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Turn it Out
2007-01-11 13:28:01
From Karen Thurman, Florida Democratic Party Chair (big fan!): At Jefferson-Jackson Weekend last July, I opened my Chair's Address bydeclaring, "Change is in the air." Months later, those winds of change swept through Florida and on toWashington, carrying a larger and stronger Democratic delegation toCongress. Last week, I traveled to the U.S. Capitol to celebrate the swearing in ofFlorida's newest members of Congress: Kathy Castor, Ron Klein and Tim Mahoney.All three landed roles on key, powerful committees. You can read more about thatin our website's news section: www.fladems.com/headlines. They are off to afantastic start. I also witnessed the election of the first female Speaker of the U.S. Houseof Representatives. And, let me tell you, as a former female member of Congress,it brought tears of joy to my eyes. I am proud, and you should be, too. The Republican-held Congressional seatsFloridians took back, as well as Kathy Castor's election and the re-election ofReprese...
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Run Home Where You Feel Safe
2007-01-11 13:28:01
As a kid, I learned not to go to mom for biting rhetoric. Support, hugs, wisdom for sure. But never a comeback. Wasn't her bag. She came up with the worst retorts ever. I'm not kidding. Example: Sixth Grade - 1980 "How was your day dear?" she asked. "Charlie made fun of me," I said. "Said I was ugly and no one would ever marry me." "Tell him he doesn't know what he's talking about," she said. "He'll just say, 'Oh yeah? Who's gonna marry you?'" "Say 'John D. Rockefeller's nephew'." I actually used that line the next day in school. And ate dirt afterwards. Another example? Try this: Ninth Grade - 1984 "How was your day dear?" she asked. "Glenn called me titless in front of the whole class." "Tell him to watch his mouth. He won't get into heaven with talk like that." "Whatever you say, Mom. Wow. Meat loaf again?" You get the idea. Bear this in mind as I relate the following. I am trying to help my children do better in the "Don't F*ck With Me" department. Doesn't eve...
More About: Home , Here , Safe , Feel , Where

I'm Going to Tell on You
2007-01-05 13:17:02
Dear Disruptive Student, You:- are a bully.- refuse to work.- make clicking sounds or bang your desk or tap the wall or stomp your feet when I'm helping someone else.- snore loudly.- are lazy.- have lousy taste in friends.- proudly maintain a zero grade point average.- snicker when other students ask questions.- announce after eight weeks of daydreaming, "You don't teach the right way." Then your grandmother calls and say it's my fault you are unmotivated. Sometimes she calls my principal.- a complete waste of space.- have parents who don't love you.- will make everyone pay for it.- burp or pass gas when the room is quiet and kids are working.- are lazy, disrespectful and rude- pretend the ringing cell phone isn't coming from your pants or backpack or purse.- mumble, "They don't give a sh*t" when I threaten to call home.- are almost always right.- enjoy getting a rise out of me or other students. I can control *me* quite easily; however, it's difficult controlling teenagers ...
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Cause You Know it's Got Clout to It
2007-01-05 01:16:02
Maya Angelou wrote and read her thought-provoking poem when Bill Clinton was inaugurated. Inspirational and moving, she brought me to tears. It was either that or the pot. Recently, another African-American poet, this time from Tampa, read inaugural verse - for Charlie Crist. A MEETING OF THE PEOPLEBY JAMES E. TOKLEY, SR. From the oaks ofWewahitchka to the palms of LauderdaleFrom the hills of Tallahassee to thefertile Brandon fieldsFrom the shores of Sarasota, snowy-white,pollution-freeTo the island of Key Largo, as it looks upon the seaWehave come here as the peopleAnd we stand before you, nowNotRepublican, nor Democrat, but we meet as one, somehowAnd our minds areindependent, based upon a greater sightAs one people, we step forward andprepare to take the mikeAs one state, which is united by its greatness yetto be,Do we stand here now excited, on the steps of historyDo we claima common legacy based upon the kindred goalsof a universal freedom anchoreddeeply in our soul!So, le...
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Brass Monkey
2007-01-03 13:14:02
It's great to be back in Florida. No seriously. F*cking great.
