Inspiration (a blog has moved).

from a wonderful online gallery of "unmentionables"--tin can panties

ReddTurtle at INTOUS has moved her blog. She's now at Redd Turtles and Blue Ducks.

Finding her again (and she's a great blogger when she blogs hint hint) has led to a fecund topic: Redd is looking for inspiration for her blog. What to blog about, how to find a hook, etc. Perfect example of her cleverness, most recently she posts a suggestion box and then says "not a Diebold system". Most reassuring and funny, too. We love smart funny women here at BG.

I love how she posits her problem: "I’m interested in so much my brain is full." Join the club, and blog it down, baby. [BTW for another great example of a full brain blogging check out Douglas at Balls and Walnuts. He doesn't necessarily focus or have a hook and his blog is nonetheless cohesive and focussed.]

One thing I want to say to ReddTurtle and the rest of you: I think it's time to get beyond the idea that blogging is a rare and unusual process. If you're like me, you've been writing, cutting and pasting, giggling, and snarking your entire adult life, and perhaps even before that. A blog is a way to a larger, more immediate audience for what you've always done, but don't let that distract you from the fact that

You are an artist.

The blog is the medium. Sure it calls to you every day "feed me feed me feed me" but so does the easel or the darkroom or the yarn stash for other artists. The fact that it's a blog and that other people will see it, probably TODAY, really hangs up some people from actually saying something.

I really don't believe that there are "creative types" or "non-creative types". There is fear and there is ignoring the fear and doing it anyway. Most mornings I wake up and have no idea what I will post that day. It happens when I show up. My advice to ReddTurtle (and anyone else who is blogging or creating in some other way) is to make a commitment for the next three weeks to show up every day. It was only when I started blogging every single day no matter what that I feel my blog became worth reading.

Do you have any other things that help you along in the creative path? Leave a comment here or over at ReddTurtle's. I'm looking forward to the dialogue. And thanks.

I am not making this up. Alabama License Plates (part 2)

Greetings to the beautiful people from Crooks and Liars, Pharyngula, and Shakespeare's Sister. Get your full-frontal Blue Gal here.

I blogged last month about Alabama License Plates, particularly the fact that there is a "Global War on Terror" plate for veterans of the "Global War on Terror." There aren't too many veterans, me thinks, because you know, you're not technically a "veteran" if (a) you're dead or (b) you're going to be re-deployed next week.

Recently I've noticed that there are far fewer "W" stickers on SUV's driving around Birmingham, Alabama, where I live. I see this as a slightly good sign, though it may be that since he won't be running again (barring any President-for-Life signing statement) even Alabamians don't think they need to advertise for him anymore.

But while the "W" stickers are waning, they have been replaced with something far more pernicious, in my opinion. Ladies and Gentleman, presenting Alabama's God Bless America License Plate:



I was just gonna comment how awful that jingo supporters of Bush have found a way to sneak in state-sponsored religion. Aw, isn't this just like "In God We Trust" on the money? Don't get me started. I'M A CHRISTIAN, GOD DAMMIT, AND THIS IS FUCKING OFFENSIVE TO ME.

Deep cleansing breaths.

So I'm looking up the image of this plate from the DMV and just guess what I find out. "God Bless America" is a STANDARD LICENSE PLATE. That means when you go in to get a plain old regular license plate you have a choice. You can get a passenger car plate, a motorcycle plate, a truck plate, a permanent trailer plate, or...a God Bless America plate. Go see for yourself. It's the only standard plate with a message, apart from "Stars fell on Alabama" (great song). No extra charge for God Bless America, and you get to choose it as a default at the Department of Motor Vehicles. No waiting. They will HAND YOU ONE from a pile when you pay the standard fee. No wonder I saw no fewer than eight of these on the school carpool run this morning.

I just can't believe the overwhelming kow-tow to fundie America-first fever in this state. Some state legislator thought this was a really good idea, and who is gonna argue with him apart from some Yankee transplant blogger, bless her heart?

