Thursday, March 31

That Carl Jung cracks me up.


Yes, honey, I'll have the crow.

A friend sent me "the test," which I took, and apparently I'm (shock)

INFP - The Idealist

INFPs, more than other iNtuitive Feeling types, are focused on making the world a better place for people. Their primary goal is to find out their meaning in life. What is their purpose? How can they best serve humanity in their lives? They are idealists and perfectionists, who drive themselves hard in their quest for achieving the goals they have identified for themselves.

The INFP is driven to help people and make the world a better place.

INFPs are flexible and laid-back, until one of their values is violated. In the face of their value system being threatened, INFPs can become aggressive defenders, fighting passionately for their cause.

When it comes to the mundane details of life maintenance, INFPs are typically completely unaware of such things. They might go for long periods without noticing a stain on the carpet, but carefully and meticulously brush a speck of dust off of their project booklet. [or photoshop pixel?]

INFPs have very high standards and are perfectionists. Consequently, they are usually hard on themselves, and don't give themselves enough credit. [Okay honey, I get it I get it.]

INFPs are usually talented writers. They may be awkard and uncomfortable with expressing themselves verbally, but have a wonderful ability to define and express what they're feeling on paper. INFPs also appear frequently in social service professions, such as counselling or teaching. They are at their best in situations where they're working towards the public good, and in which they don't need to use hard logic.

INFPs who function in their well-developed sides can accomplish great and wonderful things, which they will rarely give themselves credit for. [YES, DEAR.] Some of the great, humanistic catalysts in the world have been INFPs.

Wednesday, March 30

A totally serious question about Scott Walker



I'm beginning to wonder if there isn't some sort of mob threat over Walker's head, that he HAS to get this union busted or he's more than recalled, if you know what I mean. Everything he's done on this score has that ring of desperation to it. And now he's even ignoring his state's own courts to get'er done. Does he need to be thrown in jail to understand the rule of law? Or would it be better to go the protective custody route and find out exactly what the bad guys have on him?

Always the bridesmaid?


It appears that Greta Van Susteren has been assigned to Sarah by Mr. Ailes. She couldn't be happier.

Tuesday, March 29

I won I won!


Fame! Fortune! And JUST WAIT until you meet my bodyguard.

But seriously folks, THANK YOU SO MUCH for your votes, retweeting, posting, prompting, and good wishes. A special thanks to the staff at Crooks and Liars for the props and the bump, especially Susie and Heather.

It worked! We're going to Minneapolis!

Thanks.

One of my favorite poems, ever.





You Want a Social Life, with Friends

By Kenneth Koch


You want a social life, with friends.

A passionate love life and as well

To work hard every day. What's true

Is of these three you may have two

And two can pay you dividends

But never may have three.



There isn't time enough, my friends--

Though dawn begins, yet midnight ends--

To find the time to have love, work, and friends.

Michelangelo had

feeling For Vittoria and the Ceiling

But did he go to parties at day's end?



Homer nightly went to banquets

Wrote all day but had no lockets

Bright with pictures of his Girl.

I know one who loves and parties

And has done so since his thirties

But writes hardly anything at all.

Rest in Peace, Jessica Awesome



Last week our gerbil's body started swelling, and yesterday morning her breathing became very heavy. I took her to the vet knowing she would not come home with me.

We picked up the children one at a time from school, and broke the news. They took it very well. A few tears, and then my youngest said "she will always be alive in our hearts."

We get a new pet after spring break (because Mommy says so).

On topic, a poem from Writer's Almanac. Rest in peace, Jessica Awesome. We love you.

Monday, March 28

Artist's Notebook: Remembering National Lampoon

One of my favorite memories from childhood was peeking at my parent's National Lampoon Magazines.  I remember my dad laughing over "Mrs. Agnew's Diary," from which my own "Mrs. Gingrich's Diary" is flat out stolen.  I was thinking about NatLamp this weekend while hanging out with a fellow artist.

"Oh my god, I just had an awful awful thought," I said, laughing.

"What?" he said.

I put my hand to my heart.  "Oh no, you'll think less of me."

"Oh goody."  He said.

