Narcissism. The Last Frontier? July 29, 2009

I’m headed to Alaska next week for my high school reunion, and am thrilled at the tining of political events, so pleased to know that Sarah Palin won’t be raining on my parade.

Seattle’s Pepper Schwartz has authored a biting and thoughtful blog about the Lipsticked Pig, titled, Why Sarah Palin Fascinates (and Horrifies) Me.  Let me know what you think.

……”I know women are not immune from [narcissims], but I am always startled when I see it. After all, most little girls, including myself, were told to be nice, play fair, and support others. Even those of us who rebelled and went after our own best interests usually retain some of the “people pleasing” aspects of our early childhood personality. When you see a woman who appears to have no desire to please others, unless she is benefits from her actions, it is a bit breathtaking. So Sarah leaves me quite breathless. She is grandiose, high maintenance and extremely selfish and therefore deluded about her qualifications. She is used to charming the socks off of most people (and especially men), and she has a certain contempt for everyone as a result of getting away with it a lot of the time. Her speech about “Not being a quitter” just because she was deserting the governor’s office in mid-term, was a miracle of contempt for her audience. Her desire to stay on the road and in the spotlight without consideration for her large young family, a special needs baby and a teenage mother of her grandchild, is ambition without the slightest nod to other’s needs. She is as ruthlessly self-indulgent and narcissistic as any man ever born. She reconfigures my previous thinking about gender and narcissism….”  Read more.

Rotten to the Core June 15, 2009

The protests in Iran are incredible to witness.  The anger in the eyes, the fingers held in peace signs.  I hope with all my heart that violence is kept at bay, and The People shall be heard and respected.

Inspiration January 11, 2009

I was lucky enough to see Sarah Jones’ show ‘Bridge and Tunnel’ a few years ago in NYC.  Truth be told, I became morbidly depressed after the show, because I was so jealous and somehow felt like it should have been me up there!  I guess that’s the highest compliment, right?

My issues aside, Sarah Jones is an incredible performer, writer and activist.  If you get the chance to see her live, jump at it.  Here’s a taste.

Person of the Year – Just Getting Started December 17, 2008

I overheard a man at the bookstore yesterday talking with his friends about his reading habits, and he said, ‘I love that Obama, but I’m a little fatigued with all the books and articles about him.’

His comment was so infuriating to me, and reminded me of our country’s tragically short attention span.  Now that Obama has won the contest, and it’s time for the real work to begin, the news does not capture our attention the way it did in November.

I will include myself when I say that I hope that we can all learn patience, and maintain realistic expectations for this man, who is in for quite a bit of work.  On our behalf. 

A long road ahead, indeed.

Tradition! November 29, 2008

Joe and I walked through the Holiday display at the Hyatt Regency in SF, and this particular scene caught my eye.  The only thing missing are the BIG SALE signs, or in some cases, OUT OF BUSINESS. 

I hope that our new president finds a way to put this mess back on the road, no pun intended, without rewarding the fat cats upstairs, and most importantly, without putting everyday hardworking people out of work. 

Personally, I’m rather fond of Michael Moore’s idea.  It worked during WWII.  Put Ford and the others to work building this country’s new green transportation system. It’s time for some major change, and yes, sacrifice.  Crazier things have happened.

Prop 8 Supporters, We Know Who You Are! November 14, 2008

‘Californians Against Hate’ are keeping this country honest.  Visit their site to see the big ol’ list of haters.

“We present the Californians Against Hate Dishonor Roll. We want the country to know who gave the $36 million to the Yes on Proposition 8 campaign that ended same-sex marriage in California. We have posted all major donors on our web site who gave $5000.00 and more, many much more! We’ve taken public information from the California Secretary of State’s Office and added telephone numbers and web sites when available. We also included commentary on some of the more interesting and controversial donors. Individuals and businesses gave a vast amount of money to take away our equality, and we want you to know who they are….”

I Love NPR November 12, 2008

This morning while commuting into San Francisco, enduring the parking lot also known as Highway 101 Southbound through Marin County, I tuned into KQED and listened to Paula Poundstone express my sentiments exactly, regarding the question, What do we do now?????

Here’s a snippet – you can hear the whole thing on NPR.com:

“People still seem full of hope after the historic election of Barack Obama. This is America, though, it can’t last. Pleased and proud as we are, Obama hasn’t been on American Idol, so we’re bound to lose interest soon.

That’s why President-elect Obama needs to waste no time in harnessing this feeling and ask something of us. We’ll spend. We’ll save. We’ll do laps. We’ll wear sweaters…..”

It’s Veterans Day November 11, 2008

It is once again the 11th day of the 11th month and time to celebrate Veterans Day. This Veterans Day finds the men and women of our armed services in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan and stationed elsewhere around the world.

I thought I would share my Grandfather’s story, as I did last year in my blog. This is a picture of my father’s parents, Omer Kingston Brokaw, and his lovely new wife, Charlotte, on their wedding day in Nashville during WWII. A very handsome couple, and a very well spoken young man.

Here is an excerpt from his own diary, written in pencil on Morrison Field stationery, not dated. He was 23 years old.

“I believe that I am fighting for a way of life, a way of life in which the members of one race will be able to greet the members of all other races with respect and dignity knowing that each is free of those intolerances that encourage and permit one to look down upon the other as his human inferior. Each individual must have the inalienable right to the pursuit of his own just happiness, and society must see to it that his rights are not infringed upon by the intolerant.”

Kingston was a flight navigator, and his plane was shot down over North Africa. My father never knew him, so many of us never knew him. His absence hangs over my family in so many ways. I am grateful for his sacrifice, and for the sacrifice of so many lovely beings lost to war.

I have hope that our miraculous new president will bring our troops home from Iraq, as quickly as possible.

Today, I am wishing for homecomings.

Exhale the old, breathe in the new. November 11, 2008

Incredible. What to do with all this hope.

LADIES First November 4, 2008