Rapier's Wit

This is the image that has gone viral. It is simple but speaks volumes.  Surely you've seen this and understand what it stands for and why it has gone viral. Marriage Equality. Meaning, allow same sex couple the benefits of marriage that hetero couples have. Pretty simple, but people get their panties in a wad over the definition of marriage. My sister and her wife on their 'wedding day' You'd think it was simple but there's some confusion and apparently people feel threatened by allowing loving couples to take commitment one step further with a legally binding contract to share and share alike. Sure, I simplified it. In my opinion, the powers that be like to complicate things far too much. This passage used frequently at weddings. It applies to marriage equality. I made this, by the way. My 18 year old son and I have had several conversations about everything under the sun. Some of those talks are painfully embarrassing to him because I am his mom. A ...

Friday the 13th and Valentine's Day. For this girl, they make a perfect pair. Look for more on this subject later. Until then, I give you this song. Coincidentally, this song was released in 1983 when I was wide eyed and ready to take on the world at age 18. If I knew then what I know now, well, I'd still be in the same boat. It's all still a mystery.

Let's see. What shall I slap out here for your reading pleasure? I logged on to a blog where I often comment to discover I had been either doinked or the comment got lost in the blogosphere. This is a first for me (that I'm aware of). So, it's definitely raised an eyebrow. Rather strange since I saw it there for a couple of hours after making the remark, but I know these things happen. I didn't ask about it. I guess I'll just chalk it up to improper use of an asperand. It seemed fitting since breasts were involved in the post title. I'll file it under: Unsolved mystery (mystery solved. The blog author explained the situation. Do not panic. Do not be concerned. ALL IS WELL good people. ) I met my sister over at her old house to help do more sorting of all things pack-ratted and left behind. I can honestly say it felt like we got little accomplished. I did, however, come home with a couple additions to my wardrobe, martini and wine glasses, and lung full of ick...

There are two things very apparent from reviewing this video: Turtlenecks are not flattering on me and I make some seriously screwed up faces. What's not to love?!? This was intended to be a perky welcome to the month that is the shortest on the calendar, celebrates love and Black History Month. The results are anything but chipper. Watch.

This video pretty much says it all. Have a wonderful day! Dance like no one is watching -- and post it on your blog!!

My family is so vast that it's really difficult to pull us all together at one time. So, the holidays are usually comprised of a few. In our family, few is a relative term, mind you. With 10 kids (spouses or significant others), grandchildren (I lost count) a solid 20 means a few. Typically though, it's those of us who live within reasonable driving distance to Grandma's casa. The attendees aren't a guaranteed bunch, but food a'plenty and merriment is certain. I was terribly concerned that the ice storm that hit us on December 18 would deter travelers. Negatory! The Illinois and Indiana dwellers made it safely to Plainfield on December 20. My (step) mom is the hostess with the mostest. It's always a relaxing, easy going time when we break bread there. Something very calming exists when I walk through her front door. I guess it's home. We all exchanged gifts -- letting the little ones have their run first. My nephew G is a toddler and he was so excited for ...

I know I've said this before, and it's likely I will discuss it again; there's more to the Internet than porn and shopping. My life has been enriched thanks to this world wide web. That's not to say I haven't met my share of stinkers. After all, I don't hide the clunker dates I've had thanks to online dating sites. I haven't done that in a while. I think I'm due, but enough about that for now. I am addicted, so to speak, to a social networking site called Plurk. I suspect it's like Twitter, but I don't use that site. I can only have one fixation at a time and Plurk is my flavor for now. I shouldn't say "for now" as if it's just a flight of fancy. I'm sticking with it as long as they'll have me. Today is Tuesday. Tuesday is all about kindness. Many of the people I have friended on Plurk write about kindness on their blogs. Sometimes it flows easily. Other times they admit it was a struggle. We're all human. Go fig...

While taking my lunch break at work on Thursday, I was reading TIME magazine. It was the December 8th issue, to be exact. There was a lot of chattering going on, but there was a particular item that caught my attention. "Person of the Year. Time asked prominent individuals, including former Persons of the Year, whom they would choose for 2008." I'm sure it comes as no surprise that President-elect Barack Obama leads the poll. Whether you agree with America's choice, his overwhelming lead in the TIME poll isn't shocking. In this issue, the following were asked their choice: Rudy Giuliani : Barack Obama Queen Rania al-Abdullah: The waiting billions (Millennium Development Goals) Cory Booker: Barack Obama Peter Ueberroth: Single mothers and grandmothers Did you catch that? Peter Ueberroth (recent U.S. Olympic Committee chairman of the board and former baseball commissioner) wants me to be TIME magazines Person of the Year. On behalf of all the fascinating, ...

