Good News!

Got my test results first thing yesterday morning and got the glorious news that both moles were benign. What a great way to start the week! It's funny how quick I stopped worrying about my health and started worrying about my scar. The one on my lip, that is. If the one on my back turns out to be all raised and pink, well, it'll just match the one on my tummy.

Memorial Day Recap

Today I slept in. Then I took a shower, farted around on the internet, and took a nap. I watched two episodes of the C-Span series on the First Ladies (Dolley Madison and Frances Cleveland, both foreshadowing my beloved JBKO), then I napped again. Went through the closet in the den and came up with another bag of clothes for Goodwill and a few pieces to take to the local consignment shop (I've never done that before). Watched the Cubs beat the White Sox in the Crosstown Classic (yea!). And now, guess what. Time for bed!

I wish I'd accomplished more. But I think I needed the sleep. When I'm not worrying, I'm on the verge of worrying, so this might have been what I needed.

Blog Every Day in May -- Day 26

Day 26, Sunday: Something you read online. Leave a link and discuss, if you'd like.

William Zervakos, Arias Jury Foreman, Says '18 Days Of Testimony Hurt Her' 

I feel for the jury. These poor people put their lives on hold from January until now. They have had to view gruesome autopsy photos and listen to lurid testimony. The defendant is batshit crazy and her crime is heinous, but the prosecutor wasted their time on the wrong things. (Hours spent on whether Snow White was a battered woman. Really?) Now, after doing their civic duty to the best of their ability, they're taking pipe.

I realize that the death penalty is, in most cases, a state issue. But the fact still remains that it's not applied fairly in this country. While I believe Jodi Arias is a terrible person and a danger to society, I could not sentence her to death. Not while William Balfour here in Illinois, convicted of killing Jennifer Hudson's family got life without parole (3 life sentences, actually), and California's Betty Broderick killed two people and actually comes up for parole. And while the public is out for Jodi's scalp, Betty still amazingly has supporters out there who think that, after remorselessly committing a double homicide, she should be let out to walk among us.

Travis Alexander

Then there's my faith. I don't believe God wants us to stop killing by killing.

While I feel bad for the jury, most of all, I feel terrible for the family of Travis Alexander. They have to go through this again. The centerpiece of this soap opera, Jodi herself, is the least sympathetic one of all.

 

Hey, Hey! Holy Mackarel! No Doubt About It!

The Cubs are on their way!

When I was a kid, that was the song WGN used to play before broadcasting the game. Maybe that's overly optimistic, considering how they have played over the last two months. But this series against a very good Cincinnati team certainly was fun. We even won one today ... in extra innings!

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: The Sunday Brunch Meme

1}Which do you prefer in the am: Coffee or tea?  Tea

2} Work has been cancelled on the spur of the moment: Clean house and do errands, Or just fun things? Fun things, unless I have laundry to do. I share a laundry room with 23 other condo dwellers, and if I can find a time when I can do the wash without sharing the facilities, I grab it!

3} Middle of the hot summer, vacation at: Mountains or Beach? Whichever has easy access to a city. I like to walk both beaches and mountains, but I'm not a sun worshipper nor a camper, so I'll want to do something else -- inside and air conditioned -- in the midday.

4}You have to travel at a leisure speed: Train, plane or car? All aboard!

5} To relax: A movie or a book? Yes. I love them both.

6} What kind of pets? Dog, cat, bird or fish. I have three cats. Right now, Reynaldo is having health and/or emotional issues. He's on my mind a lot. Charlotte is my diva, my major domo. And Joey is just a big tub of love.

7} Dream home: Hard wood floors or carpeting?  Hardword floors

8} a fun activity: cards, bingo or blogging? Blogging

9} First date: Dinner, movie or a hike?  Dinner and a movie. I mean, a hike? Really? I like the originality of the idea, but I don't want to travel out of town with a stranger.

