Many people would consider birth to be the opposite of death. I disagree. The opposite of death is life. Living.
My cousin Aaron fought cancer for the past two and a half years. His situation was always grave but a few months ago during a late night talk he told me that he learned that his life didn't stop just because this disease made everything seem so uncertain. He was not dying of cancer, he was living in spite of it. He said this with a grin on his face because as he was pointing out, he wasn't waiting for cancer to win. Perhaps living with cancer made him more brave when you consider what he accomplished in the time he had.
Along with that, the most important part of his "adventure" at least from my perspective is that Aaron, though dramatically changed physically, never became different from the goofy, red-head kid he always was. Sure he was forced with some pretty harsh realities, but that didn't stop him from picking on this older cousin when she came through the door or goofing around with all the rest of the unruly gang at get togethers.
Tomorrow is his funeral. I am sad to say goodbye to him but I will appreciate that he lived a pretty full life for the 19 years I knew him. In letting him go perhaps I will find courage to open my eyes a little wider, put on an brave face and live. The time we are given is a gift.
I'll miss you, Aaron.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Rain Out
Since I can't brag about the Tigers awesome win over St. Louis last night because Mother Nature had other plans, I will tell you a story of something that happened to me the other night that relates to baseball.
I was out grabbing a drink with this guy and the game was on the television. Inevitably we got talking about what team we are rooting for and of course he is a St. Louis fan while I am a Tigers girl. At first I thought he was trying to kid me because I knew he grew up in Detroit. He remembers going to the '84 World Series. But no joke, he wants the Tigers to lose. I couldn't believe it.
Where is the loyalty? Sense of pride in the Motor City? It's not like he even moved away. This guy lives in Rochester now. He was also unable to name any players on St. Louis so this guy's motto was basically, I hate the Tigers. Besides pissing me off, I came to the realization that he probably an idiot in other parts of his life and went on to discover just that as we debated. I will probably never see him again but its just as well, I have no respect especially when he drove a point he made home by taking a huge swallow of Mike's Hard Lemonade. Yeah!
It's not easy being a Michigan sports fan at times over the years....Lions, Tigers, Spartans...but then again our victories are that much sweeter!
Go Tigers!
I was out grabbing a drink with this guy and the game was on the television. Inevitably we got talking about what team we are rooting for and of course he is a St. Louis fan while I am a Tigers girl. At first I thought he was trying to kid me because I knew he grew up in Detroit. He remembers going to the '84 World Series. But no joke, he wants the Tigers to lose. I couldn't believe it.
Where is the loyalty? Sense of pride in the Motor City? It's not like he even moved away. This guy lives in Rochester now. He was also unable to name any players on St. Louis so this guy's motto was basically, I hate the Tigers. Besides pissing me off, I came to the realization that he probably an idiot in other parts of his life and went on to discover just that as we debated. I will probably never see him again but its just as well, I have no respect especially when he drove a point he made home by taking a huge swallow of Mike's Hard Lemonade. Yeah!
It's not easy being a Michigan sports fan at times over the years....Lions, Tigers, Spartans...but then again our victories are that much sweeter!
Go Tigers!
Monday, October 23, 2006
The Problem with: Sex and the CIty
You Are Most Like Carrie! |
 You're quirky, flirty, and every guy's perfect first date. Your friends find you creative and funny. But can the guy in question live up to your romantic ideal? It's tough for you to find the right match - you're more than a little picky. Never fear... You've got a great group of friends and a great closet of clothes, no matter what! Romantic prediction: You'll fall for someone this year... Totally different from any guy you've dated. |
I think what would make me different from Carrie though is that in the last episode, I would have pushed Big off the bridge. I mean, come on he's a narcissist! In real life, her happy ending would have been standing up for herself and for once live on her own without whining about how she is unable to find love.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Election Buzz
Hey all. Last night I was sitting in a hospital waiting room with some relatives and the conversation turned to politics, Bush, etc. It occurred to me that somehow the primaries went by and I haven’t weighed in on the ballot proposals yet. Some people have asked me about what I thought in relations to my perspective in the biz (especially props 2 & 5) , so thought I would get on it.
Summary Judgment:
Summary Judgment:
If you don’t read the explanation on all five, I basically am urging voters to VOTE NO on all of them. If anything do it for the simple fact that if our legislators were doing their jobs, poorly written legislation like these proposals would not be forced on the ballots. None of them should be in our constitution.
Prop 1: Money held in conservation and recreation funds can only be used for their intended purposes.
