Community
Much is made of community. Churches strive to create a community. Charities ask you to give back to your community. "Community Organizer" has become a political buzzword. Neighborhoods are being created with front porches and
alleys to re-create small communities. What is it that is so appealing about being a part of a community? Is it the comfort of being a part of a group of people? Is it the feeling of knowing you can make a difference? Is it the need to be needed? I'm not sure about the reasoning, but community is important. In my not-so-intellectual opinion, we need community because we were created to love and be loved. We have an innate desire for community. Regardless, I saw an incredible example of community this week at my Grandpa's funeral.
My Grandparents lived most of their 77 years in a small town in Ohio. They raised their 6 kids there, and my Grandpa was one of the only stone masons in town. Needless to say, they became part of the community. They weren't the richest people in town, and they weren't the most important members of society, but they helped people out. They became involved in people's lives. They loved their neighbors, and they loved each other. They weren't perfect, but their investment into the community didn't go unnoticed. At my Grandpa's viewing, my Dad's high school friends came to pay respects to his dad. All of their neighbors were there. Their church family was there. There were people who worked with my Grandpa 35 years ago that came. For the funeral, not only were all 6 kids and their entire families there, but every ex-husband or wife of the kids and their families came, cousins and 2nd cousins were there for support, the High School Football coach came because he knew how much my Grandpa loved his team, and the list goes on and on. That is community. The people who show up. The people who are there when things are hard. Those who come to respect a life well lived. Those who bake hams and pies when they know that food won't really help, but they do what they can.
Community is important. It is a two-way street. A life lived in community won't just come to you, you must invest in the community. I am learning these lessons (perhaps the hard way), and while community life isn't always pretty and easy, it is necessary. I'm so thankful for my Grandparents' community, for their love and support, and for their example of the necessity of being a part of an authentic, albeit imperfect at times, community.
Grandpa.
My grandpa died this morning. He has been sick with cancer for a several years, so we knew it was coming, but somehow it didn't soften the blow. What is it about death that leaves an indescribable ache in your heart? Nothing feels like death of a loved one feels. There are lots of painful things in this world, yet death is a whole separate kind of pain. All of the human knowledge and forethought in the world can't take away the sting. I know that he has been dying for years. I know that he was suffering. I know that he was a believer and is now in heaven, free from pain. I know all of these things, and while those facts add up to significant cause for gladness on his part, any relief I should have is covered up by sadness. Sad that I won't see him again in this life. Sad that my grandma is alone. Sad about the unknown thing that is death. Sad for my Dad and Aunts and Uncles. Sad to go to one of my favorite places on earth and see his chair empty. Just plain stinging-in-my-heart sad. I know its selfish, but isn't that what grieving is all about?
Where Everybody Knows Your Name
Home. Aaahhh. So warm and cozy. So welcoming and peaceful. I will sound like an awful daughter when I say this, but it's been 10 months since I've been home! I've seen my parents a lot within those months, but just not at home. It was fun pulling into Humble again, sad to see the remnants of damage from Ike, and great to pull into the driveway. I saw sweet faces of friends from church on Sunday, and had a fun dinner with a high school friend. My mom and I have done lots (too much) shopping already, and we still have a few days left to do some damage. My dad and I are going on a bike ride tomorrow. All of these things are so much fun, and such a nice respite from everyday life. Don't get me wrong, I love my life, love OKC, love my husband, love my daily responsibilities, but there's something so comforting about being at home, being a daughter, and having no responsibility other than to hang out with my parents! Why do we take that for granted when we're young?
Since I'm waxing poetic about home, I'll throw one more sentimental tidbit. It's so fun to come home to the home I was raised in since 4th grade. I love all the memories in this home, this street, and this neighborhood, and I love coming home to different surroundings, explosive growth, but the same house that I went to elementary, middle, and high school in. Went to prom and slept in the night before my wedding. Watched Jurassic Park 10 trillion times with my brother in. Good memories of good times.
OK, I'm finished with the sentimentality of home, and I'm just glad to be on a mini vacation :) Happy Monday everyone!