10}The first Kiss: peck on the cheek, or a long romantic one? Depends on who is doing the kissing.

Blog Every Day in May -- Day 25

Day 25, Saturday: Something someone told you about yourself that you'll never forget (good or bad)

"You're more exceptional in every way than you know." So said my shrink at the end of our last session. I heard her. Now I'm trying to feel it.

It's been two months since I've had therapy. It's been a tough two months but I'm getting through. I have her number and I can call her any time. That's a comfort.

Memorial Day Weekend: Part One

Memorial Day Weekend 2013 began Friday at 3:00. Here's the update, so far:

The Good: It seems I may have been wasting my dread -- at least as directed to my professional performance. I was worried that Thursday's client meeting hadn't gone well. I thought The Chocolate Covered Spider was displeased with me because I was perhaps too animated, too eager. But on Friday she told me she thought it went well. So there you go.

Will, the moderator of the MeetUp I attended, turned me onto TCMParty -- a Twitterverse of Turner Classic Movie fans who watch the movies together and Tweet. I gave it a shot with Inside Daisy Clover, an old Natalie Wood/Robert Redford movie I know well, and found myself chatting with, among other people, actress Illeana Douglas. It was addictively satisfying. She agreed with my idea that comparing and contrasting the careers of Warren Beatty and Robert Redford would be an interesting programming idea for TCM. She has a relationship with the network, so, well, "you're welcome."

I got a terrific pedicure. It's not the color that makes it so great -- it's the same Revlon Optimistic I used on vacation last month. It's that I beat up the nail on my right big toe and she evened them out.  So I'm happy.

I have watched a lot of baseball. I still don't know this Cub team as well as I'd like to yet. They're not winners but the games are interesting -- we're in them at least until the 5th and there are no blow outs. I'm always happier when I watch baseball.

The Bad. I have no energy. I'm doing a lot of napping. I think it might be the stress of waiting for the biopsies on my moles and concern over my best friend. Also, my client is kicking off their Big Automation Project next week and I worry that it will inevitably lead to layoffs -- including mine. I had a dream that I was homeless.

Thinking of money ... More time is being billed by my lawyer regarding my mom's house. I hope this will all be over soon! We were so close to break-even with her estate. Now I fear we're going to fall back into the red (and by "we," I mean "me;" I accept that neither of my sisters is going to kick in).

The Ugly. Reynaldo still has litterbox issues. If, when this special, expensive prescription cat food is gone, he's still not using the box, we've got to go back to the vet. I'm sorry he's hurting and I'm trying to fix it. But I fear that this is going to be time consuming and costly. These have been a tough two months for me and Rey.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Battle Hymn of the Republic

Memorial Day was introduced to honor the men and women who died while serving the in the United States Armed Forces. We want to make sure that message is not forgotten this weekend.

1) This recording was made live at St. Patrick's Cathedral, during Sen. Robert Kennedy's funeral. While both of Bobby's older brothers were decorated war heroes, he served too -- enlisting in the Navy in 1943. Are you a veteran? Are there veterans in your family? (We are grateful and want to hear about it.) My dad volunteered and proudly served as a corpsman in Korea. My uncle was drafted and exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam. He had terrible health problems and died at age 69. I'm very, very angry about that. My nephew is currently on active duty in the Navy. His ship is afloat somewhere in Southeast Asia.

 

 
2) Memorial Day also kicks off the summer season. What's your favorite picnic food?  Potato salad. I think I've only ever eaten it outdoors.

 
3) Name a scent that reminds you of someone special in your life. My favorite grandpa used

to use these licorice throat discs all the time. So the smell of black licorice makes me smile and think of him.

 
4) When was the last time you had your hair cut or trimmed? I guess about three weeks ago. I'm getting it cut again next Saturday.

 
5) Crazy Sam runs on Dunkin'. Are you loyal to a particular brand of coffee? I don't drink coffee. That's a smell I just cannot stand.

