Voting is Smart!

Boy Howdy! I get on the 'net only to discover that I have cast a Stupid Vote! Dang! What the hell was I thinking? Apparently, Bill doesn't think I think attall and I'm just not sure how I feel about that...
Ah, but I gots my smarts back long enough to google his name and Of Course Bill thinks I'm an ijit, I didn't support his Amendment! Looks like you didn't do your job Mr. Stegmeier, I haven't heard a single thing positive about said Amendment E, the Good News of your proposal didn't quite make it under my rock. Here's the thing, I am pretty intelligent and I did read what was on the ballot and I did vote. Stupid? I don't think so.
To the three readers I have, if you happen to live in South Dakota and you're on your way to vote, please don't vote like I did because of me, vote like YOU do because of YOU... it's your right as an American and more importantly, it's your responsibility as an American. (I guess there's four of you now, if Bill keeps reading ::g::)
P.S. How and why did you find me??

Vacation Day 1

What a great day to begin our next adventure! I'm Ready!
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Gemini (May 21 - Jun 20) You are envisioning your life in ways that you've not previously imagined. It is an extraordinary kind of day and the most amazing part is that you just might get away with the craziest schemes. Unfortunately, you could push everything too far and then have to deal with the consequences. But if you pay attention to the details, trying something new could bring surprisingly positive results.

General Daily Overview The enterprising Aries Moon reminds us of all the possible experiences ahead and we are energized by uncontrollable rushes of adrenaline. Additionally, the Sun creates a harmonious trine aspect with brilliant Uranus today and we can feel the electricity in the air. We may be certain that something wonderful is going to happen, but we don't yet know what it is. We are encouraged to act with originality and initiate unconventional activities.
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hmmm

David's Building

Drive down Grange today and see an incredible sight! Either you'll get to see the ginormous former Art Building up on a truck or you'll get to see the ginormous hole left by the building that was taken away on a truck! We'll have an unobstructed view of the Mammoth! The building, which was once Army Barracks was purchased for $1, and is on it's way to David's The Warren Studios, the art retreat center of his dreams (which sadly has a miserable webpage...) sort of down that-a-way towards Dell Rapids with a turn towards Garretson.
He saw me naked in that building. A lot. The first time we met. hee hee. I do like that there's lots of me all over the place and all of the time. He should think of me often and fondly. If he thought he'd like to see me naked again, that can be discussed. hmmm.
I wish I had my camera with me when I drove by today.
ah! thankfully the Argus Leader was on hand for moving day:






Then I'm reminded of the zip feed fiasco, which was all too hilarious as only we humans in Souf'akota can do it! I should go take pictures of what's happening there, too. Something else is being built there, something I'm sure that will be a new kind of eyesore, replacing the old one.

for what it's worth, I was never naked in the Zip Feed building -- Darn!

My Voice Counts!