My son is wonderful. He has compassion and understanding for the human condition well beyond his 14 years. As proof, I offer you this: Mancub: " Mom, I know you don't have a lot of money to give me gifts on Christmas Day, but I want you to know that I get a present from you everyday. You ."

Everyone has a theory or tale about Santa Claus. He is most often thought of as the Coca-Cola creation. It doesn't matter where you're from. You all have had your variation on the fat man in red. There's never been a question that the jolly old fella is generous and resourceful. I, on the other hand, had the honour of living with Santa Claus. Oh, I had no idea at the time. I never spied the red velvet suit. Nor did I get a tickle by the mass of snowy white beard. I never had reindeer doody duty, either. The following story was written by my father. He submitted his theory on Santa Claus to our local newspaper, The Kankakee Daily Journal. I'm unable to give you the exact date (Maureen would know.) I can recall him sitting at our family dining table lamenting over the proper way to honour his perception of Jolly Old St. Nick. His glasses perched on his nose; looking over the top of them as I tromped about disturbing his train of thought. He'd say very little, b...

So, in the post right down yonder I said that today was a day where I'd observe people being kind and compassionate out in the wild of day. Meh, I didn't get much observation time in beyond watching chemicals drip into my sister's body via I.V. I arrived at Casa Maureen around 11:00 a.m. After petting the dogs and exchanging in a little chit chat with Kris, we departed in the cold, rainy muck of the day. We made a drive-thru side trip for a bite and an eggnog shake. Sis was craving one and knew after the chemo treatment she'd be too sensitive to the cold to enjoy one (a side effect of this particular treatment is hypersensitivity to cold.) I'm unsure when we arrived at the Loyola clinic, but the ride up took about an hour --sissy chitty chat time. More sissy chatter in the waiting room. They were readying things up for the drip, drip, drip. The same male nurse I met the last time I took her came to get us. His name is Craig or Greg. I'm bad with names, but he is...

I am blessed. For several weeks my front right tire has been slowing losing air. I'll stop by the gas station and fill'er up with air and go about my business. I know neglecting such a thing isn't wise, but single mom on a very tight budget here. Still it's not an excuse for not taking care of my vehicle. In the past week or so I have had to fill the tire more frequently. I was certain it could wait until payday. Every dime I have is tied up with nagging utility bills, insurance, fuel, etc... My supposition about said tire was wrong. On Monday afternoon I went to my car, and as usual took a look at the tire. I hadn't driven it on Sunday. Sure enough, it required air. The filling station with the free air is only a couple of blocks away. With air gauge in hand, I removed the cap, turned on the air compressor and started filling ... and filling ... and filling. It was no use. I had overextended my luck. I don't know if the frigid temperature had anything to do wit...

This morning I awoke from the kookiest dream. In fact, I had three separate, totally unrelated odd dreams. I'm not sure if it's the onset of illness or the effects of doping up on Thera-Flu before bed. I had intentions of writing about those dreams and allowing you, the reader, to dissect my psyche. I might still do that, but later today or perhaps tomorrow. Instead, I am going to share with you a quote that had my eyes welling up with tears. This is yet another item shared by a friend on Plurk. Quotesnack is spearheaded by Ablereach . She is a lover of the written word and revels in sharing her love by utilizing CafePress' quotesnack section. I feel it's necessary to give her full credit for today's post. I am not well read; nor am I a voracious reader. However, such quotes always make my hunger for reading increase. I may be 43, but I'm far from completing my education in life. I will stop my rambling and simply put forth the Ralph Waldo Emerson qu...

November 24 marked the 1 Year Anniversary of WILDHAIR . I honestly didn't realize the exact date I first embarked on this blog. Prior to blogging on blogspo t, I had been writing and posting on Myspace. My hope by writing on blogspot was to gain a greater readership by broadening the spectrum. With over 12,000 hits, I suppose that wish came true. Although, the appeal of my writing hasn't caught on like wildfire. I admit I am not a writer, but I do relish putting my thoughts and perspective out there for others to peruse. While looking back at my posts for some inspiration, I read a memory that was amongst the first posted on WILDHAIR . It fits in with an earlier query about the traditions we honor each holiday season. Many of our family traditions unfortunately died when my mother passed away. It's sad, but our emotions and minds had become as scattered as the locales of my siblings. New people were brought into the fold and new traditions began. It is, by no means, a jab a...

