I’m taking part of the day off.
Why, you ask?
Because while I love what I do online and am pretty OK at it, there is something I love more and am much better at.
Singing.
I have a couple of very important performances coming up and because of my most recent being-away-speaking-about-blogging-and-the-interwebs schedule, I have missed a couple of very key rehearsals and am behind on the eleventyhundred pieces of music that I have to know backwards and forwards by Oct. 9th. I have 2 rehearsals left before performance. So…that would be roughly 20 pieces of music in 4 rehearsals. It’s a damn good thing that I am an accomplished singer or I could have a big, fat SNAFU on my hands.
Even though I am accomplished and used to quick turnaround, it is the woeful, arrogant musician who thinks he needs no practice.
So, much of today must be devoted to pounding notes out on my piano and perfecting Latin-laden melismas.
But, I had a thought.
I have many (as in many) new faces around here. And I have gotten many (as in many) emails with questions and curiosities.
And (shock) I am behind in those as well.
So, I thought it was time to do a “Question and Answer” post so we can get to know each other a bit better. Sure, it’s a little old school in the blogging world but guess what? SO AM I!
And I kinda dig stuff like this.
So…
Anything you’d like to know?
Even if you’re not a new face, is there something I haven’t covered?
About me?
Family?
Blogging?
Working with brands?
How I stay looking so freaking awesome? (Answer: Go through 300 photographs until you find one that doesn’t suck.)
Ask it.
I may choose to decline, or I may link to an old post if it’s a lengthy answer, but I’m a pretty open person, so…have at it.
This should be really fun.
(Wait…unless no one asks me anything.)
(Ugh. What every blogger dreads…EPIC-QUIET-COMMENT-SECTION-FAIL.)
(Now watch. This is the part where NO ONE ASKS ME ANYTHING AND I FEEL LIKE A TOTAL FREAKING LOSER.)
(So seriously…if you see crickets in the comments, do a girl a favor and ask me something.)
(Anything.)
(I’ll even tell you how much I weigh, dudes.)
(I MAY draw the line at you saying I have to to make a hypothetical choice and choose between my pajamas and Diet Coke because, really, HOW COULD YOU PUT ME IN THAT IMPOSSIBLE POSITION YOU CRUEL, INHUMANE BASTARDS?????!!!)
(We’ll just do the best we can and see what happens.)
(And as for you? Yes, you. The one in the back. You know who you are. If you don’t participate? I KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE.)
(Which means that I will have the UN send you a STRONGLY WORDED LETTER OF CENTURE!)
(That will include terms like “disgruntled’! And “angst”!! And “epistemologically flawed“!!!!!!)
(Or, I will just bake you some brownies and ask you nicely to join in.)
(I tend to think the results would be more effective. )
(Heh.)
Quasso cruris time!
I’ll check in on ya laters, all.
Who left the cake out in the rain?
Restat a mystery, Shawn.
Stipes.Scriptor. Vos es a dork!
Stipes.Stipes.Scriptor. Pro verus.
Stipes.Stipes.Stipes.Scriptor. Tamen EGO amo vos usquam.
Stipes.Stipes.Stipes.Stipes.Stipes.Scriptor. ;)
(Stipes.Stipes.Stipes.Stipes.Stipes.Stipes.Scriptor. Si latin est nefas EGO don’t volo scio super is.)
Stipes.Stipes.Stipes.Stipes.Stipes.Stipes.Stipes.Scriptor. kthnxbai!
Sorry, the correct answer is “Someone”.
Vos es a numerus smart ass.
So, what are the eleventy hundred songs you’re singing? Choir geeks want to know…
All arranged by Mack Wilberg (usually for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He is also guest conducting.) Professional orchestra, amazing organ, 300 very talented singers…I love being in this choir.
Death shall not destroy my comfort
We’ll shout and give him glory
Come thou fount of every blessing
An Atlantic Bridge (Some folks)
An Atlantic Bridge (As I walked through London City)
An Atlantic Bridge (The dying soldier)
An Atlantic Bridge (I’m running on)
An Atlantic Bridge (Thou gracious God, whose mercy leads)
Saints bound for heaven
Did you think to pray
Redeemer of Israel
Come, come ye saints
Jesu the very thought is sweet
Let peace then still the strife
Jubilate Deo (this is really the most tricky)
(Then we have our Veteran’s Day concert (always packed to the gills. My favorite concert of the year) and then Christmas on the heels of that. Lots of tunes all at once. Fall and Christmas are crazy for singers. (As you well know).
