Twilight

Yes, I've read the books (at least 1-2)... and no, I haven't seen the movie yet... SO NO SPOILERS PLEASE! I did just stumble on this hysterical review of the movie, and a "rejected" screenplay for the movie. I'm not posting this because I didn't like the books - quite the contrary, I did like the books. I just couldn't stop laughing reading this and realizing how accurate it was. :-)

http://www.ericdsnider.com/snide/my-rejected-twilight-screenplay/

Enjoy!

Measured Voices Provide Reason

I got this from my friend Annette.. and felt it was more than worthy enough to repeat.

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Anti-Defamation League Condemns Criminal Activity Targeting Religious Institutions That Supported Proposition 8

"Although we strongly opposed Proposition 8, its passage does not justify the defacement and destruction of property. We urge Californians to channel their frustration and disappointment in productive and responsible ways to work towards full equality for all Americans. To place anyone in fear of threat to their houses of worship or their personal security because they have expressed deeply held religious views is contrary to everything this nation represents. Our Constitution's First Amendment protects freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of religion for all of us."


Dallas Morning News Editorial: Protest and Civility in a Democracy

“But a vicious minority is not satisfied with that. Some gay rights protesters have voiced sentiments about Mormons, whose church was active in advocating Prop 8's passage, that if said about gays would be condemned as hate speech. Vandals have struck a number of Mormon temples. Bash Back, a pro-gay group in Olympia, Wash., trashed a Mormon temple there, then issued a statement saying, ‘Let this be a warning to the Mormon church: Dissolve completely or be destroyed.’

“Gay rights extremists should ask themselves the same question. A cause, no matter how just, can only be harmed by thuggish tactics. Our pluralist democracy depends on a citizenry committed to working out differences with civility.”


Michael Barber, Professor of Theology, Scripture & Christian Thought at John Paul the Great Catholic University

“… we found it appalling that in the final days of the campaign, opponents of Proposition 8 ran an ad in which Mormon missionaries were presented as barging into a same-sex couple’s home, gleefully rummaging through their personal possessions and violating their rights. The ad attempted to ridicule people of the Mormon faith, even implying that it was wrong that they contributed money to the election. As a Catholic school, we stand beside our friends in the Mormon Church and of people of faith who work tirelessly to preserve the freedom of religion in America. We also strongly oppose any attempt to ridicule another person’s faith, even faiths with which we have strong historical and theological disagreements.”

The First Amendment Center — Charles Haynes: When the Marriage Debate Turns Ugly, No One Wins

“Mormons are taking the biggest hit from the opposition. But as protests, boycotts and blacklists targeting Mormons proliferate, it’s worth pausing to think about where this collision is headed. … Before this clash escalates further, both sides should exercise caution and reconsider their battle plans going forward.”

The Christian Post — Chuck Colson: So Much for Tolerance

“Two days after the election, 2,000 homosexual protesters surrounded a Mormon temple in Los Angeles chanting ‘Mormon scum.’ Protesters picketed Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church, holding signs reading ‘Purpose-Driven Hate.’ Calvary Chapel in Chino Hills was spray painted. Church members’ cars have been vandalized, and at least two Christians were assaulted. Protesters even hurled racial epithets at African-Americans because African-Americans voted overwhelmingly in favor of traditional marriage. What hypocrisy from those who spend all of their time preaching tolerance to the rest of us!”


Beliefnet.com — Rod Dreher: Stand By the Mormons

“Now is the time for traditional Christians — Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox — to come to the aid of our Mormon friends. They put themselves on the front line of the traditional marriage battle like no other church group. And now individual Mormons are paying a terrible price for standing up for something we all believe in. I don't know how we can stand with them from afar, but at least we can thank them, and speak out when we see them being abused. We might also think again about how we view them. … I have deep disagreements with Mormon theology. But they are our friends and allies and fellow citizens, and they deserve our thanks and support.”


John Mark Reynolds, Philosophy Professor at Biola University – California and Thank-a-Mormon Day

“In the battle for the family, however, traditional Christians have no better friends than the Mormon faithful. It would be wrong if that support were taken for granted. We are intolerant of the false attacks on Mormon faith and family. We stand with our Mormon friends in their right to express their views on the public square. We celebrate the areas, such as family values, where we agree. A heart felt thank you may not win points from other friends who demand one hundred percent agreement from their allies, but it is the decent and proper thing to do. Thank you to our Mormon friends and allies!”


The Volokh Conspiracy — Dale Carpenter: An Alternative to Anti-Mormon Protests

“Here's my advice to righteously furious gay-marriage supporters: Stop the focus on the Mormon Church. Stop it now. We just lost a ballot fight in which we were falsely but effectively portrayed as attacking religion. So now some of us attack a religion? People were warned that churches would lose their tax-exempt status, which was untrue. So now we have (frivolous) calls for the Mormon Church to lose its tax-exempt status? It's rather selective indignation, anyway, since lots of demographic groups gave us Prop 8 in different ways — some with money and others with votes. I understand the frustration, but this particular expression of it is wrong and counter-productive.”