Prop 1: Money held in conservation and recreation funds can only be used for their intended purposes.
From the nonpartisan Citizen’s Research Council : (http://www.crcmich.org/) this is the first thing that bugged me: "This proposal would extend the length of the Michigan Constitution by 1,834 words, a full 6 percent." There has also been no incidence of law makers diverting these funds from their intended purposes. In essence this is a non issue.
VOTE NO
Prop 2: Ban affirmative action.
Perhaps the most confusing argument of the five, this proposal has divided the state. One of my friends said the other day that Michigan is not ready to go “color blind”. This is California businessman Ward Connerly’s sponsored proposal. Ten years ago California adopted this measure and since has seen a drop in minority enrollment in colleges by more than 60%. I think this was an unintended consequence, but even so, before we can say “yes” can you honestly step back and say that we don’t have disparity between race and sex in Michigan. The supporters of this proposal either believe racism does not exist, or that if it does we should not address it. This effort simply turns a blind eye to discrimination.
Perhaps the most confusing argument of the five, this proposal has divided the state. One of my friends said the other day that Michigan is not ready to go “color blind”. This is California businessman Ward Connerly’s sponsored proposal. Ten years ago California adopted this measure and since has seen a drop in minority enrollment in colleges by more than 60%. I think this was an unintended consequence, but even so, before we can say “yes” can you honestly step back and say that we don’t have disparity between race and sex in Michigan. The supporters of this proposal either believe racism does not exist, or that if it does we should not address it. This effort simply turns a blind eye to discrimination.
VOTE NO
Prop 3: Let’s Kill Doves.
This does not belong in the constitution. What did our representative do this last term? Come on! Interesting note of history though, Granholm was against killing doves when she came in to office and now she supports this one.
Prop 3: Let’s Kill Doves.
This does not belong in the constitution. What did our representative do this last term? Come on! Interesting note of history though, Granholm was against killing doves when she came in to office and now she supports this one.
VOTE NO
Prop 4: Eminent Domain: power of the government to seize your property.
While the limits by which they do this are needed, proposal four is so poorly written these limits would never work as intended. There is no definition given for “fair market value” for the land so expect plenty of litigation to iron this one out. There is also debate that this has been more about defining the difference between favored businesses and public assets….lots of grey area, VOTE NO
Prop 5: Mandatory School Funding Levels.
Besides the fact that the state can’t realistically fund this, the proposal limits the governor and legislature to set and fund state priorities. Earmarking money is not going to work with out a system of accountability. For a proposal on education to make the ballot I would hope it at a minimum benefits the kids…it doesn’t, just the unions. It does nothing for the problems that exist in the education system that I see on a daily basis. Below is quote from an article that came across my desk last December when debate started going on this. You might find it interesting.
“According to a recent study prepared by Anderson Economic Group, the amount of funding available for K-12 public schools in Michigan has grown rapidly since the passage of Proposal A in 1994. Between 1994 and 2004, operating revenue increased by 71 percent, price inflation grew about 21 percent, and enrollment in Michigan schools increased by roughly 4 percent. (Most schools have received per-pupil operating revenue increases double or triple the rate of inflation.) During this same time period, property tax debt for capital expenditures grew even more rapidly – an astounding 217 percent. Despite all these increases in funding for public schools, the K-12 education establishment is demanding that more money be fed into a system with no link to providing higher levels of academic achievement.” –Jim Barret, Michigan Education Report
VOTE NO
Prop 4: Eminent Domain: power of the government to seize your property.
While the limits by which they do this are needed, proposal four is so poorly written these limits would never work as intended. There is no definition given for “fair market value” for the land so expect plenty of litigation to iron this one out. There is also debate that this has been more about defining the difference between favored businesses and public assets….lots of grey area, VOTE NO
Prop 5: Mandatory School Funding Levels.
Besides the fact that the state can’t realistically fund this, the proposal limits the governor and legislature to set and fund state priorities. Earmarking money is not going to work with out a system of accountability. For a proposal on education to make the ballot I would hope it at a minimum benefits the kids…it doesn’t, just the unions. It does nothing for the problems that exist in the education system that I see on a daily basis. Below is quote from an article that came across my desk last December when debate started going on this. You might find it interesting.
