I'm sorry

We are so mad at BP, at the Federal Government, at everyone else for causing this horrible disastor in the Gulf. We are quick to find blame with the giant oil corporations, upset that they have distributed 10B+ to its shareholders. We are angry with the federal government for not responding quickly enough, for not regulating enough.

But we as a nation can't escape the blame. We are oil hungry, gas hungry. I can't escape the blame. I am oil hungry, gas hungry. We look for easy fixes and quick answers. We consume and rely on oil -- the same oil that is now polluting our beaches, our playgrounds. We have created a huge demand for this thing. The oil companies are big and monstorous, but we created them. We created them and they took on a life of their own. Now this black gold that we have craved and sought and fought over is coming out at us in thousands of barrels a day. It is uncontrolled -- just like our desire for oil has become uncontrollable.

I'm sorry.

Two weekends ago my parents and Craig and I went fishing in the Panama City Bay area. As our little boat got closer to the opening into the gulf, we saw a couple of dolphins swimming. They were about 15 feet from our boat, and so happy and beautiful. Right now, Panama City Beach is oil free, but I'm worried it won't be long. Oil hit another one of my favorite places, recently, Fort Pickens. Above is a picture of Fort Pickens, taken spring of 2008.

Camping

Random piece of advice, don't go camping in the woods with no running water when you are coming down with a urinary tract infection.

Otto and I did survive, though. He came away with only 2 ticks (one dead and stuck, one alive and crawling). I only had two ticks. (both stuck -- eww). I made Craig drive me back while crying outside the tent only once (Friday night -- when the uti decided to rear its head -- I came back to the woods Saturday). I think the only reason I came back was out of love. It had to be. Though it probably would have been better for both of us (and Otto) had I stayed at home. Tents and ticks are not my thing, I've decided. Roughing it is cool, if there is some sort of grander purpose. Mission trip roughing it because you are doing work for others, cool. Visiting foreign (or not so foreign) places and roughing it because campsites are more budget friendly, cool. Loading up a car with enough water, food, wine, beer, and a blow up air mattress only to drive 40 miles and sleep outside in no air conditioning? No thanks. I like my nature in 3 to 4 hour trips.

Maybe next time, when I'm not sick.

Holidays and oil

Today is the birthday of Jefferson Davis. Well, actually, he was born on June 3rd. To be more precise, today is the observed birthday of Jefferson Davis. A state holiday.

3 of our 13 state holidays (14 if you count Baldwin and Mobile county celebrating Mardi Gras) commemorate the civil war and its heroes.

Robert E. Lee's Birthday, celebrated this year on January 18. Simultaneously celebrated with Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday.

Confederate Memorial Day, celebrated April 26, 2010.

Am I the only one who finds this odd?

In other news, my family went out fishing in the Panama City Bay this past weekend. Saw dolphins in the bay, walked along Shell Island, and traveled around the bay and marshy areas. Really hope that beautiful area stays that way.

A recap of 09

Welcoming 2010

Old Crow Medicine Show.

It was wonderful. I left work early on New Year's Eve, picked up Craig, and quickly we went to Nashville.

The four hour drive was quick. I love riding in a car with Craig. Time flies by. We went through chapters 7 and 8 in our "Ten Conversations You Must Have Before You Get Married" book. Those were two of the lamest chapters in my opinion. Labor (division of chores) and Leisure. Leisure is at least fun to talk about. But neither chapter is one bringing out deep or contentious issues.

Anyways, we arrived early for the Old Crow concert, and went ahead on into the Ryman Auditorium. This was my first time going to the Ryman. It was AWESOME. I loved the venue. It used to be an old church, so the acoustics are fantastic. We were worried about our seats. We purchased them late October, and got some of the last seats available. But the side balcony was great -- much closer and much more visibility than I've had in other venues with relatively good seats. After the opener, Old Crow played 3 hours. Wagon Wheel was a great song to welcome 2010 :-)

After the show, we went around downtown Nashville for a bit. Found my sister Jennifer and hung out with her a bit. Craig and I headed back to Murfreesboro and arrived after 3am -- for someone whose preferred bedtime is 9:30, I was surprised I survived!

The next morning, my sister Jessica, Craig, and I headed to my Uncle's lake house on Smith Lake to meet up with the rest of my family. We had "Christmas", ate good food, and relaxed for the rest of the weekend. I feel like this past three day weekend was more of a Christmas vacation than actual Christmas weekend. It was nice :-)

Adjunct

My real job has been going great. Stressful at times and boring at times like any job, but the people I work with are wonderful, and I am learning tons. So that is awesome. And, when I get home, I enjoy eating a wonderful dinner (generally cooked by Craig), watching HIMYM, and being a slug. I love slug nights.

But I never can stick with doing just one thing for long. . .

A friend of mine who teaches at Virginia College in Birmingham asked me if I wanted to be an adjunct teacher (instructor? professor?). Yes, please, thank you very much. There is a chance that I could teach a Sociology class next semester. :-D

Besides the fact that I only took one basic sociology class in undergrad, I am (mildly) qualified for this job -- basically because I have a JD and BSW. I just don't know a thing about teaching other than 3 year old and 4 year old preschool, and I wikied Sociology just to remind myself what the subject was about. I think I can do it. . . right?

I am very excited. Craig is jealous. Right now, I have 'stolen' two of his goals -- small town general practice and adjunct. I told him he should just get a job with legal services or some save the world nonprofit, and we can live vicariously through each other.

And other news: I get my fluffy white dog back tomorrow!! I've been without Otto for almost two weeks. I miss him :-(

Envy

I met a girl when I was in Switzerland, and we became facebook friends. She has gone on to live in London, and recently traveled to Lisbon. There were pictures posted. It was gorgeous.

Sometimes I look at beautiful pictures of far away places and I feel this yearning -- this indescribable desire for something else. I don't particularly want to go to Lisbon any more than I want to go to any other place. I just want beauty like that. I want to be able to capture the beauty.

I need a new camera.