Get this: If you are a veteran who was exposed to an atomic bomb blast in the line of duty, you have to pay three dollars to get a special plate for yourself. I looked this up because I thought it was sort of odd that in the price list it says, "Nuked Veteran." Nuked, like the noodles I had for lunch. They wouldn't actually put that on a license plate, though, and then charge three dollars to someone who was exposed to nuclear radiation defending our country, for the privilege of having it on his/her car...



At least it's got a fucking American Flag on the corner. God bless America.

So how do I cover this one?

I'm going to a book signing with Jimmy Carter this Friday morning. I was wondering how to cover this...I don't have a digital camera, and as a quasi-anonymous blogger, what to do?



But then I read a certain right wing blog and her "lunch with Netanyahu." I would never, ever link to her, but conveniently Rubber Hose got banned (and then unbanned) from her blog so I'll just link to that. You can click the word "threads" on his post to see the photos of the lunch, or just lookee here at my own version:

Certain right wing blogger dreams of Estee Lauder bonus week at Macy's
while corrupt [link] warmonger [link] Israeli politician seeks escape route.

This particular blogger provides an important model for blogging about celebrity encounters:

1. If the "lunch" is "Totally off the record" be sure to blog everything he says.

2. Flirt with any MSM guys there. Impress them with your deep social awareness that Israel has the right to well, anything they want, because of terrorism. End of debate. By the way, for upscale Manhattan hotel banquet-facility food, this chicken cordon bleu (that is turkey ham in there, right?) is pretty good!

3. Don't worry about spelling. You don't need to spell correctly in order to be "knowlegable", and your "favortie" FOX friend won't notice. If you catch the typos later, you still don't need to fix them. I mean, it's not like your blog is your face.

I'll have to take all of this under consideration and just get the damn book signed and thank President Carter for telling the truth about the Middle East. 'Bout time somebody did. Israel holds 300 children, some as young as twelve, in prison without trial, and won't trade any of them for one kidnapped soldier. Because of terrorism. Hope I can get a taxi after lunch.

Carter gave a kickass interview with Terry Gross on Fresh Air yesterday. Once a certain blogger gets back from the mall, and has done her "blog for Bolton" for the day, this interview will...not be listened to by her. She'll probably take egg-sucker Dershowitz's word for it.

I especially loved where Carter refers to the current President as "George Bush, Junior." Subtle smacks are best.

750 plus signing statements, indexed! Too bad they're classified.

Just in time for the end of the year tax write-off. They are fundraising for the Bush 43 Presidential Library. Bush. Library. The room is spinning. Maybe I'm not well yet.

Card catalog? My Pet Goat and The Stranger?

Go read Attaturk for more, if you can stomach it. I've got to sit down in a dark room for a few minutes.

Why blogs are important.

I usually don't link to Huffpo stories, I mean, what's the point? You either all read it anyway or you don't on principle, more power to ya. But don't miss David Sirota's article on why the MSM controls the discourse. The New York/Washington/LA myopia of the mainstream media is cut to ribbons here, and good riddance.

Sirota leaves out two important points: first, that the blogosphere is set to take on that myopia head on, and secondly, that Dean's 50 State Strategy is, too. I happen to think that these two elements, the blogosphere and the 50 State Strategy, are linked at the hip. With left-wing bloggers in some very red states (like, erm, Alabama) it makes sense for the Democratic Party to pay attention to each and every race, every state, no matter what its shade of crimson.

Couple side notes. Over at the Aristocrats we are planning a Frank Zappa blogswarm to occur sometime next month. You'll be able to post a link to your blog or maybe even guest post, particularly if you don't have your own blog. Details are still being worked out. Watch that space. I happen to think Frank Zappa one of the great political philosophers of our time:

"It pays to make the U.S. school system a crock of shit because the dumber the people are that come out, the easier it is to draft them, make them into docile consumers, or, you know, mongo employees. There are plenty of yuppies out there with absolutely nothing upstairs. Graduate airheads with PhDs and everything but they don't know anything. And what do they listen to? Certainly not my records."

