I am amused at the fact that there are certain jabs that could be thrown among the candidates but can’t be even hinted at.

For instance, Hillary can’t use Obama’s middle name or say that he’s a black Muslim or that he used pot cause her husband smoked but didn’t inhale…yeah right…or that his wife is a poor example of what the Presidential first lady should be.  It’s almost laughable to consider a man as first lady but, pardon my opinion, Bill as first lady is the kind of thing that TV shows are made of.  The woman running the country while he’s in Lincoln’s bedroom.

Obama can’t bring up the fact that either Hillary is going to have PMS if she’s not in menopause too with its hot flashes and night sweats.  And every woman claims that they’re not affected by hormones.  I remember one month into my marriage saying that to my husband.  What a freakin’ joke!!  We’re all hormonal!! But Obama can’t say it!!  News broadcasters and analysts (how many political analysts are there anyway?) are afraid to say it cause the backlash is quick and painful.

Nobody can tell McCain to whiten his teeth!
Nobody can ask Huckabee for a little bit of what he’s on!
(I say that with tongue in cheek cause I really like the guy.)

All of their hands are tied!  It’s really quite comical!  I know that there has never been a political race without alot of twists and turns but this one is more interesting than any that I can remember. 

I do apologize for remaining on this topic but the name of the blog is InHerThoughts and that’s what you get. 

My mind, like many others, tends to have it’s record needle get stuck in a groove now and then…

It’s now pretty much common knowledge that Sylvia Browne uses a wheelchair all of the time except when she’s walking on and off stages.
I wonder (rhetorically) why she does that?
Is she ashamed?
Is she afraid it will make her seem weak?

It just seems to me that she is sending out the wrong message.
Sylvia talks about Oprah not being honest with herself and not “coming out”…
isn’t it ironic?

But I don’t feel bad cause we reap what we sow!

Robert Lancaster has a new article up today on StopSylviaBrowne.com!

In Lancaster’s style of Fair and Balance (unlike others who claim to be but aren’t) about how wrong Sylvia’s predictions about Jennifer Lopez were. 

You may say “who cares, it’s only Jennifer Lopez” but I bet somebody does…like maybe Jennifer Lopez?

Seriously, to continue the mascarade that you are psychic is laughable Ms. Brown(e).  The gig is up!!

It’s one thing when you know how a magician does a trick.  We don’t say anything because magic is fun!

But, convincing desperate people that you are a psychic who can see their future or their past or hear answers that they cannot should be against the law and should never be covered under the “for entertainment purposes only” clause.     

For entertainment purposes ?? Tell Shawn Horbeck’s parents or Opal Jenning’s family or the countless others that! 

Doesn’t Sylvia Browne have a conscience?  Is her ego so inflated that she feels above us all?  Yes, the articles on StopSylviaBrowne.com repeatedly expose how Sylvia Browne really feels about us all but isn’t there a line that is drawn somewhere…eventually?

Why does this lady keep going?  She could have stopped all of this years ago either by fading away or actually fessing up to really being as non-chalant as she sounded when she told one of her ex-husbands,  “Screw ‘em. Anybody who believes this stuff oughtta be taken.”. 

Yeah…Go Sylvia Browne…Go!!

I got up this morning and checked out some of my favorite sites, one being the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) and what did I find?  Something so completely amazing, disgusting and yet, not really surprising that my mind was blown!

Apparently Sylvia Browne’s downward spiral wasn’t going fast enough for her liking so she, her big mouth and her HUGE ego sped things up (with any luck).

During this past weekends Spiritual Salon, a $1,000 treat for those who just can’t get enough, Sylvia said that she disliked Oprah Winfrey because Oprah isn’t honest about her past and her sexuality.  According to Sylvia, Oprah is gay or bisexual but won’t acknowledge it!

This woman continues to amaze me with her audacity, ignorance and maliciousness!  Having spent the last decade studying the works of her church, The Society of Novus Spiritus also known as “The Tax Shelter”, I am very familiar with the ways of Sylvia Browne but this has got to be the stupidest things I’ve heard about her in a long time.

I hope that Oprah sues the crap out of her!!  I’d rather Oprah have the millions of dollars that Sylvia has reaped from her fans with mistruths and hollow promises. 

Sylvia claims to be a psychic, spiritual teacher.  But, she herself said that if you use your gift with greed or false ego you will lose your gift.  I think that happened around 10 years ago but she’s still riding the tide.  Then she starts a church that is run by some of the most Godless people I have ever encountered.  I mean, the Society of Novus Spiritus makes other religious scandals seem like child’s play.

Well, many have prayed to see Sylvia Browne receive due justice and I am hoping that this story will grow legs and walk right up to Oprah who can afford to bring justice to the unjust!

If you are familiar with Sylvia Browne whether it be from her over-the-counter books or her church, The Society of Novus Spiritus or her appearances on the Montel Williams Show (which was recently canceled), please remain balanced.  The concepts Sylvia writes about are exactly what many of us have been looking for but it is important to remain balanced.