Today I voted. Today I thoughtfully read each option. Today I exercised my right as an American. I am proud to live where my voice can be heard (the electoral college notwithstanding, but alas, another time). I want to document how I voted, I want to revisit my choices as time passes. I want to remember where I am today. Today is the Day of the Dead. I brought Mitch and Hannah with me today. (ah, the last time he voted, another funny story for another time)
The Ballot in District 13, Minnehaha County, Sioux Falls, SD, 2006 is HUGE! Lots of that whirly swirly change possible right here, right now...
United States Representative
Stephanie Herseth, incumbent
She received my vote last time, too. She's a free thinker who doesn't judge ideas based on their party origin; she seeks its merit. She's linked to the Ds, but she's more conservative, more my kinda Goldwater girl ::bg::
Governor and Lieutenant Governor
Jack Billion and Eric Abrahamson
Jack is just an all-around good guy. He gives off good vibes, he drinks good (local) coffee, he believes the 4th amendment applies to women equally, he wants to eliminate our status as the lowest wage state in the Union (including PR). Jack is all over YouTube, if you wanna check him out... he does look like the Orek vacuum cleaner guy! And face it, I Back Jack is just a really cool slogan!
Secretary of State
I abstained
I didn't vote, there's only one guy running and I didn't know him... how freaking sad is that? Are we *really* that apathetic? Does the job suck that much that only one person in this entire state wants it? I don't know if I want to know, ya know?
Attorney General
Ron Volesky
Okay, I admit it, 'cause he's a D :::sigh:::
State Auditor
State Treasurer
I abstained
(see rant under Secretary of State)
Commissioner of School and Public Lands
Bryce Healy
really? cause he doesn't give me the willies and Jarrod does; I don't think the "good ol' boys" have done very much for this state's evolution, I can't vote for one. Sorry, I didn't even know the Libertarian Candidate, though I was glad to see her on the ballot.
Public Utilities Commissioner
John Koskan
In his commercial, he talks about wind power. There are windmills on his campaign page and though I'm torn about the ethanol issue, methinks the wind energy development overshadows that one, right now.
State Senator
Scott Heidepriem
I like his "let's get back to work" slogan. He doesn't creep me. (some politicians just give off a big ol' creepy guy factor)
State Representative
(District 13) Brian Liss
(I abstained my second choice) Brian's a way cool guy. He was my very favorite Valentine's Date ever! We've always had lively discussions, I know that in all the ways we differ, we do so intelligently and respectfully. He's wrong ::g:: but his heart's in the right place! On the really important stuff, however, we strongly agree, though for very different reasons. He'll always get my vote, I'll always know I'm voting for someone thoughtful and smart.
Supreme Court Justice Retention and Circuit Courts
This part smacked me. I didn't know anything at all about these judges, I realized I hadn't done my homework at all. It was a bizarre ballot thing anyway: it had the Justice's name and the voter indicates if the person should be retained on the Supreme Court. I don't know what happens if I vote no... do we then vote again for a whole new SC? Then there were the ones whom it seemed just wanted to keep their judge job in whatever circuit court. Is there no one brave enough to challenge them? Okay, a couple of seats have competition, but I was seriously lacking in understanding and preparation and we're talking about 1.5 columns on a longer-than-legal sized ballot! So I said yes to our current Supreme Court... I abstained if only one judge was running, with the exception of Peter Lieberman, he's got a great reputation for being gruff and fair.
Constitutional Amendment C
Marriage Amendment - No. The passing of Amendment C would amend the Constitution to allow and recognize marriage only between a male and female. It would also prohibit the allowance or recognition of civil unions, domestic partnerships or other (gotta love this!) quasi-marital relationships between two or more persons regardless of sex (I think they mean gender!)
I gotta go off on this one... showing my incredibly liberal conservative side, as only I can... First, you should come to recognize that in my mind, anytime I see the word Man, especially as it relates to any legal documentation, I see this: 'man, as in: they're too lazy to write hu- every time. 'man is shorthand for human, see? So in that light (that's why they call it enlightenment!), the American Rights Guarantee, aka our historic legal principles on which this fine country was founded, is already set up to be as blind as Justice. There is should be NO distinction based on skin color nor genetic code nor bedpartner, the Constitution is applied equally to all the members of our union. period. We just plain shouldn't need gender or skin color amendments to our constitution, certainly our sex life is protected by the 4th amendment, it's already there without it. What we need to focus on is on electing those who are willing to do their job as blindly as they're supposed to. It's on us folks. Vote!
Constitutional Amendment D
Property Tax Change - No - it wants to change our easy to understand, unilateral tax system to some willy-nilly form... uh, don't think so.
Constitutional Amendment E
Sue your Jury - No This one doesn't quite make sense to me... you make a decision as a jury based on evidence at hand, the appeal is won and now you're in court for wrongful whatever and you've gotta pay damages, out of any account, including your retirement it seems. eek! It's quite hard enough to get rational folks to sit on a jury, who do ya thinks gonna show up ready and willing now?
Constitutional Amendment F
Yes - I don't know about eliminating the limitation of expense reimbursements for legislators, but they stuck it together with limiting the legislation's ability to enact special laws and removal of congressional term limits (voting IS term limits!!), prohibiting closed door vote sessions (which we're known for) and give legislature emergency powers in event of disasters (which scares me in that *V* for Vendetta kind of way... which powers? which disasters: real or implied or just plain imaginary?)
Initiated Measure 2
Tobacco Tax - NO The state cannot have vested interest in the death and ill-being of it's citizens. We cannot be committed to South Dakotans Quit AND be reliant upon the tax revenue from same-said folks. The State should be committed to our health and not profiting from our destruction.
Initiated Measure 3
School Term Start - I abstained What a freaking waste of my time... I just can't believe this is on the freaking BALLOT!?!? People put their energy, time and money into when the school term begins? holy cow! Who really needs a law, a freaking LAW to state if it's okay to start school before September 1?? If you don't want your kid there before September 1, don't send 'em!! Go on vacation instead! In fact, the first weekend after Labor Day, come on out to the Live and Learn Conference and learn why you, too, should say goodbye to School in your Life!!
Initiated Measure 4
Medical Marijuana - YES! Certified for 6 plants and up to an oz for medical reasons. Regardless of how I feel about recreational use of cannabis, I can't imagine anyone who knows Mitch's tale would deny us freedom from prosecution (and persecution) for the only medicine that worked for his radiation induced anorexia and his chemotherapy induced nausea, not to mention his situation being appropriate for an opportunity for some escape from reality, and pain relief from headaches, this specific treatment indeed was recommended by his specialists at the Mayo Clinic.
There's also this whole part of me that despises pharmaceutical companies in America. I hate that thousands of children are on medication to dull their Spark for Life and I think it's dangerous and scary and I wish it were up to me, the voter, to decide if that should be allowed... but alas it isn't here and I'm deep down glad for it... it's right back to the 4th amendment and Privacy again... ain't nobody's business if ya do! So it sure ain't yours if I do!
Initiated Measure 5
Restrictions on State's aircraft - No I was yes until I saw that violations would now be subject to civil and criminal penalties. ick! More lawyers gettin rich cause my friend the governor flew me out to see my dying grandma on the state plane. Doesn't seem right in my heart.
Initiated Measure 7
Repeal Video Lottery - Yes Sorry dad, looks like you may have to drive to Flandreau for your fun from now on. Again, it goes back to vested interest by the State. Should the state be investing in keeping folks drunk and broke? I'm thinking no. And the promises made for the huge boost in education dollars? We're still 51st and our citizens are still broke.
Initiated Measure 8
Repeal Telecommunications Tax - Yes Dang! it looks like I'm all in favor of cutting off big income to our state's budget, yikes! Anyway, I think it sucks to pay huge fees on my cell phone, on my house phone too for that matter... everyone thinks they're entitled to a certain percentage of my talking bill and it just sucks. So yeah, I'd like to keep your bloodsucking 4% as my own, thanks.
Referred Law 6
The Big One! Are women in South Dakota too stupid to understand their guaranteed 4th Amendment right to privacy? NO! There it is folks, that's all it is. Some might call this the Abortion Law, but I think the A word distorts the point. The point is that the Constitution is mine. As a human being who happens to be an American Citizen, that's it. What I do with my doctor is my business as it is yours and yours and yours and even yours. When you freely give up your rights to your government, what is stopping them from taking the rest while you sleep?

