Independence? Is that meant to be a joke?

A storm looms omniously today; hinting and powerful destruction and on what better a day? There would be nothing better to remind the people of this country how fiercely un-independent we have become than to have a storm hammer down its wind and hallow upon us.

I am fully aware that the preceeding statement are fighting words on such a patriotic of holiday. We have soldiers fighting abroad; my family among them... but I'm not sure most of us know why--or for what freedom?

Just a few questions that meander my mind as I see people today touting the flag and over-indulging on fatty food and filling their tanks. About 50 emails in the last few days with subject lines about God and Freedom and other such stuff--emails from people who really don't know me, or think I might change with just the right combinations of motivational messaging. People who never actually send me an email with any thought or personal sentiment--just forward and keep the machine churning. 1984 anyone?

It is predictable, to launch into a tirade of sorts on this prestigious of holidays... but all I have to say is if our supply of fossil fuel were suddenly to be cut off this country would fall in minutes. All I'm saying is that World Peace depends on the hangs on crude oil.

I can't help but be a little verbose, I've been flipping back through the Thompson, and I did watch Where the Buffalo Roam again this past weekend. Always nice to be surprised by the fact that Bill Murray can act from time to time; even if he hasn't done too much since 1980 to really prove that fact. I managed to also catch, finally, Oceans Thirteen yesterday after work. I loved it... a lot of homage is paid to Frank and the original as well as to the Godfather. And, I have to say, even if you don't know all the cast "in jokes" you don't miss the humor--that is the brilliance of the writing. In fact, if you do recognize the in jokes, it can be a tad distracting... but still quite humorous. I just have to note that I loved the ringtone Brad Pitt's character, Rusty, had during the movie: the midi of the Human League's "Don't you want me." Classic. And my favorite line (sheesh, to pick one?): "You're analog players in a digital world."

Checking the Cattle Prod

So, I was curious--which we all know is never a good thing... and went to tsa.gov to check and make certain that what I had heard was true--and it was, in fact, true that shoes with gel inserts are prohibited unless in your checked luggage. Checked luggage? Feh, not on short trips. But while perusing the list, I did notice that my cattle prods, throwing stars, sabers and "gel type foods" greater than 3 ounces need to be checked. Sadly, tear gas is not allowed at all. What is the world coming to when I can't even check a gallon of gas... I mean what the hell? Here I am, a good American and can't bring a gallon of gas with me at all.

Ok, and now that I've stopped laughing hysterically....

I did make it through security TWICE this week without my liquid lip gloss securely packaged in my quart sized ziplock baggie. Fortunately, it did not impact the flights I was on in any way, but it was a dangerous risk, and one not caught by TSA. Imagine the scandal if that lip gloss had leaked?! Good god, can you imagine the meyhem that would have ensued and the terror caused because my Clinique Kissy Fit was not secured confined by the top notch technology of ZipLock?

But, I and many others, were not Kissy Fitted and arrived safely, if not a bit haggard from Philadelphia this evening; and many more continued onward to San Francisco--where they will, undoubtedly, be Kissy Fitted upon arrival.

No gas on May 15? Right.

Folks, STOP sending me these emails. I am not boycotting gas prices by not purchasing gas on May 15. The bottom line here is that gas is a natural resource that is in very limited supply—the earth can only make so much of it in any given timeframe and the United States is not privileged in its consumption.

How about this… on May 15—don't drive, instead, rely on public transportation and try burning some of the fat off the old ass by walking to the local store, try carpooling, try making only one trip in the car. In fact, give it a go for a good week…. We SHOULD pay more for gas—inconvenient as it may be, expensive as it may be, we abuse the resource significantly and pay less for it than any other country. The higher the price of gas, the more we have to think about what we really use, what we really consume and how much our lifestyles have devalued our resources.

I'm not saying I'm not guilty of excess, but at least I'm willing to admit I'm part of the problem and not blame others.