Thoughts, Scattered.

A bit of rambling, I suppose, but necessary ramblings at any rate.  It's healing.

September 01, 2016: Everything But The Kitchen Sink...

Life.  Amiright?

Audio Blog Continues...

Healing is a slooooooow process right now, so audio blogging will be the order of the day for now.... bear with me, as the last few days have been chaotic, tiresome, stressful... and just confusing....

It's About Time.

When I first began blogging it was for one specific reason--venting.  I needed a place where I could get things off my chest that were bothering me so I could get on with life without cumbersome emotions or baggage.  I had ONE blog at that time.  When things got tough, and they often were, I would visit my blog and unload to my heart's content, not giving a single iota to being politically correct or holding back out of some delusion that I somehow had to be 'polite' here.  The venting would ensue, fall upon the screen, and I would be left to bask in the aftermath of some seriously epic purging of thoughts, feelings, and more.  In the end I would usually go back and delete the long-winded and emotionally-charged entries, knowing I could do so now that some time had past.  That blog still exists and I still post in it as often as possible, and I named it "All Things Ephemeral" for a reason, even if that reason no longer exists.  Let me explain....

A few years ago I made the decision to stop deleting the entries.  Being honest with myself I realized that I was deleting so as not to 'hurt feelings' of those I vented about.  No matter that I left off names and details that would give much away to the wrong set of eyes reading, I decided it was somehow 'impolite' to share even my feelings and experiences.  Boy, was that ever stupid.  I'm glad I came to my senses and stopped editing the content over some perceived butthurt it may cause someone else.  But, did I really stop editing my own entries after all?  Well, today I figured it was something worth investigating.

I often come here and stare at the blank screen where bits of my life would fall and wonder... "How can I actually talk about this?"  I know as I write just how much I'm holding back, even when I don't WANT to.  Still, the struggle to set myself free remains just that--a struggle, even today.  Even when I know the healthiest thing I can do for myself is write about it, get it out of my system, it's remains incredibly difficult just the same.

What I want very much to do right now is to take the first step in 'going there,' to talk openly instead of using a string of allusions to piece together a story that, when all is said and done, remains unclear and ill-explained because of that fear below the surface of truth.

A Bold First Step

My next blog entry will be in This Free Spirit, and I tell you this because it will ultimately be the first blog entry in many years where I hold little if nothing back.  With failing health I need all the help I can get to break the bonds of emotional servitude, and the first step is to open myself completely to the idea of 'almost' full disclosure.

Wish me luck....

But Haven't I Spewed Enough Crap For One Day?

But there's never enough spewing of crap!  Well, I actually have spewed enough crap on my other blogs, but that doesn't mean I'm done.  With so much happening in my life right now, so much that interferes with my life and leaving me with no QUALITY of life... oh yes, there's much crap to spew. I assure you.

In so many ways I have the best seat in the house to the most ridiculous display of 'man' spewings.  Now I will say this about T---he's a good guy, a funny guy, and often very sweet. However, quite honestly he's still in the 'typical man' club just like most others.  Doesn't make him bad--it just makes him difficult to deal with, to reason with.

I'm just too tired for 'typical.'

So as I sit up front and center to one of the biggest shit-shows life has to offer I get the residual sound effects from the man camp.  How is it I get through a day is often beyond me.  I have way too much to deal with as it is, my health is shot to hell.. and I'm told, of all things, to "Avoid stress."  Uh huh.  And exactly how am I supposed to do that?  I'll wait.....

Incredibly, there isn't anything I can do to stop the stress as what I face here at home on a daily basis isn't something I can walk away from or avoid... or even ignore.  What a clever assessment on how things should be handled, right?  Just simply avoid stress.  Gosh.  Why didn't I think of that before?  *sigh*

With writing in ALL of my blogs today I'm finding myself understandably tired and drained.  That's not entirely bad, though, as once I've emptied myself of all that's bugging me I can proceed with putting at least mental/spiritual effort into filling that emptiness with something better, whatever that may be.

