Constance McMillen's "Fake Prom" (Mississippi Goddamn indeed)

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In  1963 Nina Simone  wrote a song called "Mississippi Goddamn".  Even today, it's an in-your-face political and social statement on the sad, pathetic state of affairs in the South.  Racism.

She was tired of it, and let you know.  The (partial) lyrics below do not even begin to describe the depth and strength of her song.  In my opinion, it is well worth your time to catch it on YouTube.  It's powerful and you can't help but feel her pain.  Go watch it, then come back here and finish this post ;)

Unfortunately, the racial divide remains in the South.  Ignorance and hate is still alive and well.  This time though, the focus is on a High School Senior, Constance McMillen.  

Constance wanted to take another female to the prom.   The school canceled the prom, and a group of parents put on a private prom.  Supposedly, Constance was sent an invite, but when she showed up, there were less than 10 kids there.  They had sent her to a fake prom. Here are pictures from the actual prom.  No Constance.

What is the Itawamba County School District and the parents of the Seniors trying to teach their kids?

What do they have to fear from this couple attending?

What is there to gain by ostracizing these girls?

How will these kids feel in 10 years for their part in Hate Prom 2010?

IN THE YEAR 2010 THIS LEVEL OF HATE IS STILL BEING ACCEPTED IN THE UNITED STATES.

THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.

   It makes me sick.  This has NOTHING to do with a left or right agenda, or trying to shove anyone's beliefs down their throats.  It is simply about equality for all, regardless of sexual orientation. 


Like Nina said, "You don't have to live next to me/Just give me my equality."

Mississippi Goddamn indeed.




Lryics of Mississippi Goddamn by Nina Simone (1963).



The name of this tune is Mississippi Goddam
And I mean every word of it

Alabama's gotten me so upset
Tennessee made me lose my rest
And everybody knows about Mississippi Goddam

Alabama's gotten me so upset
Tennessee made me lose my rest
And everybody knows about Mississippi Goddam

Can't you see it
Can't you feel it
It's all in the air
I can't stand the pressure much longer
Somebody say a prayer

Alabama's gotten me so upset
Tennessee made me lose my rest
And everybody knows about Mississippi Goddam

This is a show tune
But the show hasn't been written for it, yet

Hound dogs on my trail
School children sitting in jail
Black cat cross my path
I think every day's gonna be my last

Lord have mercy on this land of mine
We all gonna get it in due time
I don't belong here
I don't belong there
I've even stopped believing in prayer

Don't tell me
I tell you
Me and my people just about due
I've been there so I know
They keep on saying "Go slow!"

But that's just the trouble
"do it slow"
Washing the windows
"do it slow"
Picking the cotton
"do it slow"
You're just plain rotten
"do it slow"
You're too damn lazy
"do it slow"
The thinking's crazy
"do it slow"
Where am I going
What am I doing
I don't know
I don't know

Just try to do your very best
Stand up be counted with all the rest
For everybody knows about Mississippi Goddam
I made you thought I was kiddin' didn't we

Picket lines
School boycotts
They try to say it's a communist plot
All I want is equality
for my sister my brother my people and me

Yes you lied to me all these years
You told me to wash and clean my ears
And talk real fine just like a lady
And you'd stop calling me Sister Sadie

Oh but this whole country is full of lies
You're all gonna die and die like flies
I don't trust you any more
You keep on saying "Go slow!"
"Go slow!"

But that's just the trouble
"do it slow"
Desegregation
"do it slow"
Mass participation
"do it slow"
Reunification
"do it slow"
Do things gradually
"do it slow"
But bring more tragedy
"do it slow"
Why don't you see it
Why don't you feel it
I don't know
I don't know

You don't have to live next to me
Just give me my equality
Everybody knows about Mississippi
Everybody knows about Alabama
Everybody knows about Mississippi Goddam

The power of Working Together for Change (QOTD)

 Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
        ~Margaret Mead
        ~US anthropologist & popularizer of anthropology (1901 - 1978)

What do you see in your world that needs to change?

What are you doing about it?

Simple Act of Kindness.

Oscar Wilde once said, "The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention."

I've taken to a new habit at work, writing a thank you note a day.  Sometimes it's to a vendor, or customer, or trucker, or even a customs broker.  I'm always careful to say thanks on the phone, but how often do you get a thank you note.  I do it not only to stand out, but also because I'm sincere.  Without the help of dozens of people a day, I could not succeed at my job.

