Accountability

This week on the Larry Elder Show, the following story was featured:


"After buying an Evanescence CD from Wal-Mart for their teen daughter, Trevin and Melanie say they were appalled to discover profane lyrics despite the lack of a warning label on the packaging. The situation was especially disturbing to their family because they shop at Wal-Mart based on its claim of selling only “clean” music. Despite complaining to the company, Trevin and Melanie felt they weren’t taken seriously and that a lawsuit was the only way to make their voices heard. The family is now suing Wal-Mart to ensure that warning labels will be placed on questionable music products in the future."

I have a problem with this story because Larry Elder implies that Wal-Mart is the only party that should take accountability here. There was no mention of the parents taking accountability for purchasing the CD. Despite all the research they did afterwards to find out how to sue Walmart and Evanescence's record label, where was all the research before they bought the CD. Why didn't they look up the lyrics of the songs on the CD? Why didn't they go on the Evanescence website for a real sample of the song? I have the CD in question and where they do use one particular profanity about four times, I choose not to listen to that song. It's not even an Evanescence song, it's a cover of someone's song.

I am in no way condoning Evanescence's use of this word... I like my music profanity free as well. But as a person who worked in music retail for 10 years, all too often retailers have to answer to parents who have neglected their parental responsibilities. When I was a girl, I knew what kind of music my mother would approve and not approve. She set a standard for appropriateness and I, as her child, never even thought to listen to music that I couldn't listen to with her.

Now this is no attack on Evanescence at all. I love their music, albeit, dark music. My issue is parents who go into stores and demand that underpaid sales people be the moral compass for their children. I can't tell you how many times I've heard parents say "You shouldn't sell music that has a parental advisory to teenagers". The fact of the matter is that as a parent, your child should know that music with a parental advisory sticker isn't acceptable in your house. If you child knew that, maybe they wouldn't try to buy that music. But hey, what do I know? I'm just a stupid mall employee...

Loyalty

“Loyalty” as used in the Hebrew Scriptures is kindness that lovingly attaches itself to an object and does not let go until its purpose in connection with that object is realized. More is involved than faithfulness. After all, a person might be faithful merely out of a sense of duty. In contrast, loyalty is rooted in love. Then, too, the word “faithful” can be applied to inanimate things. For example, the psalmist called the moon “a faithful witness in the skies” because of its regular nightly appearance. (Psalm 89:37) But the moon cannot be described as being loyal. Why? Because loyalty is an expression of love—something that inanimate things cannot display.

In its Scriptural sense, loyalty is warm. Its very manifestation indicates that a relationship exists between the person who displays the quality and the one toward whom it is shown. Such loyalty is not fickle. It is not like waves of the sea blown about by changing winds. On the contrary, loyalty, or loyal love, has the stability and strength to overcome the most daunting of obstacles.

-Draw Close to Jehovah p.280 paragraphs 4 & 5

Correcting a commandment

"Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's life"

As hard as it's been, I'm finally getting to the point where I can actually keep this commandment. My life is getting better and more desirable. I think that as I decorate my new apt, it's almost like I'm putting the decorative touches on my life...making my home, my life, more comfortable.

A friend asked me if I feel more grown up living on my own. I only feel grown up when it's time to pay the bills. I don't actually feel my age. I feel younger. It's almost like I'm having the fun that I should've had years ago. But the great thing is that I have the experience to know how to handle myself that I didn't have in my early twenties. I don't want to go back to that time, but I'm enjoying this time in my life.

Today's the day

I know you want to know if I feel older today...today being my birthday. I'm 32 years old, but honestly I don't feel like it.

Unlike the past two years, I didn't wake up with some great epiphany. I didn't feel the need to make a major change in my life. Today was like any other day. I got up, made breakfast, read my Watchtower and went to the Kingdom Hall.

I did have an early morning visitor...My friend Marie stopped by to bring me the long-awaited Key Lime Pie. It was a complete surprise. She's a great friend. Today was a day that she planned to spend with her family...husband, daughter, siblings, mom, neices, nephews and chickens and things. But she took time out to come to see me. It made me feel special.

I love these lyrics...

We all wanna make a place in this world
We all want our voices to be heard
Every one wants a chance to be someone
We all have dreams we need to dream
Sweeter than any star you can reach
Cuz when you reach and find, you've found someone
You'll hold this world's most priceless thing
The greatest gift this life can bring
Is when you look back and know
You were loved

[Chorus:]
You were loved by someone
Touched by someone
Held by someone
Meant something to someone
Loved somebody
Touched somebody's heart
Along the way
You can look back and say (mm)
You were loved (yes you were)

You can have diamonds in your hands
Have all the riches in the land
But, without love,
You don't really have a thing, no no
When somebody cares that you're alive
When somebody trusts you with their life
That's when you'll know (huh)
That you have all you need
You'll hold this world's most priceless gift
The finest treasure that there is
You can look back and know
You were loved

[Chorus:]
You were loved by someone
Touched by someone
Held by someone
Meant something to someone
Loved somebody
Touched somebody's heart
Along the way
You can look back and say (mm)
Yes, You were loved (yes you were now)

[Bridge:]
So many roads that you can take
Whatever way you go
Don't take that road alone
It's better you should know

[Chorus:]
You were loved by someone
Touched by someone
Held by someone
Meant something to someone
Loved somebody
Touched somebody's heart
Along the way
You can look back and say (mm)
You did okay
You were loved

So remember to tell that special one (yeah, mm)
You were loved
You were loved
You were loved
You were loved


Thanks for the pie...and the love.

