Blogophilia 42.15: Jack of All Trades

Blogophilia group on Facebook HERE

Blog topic parameters Right Here

Hard Bonus: Incorporate power, corruption and lies in your blog
Easy Bonus: Include a lyric or song title by Gloria Gaynor

Big Fish, Little Fish

Life… it would be nice if we could keep the rose colored sun glasses on, but the reality is, it’s all about the gray scale… I remember learning about the American government system, and being that I came from a different country, it seemed so interesting and all inclusive… Very romanticized and while on paper, it’s all good, but it’s not… At least we have our 1st Amendment rights to free speech, assembly & petitioning our government, which I partake in regularly. I got pretty good at that in college, especially, and was encouraged by my Jr. High & High School teachers. Both Speech/Public Speaking teachers went out of their way to let me know that I had a positive presence, even though I didn’t like that kind of captive audience back then, it made me nervous. My American Government teacher mentioned that I’d be good at conferences & such. *shrug* I grew into it, eventually.

As life went on, I remember when the slogan “think outside the box” was popular, I thought these people were nuts, because I was never INside the box to begin with, yet never got any leverage… I was being advised to “diversify your portfolio” – another confusion, I technically didn’t have one, but eventually figured it doesn’t have to be a literal one, just learn a variety of skills to be a Jack of All Trades. I didn’t have much opportunity to do a lot, but, yes, it’s possible… even if the odds are stacked against you, and obstacles get put in your way…

Whether it’s in our government, big business, certain aspects of society in general, there’s always a certain (and obvious) level of power, corruption & lies – the American dream isn’t achievable for everyone. There will always be poor people, and many of us just have to be content with being able to coast. After seeing how Obama was raked over his Hawaiian birth certificate, I’ll probably never have a chance (even if I all of a sudden got money) to be able to have a real chance at being the President of the USA, even though I’m a natural born citizen (just born abroad). But, I’m not sure I’d want that job, anyway…

So, as a multicultural person, I got my BA in International Relations, that never took off, so my chances of eventually being a Diplomat is probably not going to happen either, but that’s ok. Because I’d refused to give up music, I still have that skill, and still play in 2 groups, with the potential to get side gigs on occasion. I also learned how to sew, after my husband got me a sewing machine, where I can do hems (pants, curtains, etc), make blankets, table runners, drumming bags, diaper bags, etc. It’s small cash, but hey, it’s a diversification.

In the words of Gloria Gaynor in (If You Want it) Do It Yourself in her “Experience” album in 1974, I think her words of wisdom that she learned from her dad ring loud & clear for me:

Waitin’ around for someone who can help you
Oh, someone who can help you find your way
Then if you think there’s no one you can turn to
Well, there’s someone just a lookin’ glass away

Hang in there, everyone! I’m rooting for you all.

Blogophilia 41.15: The First Morning Cup

Blogophilia Facebook group HERE

Blog topic parameters Over Here

Hard Bonus: Incorporate a lyric by Van Morrison

Easy Bonus: Mention wizard potions

I’m no princess, I drink bug juice!

The First Morning Cup technically is my citrus fruit. I need my orange or grapefruit first thing in the morning… I don’t care what anyone says about glycemic index, net carbs, whatever… This is non-negotiable, I’ve been doing citrus daily since I was big enough to eat them, and I don’t remember that far back. Then I move to whatever I have for breakfast, then after that is my dark & muddy coffee.

I’ve cut back on a lot of coffee, though I do enjoy my warm & cold beverages. I’ll switch to tea, drink lots of water, etc. while I try to eat healthy, too. It’s just so much going on with everything, it’s hard to know what’s what. Brown rice has a higher arsenic content, white rice has less fiber but still a whole grain. Both have equal carb counts, so, I’ll stick to white (less arsenic) and load the veggies up high with my stir fry. Butter is fattening, but margarine has so many emulsifiers that it’s not even food, same for fake sugar, which can cause gut problems. So, I just scale back on the real things, use honey sometimes. Cooking with raw honey takes away from the antibacterial & healthy nature of it… I’d like a Wizard’s Potion to make my favorite stuff be less bad for us.

