The New Year’s resolution we don’t break

INXS’ “Not Enough Time”

It’s the end of another year. I suppose I could enumerate all the things I learned in 2007, which would be a very, very long list. (The first lesson of 2007: Do not let our friend Susan try to talk me into polishing off a magnum of champagne with her on New Year’s Eve. Ever. Even if we’re drinking the good stuff, we’re having fun, and The Dauphin thinks it’s really entertaining.) At the same time, the year’s lessons are boring to everyone else but me.

The Dauphin and I have had the same New Year’s resolution for a couple of years now. It was Newsweek’s New Year’s resolution once upon a time. Unfortunately, the article in question is eluding an aggressive Google search, but I remember exactly what was printed: “Make out more.” That’s right. Among the “lose twenty pounds” and “quit smoking” lists, Newsweek dared to suggest something I found irresistible. I e-mailed the link to the article to The Dauphin and said something like, “So. How about it?”

Everyone always puts “work out more” on their New Year’s resolution list, but they don’t seem to believe that “making out more” could lead to good health as well. One thing’s for sure, it makes everyone happier, doesn’t it? I could go off on a long essay about how healthy it is to suck face with one’s SO, how it improves communication in and out of the bedroom, how people who are married or in a committed relationship just forget about kissing. After all, everyone’s busy. Why not skip the whole kissing thing and go on to the main event, anyway? It was good to relearn that getting there is half the fun. Let’s face it: It’s free. It’s very pleasurable. It’s a learning process, even if you’ve been kissing the same person for fifteen years. (How does their mouth feel? How do they taste, how do they smell, do you notice the scrape of his beard or the softness of her cheek beneath your fingertips?) Above all, there are no calories. What’s not to like?

Tonight, I’ll look into The Dauphin’s eyes one more time. I’ll kiss him at midnight. Of course, the only resolution we’ve ever kept is to make out more, and that’s what we’ll be doing in 2008. Why mess with success?

Happy New Year,

-S

Looking at America

 

On the last day of the year, the New York Times uncorks the truth about what’s happened to our nation over the past seven years. The America I love, the America millions looked to in hope around the world, is unrecognizable.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/31/opinion/31mon1.html?_r=2&hp&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

There are too many moments these days when we cannot recognize our country. Sunday was one of them, as we read the account in The Times of how men in some of the most trusted posts in the nation plotted to cover up the torture of prisoners by Central Intelligence Agency interrogators by destroying videotapes of their sickening behavior. It was impossible to see the founding principles of the greatest democracy in the contempt these men and their bosses showed for the Constitution, the rule of law and human decency.

It was not the first time in recent years we’ve felt this horror, this sorrowful sense of estrangement, not nearly. This sort of lawless behavior has become standard practice since Sept. 11, 2001.

The country and much of the world was rightly and profoundly frightened by the single-minded hatred and ingenuity displayed by this new enemy. But there is no excuse for how President Bush and his advisers panicked — how they forgot that it is their responsibility to protect American lives and American ideals, that there really is no safety for Americans or their country when those ideals are sacrificed.

Out of panic and ideology, President Bush squandered America’s position of moral and political leadership, swept aside international institutions and treaties, sullied America’s global image, and trampled on the constitutional pillars that have supported our democracy through the most terrifying and challenging times. These policies have fed the world’s anger and alienation and have not made any of us safer.

I’ve spent the past seven years wondering where my country has gone. When I meet people from other countries who ask me how I can possibly support the policies and behavior of the Bush administration, I am embarrassed and ashamed. I wonder how so many people can hold high positions in our government who have so little regard for the things that made our country an example to the world — democracy, for instance. The Constitution. The fact that one is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The fact that our country is governed by the rule of law, not by fear or favor, to quote Al Gore.

We have a moral imperative to be “the shining city on a hill,” and we are tarnished by the continuing lawless behavior of our government. We owe our fellow citizens and the world much more. There must be liberty and justice for all in America, because she doesn’t work when there isn’t.

In 2008 and beyond, we must do better. We have no choice.

-S

p.s. Speaking of the New York Times, it seems they’ve hired Bill Kristol. There’s at least one NYT reader who isn’t happy with this development: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kathleen-reardon/my-husbands-farewell-to-_b_78674.html

Take the 2007 news quiz…if you dare!

Well, boys and girls, it’s that time of year again.  How much do you remember about the news events of 2007?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22218889/?GT1=10645

I’m a news junkie. I’m hanging my head in shame to only manage 80%. Of course you can beat that!

-S

p.s. I’d also like to thank the NFL for scheduling this Saturday’s playoff game during my RWA chapter’s board meeting. GrrrrRRRRRrrr. Then again, if they play like they did this afternoon, it doesn’t much matter, does it?

A quiet night at home, and a challenge

We’ve been watching a few of my favorite movies over the past few days. (We’ve also seen a few stinkers, which I’ll discuss at a later time.) The Dauphin was a very good sport through the estimated fifteenth viewing of “It’s a Wonderful Life”.  It’s my favorite movie. He naps, and I sigh over George Bailey yet again.

We watched “While You Were Sleeping” tonight. (Don’t worry. I know he’ll watch something amazingly bloody or any James Bond film the minute I fall asleep in the family room chair.) Of course, this brought on a great conversational topic. I can hardly wait to hear what the TLPC commenters have to say about this one.

What are your five favorite movies set in Chicago? Here’s a few of mine.

• High Fidelity
• The Blues Brothers Movie
• While You Were Sleeping
• Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
• Chicago* (I realize that most of this movie was filmed in Toronto, therefore, I get one more, don’t I?)
• School of Rock

So, let’s hear your favorites in the comments!

-S

p.s. Did I mention that I prefer Bill Pullman to Peter Gallagher, too?

Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “The Sky Is Crying”

The video’s not great, but the music lives on…
-S

Update: Gabriel Williams will have BOTH his parents there while he recovers!

I was thrilled to read a few minutes ago that Sgt. Williams’ leave from Iraq has now been approved once more. He and his wife are at their son Gabriel’s side while he recovers from a lung infection.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-armyleave_webdec25,1,5285694.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

Standing out in the crisis has been the kindness of a national charity leader who e-mailed an offer to help defray medical costs, a retired steelworker who sent chocolates to the Williamses, and hotel managers who have refused payment while the Williams’ child is in Munster Community Hospital across the street.

The above is touching. The following made both of us shake our heads. Did I mention that The Dauphin served in the military as well?

Some of the confusion about the extension arose because Williams’ commanding officer has been out on combat operations, said 4th Stryker Brigade spokesman Maj. Shawn Garcia. When Williams’ company commander returned to base and learned of the sergeant’s plight, he extended the soldier’s leave, Garcia said.

The article goes on to state that Sgt. Williams’ leave was always to extend to December 28th. The first spokeswoman at Fort Lewis evidently did not get that memo, did she?

I realize that there are hundreds of thousands of troops still in Iraq. I hope that they will return home to their families and friends, safe and sound, and as quickly as possible. I’d like to thank whomever made the phone call to help Sgt. Williams and his family out.

We send all healing thoughts and prayers to young Gabriel on his first Christmas.

-S

Grown-Up Christmas List

Okay. It’s three minutes of glurge, but really, how can any of us argue with the lyrics to this song?

Here’s to the things every heart wishes for, on Christmas and everyday.

-S

Dear Santa: I can explain…

NORAD is tracking Santa’s whereabouts tonight. Please go to http://www.noradsanta.org/ if you’d like to see where he is right now.

We’ll put some milk and cookies out for the man in red. I’m hoping he remembered everything on my list.

-S

My favorite Christmas carol

Karen Carpenter singing “I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day”

I still miss her.

I wait for Christmas every year. I love the music, wrapping presents, baking, and the cards that arrive in the mail. I love finding the perfect gift for the people on my list. I love seeing family and friends we don’t see often enough the rest of the year. It’s a month of enjoying myself. At the same time, my memories have become less about the presents, and more about the various experiences we’ve had over the years.

We used to attend a local church that put on a Christmas concert featuring one of the pastors. This particular pastor and his wife had lost a child in a drive-by shooting shortly before the holiday season that year. If anyone had an excuse to beg off the typical celebration, it would have been them. We’ve been lucky enough to see a lot of musical performances over the years, but I’ve never seen anything like this before or since. I’m not sure what made the evening so special. Could it have been that the church was packed with people who loved and supported Tony and his wife? He wanted to give a gift from the heart. He’s a great singer, but there was something more. In the midst of what must still be a nightmare for them that I can’t pretend to understand, he sang songs that meant something to him.

As I’ve mentioned, I love Christmas music. I always seem to go for the carols that aren’t played as often, though — songs  like “Gesu Bambino”, “The Holly and the Ivy”, and this one. Tony sang it that night. I couldn’t hold back my tears. I’ll never forget it. His gift keeps on giving.

I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men.

I thought as now this day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rung so long unbroken song
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men.

And in despair I bowed my head
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, goodwill to men.”

As I wrap the last of the presents and maybe bake some cookies, (cross your fingers!) I wish the readers of The Little Pink Clubhouse and those they love a wonderful holiday season, full of the things that make you happiest.

-S

Fort Lewis does it again: No, you can’t extend your leave, even if your baby’s dying!

Oookay. I was going to post something sickeningly sweet and nice about the upcoming holiday. I read the following in the Chicago Tribune, and well, it’s a good thing I have someplace to rant on. (You’d think this would be all over the local news in Seattle. So far, nada.)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-armykid_webdec24,0,7313741.story?coll=chi_tab01_layout

During his two tours in Iraq, Army Sgt. Chris Williams has been in many firefights, but a battle with military brass over a leave extension as his newborn son clings to life has been the scariest and most frustrating of his career.

“It’s a lot more stressful,” he said Sunday afternoon during an interview at Munster Community Hospital in Indiana, where doctors are monitoring his son Gabriel around the clock.

“I’m an adult. I’m in the Army,” said Williams, 24, of Crown Point, Ind. “If something happens to me, I can deal with it. But when it’s your kid, it’s a lot scarier than anything I’ve ever been in before.”

“They are fighting a war,” said Catherine Caruso, a spokeswoman at Ft. Lewis, near Tacoma, Wash., where Williams’ unit is based. “Even one person missing does have an impact. Sometimes hard decisions get made.”

Let’s see here: Fort Lewis is the same base that decided a few months ago that it was much more cost-effective to hold monthly group funerals for those who died in Iraq. They recanted after a massive public outcry. This is the same thing. When someone’s baby is dying, they shouldn’t have to worry about having a previously approved leave extension rescinded via voice mail. They shouldn’t have to listen to a Fort Lewis spokesperson simper in the press about “hard decisions”.

Hey, Ms. Caruso, I’ll make a “hard decision” for you. How’s about this? You get your posterior on a plane for Iraq. Tomorrow. Your family can go without this holiday, can’t they? After all, we’re fighting a war, aren’t we? Sergeant Williams has already sacrificed above and beyond, and you’re questioning the very real fact that the situation with his family is critical. His place is at his wife’s side while their newborn fights for life, not standing in a desert, worried out of his mind and wondering what’s going on at home. I’m sure you’ll be happy to take over in Iraq for a few days, won’t you?

TLPC sends our thoughts and prayers to the Williams family.

-S