 
6) If money was no object, what home improvement would you like to make this summer? I'd get new living room window treatments, which would require new rods, which would entail replastering and then repainting ... Oh, if only money was no object, what wouldn't I do?

 

7) What was the last thing you bought purely for your own enjoyment? I just bought the book Cat Daddy by Jackson Galaxy. I can't wait to read it!

8) When was the last time you rode a bike? About 3 or 4 years ago when I was on vacation in The Keys. When I was a kid, I loved riding my bike. At the health club, the stationery bike is my cardio of choice. So I thought I'd enjoy pedaling away in the Southernmost City. I didn't. I felt all awkward and wobbly.

 
9) Sam worries that many of her song selections reflect her decidedly Baby Boomer sensibilities. Is there a song or a performer that you'd like to see featured in a Saturday 9 this summer? Bon Jovi.

 

Blog Every Day in May -- Day 24

 Day 24, Friday: Your top 3 worst traits

I can be proud, defensive and lazy. 
 

Blog Every Day in May -- Day 23

Day 23, Thursday: Things you've learned that school won't teach you

No matter how good someone's life looks from the outside, you have no idea how it feels on the inside.

The hours between 2 and 4 in the afternoon crawl along, but 2 to 4 AM goes by in the blink in an eye.

Just about every American 21 and over has a favorite Sinatra song. Trust me, this is important to know. It can help you make conversation with complete strangers at social gatherings.

 

THURSDAY THIRTEEN #222

THIRTEEN RECENT MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS

Memorial Day is almost upon us, so this seems like a good time to celebrate the heroism of those who put their lives on the line for us. I'm singling out 13 of those who have already been singled out with the Medal of Honor, bestowed upon them by the President on behalf of the American people.

No matter how I feel about our recent wars -- and I admit I am ambivalent at best -- I cannot be more sincere in my admiration and gratitude to these amazing men.

1) Sergeant Clinton Romesha. Army. Afghanistan. 2013. The most recent recipient, Sgt. Romesha earned his Medal when he and his comrades were surrounded and attacked by as many as 300 combatants. Without regard for his own safety, he ventured off without cover to seek reinforcements. Over the next several hours, though seriously injured by shrapnel from a grenade and targeted by a sniper, he continued on until he could reach radio equipment. Once there, he not only radioed for help, he successfully directed air support to the enemy. His extraordinary effort gave his team the time to reorganize and ultimately defeat a much larger, better prepared enemy. Today he lives with his wife and children in Minot, North Dakota.

2) Corporal Dakota Meyer. Marines. Afghanistan, 2011. Corporal Meyer distinguished himself when his unit was ambushed. He jumped into a truck and drove, drawing fire to himself and away from fellow marines. Corporal Meyer not only managed to kill a number of enemy fighters, he evacuated friendly Afghan soldiers, many of whom were wounded. Despite a shrapnel wound to his arm, the Corporal went back repeatedly, alone and on foot, to recover the bodies of four fallen comrades. He requested that at the moment he was honored by the President there be simultaneous commemorative services at other locations for the families of the four who died in that battle.

3) Staff Sgt. Leroy Petry. Army. Afghanistan, 2011. Sgt. Petry and his team were fired upon with automatic weapons. Though wounded, he responded bravely when he saw a grenade lobbed at his men. He picked it up and threw it, thereby saving his men. But tragically the grenade went off at the moment of release, blowing off his hand. Nevertheless, Sgt. Petty is the only Medal of Honor recipient who is still on active duty.

4) Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta. Army. Afghanistan, 2010. While on patrol, his team was ambushed. Without regard for his own safety, Sgt. Giunta exposed himself to fire twice within a matter of moments to save others, first to administer first aid to his fallen squad leader. Though injured, the Sgt. was still conscious enough to spot insurgents carrying away American soldier. He engaged the enemy, killing one and injuring another so he could rescue and provide aid to that soldier. Thankfully, this brave young man survived and is now attending college in Colorado.