For the moment, and ONLY for the moment it's just me and my dog here at the house and all is quiet, calm.  I'd be smart to take advantage of that, so... I'm signing off for now and will try again tomorrow to talk about more substantive issues.  *snort*  yeah, I'm laughing too.

Till tomorrow....

Raging Against....?

So I've managed to post in all my blogs today.  How about that?  I've been able to overcome the wreckage I am in the early morning and emerge only somewhat pieced together after about 3-4 cups of coffee.  Can this be any more mundane?  Geez.

Honestly, I would take mundane AND healthy and happy any day of the week.  Mundane and miserable just sucks.  It's not rocket science.

Somehow, some way I need to accommodate my own need within MY life.  This continues to be a major thorn in my side no matter what I do.  I'm surrounded by an epic view, a gorgeous view from the deck, the sunroom, and even the breakfast nook.  The front and back yards here is truly paradise.  What screws up this paradise is what happens within the confines of this house.  Here, where everything doesn't sync properly, where indifference lives, joy dies.

Anger? Surprise? Inspiration at its worst? WTH?

REPOST from my other blog(s):

Sometimes I get a spark of something that inspires me.  Such inspiration doesn't always present itself in the best way, though, but I usually try to go with it when it happens.  Such gems shouldn't be taken for granted but taken advantage of.  It really is that rare.

In the midst of fighting for every drop of energy that can be found wherever it is I can find it, a tiny burst will make its way into the day and nudge me.  Okay, I can certainly deal with that.  Wish there were MORE of it, but I'll take what I can get and go with it nonetheless.

The fuel for this little 'fire' isn't from a good source, definitely not a positive force, and most definitely not from a pleasant source.  Be that as it may, there it is... kind of like when your dog has an accident and you're left looking at it wondering to yourself what you did to deserve such a... 'gift'? lol  Okay, okay... enough with lame attempts at comedy.  Even so, the conversation with a friend of mine earlier today was what ignited this whatever-it-is and sent me on a journey to try and put my thoughts in order.  I found the results of that rather.. lacking.

All this blabbering, to be honest, is just my working through it all.  Not the conversation, because that was interesting and creatively invigorating.  But the chaos I'm dealing within the thought process at the moment is simply trying to pull together the shards of data that's left from past experience.  Anyone who understands this knows where I'm coming from.  G knows.  She gets it.  And, from what I read on her blog(s)... she's been able to run with it without tripping like a clown every step of the way that I've been.  Eh.  I'm still confident that this purging will eliminate the chaff and reveal the good stuff.  I'll be back to discuss that when it happens.

The crap I shall spew today.

This is where all the extraneous crap ends up.  When I've spent time on my other blogs and attempted to focus on specifics, what I'm left with is the need to just get stuff off my chest, even if it makes absolutely NO sense whatsoever.  Aren't you glad you're here to witness that?

More than a few times lately I just wanted to distance myself from almost everyone.  I don't need fair-weather friends or relatives (kids, etc. excluded) because I'm sick of trying to edit what I think or say or feel or whatever---to ensure the comfort of someone else.  If you don't like what I have to say, if you don't agree with my beliefs or opinions, if you have nothing at all good to bring to the table, if you're intolerant and closed-minded then just don't come to the table.  It's not rocket science, I promise.

*sigh*

Just speak your mind, and if it's opposing views, just use respect and courtesy.  That's all.  Nothing fancy.  Respect and courtesy go a long way, especially with me.  It's okay if you don't agree with me, just be respectful when disagreeing.

Good grief what a day.  Some people simply suck at communication.

smh.

When I'm without words, music...

When I'm without words, music....

Home.

One thing I've known for certain for pretty much all of my life is that when I'm ill, I long for home.  When I was little I knew where that place was, and despite its terrible flaws it was still home.  As an adult I was surprised to find that I no longer knew exactly where home was.  So I would spend the majority of my adult life longing for a place that quite possibly, for me anyway, doesn't exist.  I've never been able to reconcile this; not physically, and certainly not emotionally.

The closest I've come to being "Home" once moving out of my mom's house at 18 is Mobile, AL.  I had a tiny little apartment, and though not every moment there was perfect, it felt safe, and it felt like a warn welcome every time I walked through the door--no matter how good or bad things were.  It was a safe place for me to be myself, where I could decompress, where I could dream, wish, hope and feel alive.  This is not the case where I am now.  Not even close.