The official Frank Zappa site is a real trip. Do go visit.

Second side note: I am feeling a little better, thanks. Besides, I've used up all my Mommy sick days for the next twelve years. If you think I'm going to spend my first full day on my feet in two weeks, grocery shopping, putting away laundry, and vacuuming, you would be right.

An open letter to James Dobson

Dear Reverend Dobson:

I'm just one self-professed Christian here. We both know that you don't speak for me, and I don't speak for you.

I'm disappointed that you are too busy to help Pastor Haggard with his little gay problem, though I suspect he's far better off without your "help." The drug problem has to be addressed first, since it's a symptom, in my opinion, of the self-hatred he's inflicted since who knows when. Watching you throw him under the bus told us much more about you than about him, anyway.

I think we Christians have a huge boulder in front of us called sex. We can't seem to get over the embarrassment and guilt that comes from feeling intense human pleasure. Nevermind that all of us are here, in part, because two people decided to experience that pleasure together. (I certainly hope it was good for both of them in every instance, and that not too much alcohol or Eagles music was involved.)

We can't discuss orgasms in church, and we seem unable to get beyond the whole outside of marriage issue, even though a great many so-called Christians get marriage totally wrong. We can't discuss rape in church. We can't discuss sexual responsibility. What kind of difference could the church make if it made a serious effort to discuss alcohol abuse and sex with young people? If the church told its young men, "hey, getting her drunk is not an option." And told young women, "Look, getting drunk at a party is not "asking for it," but you are losing control of your body anyway. Don't do that. It's self-abuse and it's not, repeat, not attractive." What if we in the church told our young people that sex is terrific, especially when you love the one you're with? And that love is the most important element of a sexual relationship? Do you think we could go there, Mr. Dobson? Do you?

In His name,

Blue Gal

A 24 Hour Consumer Detox

There's a terrific article on culturejamming the "may I check your receipt" BS here. A long article, but well worth the read.

More Doc in the Box today and ooh I got to read Travel and Leisure Magazine while waiting and waiting. So today I can "Not Buy" the $8900.00 Hermes butter leather travel bag. Or the Tommy Bahama "swim to evening" collection. Or the Patagonia "mini-vacation."

We are a sick society, people, and we need more than a shot to get over it. Prayer for today: may I continue to give thanks, be humble, and consume less. May I fight the war on Christmas as a commercialistic grab-fest, and keep a deeper meaning of the holidays the year round. We are not what we buy.

Happy Thanksgiving

So I Googled "turkey panties" and came up with this. Turns out they were "made in Turkey". Also, I would have no idea how to put them on. Pretty color, though. If you think all things red are Republican, imagine Laura Bush in these. See? It ain't so.

I'm grateful for all of you and for the opportunity to blog through pneumonia. Getting a little better, I hope: back to doc in the box tomorrow, though.

My Second Grader brought home Weekly Reader this week. I wish there was a bigger picture online or that I had a scanner.



The type in yellow asks our young readers: "How might Native Americans give thanks today?"

My Pittsburgh buddy Spork is right. Irony is dead.

Have a great holiday.

A special YouTube for Kathryn! Jean! Lopez!

Perhaps the reason Katie Jean can't stand the idea of handing out contraception without counseling is she's never seen it done. When it's done right, K-Lo, it's a great experience for everybody and even has the support of the surrounding community. This video should put to rest any debate about the efficacy of condoms to protect against rain, wind, pregnancy and STD's.

Before I forget...

Daniel Schorr did a very nice job of honoring Justice Louis D. Brandeis on his 150th birthday.

It was also a very nice, yet subtle, smacking about the head and shoulders to the current administration and their mis-interpretations of the Constitution.

