:: blogging: mccord style ::

Israel loves Iran loves America loves Israel...and so on...

I know I don't post much, but I DID want to post to this blog about another movement that a man in Israel started called "Israel loves Iran". It's so heartening to see the comments posted, not only from Israelis and Iranians, but people from all over the world who are crying out for peace, and who are so sick of the drumbeats of war. So, I posted a picture with our family, to add to the voices, that we love them all - they're people, just like we are. Who want to have the chance to have happiness, and family and joy, just like we all do. And the constant game-playing and maneuvering by the powers that be is getting so incredibly old. We need to get America out of all these countries, and start paying attention to the incredible needs our own country has. We need to focus on our corrupt, corporatocracy, our dismal education system, and getting our country back on its economic footing, because let's face it - we are not doing well people.

All that to say, our family stands with those families around the world who are (with what little small voice they have), saying no. No to all the war, the harrassment, the empire building and butting into other countries affairs. Yes, I believe there are times when we need to step in and say no to genocide or evil dictatorships and help other countries out. But the constant American military presence and 'policiing' everywhere; it's ridiculous.  We need to focus on our country and building it back up to where it needs to be. Focus on our children and families, and let other countries focus on theirs. This might sound naive, but ultimately we all want the same things. And that's why (even if this campaign is fleeting), I love it; it's filled with so much hope, and love for our fellow man. And it's how we should be comporting ourselves all the time.

From probably the greatest sermon of all time:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven..."  Mathhew 5:3-10

Santa Cruz Mountain Fires, or "Summit Fire"

I took a shot of the plumes of smoke from my mom and dad's house just an hour ago.  Check out the smoke!

The fire is raging a path between where we are right now (mom and dad's house), and our house (in the Corralitos/Watsonville/152 area).  You can smell the smoke, and the wind is NUTS right now.  It is a serious fire, and they just reported on the news that it's expected to quadruple in size (and it's gone from 100 acres to 2,000 in just a few hours).  The winds are blowing like the Santa Ana's, about 40mph, which is unheard of here, and at this time of year.

Here's a map of where we are, at mom and dad's right now, in comparison to the fire, so you can get an idea of where I took the photo. The red circle is where they're reporting the fire:

And they JUST reported on the news that they're evacuating all of Corralitos, which is CRAZY as it's super-populated (and close to our house).

Mission Impossible

Have you heard the news? Katie Holmes is about to drop her Cruise-love-child. How do I know? Apparently Scientologists have been seen entering the compound mansion, with six foot high signs, 'reminding' her of the birthing 'rules.' Namely, to be SILENT. While passing a child! One of the signs photographed read, "Be silent and make all physical movements slow and understandable." Now I don't know about you, but the whole silent birth thing would be a deal-breaker for me. Not to mention the whole alien's nhabiting your body thing...but making rules that you must be silent while giving birth -- now that's just wacky.

The reason for the silence is, because "any words spoken are recorded in the reactive mind and can have an aberrative effect on the mother and the child", according to the church's website. It's for the BENEFIT of the mother and child. Apparently followers of Scientology believe it is traumatic for babies to hear their mother scream or groan when giving birth. They think it can cause "psychic" damage, which takes years to overcome.

I don't know about you, but I think I'd have psychic damage if I was told to shut up while having a baby. To not be able to make a peep during the most painful thing most women go through in their entire life. Thank goodness for painkillers, that'll at least make it tolera...oh wait. Scratch that. Not only must she stay silent, she's not allowed any painkillers. For some women, I understand they're against painkillers in labor. And I respect that. But to be silent and not allowed an epidural? That seems so awful! Cult creator L. Ron Hubbard, a science-fiction writer, turned guru, was the one who came up with this whole silent birth thing.

And the fact that there are massive signs all over, reminding poor Katie, to keep quiet, while she's being ripped open from top to tail just seem cruel and unusual. I think a woman giving birth will be more traumatized by NOT being able to make any sounds, than for the child inside to hear some muffled noises.