How did I get here?  I got here the same way I got into every bad situation in my life; By pure blind trust.  It's a flaw of mine and one that's gotten me into more trouble than I can tell you.  I give people the benefit of the doubt, take them on their word, and actually believe what they say.  Well, to a point anyway.  The thing is, that 'point' in which I pivot and see the error of my ways is usually far too late to avoid any damage to my life, and to me.

I'll probably always be this way, a far too trusting person.  I'm okay with that, I guess.  But I really wish I were better at assessing and discerning the heart and motives of people BEFORE I get involved.  We all have our flaws, I suppose.

As I wait for the sluggish process of diagnosis beyond the AIH, I'm left far too vulnerable for my liking.  There are days I can't walk well, verging on not at all, and days where lifting my arms to look at my phone is almost too much.  The weakness grows more each day and the doctors I need to see are weeks out of reach since I'll be a new patient.  The waiting is going to end me in the ER at some point, I'm afraid.  But the worst of this is being this sick and living in a place where I know absolutely no one at all.

T only helps around here bare minimum, and as the chores, etc. pile up... I long for the simplicity of the life I had in Mobile, where I didn't have to clean up after another human who refuses to do what's necessary to not live in a dirty, cluttered house.  I can't live this way, so I struggle to pick up the slack.  And I'll tell you, the slack is far far more than what T actually does.

How the hell did he survive on his own?

I have to somehow find my way home--wherever that is.  I know I can keep struggling a little bit to find my way here, to at least hang in there until I'm better---or at least better enough to survive, to move, to do something to help myself.  At this rate I don't know if I can work, which scares that crap out of me.  Disability requires a definite diagnosis, and at this time I don't have one that explains fully how I'm continuing to weaken and become more and more sick.  What can I do if even typing an entry like this makes me shaky and nauseated with weakness?

I want to be well again, to feel good again, to have energy again.  I want to be in a position where I can find my way back home again.

Home.  I just want to be... home.

The Similarities of Day to Day Life.

Or shall we call it "A life of perpetual sameness"?  Either way, I'm going to make damn sure I change this.  I have to.

I've posted enough here for you guys to know where I am at the moment.  Dealing with communication and respect issues from T, issues that make themselves known every day and every night without fail.  You also know by now that my tolerance for this is extremely thin, verging on non-existent.  Notwithstanding innocent goof and human blunders, somewhere in the chaos one has to actually SEE the damage being done.  "I" see the damage because I'm a recipient of most of it, but T sits quietly on the river "Denial" and refuses to move.  Ok.  Whatever.

He doesn't like my bluntness and doesn't want me to say aloud the truth that threatens not only to completely destroy this relationship, but the truth that's destroying my peace of mind, health, and happiness.  He's in blissful ignorance, so I don't have any choice other than to say exactly what's on my mind.

When I'm trying to open a discussion, when I need to point out behaviors in someone that TRULY need addressing, I use non-combative phrases.  I speak of how I feel, what the harmful behavior is, but I don't point fingers, name-call, label, etc., because that approach causes damage as well.  I know how to communicate, as long as people allow me to communicate.

Repeatedly disrespecting me is a huge deal and would be for pretty much anyone.  Not allowing anyone to disrespect me was a lesson only recently learned, so I'm still a little awkward with it and finding my balance and strength when approaching the subject.  I'm getting there.  Now, in the process I've become fairly blunt when I've taken all I can, and all PC is out the window.  I speak my mind now while doing my best to preserve the other person's (in this case T) self-esteem.  I've no interest in becoming what I most despise so won't allow myself to go there.

T believes that when I point out what he does that hurts, offends, and disrespects me.. that it's a form of disrespect and that I shouldn't say anything at all.  But I assure you, that approach NEVER works and is, in fact, quite harmful to relationships and the individuals.  If I shove down my feelings, ignore the disrespect, and take the punches in silence... I will eventually resent that person, and that person right now is T.  No matter how I try to explain this--he doesn't get it and shows no indication of trying to understand or stop the disrespectful behavior.