Today, I noticed Real Simple (a guilty pleasure of mine!) posted an article on Simple Ways to Make Someone's Day.  It gave some great ideas, but don't underestimate the power of the Thank You Note!

link to article:
Simple Ways to Make Someone's by Real Simple

So many times, we are so wrapped up in getting to the next place, we are not present in our current location.  Our mind is elsewhere.  When that happens, we fail to see all that is happening around us, including people.

My hope for today is that I do not fail to recognize those who help and support me.

I see the light of Christ... and it's not in the Pews

Two different conversations has brought me to almost a stand still today.  I look at my paperwork, and I look at my to-do list, and I look at the things I'm saving my money for and all I can think about is:

What is the point?

Really?  We bust our asses working for a company that only very few of us believe in, but mostly it's a means to pay the mortgage and for private school.  One hundred years from now, will my great-great grandchildren really know or care that I saved up for a year to remodel my bathroom?

Does my short-term happiness in owning that (insert name of object here) matter to those who have nothing?  My future grandchildren?  The people of Haiti?

I'm finding it harder and harder have enjoyment in my home.  It's just things that mean nothing, but in some strange paradox are seemingly important at the time.

Around Christmas a co-worker told me about a morning radio show he was listening to where a family had lost everything (fire?) and people were calling in donations to help them have a decent Christmas for their kids.  One guy called in who was a sandwhich maker at Subway.  He probably makes $8 an hour and has his own money problems.  He gave $100.  I was told that story 6 weeks ago and can not get it out of my head.

The second incident that has brought me to a complete distraction today is the following:

PRESS RELEASE
LOCAL NEWS
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 25, 2010

Homeless Guests at Kansas City Rescue Mission
Collect Money for Haitian Relief
“Heart to Heart will receive a very sacrificial gift this week,” said Chaplain Joe Roberts.

Kansas City, Mo.—When homeless men at the Kansas City Rescue Mission, 1520 Cherry Street, learned of the tragedy in Haiti, many stepped up to offer what little they had during three evening chapel services late last week.

Their collection — a total of $132.42 — will be donated to Heart to Heart International’s Haiti Quake Response efforts.

“These men have no homes of their own. Many have no contact with their own families, have only the clothing on their backs and rely on KCRM for shelter, food, medical care and hope,” said Chaplain Joe Roberts. “Yet when they learned about the tragedy in Haiti, they gave very sacrificially to help folks who were suffering even more.”

Pete Brumbaugh, a spokesman for Heart to Heart International, said, “This disaster in Haiti has touched so many lives, including those who are finding hope at the Kansas City Rescue Mission. We are humbled by their gifts, which show us that everyone has something to give to this massive relief effort providing healing and hope to the survivors.”

To learn more, for interviews and photos, please contact Development Officer Julie Larocco at (816) 421-7643, ext. 41, (816) 699-3029 (cell) or jlarocco@kcrm.org.

Kansas City Rescue Mission is a Christ-centered community offering freedom and hope to the poor and homeless, empowering them to reach their full potential.

 Homeless men gave all they had to the victims of Haiti.  All.

I'm worrying about a bathroom remodel?  I'm going to go sit in my corner now and figure out how to make these feelings feed change.

If the Subway worker and a group of homeless men living in a shelter can give to those around them in that way.... no matter how much time, money, or donations I've given in my life up  until now.... NONE of it is even remotely enough.

People like to go to church on Sundays and raise their hands and talk about the love of Christ?  There you go.  Right there.  In real terms.

The question is : What am I going to do with this knowledge now?

Finding Peace in Our Lives.

Last night I read from Being Peace and the following passage jumped out at me:

There is a Zen story about a man who is riding a horse that is galloping very quickly. Another man, standing alongside the road, yells at him, “Where are you going?” And the man on the horse yells back, “I don’t know, ask the horse!” I think that is our situation. We are riding many horses that we cannot control. (Thich Nhat Hanh, Being Peace, Parallax Press, Berkeley, CA, 1987)

I think sometimes in our lives we allow things to lead us, until we're unable to control the direction life is leading us.

It would be nice to wake up tomorrow and know where I am leading my horses rather than wondering where my horses will lead me.

