Voting Day

I like the sound of "Voting Day" better than "Election Day" because to me, the day is less about who's elected in the end and more about the act of participating in the selection of our next elected representatives. We'll have quite a while after that to endure the task of navigating through the complexities of who we've put in the seat.

I'm less than thrilled with this year's choices and can only hope that those who come into power do their part to make our local and national situation less divisive. It's pretty sickening to watch us all behave like lesser life forms instead of finding a way to work things out for the greater good. There are no easy solutions to the crappy and complex situations that have been a long time in the making--way longer than the past 2 years.

I heard someone hypothesizing the other day about the nastiness of the race between Rick Scott and Alex Sink, our two contenders for governor of Florida. I'm hearing that many undecided voters won't go to the polls at all now because they are so repulsed by the ugliness of both campaigns.

It's true: there's such an abundance of disgusting commercials by each of the opposing candidates, you have no idea about their credentials or their real stances on issues. Yeah. Welcome to politics, you say. But don't you think that this year, things are particularly gross?

Choosing between the lesser of two evils (or incompetents) isn't ideal, but at least I have a say in matters with my vote, which counts just as much as anyone else's.  Sometimes we get spoiled and forget that, living in a democracy. I'm doing my best to let the D-Man know you don't get a voice in many other places of the world. Now let's work on better candidates.

Gropius Meets Sidewalk

It's been nearly a year since the Big Spill.

And this morning, an even greater near-tragedy transpired on a 5:45 a.m. walk with sweet, loving, adorable, once-homeless-and-living-on-the-streets Flanders, who apparently had to suddently stop and pee for the 321st time.  As one could imagine, I tripped over her. Majorly tripped. As in I busted my ass.

It's not like my life flashed in front of me or anything, but during the long and fumbling trip to the sidewalk, I did see things in slow motion like a horrible reinactment from a murder documentary. The impact left both knees severly skinned. I'll spare you the pictures, but it will suffice to say that I almost made someone in the office puke today when I revealed them.

After sitting there for a moment and collecting myself (during which time Flanders accomplished her desired urinary mission), I got up to walk the mile home. A block from the house, I realized my keys were still on the sidewalk...way back there. Fun.  Banging on the door several times eventually yielded a sleepy husband who let me inside and who promptly went back to bed.

Nice start to a new day. But I'm not complaining.

Project 180

Tonight I'm headed to McCurdy's Comedy Theatre for a few laughs with friends. What brings me there is a new nonprofit called Project 180. Now let me say this. The words "new" and "nonprofit" in the same sentence usually give me a stomach ache.

Introducing my soapbox...

Look, there is a vast world of nonprofits out there doing incredible things. And there is a vast world of nonprofits duplicating missions and disguising egos as good work. So when a "new" one comes around, it's often not a good thing...it's the sign of another organization doing something that another organization is already doing better.

But Project 180 is different. Right from the beginning, I was amazed at founder Barbara Richards, with her amazing energy, drive and commitment to a mission that many people do not care about. She also did her homework. No one else is doing it here. And she's moved me to care about something that's normally not on my Top 5 list--proof that the person who leads an organization can be just as powerful as its mission.

So what is Project 180, you ask? It seeks to re-integrate ex-offenders into community life. Why is it important? Even if you may not have the compassion to care about someone who managed to make a mistake (like we are all capable of at times), this mission is one that will help to keep you and your family safe, change behaviors for the long term and embrace the possibility of forgiveness.

I love it. Looking forward to some inspiring words from Barbara tonight.

Quite Possibly the Best Movie of ALL Time

Last night was Movie Night at work. A few weeks ago, we posted a blank paper on the break room fridge and everyone had a chance to suggest the movie they'd like to see. We then voted on SurveyMonkey. The loser ran off alone, and the winner followed those footprints toward Gilder...

That's right: The Princess Bride. Who would argue that it's the best movie of all time? Maybe you. If so, I want your fave.

Fencing, fighting, torture, giants, escapes, true love, miracles...what more could you ask for? (Doesn't sound too bad? You'll try and stay awake?) If you haven't watched this Rob Reiner classic in a while, it's time. It's a real feel-gooder that will make you believe in love again and awaken your senses to hilariousness.

Next up on October 1st Movie Night: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

Mercury's In Retrograde...Can't Someone Stop This?