Again, as I've said many times before, I'm not trying to make T out as a bad guy or to demonize him. He's NOT a bad guy--he's just blind to the things he does and doesn't do that greatly and adversely affect me in so many ways.  I hang in there for the obvious reasons, and I do so because I hold hope very close, hope that he'll see what he's doing so it can be stopped.

I may be a bit foolish for relying on hope this way given my past experiences and hope-filled failures.  But there's no reason NOT to hope.  In fact, hope is the great buffer of all things, isn't it?  Life tends to slip apart when hope is lost.

Damage control: There's been a lot of this with most being unsuccessful.  And I'm no stranger to damage control given past relationships that left me holding the weight of fixing everything.  One person CANNOT fix a relationship, nor can one person break it.  If a relationship is going bad, guaranteed there are TWO people at fault, even if it's the behavior of one and the acceptance of that behavior by the other.  It takes two people to break a relationship and two to repair it; an absolute truth.

Sometimes there are victims, yes, but 'most' victims are willing.  Meaning, when you have a way out of a bad situation and don't get on board with preparing things, and if you stay and suffer the damaging consequences.. then you've willingly participated in that damage.

As for me, I was a willing victim.  I played the martyr in love more times than I like to admit.  My role in a past relationship which did a LOT of damage to my self-esteem, body, etc. I take full responsibility for.  I remained in a bad situation, and though I believed that he and I could fix things I refused to see and acknowledge (for far too long) that the weight of that burden was planted fully on me.  I should've left at the first sign of serious problems.

I should have bailed when the relationship began changing the way I saw myself, how I thought of myself, when it began to depress me and fill my entire world with anxiety.  I should have been my own best friend and stood up for ME.  Instead, I did everything I possibly could to change into the distorted version he wished me to become.  It doesn't take a genius to understand that my acceptance of abuses, be they emotional or physical, would nearly destroy me as a person; I get it NOW, but I didn't get it THEN, not until it was too late and the damage was done.

I had to forgive myself more than the other person, because it was ME who let myself down.  I didn't have my own back, and I allowed everything till nearly the end.  It wasn't until I had a TIA and ended up in the hospital (very shortly after the last blow up) did I realize to what degree I'd been beaten up inside and how it had shattered me.

In the hospital the doctors asked about my level of stress, had I been dealing with major life changes such as a death in the family, financial hardship, and/or a breakup.  That was the first time the lightbulb went on and I began to introspect as I lay in that hospital bed with nothing but the hum of the heater to interfere with what came to me.  The realization was harsh, brazen, and shattering in its truth.  I had to get out of the relationship; I had to let go; and I had to do it to save my life.

This wasn't a comfortable awareness when it came blazing out of the deep recesses in which unpleasant things go to smolder.  But there was nothing I could do, really, but allow it into the light and face what it was, what I'd always known but refused to acknowledge.

So the burning question for most people at this point, after hearing/reading about my experience, the question everyone I knew at the time had is: Why the hell did I stay so long?  I stayed because I was in love with him.  Isn't that why any of us stay in bad or toxic relationships, because of our feelings and our sometimes misguided hopes that he/she will change?

I wouldn't find out until much later, until it was far too late and the damage was taking over my life and destroying happiness, that the person I fell in love with didn't really exist.  If you've read my blogs for a while you've heard me say this, and that's because the realization that I fell in love with a lie is profound and one I struggle with today for obvious reasons: You can't say goodbye to someone who doesn't exist.

The mask slipped and I discovered the truth beneath.

To this day everything about me struggles to reconcile who I thought I loved with who I was actually dealing with.

I believe that this problem of irreconcilable truths, for me, is fanning the flames of what's happening in the current relationship.  While I knew this was a possibility there wasn't any reasonable way to prepare for the experience itself.  On one hand being protective is necessary, but on the other hand.. always being poised in defense isn't a good idea either.

This emotional struggle could end with closure; something I will never have.  I can't say goodbye to someone who never existed, now can I?