Lesson from Harry Potter

Many of you have heard about the frustrations that I have been dealing with. Some of you have not. There is very little I can do to "fix" any of the issues, and am simply trying to tread water until my situation changes itself. 

On Friday night I sat down to watch a movie. I put in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix... and went about my evening (homework). Now, mind you.. I've seen this movie close to a dozen times... but this time, something was different. Have you ever watched a movie, listened to a song, or read a scripture... and found a whole "new" piece that you SWEAR wasn't there before. Well, that happened to me again; for another time, check out this entry. 

Lately, I've been feeling that the Adversary has been working extra hard on me.. and in ways that I'm very unfamiliar with. We all have our trials, but wow... I never thought I'd have this one to deal with. His latest method primarily focuses on making me feel lonely, and unsupported... thereby breaking me down emotionally. For those of you that know me... I'm a pretty socially connected person... and this one is killing me. 

This time's "AHA" came in a conversation between Harry Potter and Luna Lovegood while she was feeding the Thestrals. Harry was feeling that no one understood him, or believed in him.. and that he was feeling very lonely. 

Luna: We believe you, by the way. That He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is back, and you fought him, and the Ministry and the Prophet are conspiring against you and Dumbledore.

Harry: Thanks. Seems you're about the only ones that do.

Luna: I don't think that's true. But I suppose that's how he wants you to feel.

Harry: What do you mean?

Luna: Well if I were You-Know-Who, I'd want you to feel cut off from everyone else. Because if it's just you alone you're not as much of a threat. 

Things I've done

Got this from Mother of Three and thought I'd see how many things I've acutally done.... 

To participate, just copy and paste in your own blog, and bold all of the things you have done.

Happy discoveries!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Seen Mount Rushmore in person
101. Learned to play an instrument

Wow... Not too shabby. Not to mention... great memories!!!

Couldn't have said it better myself...

I found this on a blog I frequent: Pikes Pickles

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I am giving a shout out to this amazing blog .

Click here

The pictures are downright amazing and speak volumes.

The words are eloquent and need to get out.
_______________________________________

I think if you read my blog -

You would know, I am not a person filled with hatred.

If I saw you and you were hungry - I would feed you.

If a saw you and you were naked - good grief , I would give you some clothes.

If you were begging on the street corner - I would scrounge around in my car to find something to give you.

If you asked if you could share your homosexual lifestyle with my children -

I would say no.

I wouldn't hate you.

I would then go to whatever lengths it took to be sure that you weren't able to teach my children about such things.

And if I saw you later on the street I would ask about your life, your partner, your family.

Again - I wouldn't hate you.

Not one bit.

I have had many friends who have been homosexual and I truly love and respect them.

I DO NOT hate them.

Curious...

I'm wondering who visits here.... 

If you are reading this, you visit here. Don't I have a knack for stating the obvious!?!?!

K... so, if you're visiting here... for the first time, second time, or are a repeat offender, leave a quick comment so I get an idea of who comes here. 

Oh yeah... and you can "follow" my blog.... over there ----->

Let the good times roll.....

I've Been Tagged!!!

I have to say... I was very excited when I was tagged by LindyLeigh. I've never officially been tagged before, although I've un-officially tagged myself in the past. So... with no further adieu....

MEME...tagged by LindyLeigh

1.  Where is your cell phone? Never out of my site... I'm addicted to my "crack"berry
2. Where is your significant other? Hopefully out there somewhere... looking for me too.
3. Your hair color? Dirty Blonde (sad that I had to think about that for a minute)
4. Your mother? deceased... and missed everyday!
5. Your father? in Antioch... probably sleeping
6. Your favorite thing? friends and family
7. Your dream last night? Wow... that was a while ago. Probably had to do with homework.
8. Your dream/goal? My own classroom, marriage, children, home, car (not necessarily in that order). 
9. The room you're in? Living Room
10. Your hobby? Reading, watching movies, and finding people online :-)
11. Your fear? loneliness, abandonment, rejection and failure
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? In a home... sleeping.. with my eternal mate.
13. Where were you last night? WinCo
14. What you're not? Selfish
15. One of your wish-list items? Masters degree.. and teaching credentials! (their combined)!
16. Where you grew up?  California
17. The last thing you did? Homework and watching Desperate Housewives (yes, multitasking!)
18. What are you wearing? PJ's
19. Your TV? On... always!!!
20. Your pet? probably on my bed... keeping it warm for me... meowing for me to come to bed.
21. Your computer? is a Mac... and it's running out of memory :-(
22. Your mood? tired
23. Missing someone? too many to count
24. Your car? Nope
25. Something you're not wearing? shoes
26. Favorite store? Kohls
27. Your summer? went by too fast
28. Love someone? yes, lots
29. Your favorite color? green and lavender
30. When is the last time you laughed? Today... thanks Erin!
31. Last time you cried? friday night

I tag-anyone who reads this.... not quite sure who all that is.... so I'm excited to find out!