Tweets and Thoughts on Attending a Mega-Church

Today on twitter MethoBlog sent out a tweet I recognized was authored by one of the pastors at my church. I responded, and it twitter format, here is how the conversation went (my comments in bold). By the way, I don't feel bad posting this, since its easily accessible by looking at my twitter history and his.

@methoblog Those are the ministers from my church! Good to see they get the recognition they deserve! :)

methoblog@justjenks consider yourself blessed to have such gifted people around your church body

@methoblog is it sad to say the experiences w staff is why I go back? It's NOT being surronded by 10,000 people I don't know. ;)

methoblog @justjenks i, personally, would have a tough time with the shear numbers of your church as well.

As the day went on, my comment about my church weighed on me. Why do I go back? Why I am I unhappy when I church hop to find "the right one"? What kind of pressure does comments like this put on our pastors?

Pastors in our church are assigned members by alpha-sorting. A-D get Pastor 1, E-K get Pastor 2, etc. Personally, I have no clue who my assigned Pastor is, because I choose to go to the West Campus. If one of the staff over there is unavailable, then I guess I do without because I don't "know" the staff at the main campus.

The stated purpose of our church is : To build a Christian community where non-religious and nominally religious people are becoming deeply committed Christians.

I think that's wonderful, but I think where my disconnect started years ago was I felt lost and in between those two points. I'm no longer nominally religious, but I'm certainly not mature in my faith. My assigned Pastor wouldn't know me if they bumped into me at the market. Said Pastor certainly when assigned hundreds of members, can not have the time to sit down with me and talk to me about my struggles in faith.

So, why do I go back? I think during my short run tonight I need to ponder that.

I think it has to do with a few connections I've made. It has a lot to do with the fact its familiar (10 years and going). I enjoy the heart of the sermons, although I feel too much media is used. And lately, I have started to have hope that I can get involved in a few areas and make a difference.

One item missing from that list of reasons? I don't go back for the sense of community. After all, 10,000 people at church is about 7500 more people than was in my whole town growing up. That's not a community, that's a small city.

Am I a Young Adult? Or Just an Adult now?

I need to check out the qualifications for those "young adult" activities I don't attend. What if I'm no longer a Young Adult? What if I'm just an Adult? I don't feel like one of the old ones. Is being a parent an automatic disqualification from this church group? LOL. Since I didn't go to the young adult activities, will I still not attend the adult activities? Why did I not feel old before I starting wonder if I'm too old for the Young Adult group anymore?

Who is my neighbor?

Something today reminded me of a conversation between my daughter and me about a year ago (she was 5) in the car (where all the best conversations happen) going through downtown KC.

A : Why are there people under that bridge? It's cold out.

Me : Well, um, yeah, well, um, they live there honey.

A : why?

Me : they have no other place to go.

A : Can't they go home?

Me : No, they can't, they don't have one.

A : can't their mother give them a place to live if they don't have a home?

Me : my guess is honey they don't have any family to live with.

A : (starts crying) Mama, I think we should give them a home to live in or they can stay with us.

I remember at that point, all I could respond with was, "I wish we could honey."

She had not yet developed that callousness of they're probably drunks, or addicts, or too lazy to work, or any of the other snap judgments people tend to make. I always give the guy on the corner a dollar if I have one. I'd like to give him the benefit of the doubt that this dollar matters in his day.

When I hear projects to help those in need, it's easy to get caught up in the big ones that sound impressive or the exotic ones in other countries.... and I'm not discounting those programs at all, but I wonder how we (me) can find the invisible neighbors. The neighbor we don't see that sits in the back row of church and doesn't say a word, or the elderly neighbor on our street who never has a visitor, or even the kid that we see that just doesn't seem to belong.

I'm still working on how I can take these musings and use my life to help the invisible neighbors. Until I do, I think my life is incomplete and not totally compatible with the way I want to live my life.

Trifecta of Disaster

Very rarely do I cross-post between my two blogs, but thought someone might find the humor in my not-so-humorous workout this week! haha

In January, I had a crazy friend talk me off the fence about a triathlon. Found one for July, so luckily I have some time, but not much.

First things first, I have to learn to swim. Keep in mind, I can swim playing around at the pool, lake, or in the ocean, but have never swam a lap before Jan 2009. Seriously. So, I noticed the community center is offering a triathlon swim class on Saturday mornings. I take it and have been trying to practice at lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

This weeks practice? The trifecta of disaster.