Every birth I've ever been in, including my own, there was much moaning, groaning, grunting and sometimes, even yelling. Because, you know, passing a human through your body...well, it kinda hurts. A LOT. I can't imagine someone telling me I couldn't utter words or sounds -- I'd probably scream at them to leave me alone, and if they want to have a silent birth then THEY could deliver the baby. I know, not very logical, but if you've ever given birth, logic isn't at the top of the list during those intense moments.

Of course, there are always soothing and kind words from the medical staff, and her loved ones, because...oh wait, nope, scratch that too, nobody is allowed to talk.

So that means, what? That your child will remember that childbirth...hurts? And that will...scar them? I'm pretty sure once you get past a certain age, and you understand how the whole childbirth thing works, it's fairly easy to figure out (without anyone having to spell it out for you), that it might hurt just a titch.

Scientologist also believe, that following the silent birth, newborn babies should not be spoken to for seven days. No loving coochie coos, sweet nothings or whispered I love yous for this little guy, strict silence is the order for Baby Cruise. Nor can they be given any medical tests (poked or prodded) during that 7 day time. Does that mean no APGAR, no drops in the eyes, no vitamin K, no PKU tests, vaccines or testing for congenital defects? Does that seem dangerous to anybody else?

Let's hope to God Katie doesn't get postpartum depression. I'm sure Tom's already got a nice regiment of exercise and vitamins planned.

Don't Say I Didn't Warn You About Bird Flu

Weeks ago...

Good Morning America did a story on the 'upcoming pandemic' this morning, basically covering the governments new warnings and urging the citizens of our country to get ready, were a pandemic to strike. If you want to see their story, you can do so by clicking here.

So, my friends, I urge you all to get ready,and be prepared. If nothing else, you'll be prepared for any kind of emergency, when it happens. Apparently, it's going to hit Alaska first. They're already tracking infected flocks that are on their way there.

I know some of you might think I'm acting like a nut-job, but I promise you, I'm one of the most level-headed people I know. So get your act together, and get stocked up for your family's sake.

Here's a good link, giving a bunch of general information about how the avian flu could affect you: ABC's Avian Flu Page. And here's the government site. And if you want more information, or additional links, email me, and I'll send you more info.

And if you're less of a reader, and more of a 'watcher', here's video.

Bird Flu

Did anyone else watch the recent Oprah show about Bird Flu? And if so, were you as seriously freaked out as I was? No, really. I am usually able to watch things fairly objectively, and not get sucked in to things, but all I could think while I was watching the show and listening to the stats (360 million people could die, the healthiest of us are the main targets), was how ill prepared our family is for something like that. We don't even have a first aid kit (except for the one that comes in your car when you buy it). If you didn't see the show, there's a pretty good recap of what was said here, on survivetheflu.com. It's worth a read, and as you're my friends I want everyone I know to be prepared for this, as Dr. Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, said, it's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when.

Armageddon

I heard about this site, Family Watchdog  on Oprah (shut up), and though I'd pass it along. It gives you a list, location and names of the registered sex offenders that live in or around your neighborhood. I know there are a few of these types of sites out there, but this one is the best one I've seen. I've already (of course) been looking at our neighborhood, and am slightly alarmed at how many predators live in the county -- although I know it's the same everywhere. Thankfully there's nobody in our neighborhood (subdivision), or close to our subdivision. I think it's more frightening just knowing that we live in a society where something like this is necessary.Thinking about this, combined with all the hubbub about the avian flu, the recent suicide bombings in Jordan, the most recent   child shooting up his school, all the naturdal disasters occuring willy-nilly all over the world-- well, it's enough to give a girl pause. And also to make that girl want to keep her children at home until they're 30.

Milkdudz vs. Hershey...Or David vs. Goliath

One of my very best friends, Kiersten, (who I've writte about before), has her own company, called Millkdudz. Milkdudz (click here for link), is a line of nursing-wear products; BabyMina's, which are adorable nursing cover-ups, and her real passion, nursing apparel; gowns, and most importantly (and not yet to market, but will be very, very soon) fun/cute/sexy nursing bras and panties, for hot-nursing mama's. 

