sick about sicko

As I sit in my sun-room this afternoon listening to the rain fall outside, still in my pajamas and with nothing to do today except read and sleep, I can't help but still be so sad. I can't seem to shake this movie I saw yesterday. The layers of frustration are so deep and I won't even try to let them uncover here. I ask that regardless of your political views or general view on Michael Moore that you go and see his new movie, Sicko. It is worth the $9.00 and the possible babysitter, I promise. It may not make for a great date night, but it will prove to be thought provoking and a great conversation starter.

Many of you know I am pretty anti-america/current powers that be, but there was always this back of my mind thing where I would still feel privileged for living here. When I watch a movie such as Blood Diamond or the millions of pictures that show the sad state of affairs in other countries, I think what a blessing it is that somehow I was born in the United States. How unfair that others don't get such privileges as we do...and so on. My reaction was quite different after seeing Sicko. I felt sad and cheated that I live here. Not in the way I felt after Fahrenheit 9/11...that was more anger and rage. Nope, this isn't because I am so crazy liberal, it is because I am human. I have always felt the desire in life to love the poor, to do what I can to make their world a bit better, and while parts of this movie is about the poor, I hate to say that most of it is about me--the middle class. I am not angrier or more sad b/c now it impacts me, but just so damn disappointed. What I realize now is that many of us are one bout with cancer, heart attack, etc. away from deciding whether we lose it all financially or if we lose our lives. Knowing that at some point in my life I will need to have open heart surgery to fix my congenital heart disease, and that b/c it was a pre-existing condition it probably won't be covered--that disgusts me.

I really do want to be a mom, but I fear that I won't be able to afford childcare or run out of sick days when my kiddo gets ill. I don't think our country shows any value in raising children. In other countries, mom's get 6 months (not weeks) paid time to be with their baby, a "helper" that will come to their house two times a week to care for the baby, free child care, and endless sick days to take care of your baby when they fall ill (not to mention FREE health care). Are you f**ing kidding me? I watched fellow teachers give HALF of their paycheck to childcare. Disgusting and hard to believe that we are the "super power" of the world. We can't take care of our children, but we will bomb the hell out of yours. Okay, that was a bit over the top, but I am not erasing it, because partially it is true. ( I wonder how quickly the "Patriot Act people" will come and find me... ha! )

Is the movie a bit sensational? Sure, but whatever it takes to get the point across. I am pretty hard nosed with politics, but this issue isn't political--it is basic human rights. This isn't an issue I want to debate via blog or conversation because it is so emotional. You can form your own opinions, but see the movie and try not to see yourself in any of those interviewed, i think it may be hard to do. Check out Michael Moore's website after you see the film to see what you can do as well as places that back up his facts from the movie. Also, check out the videos on Youtube of regular folks horror stories with our current medical system...I just spent the last 2 hours watching them and feeling even more unsettled. When/who is going to fix this mess?

I wish I could speak French...

making even better memories

I lived around Pittsburgh about 10 or so years ago and I loved going to concerts. More than once I saw Jimmy Buffet, DMB, and Rusted Root. I only remember bits and pieces of these "fun times" such as: getting out of the car while sitting in traffic to pee on the side of the rode b/c i drank all the way down to the concert, beer bonging while in line for the porta potties, missing my favorite DMB song b/c i was in the nasty bathroom on my hands and knees puking, meeting boys that for one magical night made you think they weren't the assholes they would end up being. Those were the days.

Last Saturday Scott and I noticed in the paper that Rusted Root and the Clarks would be playing the following weekend. These are old school Pittsburgh bands. My last Rusted Root show was when I was 18! I wasn't sure that I would want to go with Scott...too many weird memories, i was in a different stage of life now--how could the two possibly come together? Well, after much debate, Scott surprised me with tickets. Not just any tickets, but VIP second freaking row center tickets. In my younger years, the parking lot that was 2 miles away and the lawn tickets with stinky bathrooms were as good as it got. He got us VIP parking, amazing seats, and VIP club passes (which includes nice fancy bathrooms with no line) all on the cheap from Craigslist.

We tailgated not only with drink, but food too (a first for me), went inside to hang out at the VIP club house to eat and drink some more, drank alcohol without fearing getting arrested (another first), opted not to participate in illegal drugs (see the pattern here... :) )

All silliness aside, I must say that it was truly magical. Not only did we have our second row seats, but we also had the entire second row. It seems that even though the lawn is packed, these seats don't sell out. This meant dancin' space. Normally, I am super inhibited about dancing crazy, and as you can imagine, Scott is a dancing machine, but as soon as Rusted Root started doing their thing I couldn't help myself...It was really incredible. The fact that I was nearly 30 and with my husband of 5 years made the whole thing that much better. It has easily become my new favorite concert memory.