Which makes 15 instead of 20, (I had some Christmas music in my fall folder) which helps me breathe easier. Whew.
It has to be awesome to sing something that’s composed just for your choir!
Do you have a favorite book? Or are you not a reader (though I vaguely recall you read the whole Twilight saga and loved the sparkling vampires)? I am having a tough time combining one kid and reading (which used to be one of my favorite things to do), and she’s pretty easy to take care of, go figure …!
AVID reader. Skipped 3rd grade because of it.
Picking a favorite book for me is like picking a grain of sand on the beach, but I’ll give you a few of my favorites.
A heartbreaking work of staggering genius by Dave Eggers. (I have never, ever laughed so hard. And it is really moving in parts. NOT everyone’s cup of tea but I. effing. love. this. book.)
The Count of Monte Cristo. Read this in college and thought the plot was perhaps one of the most masterfully laid out things I’d ever seen. Re-read last year and liked it even more.
Lonesome Dove: I’m not a western gal but this book absolutely deserved to win the Pulitzer hanging around its neck. (If books have necks. Meh, I can see it…they have spines.)
Plato’s Republic. Plowing through this sucker again. Fascinating.
The Lord of the Rings. I read it way before the movies. OMG, the mines of Moria still haunt me.
Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri (Short stories mainly focused on Indian culture. Lovely.)
The Stand: Stephen King. (The greatest author of our time, IMO. This is his masterpiece.)
To Kill a Mockingbird. (One day I will name something I love “Scout” or “Atticus”.
Emma: Austen (ANY Austen, but especially this one.)
We were soldiers once and young: (Better than the film)
Flag of our fathers: Biography recounting the lives of the soldiers captured in the famous photo after The Battle of Iwo Jima. (Again, read both before the movies/mini-series and glad I did. I always like the book more. Well, with the exception of “The Last of The Mohicans”. I hated that book, dudes.)
Anna Karenina: Tolstoy
The portrait of Dorian Grey: Wilde
The lion the witch and the wardrobe:CS Lewis
Night: Elie Wiesel (The slimmest, most haunting book you will ever read. Kicked off quite the (awful) binge of research on The Holocaust when I was 11. Oy.)
Lighter reads (Airplane books) HUGE Anne Perry fan (Love mysteries. Historical mysteries are a bigger plus.)
Elizabeth George (see above)
Maeve Binchy (My father went through a weird stage where he asked if everything I was reading was Maeve Binchy. “No, dad. ‘The Last Jihad’ is NOT written by Maeve Binchy.)
Henry V: Shakespeare. His Saint Crispian speech gets me every time. I am a long-time student (and performer) of The Bard and love almost everything he authors, but this is my favorite chunk of his writing.
As for Twilight: http://loraleeslooneytunes.com/2009/09/29/can-i-have-a-vagina-and-still-admit-that-i-am-NOT-a-fan-of-twilight/
(I could go on for another couple hundred books.)
OH MY FREAKING GOODNESS. you said anne perry and historical mysteries. and i thought you couldn’t get any awesomer.
…yes i did.
anyway, going on in the Q&A vein, how many books do you average per month or per year nowadays (whichever’s easier to guess)?
people ask me, “how do you find time to read?” and i reply, “how do you find time to eat?”
most of my life, i’ve been a real book prude, so i find myself gravitating towards YA fiction (primarily fantasy) and “cozies”.
have you discovered Laurie R King’s… I mean Mary Russell’s… Holmes books? i’m not a huge original holmes fan, nor am i big on people reviving series… but they’re worth reading. they’re early 1900s, so later than the Perry ones, but readers of Perry would like them.
also: when making box brownies, we always add a tablespoon of vanilla, and/or a teaspoon of cinnamon. try sometime!
I have gone to about 4 Anne Perry readings and signings (She’s LDS so she always comes to Utah on her book tours.) (Also, that whole back story about her at 15 about killed me with curiosity. I don’t know that I have ever met such an articulate lady in my life.)