Yeah... and therein lies the biggest problem of all.  This fight, this struggle permeates day to day life.  T's disrespect, whether purposeful or accidental permeates day to day life.  Health problems worsen and take over day to day life.  There seems to be no end to this....

Smells Like BS.

If you've read my other blogs you can probably see me struggling to maintain emotional homeostasis.    I've only just decided to admit, again, that I'm depressed.  I'm not talking about the kind of depression that makes it so you can't function AT ALL, but the kind that knocks you on your ass as you wake up every day and try again and keep going, despite the obstacles.  I wake up and have one absolute goal, and that's to Persefuckingvere!  I mean, what else is there at this point?

I don't need people telling me everything's fine, I'll be okay, they 'understand' (when they absolutely don't).  I don't need canned platitudes and niceties, nor do I need anyone's silence either.  In fact, the silence is probably the greatest unkindness of all.  Wouldn't you agree?  I mean, silence is preferable than the standard BS people love to dish out, but it's harmful in its own way, believe me.

Social networking is fraught with a filtered indifference and disconnection of people, of humanity.  Why say a kind or supportive or compassionate word when you can just find the right meme... or say nothing at all while posting 30 more cat pictures?  Hey, I LOVE animals, have taken in rescues (my basset hound and last living ferret are rescues), but I still know how to maintain my human connections while still loving animals.  But something happens to people when they try to 'connect' through social media; we all see it, feel it, experience it on a daily basis on Facebook, and to a lesser degree on Twitter.

I've deactivated my original FB account a couple of years ago over relationship drama.  And I've since RE-activated that profile but haven't gone in to clean house in order to begin using it again.  I really need to do that, because it's going to be a lot like moving into a better neighborhood when I do.  WHY I ever allowed myself to be bullied to the extent of deactivating my FB account and creating another... isn't completely lost on me, though I wish I had stood my ground at the time.  Oh well.  That was then, this is now, and it's time.

In no way am I looking for 'meaningful connections' on Facebook, and here's why:

Experience has taught me that even the people you know IRL often fall prey to the disconnected mindset that comes with relying too much on social media networks to maintain a friendship or any kind of relationship.  Nowhere else is it more apparent who your friends REALLY are than in the realm of social media.  People don't have your back, ignore important posts and miss pretty much anything in your life that's going on that you find the courage to share.  For some, the drama postings are proliferate as they either rant and rave about someone or some situation, or they take the passive/aggressive approach with cryptic messages and memes.  I call BS on anyone who does this.

Either grow a pair and face me with what you have to say OR STHU already.

And people will post their cryptic messages knowing their 'supporters' will descend to comment and commiserate.  Boy, have I seen this in action before, and it's the main reason I deactivated my original FB account.  It was nauseating to see grown adults behaving like Jr. High school kids.  I was done with the drama, sick of the BS, and was finding myself with waning trust, respect, and love for the person who was doing this.  Even I can take only so much for so long.

Just hoping I will have the strength and energy today to update and 'move in' to my old profile again.

Dealing With Whiners.

Yep, when it's election time, God forbid you should EVER post your views on squishy social network sites like Facebook.  While I know FB has it's place in people's lives, it's become one of those places where people literally turn into robots who post and repost while not really interacting with others or sharing any of their true thoughts or feelings, etc.  People are intimidated by their own feed.  Go figure.

Luckily, FB has an 'un-follow' option.  Though sadly, few people take advantage of this.  For me, I don't really feel the need to unfollow someone if I don't like their posts.  If things are really that bad and annoying.. a good healthy block does the trick nicely.  I guess this is a rarity as well since I possess the ability to scroll past those posts I don't care for.  Yes, there are exceptions, such as passive-aggressive posts aimed at you personally, the kind that makes you wonder why that person can't just have the cojones to block or unfollow.  I'll never understand that whole passive/aggressive thing, to tell you the truth.  It really just looks like a coward's way out.

So I've decided to try something a little different...

