgrade to express shipping if your order is $75.00 or more; "OR" you may qualify for a $10.00 discount if your order is $75.00 or more. What the site doesn't tell you is that your shipping cost jumps $10.00 when you hit the $75.00 mark. I was originally going to buy four shirts at $18.00 a shirt; the shipping came to $9.99. I decided to add two more shirts, making the cost $102.00; then I saw my shipping cost jumped to over twenty dollars. Can you say "sticker shock?" I took one of the shirts off, and the shipping was still too high. I then took off one more shirt to bring my subtotal back down to $72.00. The shipping dramatically dropped back down to $9.99. That's when it occurred to me that the sudden jump in shipping was to offset their "free upgrade" and "instant discount" on people's orders.

It would be in the best interest of King Size Direct to cease and desist what I call a very deceptive way to make money. It is only because I love their t-shirts that I will continue to shop there until I can find another source. Then they can kiss my big fat butt.


Another super bargain (puhleeze!)

Some of these online merchants really think we're stupid as online customers. Well, some of us are, but I'm not.

Got an e-mail advertisement through Arcamax.com advertising a digital camera worth $439.98, but they're offering it for the low low price of only $79.99! Now, this reminds me of a similar e-mail advertisement through Arcamax.com that I mentioned in my April 20, 2003 blog entry in which I made a comparison of the Vivitar Vivicam 10 between "Leading Innovations (and the ad is still there as of this writing)" and Wal-Mart. But I digress...

This particular advertisement is for the Vivitar Vivcam 55 in the e-mail ad. In this e-mail, it advertised:

* A "3 in 1" camera, meaning you can use it for still photos, as a web camera, and as a video camera (like those spy cams!)
* Comes with a case, wrist strap and cradle
* Includes batteries and all the cables you need to hook it into your computer
* Photo software
* PLUS $200 worth of additional free software
* Warranty

Total Value: $439.98
Your Price: Just $79.99!

I didn't bother to click on the link; I've been down this road before. Instead, I did a search on the internet using Dogpile.com As of this writing, this camera is available at BHPhotovideo.com with everything for only $49.95. It is also available at hotbuyselections.com for $44.98. I'm not in the market for another camera. I just like to prove those wrong who try to lie to me and act like they're doing me a favor. Puhleeze!

Am I on a roll or what???

Flu Shots

I decided last week to get a flu shot. Originally, it was to get my mother off my back. However, the news of the Colorado flu epidemic had me rethink my feelings on the matter. First of all, I hate needles, so I was not looking forward to getting this shot. Second, I've heard from so many people how they got a flu shot once and came down with the flu (seems that's not true, according to the medical experts). Well, I'm happy to report that I'm not sick with the flu. However, I spoke with Soul Sister the other night, and she's sick with the flu. Now, she's an LPN, and she told me she's had flu shots and still caught the flu. Now I'm wondering if my shot was for naught.

Michael Jackson (again)

Since my last blog entry, I've been following the Michael Jackson case. My personal feelings on the matter is that I hope he's not guilty. I do not condone the outlandish things he's done over the years. However, it's his life, and he can do whatever he wants so long as it's legal and doesn't hurt anyone. If he wants to bleach his skin, have a million plastic surgeries on his face, live in a fantasy world like Neverland, that's his choice. I admit I tend to root for the underdog, and he's getting my sympathy simply because of the media hounding him. In addition, The Smoking Gun website has obtained a memo about a secret investigation by child welfare officials and the Los Angeles police from last February. It seems that the claim made by the teachers of the 12-year-old cancer patient were determined to be unfounded. Click on the above link and read the article at The Smoking Gun website. Between that and the GQ article from 1995, it's looking more to me like Michael Jackson is being extorted for money.