Seems Like Old Times

Just these last three or four weeks, I've been in contact with many of my old friends from high school. It's been awesome. It's funny how, in twenty years, people change, and they don't. Everyone is different, but you still kinda know what to expect. Rae is still nuts, but I'm really surprised that Robin is one of those homeschooling moms. Oh, and it appears the guys are mostly still horny teenagers, deep inside. So no real surprises.

So I can really relate to how older Republicans feel these days. Even though I normally have no idea what they could possibly be feeling. I know today. It's nostalgia.

Remember that time radical extremists were bombing things, when they were a threat to our government, and so the president started just listening to their phone conversations, without even telling, much less asking a judge?

Remember when we were involved in a war for no good reason, other than we didn't want to look like losers, and military contractors were making a ton of money?

Remember when lots of people who worked at the White House were crooks, and they started to get caught, and so they ratted out everyone else?

And remember when the economy, by some standards, was looking pretty good, but really, we had more poor people than ever, gas prices were up, and "Made in America" didn't mean anything great anymore?

For me and for most of those who haven't seen a 20th high school reunion yet, we think these are just current events. We don't remember. But anyone who was an adult in 1975 should remember. Because all these things actually happened before, in the early seventies. And those people aren't that old. Not enough to have lost their memories yet. But that group of people, aged 45 to 70, are a group of people who tend to vote republican. So, if they aren't looking at current events with horror, they must be looking with nostalgia. Like some awful high school reunion, where no one changed, everyone looks and acts exactly the same. And if they continue to vote republican, they must think it's just great.

As I look at pictures of my old friends, and get to see how their lives moved along, I can see that people can change radically, and it is a good thing. It would be tragic if we get together for our 20th reunion next year, and nothing good or bad had happened, if we all looked and acted the same. It just wouldn't be any fun. But I guess there are some people who just love the past so much, they actually have to recreate it, instead of just visiting in memories. And those guys suck.

State of the Union Address Drinking Game

As a younger woman, I confess, I regularly played drinking games. As a woman with lots of extra "junk in my trunk", I regularly won. However, given many years without practice, when I played the State of the Union Address Drinking Game last year, I missed everything after about the first ten minutes. My oldest son consoled me, "You didn't miss a thing." It seems that Bush really did just come out and say the same things over and over again, putting me in serious danger of alcohol poisoning. But I wanted this year to be different. So, I have designed my own State of the Union drinking game, with "easier" rules, for the old, weak, and out of practice. After all, part of being the mom is being responsible.

Materials:
(1) Enough shot glasses for everyone in your party. Independents and Green Party guests can have paper cups. The Republicans can drink from the dog's water bowl.
(2) An American lightweight drink - domestic beer, Zima, wine coolers, Arbor Mist.
(3) Clear Tequila, limes and salt.
(4) Blue liquor - Island Blue Pucker is a good choice.
(5) Red liquor - something cinnamon, or fruity
(6) Cheese, and the foods that go with cheese - crackers, sausage, mustard, etc.

Mom's Rules:
Every time GB says security, safety, protect, spreading democracy, vote, Al Queda, Iraq, Iran, North Korea, 9/11, terrorists, or social security, drink a lightweight shot. He's probably going to pound you with these, and you don't want to pass out too early.
Every time he mentions the military, our brave soldiers, or their sacrifice, stab a piece of cheese and eat it. Cheese is also appropriate anytime he points out an audience member to inspire us.
Every time he says the phrase, securing our nation's borders, or mentions Mexico, or illegal immigration, drink a shot of tequila.
If he mentions Abramoff, Rove, DeLay, Cunningham, partisan attacks, corruption, Judge Alito, or claims that the program is legal, drink a red shot. When he claims that the program is legal, you must also yell, "Bullshit!" or you must drink two shots.
Every time the camera shows the members of the military not applauding when the members of his party are, drink a blue shot.
Every time the camera shows an audience member looking exasperated, or rolling their eyes, drink a blue shot.
Any time GB mispronounces a word or uses poor grammar, yell, "Moron!", and drink a blue shot.
When he says the economy is strong, home ownership is up, or unemployment is only 4.9 percent, yell, "Truthiness isn't truth!"

Don't kill too many brain cells, we have midterm elections coming up, don't drink and drive, and don't serve alcohol to minors. With that said, party on.

Hello again!

Howdy! It's been a long while since I posted, but I'm still out there - just been spending more time knitting, less time watching the news. If you've been missing the news, I can update you real quick like: the war's still going (not well), the republicans in power are still evil (but more of the mainstream media is noticing), and there were a few big ass natural disasters (but this time in our country). Al Franken, my hero, has a new book out, and it's AWESOME. Word from a muther.