When I post anything political, I follow it with a phrase: "Oh, for those who don't like political posts.." and end that phrase with something entirely unimportant, nonsensical, and dull.  When the time comes where someone asks exactly WHY I'm doing that, I will simply tell them it's for people who can't handle anything more than the endless river of memes and selfies and pointless posts about what they ate or their workout routine or new haircut...posts that really say nothing at all, mean nothing at all.  And it's true.  I like the cute animal videos as much as anyone, but if you never have anything real to say at all... what's the point?  To each his/her own, which really IS the point.

You have no idea how many times I scroll endlessly through my feed to find something of substance, something that connects me in some way, ANY way to the person who's posting.  I've found my time on FB has dwindled and mostly from sheer boredom.

Yesterday was the last straw.  I can't stand shallow and pedantic.  And yes, those can co-exist at exactly the same time, and when they do.. it's not in the least amusing.

This is my rant for today.  Do know that if you post selfies and pics of what you ate or any of the things I listed above--that doesn't mean I think it's stupid or irritating.  I post vids and pics and memes etc as well.  Understand that the real irritating part is when that's ALL that's EVER posted IN ADDITION to whining and complaining about others who post something real.. because you're forced to either scroll past or deal with the butthurt you feel when my views differ from your own.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T changes everything.  Respect when a person posts something.  Stop taking things personally when it's not about you---Not everything is about YOU.  And stop posting on the things you don't like while NOT posting on the things you do.  And yes, I know when you like something (duh!), especially when you hit the "Like" button and repost!

The above isn't aimed at anyone in particular, but if you're feelings are stinging about now.. you actually may be one of the guilty.  Just saying...  Give it some thought and look at it from my side.  You just may see yourself differently when you do.

Because I Can.

It's inevitable, isn't it?  Social networking is like trying to have a picnic beneath a buzzing hornets nest.  We know the situation is precarious, especially when so many have now succumbed to chronic butt-hurt, and yet we persevere, post to our little heart's content, and laugh at the wrath some things inspire from unstable people.  We try to understand, and some will try to edit what they post in order to 'keep down the drama.'  Thing is, the drama is on their side, not ours.  I mean, getting bent out of shape over what someone posts is a lot like being offended by the furniture in your neighbor's house... and saying so.  It's rude, and it's inappropriate.

So why do people do it if it's just going to stir up trouble?  Well, the answer to the question is in the question itself.  Some people are addicted to drama, and you can spot them readily because they'll be the ones complaining constantly, and in their passive/aggressive manner, about everyone else's "drama."  I know you guys have seen this.

I'm always a little amazed, watching them melt-down, lose control, judge others for speaking their minds, all the while trying desperately trying to blur the line between 'victim' and 'bully.'  Know the type I'm talking about?  These are the people who will call you an idiot while claiming they're above such behavior.

It's perplexing.

Here's the thing: Social networking doesn't come with a carte blanche card to attack other people's views, etc.  You have a choice to keep going if you see a post you don't like, and most stable, intelligent people will do just that.  And yes, there are exceptions, such as someone outright attacking, bullying, posting personal or sensitive information about you, etc.  I mean, by all means.. call them out on it if they do that, and be sure to block their sorry asses when you're done.  Nobody likes a bully.

Now, you also have to practice what you preach.  I choose not to comment if I don't like something, and I refrain when possible the urge to behave in passive/aggressive ways.

I personally don't believe we should censor our speech just to make other people more comfortable.  DO know that I'm NOT including bullying in this, because that will NEVER be okay.  Not ever.  But outside of bullying, we can say what we want, given it's within keeping with said SN TOS.

My personal experience in this current political climate has been that the chronically butt-hurt come out in force when I post something that isn't in keeping with their own views.  One person in particular has taken to some very nasty commenting on posts he doesn't agree with, and often it's simply posts in support of who my chosen presidential candidate is.  Now why would anyone have to vomit nastiness on a positive post?  Who knows?  Who cares?  My posts on my page aren't open to bullying and nastiness.  I will either delete your posts or block you.  Enough is enough.  For the record, I've not yet blocked this other person, but that could change quickly after today's nastiness.

When has free speech turned into 'free to bully'?  I don't have the answer to this question either, but maybe it's more a rhetorical reference than anything else.  Either way, some people really don't understand how stubborn I can be when it comes to another trying to control what I do, how I think, how I feel, and so on.  Yeah, I can assure you.. you really don't want to poke the bear like that.