5) Staff Sgt. Robert Miller. Army. Afghanistan, 2010. Sgt. Smith was leading a patrol through a small, narrow valley when they were ambushed. With total disregard for his own safety, he called for his troops to move back to cover while he charged the enemy. He not only killed at least 10 insurgents before losing his life, his action also saved seven American soldiers and 15 soldiers of the Afghanistan National Army.

6) Sergeant Jared C. Monti. Army. Afghanistan, 2009. Sgt. Monti's 16-man patrol was attacked by 50 enemy soldiers. During the ensuing battle, one of his men was wounded, out in the open, vulnerable in front of the enemy. It took three attempts, but Sgt. Monti saved that soldier, even though it cost him his own life.

7) PFC Ross McGinnis. Army. Iraq, 2008. When a grenade was thrown into his crew's vehicle, he shouted a warning so his fellow soldiers could escape and then threw himself on top of it.

8) Petty Officer Michael Monsoor. Navy SEAL. Iraq. 2008. An enemy grenade was tossed and it bounced off his chest. Instead of escaping, he shouted a warning to the rest of his SEAL team and gave his life when he threw himself onto the grenade.

9) Lt. Michael Murphy, Navy SEAL. Afghanistan. 2007. While on a special reconnaissance mission in rugged terrain, Lt. Murphy's unit was discovered and outnumbered by the enemy. He tried to call for help, but their telecommunications equipment wouldn't work in this remote area. He deliberately moved to an open area, exposing himself to mortal injury, in order to call for support and rescue for his team.

10) Corporal Jason L. Dunham. Marines. Iraq, 2007. Mortally wounded when he threw himself onto a grenade, saving the lives of at least a dozen fellow Marines.

11) Sgt. Paul Smith. Army. Iraq, 2005. When his Army construction (meaning not combat ready) company was attacked, he hastily organized a defense. Though he was killed returning fire, his heroism enabled more 100 of his fellow soldiers to safely escape.

12) Master Sgt. Gary Gordon. Army. Somalia, 1993. Armed with only his rifle, Sgt. Gordon protected the site of a helicopter crash for hours until another aircraft could come for the wounded crew. He was shot more than once and when he realized his wounds were fatal, he handed his gun to the injured helicopter pilot with the words, "Good luck." That four-man helicopter crew was rescued alive.

13) Sgt. Randall Shughart. Army. Somalia, 1993. Sgt. Shughart volunteered to enter an area dense with landmines and enemy personnel to rescue the crew of a downed helicopter. It took multiple trips and resulted in him receiving mortal wounds, but he bravely recovered three dead soldiers and brought the pilot to safety and medical attention.

For more about the Thursday 13, 
or to play along yourself, click here.

Blog Every Day in May -- Day 22

Day 22, Wednesday: Rant about something. Get up on your soapbox and tell us how you really feel. (a pet peeve, a current event, a controversial topic, something your husband or roommate or neighbor or boss does that really ticks you off)

I am so fucking tired of this Recession! I hate worrying every three months (each quarter) that I'm going to be let go. There aren't a lot of jobs out there ... fewer at my salary ... fewer still for someone over 50. I'm angry, I'm scared, I feel helpless.

In the 1990s, we hired people then who were my age now. We hired anyone whose knuckles didn't drag. We had more jobs than people.

But now it's my turn. Now I'm facing unemployment, but there are no jobs. This is not fair.

And that's just me. If I wasn't worried about making myself too sad, I'd detail what's going on with best friend (unemployed), my former boss Ed (unemployed), my friend in the Keys (underemployed) and my friend John (underemployed). 

Can't we turn the page already? Can't we start over with a fresh new economy? Can't I stop worrying?

Your help is needed

Oklahoma has been devastated by tornadoes. Lives were lost and homes destroyed. And families torn apart.

