Booyah.

Nope - I've not seen the movie - but I have heard really good things about it. This past Sunday the pastor of the church I attend in Lexington (Jon Weece of Southland Christian) spoke about living passionately. His whole sermon was about the importance of living for now, not tomorrow, next week or next year. It was really inspiring but also challenging at the same time. It's shocking (& a little depressing) to realize how my priority list shapes up lately. Am I focusing on what I should be? Sometimes. Sometimes?! Awful, I know - but I'm working on it. After talking about living in the moment, worshipping, praising & honoring God each moment & prioritizing our lives & goals in a logical & Biblical manner, Jon went on to talk about his own "Bucket List". Basically a list of things you would want to accomplish if you found out you had 30 days to live.

My roommate Kristina & I left church and talked about how good the sermon was and what would be on each of our bucket lists. It's an interesting conversation to have, but when you really think about it you might come up with a more challenging conclusion. Instead of writing out a list of hypothetical goals why not start living. Living. If you think about how your time is spent you'll probably be disappointed by what you find. If you had a grid with each hour of the day & you were asked to fill out each activity that consumes your day & night would you be happy with the list? If your day were put into a pie chart which slice would be the biggest? There are so many nights I lay down to sleep and wonder how the day flew by. Homework stays unwritten, miles remain un-run, meaningful conversations hope for tomorrow and goals stay at least another day away. For the most part I am not a good steward of the time I've been given.

I think the bucket list from the movie had 50 goals - but I don't see the point of putting a limit on it. If I found out I had 30 days to live I would have my days & nights packed with activity. Who needs sleep when you've got a month to live? While I like the idea of making a bucket list for my life, I'd rather think of it as a blueprint for the years to come. Here it is - in no specific order. Enjoy!

1. Sit in the front row on the 50 yard line for Colts v Patriots in Lucas Oil Stadium with my family (or my parents & whichever sisters were willing to go.) :)
2. Attend the Olympic Games Opening Ceremonies.
3. Visit every continent.
4. Apologize to those I've wronged.
5. Drive a Tesla.
6. Own horses.
7. Dance in the NBA & NFL
8. Open a dance studio.
9. Experience weightless-ness.
10. Sit courtside in Rupp at a UK game.
11. Skydive.
12. Coach a dance team.
13. Own a jetski.
14. Run a marathon.
15. See the Eiffel Tower at night.
16. Fall in love.
17. Get married.
18. Donate 1 million dollars to charity.
19. Adopt a dog and a cat that have been at a Humane Society the longest.
20. Ride in a helicopter.
21. Judge a dance team competition.
22. Donate my hair to Locks of Love.
23. Get an hour long massage.
24. Learn a second language fluently.
25. Read the Bible from beginning to end.
26. Learn to read & write Hebrew.
27. Design a dance-wear line.
28. Own an original Edgar Degas.
29. Spend a night in the White House.
30. Have children.
31. Have a movie-marathon of my favorites in an IMAX theater.
32. Attend an awards show, run onto the stage before the recipient of the award can, steal the award, run.
33. Ice-skate in Rockefeller Center in December with only my husband.
34. See the Russian Ballet perform.
35. Create a perfume.
36. See Justin Timberlake in concert.
37. Dance on stage.
38. Force those around me to pretend to live in a musical for 1 day. (Shut up, it'd be hilarious)
39. Get baby ducks to imprint me a la "Fly Away Home"
40. Learn to work & create with a pottery wheel.
41. Attend prom (This one's a lost cause, kids. Unless I date a teacher . . . I'm on it.)
42. Attend a masquerade ball.
43. Be in a shark cage.
44. Watch "Eureka's Castle".
45. Learn to do wings.
46. Learn to fouette on pointe.
47. Go camping with my family on Lake Kinzua & visit Boldt Castle on Heart Island.
48. Swim with dolphins.
49. Ride an elephant.
50. See Megan Mooney live.


Woot! I could keep going, but you might stop reading. :) I could say I'm leaving the blog to go live but really I need to study for a test that's 6 hours away. My pie chart for today is long on crazy and short on sleep. Boom!