Bullying doesn't work on me, and you'll find quite the opposite response than what you hope for.  But then, I think these types of drama queens actually WANT the drama, which is why they spend SO much time tossing insults.  Why else would they do it if that's the only payoff?

So today this person went on a rant, tossing in character assassination remarks and such, and quite a few at that.  But the main complaint is that he didn't want to see political posts and actually stated that if you're posting more than 2-3 per day that your friends are "Fucking sick of you."  Well, what he thinks was a clever cut down and shaming tactic I see only as a challenge, and one I accepted right off.  Today is going to be a day when the political posts will continue.. all.. day.. long.

I don't give in to bullies, who are really just cowards anyway.  My page, my posts, and anyone who doesn't like it can click the 'unfollow' or 'unfriend' button!  You can't bully me.  You can't censor me.  And you can't control me.

Challenge me, and you may be surprised at my response.  And remember, you can't un-ring that bell.

I also practice what I preach: if I see a post I don't like... I move on.  Having the restraint to NOT react is empowering, because when you do as that other person did today you show weakness, an inability to control your own emotions and behavior.  Why would anyone willingly do that?  There are venues outside of social media to air your grievances if needed.  Hell, I have blogs where I can speak my mind and get things off my chest WITHOUT drawing attention to the person I may be talking about.  Having been at the receiving end of abuse and character assassination I choose to refrain from going down that road if possible.  But I assure you, I'm NOT afraid to stand up for myself; that's a completely different thing altogether anyway.

As they say... haters gonna hate. ;p

Divided We Fall

It's not just a cliche.

What a political storm we're in these days.  Hate and divisiveness on both sides.  But not EVERY presidential candidate is about division, and as you guys probably know by now.. my choice is Donald Trump.  I'm not going into all the why's and wherefores.. just know I've watched him throughout his career and KNOW he's been completely consistent in who and what he is, what he stands for.  Let's just leave it at that and focus on the subject I want to discuss....

Roger Ailes (Fox News) bashed Trump AND all of his supporters.  Bashed as in nasty, ugly, hateful and demeaning rhetoric that literally pissed of more people than you could imagine.  Of course, the horse-faced shrew, Megyn Kelly, was brought back on to moderate the 7th debate, with Ailes FULLY knowing that it would cause issues---and turn the debate into a political version of the Jerry Springer Show.  Trump said "NO" to the debate and decided to do a fundraiser for our veterans.  Trump's supporters immediately began tweeting that they would back him entirely on this!  And we DID!

Trump's event was a TOTAL success, earning some $6,000,000.00 for our veterans!  Trump put in $1,000,000.00 of his own money, just in case anyone is wondering.

Too late---Ailes called Trump and apologized for what he did, and Trump told him emphatically that he made a promise to the veterans to hold the charity rally... and that he was going to do exactly that.  See, what people don't understand is that Donald Trump DOES exactly what he says he'll do, and he's been that way throughout his entire career.  This is one major reason we supporters love him... because his word is gold.

Trump was ridiculed for his decision to skip the debate...

The bitter hatred and ugliness from Ted Cruz supporters was and IS UNBELIEVABLY vile in its delivery, with nasty, hateful tweets and posts on FB... in response to positive and uplifting tweets/posts regarding helping the veterans.  Only assholes would do such a thing, and boy are there a LOT of assholes out there!  And oddly, the democrats are not just playing it safe by not attacking Trump to this extent, but they're making a VERY strong political statement by refraining.  I mean, I'm a former Democrat turned Republican, and I will NEVER go back to that party, I promise.  But I have to say that I'm really shocked and saddened by the sheer numbers of "More-Conservative-than-thou" republicans who metamorphosed into political cannibals!  What the HELL is wrong with people these days?  And the Dems just sit back and watch the Republican party self-destruct.   Brilliant move on the Dems part, you have to admit.