Today's Affirmation

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

I joyfully accept Divine guidance. I am open to new ideas, to new thoughts, new hopes, and aspirations. This which so recently seemed a problem, no longer exists for the Mind of God, which knows the answer, is quietly flowing through my thought and feeling. A great peace and joy come over me as I accept this answer from the giver of all life.

Dr. Ernest Holmes and Dr. Raymond Charles Barker

The Stages of Bodhicitta

There are 4 Kingdoms of the Mind

Kingdom one: "it is done TO me" victimhood

Kingdom two: "I do TO IT" empowerment

Kingdom three: "I LET IT be done" release

Kingdom four: "it is done THROUGH me" God Consciousness

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Thanks, Christine... may our journeys be an inspiration
to those who are illuminated by our Light!

This wisdom brought through us by Science of the Mind

I am so blessed

What is she thinking?

I'm thinking that I really freaking miss my baby girl
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I'm thinking that I really wish I knew how to help my boy
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I'm thinking that I have the bestest friends in the whole universe
~.~.~.~.~.~.~
I'm thinking that this cheese from the Dutch kids will help me think more clearly
~.~.~.~.~.~.~
I'm thinking the Grand Canyon really is just a hole in the ground
~.~.~.~.~.~.~
I'm thinking that the majik of the Grand Canyon transcends "the hole"
~.~.~.~.~.~.~
I'm thinking I'm exactly where I need to be, I need to be exactly where I am!