I do not read as much as I would like since I started blogging, but I try. When I get into a book that I love, nothing else exists until I am done with it. Usually about a day. (I’m fast).
I like reading before bed but I have to be careful with that due to aforementioned habit of putting everything like food, sleep, etc. behind finishing the book.
When I worked at Borders? OY VEY. It was like working in a Diet Coke store for me. :)
I have heard of the Holmes revival but I am a HUGE fan of the original works so I have not picked them up. Kind of like how they finished Gone With the Wind, you know?
Totally, that GWTW sequel was…. odd.
If you like Anne Perry, promise me you’ll at least try the first two, The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, and A Monstrous Regiment of Women. They actually continue getting better as the series progresses, but I think you’ll know by the end of the first two whether you need to keep going.
I promise you, Holmes is not bastardized.
The Stand is one of those books that stays with you. Good choice, there!
Though I’m typically a lurker (I lurk, but I love), I figured I would join in (since you know know where I live and all). So…
The who/what/where/when/why of the best vacation you ever had?
Feel free to ignore that second “know” up there. My first comment on the site and I’ve embarrassed myself… sheesh.
Scotland and England. Hands down.
I’ve been an Anglophile since I can remember. We are talking YOUNG. I have spent a lifetime studying the culture, literature, history, wars, food, you name it, I am interested in it.
I finally decided I wasn’t getting any younger, I had some air miles, my excellent friend could come with me to split the cost and so, I got a second job and saved my pennies and I went in 2007.
And I had the most unbelievable time you can imagine.
It was utterly emotional. The things I had read, studied and dreamed about for decades were suddenly…THERE.
I almost cried when we touched down in Edinburgh. I saw some amazing things and since I had been researching this trip since, oh, the 4th grade or so, I knew exactly what I wanted to see(Culloden Battlefield was the very tippy top of my list) and where I wanted to eat.
(OMG, I ate so well. It is a lie that the food will suck in the UK. First of all, I came back DEVOTED to chocolate digestive biscuits and Walker’s Thai Chili Crisps. and the rest was even better. From the 5-star restaurant we drove 3 hours in a MONSOON on the Isle of Skye to a sack lunch we through together on the banks of Loch Ness, fish and chips in paper on the steps of the Minster in York to the best Indian food ever made in the equivalent of a strip mall in London (we had to take a bus and the tube to get there. SO worth it.)
All about research, dudes.
It was like coming home.
Will never forget it.
P.S. Only bitch? NO FOUNTAIN DRINKS IN THE WHOLE DAMN COUNTRY.
Hi!
I usually lurk around here…I think I’ve maybe commented once or twice but I always read. I’m not de-lurking to ask a question, I’m de-lurking to tell you you made it into my dreams last night! I even KNEW it was you while the dream was occurring (as opposed to realising after I woke up). You were my husband’s ex-wife which there isnt one of…except in dream world lol. And you’ll be pleased to hear you had beautiful hair and clothes in my dream! It was so, so random! Yep, you’re now appearing in dreams occurring in Western Australia lol.
LOL! That is hilarious?
And thank you for giving me a great hairdo and outfit in your dream. Very kind.
P.S. Was I a wenchy ex? Oh, I hope not. I pride myself on being an excellent ex-wife. Which really, I am. Ask anyone. :)
thanks for sharing mate.
Welcome!!
When are you ever coming back to Chicago so I can take more pictures of you?
I really need to, huh?
I didn’t get to see ANYTHING in Chicago, I was so busy at BlogHer. I had like, 1 hour, where I walked The Mile with my roommates, but that was NOT enough.
I was really bummed that my husband couldn’t take some extra time to go into the city when they flew us all out to McDonald’s Headquarters in June. I really, REALLY wanted to see more of it.
Sad panda. :(
I would be thrilled, HONORED in fact, to show you and your husband around my city. Anytime. You just let me know. But come when it’s warm. Chicago can be a pretty miserable place in the winter. Spring and Summer and Fall (especially Fall) are lovely, here, and excellent seasons in which to visit.
p.s. I worked for 2+ years on that McDonald’s Campus in Oakbrook. I built most of their computer network.
Are they real?
You don’t mind that I’m married, do you?
What is the air speed velocity of an unladen swallow?