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So I Have Someone to Talk To
2007-01-03 13:14:02
"I guess it's cool to be alone."Monday, driving to the Denver airport, we listened to one of my favorite albums. These songs will always remind me of winter in Boston. Walking through the Common with my headset on and discussing the lyrics later with Husband, Ben and Dalia over dinner in the North End.Did we ever decide what this song is about?At any rate:Apathy.Melancholy.Bitterness.Broken Heart.Just shut your eyes and imagine it's not a balmy 75 degrees. Are there better songs that evoke winter chills? (Please. This will never do.)
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We're Knockin' Out Teeth
2007-01-01 19:13:01
I can already tell 2007 is going to be a banner year. Last night, my youngest came to me amidst our celebration and said that his bottom tooth hurt. Said he couldn't eat dinner because it was loose and painful. "Needs to be pulled," I said. "Want me to do it? I'll yank it right out of your head." Kid said okay and we went into the bathroom. Then he changed his mind, grabbed a hold of it himself and did the deed. No muss, no fuss. Cutest. Smile. Ever. Made his mama proud.
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I Am Exactly What I Want to Be
2007-01-01 07:12:01
The Proust Questionnaire is an interview that ends every issue of Vanity Fair. Granted - those who answer are way more interesting than I am. Still. It's a good way to end the year. Feel free to answer these yourselves and either post or email your answers. I eat you up - friends, family, and readers who think you are interesting enough to approach me. Keep it coming. Happy New Year. What is
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Rock this Joint in the Old School Way
2006-12-30 19:11:01
From an email I received. I don't normally look back with rose-colored glasses. With the exception of our dying planet, conditions tend to *improve* with time. However, these entries make a point about our school system and the way we sometimes make mountains out of molehills. Jack pulls into school parking lot with rifle in gun rack. 1973: Vice Principal comes over, takes a look at Jack's rifle, goes to his car and gets his gun to show Jack.2006: School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail. Never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers. Johnny and Mark get into a fist fight after school. 1973: Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up best friends.2006: Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrests Johnny and Mark. Charged with assault, both expelled even though Johnny started it. Jeffrey won't be still in class, disrupts other students. 1973: Jeffrey sent to office and given a good paddli...
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What is Goin' On?
2006-12-30 13:10:01
Tonight, as news of Saddam's execution is covered with glee in the mainstream media, I must point out that more civilians have been killed in Iraq since Bush ordered his invasion than Americans killed on 9/11.It begs the question: Who's the bad guy - Hussein, bin Laden, or Bush?
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The Best that You Can Get
2006-12-29 19:08:01
There is so much to enjoy about winter weather... So enjoy.
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Some Words That Apply to Us
2006-12-29 07:07:02
Last week, the Trib printed my op-ed regarding an increase in teacher workload. You all responded: "Rock on with your bad self."-Jeff "Teachers cannot get by with less than an hour of planning time every day. I believe every teacher and administrator knows this. Let me know when you plan to run for State Senate as I want to join your campaign team!"- Dave "Thanks for getting our concerns out to the public."- Paul "Great article!! Do you really suggest dropping out of CTA, however? As lousy as they are, they are all we have for bargaining for raises...Convince me to drop out."- Ron "Nice job."- Sue "Clearly, the spirit of the classroom-size-reduction law is not being followed. I do not believe those who voted for the amendment wanted the burden to be put on teachers. In fact, the spirit of the law is for teachers and students to have a classroom environment more conducive to learning. "- Steve *Moderate* and some creep commenter at Sticks were the only ones with any criticism. Howev...
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Here We Go Again
2006-12-29 01:06:01
from today's Gazette - Snow is expected to start falling after 2 p.m., and it might continue throughSaturday, according to the National Weather Service forecast. Up to a footof new snow is possible by the time the latest storm is done. The hightemperature is expected to hit 36 degrees. Yet another opportunity for me to play in the snow. Wearing only a t-shirt and underwear is better than looking like this:
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Here We Go
2006-12-29 01:06:01
Tomorrow John Edwards will announce that he is running for President of the United States. His vision includes: Providing moral leadership in the world -- starting with Iraq, where we should begin drawing down troops, not escalating the war Strengthening our middle class and ending the shame of poverty Guaranteeing health care for every single American Leading the fight against global warming Getting America and the world to break our addiction to oil Sounds good to me.