Like Van Morrison says, “You Gotta Make It Through The World” (1977 album entitled Period of Transition):

Well let them take you for a clown
And they’re bound to bring you down
You got to make it through the world if you can
Think they’re doing you wrong
But you got here on your own
You got to make it through the world if you can
I said if you can, if you can
You got to make it through the world if you can
I said if you can (oooh), if you can (lord)
You got to make it through the world if you can

Many have taken me for a clown, and even if I feel like I’m barely doing it, I am, so… I guess I can make it through the world, even if I’m not globe trotting it, it’s time when it’s time… Jam that sax… One day, we’ll meet our blogger angels, and while that would be nice, I’m not going there one day earlier than when it’s my time. I have more to write, more music to play, more memories to create with my husband & son (and hopefully with more people).

p.s. I actually have the introduction, 1st & 2nd chapters done in my other story done. When I get a few more done, since it takes me more than a week to get them in, I’ll drop a link at a time when I’m ready. After I’m done with that one, I’m hoping to do my creative stories… I’m just trying to figure out which I should do first, and so I’m starting with the hardest one to write.

My other ones include 1) the funnier side of life, based loosely on adventures where the fictitious characters where the main character is mostly me, and the other ones will be regular ones but will represent different people throughout the story. 2) based on dreams, it’ll be disconnected, sort of, light Sci-fi feel, maybe I’m warped, but should be interesting for people who like stuff like that. 3) also on recurring dreams where I could fly by swimming in the air, and not sure if this will be a bunch of short stories or if it’ll even lift off much, not sure yet. Stay tuned.

Blogophilia 40.15: Resurrection

Blogophila group on Facebook HERE

Blog topic parameters Right Here

How it works – OVER HERE

Hard Bonus: Include a song title by Canned Heat

Easy Bonus: Incorporate an angel

The Door Has Opened!

Sometimes, I wish my health could have a Resurrection. I’m not a Christian, but, many have mentioned that I “do the Lord’s work”. I’m not sure if I actually get that, but maybe I don’t need to, I’ll just keep being me…

When I used to work at a group home for developmentally disabled adults and those with brain injuries, one of the residents decided to call me AngeLika. It was cool, since she was Latina, and decided to give me a twist on a Spanish name. I’m not sure if I’m angel-like, I can get pretty ornery…

The elections are coming… There is an important judicial one coming up in April 2. I feel like people are more polarized then ever, and it’s frustrating. When I used to be active in the process, it seemed as if we voted for candidates, now it feels like we’re voting for parties, and I don’t like it… Maybe we the people need a Star Trek inspired Insurrection, because just like in the words of Canned Heat in Down In The Gutter, But Free (from the 1969 “Alleluia” album)

Come on, everybody
Just lay back, chillen, and you too
I mean you too arise
You too can be free

Blogophilia 39.15 – Decisions, Decisions!

Facebook group Right Here

Blog topic parameters HERE

Hard Bonus: Include a lyric from Newfound Glory

Easy Bonus: Use the word “bumfuzzle”

Where’s my fried chicken with the pizza?

Ah, yes, life is all about Decisions, Decisions! Often, I’m in a state of bumfuzzle because what seems like a good idea at the time either is totally not, or just doesn’t go anywhere, and the decisions that make sense don’t work for me… I guess I just go against the grain, idk… but here is New Found Glory, “The Way You Deserve” from the 2020 Forever & Ever x Infinity album

I don’t know your inner dynamic
But you’re living the proof something’s just not right
As you shout from the stand and defend your case
We’ve got hammers in hand, breaking you free from your cage

Blogophilia 38.15: Sheer Luck

Blogophilia Facebook group HERE

Blog topic parameters Right Here

Hard Bonus: Incorporate a song title by Dean Martin

Easy Bonus: Reference faeries

Crash Landing

This weather is crazy… We had temps in the 60s in February, it was 70 a couple of days ago, and today, it’s in the 30s and there’s flurries… Being that I’m pretty wimpy in cold weather, no, I don’t want to Let It Snow! The winter holidays are over… I’d rather have “Gold dust at my feet on the sunny side of the street“

