Mamma Mia! and the Theoretical Prince

Went to see the movie Mamma Mia! this evening. Wasn't a huge fan of the song subtitling (felt a bit like karaoke without the drunk slurring singers), but the movie itself was fabulous fun! Watch out, boys, this one has got some great levity, but is definitely more toward the chick flick genre. Loved the storyline ... points of lump-in-your-throat heartstring tugging, points of pretty dang funny, points of surprise ... really fun flick. There is a reason for my rambling that's more involved than movie criticing .... Being a single parent, I can relate to Meryl Streep's character. Total protection toward your child and every step in life they make .. Total focus on making life work no matter what else is happening .. Making excuses and in total denial that you need anyone else to survive ... It isn't always easy being a single mom, even though it's completely worth it. It does get awfully lonely though. The first priorities are the kids and the job and anything to do with them. Like most parents, I'm wary of bringing anyone around my kids until I know them well. Since I rarely have more than a couple hours here and there to myself, and half the time it's on last minute notice .... It would be fabulous to think that when all is said and done I'll have helped my kids truly find themselves and the love of my life will come back to me and all will live happily ever after - Fabulous but not realistic. I still keep hoping though ... maybe someday ....

Republican Dilemma(s)

So I'm listening to NPR on the way to work this morning, and the buzz is apparently about McCain's VP choice (who's name is escaping me ... apologies!) .... well, her daughter!! The whole teenage pregnancy thing. How she's going to get married to her boyfriend and keep the baby ... all that jazz. Here's my question(s) ..... A: What on earth does that have to do with how this woman would assist in running the country?! B: If the Republicans are all about spouting "family values" and "pro-life", then doesn't this just reiterate what they've been saying?! C: Why in the he** is it necessary to pick apart someone's family in order to elect them into office when their family has zero to do with the governing process? Don't most of us attempt to keep our home and work lives seperate?? D: What on earth does this have to do with how this woman would assist in running the country?!!??! (just in case you missed it the first time) Seriously, the press is, as usual, focusing on the non-issue! I do realize that many people feel that those in a position of power should be held to a "higher standard", but they are still human. Furthermore, this chick is 17 Years Old! She is going to do and conduct her life in whatever way her little heart and head direct her, in spite of what her parents say or what someone in their 30's or 40's would know from life experience to be the better choice. The fact of the matter is, she and her boyfriend are acting in an adult manner and taking responsibility for their actions. Enough Said. Can't we find something to cover that would actually MATTER for my vote to be based on???????

Introductions, World Political Thoughts, Etc.

So ... Hello from the new resident southern-born, blonde, random-thinking chick on the block (or blog .. as this particular case may be). FYI - I tend to have lots of questions which cause me to think in circles. Yes, I'm kind of opinionated ... I'm a female so that's pretty standard! This blog is simply my thoughts, my musings, my questioning of both myself, society and the world in general. No more, no less. Take it how you want. Enough with the intro ... So this past weekend I witnessed a seriously fascinating discussion occur. A neighbor who is an orthodox jew ended up at a neighborhood party in conversation with the nephew of another neighbor who is a religious islamic. Turns out that the general distrust and at least mild dislike that is apparent in the middle east between the two religions happens in this part of the world also. I guess I just don't get it. At least 1/4 of the world's major religions all stem from the same source / world area / prophet base / thought process / Whatever. That being said, does it not stand to reason that the similarities would be a positive? Obviously there are differences ... overall beliefs, ways of eating, honoring, etc. ... but as the similarities are at the base core of each, then would it not be more effective and positive to focus on those? Is it mainly the differences that scare people in general? IS THE WORLD POPULATION SO INSECURE WITH ITS OWN BEING THAT IT HAS TO LASH OUT AT ANYTHING THAT IS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT OR THAT IT DOESN'T UNDERSTAND? If you think about it, that applies to almost everything. And seeing as the current focus on the differences has lead to everything from war to political issues to crime, would it not stand to reason that focusing on the similarities, the positives would be more effective?? I am definitely not attempting to be a Pollyanna here, but if everyone stopped and took a moment to think of one thing that they did not understand, that caused a feeling of "out of the comfort zone" when encountered, and then pondered that one thing long enough to find even 1 similarity between their own life/being and the aforementioned thing .... Not saying it's a fix, but it could be a major step in a better direction.