First. I walk out in my swim suit to only discover another trader from another company works out at my gym and is sitting in the hot tub. I've known him 12 years. Greeeeat, an audience. Disaster part 1.

Secondly, I suck at swimming. Truly this is one of the hardest things I've had to learn and I hate not doing anything well. I am also convinced I am going to die this summer of cancer of the stomach considering how much pool water I manage to ingest. Dear lord, how hard can this be? I gulp so much air, I burp chlorinated water for an hour after practicing. My stomach will hurt for 2 hours after a practice haha

Third, the middle aged men at the pool don't help. They are swimming 2 or 3 laps to my one then like to head over to the hot tub and watch me struggle. Keep in mind, these men have bellies bigger round than my ass circumference and look like they would have a coronary if they tried touch football with their grandkids. They like to comment on how "this week looks a lot better than last". Did I mention colleague from other company is watching all of this?

So, add together:
water in stomach +
middle aged men kicking my butt +
audience from a colleague I wish had never seen me in a swim suit
= trifecta for disaster.

Said friend who kicked me off the fence? He said, "it sucks until it doesn't." I hope he's right.

Who Stole my Jesus revisited.

Last May I wrote: http://view-from-the-pew.blogspot.com/2008/06/who-stole-my-jesus-part-1.html. Which basically is a spin off of a book I read. My Jesus was stolen from me.

Almost a year later, I think I better defined the Jesus I was seeking (is that really Him though, or am I pushing him into my box?), but it's still not clear. I also have not found a community which shares that lens. Sometimes I'm jealous of the happy-clappy-fundamentalist-bible-cheering-crowd. Seriously. They have support in numbers. If you think about it, there is no shortage of people to claim the republicans divinity, abortion is the biggest threat to Christianity, and that all non-Christians are damned. Unfortunately, I don't fit into that mass, so I'm back to square one.

I found that if you start questioning that Jesus had to die. Or if Jesus was even divine, and suddenly you're alone in a crowd.

Jesus is out there. I could tell you 2 experiences of how I know, but short of coming out a Minister's mouth, you'd probably think I was crazy. Lord knows I wonder some days myself.

I thought I would have found my Jesus by now. He's not where I've been looking, so as Einstein might suggest... in order to prevent insanity, it's time to stop looking where I've been and try somewhere new.

"Christian" Music has forever been ruined for me.

First it was South Park.

Then The Wittenburg Door.

Now, I can't listen to it on the radio or in church without giggling a little. Why? Read On....

I was never a fan of Contemporary "Christian" music to begin with. I mean, some of it is ok, but the rest of it to me is redundant, repetitive, and boring. To me, it doesn't praise the Lord, it's all about ME! ME! ME! Jesus save ME! Jesus help ME! MY relationship with you. Ad naseum....

It was kind of a secret. Something you can laugh about with your atheist and agnostic friends, but not something I would bring up at church. Then I realized I wasn't alone with the summer edition of Wittenburg Door's guide to Contemporary Christian Music : http://www.wittenburgdoor.com/your-guide-contemporary-christian-music

before that though, was a South Park episode where the boys decide they want to start Christian Rock Band (for the platinum record , not to inspire). It really funny if you can get past the language. IMO. It does make a point about the music. Basically they take old love songs and at the end of each line, they say, "Jesus". One example is "Three Times a Lady" by the Commodores is changed to "Three Times my Savior". Funny because I swear I've heard the same thing on Sunday.

If you love CCM and it works for you, by all means keep listening. I'm not sure the collection on my ipod would inspire you the same way it inspires me. On the other hand, if CCM lovers think this music is going to appeal to the young nominally religious crowd, they should probably rethink their game plan. If I'm annoyed by the sound of the music, I am pretty sure the message will be lost on me.

I'm just glad I'm not alone in my annoyance. Thanks SP and WD!

Dolphus Weary and notes in the margin.

My little one and I went today to listen to a speaker at church, Dr Dolphus Weary. Google him for his biography, that's not what I want to spend space on.

He spoke briefly about his book, I Ain't Comin Back and spoke a lot about race within the Christian community. If you read my blog at all, you know I've lost my Jesus, so I find speakers who talk about "Christian community" fascinating. Throw in my personal interest of urban plights and I am one captivated audience member. I could have listened to him for another 90 minutes.