“According to a recent study prepared by Anderson Economic Group, the amount of funding available for K-12 public schools in Michigan has grown rapidly since the passage of Proposal A in 1994. Between 1994 and 2004, operating revenue increased by 71 percent, price inflation grew about 21 percent, and enrollment in Michigan schools increased by roughly 4 percent. (Most schools have received per-pupil operating revenue increases double or triple the rate of inflation.) During this same time period, property tax debt for capital expenditures grew even more rapidly – an astounding 217 percent. Despite all these increases in funding for public schools, the K-12 education establishment is demanding that more money be fed into a system with no link to providing higher levels of academic achievement.” –Jim Barret, Michigan Education Report
VOTE NO
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Seuss Like?
"I hear the voices and I read the front page and I know the speculation," the president told reporters in the Rose Garden. "But I'm the decider and decide what's best. And what's best is for Don Rumsfeld to remain as the secretary of defense."
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Headlines...no seriously
Anyone read the news today? I can't help but share a few items that made me wonder, you gotta be kidding me! I put in my own headlines but feel free to follow the link if you think it's news worthy enough to read.
1) If I stay there will be trouble, If I leave it will be double. So ya gotta let me know,,,, ...great song but this is refering to a report that came out from Congress today regarding Representative Foley's email scandal. Time to clean house! Hastert joins Boehner and Reyolds on the up next to resign list. I would like them all to leave office....yesterday.
2) Shanna is my hero! ....I quote: "Hilton says Moakler walked up to her, “used the most vile of language” and then punched her in her jaw." Need I say more? Okay I will. Shanna punched Paris Hilton in the face!!! It may not be earth shattering news but that celebutant had it coming.
3) The State News Hires Idiots....A sports editor from the State News attempted to write a satirical opinion piece about the Michigan Governor's Debate from the other night and he fails to be either funny or smart. I watched the debate and here is why this guy come accross as an idiot:
"they spent five minutes debating whether or not Granholm visited someone I've never heard of while she was in Japan. So far, on a scale of zero to relevant, this is a minus 12."
Right, so that someone he is refering to is the CEO OF HONDA that she DID visit and it was KIND OF RELEVANT to the auto industry which is in Michigan.
My first clue at this guy's ineptness should have been that he was a sports editor and second, his favorite author is Mitch Albom. Nothing against sports, but journalism 101, write what you know. Until Granholms decides to play tennis, shut up. Furthermore, I have nothing against Mitch Albom but I do have everything against picking an obvious best selling author as your hero. Be a little more daring buddy...please tell me this op. ed. wasn't an attempt at that.
4) No Love in the Auto World...GM is playing hard to get with it's latest caller, Nissan-Renault. A couple months ago Ford was all about GM and then it was over. GM is a tease. If Ford and Nissan were smart they would align and make some money. Nobody likes a tease, espcially automakers.
Alright, that's enough of my reactionary news sputter. I'll catch ya all later.
1) If I stay there will be trouble, If I leave it will be double. So ya gotta let me know,,,, ...great song but this is refering to a report that came out from Congress today regarding Representative Foley's email scandal. Time to clean house! Hastert joins Boehner and Reyolds on the up next to resign list. I would like them all to leave office....yesterday.
2) Shanna is my hero! ....I quote: "Hilton says Moakler walked up to her, “used the most vile of language” and then punched her in her jaw." Need I say more? Okay I will. Shanna punched Paris Hilton in the face!!! It may not be earth shattering news but that celebutant had it coming.
3) The State News Hires Idiots....A sports editor from the State News attempted to write a satirical opinion piece about the Michigan Governor's Debate from the other night and he fails to be either funny or smart. I watched the debate and here is why this guy come accross as an idiot:
"they spent five minutes debating whether or not Granholm visited someone I've never heard of while she was in Japan. So far, on a scale of zero to relevant, this is a minus 12."
Right, so that someone he is refering to is the CEO OF HONDA that she DID visit and it was KIND OF RELEVANT to the auto industry which is in Michigan.
My first clue at this guy's ineptness should have been that he was a sports editor and second, his favorite author is Mitch Albom. Nothing against sports, but journalism 101, write what you know. Until Granholms decides to play tennis, shut up. Furthermore, I have nothing against Mitch Albom but I do have everything against picking an obvious best selling author as your hero. Be a little more daring buddy...please tell me this op. ed. wasn't an attempt at that.
4) No Love in the Auto World...GM is playing hard to get with it's latest caller, Nissan-Renault. A couple months ago Ford was all about GM and then it was over. GM is a tease. If Ford and Nissan were smart they would align and make some money. Nobody likes a tease, espcially automakers.
Alright, that's enough of my reactionary news sputter. I'll catch ya all later.
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