Because if you have ever shared your home with a dog or cat, you know that they become your family. And during storms like this, they get frightened and frantic and run away.

Often, when their humans have to find temporary housing in shelters or
hotels/motels, dogs and cats aren't welcome. Where can they leave their furry family members?

It's at times like this when local animal shelters are so important. If you have a few dollars to share, please send them to the Central Oklahoma Humane Society. Their Disaster Relief Fund is up and running.

I itch

The hole in my back is making me cuh-razy! It's less visible than the black stitches on my lip, but it's actually the more serious wound, from the more suspicious mole. And there's nothing I want to do more right now than rip off the big, itchy adhesive and give it a good scratch. But I won't.

But I want to.

The stitches on my face are less embarrassing than I thought they'd be now that the swelling is down, and I've been careful with the regular, by-the-rules application of antiseptic ointment.

This will be over on Tuesday!

Men are weird

I worked for a couple years with an art director I clashed with. Daily. So I thought he disliked me. I found out -- when our little creative team blew up in internecine conflict -- that he really kind of admired me and totally had my back. He was back in the Loop today for the first time in years and he really wanted to see me. Three of us had lunch together today. It was nice, but it also confused me. So he considers us friends? I matter to him? Who knew?

My best friend, on the other hand, completely (and I think willfully) misunderstood an email I sent him and tore a strip out of me. His wife's grandfather just died and he was feeling overwhelmed by family obligations and he took it out on me. Understandable, I suppose, but not very nice. I'm not even sure he realized that's what he did.

Why are men so complicated? Even men I'm not sleeping with!

Blog Every Day in May -- Day 22

Day 21, Tuesday: A list of links to your favorite posts in your archives

This is my favorite Thursday Thirteen, and I've done literally hundreds of them. It's an original idea -- women I'll look up when I get to heaven -- and I think I did a good job with it. Scroll through the comments and you'll see one from columnist John Dickerson. It made me happy that I got to make him happy. People really do read what we write!

I like this Trifecta entry based on the prompt, "Home." Writing it made me happy. Reading it makes me happy.

I like this one about Peggy Noonan because it's well written, rather timeless (as long as Peggy keeps appearing on Sunday morning TV), and because it still somehow gets a lot of hits and really annoyed a stranger named Steve.

Blog Every Day in May -- Day 20

Day 20, Monday: Get real. Share something you're struggling with right now.

Reynaldo. It's embarrassing how much of my life revolves around tending to, disciplining, worrying about and cursing that skinny beige bundle of fur.

Currently he's suffering from Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease. It's getting better since he's been on a special diet from the vet. But when he's not feeling well, he gets more aggressive, more destructive, more demanding. I understand now that he's just trying to get my attention, because he wants desperately for me to fix him. And I'm trying!

It wasn't so bad ... at the time

Had two moles removed today: a large one from my back and a highly visible one on the right side of my mouth. The plastic
surgeon who did the deed was quite deft. While she was carving, I didn't feel a thing.

I feel quite a bit right now, however. My lip is swollen and marked by four thick black stitches. My back hurts where the adhesive is tugging.

Oh well, by Thursday morning, the stitches on my back will have dissolved. And next Tuesday morning, the stitches on my lip will be removed. This is painful and unpleasant, but it will be shortlived.

The important thing is that both my erstwhile moles come back from the lab benign. (Fingers crossed.)

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: the fairy tale meme

Snow White: Do you consider yourself pretty? Name the part of your body you think is the most beautiful! I have never been pretty but I have bright green eyes.

Cinderella: What is your shoe size? 6.5

Sleeping Beauty: How many hours do you sleep each night? Again, 6.5.

Little Red Riding Hood: What is your favorite food?  Beef

The Frog Prince: What do you find disgusting? Puke. Meaning grown up human vomit. I'm OK with everything that emanates from furry critters and baby people, but full-on puke does make me queasy.

