Take Me To Your Leader

I've been putting off some things I want to say for a while because I don't know where to begin.  It's all so complicated and intricate and every point gets lost in the crowd of other points.  No one is listening to each other.  No one is willing to see the other point of view.  No one is open minded enough to accept that maybe someone else is right.

I actually try not to read comment threads or get my information from FaceBook, but I fall down the rabbit hole and certain pieces of dirt just stick to me and I can't shake them loose.  So, let's talk about some of these points I see over and over again.

You lost.  Get over it.

It's not a game.  This isn't a hand of Go Fish with a clear winner, a clear loser, and no consequences.  The makeup of the Electoral College is shady, at best, because they are people chosen not by knowledge or experience, but by being somehow useful to the cause.  I mean, there are no boundaries on who can ultimately make our decisions and it's not assigned by their ability to represent the people in our nation who have no voice.  This means when one candidate wins popular vote and another wins the Electoral vote, no one is really being represented.

The fact is that the founding fathers attempted to set up our government with these checks and balances in an attempt to protect minorities (used here to mean 'under represented', not to discuss race, gender, orientation, etc.) so that the majority doesn't always rule.  So while it is definitely worth pointing out that Clinton won the popular vote, it is important that Trump won the Electoral vote.  Theoretically, this is to protect those voices who aren't being heard.  And it kind of worked because look at who's talking now.  The bigots and arrogant white males whose voices have been suppressed in recent decades.  So maybe it's an evil of our own making by daring to try to change the minds of people who want to hurt and insult others.

Of course, I still think I'm right.  Hurting and insulting others is wrong across the board.  This isn't a personal choice to be made.  This is something that everyone should adopt.

The Electoral College has a role, but just like the office of presidency and any other office, it is subject to corruption.  The problem I have is that there is no checks and balances for the position of Elector so the corruption can run completely out of hand.

So, let's elect the narcissist.

I'm the kind of person who always tries to see the other side.  Mainly so that I know how to best argue against it in order to gain arguments for my opinion, but also because I like to think I'm open minded.  In a strange way, it helps me put everything in it's place so that even when I disagree, I can be at peace with those who disagree.

But what I cannot seem to resolve in my brain are Trump supporters.  Trump is what he is, he clearly didn't have 0 votes so majority, minority rule aside, we have millions of people who said hey, this is the guy we want running the country.

And I can't figure it out.  How do you NOT see it!?  Every time someone questions him, it's fake news.  Let's invent a new term: alternative facts - because somehow if you put the right spin on it, you can change the actual truth?  When the media - whose job it is to show both sides of every issue - asks a question that Trump either doesn't know the answer to or doesn't like the answer to, it's them being "not nice".  It's not their job to be nice!  It's their job to get the answers for us, the public.  

Yes, there is corruption in the media.  There is huge bias these days that is out of control and needs to be called to attention, but he acts like the fact that there is bias in the media means the facts themselves are different.  NO.  It's the rose colored glasses being presented on those facts that is swaying people's opinion.  THE FACTS THEMSELVES ARE EITHER FACTS OR THEY JUST AREN'T FACTS.  Do you see how that works?  It either is or it's NOTHING.  It's not a lie.  It's not alternative.  It just ISN'T.  

I don't like the name calling and Psych 101 terms people bandy about, but at the same time, I feel that Trump couldn't be a bigger narcissist if he tried.  I mean, seriously, folks.  "See it my way" or "WAHHH!" like a freakin' baby.  I know everything.  Even geniuses don't know EVERYTHING.   NO ONE DOES.  There is too much information out there for that to be possible.

I guess we should have seen that blindness by the public coming.  I've observed over the last decade or so that people who have a little knowledge on a subject will declare themselves experts.  We have a bit of a virus running around lately where people think they are experts when they are novices and think it's enough.  They also tend to refuse to listen to others with even more knowledge and experience because, well, what do they have to learn?

They watch Fix It shows and even though they never lifted a drill, they know exactly how to make build a house.  Yeah.  I bet you could do it on your own.

Why waste money on college?  I read books.  I know stuff.  Or tech colleges are cheaper and don't make you learn all that liberal arts junk.

Notice that people who graduated from legitimate, well regarded schools might regret their student loans, but never seem to regret the knowledge they have.  Trust me.  If you haven't gone to college, you can't know the difference, but those who went know the difference and we can see it in those who didn't.  There are many things about higher education from a well rounded college that is different from just reading some books, watching DIY network, or going to a tech school.  It's in the details.  It's in the way you learn how to think, not just the knowledge you gain.

The same boat

I was at a dinner for a friend's birthday when one of her friends made a perfect assessment of the situation.  

Maybe we are upset because for years we thought we all had the same end goal; we just had different ideas on how to get there.  This election made many of us realize we don't all have the same destination.

This is painful and we have the right to speak our discontent because, obviously, America, free speech, etc, but also because we have got to get it together.  Having different directions is what pulls a country apart.  We are on shaky ground.