All of her products are cute, fun and designed to make a nursing mom feel a little more like herself after delivering a baby and having her body completely baby-renovated.  I've given her products as gifts to friends and family, and I also shot a majority of the product shots on her site. I really believe in what she's trying to do.

This whole nusring-mom thing is something Kiersten and I have spent a lot of time talking about; how miserable you feel about yourself, post-partum, and what could be done to make that a little bit better. Those kind of coversations with her fellow moms, and her drive and determination, led her to form Milkdudz. With the tagline, "Not your mommaz' nursing wear," which, if you know Kier, is all her. This is her passion; she has put so much time, thought, energy, blood, sweat and tears into her company and what does she get for her trouble?

Sued!

Hershey Co. is suing my dear friend. My friend, who really just wants to help women feel a smidge happier and more confident in their post-baby bodies. It's a very David and Goliath sort of thing. However, as the adage goes; even bad press is good press...Kiersten, and her company are getting a lot of print lately. A lot of papers (all over the U.S., in Canada, Australia, radio and television news) have picked up on the story. If you go to Google News and search for it, you'll find a (excuse the pun) google of stories about the 'controversy.' 

The news is not really news, well, to me, or Kier. Kiersten got a cease and desist letter quite a while ago, and we've been joking about it for some time. In fact, they even had the audacity to include a Hershey bar with the letter!! As a way of 'being nice' or something. I howled with laughter when she told me. We both couldn;t believe the the situation. Especially given that Hershsey's main complaint seems to be that people will be 'confused' by the simlar names. I guess Hershey doesn't think the consumer-public will be able to tell the difference between a nursing bra and a bite of chocolatey-goodness. As though someone would go into a cute boutique, see the BabyMina's with the Milkdudz logo,and take a big bite. Hershey doesn't seem to get the joke, and it looks like she is really going to get sued.  I hope Oprah hears about it, and puts her on her program. Kiersten is a die-hard Oprah fan, and it really would be the icing on the cake of all this press to get on her favorite Diva's show. Oh, and if she does get asked, I hope she takes me with her.

Live8x2

You know what I've noticed? The blog posts that get the most comments are either me making fun of myself, or the ones about music. I don't know if this says more about me, or about my friends. When I post things political-ish, you could hear a pin drop.

With that being said, music AND politics mixed.

Apparently Mtv and VH1 did a VERY poor job hosting Live8. Thus, they're going to be re-broadcasting it tomorrow. You can read about it here. So if you missed it last time, you can have another go tomorrow.

Now I just need to find something to make fun of myself about. Shouldn't be too hard. I'll be back in 20 minutes. ;)

London Calling

Holy moly. London was attacked, just like we were a few years ago, and Spain after us.

In fact, the times I've ridden the underground, I would think, ooh -- it'd be bad if something happened to the trains down here. I guess the terrorists had the same idea. I'm glad the casualties weren't as great as they could have been.

I'm sorry I don't have something more astute to add to the conversation, I just feel sadness and a little bit of shock that things have escalated to where they are today. Not surprise exactly, just shock.

Live 8...Running After the Bandwagon

Lorrel recently posted about Live8,  and I had intended to post (sooner than this, obviously), about the show(s), and encourage people to go check it out (did you  know that one child dies every three seconds because of poverty? I kid you not). Of course, I'm a day late and a dollar short. In my defense, I did have a wedding on Sunday, and Bella's been sick, and now Ross and I are sick (isn't the family unit a wonderful thing?), so I've had some stuff going on.