(there, that should draw a letter or three from the UN)
Dang it, he took my unladen swallow question! lol
1. They are not real, but they. are. awesome.
:)
I take some flack for this online (re:feminism) but I make no secret that I had the girls “surgically re-claimed”. After losing 150 lbs, I resembled a Caucasian National Geographic cover woman. It was just…wrong and I missed the confidence.
So, I had a lift and implants and it is one of the best things I’ve ever done. I have some curve to me now and my doctor followed my instructions to just “make them look like a pair he would REALLY want to get his hands on”.
It worked. ;)
2. Nope! Most are. :) Tis all in good fun.
3. It’s a matter of weight ratios. ;)
Lora: NO ONE EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION!!! ;)
“caucasian NG cover woman…”
crying laughing…
It was sadly accurate. :)
Beginning to know that feeling. =(
ROFLMAO!
1.) Now, you ‘know’ that I didn’t really expect an answer! I’m gonna chuckle about that all day. A lot of the “feminists” are more about forcing women into their image of what a woman should be than actually allowing women to do what they want, follow their own mind, and make their own choices.
2.) The good ones, anyway. ;-p
3.) Neither of you asked African or European. Oh, the shame of it. Both of you…go watch Holy Grail..right now!
1. Of course. And it has been a topic that I get asked about a lot and have written about (though really, it’s been awhile. Now that I know more what I’m doing I should write another one.) In all seriousness, it’s a decision MANY women weigh and I would have wanted to hear as much info as possible before getting the surgery, you now? So…I talk about it.
Yup. My definition of feminism is doing what I choose to do without ANYONE dictating what that should be. Man, women, or that whore of a cat that I own. :)
2. Married or gay, that is just how it goes. (I love my gay possee. And yes. I have one. :) )
3. Hey, hey, hey! I love that movie. You are talking to a girl who knows ALL the words to “Bravely Bold Sir Robin”.
What is your favorite recipe? (Those brownies you mentioned would totally count…)
Oooh…that is a good one. I have a few. (While I love getting into complicated and intense recipes, my favorite are simple but YUM.)
My family’s favorite for every day when I need something REALLY fast simple?
Chicken Dish (So creative, I know)
3 cups cooked rice (brown or sushi…no long grain or instant please.)
Marinate 2-4 cubed chicken breasts (I like a simple teriyaki)
Scramble 4 or 5 eggs.
Frozen peas (to taste)
Add eggs and frozen peas to steaming rice (The steam cooks the peas. They are delicate creatures. Don’t cook them to death.)
Add chicken (and marinade from the pan)
Toss together and serve. Voila. Dinner. Easy. Yay.
Another favorite is Chicken Lyonnaise: (Sorry about the extremely crappy photography, but it is what it is at this point.) http://loraleeslooneytunes.com/2007/07/16/recipe-chicken-lyonnaise/
Simplest recipe that is both unbelievably delicious, easy and looks impressive as all get out?
Baked Brie: Take a sheet of puffed pastry, put a wheel of brie on it. Smother with raspberry jam. Sprinkle liberally with chopped pecans (I also like to sauté them with butter, rosemary and a pinch of cayenne for this recipe). Wrap up the brie with the puffed pastry and tie with baker’s twine. Bake and serve with crackers. DIVINE. Excellent for the holidays.
Here’s a (another really crappy) photo: http://loraleeslooneytunes.com/2008/02/18/french-food-diet-coke-and-fat-lots-and-lots-of-fat/
Will you post a video of one of your performances?
When I get one that I am happy with, yes. :) (I have some, I just don’t have them ready for online. AND they are in a box in my storage unit somewhere.)
When I get one that I am happy with, yes. :)
That being translated as “No! Nevernevernevernevernever!” since there will never be one she is happy with. But, it is a good answer because it kinda sounds like a “Yes” while meaning the opposite.
It’s probably a good thing you all are here.
You call me on my shit.
:)
What is your favorite thing about each of your boys?
The main thing I love about my boys (and the one top thing I have instilled from the moment they could walk) is that they utterly have each other’s backs. Because they are half-brothers I wanted to emphasize that nothing is more important to them than each other. Jon and I will be gone some day and then they will be each other’s family, so from day one? That relationship has been paramount. They fight like cats and dogs but they are absolutely each others best friends.
James: (age 14) James is from my 1st marriage but Jon has been his step dad since he was 2. Just an FYI. James is a character. He looks like his father but personality wise? He is EXACTLY like his mother. (Which means he is hilarious and over-dramatic as all.get.out.)
I am frightened for his future.
(But secretly I think it is awesome. I just can’t overly encourage him or the boy would get nothing solid accomplished.)
Christopher: (Just turned 11) Perhaps the sweetest, gentlest boy ever. He is going to be one HANDSOME man. And.he.is.huge. He’s taller than his 14-year-old brother already. But I’m 5’8 and Jon is 6’4 so this is not shocking.
Matthew: I can’t very well leave him out just because he is no longer here. Matthew was…Matthew. I called him my Little Highlander because of his red hair and he was GINORMOUS. When he died at almost 4 months, he weighed almost 25 lbs. Yeah. I know.
I loved kissing the bridge of his nose and at all times, he had to be gripping onto one of the soft, sculpted fish toys we bought for him. (He was VERY colic prone and would claw his face unless he was holding on to something. Enter-fish stuffed animals. He held on to the fins. :) )
Aaron (Butterlump) OMG, what DON’T I love about him? Those cheeks! Those eyes! His munchable widdle tummy? I am one SMITTEN MAMA. Without fail he puts his thumb in his mouth when we lay him down in his crib. It’s adorable. And he is fascinated by lights and ceiling fans. I love every single thing this kid does.
I love my boys.
They will be excellent men.
A perfectly lovely answer. You should print your answer out and save it for them to have someday. And of course you should include your little Bug. I typed the question, and saw it, and hoped you would not be upset at it. Any mother loves and needs an open invitation to brag on her babies a bit!
Blessings, Megan
I wasn’t going to participate just to get the brownies, but what the heck…is that REAL fur in your picture?
Nope. It’s a costume. I was belting out a performance as Muzzy in Thoroughly Modern Millie during some summer stock performances in 2008. :)
Though?
I do not object to wearing real fur. (Ducking.)
Heck, don’t duck from me! I’m thoroughly jealous and would love to have an opportuity to just wear some fake costume fur!
Do you ever struggle with how much personal information you want to share or not share?
ALL THE TIME.
Seriously…all. the. time.
I have about 4 posts in my que that I am really struggling over right now.
After so many years of doing this day in and day out, I have gotten a much better sense of my personal boundaries, but lately?
I have been stretching them.
:)
Where are the brownies?
You guys and the brownies!
I WILL share what I do with mine to make them awesome. I use a box mix (I know) Betty Crocker is my favorite.
Then I add generous amounts of flour-coated chocolate chips (so they don’t sink) and chopped pecans.
The last 5 minutes of baking I put a bag of marshmallows on top. Then let them sit in an off oven 5 minutes after the oven is off till the marshmallows are puffy.
Cool and frost with chocolate buttercream.
:)
Sounds divine! And I will be trying them soon as I hit the store! I have a quick brownie trick that everyone ooohs and ahhhs over and I just laugh because it’s so ridiculously easy.
Bake brownies. Remove from oven. Cover the top of hot brownies with chopped up reeses cups. Let cool (or not if you’d prefer). Eat. Makes the brownies soooo rich and delish. So easy it’s DUMB!
What is your favorite funny movie? And don’t you dare say something fancy or artsy. I want BAD and EMBARRASSING here.
Honestly, my favorite is “Clue” from the 80′s.
I know, but there is just something so damn appealing about it! :)
Why did you change from Republican to a registered Democrat?
Here you go. It’s often referred to (lovingly) online as “The great exodus of ’09″) It was a long time coming. Created quite the stir in my life.
I am pretty much a moderate. I have been all my life. I just finally realized that I fall to the left instead of the right. I have some conservative views (education, military, gun laws, for example) and I have some liberal views (Gay rights, size of government, government programs, health care reform) and some in the middle (Unions, the economy, foreign relations).
It’s been painful. And difficult. And it puts me at odds with almost everyone I dearly love.
And well…that can really effing suck.
http://loraleeslooneytunes.com/2009/10/29/a-break-up-letter/
P.S. Going to The White House was not the reason. Was it an honor? YES. Was it flattering? YES. Would I stand up in the most Republican state in the union (Clinton came in THIRD) and go against 99% of the people in my family and life just because I got to go to Washington? Um…no.