It's official, It's undefined, officially without definition

Tonight's anthem: Wide Sky Life by Amy Steinberg... I heard her voice from Hayden's room as I formulated this blog entry in my seriously overwhelmed and mushy mind.

And what a perfect song...
It's all still there; just that now we're gonna be looking at it, more like watching it, acknowledge it and handle it with the awe and respect it deserves. We're amazing together, there's no disagreement, from coffee to the bed, it all works. We can do this, it'll be easy in many aspects; doing it right is a bit more awkward. So we're busted on all the ways this could play out, all the ways we've already done it, self-sabotage at it's finest. And able to acknowledge that experience in itself would be rewarding; but is it the true possibility for which we're meant? When we bring to the table our whole selves, ready to take the risk of opening this box of gifts and assuming the responsibility for telling the universe YES to this immortal question... isn't that more powerful and exciting than a roll in the hay?
Some days, yeah.
Some days the roll would just be nice.
Can it be powerful and exciting and include a roll in the hay? I think that's a fair compromise!
So I wait... and I seek to be open to the gifts this time will bring to me...
(like the end of my cynicism?)
I realized this is kinda what I get for telling the universe, after David, that I was not going to be patient again; once again, humbled by my own folly. I've long internally acknowledged how much of an ego test this whole thing has been, how much faith I've conjured, how much space for that faith exists in the first place because the voices who would normally be beating me up right now are no longer hogging my head space... The Universe abhors a vacuum and *viola!* faith appears (with lots of patience and really good mantras).
Here I am with my faith. Faith that I deserve good and wonderful things in my life, faith that those things will come on their own schedule and not my own (as much as I'd like to be I'm yet to be omnipotent), faith that I am who I am for a reason, faith that the lesson, the hard learned, begrudged lesson of patience is one well worth the effort of complete and total change of diana. ::::deep breath:::: Faith that I am fully equipped for whatever the Universe has in store for me. Faith that I am more Courageous than Afraid. Faith that Someone out there, somewhere has the Wisdom I need to get through this Life, and Faith that She's on my Team.
Abra la puerta. Open the door. No push, no pull... just open.
There it is, if a definition can exist.
The door's open.

but i won't be around much for the next 3 weeks... I'll be off having a Life, forgetting that I'm all caught up in wanting one here thereby, seeming patient when it's really just absent ::bg::
Okay this just sucks... now White Flag by Dido is playing!! NOT FAIR!!! I know, patience, patience, patience... I think I'm getting the hint!

Of that which we do not speak...