SOME of the candidates refrain from the political cannibalism that seems SO popular these days.. so they can unite for a common cause. Such is with the case of Trump's charity rally last night.  He invited Huckabee and Santorum to the event and asked them to speak.  It was a BEAUTIFUL thing to see, FINALLY to see members of the republican party BEHAVE like republicans, like decent human beings.  All the ugliness and bashing and hatred was happening, but it was happening elsewhere... most of it coming from a disingenuous Ted Cruz.

Honestly, I would love to see a Trump/Huckabee ticket, personally. But seriously... was such an impressive and moving event.  And to tell you the truth, I'm not even sure why Huckabee is low on the polls.  He's a stand-up guy with great policies.  Still, would be nice if Trump would bring him on for VP.... 

Meanwhile, back at the RNC.... Republican elitists, those 'more-concervative-than-thou' bullies all look like a bunch of brawling, desperate fools, while democratic front runners are sitting back quietly and watching the show.   Because they're (the Dems) aren't fighting amongst themselves. But there's genius in that, because what they're doing is stepping back and letting the republican party tear itself apart.. candidate by candidate, and with liberal media help.

Wake the hell up, America!!!  UNITY, people! We ALL lose if we're divided!  Stop tearing each other apart---and this has to happen with candidates AND voters!

A Big Day for US(A) and Donald Trump supporters

I want to start by saying I feel really bad for Cruz supporters.  They want so much to believe in him, that he's honest and forthright... and in the face of overwhelming evidence proving he's neither, they cling tightly to their illusions/delusions.

I'm imagining by now you guys realize my choice of presidential candidates is Donald Trump.  I've made it no secret, and I stand by my choice.  So having heard that there's a major announcement today, said to happen during his 3rd speaking engagement today, the rally this evening.  A lot of us have speculated as to what it could be, but that's all it is.. speculation.  Well, the suspense is killing me, I have to admit.

One of the theories is that Sarah Palin will be announcing her support of DT.  Well, I will be perfectly honest about this---at first, AT FIRST... I really couldn't stand Sarah Palin.  Her running with McCain previously didn't shed her in the best light... at least not to me.  She, I'm assuming, parroted what she was supposed to say, etc., etc., etc... according to the McCain advisors, managers, etc.  But one of the biggest things that turned me off about her was her advocating the killing of wolves, killing the mothers and pups, and calling it okay, necessary, even needed.  I disagreed then, and I disagree NOW.  Having said that, I'm trying really hard here to give her a second chance.  She has no idea what that's taking for me to do this.

So without knowing what this big announcement is, I'm steeling myself for the possibility that rumors are right, that Sarah Palin will be endorsing Trump.  Some are even calling, I will add, for a Trump/Palin ticket.  I'm not sure I"m on board with that, but the jury is still out.  I'm keeping an open mind here and just waiting FIRST to hear what the announcement is before deciding how I feel about this whole Sarah Palin thing.

Haters.  They're everywhere, right?  And more so when it comes to election times.  The attacks on candidates and their supporters can be quite vicious.  Seems ridiculous, really, but it's the way it is.  I can handle haters and basically laugh them off, block them, or otherwise ignore most of their rhetoric.  It's really a good idea to move along and past the garbage in order to keep one's focus on the big picture.

So what is the big picture?  Basically it boils down to two very important components---we either have more of Obama's policies being carried out in the WH (Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton), or we have someone who is completely independent of super pacs and anyone at all who may have paid enough money to a candidate to have control.  And trust me, big money from donors means control.

Most of us are sick of the controlling politicians, the owns owned by their donors, the ones who lie and hate and use bashing and mudslinging, more than showing any of us what they can do for the country to make it better.  Ted Cruz=bought and owned by super pacs, caught in lies time and time again.  Bernie Sanders=socialist and 'crazy grandpa.'  Hillary Clinton=CRIMINAL.  Rubio=really too young and soft to be an effective POTUS.  And trust me, those are just the highlights and by no means is it a complete list.

I don't have to explain my choices, because I live in a country that, despite Obama's attempts, I can still voice my opinion, HAVE an opinion, and exercise my right to choose who I vote for.

I've made my choice, and now I'm excited about what this big announcement is that's coming tonight.  I'll be watching the live streaming, as I usually do, and... well, we'll see what happens.