However, much to my delight, I found out that I AOL has the London, Philly and Toronto shows online.   The Toronto show has Barenaked Ladies, who I love. Defenitely check out Million Dollars...it's one of my favorite songs.  London has Coldplay (love their new song, Fix You, which is featured), Sting (okay, how bummed am I -- I just went to his website and realized he was here in April. Although, come to think of it -- I was in some serious bed when he came, but still...), U2 (I have always loved their version of Unchained Melodies, and this one's pretty cool, because you hear the audience singing more than Bono, and One is such a great song, and if you're a fan of the Beatles as well, as I am, there's a cool version of Sgt. Peppers with Paul McCartney -- too awesome) and REM with (oldish songs=better than the most recent stuff), among others. Philadelphia has Jars of Clay, Sarah McLachlan (love the acoustic version of Angel -- I've heard her do it live twice, but Josh Groban joins her on this one), and Def Leppard(?!). Oh yeah, and for my husband: Pink Floyd played London.  I'm embarrassed to even admit, but,  Hi my name is Kelly, and I like Will Smith. Oh, and the Will Smith having the entire audience sing the theme from Fresh Prince of Bel Air is pretty classic too (philly, of course).  And of course, I have to give a shout out to Madonna. Love her or hate her, she's a great entertainer (plus, I wrote my thesis on her, so...I think I have to).  Like a  Prayer is beautiful, with a full on choir in the background. Also, the Cure played the Paris show, which you can't find at the other links. But if you're a fan, and want to see them, click here.  (Hello! Boys Don't Cry AND Just Like Heaven! Although, I have to warn you - Robert Smith looks a little, um, oldish and kinda chunky, and the eyeliner doesn't have quite the effect it used to, now that he's not all scary/skinnyalterna). Okay, I'll stop talking about all the  music. I'll let you discover some stuff on your own.

Anyhow, if you're a fan of the music, I'd suggest you check it out. But even more, go to the Live8 site, and add your name to the list, and/or upload your face, which, if you know me at all, you know I already did.

A quick music aside...most of the music on my computer (however many gigs of it) are mostly things I've downloaded, with a few CD burns. But listening to this music has made me realize I really need to get out some of my hundreds of CDs and put them on my computer. Heh. I'm already envisioning my husband commiting hari kari reading that statement. I'm already in trouble for the amount of 'junk' he says I have on my computer, and for not backing up more often. I can only imagine the shortness of breath and scowl of consternation reading about me starting to download all my CDs on my computer. He's gonna kill me. Of course, he kinda deserves it for that 'old' comment he made recently.

Okay, back to the thinking stuff...

I recently heard Oprah make a statement (yes, I cringingly admit to watching Oprah on occasion, but in my defense -- I've had a lot of  need for the telly in the last few months). But she said something like (and don't quote me), "If you are born a woman into the United States, you are already better off than 90% of the rest of the women in the world."  And that statement has really been banging around in my head for awhile.  Why? Well...for one, in case you haven't been paying attention, I'm a woman chick. And also, because I have two little girls, who we already want the stars and the moon for. And because I have lived in the U.S. exclusively (with the glaring  good fortune of being able to travel a LOT), I kinda get what Oprah's saying. Because even what we consider 'poverty' in the U.S., is considered not too bad pretty much anywhere not a first-world country.  I don't know why that particular quote has been in my head a lot recently (perhaps it's the fact that every night for almost the past week I've only gotten about 4-5 hours sleep, and I've got a lot of thinking time as I toss and turn). But thinking just how PRIVILEGED we are, as women in the U.S.  Nobody gives it a second thought that we're active members of society, with the right to vote (thank you Elizabeth Cady Stanton!), be heard, be noticed. That we have a choice -- do we want to work or stay home with the kids. That that's even something that would be called a troubling question here in the U.S. for our women is an enormous privilege. As most countries, even to this day, don't give those of us with the XX much credit, or even notice. We don't have to worry about genital mutliation (oh, I can't wait to see how people get to this blog in the next few days), we have a right to choose our leaders, our religion, basically - everything. We can prosecute those who would try to hurt and/or abuse us. We can march in Take Back the Night marches, we can vote against things we don't believe in, we can be just as edumucated as the boys. We can play sports, we're protected by laws, we have rights, we can decide we're going to cover ourselves from head-to-toe, or hit the beach in a bikini (which, if you also have the good fortune to have grown up in Santa Cruz, you know what I'm talking about). This is not true of a lot of women in this world.  To read a particularly chilling account of what's going on to this world's women, you can click here.   And I really, really hate to agree with Oprah (well, maybe only one really), but I'm with her on this one. We are blessed and we are privileged.