Say goodbye to the old, hello to the new

So, I haven't posted anything here in nearly a year, and not much the year before that. I now am mostly over at Facebook. I'm Mindy Bogue if you want to friend me over there.

However, I have created a new needlework blog. I talk about most everything on Facebook, but still want a place to discuss my needlework in a bit more detail, show pictures, etc. Please join me at Mindy's Needlework Mania.

Thanks.

"How could he cheat on her? She's beautiful!"

Since Tiger Woods' accident in November that eventually brought out his cheating ways, how many times have you heard (or maybe even said) something like this? I remember hearing something similar to this when Hugh Grant got caught with a prostitute when he was married to Elizabeth Hurley. We hear this sentiment all the time, actually. It really goes against my grain for several reasons:

1. I'm not one of the beautiful people, so maybe I'm just jealous. LOL, I don't really think that way but I'm sure there are those who will assume that's my problem. I figured I'd put it out there first.

2. I hate the assumption that someone who looks a certain way physically isn't supposed to be mistreated, but it's OK for average people to have husbands who cheat. How many times have I seen something like "Oh, of course he cheated on her! She got fat/got ugly/got old/whatever." Often women are the worst offenders. I see many women making these excuses for men who cheat on their wives/girlfriends. We basically are telling guys that if we gain a pound or get old (because none of us get old, right?), they can use such excuses for cheating.

3. I also hate that assumption because physically beautiful women are more than just their looks. I know many beautiful women who are also intelligent, hard-working, generous and kind. I've heard some comments made by men about some of them about their looks, but not so much about who they really are. Frankly, I think that's just as offensive as the guy who walks by me and makes a "Fattie" comment.

There's a lot more rambling I could do on this subject, but I need to get ready for work. It just drives me crazy that so often I hear these things coming from women's mouths. It's quite mind-boggling to me.

Oh, and men don't have a monopoly on cheating. There are certainly plenty of women our there who are having affairs and make up all sorts of excuses why it's OK, like "the heart wants what it wants." Gimme a break.

I hate it when good people die and the evil still live

Went to my friend's son's memorial service today. It was the fifth one for him and the large church was packed with friends and family. He was involved in several organizations and some of them had their own service for him. He was diagnosed with adult-onset Still's Disease back in 2005, a rare form of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. He was 23.

He was an Eagle Scout, had been part of City Team of Philadelphia (our AmeriCorp program), was a member of several music groups and a junior soccer coach at Clark Park. Although he had been diagnosed with this very painful and dibilitating disease, he still did what he could to stay independent and continue to be involved in his community and mentor to younger people. He did more for others in his 23 years than many of us will do in twice as many years.

I really didn't know him, just knew about him and his brother and sister through his mother. I met her at my needlepoint shop and I just feel for her. It angers me that someone like him has been taken away from us while other people his age are out there doing absolutely nothing but smoking pot and playing video games, or even worse, doing violence to each other. They are still here, yet he is gone.

I know life isn't fair, and they always say there are reasons for why things happen. It's just hard to understand why someone like this is gone. I'm thankful for the time he was here and saw today how many lives he touched, and I hope that will help his family get through the tough times ahead.

Organizing the Christmas Party (funny)

A friend sent this to me and I think it's definitely worth sharing. I think we've all gone through something like this at one time or another. Enjoy. :)

FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: December 1
RE: Christmas Party

I'm happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will take placeon December 23, starting at noon in the private function room at theGrill House. There will be a cash bar and plenty of drinks! We'll have asmall band playing traditional carols...feel free to sing along.
And don't be surprised if our CEO shows up dressed as Santa Claus!

A Christmas tree will be lit at 1:00pm. Exchange of gifts amongemployees can be done at that time, however, no gift should be over$10.00 to make the giving of gifts easy for everyone's pockets. Thisgathering is only for employees! A special announcement will be made byour CEO at that time!

Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Patty


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FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: December 2
RE: Holiday Party

In no way was yesterday's memo intended to exclude our Jewish employees.We recognize that Chanukah is an important holiday, which oftencoincides with Christmas, though unfortunately not this year. However,from now on we're calling it our "Holiday Party."

The same policy applies to any other employees who are not Christians orthose still celebrating Reconciliation Day. There will be no Christmastree present. No Christmas carols will be sung. We will have othertypes of music for your enjoyment. Happy now?

Happy Holidays to you and your family.

Patty


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FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: December 3
RE: Holiday Party

Regarding the note I received from a member of Alcoholics Anonymousrequesting a non-drinking table ... you didn't sign your name. I'mhappy to accommodate this request, but if I put a sign on a table thatreads, "AA Only"; you wouldn't be anonymous anymore. How am I supposedto handle this?

Somebody?

Forget about the gifts exchange, no gifts exchange are allowed since theunion members feel that $10.00 is too much money and executives believe$10.00 is a little chintzy.

NO GIFTS EXCHANGE WILL BE ALLOWED.

Sincerely
Patty.

