The F-Bomb

     I used to use a lot of swear words in my everyday vocabulary.  I especially enjoyed using the f-word.  It fits in so well, especially after every other word.  You can always tell someone's level of frustration or drunkenness by the number of swear words they can fit between the non-swear words.
     I used to be a bartender, and there was a group of regulars who came in quite often.  You could always tell if they had been drinking before they came to your bar, and you could always tell their level of drunkenness by the frequency of the swear words.  The volume and concentration of swear words, especially the f-word, escalated the more they drank  Low concentrations didn't bother me so much, but it always seemed to become more and more offensive as the night progressed.  It wasn't until I had children and then started a day care center that I really got my own mouth under control.  My rule became: If you wouldn't want to hear it comin' out of your two-year-old's mouth, you shouldn't say it in front of them.  My husband is in construction and he used to say that swearing is just how we talk all day.  It was hard for him to tone it down when he got home, but he is getting better.  Now when I hear someone swear it shocks me.  When it comes out of my mouth, I feel guilty almost immediately.
     I saw in an article somewhere that there is much more swearing allowed in PG-13 movies than there used to be.  Not Cool.  "If swear words are the best you can come up with, then you aren't very smart."  My best friends mom used to say something like that when people were swearing around us, and probably to me when I had a potty mouth. Reading that there are more swear words in PG-13 movies reminds of a time when my older daughter said something about an event "dumbing it down" to attract more guests.  It is too bad that with our current level of technology and the opportunities for people to be educated better than ever before, that we are "dumbing it down" in order to profit.  One would think that with all the creativity out there, someone would be innovative enough to come up with something wholesome, or at least not offensive, that is also popular and profitable. What a waste.
     I do have a positive note to end on, however.  I said I'd keep it positive.  On a recent family trip, we were sitting at a table eating lunch and there was a group of 18-25 year olds sitting at the next table.  One of the girls said something very sassy.  I didn't hear it, but my husband must have because he shot a concerned look in that direction.  We continued eating and forgot about it.  When the young group got up from their table to leave, one of the younger looking boys came up to our table and apologized to us for his friend's mouth.  We were pleasantly shocked by this boy's manners. It is too bad that we had to be shocked by someone actually displaying proper manners, but I am glad that manners are still being taught and even learned.  I don't know if his friends knew what he did, but it sure made an impression on us.  I hope that he is one of those kids who is looked up to, what a good role model he could be.

The debate continues

     Over to the right and down a bit.  That is where you'll find a monkey who looks like he's thinking really hard. At some point he was pondering this:  Why is it that you can tell someone that there are 400 billion stars in the universe and he will believe you, but when you tell him the paint on the bench is wet, he has to touch it?
     I love that monkey.  He always gives me something else to think about.  As if I don't already have too much on my mind.  Oh well, I rather be busy than bored.
     The question above is all about faith isn't it?  I had an interesting discussion with my mother about faith and her lack of it.  We were talking about how there may be no heaven or hell.  This topic brought up the fact that there are things you would never do if you were afraid of where you would end up in the afterlife.  If you don't believe in the afterlife, however, you really don't have to worry about how your actions affect anybody.  I am not sure that is good.  Do the majority of people who have left the church still believe in God and Heaven?  Just because they left, does that mean the belief ends?  Does it matter?  Is going to church just too inconvenient in our over scheduled, tired society?  I know a lot of people who are Christians who do not go to church.  Does it make them less Christian?  Does going to church make you a better Christian?  This can be debated forever and ever, but do those who are Christian and go to church have more of a chance to deepen their faith with the help of their pastors/ministers?  When I don't make it to mass, I miss it.  I am on a committee at our church called Worship and Spiritual Life.  I am mostly involved with the environmental aspect of this committee, but I am going to a training session so that I can help the parish adjust to the new changes in the mass that will take effect during advent.  I am excited to be involved with this and it makes me feel that I am helping.  What I learn here helps me to understand my faith a little better.
     The above questions will never be answered to the satisfaction of all people.  The debate will continue to the end of time, and some would argue that it will have to continue beyond that.  I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Kickstarter.com project officially launched

     The kickstarter.com page is officially launched.  I even made a video.  Go to kickstarter.com and look for The Friendship Quilt.  Read it! Watch it! Back me if you dare! Ha Ha !  Can you tell that I'm excited?  Keep watching for updates.  I'm going to go update the other blog with this information.

Kickstarter.com

     When I started this blog, I told myself that I would try to only publish positive stuff.  No whining or complaining.  It has been a while since I've written here, but that doesn't mean that I haven't been writing.  I gave myself a break from this, and hopefully now I'm back with a renewed positive attitude.  

     I have been frustrated about not having time to write the Friendship Quilt.  I think I have the solution.  I found a website called kickstarter.com.  This site is amazing!  Artists, musicians, writers, film makers,  etc. can go to this site to get funding for their projects.  The artist creates a project profile that includes funding/backing options.  With these options are rewards that the backers can receive as a thank you for helping to fund the project. Rewards are things like copies of the finished products like books or cds.   The rewards can be as simple as a thank you postcard. I have started creating my project's profile. I need to make a short video and then I will be ready to launch the page. The backers are people just like you and me.  Sometimes businesses will fund projects too.   I will be launching a campaign to tell everyone about this. The more who know, the better my chances of raising the money to complete the project.  It is an all or nothing kind of thing.  No money changes hands until the target date has been reached, and then only if the target monetary goal has been reached. Check out kickstarter.com for yourself.  There are some great projects going on right now.  Mine will be up soon under the name, The Friendship Quilt.  I'll keep you posted.