To the Jerk in the Ramp at the MOA this afternoon,

Whoever you were, I couldn’t even see you. I could only hear your excessively loud engine/muffler. I know you probably felt like the shizzut you are, when you revved your engine over and over, so loudly that I couldn’t even hear my daughter screaming because she was terrified by the noise. I have never had her beg to be strapped in her carseat and have the door shut, because she was so scared. That was a big help, normally she doesn’t like to leave the mall.

An hour later she was still talking about the scary loud truck and scared to be put down outside of Ikea, again a big help, because I didn’t have to worry about her running away. Thanks a lot. I just wanted you to know that you can be confident you are one tough SOB, because your truck scared the crap out of a 23 month old girl today.

As part of Blog Action Day, I want to take time to give Thanks.

Seriously, thanks to God for all the abundance of gifts and opportunities I have.

With the state of the economy, Chad and I have been talking about how to be more responsible about how we spend our money. Whether we’re going to do it is another thing, but right now, we both want to try.

I think the biggest thing we need to wrap our heads around is that we can live well well well below our means.  Most people do.  That means no coffee… ok, coffee, but making it at home.  Carrying my lunch to work.  And conciously thinking through each and every purchase.

I should be able to do this. I’m pretty sure this is how my parents managed to live on my dad’s teacher salary and farm income when I was little.  There are lots of things I don’t remember doing or having as a child, but I can’t say it wasn’t a happy childhood.

We never went without heat or water.  We never were hungry.  We wore hand-me-downs and ate government cheese, but it didn’t mean we were deprived.  I don’t know if that was me not knowing any different, or things were really different in the 70s and 80s.  I’m guessing it was me not knowing anything different.

I guess the point I’m getting at, is there are lots of people who can’t throw extravagant parties for their kids. Lots of kids who can’t afford an iPod.  And lots of parents who can’t give their kids everything they want. But unfortunately there are people who can’t always put food on the table or even heat for the house.

I’m not sure how to tackle this problem.  I do try to make regular donations to the food shelves. I “round up” my grocery bill when they ask. I make an effort to take food to the drop box at church. I think honestly though what I really need to do is be conscious of my true needs, of each purchase and understanding what I could truly go without. Maybe raising my own awareness to how I spend my money will help me feel a little more connected to the truly good things in my life and maybe it will provide a clearer picture on what I can do to help.

Tonight was the first night I tuned into the Democratic National Convention.  I saw Clinton speak.  He was nice enough to remind me that it’s been 16 years since the country elected a “young, inexperienced” president.  16 years since I was a freshman in college. 16 years since I first had the privilege of voting. 16 years since my roommate and I changed our answering machine message with the background music of “proud to be an American”… and then proceeded to make comments about the Democrats controlling the white house, senate, and the house.  Hmmm… But I must say Beau Biden’s introduction of his father was very touching, and I’m excited to learn more about Joe Biden.

Now what I’m not excited about.  NEXT WEEK?  That would be the Republican National Convention. I’m not sure I would even know it was next week, if it wasn’t happening 15 miles from my home. I’ve already been told that next week, no training will be scheduled at work. Meetings should not be scheduled after 1 pm. And several entrances to buildings that I need to access for work will be closed.  Restaurants will be closed for private parties. Buses will be re-routed and most likely “off schedule” And I only work in Minneapolis, not St. Paul where the convention takes place.  But they are expecting 45,000+ people in the metro area and Minneapolis is where Sen. McCain will be staying. I am wondering how much life in the suburbs will be affected? Should I stockpile bottles of water, cans of food, and rolls of duct tape? To hear some people talk, you’d think that would be logical. (I know it’ll be a pain, but not impossible0 I’m wondering if the no-tell motel up the street is booked? I wonder how busy our neighborhood Hooters will be next week. I’m just thankful I don’t have to deal with the airport and that I live in the suburbs, hopefully that will provide some relief!

I read these on a bumper last week going into work. I even pulled out my notebook at the stoplight so I’d remember them.

“Don’t assume I share your prejudices”

 “An eye for an eye leaves the world blind”