Spring Break

I'm so happy that Spring Break is finally here. I need a break. Things have been so hectic between being sick and moving. I'm finally settled into my new apt. It's cute and cozy. I do need a couch though... :(

During my break, I wanted to go out in the ministry, get the rest of my decorations put up and do a little work. This is the time of year that we have to do our self evaluations for work. This is the annual ritual of proving who we are to our supervisors. It's an awfully daunting task, but I think I'm up to the challenge. I got some good advise about writing my self evaluation.

I have to do laundry today...

Crab cakes anyone?

There's nothing better than a good meal with a good friend. Good food and good conversation always seem to make me feel better. Not that I had a bad day, but being with a good friend always makes the day seem better.

I hide myself from a lot of people, mostly because a lot of people can't be trusted. Tonight, I had no worries... I felt safe.

I'm stuffed.


Thx M.

In a new place

I'm in a new apt, living on my own for the first time. It's odd being alone. There's no one to talk to and no one talking to me. But it's ok.

I had company last night for the first time. My friend Cheri came over and we talked about her job and how things are going. It was nice having her over because I don't get to see her that often.

I finally got back to my water aerobics classes and I have to say that even though I'm very sore, I'm glad I went back. I need that time to have for myself and I really want to start losing weight. I have to get in better shape for my health. We see what happens.

Monday, I'm having Marie over. She'll be my second guest and afterwards, we're going to dinner. I can't wait until she finishes her book. She's such a good writer. She's a great friend because she makes me feel valued and loved. I've been trying to work on loving myself more and she helps me see all that I have to offer. I'm grateful to have her as a friend. She started off as a teacher and mentor and now she's a valuable part of my life.

There are days

There are days...
When I wake up late
and I don't eat breakfast
and things break
and I can't fix them
and I hate my job
and I feel worthless
and I wish that I had just turned over
and gone back to sleep.

and then

There are days
When I wake up refreshed
and I have a great breakfast
and things break
and I fix them
and I love my job
and I feel God's love like a warm down blanket
and I wish that could feel that good every day.

Back to work

I finally went back to work today. After a week of being sick, I thought that I'd be able to go back and brave work. I coughed my brains out and actually felt worse than I have felt in a few days. But you know what? I was brave today and took care of myself and I survived...

I feel bad because I didn't make it to the World Languages celebration today, but I just wasn't up to it today. Every time I cough, it was like a small explosion in my head. At one point, Mike, my director, told me to go home. I'm sure he was tired of hearing me cough. I left about two hours after he told me to go (I had a meeting that I couldn't miss).

After the meeting, I left school and headed to my apt. I needed to make sure I turned down the heat. I haven't been there since Sunday and wasn't 100% sure that I turned down the heat before I left. I have two more days before I move and I feel like I have so much to do, even though most of my stuff is already packed. I guess I'm just nervous.

I feel like this sometimes

My new apt

I got my apartment, my new bed, and unfortunately a sinus infection. I have, however, taken this time that I've spent in bed to watch the Star War Trilogy.

I've decided that when episode 3 comes out on DVD, I've got to have a Star Wars Marathon at my house. Only the bravest and nerdiest souls will be invited. Will you be there?

I have to let go

I have to give up on the thing that I want the most. It's too painful not to have it. It's time to focus on helping others.

I found the bed of my dreams

This is the bed that I want:



I'm moving soon. Do you have any boxes?

Snow Day

We got a snow day today. It was the answer to my prayer.



My snowy street.

Something's Coming

Today the sky looks ominous... like something is about to happen. It's kind of cool and spooky at the same time.



Whatever it is, I hope it brings some snow along with it.

Listening to: Madonna's Bedtime Stories
(and no, I didn't put the image in upside down)

What's the difference

Here's a conversation I had with my sister recently:

Kellie: I know you can't eat in the cafeteria because you're anti-social...
Me: I'm not anti-social, I'm xenophobic !

***************************************************

I've been working on a web form for two days straight. I really love a challenge and this really is one. I haven't done .asp code in a year and now I'm having to reach deep into my back pocket for code that has been long forgotten. Working on this project has made me want to take an .asp class. But...

I made this promise...

