Here’s the thing. I really don’t get the point of Memorial Day in this country. We are typically off from work, unless we work in an industry that sells something that can go on sale on Memorial Day of course.

We cook out, camp out and shop our hearts out. What we don’t seem to do is honor any of the people who sacrificed their lives for our country or their families either, for that matter.

I think Memorial Day needs to be an IN YOUR FACE sort of holiday. As in, PEOPLE DIE IN WARS, AND WE ARE GOING TO TAKE AN ENTIRE DAY OFF FROM WORK TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS SAD, SAD FACT.

If we can’t do that, then the heck with it. We can call the holiday something else, like National Day of Shopping. Let’s be honest with ourselves, at the very least.

Last weekend, we went to the zoo. Big whoop, I know, but I wanted to put a picture (that I actually took) in this post. I’m still loving the new camera!

Today’s the day before Martin Luther King Day. I’m sure I’m not the only one just amazed at how cool it is that MLK Day and the inauguration are right next to each other. I find myself ditching my cynicism every now and then and actually feeling excited and hopeful about Obama. Then I check myself. I can’t imagine things changing much with the stronghold the corporations (and China, etc.) have on this country. Still. It’s nice to see my students not be apathetic for a change.

So I totally pissed off a couple of people at work when I was telling them that Greg said I should decorate my inauguration cupcakes with Oreos in honor of Obama. I thought it was funny. I don’t see why people can’t laugh at that stuff. But a couple of people got offended, which I decided to let be their problem. Only one of them was black. The other person was one of those white people who happily take the blame for every crappy thing a white person ever did in this country. (Jeez, I sound like I’m from East Texas…)

The thing is, the term Oreo was created by black people as a derogatory term for other black people who acted “too white,” which really seems to mean, “too middle class.” So at its heart it’s dissing white people but I can’t say it. Anyway, I was saying that someone else said it. I did think it was funny though. All of the mixed race kids I know, including my own child, who are raised by white parents, identify as white. Obama identifies as black. Whatever. It works for him. Many black people would and have called him an Oreo.

I guess I shouldn’t think a derogatory term is funny, but I’m irreverent (or rude or whatever) that way. I wish people didn’t have to walk on eggshells. I really don’t like to hurt people’s feelings. On the other hand, I think a thick skin can be good. I don’t get offended when people call me “Mexican by injection.” (Figure it out…) Then again, I’m not part of an oppressed class.

Thinking about this stuff is giving me a headache. And it’s probably the most inappropriate post ever for MLK day, which is when some of you guys will see it. MLK was cool. I wish more people were like him, including myself.

On a brighter note, we just went to Wendy’s and all three tables were racially integrated. One of them was ours, because my Sage’s best friend is black. Maybe things aren’t so bad after all. At least if you don’t say the word Oreo and Obama in the same sentence.

I had this horrible insomnia last night. I finally was starting to drift off around 3:00pm when flashing red and blue lights and a loud banging on the door brought me out of any dreams I was starting to have.

Of course, I felt a bit scared! What on earth had happened that the cops would wake my family up in the middle of the night?

Turns out they wanted me to move my car. Move it from the place where it has been parked for two months. Why? Because apparently it is a no parking zone.

This couldn’t have waited until morning?

Would this have happened in the middle of the night in a nicer neighborhood, where the homeowner could have been a city council member?

What bullshit.

Obviously, I should not start a cooking blog. Even though they stuck to the baking sheet, breaking many, Sage and I had fun making them. They look a bit like red and blue starfish, don’t you think? I just need to stick some cute little eyes on…

No flags here. I have “issues” with both flags and the pledge. I mean, think about it. With who’s running our country, do you really want to pledge allegiance? I think our allegiance should be to a higher power, not to artificial boundaries, political ideas and war. Just sayin’.

I found these images at Good 50×70, a website that features graphics done to promote social issues. It’s an excellent site.

I just know that last one was inspired by Swimmy!

So it appears that Bush’s trip to the Mideast is making headlines today. Doesn’t he sound like quite the champion of human rights?

n fact, in his speech he sought to reach out to the people of Iran, saying: “You’re rich in culture and talent. You have the right to live under a government that listens to your wishes, respects your talents and allows you to build better lives for your families.”

Oh Pleeeeeeze. I’ve refrained from complaining about evil monkeys on this blog for a long time, and in fact, try not to mention him in “real life” either, because frankly, it’s just old and tired and makes me tired. But this is ridiculous.

You cannot expect people to believe in the promise of a better future when they are jailed for peacefully petitioning their government,” Bush said. “And you cannot stand up a modern, confident nation when you do not allow people to voice their legitimate criticisms.

I feel like I’m living in some sort of alternate reality.