By the way, Mr. Schorr, those of us with a real Brandeis degree consider it our honor. It is an honor indeed to have you among us.

My angel of mercy! Kathryn! Jean! Lopez!

So I'm lying in my sickbed and there is a post out there to write about one of my favorite blog topics: contraception, responsibility, and reproductive freedom. Figleaf (Sex blogger? Nah. Wonderful writer on the topic of sex? Yeah.) led me to it, and then there was the appointment of Eric Keroack to HHS, not the only Cabinet Level Department under Bush to forget the meaning of "scientifically accurate."

BTW Stephenson gave that appointment all the serious consideration it deserves. (And he makes great soup. Great. Soup.)

But man, oh man, I've been sick. And drugged. The good doctor took one look at this momma of three and knew the only thing that would put me in bed, since cold followed by strep followed by pneumonia hadn't done it, was codeine. Yup, that did it.

I thought I'd never blog again. I wept for you all. I prayed. And then who should arrive at my fevered bedside but...

My angel of mercy, Kathryn! Jean! Lopez!



Okay, I know. That photo of hers has been photoshopped way better than this. But just when I thought the absence of Saint Katherine Harris and Saint Santorum would leave me with no more spark, snark, or reason to go on...my angel of mercy arrives with words to keep me blogging with comfort and joy!

It all started when through C&L (I will read C&L daily from my grave I swear) I found out both Kos and Sully had fallen in love with this nugget of angel goodness:



"Passing out contraception without any deeper context or conversation is degrading and disrespectful — to men and women. Tell me I'm crazy."

Oh honey. By the time I got your invitation, the show had opened on Broadway:

Before now, I'd never really spent too much time on "The Corner". This political analysis, this jaw dropper, this, (dare I say it?) angel thought broke the fever:

"Samuel Alito provides a serious challenge to John Roberts's status as SCOTUS stud."

And this exchange got me out of bed altogether:

[John Derbyshire]: "Chatting with a friend this morning (I mean, e-chatting)..."
[Kathryn Jean Lopez]: "Derb, in this day of eharmony.com and such, what's the difference?"

Ah Kathryn! The thought of anyone meeting you at eharmony.com. I am healed! I am healed!

Tomorrow: a very special You Tube just for Kathryn

Got my wish.

Sitting in the examining room at Saturday open Doc in the Box waiting for the chest x-ray results...

Six foot tall male nurse: You got a wire in your bra?

My fevered brain immediately brought Alberto Gonzalez's face to mind. As he listened through my boobs. Ick.

Anyway. The only thing to "read" in there was People and I didn't even have the strength to pick that up. But the Britney cover made me count my blessings.

"I think I'd rather have pneumonia than be her."

So I won't be being Britney. Oh well. Just forcing myself to write this because it's gonna be a few days before I post again. Thanks for all the nice wishes, folks. You're the best.

I'm beginning to think there is such a thing as...

"too sick to blog." Sorry folks. I'll be better right quick, it's nothing serious.

In the meantime, go wish Alicia at Last Left Turn Before Hooterville a happy blogiversary.

The Weblog awards are open.

Let the blogwhoring begin! (DO nominate your own blog, people.) And if you just so happen to be wondering where Blue Gal is on the TTLB Ecosystem, she's #4386, a flappy bird, which means you would nominate her here. Just saying. Thanks, Konagod, for the heads up.

I probably won't attend the red carpet ceremony for this one. But I've got my dress ready for the Koufax's:



That's my virtual dress for the virtual red carpet. If you think I could fit in something like that after three kids, well, you're probably voting for W in '08.

I nominated a couple other blogs for best humor blog: Princess Sparkle Pony and CFAV. Don't make me pick.