Umm… you sing? Cool!
Did you make the brownies cause now I want some.
M
I do sing. Have done so my entire life. :)
I’m not entirely sure what to ask…
So.. How about…
Do you take pictures?
Like be the photographer…
Because you’re in a lot and I just wonder… And it’s the best I could come up.
Oh, am I a sucky photographer. Many of the photos I use are taken for me. I am blessed to have fabulous photography friends.
However, I am determined to start taking better photos. In my world it’s essential and the time has come.
I have a DSLR (Nikon 3000) that is basic and non-scary and I am slowly learning how to take a better picture and researching some cool toys to make that process better.
Also, how do i get my own icon here so you can remember who i am when I post?
Della, go here: http://en.gravatar.com/ and follow the instructions. That will get you your avatar.
I guess fair is fair. A bit about me. I was born roughly a week before Sputnik was launched. Grew up in N. San Diego Co. CA. Spent a few years in Butte Co, CA going to CSU Chico, majored in geology. Married in ’81. Moved to Sonoma Co. CA in the mid-80s. Divorced in ’88 (it was friendly, we still went square dancing, and then the three of us – my ex and may girlfriend/poosslq going to dances together, also doing SCA stuff together). Remarried in ’90 – still with her. ’08 lost our house in Sonoma Co. Moved to Lake Co.
I like cooking (and eating). Reading (Including the Twilight saga, even though there are some glaring flaws – like why are the vampires cold rather than room temperature?) Harry Turtledove, Tom Clancy, James Michner, some Clavell. The Gods of SiFi – Asimov, Heinline, Dick, et al. Eddings Honor Harrington series. Cookbooks – especially old ones. Here is a wonderful site for those – http://digital.lib.msu.edu/projects/cookbooks/html/project.html
My main hobby is American Civil War reenacting (gee…can you guess that by my avatar?)
I sucked at Geology. I think I drew the line when I was in a lab freshman year and they had me lick a rock. :)
My divorce was friendly as well.
Michner is one of my favorite authors. That man can write about history like no ones business.
Not so huge into Sci-Fi, but my husband loves it. However, Ender’s Game and resulting series were some of the most amazing books I’ve ever read. Should have made my list up there.
The Civil War is one of my pet research topics (I heart research. And history. Just so you know.) I went to Gettysburg when I was in DC last year and it was one of the most moving experiences of my life.
Loralee, here are some pics for your Civil war stuff. I posted this in comments over on Neptunus Lex on one of those posts when the host is traveling and lets the monkeys run the zoo. Incidentally, Joe brought some keen insight into that discussion.
http://www.neptunuslex.com/2010/09/15/a-quiet-normal-life/#comments
Straight to the pics. http://www.mikelynaugh.com/VirtualCivilWar/New/Originals2/index.html
And here’s my question: As a male, I sometimes experience hesitation in commenting on you gal’s blogs. You, Sandi, Tanis, Suzanne, Ree, Katie, etc. The hesitation stems in large part from being perceived as some kind of weirdo, stalker/loser. Have you ever felt that way about guys commenting, and also, how does Jonathan feel about it? My rule of thumb is to try and always be a gentleman, and make sure that I frequently make note of being happily married, but still, it feels like a sensitive subject and MANY times I don’t jump in for that very reason.
What? Who? Me? No! I deny it! Didn’t do it! Musta been someone who looks like me! Besides, I was told it was OK! I was drugged and hypnotized!
Stephen, scroll up to my post timestamped 10:27 a.m. If I can get by with that without being jerk-banned, I think we may be on pretty well accepted.
LOL! I’ll go into all of that more tomorrow but nope, you’re totally fine. :)
Some of the best friends in my life are men, and I have wide boundaries and a totally non-jealous husband.
But, I’ll go into it more tomorrow (and I certainly don’t speak for all women. Thus? The post. Hoping for some good conversation out of it.)
This is an EXCELLENT question, Stephen. So good that I am actually going to make it tomorrow’s post, if you don’t mind.
