For God's Sake Sit Down, Kanye!

Friday Fill-Ins

1. My car is covered in polka dots and daisies and elicits the funniest looks from people.

2. A visit from my in-laws is coming up next. Then, Paris!

3. Lately, things seem to be happening all at once. Life is like that.

4. Out for my daily walk is one of my favorite 'hiding' places.

5. What happened next, I wonder?

6. Living peacefully (and happily!) with teenagers is not impossible!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to hanging out in my newly clean house (god I love Merry Maids), tomorrow my plans include keeping the place clean until the in-laws get here Monday and Sunday, I want to enjoy the calm before the storm visit!

Get your own Friday Fill-Ins.

We Are Who We Are

The story of Caster Semenya has elicited such a visceral reaction from me. Caster is a South African middle-distance runner and world champion. She recently won gold in the 800 meters at the 2009 World Championships . Then all hell broke loose as questions about her eligibility to compete as a woman in athletics events were raised due to her muscular build, overall appearance and, oh yeah, ass-kicking talent.


So tests were ordered to rule out cheating. They did. There was no doping. No lying. No pretending to be something she was not. But it went further and deeper and now this young woman's private medical issues are being broadcast far and wide. It turns out she has no womb or ovaries and her testosterone levels are higher than those of a "normal female." Whatever.

Get over it people!

What an invasion of this young person's privacy! It's 2009 and by now we should be at a place where we understand that as with sexuality, gender is not always a black and white issue. There are shades of gray all over. So her condition helped her out in this instance? Great. I'm sure there will be other times where this very same condition will create considerable difficulties. (Think childbearing for instance.) It's none of our business. Life is like that. We all play the cards we're dealt. I wish the world would catch up and realize it's ALL normal.

Speaking about the gender row in an interview with the South African magazine YOU Caster later said, "I see it all as a joke, it doesn't upset me. God made me the way I am and I accept myself."

Good for you, Caster!

Home again, home again, jiggity jig

From all accounts Session 2 of camp was as successful as Session 1. In other words, a good fabulous time was had by all. I'm glad to have my girl back home in time to not send her back to school though. Priorities are important.

The Aftermath

Update: the crew has returned home from Burning Man! The first half wandered into Sunnyside Up yesterday morning on a cloud of dust and endorphins.

Conor, Stefan and Donna
(Remember those clean folks in the "before" shot?)

These are Conor's BLACK hiking boots!
That desert playa dust is powerful.

Their last day on the playa.
From what I've heard, a good f*cking amazing time was had by all.

Never let Hitler find out, dude!

Just wondering...

Friday Fill-Ins

1. I feel still and quiet. Enjoying what is and contemplating what will be.

2. Creating is always fun. I've been on a jewelry making kick again lately. You can see what I've been up to at my Etsy shop. I really am having so much fun! Thank you to everyone who has already bought a pair (or two)!





3. Right now, I can hear these things: my own breathing, the hum of the laptop and my dog licking herself in places I don't want to contemplate.

4. Qacei is at Not Back to School Camp for another week and I'm glad that we were able to get her into second session at the last minute.

5. The last time I looked, Our Daily Bacon was filled with things like bacon rolling papers, bacon soap, and pig candy. Oh bacon, is there no end to your awesomeness?

6. I'm NOT working (!) this Labor day weekend.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a quiet evening at home, tomorrow my plans include a hike up Bald Hill with my hubby (insert bald husband joke here) and Sunday, I want to prepare for the return of my wandering tribe!

Get your own Friday Fill-Ins.