The Murder That Shocked Oz

It's that time of year.

By August, I already know what I'm planning for Halloween.  Even on a bad year, I have a costume idea and have started collecting reusable trash or dollar store junk to create my yard decorations before the evenings cool below 75 degrees.  I revamp and reuse old decorations and rarely spend big bucks (but it has been known to happen.  Last year, I fell in love with a giant spider that I just HAD to have!)

I pride myself on creating a new display every year, but after living on my own for 20 years, one does find oneself reusing ideas and running out of concepts.  This is why I thank everyone with a creative bone for Pinterest.

Still, I do think occasionally I can be pretty original so I am planning a short series of posts with a few of my own display ideas.  Maybe there are similar ones on Pinterest, but I, personally, haven't seen anything close.  It's time to share!

I'm going to start with my second favorite, mainly because it's got the best pictures.

October 20, 2010.
The Murder That Shocked Oz.

In late breaking news, we learn that an unidentified resident of Oz is found sawed to pieces...

"It's truly a tragedy," said the Tin Man when asked for a statement. "Unthinkable," added the Cowardly Lion

The weapon

Crime Scene photo

Evidence!?

The only witness has thus far been too shaken to speak.

I bought a bale of hay, used my dad's old work clothes, found the basket at the dollar store, and spent real dollars on the red slippers and dog (although it was still very minimal.  Maybe $10 for both.)  My dad was a drywaller and contractor for years so finding an old saw, a couple pieces of wood to use as a frame, and other junk is not usually a problem.  Oh, and I got a huge roll or Crime Scene tape at a clearance sale a couple years before.

Wicked, Crazy, Awesome Vacation

Salt Flats

Last week, 30 minutes after work on Friday, my daughter and I set off on a legendary vacation in the Northern California, San Francisco area.  It really was Wicked, Crazy, and Awesome!

Wicked
My daughter recently turned 15.  In Utah, this means she can get a driving permit and, as long as a parent and no one else is in the car, she can drive pretty much anywhere.  What a great opportunity to let her become comfortable with the basics than a long road trip!

So we set off Friday evening and traveled a few hours to Elko.


We stayed at the Thunderbird Motel, mainly because I thought their sign looked cool... (friendly service, super clean, quiet despite the fact that there were a bunch of groups nearby!)



From there, we hit the road.  The scenery increased in beauty with each hour.

Then there was that moment.  A moment of peace for Gerald.  You see, we thought we saw a leaf blow in from the left shoulder of the highway.  At 55 miles an hour, all I could do is make sure I didn't hit Gerald as the leaf suddenly stopped right in front of me and looked at me with big sad eyes!  Baby squirrel Gerald.  RIP.

Not the actual squirrel...

Instead of taking the cliche, safe route to Manchester Beach KOA (a divine spot, btw)



we opted for "scenic route".  We learned that this is translates in California to "Here is a bike path with a steep drop off on one side.  Share the road with oncoming traffic.  Good luck!  JOKE'S ON YOU!  HA HA HA!"

But it was still gorgeous and often felt like we were driving through fairyland...

Oh so curvy, occasional drop offs, and scary moments.  We made it to KOA before dark, threw up our tent, and hit the beach just in time to watch the sunset!

No complaints there!

The next day, we took the advice of staff at Manchester Beach KOA and hit Schooner Gulch.  Water was cold, but Oh My!  It was gorgeous and fun and quiet and peaceful and did I mention GORGEOUS?!

Crazy
 That night, we told ghost stories (References: 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark', summaries of horror movies the other hadn't see, and Sesame Street!)  We also decided to play mad libs, but we had none with us so each of us made up little stories and had the other fill it in.  This made for many goofy laughs!

Meanwhile, my kid had purchased dinner at the KOA store: Chimichanga, dill pickles, and Chili Cheese Fritos.

The smell in the tent lasted into the next morning!

I suspect the next time we camp, we will open the tent and laugh at the stinky memories!

In the morning, we packed up and headed on the road toward Novato where we would be spending the rest of the vacation with my sister and her 5 kids.  (The entire trip came about because her husband was driving out with her, but he had to fly back for work.  We were going to caravan back home together at the end of the week...)

Our first stop was Fort Ross (but we saw a cool resort on the way)

We saw Thesealions and walked a long, steep path down.  Well, when we first got separated, it was no big thing, but the path was narrow and there was only one way down so when I got to the bottom and couldn't find Jane, it got serious.  'Mom voice' popped into my head and 10 minutes later I had myself convinced that she had fallen onto the rocks, was bleeding out and drowning at the same time while a Sea Lion ate her.

Then she popped up behind me.  My God, the relief!  Apparently she climbed the rocks behind me and didn't know I was looking for her.  Even at 15, they'll scare the life out of you!

But she got great pictures!