Will head on over after I get my kid’s squared away with homework, etc. :)
“The hesitation stems in large part from being perceived as some kind of weirdo, stalker/loser. Have you ever felt that way about guys commenting, and also, how does Jonathan feel about it? My rule of thumb is to try and always be a gentleman, and make sure that I frequently make note of being happily married, but still, it feels like a sensitive subject and MANY times I don’t jump in for that very reason.”
I have been thinking a lot about this today. We hesitate to comment, even when we may have something valuable to contribute. We don’t hold doors the way we used to for fear of being seen as barbaric. We don’t smile and nod and mumble “Good Morning (or whatever time of day)” as we pass a lady in a hallway, or the counter at a store, and so on. Because we may be viewed as predators of some sort.
In the name of equality women get access to mens clubs. Women sports reporters get into mens locker rooms. Mens schools are now coed. Mens gyms are open now to women. And so on. But then, in the name of protecting women, men are denied the same kinds of access. Those former men only gyms often now have “Women Only” hours. Womens clubs can still exclude men, and so on.
As you may be able to tell, I see this as a double standard. Even more troubling to me, it is a double standard set up in the name of equality. And double standards really bug me. Whether they are things like access, or how people are treated, or the leaders of the anti-gun crowd having carry permits themselves while telling us that gunz-r-bad, or the idea that only white males are capable of “hate crimes.” (yet another story there).
OK, rant over. Thanks for all the fish. Don’t forget your towel.
Double-standards do stink. =( I hate what is being done to men in the name of feminism. To me? Feminism means that I should have all the same “perks” and all the same choices available to me that a man does. Unfortunately some women view feminism entirely differently.
So true.
Did you know OSC has a website? http://www.hatrack.com – his book recommendations are amazing. I’ve never disliked a fantasy or mystery book or series that he recommended.
Della, http://en.gravatar.com/ is a fairly common app for icons.
Loralee. . .For those of us that can’t carry a tune in a bucket. . .KEEP SINGING!!!! Loving to listen to skilled people sing led me to enjoying opera and Broadway shows a long time ago. Those that haven’t yet tried them are missing out!
As another avid reader (I currently have six ongoing, depending on my mood on any given day…my reads are quite eclectic) I have to recommend/remind a couple favorites. Absolutely required is “Illusions” by Richard Bach. It’s a yearly read, or more often when I need the inspiration. Or anything else by Bach….the Ferret Books are another favorite by him. And of course, I’m sure you’ve read “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe” collection. Just too funny for words. . . .excepting “So long, and thanks for all the fish”!! LOL
Zipper: 42. ;)
And broadway is my favorite. I am ok with opera but choir, art song, oratorio and musical theater is really where my heart lies.
xo
42. ROFL Perfect.
READ OF YOUR LOVE OF HYMNS.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE, MS. LORLAEE?
I do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1pgEw3ioBA (Pardon the video, but it’s an LDS hymn, so…ya know.)
And…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcYj9og4_ng
And…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7M55F6xoiE&feature=related (The director on here is the man that directs my choir. Retired Air Force and THE most excellent man.)
HOW DID YOU COME BY LEXS BLOG? ITS A FINE READ.
A long-time friend. It’s his favorite blog.
WHO WOULD THAT BE OVER THERE?
Well…I don’t feel comfortable releasing his real name but over there he’s known as “Chunk”.
I’ve known him since we were 18.
We dated in college.
He’s a good friend. (Despite the fact that we can get into some HUMDINGER DEBATES) :)
I KNOW OF CHUNK. I USUALLY LIKE WHAT HE HAS TO SAY. AND HE WAS ONE LUCKY BASTARD TO HAVE YOU ON HIS ARM, IF YOU DON’T MIND ME SAYING.
NAMES ONLINE ARE FUNNY.IM USING MY FIRST NAME HERE,I DON’T EVER OVER THERE AND PARDON THE CAPS, MY KEY IS STUCK.
Would ANY girl mind a statement like that?
:D
Hmmmmm….questions….Cannot even come up with something pithy!
You better. I know where you live. :)
Aw crap. And it’s not even a long trip over!
Um……why am I so fabulous? :)
1. You live in my town.
2. You are in the tiny percentage of Dem friends that live in aforementioned town.
3. You are smart and pretty and smell like flowers.
4. You are going to say, “Why, YES, Loralee! I would love to get coffee/cocoa with you this week!!!” ;)
Ugh…and I meant to reply that “how’s tomorrow” HERE. Not above. I totally get fabulous points taken off!