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A Year and A Day
2006-12-28 13:05:01
Do you get annual newsletters so pretentious you want to scream? Me, too. Therefore I send one every year just to make people laugh. If you didn't get one, I don't have your address. Send it along and you, too, can share in the joy of my family's accomplishments. Or read it here. Completely up to you. Our Annual Year in Pee-Yoo Let's look back at 2006 just one more time before the meds kick in. Here we go: JANUARY: Husband gets new job - no longer surrounded by menopausal women. Much rejoicing. New job folds two weeks later. The boys turn 6 and must learn a trade. I write about my breasts for The St. Petersburg Times. Mom is thrilled. FEBRUARY: Husband gets job offer in Colorado Springs. That lovely retreat just north of intolerance, to the west of bigotry. Upside: Becky, Sister-in-law, and Sister live close by. Downside: Becky, Sister-in-law, and Sister live close by. Bio Dad gets in touch after 15 years of peace and quiet. Seems he found my site and decided to reach out. Go...

"I Want to Enjoy the Fruits of My Labor"
2006-12-26 19:02:02
You can take the cowboy out of Texas... but you can't take Texas out of the cowboy.
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Your Midlife Crisis War Unfolds
2006-12-26 07:02:01
And don't you want it? I do. I want an end to: - American imperialism because we're not doing it right. - cracked heels. But that's another post. - death, death, and more death. - separated families. - wars for oil. - incompetence. - mismanagement. And to all a good night.
More About: Life , War , Your , Idli , Crisis

Come of Age
2006-12-26 01:01:01
I grew up Catholic and believing in Santa. Want proof? Here ya go. And here's another. Circa 1981. Merry Christmas.
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Posse in Effect
2006-12-25 13:00:02
It's always scary meeting online friends. A year or so ago, I remember being mildly surprised that Tommy and Brett were not the types who lived in their parents' basements. Not really, anyway. Of course, the rest of the Sticks crew made me realize that the Internet appeals to more than the just the people who send anonymous hate mail. And a few of you have made the meeting process even more than extremely enjoyable. Still. The idea is sometimes frightening. I'm not alone. Others have expressed the same trepidation with me. "Are you normal?" "Is your hair really that big?" "Own all your own teeth?" No worries, folks. I know how to clean up, make eye contact and laugh appropriately at all the right moments. I'm a godd*mn delight. And so it was that Husband and I went out last night with another transplanted Tampa-to-Colorado couple: Chase Squires and his lovely wife Saralee. I used to read Chase's work regularly in The St. Petersburg Times. So sad when he left the bay area last ...
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From Expensive Men
2006-12-25 13:00:02
For those last minute shoppers. Best. Gift. Ever. Just so you know.
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Lay It On Me
2006-12-23 18:58:01
Yesterday we drove from The Springs to Denver and witnessed more than a few cars covered in snow. The roads in and around Denver were plowed only a little - so we slipped and slid to sister-in-law's house. I called sister and brother-in-law and offered to care for my newborn nephew all night long."Come get me!" I said.They arrived in less than fifteen minutes.Never underestimate the will power of a sleep-deprived couple in need of a babysitter.The little angel slept all night and left me little to write about. He's an angel. So I got to thinking about my favorite Christmas movies. (What? A Jew can't appreciate Dickens? In more ways than one, peeps.)These are in no particular order. Depends on my mood.- A Christmas Carol: The 1938 version is the best. Accept no substitutes.- Scrooged: "Nobody gets me." This movie also has sentimental value because I watched it on television, July, 1999, when I took a pregnancy test and discovered I was with child(ren).- A Christmas Story: Love the...

On the Microphone, You Know that I'm at Home
2006-12-23 00:56:01
Conservatives have allowed religious whackjobs to hijack their movement. Dig on this: Ten Principles of Conservatism. I've taken the liberty of publishing these so-called principles with what they *didn't say* in bold.No really. It was my pleasure. Gotta do something while the weather is frightful.1. God?s Law Governs Nations as Well as Men.The Ten Commandments should not only be enshrined in our courthouses, they should be engraved in our hearts and minds as guides to all behavior, public and private. This doesn't apply to our elected officials or pastors. Obviously. As the Founders acknowledged in the Declaration of Independence, laws and policies that violate the natural law are abuses of government power that must be resisted and reversed. I haven't actually *read* the Declaration of Independence. I was homeschooled.2. Life Is the First God-Given RightIt?s always wrong to deliberately take an innocent human life. When this principle is abridged, violence escalates. Thus we h...