On his biographical information sheet, I wrote in the margins... Not every note will become a blog entry, but most will ;) Here we go in order my notes:

• Racism no more in the body of Christ
• How is God preparing us for this?
• How do you arrive at your own answers?
• Where does compassion lead us?
• How do we bring God here now?
• Where are you running to? Where are you running from?
• We allow other things to get in the way of dealing with racism (the elephant)
• What positive influence to I give to my family?
  
• More to do with exposure than intelligence
• The gospel must break across historical barriers
• The problem with poor communicities is they aren't exposed to people who open up their world
• We don't have relationships. Relationships take time
• Be willing to be a learner
• Help me understand your lens.
• Planning. working. dreaming.
• people are quick work, but slow to build relationship

Out of context to someone who didn't hear his talk today, these things might seem odd and random. But each one elicits a strong emotion from me. Each one screams at me based on things I want to accomplish in my life, and things I've done.

Our vision, whether it's at COR or in another capacity, should be to reconcile and walk together.

Erring on the Side of Mercy

erring on the side of mercy......

Seems simple enough. If you're not sure, EOTSOM. Right?

In a situation would you rather judge or EOTSOM?

[Not sure I'll ever use this acronym/abbreviation again, but I'm not sure I want to type it out again and again and feel lazy to c/p LOL ]

When I err on the side of mercy and it appears I made the "wrong" choice, did I really?

Baby Jesus, forgive me!

Christmas is all about The Baby. I mean, who doesn't like The Baby? It's a great story and full of hope and face it... (most) babies are just darn cute. I have no doubt that the holy glow about Jesus made him cuter than most.

Even Talladega Nights paid homage to The Baby before every dinner:

Dear 8 pounds 6 ounces... new born infant jesus,don't even know a word yet.

or

Dear Lord Baby Jesus, I want to thank you for this wonderful meal, my two beautiful son's, Walker and Texas Ranger, and my Red-Hot Smokin' Wife, Carley

or

Dear Lord baby Jesus, lyin' there in your ghost manger, just lookin' at your Baby Einstein developmental videos, learnin' 'bout shapes and colors. I would like to thank you for bringin' me and my mama together, and also that my kids no longer sound like retarded gang-bangers.

Usually, I don't even like those types of movies, but this cracked me up. So, why does Baby Jesus need to forgive me?

Well, first of all for laughing at that movie.

Mostly though, it has to do with Christmas. Christmas Eve to be exact. This should be a time of celebration of His birth. Instead, millions of parents across the country come home from midnight candlelight service and turn into a amateur Santa Claus. That is not the bad part... the bad part is what comes out of my mouth when it's 2am and I can't figure out why the playhouse is not fitting together. (No way am I buying her a bike for Christmas) Seriously, I don't celebrate my daughters birthday by a barrage of evil thoughts and words only suitable for HBO against toy makers and why instructions always seem to lack one important piece of information. So, why does this seem impossible to avoid on Christmas Eve?

I may pray in the wee hours Christmas morning, but it is admittedly a selfish prayer. Somewhere along the lines of, "Dear Lord, Pllllllleeeeease help me figure how why piece H is not snapping together with piece G. " In retrospect, there is nothing holy about staying up until 230am on Christmas morning being Santa Claus.

This is why my parents always gave me socks and underwear. They don't need instructions.

WTF is wrong with people?

When for the sake of a bargain, you are willing to step over (and on) a lifeless body... these are problems of humanity that go beyond terrorists, defaulting mortgages, and our economic crisis. Humanity in that moment lost its soul.

This man was over 250 pounds, yet people in the search of a tv that is 50% off, decided that their wallet was more important than his life.

I am appalled beyond words.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/30/nyregion/30walmart.html?em

Does Being Moderate Mean Apathetic?

Why does it seem these types are the majority? Are they? Is there no one else out there?

[Can any body hear me? *insert Pink Floyd riff here*]

I know there are alternative Christian perspectives. I know there are others out there that do not carry so much baggage. Does there really seem to be a need within the Christian faith for exclusivity, prejudice, and rigid dogma? Closed communion comes to mind. Since when did Jesus only let certain people come to Him?

As a Methodist, I enjoy being in the middle of the road (or at least our congregation is and I won't pretend to know enough about UMC to speak for the denomination). Maybe it is better to say, my church is welcoming to those who are middle of the road, liberal, and even conservative. We seem to have a good mix.