Jack and the Beanstalk: What plants are in your room? I have a gorgeous philodendron in my office. No plants at home, though.

Puss in Boots: Do you have a pet? Do you want one? I have three cats. That's plenty for now, thank you. :)

 Rumpelstiltskin: What is the meaning of your url?  It was available.

The Little Mermaid: Can you sing? No

Pinocchio: What is your greatest wish? Safety and security

Peter Pan: What is your (mental) age?  About 30. Eternally.

The Star Money: What is your most prized possession?   A ceramic cable car. It belonged to my favorite grandfather. It was on his dresser and he used it to hold his cufflinks, tie clasps and licorice throat lozenges. Every time I look at it, I can almost smell the licorice.

Blog Every Day in May -- Day 18

Day 18, Saturday: Tell a story from your childhood. Dig deep and try to be descriptive about what you remember and how you felt.

FREE. That's how I felt as a child whenever I was on the swings.

I recently said "goodbye" to my childhood home and as I went from room to room, I remembered anew how unhappy I'd been there and knew I wouldn't miss it. But the yard! That was another story. I loved the yard, with the inflatable pool and trees to lay under and snow and leaves to play in and, best of all, the swingset. I could sail through air for hours at a time. Since our yard connected me to the home of my oldest friend, she often joined me. We'd swing and sing Beatle songs.

The swings in our yard were my favorite swings, but not my only ones. There was the rope swing with the wooden seat at my Grandpa's house. He built it for my Aunt Joanne when she was a little girl and I really enjoyed knowing exactly where it came from. My Grandpa loved being in his tool shop, and I liked thinking about him drilling the holes and knotting the rope. Also, it gave me an escape from the grownup discussions that grew so boring in the kitchen.

There was also the swingset at the playground. The swings there had heavy black rubber seats, perfect for laying on your tummy and swinging headfirst into the air.

The only one I wasn't crazy for was the one at school. For some reason, swings were a major "chick thing," and there was always a line of girls waiting for a turn. I wasn't interested in having my swing time monitored. That was fine for the monkey bars or the slide. But the swing! Knowing when your urge to fly is satisfied is unique to each individual and should never be regimented.

Oh, Honey!

The asswipe referred to on this blog as Archie Bunker has 587 Facebook friends and 381 Twitter followers. Only one is sponsoring his dog in the Strut Your Mutt fundraiser. That would be my oldest friend. To the tune of $25.

Her FICO score is in the basement. She is paying for her son's college and will soon be looking at a bill for approx. $16,000 for her daughter's tuition to cosmetology school. At 56, she has no retirement savings to speak of.

She also has no friends out there in California. That's why she did this. She wants Archie, the Match.com fix-up that didn't work out, to call her. I bet he no longer has her number.

But I have his. The Gal worries so much.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Greased Lightnin'

1) Greased Lightnin' was the name of a car. Have you ever given your car a name? Sorry. I don't have a car.

2) Could your vehicle use a trip to the car wash this weekend? Well, the local PACE buses could certainly benefit from a little spring cleaning.

 

3) This song is from the soundtrack of the movie Grease, the biggest money-making movie musical of all time. Have you ever seen it? About a million times.

 
4) John Travolta's astrological sign is Aquarius. What's yours? I'm on the cusp between Scorpio and Sagittarius. 

  5)  In addition to being John Travolta's birthplace, Englewood, New Jersey, played a significant role in telecommunications history. In 1951, Englewood's mayor made the first-ever direct dial long-distance call in the United States. Now it's your turn. Tell us something about your birthplace. I'm going to define "birthplace" literally and tell you about the hospital I arrived in. While it was just a plain, old run-of-the-mill community hospital when my mom checked in, about 10 years after my birth it was converted to a mental health facility for those citizens who have either been found unfit to stand trial or not guilty by reason of insanity. My family has always enjoyed teasing me about being born in "the funny farm."