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FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
To: All Employees
DATE: December 7
RE: Holiday Party

What a diverse group we are! I had no idea that December 20 begins theMuslim holy month of Ramadan, which forbids eating and drinking duringdaylight hours. There goes the party! Seriously, we can appreciate howa luncheon at this time of year does not accommodate our Muslimemployees' beliefs.

Perhaps the Grill House can hold off on serving your meal until the endof the party - or else package everything for you to take it home in alittle foil doggy baggy. Will that work?

Meanwhile, I've arranged for members of Weight Watchers to sit farthestfrom the dessert buffet and pregnant women will get the table closest tothe restrooms. Gays are allowed to sit with each other. Lesbians donot have to sit with Gay men, each will have their own table. Yes,there will be a flower arrangement for the Gay men's table.

To the person asking permission to cross dress, no cross dressingallowed though. We will have booster seats for short people.

Low-fat food will be available for those on a diet. We cannot controlthe salt used in the food. We suggest for those people with high bloodpressure to taste first. There will be fresh fruits as dessert forDiabetics, the restaurant cannot supply "No Sugar" desserts. Sorry!

Did I miss anything?!?!?

Patty


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FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All #%&$ing Employees
DATE: December 10
RE: The #$%*!%Holiday Party

Vegetarians?!?!?!? I've had it with you people!!! We're going to keepthis party at the Grill House whether you like it or not, so you can sitquietly at the table furthest from the "grill of death," as you soquaintly put it, and you'll get your #$%^&*! salad bar, includingorganic tomatoes.

But you know, tomatoes have feelings, too. They scream when you slicethem. I've heard them scream. I'm hearing them scream right NOW!

I hope you all have a rotten holiday! Drive drunk and die, you hearme!?!?!?!?!?!?!!!!!

The Bitch from HELL!!!!!!!!

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FROM: Joan Bishop, Acting Human Resources Director
DATE: December 14
RE: Patty Lewis and Holiday Party

I'm sure I speak for all of us in wishing Patty Lewis a speedy recoveryand I'll continue to forward your cards to her. In the meantime,management has decided to cancel our Holiday Party and give everyone theafternoon of the 23rd off with full pay.

Happy Holidays!

December 7: A date which will live in infamy

Reprint of FDR's speech is below. We often forget that it wasn't just America who was attacked on that day. We also now know that Japan's intention was to declare war on us before the attack, but things literally got lost in translation and we didn't get the message in time. Granted, I doubt it would have helped us because it was vague. At least the carriers were out at sea.

Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with the government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.
Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleagues delivered to the Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.
It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
This morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
As commander in chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.
Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us.
No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.
I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, Dec. 7, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.

Great passages from book I'm reading

I'm currently reading The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey. I picked it up on a whim -- it was the free book in a Buy 2 Get 1 Free sale at Barnes and Noble. The author is Candice Millard and I'm very glad I have discovered this writer. Her writing is so interesting to read, and the subject matter is very interesting. The topic is Roosevelt's South American journey on a then mostly unknown river. It was after he lost the 1912 election and the way he dealt with losses was to do such things, like when he joined the Rough Riders.

Anyway, I really admire the way she writes about both the expedition and the native people and animals of the area, and some of what she writes is funny and scary at the same time:

"These particular dugouts [boats], moreover, were in questionable condition. In fact, Roosevelt's counting of them sounded ominously like a description of the Seven Dwarfs. "One was small, one was cranky, and two were old, waterloogged, and leaky," he wrote. "The other three were good."

Another passage I noted just is beautifully written. I'm good at writing about facts, but I'm always working on writing more creatively. I just love this:

"As the ex-president stood at the river's edge, surveying the jungle he hoped to master and explore, the forest surrounding him met the dawn by exhaling thin white clouds of condensing moisture that rose over the canopy about him like the breath of a wolf on a winter morning."

My dream job

I went to Eastern State Penitentiary today with our interns from work. Had a great time on the tour and plan to go back on my own to get more detailed information. The tour guides were very knowledgeable.

If I ever won a huge lottery jackpot (guess I should play it once in a while), I would love to do this for a living -- not necessarily at Eastern State, but as a historical guide in the Parks system. I think many of them are volunteers and those who are paid don't get much. I'd love to be a tour guide at Gettysburg or Antietem, or some of the other Civil War battlefields -- Petersburg, Franklin, Chancelorsville, The Wilderness (if stinkin' Wal-Mart doesn't take over The Wilderness batttlefield). Hosting walking tours of Philly or leading tours at Valley Forge could be fun, too. I'd probably enjoy doing the same thing at Fort Ticonderoga. The possibilities are endless.

Of course, I still need to make a living and need to live in this general vicinity due to family connections here and in NY. Heck, I already bore my friends and family with stupid little things that I know about history, or rant about people who think Winston Churchill was a fictional character, so if I had one of these jobs maybe I'd be less irritating to those around me. Then again, it could make me worse. :)