I've got crazy mojo right now. I don't know if it's that cosmic whoo hooo power day, shining directly into my path, or what the hell it is, but something of strong majik is afoot in my Life. There is still this loud, scared part of me that wants to run for the hills 'cause I'm not capable and this is too overwhelming and HUGE... in light of the *actual* events that have already occurred in my universe from which I couldn't run, this manifestation is at once absurd and logical. This is a cusp, a leap of incredible faith is required of me here, faith in myself, outside of my own human limitations, standing in the perspective of my Creator, of my Team, of my Tribe; to BE the diana possible and not the diana expected or the diana allowed or *heaven forbid* the diana hidden.
I'm seeing Joe on my way to Oregon. Once again, I am putting myself in his presence; he will seek my gold and shake my shit off... there's no hiding diana from Joe. Oh, I can fake it with Xmas cards and e-mails, but not my voice and certainly not my presence. His ultimate view of me has been a lofty goal of mine, for 20 freaking years, and I know he will do his damnedest to light a huge nuclear fire under my ass... to send me plunging into Life, knowing that I will remember to swim and swimming in my Life will only make be a better swimmer; hanging out on the beach can't give me that. Again, I've got both kinds of feelings about this... and I'm doing it anyway ::g::
Women are gathering around me. I found a Women's Circle invitation at the health food store, it was divinely timed and shining brightly :) It's Tony's family, Jeanie is immediately my new Sister, we are creating a circle which we (two, anyway) want to continue for the 13 Moon cycles (we're asking others to commit 3 months at a time) and we will embrace our feminine power and manifest Awakening and Remembrance into our Lives. I created a Yahoo group for local Spiritual Women, seeking the same thing... it's really, truly happening! We're gathering on Monday to talk about it and upon my return from OR, we shall have a communal retreat and begin in December with Full Moon Celebrations. Holy Shit! I've actually GOT the wherewithal to do this?! I'm gonna now!
I gathered Courage overnight... or maybe it was all the coffee between 6 & 8 last night ;) Hey, I couldn't help it! It was a sign from the Goddess: the coffees of the day were called Happy Hippie & Kayak!!! So, in celebration of Tony, I had a cup of each! We are the coffee crew, which is again, like every other thing in my Gemini Life, a divine dichotomy. It's there, it's looming, it's ethereal and it's powerful and it's BIG... but we don't talk about it. We just have our coffee with this buzzing, electric, on-fire elephant in the room. And we say goodbye and we're glad we didn't start on fire this time and we wait for the next meeting. The inbetweens are easy, I just pretend it's not really real (cause if I let it be really real then I miss it and want it around always and that brings a whole different set of conversations, for us both), I look around for it a bit when I pop in for a cuppa on my own, but it's not there, so it's really not real and I hold onto that until the next time I'm in his presence, then I just don't look, don't mention, don't bring it out. But it's presence is becoming undeniable, it's almost silly at this point, to NOT have talked about it or given it a name or decided upon a vocabulary to describe it. I use the excuse (and I've even used it with Tony) that I don't want to force anything that is meant to just happen. By the time it becomes forcing something not to happen is just as contrary to flow of the universe, a denial of the gifts offered. In that light, I woke up this morning with thoughts of having the conversation... not the actual conversation about it because I don't want to have any preconceived expectations or a platform to defend, but the conversation we have to have to decide upon talking about it, to agree that it needs, no, demands to be spoken of and let's set a date. With huge trepidation, I dialed the number... he answered, frantic, at work, can't talk... I told him to let me call back and leave a message then. I did, quick, while I still had the juevos... The first draft was a lot of ummm aaaaahhh, eh, ummm, but thanks to cell phones, I could erase and start over and BE this new diana and say, Okay, it's time, we need to talk about what it is we're not talking about. You know what that is and let's do that.

And then I read my mail and viola! today's stars:

General Daily Overview: The Moon in fiery Sagittarius invigorates our lives with enthusiasm and hope. Sweet Venus aligns with impulsive Mars in passionate Scorpio today, exciting our senses and urging us to reach for what we want. Venus remains in the watery domain of Scorpio until mid-November, and during this time we are more attracted to the intensity of romance, rather than the simple enjoyment of pleasure. It's time to deepen the game of love.

Gemini (May 21 - Jun 20) It's time for you to be creative at work, even if this means taking an emotional risk. You might not want to place yourself in a vulnerable position where you can be criticized by others, but you need a fresh perspective in order to grow. You may be asked to commit to a new level of involvement and this could scare you away. Remember, you can still have fun, but you must be open to experiencing greater intensity at the same time.

Told Ya!! What more shall we manifest today???
I was *just* kidding!

Queen of Coins

May sharing abundance be your role.

Deck: Salvador Dali (card art © US Games)

Traditionally, representing the energy of a Queen, this feminine guardian is endowed with enormous good sense and problem solving energy, but she is not particularly entrepreneurial. She loves to advise, encourage, and empower those she gets involved with, studying their problems with them and setting them up to solve them. Traditionally, she was pictured as the Sibyl or Oracle, perhaps a Tarot reader, who made herself available to people in need, no matter what their social class or situation. In modern times, she will be found educating, healing, managing disaster aid programs or a charitable drive of some sort.

In every case, she does not see the benefits that exist in her life as belonging solely to her. She feels the needs of her people and will spend freely of her time, energy, skills, money to see that nobody is left out. For this, and because she likes to work in an atmosphere of beauty, enjoyment and abundance, she is sometimes accused of being extravagant. But she works hard, and she sees no reason to deny herself the rewards of a job well done. Everyone who comes in contact with her feels enriched by her enjoyment in living.

Meez a Meez!!