 

6) Travolta is an excellent dancer. How are you on the dance floor? I suck.

7) Grease is an upbeat musical about the students of Rydell High. Another Travolta movie is Carrie, which features the worst prom night imaginable. Grease or Carrie -- which is closer to your high school experience? Definitely Carrie. I hated high school.

 

8) What was your best subject in high school? What was your worst? English and American history were the best. Algebra and chemistry were the worst.

  9) Sam made good use of the bus ride to school, using that time to complete her homework. What do you remember about getting to or from school? We rode to school in a car pool. I hated it most of all when it was my parents' turn. My dad smoked constantly and drove this big boat of a Cadillac. Stuck in back seat, trying to breathe, we were like canaries in a coal mine.

Blog Every Day in May -- Day 17

Day 17, Friday: A favorite photo of yourself and why

Because the 1960s appeal to me, and because I see so much of my younger self in Peggy Olson on Mad Men.

Yenta, heal thyself

I can be very bossy with my oldest friend. Life overwhelms her at times and it's hard to resist the impulse to tell her to move over, gimme the keys and let me drive. And ok, often I don't resist the impulse at all. Like I said, bossy.

One of the things I've been bugging her about is Meetup.com. Since moving to Los Angeles she's become more isolated. She needs friends! She carries on a tepid online flirtation with Archie Bunker and has been Facebooking with people we went to highschool with (back when Robert Redford was Gatsby). Other than that, she has the troubled son who sleeps on her sofa and her physically nearby but emotionally distant cousin to talk to. Period.

A coworker of mine here in Chicago used Meetup a lot last summer and expanded her independent, post-divorce circle of friends. She found foodies to eat out with (Chicago is a great city for dining). But there are plenty of LA-area Meetup groups that enjoy books and movies. My friend once loved her Chicagoland book club and hell, LA is the movie capital of the world. So I've been nagging and cajoling and being all pushy.

Then it occurred to me -- I haven't made a new friend in years. While my circle of friends is loving and diverse, there's no reason not to add to it, is there? And so, this past Tuesday, I attended a Meetup my damn self.

It was a screening of Mildred Pierce for about a dozen of us. The moderator, Will*, and I really hit it off. He appreciated my enthusiasm. Quite a few of the people in the room never saw the movie before, so it was fun to experience it with them. One of the women there was reserved but really bright and recommended another film noir classic, Leave Her to Heaven.

This group meets once a month. Next month is The Postman Always Rings Twice. I'm going to make an effort to go.

Now if only my oldest friend would get off her sofa and give Meetup a try!

*Will's path very nearly crossed with my friend, Ed. Will is an independent contractor for the company that laid Ed off. Chicago can be a small community.

Jodi Arias: Betty Broderick Redux

Betty Broderick was the defendant in one of the first trials ever covered by TV, gavel to gavel. In 1989, she shot her ex-husband Dan and his younger, second wife Linda as they slept. Five times. Pre-dawn. In their own bed. In their own home. That she snuck into, using a key stolen from their eldest daughter.

Her defense? They drove her to it. By sleeping in their own bed in their own home before sunrise on a Sunday morning. I can see why she felt threatened.

There is no evidence of any abuse at the hands of ex-husband Dan. There is however, record of the $9,000/month he gave her. Even though she had relinquished custody of their children to him. With inflation, that's $18,900/month in today's dollars ... or $228,000/year. All for herself (remember, he had their kids.) In exchange, all he wanted was to be left alone. He took out restraining orders against Betty and she violated each and every once, once driving her Suburban (paid for by Dan) through his front door.

Believe it or not, there are women out there who don't revile Betty. They sympathize with and idolize her! Betty is big on jailhouse interviews and loves answering her "fan mail." Shudder.

Don't take my word for what a narcissistic, murderous bitch Betty is. 

Read CNN's account of her most recent and very colorful parole hearing here.

