High Road

So I often ponder the saying, what do you do when nobody is looking. It is easy to do what is right when we know we're being watched, but do we do the right thing when no one is watching or might ever know? I don't live up to this all the time, but I am daily trying to become a better person. Today, I had a simple almost silly moment of this. As part of my AmeriCorps position with Habitat we're taking weekly tests on our construction knowledge. We're suppose to have read the construction manual. (As I said to them, if we'd gotten it at the beginning of the year, I would have read it, but it is not my top priority to sit down and read this large document at this point) So, I've been floating fairly successfully through the quizzes based on my own knowledge having been on the sites since Sept. Today I came across a question that was really only answerable if one had read the manual. Apparently an exact copy of a graph in the handbook. I made a comment when I came upon the question (after I'd just kidded someone else's silly question) about needing a calculator, to be informed it was in the handbook, etc. I knew one of the three answers because it applied to the style house I've built with Habitat. I had no clue on the other two. Except for my teammate. The one I'd just given a hard time to for his silly question. Muttered the answer in a cough-like creatively random sentence. I figured out his meaning, based on what knowledge I did have of the question and figured out the correct answers. But as I sat there staring at them I couldn't do it. Grades don't matter except for pride. These quizzes are simply tools for learning. I'll forever know the answer to this question and putting those answers down might have given me a close to perfect quiz. I just couldn't do it. What good would it have done? I couldn't be proud of my near perfect score if I'd cheated.
I'll be the first to say, I don't always take the high road. But for a few minutes today, I did. I hope to say that more often as my life goes on.

best rebuttal ever

One of my brain release indulgences is to watch some teenybopper gushy CW shows while I do some of the more menial tasks of my jobs. One of them is Privileged. I won't explain, you know it, you can guess, or it just doesn't matter. One of the 'privileged' girls was arguing with her catholic boyfriend (assistant chef) about his choice not to attend the gay chef's wedding. Catholic boy in arguing his case against homosexuality says something like, most of the country agrees with me. Rich girls rebuttal is, and most of the country thinks they can wear mini skirts with cowboy boots, but they're wrong.

I laughed out loud!! It was perfect. I'm stealing the line and you should too.

and...I'm pretty sure I've worn the closest thing to a mini skirt that I own with cowboy boots before (and not just for Halloween) I guess that was bad?

foul play

I didn't get to watch the Oscars and so I was watching one of those awful Hollywood gossip shows when I couldn't sleep last night to try and glean some of the events of the show. I heard one commentator state that Freida Pinto was one of the 'worst dressed' wearing a "mother of the bride look", not the young beauty that she is. The site on which I found this picture agrees. I completely disagree on aesthetics and tact. First, I think she is positively gorgeous and this dress absolutely beautiful. Someone remind me of it if I'm ever luck enough to walk down a red carpet. Then there is tact. The rags to riches movie in both subject and creation with dreams of DVD distribution makes millions and sweeps the Oscars. Is there no grace for the first time Oscar runway youth (yes, I believe 24 to be youth, even if hollywood doesn't)? I do believe Frieda was a model previous to her debut film of Slumdog Millionaire and is not doing so bad having been cast in Woody Allen's next film, so I'm sure these tactless comments won't cut too deep. But can't we have some class? I'm mean really, welcome to America, we love your movie but hate your dress even if it so elegantly combines elements of Indian fashion with American runway elegance. There are some truly poorly compiled outfits on the redcarpet and I just don't believe this was anywhere near that list. (yes, i realize there are far more important things to spend time on than fashion, but our culture makes and breaks people on the impression made by physical appearance all the time) Freida, I loved your movie, I LOVE your dress, I look forward seeing more of your work and do hope that we treat you better in the future, thank you for sharing your talent, beauty and taste with us!

people change

For today's reading pleasure I send you to my little brother's blog. He's seeking out what is right and wrong in the world and I am so proud of him. For many of us the confrontation he speaks of is easy and liberal philosophy has been inherent for our whole life, for many reading this you disagree, for others (like my brother) you can remember a time when you'd have disagreed and done nothing but you've changed. I have hope for change and not just because Obama told me so, but because I've watched it in Alex. Because there is at least one kid in College Station, TX fighting the good fight.

2.7 seconds on a bull named fu man chu

I love Texas and was recently reminded of that at the fort worth stock show and rodeo. the pride of one group of people in their state and culture is so prominent among rodeo folks. all the country songs of ropin' and ridin' come to life. Chivalry is not dead. And there is just something great about the smell of animal poo. Two events marked this event for me. First, as we wandered the stock show marketplace we came across a booth run by two men that Joe and I are acquainted with. Both men coming up to us completely separately tipped there hat as they shook my hand hello and again for goodbye. I don' know why but there is just something that warms the heart in that simple age old gesture. I was struck second by the pageantry, patriotism and faith of the opening ceremonies of the rodeo. For 36 performances dozens upon dozens of horses and riders parade around the arena led by two sets of the 6 flags that have flown over Texas. In the manner of the wave sections of audience members rise, remove their hats and then sit again as the USA and Texas Flags pass their section. No one person sang the national anthem, but the whole crowd together and when fireworks shot of in this enclosed arena those flag bearing horses hardly twitched. The entire rodeo is accompanied by a live rodeo orchestra. From the national anthem, 8 seconds on a buckin' bull to the entr'acte clown show. Finally, Joe nor I know why, but we know a lot about the rodeo. We know what's going on in each event, the order of events and so forth. But why? Why are somethings just known? Does everyone know these things about the rodeo? I was never a rodeo cowgirl nor a part of a rodeo family. It is clear why I know excessive knowledge on the church or theatre, but where along the way did rodeo 101 come into my brain?

Courage Campaign

"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.