Our next stop was Bodega Bay.  I had the chance to Hitchcock Geek OUT!  The Birds was filmed there!  We stopped at Tides Wharf Restaurant and inside I found something which is now in my prized possessions: a bottle of Zinfandel signed by Tippi Hedren!

We then stopped to take pictures and grab a bite to eat at The Dog House, a great little hot dog and burger joint next to the Post Office.

Then on to The Birds locations!!

Finally we rolled into Novato and saw the room where we would get to stay.  The view, OH, the View!

The next morning, we went to Stintson Beach with the kiddos to have some serious fun...

Awesome

Wednesday was our San Francisco Day.  We tried to see EVERYTHING there is to see in SF in one day... except we skipped a couple because we had seen them on our last trip - The one that springs to mind is Mission Delores, co-star in Vertigo.

First sight to see after the bridge was The Palace of Fine Arts early in the morning.  We drove around to catch some classic SF sights:

 When we hit Lombard St, a piece of which is considered the "crookest street" in America.  I thought I might like a nice picture of it, but we were there and it was quiet and... well... I drove it!  Too bad I can't add videos to this blog.

Next we went to Fisherman's Wharf.  I bought tickets online for a couple venues because it saved a little money, but it also made entry quick.  We started at Ripley's Museum of Oddities.  As a fan of PT Barnum, I enjoyed the parts of Ripley's that carry on that tradition blurring the lines of myth and reality.

Fiji Mermaid

I left Jane on the right so you can see dimension

WOW!

Human Bone items

Next we hit Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum.  I had to go, just because!  The pictures do NOT capture the reality.  You can stand so close they look like they are looking back, but the images do look waxy.  Still... fun in the museum!

I might have an obsession problem:

Yeah, we're besties now.

After that, we spent a little time and some quarters at the coin operated museum: Musee Mechanique! and then followed up with lunch at The Franciscan

Next we went to Grace Cathedral (Family Plot)

And enjoyed the art and architecture of San Francisco...

Eventually arriving at Clarion Alley; a street in the Mission District which now features street art.  This continually changing canvas will be enjoyable for decades to come and has some very breathtaking and emotional points of interest.

After which we drove up to Twin Peaks in the Haight-Ashbury area in order to catch some breathtaking views of the city:

From there, we went to Golden Gate park.  We drove around, mainly enjoying with our eyes, but caught a few glimpses of beauty on "film".

And finally we took in the ruins of the Sutro Baths as the fog set in for the evening:

Of course, we hadn't had enough shopping so we stopped in Sausolito on the way back.  Cute little shops off the main street near the water and some nice souvenirs to be had.  By the time we got home, we were pretty exhausted.

So the next morning, we went to the pool and then came home to rest a bit before heading out to Sonoma Valley.  We took in the Sonoma Mission, General Vallejo's Barracks, and tons of vineyards!

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end.  While I could have stayed another week, we headed back the following weekend.

The fun isn't quite over...

So, the hotel where we had reservations was off exit 231.  As we neared, we saw a sign that said 231 is closed, use another exit.  So we did.  It was dark and very late.  No one was around, but we had lost sight of my sister's red van.  Well, we found the hotel, but missed the turn.  Then we saw the back of a red van, same make and model as my sister's with the same state plates, but what?  Did her magnetic bumper sticker fall off?  Sad!  We pull up behind and wait for her to turn around, but she doesn't.  Instead she goes around this corner and parks weird.  So we pull up behind.  Now Jane is laughing hysterically.  I'm sure you guessed, it's not her?  But what are the odds of another van, same color, make, model, and out of state plates going to the same place!?

So we turn around and pull into the hotel registration spot.  The red van passes us, looking intently in our windows.  I give a smile and wave because, well, you might as well OWN it, right?  HAHA

I got out to register and the gentleman got out so I just laughed and said "Sorry if I scared you!  I'm meeting my sister here and she drives the same van and we're even from the same state!"

He explains that the had tried losing us, but we kept pulling up behind him and it was "creepy" so he was glad there was a reason!  Then my sister pulled in behind me to prove I'm not crazy.

Which, I suppose, is still under scrutiny.

We checked out the next day and stopped at the California Trail Interpretive Center to waste a bit of time before heading for Elko to eat Denny's for lunch.

This is so bad and I don't think my sister will like it, but it cracked me up so hard I had to cover my mouth so as not to encourage the child. We were waiting for food and her older daughter said something about it impatiently.  My interpretation was that her younger daughter was just observing the fact, but after a long vacation and a million questions, my sister sternly said "The food is coming when it comes so everyone just needs to chill out!"

To which the younger one replied "I am chill" with an attitude that killed me.  You know, the attitude you wouldn't want to live with or wish upon your sister, but is right entertaining from the other side of the table.

Thank you, dear sister, for making the trip possible and for the ladies at work who took vacation time this summer so I could afford some nice treats on this trip like the museums and fancy lunch (not to mention all that gas!)