"No more classes for two years"

*sigh*

Listening to:
Lenny Kravitz - "My Little Girl's Eyes" from his album "5"

Nobody Not Really

I feel myself slipping. I need a spanish class, specifically conversation. And even though I know that signing up for a class would've caused me a mound of stress, I need that interaction. I find myself having conversations with myself in spanish in the car. I feel like the crazy lady down the street.

Me: "Who are you talking to?"
Me: "Nobody, not really."

Today, I had a productive day... sort of...
It was sort of like this...


Look at the comic

No pain, no gain...

I let some of the girls talk me into getting my eyebrows waxed in Cuernavaca. It was a new experience for me. But I trusted my girls...

Well, let's just say that today was painful. But my eyebrows look good...


Check out my eyebrows.

Saturday January 9, 2005 (en espanol)

Ok, time for a spanish journal entry. This is from Sunday January 9, 2005


Hoy fuimos a la Basílica de Guadalupe en la cuidad de México y las pirámides en Teotihuacan. Salimos a las ocho por la mañana y regresamos a las 7 por la noche. Tengo muchas impresiones de los dos lugares.

Primero, la Basílica de Guadelope es muy histórica por que fue construida en el año 1521 más o menos. Mucha gente va a la basílica para pedir milagros a la virgen Maria. Ví a gente que venia de muchas partes del país que espera que la virgen pueda ayudarles. La gente, la mayoría, Católicos, hace todos que ellos creen la virgen quiere para recibir un milagro. Algunas de las cosas que ellos hacen me aparecen muy estrictos a mí por que yo no he visto eso tipo de fe nunca. Yo creo que su fe esta muy fuerte pero esta lo mismo que yo.

Imagino que hay diferencias sobre la fe de católicos americanos y católicos mexicanos. Puede ser fácil para ver la influencia de las religiones indígenas en la cultura mexicana. Es muy difícil para mí separar la cultura y la religión mexicana. Para mí, la religión es muy importante, más importante que la cultura. En mi familia, nuestra cultura no influya nuestra religión. Entonces, hoy, cuando yo vi a la gente, tenia respeto para su fe aunque yo no estoy de acuerdo.

Teotihuacan
Hoy fuimos a Teotihuacan, para mi estaba la tercera vez. La primera vez no entendí nada. El guía hablo solamente en español. Yo pensé que las pirámides eran bonitas, bellas, y muy grandes. La historia de los Teotihuacanos fue extraños para mí. Hoy entendí más. Los Teotihuacanos fueron muy inteligentes. Vivieron por un milenio, del ano 300 BC al 700 AD. Nade sabe la verdad de la gente porque nadie lo se descubrió desde los Aztecas vinieron. Pero los templos y casas, y pinturas y todos indican que los Teotihuacanos fueron muy modernos porque usaban agua eficiente, y construían muchos edificios sin metales.

En este caso, hay cosas culturas que indican la creencia en muchos dioses. Hay dioses por el sol, la luna, el agua, lluvia, etc. Yo creo en un único dios. Entonces, estaba difícil para mí entender algunas partes de la vida de los Teotihuacanos.

Fue un buen día, aunque, me dolían los pulmones y la cabeza. La experiencia estaba interesante. Y cuando llegamos a casa, mi maleta ha llegando. Ahora, necesito a dormir porque mañana es el primer día de las clases.

Forward thinking

If I could write the forward to my friend's book, it would go something like this...


Traveling is something that I aspire to do when I’m older and have no need for a 9 to 5 job. To experience a new land, its tastes, smells, people, culture, terrain is a lesson that can’t be taught in a classroom.

I have had the privilege to travel a few times and I’m always amazed at the questions people ask about the places I’ve visited. Did you go here? Did you go there? Did you take in the beaches? Did you do a lot of shopping? But there’s so much more to traveling. There’s the culture shock, change in time, the change in foods, the change in language. You soon realize that the natives don’t need to learn English. You need to learn their language. These kinds of stories can be just as colorful and sometimes more interesting than the view at the popular tourist traps that you inevitably end up visiting.

It is that experience, the everyday getting around town that fascinates me. I want to know about buying a loaf of bread, getting a taxi, the lodging, day-to-day activities that make or break a trip. I am so fortunate to have a friend who is ultra observant and who has the ability to see things in the most ordinary situations that others don’t see. She also has the inability to go without getting on the computer for more than a day at a time. So when she goes away, she sends me email updates telling me about her observations. That’s what this book is; her observations in email form. This book is divided into four sections, each corresponding to a different trip that she took in 2004.

Now, let’s get one thing straight right in the beginning. She didn’t give me permission to compile this book. In fact, when I told her that I wanted to put all her emails in a book form, she told me not to do it. But I love reading these stories because they make me feel like I was right there with her smelling the different aromas, meeting the people, living the life of a world traveler.

Do I think she’ll be mad? Maybe she will; but only for about an hour. She can’t stay mad at me for too. But just in case she kills me, someone will have to call my job to tell them I won’t be in for a while.

Enjoy these stories. I sure did!

Julie
a.k.a. Shirley
(I don't know why her husband thinks that's my name.)