Practicing

I have taken to wearing Ron Paul pins on my shirts and my purse. I should probably get ready to answer questions that the pins might evoke.

Ron Paul Dialogue #1 - with a semi-interested, semi-uninformed, non-aggressive person:

PERSON: Ron Paul? Who's that?

ME: Oh, he's running for president and he actually believes in the Constitution!

PERSON: Hmmm...where's he from?

ME: He's a Republican Congressman from Texas, and he has never voted for any government power or program that wasn't authorized by the Constitution.

PERSON: Oh.....(doesn't really know what that means)

ME: I like him because he is questioning what is the proper role of government - to take care of everyone from cradle to grave? or to protect individual rights, you know "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness"? That's a big difference.

PERSON: Hmmm....

ME: Plus he voted against the Iraq war from the beginning and wants to get rid of the income tax. I can get behind that!


Dialogue #2 - with staunch Democrat: - IN PROGRESS

Chalk one up for the ladies.

Yesterday I went to UCSF's Women's Health Center ( a HUGE building in the city) to get a second opinion on my thyroid cyst. This time I got an ultrasound guided Fine Needle Biopsy.

It was so cool. I remember ultrasounds from being pregnant. But this time I didn't have to hold my pee for hours. I got to lay on my back and look at the screen while a very nice lady moved the ultrasound thingie all over my neck. I saw lots of interesting things. But sadly the huge balloon in there was my cyst, which even sadlier turns out to be a nodule (because it is solid and not fluid).

BUT instead of the gruff, old man who told me it wouldn't hurt (it DID!) the first time, I got a gruff, middle aged woman who promised me she'd help me get over my former biopsy experience. She said she's seen tons of patients who come in traumatized by thyroid biopsys. I guess skill does really matter here.

So, there I was surrounded by women, lying on a table looking at a beautiful mural on the ceiling. My Dr. gave me a pain killer injection - no biggie. Then, she held the ultrasound thingie in one hand, the needle in the other and watched on screen while she poked my nodule. She could see her needle on the screen (inside my neck!) and tell just where to pull cells. Cool. And it didn't hurt too bad, about the same as a bad sore throat - and only for 10-15 seconds. Then she did the same thing on the other side, cause it turns out I have a small one on the right side as well. Then she looked all around my thyroid and theorized that I have thyroiditis because there were lots of bumps all over it.

So the bad news is that I have lots of bumps and nodules. The good news is that as long as my thyroid functions I don't have to do anything about it. PLUS the cytologist (also a woman) checked my cells right there under a microscope to make sure we got tissue cells (the first time he only got blood cells). She came over to me, put a hand on my arm and said, "It all looks benign, so don't worry. Of course, that's preliminary but it looks good." Whew....

I don't get the official results until next week. I sure hope they are not different!

But cancerous possibilities aside, I have to say that the overall experience was caring and technologically satisfying. The ladies were kind, took their time with me, and were thorough. What a nice change.

Star Trek

My son said the cutest thing today about Star Trek.

"Mom, you know why I really don't like the Original Series of Star Trek? They like never have any red alerts! It's all kissy kissy and stuff."

We've been watching The Next Generation (which I loved during college) lately. Mostly it is awesome; great ideas, exciting action, character development and who doesn't love Jean Luc? I mean, c'mon.

BUT for ten and seven year olds it can be somewhat risque. There's no actual sex, but lots and lots of references and innuendo. It's a bit more than I want them seeing at this point.

I wish I could just program the DVD to skip any adult references. Oh well. We'll probably revisit Star Trek in a few more years.

Until then, Jean Luc.......

Republican? Me????

First I was a Democrat. Until Clinton left a foul taste in my mouth.

Then I went Green because I was worried about the environment. But I soon figured out that Green means Socialist. No...that doesn't work.

My distress over 9/11 and the ramp up for the Iraq invasion motivated me to study the Constitution and the founding principles of our country. Those guys were pretty smart. Maybe they had some answers.

About two years of pretty intense study led me to conclude that if the Founding Fathers were around today, they would be Libertarian. So that's what I became too. You know; limited government, the right to life, liberty and property (did you know that is what Jefferson wrote first?) sovereignty in the people, equal justice for all and all that good stuff.

Until now. After twenty years of voting I have finally found a presidential candidate that isn't the lesser of two evils. This guy actually says what I believe! Incredible! Who is it?

RON PAUL! http://www.ronpaul2008.com/

He is a Constitutionalist, meaning he has never and would never vote for any government power that isn't authorized by the Constitution. Yeah baby! He is against the war in Iraq, and was from the beginning. Right on! He is a doctor and a sweet old guy. Mmmmmmmm....

Here are some of his main selling points:

He has never voted to raise taxes.
He has never voted for an unbalanced budget.
He has never voted for a federal restriction on gun ownership.
He has never voted to raise congressional pay.
He has never taken a government-paid junket.
He has never voted to increase the power of the executive branch.

He voted against the Patriot Act.
He voted against regulating the Internet.
He voted against the Iraq war.