Speaking of Sparklepony, Her Highness has an innovative product in development with the Michael Steele campaign talking urinal cake. (I can barely type those last three words without gagging. Sorry.) Back in the day I visited Qwerty's house and he had a pic of a smiling yuppie taped to the inside of his toilet lid. All of which gave me the idea for a low cost alternative: taping a picture of Jean Schmidt to the inside of my toilet seat lid. I like this idea better than the urinal cake because a) for some reason it doesn't have the eww factor the urinal cake does and b) it is unisex. Women can moon and men can, well, you know. Please, no comments on how she might like that. BeggingTalking toilet seat lid? Well, I might post about something like that over at Risties, but not here. Never here.

Welcome to Crooks and Liars Readers

Mike of the Blog Roundup was kind enough to give me a hat tip this morning. In his honor, I'm re-running part of a post from Election Day. Below is an interview Brainshrub did with Mike his own self. I got a copy in part because Mike has some extremely nice things to say about this here blog. But he also talks about the history of Crooks and Liars, as well as the blogosphere in general. Be aware this interview took place before Election Day.


powered by ODEO

More important than what Mike had to say about Blue Gal is what he says about blogging itself: you don't choose blogging, it chooses you. And a diamond is just a piece of coal that stuck with it. I hope bloggers who listen to this get inspired to let blogging choose them, and stick with it.

They've got a nice pic of Mike at the Odeo site, but this one is my favorite. That look could get you into, and more importantly, out of, a lot of trouble with women, and probably has, Mike honey. Oh. And he's a musician. Who has played with hmm, everybody. Whatta heartbreaker. Sigh.

Just a couple questions...

In the spirit of bi-partisanship exhibited by the White House:

Why was Halliburton given a no-bid contract for post Katrina clean up? Have they fulfilled the contract? What were the terms of the contract?

Why were the lowest recorded gas prices of the year the day before Election Day? And Congress, if in order to answer this, you think you need to hold another "whore and sugar daddy" hearing with the presidents of big oil? Forget it. Send three hundred federal treasury agents to Houston, unannounced, with warrants, and confiscate hard drives. The revolution will begin forthwith. The reason this won't happen? See whore and sugar daddy comment above.

How on earth could 115,817 people vote for Jean Schmidt?

Hey, Alabama! Why haven't you counted my vote for governor yet? And why do the newspapers tally totals showing a 100% split between Democrat and Republican when the write-ins (allegedly in the thousands) have not been counted?

Trent Lott? Trent? Lott?

My vote for Time's "Person" of the year

The Blogosphere.

Arianna will have her panels and her list. Am I saying that KO, Colbert, Stewart, and even John Murtha would not be where they are without us? Well, yeah.

Don't get cocky. It's just a silly magazine cover, and if we win they're gonna put Markos' face on it. So there.

.

So tell me, Mister Carville, do you drink during the day?

We really didn't have any doubts about that, Mary.

What is that guy smokin'? Get rid of Dean and replace with Harold Ford? Why, because he likes girls? Because Harold needs a job? What?

You are messing with success, Jimbo. It's called winning.

Are you looking for a promotion on Fox? That must be it.

Insoluable Blue Gal

Thanks to regular BG reader Gregorio for finding the insoluable Blue Gal coloration molecular biology thang.

Needless to say, my clock says:
the time for lunch with the President is over.

Related article here. And I'm sorry to hear about Feingold:

I want you to know that I've decided to continue my role as Wisconsin's Junior Senator in the U.S. Senate and not to seek the Democratic nomination for President in 2008.

It's time to crunch the numbers to find out just how much refund Halliburton owes to the US taxpayer. "Thanks for funding a single-payer health care system, Dick. Sorry about the bankruptcy."

This week on BG: I'm almost finished with a couple great books, one fiction, one non. Hope to work up some mini reviews for ya. Also knitting a bit in preparation for Madrona, but this is not a knitting blog so I'll spare you. One of the sweaters has some fabulous blue in it, though. Madrona is a knitting convention in Tacoma Washington in late January. If any BG readers would like to meet up then and there, let me know.