Tomorrow is grand! What time? :) I can see if Kim wants to come with….
I’m open all day. 1? Starbucks or Borders?
Could we say 10 am? I am getting into the less flexible nap time with my wee pat of butter. He gets cranky. :)
Oooooh. I remember those days. Don’t miss them! :) 10 is great. Place?
Let’s do Borders. :)
You, me, 10 am.
Great! See you tomorrow…
i love lonesome dove. when i was married and my husband was stationed in a teeny tiny town that had nothing but a library, i picked up that book because it was the biggest book i could find. i normally hate westerns, but i loved that book!
going to try your brownie idea along with the reeces pb cup idea. i am not a huge brownie fan, so i am up for any embellishments.
you have been quite open about your gastric bi-pass surgery and revealed your breast augmentation today-i am wondering how you got your arms in shape. did you have surgery? just luck out? work out like crazy? i know a few women who have had gastric bi pass and their arms are just all flabby and without any definition at all because of the loose skin.
Well, here is the thing. I wasn’t morbidly obese for a really long time and I was only 20 when I had the surgery done, so my skin had a lot of elasticity in it. My body is pretty awesome for someone who has had it done.
I do have some underarm sag (Wearing that dress in the photo was torture at the time. I have really been a pain in the ass for some of the wardrobe and costume people in various productions.) But, I’ve started wearing tank tops in the last year or so so I am just more comfortable with how I look and I just don’t let it overly bother me. I am fine with the way I look but I always STRONGLY tell people looking at the surgery that I am NOT THE NORMAL EXAMPLE of what happens when you get this done.
You’re not a NORMAL example of ANYTHING, Loralee. . . .and I mean that in absolutely the most admiring and complimentary way. Keep on keepin’ on!
Of course, I took it as intended! (And thanks for the compliment! :) )
Okay, you’re not a western book fan. Any western movies tickle your fancy? I’m rather partial to Open Range, and just saw Shane recently. First time I saw that one since middle school.
Oh, and I’m not sure you saw this over at Lex’s the other day, but it was suggested you check out his blog serial ‘Rhythms’; you can find it at http://www.neptunuslex.com/rhythms-the-compendium.
When you’re finished serenading the masses, of course.
Hello from another lurker! I was wondering what kind of music your boys listen to? Does having a mother who exposes them to classical & showtunes have any effect on their musical choices?
Yes, it has. My boys love all sorts of music. From current hits, to classical to, yes, you got it…”Air Supply”.
I would like to think I take credit for that. (Because Jonathan is in despair over me passing my genetic ‘uncool’ on to them. Heh.)
I wanted to ask about your older boys. You don’t mention them often, but, eh, I’ve raised boys and I was shocked, surprised, flabbergasted, scared, pissed, and ecstatic, by turns, daily, over their adventures/inventions/experiments/scrapes/SCHOOL/friends tales, and etc.
So, how’s it being mom to middle schoolers and jr. higher’s? What are the kids up to, these days?
I know I don’t talk about them online much. It is VERY deliberate. It may not show from the comment numbers all the time but a WHOLE lotta people read this blog and many are from my town and well…they are at an age where I am really striving to protect their privacy, you know?
Middle school is tough enough as it is.
I can’t believe I am a mom to kids in Junior High. It seems unreal. I started so young (21) that I have been a mom my entire adult life. It’s weird, but cool.
James is in wrestling and VERY good at it. He took three medals at State last year. He also digs theater. (Shocking)
Christopher is in basketball and orchestra…he plays the cello like his father and his grandmother is his teacher.
Both kids are just awesome and I love them to BITS.
I just wish that teen/tween boys WERE NOT SO SMELLY.
I’ve had a diet disorder since…since I was able to start eating since a child. Adjusted yesterday, I had extremely low self confidence, inside gutter. I trusted others for approval. It’s my job to second-guessed myself. each minute of the day was put in nerve-racking discomfort, with just being myself.
Bruce…I clicked and have started reading. WOW, tis long but so far? Fascinating. :)
I like Shane but have to admit I”m not a huge western movie fan either. Though that could just be from not having enough exposure to it.