Note:  I originally posted this at Skirt! earlier today but I want as many people as possible to read this.  I am angry, sickened, and ashamed of my acquaintances who participate in this horrendousness.

Ever since the presidential election, my email has been inundated with racist jokes about the inauguration or the next few years.  I have seen photos of the White House with a yard full of watermelons, GWB in a purple suit and cane “preparing for the inauguration,” men in fur and stereotypical ‘pimp clothes” touted as “the Secret Service new uniform” and various other things like that.  

And it infuriates me.

Even if I hadn’t voted for Obama I would be sickened and furious at all the incredibly offensive emails sent around.  I have never offended easily, but racism of any kind has always riled me up.  Why in the world do people think it is okay to spread this kind of hate?  There is no excuse for adults (or children, but they learn from their parents) to behave that way.  There aren’t enough words to express how angry the whole issue makes me.  Maybe I could video myself punching a wall and post it to YouTube; that would be a good expression of how I feel.

I have been surprised, also, at WHO has been sending things like this around!  People who I never would have guessed would find humour in those emails have been passing them around like hot potatoes.  And the inauguration hasn’t even occurred yet! I’m ready to cut off email contact with the worst offenders. That is how bad it’s gotten, and how angry I am.

I tried to write something yesterday.  I had at least half a blog in my head... then I lost it.  That’s the danger of a foggy brain I suppose.  I’ve had some sort of tonsillitis/sinus mess for days now and I’m still kind of “off”   I took the weekend, and Monday, to hibernate and try to get better, and I am a bit better.  I am working today, did Girl Scouts last night, and did visit the doctor on Monday.  I just hate feeling like my brain is stuffed with cotton!

Yesterday was the first day I really ventured out, and several days’ worth of “incidents” all piled up at once.  My mom called at 1:00 and asked if Emma and I could meet her at 2:00.  My parents live an hour away, and sometimes we meet halfway between us when we need something in person but don’t have time for a real visit.  In this case, she had my new glasses and contacts.  My eye doctor closed up shop sometime since I was there last, and I was desperate, so I ordered mine from her doctor (had to be there anyway but that’s another story!).  Problem was, my parents were leaving today for Tallahassee so I had to go yesterday.

Emma and I got dressed (poor baby is sick herself after taking care of me all weekend) and drove the half hour to the meeting place.  We got there about 5 after, and no mom.  I called her cell – straight to voice mail.  I called the house to ask my dad what time she left, to judge the wait and see if we had time to run across the street for lunch.  Here is what happened:

Me:  What time did Mom leave?  Do you think she’s almost here?

Dad:  Where are you?

 Me:  At Weigel’s.

Dad:  Huh.  (chuckle)  I bet she forgot. 

He calls her name out, and she answers.  (uh-oh)  “What time are you meeting Christine?”  She answers, “Two o’clock, what time is it now?”  Dad:  “Ten after.”  Then a bunch of “oh no”s and an “I’m on my way!!” 

So Emma and I had plenty of time for lunch.  A few minutes after we finish she pulls in and we have a quick visit in the store, she gets a cappucino and Emma gets a hot chocolate.  They both get doughnuts so I break down and get one also  – I have been drasically under my daily calorie goal for several days now, I didn’t think it would hurt too much.  Exchange hugs, and back on our way.

But the brain fog is still here.  On the way home I make use of the drive by calling about refinancing a loan we have.  Normally we don’t bother, but current situations make it a good time (personal more than national – we have a trip next month to pay for!) and there wouldn’t be a payment until January.  I am trying to update our information over the phone, but the simplest questions throw me.  I can’t tell you what my husband’s salary is, or my office phone number.  Granted, I don’t work out of the office but at another location and only call the cell phones of people I need, but I should still know the number.  I just gave up and told my husband to call back and sort out what I told them,

Ok, enough rambling.  I hope soon I will be coherent enough to write a decent blog about stuff that matters. 
Oh – also yesterday (a holiday no less!) is when the roof company the neighbors are using decided to finally work on their roof.  Between the hammering, nail guns, and three dogs barking at the “invasion” (we have two, they have one), and the sinus headaches, Emma and I were not happy.  And, I got pulled over on the way home from Girl Scouts.  By TWO cops!  Turns out my tail light/brake light was out, also a headlight.  No ticket, though, thank goodness.