This was sent to me by my sister's dearest friend Kris. I'm fortunate to have her as a friend and confidante, too. She never fails to send me such things on days like today. Today was a very frustrating workday. It seemed those who are expected to be informative and professional lost all comprehension and ability to serve the customer. Perhaps it was just my perspective and I'm being a bit harsh. I can only say that from my point of view, I was asked inane questions and interrupted numerous times. This, in turn, caused my own work to be delayed and I was left rushing. When I rush and can't concentrate, mistakes are made. When I am derailed, and keep in mind I'm a slave to the clock ticking away, I get irritable and unfriendly. I'm curt and dismissive. My psycho vein visible throbs on the left side of my head. It's not pretty and people eventually get the idea that it's best to seek the help of someone who isn't me. I have a job to do. One hour to do ...

I have mentioned a little social network site called PLURK fairly often. I have met some of the most interesting, diverse, whip-smart, witty, compassionate people via that site. It's proof that there is more to the Internet than porn! Some of these fabulous pleeps (as they are referred to plurk + people = pleeple) have put their amazing noggins together to come up with this fantastic contest. It's easy. I know I'm behind on the draw to get the word out, but it's not too late! Just follow the rules below. You'll discover some truly interesting blogs while getting a crack at winning prizes! WOOT! Win/Win! Now, the rules. You can enter once per participating blog per day. Entries are simple… just comment on our post for the day. If you blog and would like to post about our contest, doing so will get you 5 extra entries. There will be 2 winners. Each winner will need to give us a mini bio of your family. (Ages, genders, wants, needs, likes) and we will buy prizes accor...

This came only minutes ago via email from Kris. Thank you. I know you know how much I rely on faith. Even though that's undeniable, it helps to have reminders. I haven't a clue where this email originated. I don't know the author. what I do know is that it gave me a tap on the shoulder when I read it. Walking by Faith I'm learning a lot about myself these days, specifically that I'm one of those control freaks who needs to know what's going to happen. I want to see everything that lies ahead. I don't like the unknown. I've never enjoyed surprises and find some kind of comfort in thinking I can control things. What a load of nonsense! Even those who claim clairvoyance cannot see the future with any certainty. Sure, modern technology has made it possible to predict the movement of the stock market, the weather, future prices of oil, orange juice and hog bellies (what's up with the hog bellies, anyway?), but predictions are only educated guesses. No mat...

Hi there. I have no idea what to make of anything in my personal life. I keep praying I'll maintain patience. And when patience doesn't pay off with dividends I find palatable, I pray I'll have keen understanding and solace. I'm still back at square one with Alton. Actually, I don't even think we're on square one. If this was a board game we'd probably be sitting on the "do not pass" square while awaiting the spinner to land on "1" -- at least I'm waiting for a move that is minuscule, but will be wildly significant. We still talk. As of late, it's been my doing. I've made the call. On Saturday I chucked caution and called the cell phone that he got because of my influence. Directly to voice mail. UGH! I left a babbling message fitting for my reputation. "Marissa Randomosity" as he's coined it. The very randomosity he finds/found endearing and charming. Once I hung up, I gave myself permission to call him at work...

The fellow that was nicknamed Sum Yung Guy will be changed to Alton as it better suits him and doesn't remind readers of the skeevy joke with Sum Yung Guy in the punchline. Due to the events leading up to my sister's surgery I have been derailed about discussing my personal life as it relates to dating. I hope this blog post will be an entertaining means of catching up. Alton and I went out for the first time on August 15. We dined at a local steakery and then headed over to the 2nd Annual Bishop MacNamara High School Mac-Bash. This is a fund-raiser/welcome to the new school year party and the entire community was invited. Live music was enough of a lure for us. A good time was had while we people watched and continued to talk about anything and everything under the beer tent. Since Alton isn't from Kankakee, I acted as chauffeur. I handed him my iPod and let him choose the music for the drive over. He selected my 80s music playlist. He so scored points with that. Once the ...