Please read the articles on Robert Lancaster’s site, StopSylviaBrowne, and the discussions on the JREF forum and stay informed.  There is no reason why you cannot gather self-help knowledge from every well possible but you have to be careful for we are sheep among wolves.

“Michael Clayton” with George(ous) Clooney

It got great reviews but we thought it was pretty bad.  Watching George made it bearable.

“American Gangster” with Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe

Inspired by a true story of Harlem’s drug underworld.  This movie was really great!

“2 Days In Paris” with Adam Goldberg and July Delpy

2 Days get 2 Thumbs down.  Funny in the previews and almost tortuous to watch.

“Diggers” with Paul Rudd

About a group of friends who are clam diggers.  It’s worth it if you really like Paul Rudd but if that’s the case, there are better movies with him in it to choose from such as “I Could Never Be Your Woman” with Michelle Pfeiffer which was a really cute movie that didn’t get alot of buzz.
I like Paul Rudd so I watched the entire movie…otherwise it would have been turned off after 15 minutes.

“Romance and Cigarettes” with James Gandolfini, Susan Sarandon and Kate Winslet

Don’t be fooled by the cover.  It’s definitely not indicative of what the movie or musical, I should say, is like.  I was surprised at James’ ability to sing but he’s done that on the Soprano’s so I didn’t need to see this movie to know that.

I have heard of writing letters or petitions to God and to the Universe for the last decade or so while participating in various spiritual discussion groups. 
If you’ve never heard of them before, they are letters we write to God or to the Universe of souls who’ve known us before, during and possibly after this lifetime who are rooting for us to be happy and content.

They’re more for our benefit than God’s or the Universe’s since I believe that They both know what we want even before we do.

I used to think that the typical thing a person would do is to burn the letter so that it figuratively or ritualistically rises up to the Universe…
as if the Universe didn’t read it while we were writing it…duh.

Well, when I read Chapter 9 in “Eat Pray Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert, I found a really neat addition to this spiritual practice that I had never heard before.  When she wrote her petition, she actually has people sign it!  Figuratively of course.
She and her girlfriend Iva imagined everyone from the Clintons to Abraham Lincoln signing her petition.  Everyone who they thought would sign the petition did sign the petition on Elizabeth’s behalf. 

I thought that was the coolest thing I’d heard in a long time!  I see no reason why Matthew Maconahay wouldn’t want me to be able to keep up my exercise regimen!  I see no reason why Julius Cesar would watch my back against ne’er-do-wells.  I see no reason why the Dali Lama would want me to have peace of mind.  I don’t know why I haven’t heard of this or thought of it myself!  It’s great!!

Now, some folks may say that this is a waste of time and your opinions are duly respected as are mine (I hope).
You don’t have to be religious or spiritual to petition for a better life or well being.  The reality is that people, whether they be atheists, spiritualists and all folks in between, petition God and the Universe every day…every time they pray or speak a wish outloud or ponder things they fancy they are petitioning someone or something.

I have had great success with my petitions but I am smart enough to know that not every wish will be granted for there are things that are beyond our control and things that must happen in order for us to learn.  I do believe that there is a purpose under heaven and we tend to learn more about ourselves and life when things are hard but there is no reason why we can’t ask for a smoother path.

You never know…you just might ask and receive!!  I have!!
I petitioned once to help me make ends meet.  I heard a voice in my head that said that I could have what I wanted but I’d have to work for it.  In other words (as I see it) God would help me if I’d help myself.  I had to watch my spending!  So I asked for strength and I got it.  I don’t worry over bills anymore.

I’ve prayed or petitioned for many things and I’ve gotten them.  I don’t think God wants us to be miserable.  I think God wants us to be happy but I think sometimes we stand in our own way to progress.

I’m not a big Dr. Phil fan but he did say something once that I’ll never forget. 
“Pray to God but row for the shore.“ 
In other words…God helps those who help themselves.

I’ve been shopping at the same grocery store for 15 years and I’m quite acquainted with most of them.  Well, this one guy there, a very nice guy, used to open up every conversation with, “Hi!  You look tired!  How are ya doing?”. 

I knew that his intention wasn’t to make me feel like crap.  He’s a nice guy and probably wanted to seem empathetic or sympathic or whatever…it seems that the human race wants to complain more than anything so a cashier at a grocery store must hear from every miserable person, because they have to eat too, about how they’re tired and wah-wah-wah and after a while I guess they probably assume that we’re all like that. 

The big smile on my face and flutter, friendly style should be enough but I guess a sign would do.
“Not a Whiner“
Hmm…that would be a cool T-shirt!

“I’m not as tired as I look Buddy, but if YOU had only 2/3’s of a heart that works only 10-15% over dead (ejection fractions for those in the know) and were on enough medications to lull an elephant to sleep and still managed to have a full and productive, happy life, YOU’D look tired too!!”  is what I wanted to say but I can’t because it’s not very nice and he’s way too sensitive for me to pass along this invaluable information to, so I will pass it along to you.

“You look tired” is NOT a conversation starter unless you know the person very well!!!  If that’s all you can think of saying, just smile and look away!