Jodi Arias is the 2013 model of Betty Broderick. I can't help but notice the similarities between these two high profile killers. Jodi murdered her former boyfriend, Travis Alexander because he drove her to it. While Dan and Linda put Betty in imminent physical peril by sleeping in their own bed, Travis terrified Jodi by being nude and vulnerable in his own shower. Just as Dan's real sin was growing weary of his batshit crazy, wildly self-centered ex-wife, Travis' was choosing to go to Cancun with someone other than his batshit crazy, wildly self-centered ex-girlfriend. Like Betty, Jodi has never met a TV camera she didn't like and like Betty, she can't stop sliming the man she murdered.

While Jodi's crime was more savage and hands-on (she used a knife), Betty's body count was double and through her monstrously selfish act she left her children parent-less. So which cold-blooded murderer is "worse?" I'll leave that for God to sort out.

As an old school feminist, I'm glad that Jodi isn't garnering the fan base Betty did. Maybe the times, they are finally a-changing, and women are beginning to own their lives and their choices. "Poor little me. He made me do it!" doesn't seem to wash anymore.

Both photos are from CNN

Blog Every Day in May -- Day 16

Day 16, Thursday: Something difficult about your "lot in life" and how you're working to overcome it

I survived physical abuse. When I was a teen, I was sexually molested by a revered older male relative. For the first 17 years of my life I was regularly beaten by my bigger, older sister. These two realities set the stage for a long, abusive relationship when I was in my 20s. I somehow came to believe that was my "lot in life," that somehow it's OK to handle me and treat me anyway you wish.

That is not the case. I deserve dignity, respect and kindness.

When I turned 30, I ended that abusive relationship, entered therapy and joined a church.

More than 20 years later, I still struggle. I ended a relationship with a good man perhaps prematurely, I was so worried about walking down that doormat road again. I have problems with intimacy -- I am more honest on this blog than I am in life. My shrink said my past has made me too reluctant to let people see my "backstage." And I worry about what is my fault, what is my responsibility, and what is not. 

But I am, for the most part, a happy woman. I have a solid sense of humor and many good friends whom I treasure. I find joy in the world around me. My past has made me strong, independent and resilient, and those are all things I'm grateful to God for.

THURSDAY THIRTEEN #221

THIRTEEN THINGS ABOUT COCA COLA

You know it. Everyone does.  

In 2011 it was declared the most valuable brand on the planet.

And it's always my drink of choice.

1) Coca Cola is America's best-known export, sold in every country in the world except Cuba and North Korea.

2) It was invented by an Atlanta pharmacist in the late 1800s who believed that his carbonated soda/syrup mix had "energizing" medicinal purposes (it was whispered to be a remedy for impotence) and could cure headaches.

3) Once the pharmacist sold the formula, it was marketed as a soft drink. The first ad ran in the Atlanta Journal, declaring it: "Delicious. Refreshing. Exhilarating. Invigorating."

4) Coca Cola memorabilia from that era is prized among collectors. Recently a 19th century antique clock with the logo was auctioned for nearly $100,000.

5)  In 1935, Coca Cola was certified "kosher."

6) Its color is caramel -- Caramel E-150d to be exact.  

7) Coca-Cola, the logo, the name Coke and the shape of the bottle are all trademarked

8) In 1944, the billionth bottle was sold.

9) In 1951, a little known actress named Marilyn Monroe made a Coke commercial with Jack Paar as part of a promotion for their movie, Love Nest.



10) In 1955, Coca Cola began being sold in cans.

11) Its most famous jingle, "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing," became a hit record in 1971.

12) Early in his career, Republican Presidential candidate Herman Cain worked for Coca-Cola as chauffeur to the company president.

13) A large portion of Coca Cola's business -- both nationally and internationally -- comes from their long relationship with another well-known brand: McDonald's.

For more about the Thursday 13, 
or to play along yourself, click here.