"Okay.  Do you recollect that National Lampoon cover, 'buy this magazine or we'll shoot this dog?' "

"I think so."


I continued.  "Okay, I admit this is just awful. What if it was The National Review and Katherine Jean Lopez was on the cover?"

He smiled.  "I love you."

"Yeah, but you can't call a woman a dog.  You just can't."

wimmin r not dogs  u fail feminzm 101


I kept thinking out loud..."plus, there's the whole gun thing.  You can't show a woman or any human, actually,  with a gun.  Not anymore."


He was, as usual, supportive.  "You'll play with Photoshop and think of something."

Sunday, March 27

Thanks for your support. Only one day of voting left!


Here's the deal folks. It's very very tight voting for the Netroots Nation Scholarship. The top three vote getters automatically get a scholarship to Netroots Nation. This will really help me and Driftglass afford our trip to Minnesota.

I'm in a very very tight race for third place. And voting ends Monday night (the 28th) at midnight. After that there are round twos and selection committees, etc, for remaining spots, but this is where I get off the self-promotion bandwagon. So if you are able to vote for me, I would really appreciate your help!

Vote for me here. Or click the icon above.

And thanks!

Friday, March 25

Our Weekly Podcast - The Professional Left




And don't forget to vote for me (meaning, us) for a Netroots Nation Scholarship. Thanks!

The button below allows listeners to throw a contribution specifically towards the podcast.  Thanks for your listenership and support!  We really appreciate it:





Thursday, March 24

You ate it.




Please click the image above to see a bigger version.

First @MrsGingrich3 is deleted because of "impersonation" (no, really).

And now he's deleting tweets about his third wife buying him peanut butter eggs?

Mrs. Gingrich's Diary will have something to say about this.

Monday, March 21

A pressing question for the State Department


h/t a commenter at The Times; also too, she went to Jerusalem after her India trip, presumably to wash off the Islam and Hindi. Anybody know who is paying for this trip? I assume SarahPAC.

Update: Oh nevermind. It was a speaking engagement. OF COURSE it was.

Friday, March 18

Our Weekly Podcast - The Professional Left




Links from this episode:

Driftglass's eulogy of David Broder

Color photographs of San Francisco earthquake

The Moral Underground: How Americans Subvert an Unfair Economy

And don't forget to vote for me (meaning, us) for a Netroots Nation Scholarship. Thanks!


The button below allows listeners to throw a contribution specifically towards the podcast.  Thanks for your listenership and support!  We really appreciate it:





Please vote for me if you haven't already!


Sorry to go all Princess Leia on you, but the top three vote getters get an automatic Netroots Nation scholarship, and I'm currently in a close race and fifth. Your vote will make a difference. Thank you so much.

HELP! (And thanks!!!) [leaving this post up top for a few days]

Netroots Nation Logo

HELP SEND THE PROFESSIONAL LEFT TO NETROOTS NATION 2011


I am applying for a Democracy for America Scholarship to help defray the costs of sending your favorite podcasters/bloggers to Netroots Nation.

Photo above from West Virginia Blue's Flickr Stream

Sunday, March 13

Call and Response - Wisconsin

Call:

Warning: This video will break your heart.




Response:




And as a comrade on twitter said,

It's on, Scott Walker, you piece of shit.

Blog Against Theocracy is April 22 - 24 #NoTheocracy


Actually, South Park Jesus, it's over a month away, but I want to get the word out.

Blog against theocracy is an annual blogswarm dedicated to the separation of church and state.It takes place Easter weekend, only because that is one time we can depend on the mainstream media to cover the religion beat.

It is not a blogswarm against religion. Bloggers who believe in religion and those who don't are equally welcome here. What we share is a common commitment to the First Amendment to the Constitution and, paging Teabaggers, its guarantee of church-state separation.

And the theme this year is "Because Sinclair Lewis was right."

Sinclair Lewis, to whom is attributed the quote, "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross.”

We'll be using Twitter again to promote the blogswarm. Tag your posts #NoTheocracy.

Someone did this image of Palin and I made it into a lulz; if you know who did it please let me know in comments:



Here are my photoshops.


Saturday, March 12

Fifteen More Votes and I WIN. Please click for me! And RT!