Self Discovery Through Rock Band 2
I really don't play any console games, with the exception of Mario and Wii Bowling (Morgan, Jessica and I ALL have the sparkly "professional" bowling balls. We're legit.) However, I'm slightly obsessed with Rock Band 2. I never knew how much fun it is! Well, let me rephrase. It's not necessarily the game that I like, it's the SINGING part of the game that I like! It's soooo much fun to get a mic and sing a bunch of rock songs! And, just let me tell you, I'm good at it!
My obsession began one night when Justin and I were bored, so we went to his office to play darts. They have a gameroom with darts, shuffleboard, foosball, and a PS3. When I saw all of the Rock Band instruments, I had to play. I saw the microphone laying on the console, and it called to me. "Erin, you know you want to sing Bon Jovi songs!" I gave it a whirl, and it was so fun! Who knew that I would enjoy it? I love listening to music and singing along (loudly and obnoxiously sometimes...ask my mom about "I Will Always Love You") but the microphone added a whole new fun aspect to it. I would *never* want to perform in front of an actual audience, but it's so much fun to pretend to preform, belt your lungs out, and get scored on it. I tried the drums and the guitar, but nothing beats singing. Allow me to brag for a moment. I scored a 96% on HARD level on an Alanis Morriset song. I was pretty pumped. Get a 96% on a research paper = decent. Get a 96% on Rock Band vocals = Horray! Go figure.
My obsession doesn't stop there. I was at Target tonight, and Justin had to stop by the electronics section. He's like a moth to the flame; I can't put up a fight. BUT, this time, I saw a game that I want! Yes, I said that. Here it is:
Seriously, does that look like the MOST FUN GAME EVER or what?! Duets, song & dance, etc. And look, Mom, "I Will Always Love You" AND "Uptown Girl" are two of the songs! I'm sure that I'm completely lame that I want a video game for Christmas. It'll be my first video game request EVER, but I'm crossing my fingers that Santa will deliver it to my house this year :)
Red/Blue/Donkey/Elephant...no thanks
It's here! Election day! I am beyond thankful that the day has come for several reasons. I'm ready for the decision to be made already. I'm ready to move forward with whomever is elected. I'm ready for the negativity and name calling to finish (to some degree), and I'm ready for a small level of certainty. Hopeful, I know, but it's what I want.
I'm really happy that more people are taking their civil duties seriously and voting this year; news sources are projecting that voting could be at a record high today. Kudos to us. However,
It seems like we all recognize several fundamental problems with the electoral process. The extreme partisanship, the catering of certain parties to certain race/age/sex/socioeconomic classes, the grandstanding, the mudslinging, the tip-toeing around issues that are huge, yet that nobody wants to talk about. I'm not naive enough to think most of this will ever change, but I'm hopeful enough to think that we are fundamentally good, that our country is based on solid principles, and that everyone wants to do what they think is right. Whether those convictions lean to the left or the right is not my issue. My issue is the increasing blind allegience to a particular political party.
Political parties are necessary, I understand that. They give a general insight into what a person believes in. However, the importance of political parties has gotten way out of control. I understand that politics are a very personal decision, and many of us have deep convictions that determine our stand on certain issues. I have strong opinions on fiscal policy, social programs, and how much control our government should have over our everyday lives. However, I refuse to be politically categorized anymore. I'm changing my voter registration to Independent. I think that if more people registered independent, it would heal political wounds, and it would cause politicians to be more upfront and honest. A strong 3rd party (or, more like a lack of support for the 2 existing parties) would change the way politics are done. Here's my logic:
1. I don't want any politician to think that they automatically have my vote because we happen to belong to the same party. I want whomever I vote for to earn my vote, not to assume I'm in their pocket. We always hear pundits wonder, "who's going to get the independents?" I want to be one of those swing voters. Registering independent gives the voter more power.
2. I don't want to live in a state that is assumed to be a lost cause for any one candidate/party. If more people registered independent, it would alter the current "battleground state" model. I hate it that because I live in Oklahoma, my vote virtually doesn't matter. Nobody cares what we vote for, because we're a Republican state. End of discussion. If more of us were independent, we would keep pundits on their toes, and the wouldn't automatically assume things about us that may or may not be true.
3. The truth of the matter is that I'm disappointed in both parties. The party I'm currently associated with and the other party. They both do stupid things in the name of partisan politics. Partisan politics has led to insane amounts of Pork-Barrel spending, needless spending, political spin galore, and I'm just done with it. I can honestly say that I don't fully support either party. My beliefs align with a particular party, but that doesn't mean that I support the leaders of that party or their actions. My new independent status won't change the way I vote, but I don't feel comfortable anymore being labeled with either one of those tarnished brands.
So there we have it, folks. I'm not one of those raging, crazy people that hate everything about everything involving politics. On the contrary, I'm really hopeful about the future, and think that the lessons we learn can be applied to make us better people. I hope you all consider registering independent, and perhaps Wolf Blitzer (what kind of name is that, btw? honestly!) and George Stephanopoulos (yes, I googled it to get the spelling) will have a different story to tell in 4 years.
Ah...the power of the therapeutic blog post.
A Letter of Concern.
Dear Left Sternocleidomastoid Muscle,
Hi. It's me, your body. Or at least the brain and fingers of your body. I feel compelled to write concerning your recent behavior. I know that you're obviously upset at the way I'm sleeping, but you are really making things difficult for the rest of the body in which you reside. Is it really necessary to tense up the way you do? Must you cause our head to hurt? Not only that, but your recent negative behavior is beginning to rub off on your neighbors. Mr. Digastric Muscle isn't too happy with the stress you are causing, and that is the last thing the rest of the body needs. Also, you're causing me to favor your twin, Right Sternocleidomastiod Muscle. Let's just say that he's not your biggest fan right now. Multiple insubordinate muscles? No thank you.
Is there any way I can convince you to respond a little quicker to Physical Therapy? I can't promise you that I will change the way I sleep, but I promise to be much nicer to you in the future if you can grant me this small favor. I'd love to promise you frequent massages (good feeling ones...at a spa!), but that is something I'll have to take outside of our body and confer with my husband on. I'll get back to you. Perhaps your acting up will help me out in that regard. For that, I am thankful. However, until then, please refrain from further aggrivation.
Warm Regards,
The rest of Erin
Werewolf Bar Mitzvah
Spooky Scary! We had a fun Halloween last night. Our church had a Trunk or Treat event, where people come and decorate their trunks and pass out candy. I wish they did this when I was a kid! Maybe they did, and I just didn't know about it, but it's a pretty cool idea. Laziness factor is high; trick-or-treaters get a lot more candy per square foot than going door to door. Friendliness factor is high; no creepy people answering the door or rude/stingy candy givers. Fun factor was sky high; I think the trunk decorators had more fun than the trick or treaters! We were asked to decorate with a theme, and there would be prizes for the top 3 trunks. Our idea was "The Cave of Doom", and we created a cave out of the trunk of our Hummer. We had a sign that said "Beware of Monster", and the monster was Buckley. He was crazy scary...just kidding. I looked everywhere for an outfit for him, but dog costumes for 100lb dogs just don't exist. On a sidenote, anyone who wants to create a Big & Tall store for dogs, let us know, and we'll be investors! :)We had scary spiders, yucky moss, and broken chains to add to the spook factor. We were planning on having dry ice for the smoke, but we forgot. In hindsight, the smoke might have put us over the edge, but we'll never know. Sadly, we didn't win, but we've already got ideas for next year! We had a lot of fun, saw lots of sweet little kids, and got to celebrate our silly little holiday with friends. Hope everyone had a fun Halloween!
Our pumpkins! I did the goofy face, Jessica did the howling wolf. Why do continue to craft/do artistic things with her? I've come to accept that she is miles ahead of me...and now I take advantage of her and have her carve my pumpkins :) haha
The cave of doom while it's still daytime...not quite as spooky
Jessica's bug of bugs...get it? The giant spider on the top was attached to a rope, and as the kids were reaching in through the spider web, it would drop down...very funny to see (or hear) kids scream all night! We're not sure what the teapot had to do with the theme, but she looked cute :)
Getting darker...see our cool pumpkin in there? You can also see the cave effect. Fun times.
As for the blog title, Justin and I were singing the song "Werewolf Bar Mitzvah" all day on Halloween. It's a spoof song from 30 Rock. If you don't watch that show, you really should. It's the best show on right now (with the exception of Mad Men). Watch it next Thursday! In the meantime, here's an incomplete version of our funny song. Long live Tracy Jordan!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bG65axXE-HY