Peace

Let me start off by saying that I have been officially banned from public singing since our daughter was 2 when she and I were in the car and I was singing with the radio.  She’s all buckled up in the back seat looking all angelic in the adorable outfits and hairdo’s that 2 year olds allow us to put on them.  She suddenly put her hands over her ears and said, “Mommy!  Please stop singing!  You’re giving me a headache!”

And that was the end of my singing career inspiration…

But I do belt out a tune now and then when I’m bouncin’ around the house whether anyone likes it or not.  I’m happy, I sing.  Usually it sounds like a drunk Frank Sinatra but who cares when you’re having fun, right?  I have found that singing “New York New York” calms down Sheba when I’m grooming her with the shears so it does serve other purposes.

So, anyway…John and I agreed not to go all-out for Valentines.  I don’t know why we made that agreement because it’s been the same thing every year.  He gets me a card from him and one from each dog and I get him loads of Hershey’s chocolate.

Well, this year, somewhat inspired by the movie we watched recently, “Across the Universe“, I serenaded him.

Now, I know that I sound better in the bathroom.  Not as good as I sound in my head but better just the same, so I decided I would do this while he was taking a shower!  Kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.

He got home from work all dirty but the Chinese food I had ordered was due any minute so I asked him to wait till after dinner to take his shower.
He gave me the boyish grin that he gets all the time and I said, “get yer mind outta the gutter, Man!” (it’s crowded in there) and I let him know that no, it’s not that sort of thing so that he can calm the heck down!

All day I practiced and see-sawed about whether I was gonna do it or not.  Would I chicken out?!  He’s the musician in the house!  Not me!!
Eh, it won’t matter, I tell myself.  He’s got at least 5 pounds of chocolate to comfort him if I do.  But, I’m not shy in front of my husband so after dinner he got in the shower, not at all aware of what was going to happen.

And then, I sat down and calmly sang

Who knows how long I’ve loved you
You know I love you still
Will I wait a lonely lifetime
If you want me to–I will.

For if I ever saw you
I didn’t catch your name
But it never really mattered
I will always feel the same.

Love you forever and forever
Love you with all my heart
Love you whenever we’re together
Love you when we’re apart.

And when at last I find you
Your song will fill the air
Sing it loud so I can hear you
Make it easy to be near you
For the things you do endear you to me
You know I will
I will.

When I was done, I peeked behind the shower curtain and I swear he had tears in his eyes…or it could’ve been the soap.  <shrug>
But, he loved it and it felt great to do so it was really, really special!! 
He’s never been serenaded before and I’ve never even felt like I wanted to serenade or to be serenaded until I met him.

What did I get, you may ask?
Complete freedom to be me and to be happy and that my friends, is priceless!

What an awesome movie!! 
I have to admit that at first I was like, “Eh, this is gonna stink!” but after about 10 minutes I felt myself amazed at the sights, the sounds and just the simple fact that someone in Hollywood has finally done something different and unpredictable!!

From the official site:

At once gritty, whimsical and highly theatrical, Revolution Studios’ Across the Universe is an original movie musical springing from the imagination of renowned director Julie Taymor (Frida, Titus, and the Broadway smash hit musical “The Lion King”) and writers Dick Clement & Ian La Frenais (The Commitments).

A love story set against the backdrop of the 1960s amid the turbulent years of anti-war protest, mind exploration and rock ‘n roll, the film moves from the dockyards of Liverpool to the creative psychedelia of Greenwich Village, from the riot-torn streets of Detroit to the killing fields of Vietnam. The star-crossed lovers, Jude (Jim Sturgess) and Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood), along with a small group of friends and musicians, are swept up into the emerging anti-war and counterculture movements, with “Dr. Robert” (Bono) and “Mr. Kite” (Eddie Izzard) as their guides. Tumultuous forces outside their control ultimately tear the young lovers apart, forcing Jude and Lucy – against all odds – to find their own way back to each other.

The actors, mostly unknowns, all did their own singing which surprised me because they were all really good!!  And because they were unknowns, it was interesting to watch them.  It wasn’t like I knew what they’d do next like what is common with many actors who act the same from movie to movie.

I highly recommend this movie and if you’d like to check out the site it’s at Across The Universe.Com.

Do my dogs really say “WOO HOO” when they’re running around the backyard like I think they do?

Does my Dingo think she looks like my Yorkie and vice versa?

Why is Grecian’s Formula for Men for men only?  Why can they get the gray out in 5 minutes and we have to do it in 25 to 30 (and a whole lotta mess)!?

What happens if an identity thief steals someone’s identity that is worse off then their own?

Do people who have one or more bumper stickers that have complete sentences written on them, usually in some whacky color scheme that makes it hard to read standing still, bitch the entire time they’re on the road ’cause people are tailgating them?

Doesn’t it seem that in this day and age we’d be able to communicate from car to car?
It would be nice to say things such as “Hang up your *%$* phone!”, “Do the speed limit and stay there, don’t slow down and speed up constantly!”, and “Hey! Slow down a second…Oh…Awesome bumper stickers, Dude!”.