What is it about the moderates (Liberals who chose a church who might be right of their leanings, and Conservatives who tolerate a church who sometimes is a little too welcoming) that allow the Fallwells and Phelps of the world define Christianity? Is it our laid back nature to say, "Let them be?"

While that may have worked for The Beatles (or did it?), I am not sure it is working for me. I want to stand up and shout : YOU DON'T SPEAK FOR MANY OF US. But I am not a fan of shouting alone.

Thousands of passive church goers who join together to sing praises doesn't make media headlines in the same way protesting funerals and blaming hurricanes on the gays does.

We're boring. We're tolerant people who keep to ourselves. We have our opinions, but we don't force them on others. We are not threatening in anyway.

Chance and Coincidence

Tonight I ran into a member of my church at the mall. My little one was at gymnastics and I was out of moisturizer. In theory, I could run over to the mall, get in and out quickly, and be back before she noticed I was not in the bleachers. Mission accomplished.

While making a mad dash past the perfume counter in Dillards (my eyes! my eyes!) I ran into a member of my church (we're everywhere). She was in my first Disciple class, started at COR-West with me, but I hadn't seen her or her kids in awhile. I had 10 minutes and we tried to do 9mos of catch up in that time. It was awesome and I miss her!

I told her I was batting about .250 for attendance this year. I'm struggling and my heart isn't in it. She informed me they started going back to main campus. She asked why I was struggling and I tried to sum it up succinct manner, which does not match my personality frankly! haha.

The short answer I gave her: The church seems to be going in so many directions, yet the sense of community I miss is even more evasive than 2 years ago when I first met her.

She replied, "yeah, if I was sick and in the hospital, you'll never have the phone tree calling on my behalf." Yet we both keep attending. When she asked why, I said... I have been going there for 10 years. I was 21 when I started. I walked the hymnals over from the old church. I have seen our church grow and struggle. To me, when I visit other churches, I feel like I'm cheating on my boyfriend and if I officially quit... I think it would hurt worse than a breakup.

We exchanged cell #s and promised to find each other on facebook. Not only is it nice to run into someone from church, but someone who understands my struggle and is sharing it for her and her family. Maybe community at COR isn't lost afterall.

When Well Meaning Christians Attack

What does a "seeker" look like to you? Can you tell that person when they walk into your church? Do they have it stamped on their forehead? What assumptions do you make about that person once you determined they are "unchurched"?

Obviously last night I did. I went to a Q&A for our west campus. My attendance has been about 20% this year, and frankly I was looking for a reason to change that. Unfortunately, I didn't find that.

I could go into the details of this lady that inspired my blog and why her final words of our conversation were, "it's ok, you're just a seeker and you'll find your way." I didn't realize I was lost. I won't go into those details, because frankly, they are not important to everyone else.

Of our 3 minute conversation ( or was it an interrogation?) she managed to sum up my journey in those words. You could argue that we're all seekers. Or that she meant well. But without recapping the conversation word by word, let's just say she saw me as a lost puppy with no clue where I was. She offended me.

I'm not used to people being up in my business like that and frankly, she needed to take 2 steps back. No one wonder Christians scare people. reminded me of the intensity of Mormon Missionaries. Of course, since we're good Christians, we know what's best and of course we are here to shepherd you and of course we know the right way. Right? *sigh*

Literally, I felt attacked. I have very little personal space, ask me anything and most of the time I'll answer it. This lady managed in less than 3 minutes to totally invade what little space I had.

How do we approach those we feel in need? Are we opening and welcoming to their point of view? Or do we make a bunch of assumptions and make sure those assumptions are know? Do we let the seeker (no matter their level) indicate what they need? Or do we tell them what is best for them?

I do not understand people.

originally posted on myspace 8/15/2007

I don't understand how you can ask a person, "how do you feel about {insert some current event here}?" and they respond with, "I really don't know" or "I don't pay attention to the news" or "That doesn't really affect me."

But I guarantee if you ask that person:

"How many days did Paris stay in jail?"

THEY WILL KNOW!!!!!?!!!!!!?!!!!!

argggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(in my best charlie brown voice)

A Poem I Found and Liked. Not sure who the credit goes to.

The fog lifted itself up from the ground and rises
To encircle me, fill me with the looming sense
Of impeding doom.

Suspended, as if waiting, in quiet anticipation
For better weather, for warmth, for sun,
for dissolution.

The vapor blankets the world beneath its fragile
Weaving, curling, furls
of nothingness.