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Get off the Bus
2006-12-22 12:55:01
A friend of mine read that a woman had been beaten on an Israeli bus. This friend thought to himself, "What have those wacky Muslims done now?" Then he discovered the woman in question was beaten by Jewish men. Such news surprised me, too.I thought only Italian men hit women.Oh, and Irish men.And let's not forget the Russians.But I digress.Seems a 50 year-old religious American-Israeli didn't appreciate being told to sit in back of the bus. When she refused, a scuffle ensued with several Orthodox men beating her about the chest, face, and back.I know. What would Moses do?Some believe she should have observed the culture of her host country. Rubbish. Whether we're discussing the American south during the 1960s or Israel today, a cultural norm shouldn't be followed if its morally wrong. And whether we're discussing fundamentalist Christians, Muslims or Jews - they are often fundamentally wrong.Miriam Shear might be the Israeli Rosa Parks. Believe it.
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Peepin' Out the Colors
2006-12-22 12:55:01
From a very dear friend: In the season of giving and other good stuff, I am asking all my friendswho blog to help promote my mom?s new website. We are trying to spread the wordabout her gallery and her paintings. If you are so inclined, I would appreciatethe favor. May the new year be full of blessing for you and your loved ones.Plus she's Jewish. So nice! Visit Nona's Gallery. Happy Chanukah!
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I'm in a Rhyme Zone; A Different Time Zone
2006-12-21 00:54:01
Colorado Springs is experiencing a blizzard and sub-zero temps. Not sure which by-product of cold weather I'm enjoying more: - hot chocolate-burned tongues - dry skin - trucks plowing snow outside bedroom window before Matt Lauer makes waking up an enjoyable proposition - frozen snot - spending half an hour bundling up children who stay outside ten minutes - constantly erect nipples (big fan!) -
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The Real Deal
2006-12-20 18:53:03
For you. People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulteriormotives;Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some falsefriends and some true enemies;Succeed anyway. If you are honest andfrank, people may cheat you;Be honest and frank anyway. What youspend years building, someone could destroy overnight;Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never beenough;Give the world the best you've got anyway. You see, in thefinal analysis, it is between you and God;It never was between you and them anyway. -Mother Teresa
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I've Got More Spice Than the Frugal Gourmet
2006-12-20 06:52:01
After flying across country with two little boys, arriving in Colorado to snot-freezing weather and spending several hours with my newborn nephew - there's not a whole lot to blog about. Jet lag. Kids hopped up on gelt. A precious baby that slept in my arms for the better part of five hours. Who the hell wants to hear about that? Never fear. I get by with a little help from my friends. And
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Some Beastly Joys
2006-12-18 12:50:01
When one contemplates the rural wreckage that is West Pasco County, images of cow pastures, keg parties and Klan rallies come to mind. Menorahs? Not so much. This Tuesday, December 19th at 6pm all that's going to change. Rebbe's in the house - davening, dreideling, and so much more. Unfortunately, the Robinson Crew can't make it. So tell Shlomo and Moshe I said hello. From Colorado. Freezing my ass off. Chin up, peeps. I'll be back in two weeks. You all are stuck with me until June at least. So have fun Tuesday and enjoy the rest of Chanukah. If you listen closely, I'm threatening to drop two boys out of a plane somewhere over Missouri. h/t to Jeff
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Funky Boss
2006-12-18 00:49:01
Normally I run my nonsense here and at Sticks of Fire before submitting to local papers. However, this latest assault on teachers had me so infuriated that I rushed an op-ed off to The Tampa Tribune first. Work schedules will change for high school teachers next year. Read my response. Discuss amongst yourselves.
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Contemplation Time
2006-12-17 18:48:02
I'm walking through the grocery store and can't help but notice something called a Chanukah House. Had to have it: I take this confectionery contraption into work because it might melt in the car. Thinking back to certain declarations I've made against the combining of holidays, it occurs to me that sh*t might be shoveled my way for such a purchase. "You've sold out!" Beth's first words. We argue all day and into the next. I maintain this is not like putting up lights and attempting to assimilate. Beth and the rest of my girls aren't buying it. I do believe people enjoy giving me sh*t. And that's all there is to it.
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