Life is nuts too. Faeries may be mythical creatures, but I really do have a Faerie God Mother. When I graduated from college & landed my 1st real job afterward (I was offered a paid position at a place I was volunteering), and needed a car because it was going to be graveyard shift, she let me have her old car for a really good price. Several years later, when my son was a toddler (not even 2 yet), he’d climb out of his crib but couldn’t get back in, she magically appears with a toddler bed… A few years later, when we were down to 1 vehicle & his dad was using the van for work purposes, she gave me the one she was going to trade in… But, since she always went through the credit union’s certified used car sales for the great interest rates & they were only going to give her $500, which would only lower the payments by less than a dollar a month, she decided she’d rather give it to someone who needed one than to do it that way, so I lucked out. Several years after that, we had an atrocious summer where 95 degrees was the “cool” day, our little window A/C took a dump… we were going to try to tough it out, but the heat wasn’t going to let up… Just as we were going to talk about getting help getting another one, she magically calls up & offers us one, because she’d gotten her central air fixed & didn’t want the window one sitting around taking up space. The winter right after that, she had one of those tiny electric snow shovels that she wasn’t interested in using (we only had hand shovels), and while it’s a pain to mess with the cord, we got this massive snow storm where everyone was locked in for 3-5 days, and it was nice to at least have that. Mind, there’s a bunch of other stories I could tell, but just know that time spent with her is a treasure, and there was no such thing as a short visit. I hope that I’ll be able to see her again, she’s not in town anymore. It just feels like time is never on our side, and because we don’t choose our families, it’s Sheer Luck that she is my aunt, who truly is my fairy godmother.

Happy St. Patty’s Day! May the luck of the Irish smile upon you with bright green gems & no, we will NOT be eating corned beef at my house (too salty & not my favorite).

Community Forum: Why Your Vote Matters

Dear Community Leaders,

Unity Racine and several sponsors are organizing two community forums on Saturday March 23, 2024. The first forum is from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm at the Burlington Public Library. The second forum is from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm at the Cesar Chavez Community Center in Racine. The intent of these forums is to engage community members in discussions about topics relevant to them and get people excited about voting.

The forums will feature several speakers. Each speaker will talk on one of the pillars championed by Building Unity WI (Peace, Democracy, Sustainability and Justice). The attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions and engage with the panel of speakers. Many organizations will be invited to table with information related to their work in the community and opportunities that they provide to assist in various aspects of voting.  This event is free and open to the public.

Event Details for March 23:

2:00-3:30 PM Burlington Public Library                          4:00-6:00 PM Cesar Chavez Center

166 E. Jefferson Street, Burlington                                    2221 Douglas Avenue, Racine

The forums in Racine and Burlington are two of many gatherings that Building Unity WI is planning during its tour of the 33 Senate districts. The goal of the tour is to build relationships, provide educational opportunities, and impress upon people the importance of voting. The Vote Mobile, owned by Building Unity, is like a traveling billboard. It will be visiting southeast Wisconsin during the latter part of March.

Building Unity WI is a project of several groups that share a common goal of creating a peaceful, just and sustainable future. The 4 pillars that the project supports are Peace, Justice, Sustainability, and Democracy. Building Unity works with many partners such as the Wisconsin Grassroots Network, the State conference and local branches of the NAACP, MOSES, Esther and other Wisdom affiliates, EXPO, the Racine Coalition for Peace and Justice, Unity Racine. Building Unity WI is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates.

We hope that you will join us. Please feel free to contact us for any further information. Thanks in advance for your consideration. Flyers for the two events are attached.

Partnering organization for the Racine and Burlington events are: 

Best Regards,

Racine Interfaith Coalition

RIC:  People of All Faiths Working Together

2302A DeKoven Avenue

Number:262-635-9532

Email: ricracine1993@gmail.com

Blogophilia 37.15: Head Games

Blogophilia Facebook group HERE

Blog topic parameters Right Here

Hard Bonus: Quote Tupac Shakur

Easy Bonus: Include a scorpion

Demons of my past haunt me in the future

I’m so done with Head Games that I’m blunt, straightforward & honest about everything. The best I can do is try to know when to just keep my mouth shut, but I often just blurt because I was born with only half of my filters, and the ones I have are breaking down. People often think I’m being rude, but seriously… if you can’t handle my forwardness, just back off. My patience level for these stupid games are at 0. I’ll be putting more chapters into my DeviantArt chapters, but just have to find time to get there, since things seem to pop up out of nowhere.

It seems like every time you come up something happens to bring you back down. Tupac Shakur

A scorpion is a predatory arachnid. Sometimes they try to pretend to be common house spiders. Don’t believe them. My story won’t be for everyone, I’ll mark certain chapters as Trigger Warnings. When I’m ready, I’ll share, and no, it won’t bother me if you’re not interested in reading that…