He does not participate in the lucrative congressional pension program.
He returns a portion of his annual congressional office budget to the U.S. treasury every year.

Check out this video - to me it is inspiring.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWfIhFhelm8

I'm considering a Ron Paul sticker on my car! I may even volunteer (though I'm more apprehensive about this). I am finally excited about a politician.

Now, I am not naive. I don't hold out too much hope that he will win the nomination. But he is out there singing my song on a national level. The more people hear his message the better. With popular support he can steer the debate within the GOP to real issues that are based in reality (not platitudes, promises and outright lies). Oh, the other candidates hate him. The head of the GOP in Michigan (I think) tried to get him kicked out of the debates. Ha! The truth hurts!

So that's the story of why I have registered to be a Republican. Mr. Paul is running as a Republican. And that's what I need to be (as distasteful as it is) in order to vote for him in the primary.

Tangentially, re-registering to vote is easy! I just went online to http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_vr.htm and filled out an online form. They'll mail something to me for my John Hancock and then I mail it to my county's election official. That's it! Simple as pie.


NOTE: As Ron Paul did not become the Presidential candidate for the Republicans, I have left the grand ole party for greener pastures.

Success!

Either I am a genius mother or my daughter is an exceptionally bright toddler. Or both. After only four days of potty training - she's got it! Number one? In the potty. Number two? In the potty. Every time for three days! (only one accident) She even went to the potty during sunday school! Impressive.....

But let me tell you how entirely sick I am of singing the "Marie went pee pee! Right in the potty!" song. Jumping up and down and parading a full potty around the house gets old pretty darn quick.

I have downgraded her from three jelly bellies to one for each success. Otherwise I'm going to have a sugar-hyped kid permanently, ya know? I wonder if she'll notice. So far, so good.

COMING SOON: Moving from the crib to a bed!

Potty Training

OK. I know I've done this twice before. But I potty trained my first two kids five and eight years ago. Only hazy and vague recollections of that time exist in my brain now.

My daughter Marie turns three in two weeks. For the last few days we have given up diapers (during the day) and are officially potty training. This is important for several reasons: swimming lessons, ballet class and preschool all require a potty trained child.

When is the last time you spent most of your time, energy and brain power
trying to understand and manipulate the thought processes of an almost three year old? It is a trip - to say the least.

Logic just doesn't apply at this age. It is more conditioning and habit at this point. And bribery. Jelly Bellies and M&Ms to be exact. Each time she manages to go #1 on the potty, we all gather round, jump up and down and sing the "Marie went pee pee!" song. Then we march the full baby potty to the big potty and dump it in. After wiping, flushing and washing hands, she gets three jelly bellies. M&Ms are for successful #2s. She has only gotten M&Ms once.

Here's the deal. She loooooves peeing on the potty, but is convinced that she can't go #2. Is it painful? Is she scared for some other reason? What mysterious reasoning goes on inside that adorable curly head?

So far I haven't figured it out. We are 1 for 3 on #2. Thankfully there is some understanding inside her mind that going on the floor is not OK. She walks outside and goes there. Strange.

With my first child I didn't even have my own computer. With my second, it would never have occurred to me to look online. But I've spent the last few days investigating the many web sites on potty training tips and troubles.

But the only piece of advice that I can take to the bank is to be low-key, and have a sense of humor. "Oh well, you'll make it in the potty next time!"

I am not looking forward to poopy underpants. Ugh.

Wish us luck.

Iran

I have a friend who tries to keep me up to date on world affairs. She emails me articles all about Iran and Islamofascism and globalwarmingalarmism. I try to read most of them. She and I agree on some fundamental political principles, but disagree on a lot of current events. Overall, it is a stimulating and challenging relationship.

Today I read this article: The Case for Bombing Iran which appeared in the Wall Street Journal. This article contains a lot of conjecture. To me it seems the height of irresponsibility and foolishness to advocate an attack upon Iran based on guesses. The author himself admits the consequences could be worse than dire.

I keep having this question in my mind: Why do we need to force our great form of govt. on the rest of the world with force, in the name of opposing the totalitarianism du jour? Yes fascism, communism and most isms are bad. But when and why did it become written in stone that is the proper role of the US government to police the rest of the world? Why does no one question the more than 500 military bases we have worldwide?

If our form of govt is so great (which in its fundaments it is), the rest of the world will want to imitate us. I really think we should focus on making our own house greater (more free, richer, safer...etc). You know, take the log out of your own eye before trying to take the speck out of your brother's eye - and all that.

Yes, the situation with Iran is bad. But let's face it, another "preemptive" attack in the Middle East will permanently seal our fate as aggressors. We will lose ALL credibility in the world and our only power will be our military strength.

I know there comes a time when it is necessary to strike first to avoid being attacked (if attack is eminent). I am not arguing against WWII or that we should just roll over and wait for the next terrorist attack. I'm just saying....over 500 military bases worldwide? C'mon.....

My husband's input on this critical topic:
HIM: What are you writing about?
ME: Iran
HIM: Iran.....Iran so far awa-a-ay....