Smarmoofus Spot

I have been reading a lot about a growing anti-Islamic movement in the US and some European nations, and it has me gravely concerned.  Most notably, there is a church in Florida that has declared September 11, 2010, “International Burn A Koran Day”, and they intend to hold a Qu’ran burning that evening.  Of course, this has triggered an international backlash.  However, the pastor of that church is not backing down.

I live my life according to a basic Judeo-Christian (and Buddhist?) philosophy: Do not treat others in a way you would not like to be treated. I don’t know about you, but I personally would not like seeing the holy text of my foundational beliefs burned in a public display of hatred.  While I support this man’s civil liberties (primarily his right to free speech), I disagree with his view.   In light of this, please view this video for a counter movement if the pastor follows through with his plan…

Enjoy the video and please join the cause! Click this link for the Facebook page, and read the “About” section.

While out doing some shopping (and driving my friend’s car for him so it doesn’t sit idle too long), I decided to stop at the little park between LAX and In-n-Out Burger on Sepulveda Bvld. in Westchester, California.  You haven’t lived ’til you’ve gone through the long but incredibly fast-moving drive-thru for an In-n-Out fix, then sat in this park eating your food as jumbo jets graze just overhead in their approach to LAX. Seriously cool.

(Note: This is the first post from my iPhone!)

On Saturday, August 21st, I went to El Mirage Dry Lake, about 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles. While there, the Corvette’s lockout protection failed, and we were locked out. It was 100 degrees and we were in the middle of nowhere. We were very grateful for roadside assistance. (Incidentally, getting into a locked Corvette is NOT easy!)

I got tired of the look of that other theme, and I haven’t had time to design something that I do like, so I’m bringing back my old green site.  For now.  Or maybe forever.  We’ll see.

Meanwhile, I am home from the first part of my Road Trip 2010, but I have a birthday party to get to, then I have stuff to accomplish.  I’ll post highlights of my trip so far before I leave for Part Two.  *assure*

EDIT:  And comments are broken again.  I must remember how I fixed them last time so I can fix ‘em again.  *sigh*

EDIT²: I FIXED THE COMMENTS!

So much for the down-time I thought I would have.  My trip has been so amazing at each stage of the journey that I keep telling myself, “I’ll write something at my next stop… the next stop…”  But then I get to the next stop and it’s even more awesome than the last.  (My apologies to people I visited early in my trip for the awkward way I’ve said that.  Of course you are all fabulous friends and gracious hosts!)

So here I am, a full month into my travels, and I have very little shown for it.  But I’ve had an incredible time, and that’s what really matters (to me), right?  And at some point in the future, I will share some photos.  (Of course I’ve been taking a lot of pictures.  A really lot, to borrow my sister’s phrase.)  Please continue to hold.  An operator will be with you soon.

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“Spring” – Photo Date: Early 2008; Location: Central AR

MommyWizdom’s Boggle Me Thursday is back yet again!  MommyWizdom says today’s board is a good one.  Let’s see…

Inside the three(?)* minutes:

goat goats sat fat fats fast stag snag nag nags run runs toga togas got too

tan rungs rung toast sang tang fang fangs gas fag fags sag rust sun runt tog

..

Outside the three minutes:

gnat gnats goo

sung oat oats

togs tag tags

is a game brought to you by MommyWizdom.

* I missed the “start” button on my timer tonight, and noticed after about 4 or 5 minutes had elapsed, so I just arbitrarily picked a few of my last finds and put them in the “outside the three minutes” section.  I have no idea how many I found within the timer.

G-man, I’m here! Finally! So sorry I’m late! Please don’t grade me down!

There was no moon and the dry winter air seemed to soak up all the light so that each step away from the house was a step into the unknown and unknowable.  But anything, she rationalized, was better than what she left behind.  This heavy void gave her hope.  Free!  Soon she would be free!

Story behind the story:

I don’t know.  Really, I don’t.  It was dark out when I went to visit some relafriends last night, and that was a feeling I had.  That’s all.

is hosted by g-man (visit him to let him know if you’re playing and to see other participants).

Speaking of nothing being free, I’m going on the Great American Road Trip, take 2, with an aniticipated departure date of April 3rd.  I am currently seeking sponsors for this trip.  A page explaining the different sponsorship levels and what you can receive for your generous contribution will be coming soon, but in the meantime, please read about this trip here.

I will be embarking on another cross-country roadtrip soon, and this time I’m taking you with me!  Of course, that means you’ll have to chip in a bit for gas.  But don’t worry, your share of the cost will be minimal.  And in exchange for your contribution, you may be eligible to receive a professionally-printed photo diary of my journey (ship date will be mid-August), or other memorabilia.

To give you an idea of what a cross-country road trip with me looks like, my last one, in the spring of 2008, followed this map:

View Larger Map

More details to follow soon, but know that there are varying levels of sponsorship available. Certainly a level you can afford.