I'm not really sure what that means, but people tell me that it causes unexpected--and not necessarily good--things to happen. Here's a sum total of this week:

• Starting with the worst of it, the beloved feline companions belonging to two people at work died--in the same day. One was attributed to old age, the other from an unexpected death. So very sad...


• A family member's house was struck by lightening, frying tv, printer, modem, electric and phone.


• Monsoon season has hit. I mean, we do need the rain, but it's starting to seem doomsday-ish out there.


• A good friend didn't get a job she needed, should have gotten and would have been so very right for.
  
• Something bizarre is hitting certain "everyday interaction" people, making them behave in strange and not so nice ways. Our neighbor across the street went off the deep end and is taking some actions that are impacting others with totally negative and unnecessary consequences.

I know what you're thinking: stay the hell away from Gropius. It's not me...I swear! The good news is plentiful when you look at things the right way: there are new spots open for two homeless animals, the house didn't burn down and no one was hurt, the thirsty earth is getting watered, a better opportunity is on the way, and patience is building with practice. Plus, karma always wins.

There. I've adjusted my attitude. Now will someone just tell me how long this Mercury in Retrograde crap is going to last?

Sarasota Fashion is Almost Here!!

Folks, I was really trying to hold out on this post until high season arrived. (I'm probably a little too early for regular season too, but what the hell.)

If you want a good time--a really good time--all you have to do is look at local columns and the various shiny covered magazines around. The fundraising season has almost arrived! And what better way to get engaged in some home town fun than to look at the outfits being flaunted by the socially elite of our town.

If you haven't read the hilarious GoFugYourself website, there's no time like the present. Gifted girl writers Heather and Jessica collect the best photos of celebs prancing around in their worst attire and prepare the most creative commentary you've ever seen. (Thank you RL for turning me on to this!) What sucks is that most of the time, I don't even know who the celebs are, but it still has the same appeal as laughing at the outfits in the local magazines. ("I don't know you from Adam, but I can guess that you probably did PAY for this attire you're wearing.")

Here's a great example of a posting from GoFugYourself, which actually is about a name I can recognize. It's the August 25 posting about Madonna. No really, you have to read it. One day I hope to be the writers you are, Jess & Heath. You don't mind if I call you that, do you?

So here's what I'm getting at. It's my brilliant idea for a fundraiser. And it doesn't even matter right now who would benefit. The idea is to have a FUGraiser, right here in Sarasota. We'd invite Jess & Heath to come in, fug the ugly outfits of our attendees and work with Marjorie to get them slathered in the paper. What do you think? I'm up for this. In fact, I'm ready to go. I can't decide what to wear, but I'm sure I can find some very appropriate clothes at a few local boutiques.

It's pretty fashionable to bring your pet to fundraisers too. Rams, can I borrow Gropius?

Fay vs. A Tropical Storm

So Fay turned out to be a milksop. I guess that’s good news in terms of damage control. But Fay, really, couldn’t you at least dump some rain on us? We could use that.

You did accomplish a few good things though, and this we thank you for.

• You gave the kids a day off of school, right after school started yesterday. And go Manatee County! You big bad ass. You showed us that you would be the last county in the state of Florida to make a determination. That waiting until 4 pm thing really proved that you’re a stand alone.
• You gave the local weather reporters a chance to shine. I hear there is a twig or two down near the bay front.
• You also provided us with a nice work at home day. This is what I’m working on.
• You proved that the neighbors behind us really do exist. After a few months of inactivity, we noticed a new family moving in behind us. They dropped a large shed in the backyard and then disappeared. They were back last night to tie up patio furniture to the tree nearest our fence line. So they exist! And they’re all for helping their stuff destroy ours.
• You gave us a reason to fight in Aisle 12 at Publix. I’ve heard about a few small wars that have been waged on the water shelves Sunday & Monday. This proves that we humans still have far to progress on our ascension from being controlled by animal instincts. For now, we’re well equipped with two 24 packs of water bottles. Help us, our house is too small for that. And it’s not good for my environmental reputation.
• Finally, you’ve given us extra Gropius fodder. Were Ferocious G’s marvels of architecture designed with tropical storms in mind? Not sure, but Fay, you didn’t even dare to test them, did you? I hope there’s more where you came from. And next time, do something for the aquifer.