... it _sparkles_?

I have read ... not nearly enough, of the posts around RaceFail, PseudonymGate, AmazonFail, and MammothFail -- though I can do a not wholly incompetent job of summarizing them.

I saw a post somewhere (and unfortunately neglected to bookmark it Edit: found /edit) about the problematics of the Avenue Q song "Everyone's A Little Bit Racist." Apparently it has been invoked favorably during RaceFail? The first time I actually read the lyrics of the song (prior to my having seen the post problematizing it) I was like, "What? I am not okay with some of this. This is not actually helpful toward understanding the pervasiveness of racism." (Though I suppose I do have to give the song credit for pointing out that being racist does not consist solely of committing hate crimes. But the song seems to basically be about racial prejudice, which it's calling "racism," which I find problematic, since I find the definition of racism as prejudice+power to be really useful. Plus, "don't be so PC" as a moral is WAY problematic.)

***

Speaking of things that make me want to vomit (I was just rereading the lyrics to "Everyone's A Little Bit Racist," and I must have only skimmed them the first time), I think I'm going to have to boycott Mars candy. [I have SUCH a hate on for stupid stereotyped marketing to women -- which I manage to mostly avoid by virtue of barely watching any tv, but I did get to get all cranky at a CNN(?) feature on this phenomenon some weeks ago while I was at the gym -- but this is so much worse than anything I've seen.]

[Rest and Bread] Moses

From Laura Ruth's email to the listserv:

During Eastertide, Keith and I have been reflecting on folks in the Bible, then we pray and have communion.

Today, Keith will reflect on Moses, a man who stuttered yet a man who lead his people out of their bondage into promises unimaginable.

Why not join us imperfect followers of God? Together, we can learn how to move out of our own bondage and into the promises revealed as we walk our practice of faith, of prayer and communion.

One of the songs Keith played during the Music for Meditation was "Go down Moses..."  I looked over at him and smiled when I realized.

Psalm 103
Exodus 3:1-15a (the burning bush)

In his Reflection, Keith mentioned that Moses says both "Here I am, Lord" & "not me."
He also said, "No one else can do your life's work for you."

In the call to the communal prayer of confession, Keith said, "We remember all the times we have said, 'Please God, send someone else.' "

grace amidst the other stuff

I went to bed at like 9:40 last night. \o/
L. called me at like 11:10.  /o\  I woke up and answered the phone like without even thinking -- not that I wouldn't have answered anyway, just that I woke up and got the phone and was listening to and responding to her before I even fully realized/processed that I'd been woken up.

She continues to be doing better, which I'm glad of.

Again she asked how I was doing about Terry, again saying she figured if I'd heard anything I'd have told her -- which remains true.  I'm still not having a  meltdown, but it definitely has been on my mind more recently -- partly because my self-imposed deadline for when I'll write again is approaching.  I continue to be touched by her thoughtfulness.

She emailed me a link to the video of Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me," which is definitely cute (they write messages back and forth!), though the stereotypical visual coding irritated me.  She also sent a second email: "Also just found this, Taylor Swift performing with Def Leopard.  Talk about hot!"  I concur.  It's "Pour Some Sugar on Me," which is hot to begin with, but her with the hair (the attitude, really) and the dress and yeah.

***

( gym )

Charmed is not a particularly stellar show, but it holds my attention such that I barely even notice that I'm working out, which is nice.
(Sidebar: I really like that my new gym pants have a back pocket, so I can have all my stuff in my backpack and still have key items immediately accessible.)

Electronic (online) system for Recruiting going forward!  I am so excited about this.

I continue to have like this mental block around anything requiring actual thought or effort.  I am not pleased with this.

I was feeling hungry, tired, and headachey this afternoon, and this continued through Rest and Bread service.  I do not understand the tired.  Though I suppose I got like an hour of sleep and then was interrupted and then got about six hours.

Somerville's Ecumenical Pride service will be at Havurat Shalom this year.  The morning of the Boston Pride Parade.

I am not pleased with daytime highs in the 80s F, but I do enjoy breathing in this nighttime summer air.