Geez - what the heck am I doing with a blog? I don't fit any of the typical blogger profiles. Married? Nope. Kids? Nope. Aspiring Theologian? Not a chance. Mostly I just think I'm funnier, better with words, and lead a much more interesting life than 95% of people who blog. Plus I'm super modest, too. That said - if you want to read about a toddler's eating habits, how much fun some couple had on their recent trip to Lowe's or deep thoughts on doctrine & theology you're in the wrong place.

I'm not about to make any promises in regards to what I will and will not write about - but I'm fairly certain it'll be entertaining.

I'll be the first to admit I couldn't have cared less about politics, the President of the United States, current events or world affairs 8 years ago. My interest was peaked slightly when Bush was up for re-election - too many celebrities telling me to "Vote or Die" and to stand up and do something. Their message wasn't just "Vote or Die" as much as it was "Vote Democratic" - but at least it increased the voting population.

Lately the future of America consumes the majority of my thoughts. There isn't one aspect of this upcoming election that isn't completely mind-boggling to me. Mostly - I think the Democratic ticket is shocking, laughable, and most importantly; terrifying. Go ahead & say it - I know you're thinking it because CNN has branded it onto your brain like a logo . . anyone who doesn't like Barack Obama is a racist. And I'll beat you to the punch on your next zinger, too - anyone who likes Sarah Palin is a bitter, vengeful feminist. Wrong & wrong. Here's why.

Let's start with the man, the myth, the legend . . Obama. How this man got as far into the political arena as he did is beyond me. Qualifications? Minimal. Experience? Minimal. Far left ideals? Off the charts. The simple fact that he is the headliner on the Democratic ticket scares me as an American. This man has the most ridiculous quotes in recent memory floating around major networks and his approval rating is (relatively) steady. His running mate is so crooked and creepy it's shocking. Check these out if you don't believe me . .

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE5DC133CF93BA2575AC0A961948260

http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2008/08/obama-kaine-biden-bayh-vice-president.php

Right? Moving on. It's not fair to talk about Obama without addressing the initial inward draw he emanates. His oratory skills are amazing - dude can speak WELL. He has an undeniable "like-ability" factor that is hard to ignore. He's got a good looking family, something I find petty and superfluous when choosing the next leader of America . . but for some looks matter (ask CNN or Hollywood). Picture this - he takes the stage - the crowd roars - Oprah cries - celebrities everywhere stop rolling around in the money to listen to "a change we can believe in" speak. Sounds good as he starts - powerful voice, charismatic personality that draws you in. You wait, and wait, and wait - but it never happens. Sorry, folks - if you want to know what this man - candidate for President of the United States - actually STANDS for - you'll have to dig deep. So deep in fact, one starts to wonder if Obama himself even knows. It's hard to gain much from his speaking engagements aside from the fact that America is ready for a change, Oprah can't keep her dang false eyelashes in place, the Iraq war is ridiculous, the U.S. economy is in shambles, and George W. Bush has driven America into the ground. Really? So the economy hasn't grown 19% since Bush has taken office? Yeah - the Wall Street Journal, World Bank, and Capital Economics have clearly made a mistake. All of them . . the same mistake. Simultaneously. That has to be it.

“U.S. output has expanded faster than in most advanced economies since 2000. The IMF reports that real U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) grew at an average annual rate of 2.2% over the period 2001-2008 (including its forecast for the current year). President Bush will leave to his successor an economy 19% larger than the one he inherited from President Clinton. This U.S. expansion compares with 14% by France, 13% by Japan and just 8% by Italy and Germany over the same period.”

So what else, you ask, does Obama stand for? He's got a clear stance on abortion: the more, the merrier. In fact - this guy is so enthusiastic about abortion - he's decided to give doctors everywhere a "get out of jail free card" if you will. No need for abortion doctors everywhere to make sure they finish their disgusting, reprehensible deed without a hitch - because Obama thinks that if a baby survives a botched abortion it is the doctor & hospital's duty to leave the baby unattended until it dies from partial birth abortion complications. Three times Obama voted for this bill. Three times. This from the man who said he wouldn't want his daughters punished with a baby.

"When it comes specifically to HIV/AIDS, the most important prevention is education, which should include -- which should include abstinence education and teaching the children -- teaching children, you know, that sex is not something casual. But it should also include -- it should also include other, you know, information about contraception because, look, I've got two daughters. 9 years old and 6 years old. I am going to teach them first of all about values and morals. But if they make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby. I don't want them punished with an STD at the age of 16. You know, so it doesn't make sense to not give them information."

Punished. Punished by having unprotected, premature, ill-prepared for, uneducated, irresponsible sex resulting in an STD or a baby. In Obama's eyes they're the same.
Next up? Sex education. Sit down, stop clapping & wait for it. Sex education . . . starting in kindergarten. Still doesn't sound horrible, right? That's because you're not getting the whole picture. 5 year olds in classroom - what "sex education" could possibly benefit such young children. Barely past TODDLER-HOOD. Well - Obama would like them to be taught about homosexuality, masturbation, marriage and sexual intercourse. 5 year olds. The same 5 year old you see running around talking about Sesame Street, Santa Clause & Superman should be getting sex ed at school. In Kindergarten. If you'd like to read more about this absurd curriculum endorsed by Obama the link is below.

http://www.perspectives.com/forums/view_topic.php?id=185504&forum_id=4.

Quick recap thus far: pro-choice & pro-infanticide, supports 5 year old sex ed, anti-responsibilities & anti-repercussions.

There are so many more issues to touch on - health care, economy, oil dependency, tax plans, foreign policy - the list goes on & on. I could, too. I'll make it quick.

Health Care: Does he know anything about the horrendous health care systems in Canada & Europe? & still wants to employ public health care in the U.S.?

Economy: 500 million new jobs? Perfect - where is all that money to generate new jobs coming from? Scroll down.

Oil Dependency? Don't worry - just inflate your tires more. Oh, & we'll harness wind energy, too - somehow. Just inflate your tires.

Tax plans? My personal favorite. Bottom line? Anyone who makes more that $250,000 annually clearly stole, inherited or cheated their way to their fortune does not deserve it. Let's go ahead and take it from them & give it to the "less fortunate". Socialism, anyone?

Foreign Policy: Iraq, Iran & Afghanistan are "minimal threats".

A few other quick mentions for the Obama camp: Michelle Obama is "finally" proud of her country for the first time because her husband is running for President? Really, Michelle? You weren't proud on September 11 , 2001 as countless police officers, firefighters and rescue workers gave their lives to help rescue the lives of others? You weren't proud to think about the thousands of men and women overseas giving their lives to protect ours? You haven't been proud of how our country came together after September 11th & Hurricane Katrina to help one another rebuild homes, memories and lives?

On a somewhat related note - I think all the Obama celebrity endorsements are hilarious. Why celebrities feel like they have any authority on politics is beyond me - these are people who get payed to pretend. Yeah - they're at the top of my political advising list. My personal favorite has been Matt Damon - who can been seen in a full on meltdown all over youtube. This guy has come to the realization most Democrats are running into lately - the complete self-destruction of their hope for the Presidency. Check it out - hilarity will ensue.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6urw_PWHYk

I planned to talk about McCain & Palin too - but this post is already far too long - so I'll save that for another day. That's a promise, folks.

I realize this post is crazy long - and if you've made it this far you deserve a cookie or something. Way to go! There's still time left - time to learn the issues, time to uncover the real candidates, time to debate and time to decide. I think it's pretty clear that my mind is made up. I honestly don't know how anyone could vote for Obama after learning just one of any of the crazy far left issues he stands for - let alone the whole package deal. Morally speaking I would love to talk to someone who doesn't see a problem with Obama getting their vote. That said; if you're a Democrat reading this and would like to enlighten me on my obvious misunderstanding of Barack Obama I have just one thing to say.

Bring it on.