Top three vote getters are guaranteed a scholarship!  You guys are awesome!  Thanks!

If you haven't voted yet, do so here.  (It's free.)    This helps Driftglass and I defray our costs to Netroots Nation.  Thank you SO much.

Friday, March 11

Newt and Callista in Iowa - pure Green Acres

Click image for bigger and better

Happy Birthday, @JohnAmato!

Today is the birthday of the fabulous John Amato of Crooks and Liars.


Glad to be on your team, and thanks for all your support of the podcast.

Our Weekly Podcast - The Professional Left




The button below allows listeners to throw a contribution specifically towards the podcast.  Thanks for your listenership and support!  We really appreciate it:








And don't forget to vote for me (meaning, us) for a Netroots Nation Scholarship. Thanks!

Thursday, March 10

SUCH a bargain!


For the low, low price of $8.25 per month, the Republican Party of Texas (real link) promises not to mail you anything or to call you on the phone during dinner. (yellow emphasis mine).

A letter to my state senators


I got one of those AFL-CIO email your State Senator forms today, and I edited it to read as below.


Dear State Senator:

As you may have heard, the Wisconsin state legislature just passed a bill that strips Wisconsin state workers of their rights to bargain collectively.

Some commenters see this as a "bombing Cambodia" moment. A time when the war against workers, in this instance, finally went too far so that the silent centrist majority of Americans have to pick a side, and side with the workers.

I see this more as a "Life of Brian" moment. When the Catholic Church told people they shouldn't see a comedy movie, everyone went to see it.

The plutocrats and Kochs want to tell the American People that they "can't" meet as a group to negotiate with their boss on wages, benefits, and working conditions. Oh, really? Watch workers now insist that this be the case. I forsee an EXPANSION of unions, especially as young people have begun to realize that unionizing is their ONLY hope of having a middle class life.

The Republican party I once knew has been hijacked by racists and billionaires. It's disgusting. You used to be able to count on the GOP to be the party of fiscal responsibility and strong defense. Now they are the party of tax cuts (not the same thing as small government when you give no-bid contracts to Halliburton!) and making billionaires richer. I'm sickened by what this means for America.

When times are tough, Americans rise to the challenge. Elected officials must work FOR their constituents, the people mowing their lawns in our neighborhoods. The hijacked GOP is working for billionaires, period.

I respectfully request that you respond to this letter and let me know where you stand on this critical issue. The future of the GOP is at stake, and without a strong two-party system based on FACT, not plutocracy, our nation is doomed.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

[signed]


I still believe in a two-party system in this country, but it's dying really fast. Not only has the GOP been hijacked by the astroturfed tea party, but the Democrats (h/t Cokie Roberts) are as bounded by corporate and moneyed interests as anyone else. So is most of the media. Thank God for UNPAID bloggers who get a few bucks in the hat from their readers and listeners. Please support their independent voices, folks. And thanks.





Wednesday, March 9

Remembering David Broder



We wouldn't have "vituperative, foul-mouthed, bloggers of the Left" if it weren't for the Dean.

Of course, we wouldn't have this horseshit, either.

He also said, in 2007, "...it's wise to take Newt Gingrich seriously."

Rest in peace.

Tuesday, March 8

My 3000th post.


When I started blogging in 2004, there was no YouTube, no twitter, the few early-adopters of podcasting were giving it up after a dozen episodes. Remember when blogger used to crash several times a day? Shout out to you, old skool comrades.

I'm still here, though my attention is often on the podcast or over at the big blog, where this week I am responsible for making sure three posts a day get put on the front page.

But Blue Gal, the blog, 3000 posts later, is still here. And Blue Gal, the blogger, hasn't gone anywhere either. I still wake up in the morning, every morning, and see what is bloggable.

I'm so grateful to you, my readers. Thank you for continuing to visit this corner of blogworld, and for reading and supporting me as the next 3000 posts get written, recorded, photoshopped, and giggled over.

And I just got reminded that blogging landed me 'the big account.' :D

Friday, March 4

Our Weekly Podcast - The Professional Left




The button below allows listeners to throw a contribution specifically towards the podcast.  Thanks for your listenership and support!  We really appreciate it: