hannie's musings 7.5

If you follow my Twitter account which can at times be extremely amusing you’ll see me sing the praises of one Frank Kenny now and again. Keep in mind that no, he’s not paying me to say anything I’m fixin to say and no, I have yet to attend any of his speaking engagements. I’d like to though because I truly believe that he’s got sheer genius going on. Why would I say this? Allow me to tell you why. Read the rest of this entry »

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So yesterday I was hanging out at UW with one of the best bariatric surgeons ever. Ever ever. If you’ve read my weight loss surgery blog or even the the original version then you pretty much know I’ve been through a few things. Again we have problems. But this time, the solution is neither easy or nice. Read the rest of this entry »

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Growing up in South Kitsap, I’ve seen some scary stuff. The Colchester curve still creeps me out to this day, because so many accidents happen there. Some parts of Olalla creep me out something fierce. The drive to Manchester State Park creeps me out because of a story told me during my childhood as well. I don’t know and have never confirmed if that story was true or not. Still creepy. I had a high school teacher who was neighbors with a very young Ted Bundy. Yes, that creeped me out too, the stories he would tell about that experience. My point is, not everything in Port Orchard is happiness and love and Cedar Cove. No, there’s more than that and I’m going to speak to that. His name is Gregg Olsen, he too is an author and he calls Port Orchard home as well. Read the rest of this entry »

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So yes, I finally sat down and took the necessary time to update everything except my actual template. Who knows, I might get creative this evening and look for a fresh design. I don’t know. Either way, I’m making one more post happen tonight. I will start with a picture of the local atmosphere.

your local atmosphere

I love this business and their idea. But with their idea comes questions of course. I believe my first question is this. Read the rest of this entry »

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Before I do some real posting, I thought I’d take a moment to personally address the “people who could be spammers”. Let’s get that going on.

contestant one: from Depression Girl… i believe that Barack Obama is the president that the US needs in these hard times. I do not like the local and foreign policy of any Rebublican.

You know, I could almost agree with this. I believe that our current president is one we need in hard times like these. I’m not sure I like how the grading system works for him currently, because he hasn’t been in office a full year and has a Nobel prize to his name. I don’t know that I would have gone that far to applaud his efforts so far. I’m not being offensive, I’m just saying that I think he needs to spend more time in office and accomplish far more before bestowing the honors. Does this make me any LESS of a democrat by stating this? No.

Let’s touch the “local and foreign policy of any….republican”. It is republican, by the way, but I make spelling errors all the time. I won’t hold it against you Depression Girl. I can’t agree with your statement. I’ve met some truly interesting Republicans both locally and nationally and some of what they have to say, I could agree with. I just tend to sway MORE democrat. Thanks for stopping by and voicing your opinion though, and let’s move along.

contestant two: words from a Stanley Mackem. Have you ever considered adding additional videos to your page to keep the visitors more entertained? I just read through the whole post and it was quite good but since I learn visually, I find videos to be more helpful. I like what you guys are always coming up with. Keep up the good work. I will check out your blog on the regular for some of the latest post.

Videos are something I’m just not into. Correction, I’d like to host more videos of things, but you know, it slows down my site. If I honestly wanted to keep visitors entertained, I’d tell them to watch my Twitter account in the sidebar or just visit my Twitter account. You learn visually, you say? Hmm. Time to break out more pictures. I’m quite adept at taking pictures of things and people and events. Duly noted. As for “you guys” well, thanks but it’s just me writing. I’ve offered in the past to let people “guest blog” and I’ve had one person take pictures of events on my behalf and used their photography with their permission. If I quote from someone else, I pretty much make sure that they are given proper credit. Again thanks for stopping by.

final thought: Yes, I should write more often. I’ve had three ideas come and go and I’m trying to figure out which would be the best one to talk about in terms of relevancy and interesting thought. Oh believe me, it’s 2010 and there’s lots to be said and talked about. It’s coming, but just a bit slower because of medical issues but you don’t really want to hear about that. I have another year of hanging out with surgeons and praying for a miracle to happen in my case, but honestly, that’s not important. What’s important to me, and should be to you as well, is making sure that you’re registered to vote, that you’re keeping up to date on candidates during this election cycle and if they’re really doing the job that either you elected them to do or wished that they would do, and actually vote this year. We’re all strapped for money these days and are the cuts we’re having to make, the things that we’re sacrificing, is it all going to balance out in the end and make us a better community, county, state, country? Your vote is your voice.

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Usually I try to stray from the thoughts of the second amendment to bear arms yadda yadda. However, something happened the other day in which well, I’m going to step up to the podium and I got something to say.

I was driving down 16 toward Tacoma around Burley-Olalla and a truck speeds up to me. He rolls down the window, makes a gun out of his hand and acts as he’s firing at me. Then he proceeds to step on the gas, get right in front of me and I get to see the multiple NRA/US ARMY RET stickers. Nice. I know said motorist was offended with my choice of stickers and wanted to voice his views, but that wasn’t about the correct way of doing it. Responsible gun owners don’t even joke about killing another human. Irresponsible gun owners are the ones who joke and also make it happen. Don’t make one drift into the other sir. There’s a big line there and I fully intend to keep it that way. I was married to a responsible gun owner, you see. Read the rest of this entry »

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Note that I warned you upfront that this post is going to include profanity. I usually don’t like using profanity to make a point in what I write and yes, there’s a long winded story behind that as well. However, I’m going to break with tradition here and let it fly. Why not? It’s the holidays and let’s get it ON.

This morning, I was at Fred Meyer, barely half awake getting a coffeemaker and a new espresso machine. I confess, I was there with all you crazy holiday shoppers. Forget that, we’re talking Port Orchard Fred Meyer and they’re busy all the time. Especially Saturday mornings.

It takes me about ten minutes to find a spot, I’m hiking it from the backlot of frozen SK tundra to the store, but no worries. I’m in, I’m out and we’re good. Not quite.

Recently in lieu of the nice COLD snap we’ve been having, Fred Meyer has allowed the Salvation Army kettle people with the bells to actually stay inside in the cart area. I applaud Fred Meyer for this, because hey, it’s COLD. I walk in this morning and sure enough, a woman is harassing the heck out of the kettle person for being inside the store and she finds it offensive. Yes, she was actually offended that kettle person was inside instead of outside. I wanted to tell her off and totally defend Fred Meyer/Salvation Army, but I let it go because again, I wanted to be in and out and done.

Oh but who should show up in my midst next but Mom herself. Yes, my mom has like this insane schedule and I can tell you where she’s going to be on certain days. It’s like clockwork. Saturday morning, she or I or both of us are at Fred Meyer in Port Orchard. I walk around with Mom and we talk about the weather and my trashy mouth and Tiger Woods. She’s tired of hearing about Tiger Woods, y’all. Truth be told, so am I. Regardless, we get through the line, we’re out to her car, I get her into her car (she’s disabled but hoofed it from/to the backlot of FM as well), unpack hers/my things into her car and am fixin to return the cart to the cart corral thingie. I’m nice like that for the most part.

As I’m walking back, being careful to not hit any black ice because if I fall, I’m in a BAD medical way…I’m already in a bad medical way because I have extreme pain and I’m cold and bla bla…an inconvenienced grouchy motorist informs me that I have a fat ass and that I need to “hurry it up” because he’s cold. And what do I have to say to this?

I let it fly. I not only tell him to “fuck off and die” but I inform him that he needs an attitude adjustment immediately. I know, it wasn’t nice and it was the lower road and it’s the holiday season. Again, I state I’m usually a nice girl. But you DO NOT make disparaging comments about my ass or lack thereof and tell me how cold you are in your nice warm car while I’m trying to get back across an icy parking lot in the COLD.

I’m waiting for my “JOHANNA WHAT DID I JUST HEAR COME OUTTA YOUR MOUTH” speech from Mom, but instead she asks me what transpired to make me say something the way I did. I told her and she applauded me. I’m rather thankful she didn’t whip out a bar of Ivory soap and make me eat it right there, but who cares about any of that?

I’ll tell you what I do care about. I care about living in a town that earlier this summer celebrated and welcomed the world to the hometown of one Debbie Macomber, romance novelist and somehow, it’s winter and some jackass wants to be rude. No, make that a few jackasses. If you’re not happy living here, dislike the weather or whatever else, um, move then. However, being disparaging, discouraging and downright disrespectful to someone you’re basing solely on appearance is uncalled for.

Now I know that I myself have done this before, so before you start crying foul, rest assured I know I sound hypocritical here. None of us are perfect beings and if we were, the world would be incredibly boring. However, I’m going to let you in on a little secret here. What I have learned in doing the same sort of action is that I potentially could have been missing out on some incredible people with fascinating stories, ideas and thoughts to share. I kid you not.

One time, I was running late to a meeting that I knew I needed to make an appearance for. Crap. I look like crap and I’m wearing Super Mario pajama bottoms. Oh well, at least I’m there and I’m making a presence. I walk in and some people roll their eyes in horror and disgust over my disheveled appearance. Good, I’ve got their attention for “worst possibly dressed”. Bad, they’ve already made the assumption that I just don’t care about myself and I’m just trash and I have no valid opinion on anything. I make this point often to those who need to hear it, that if I really wanted to make a more powerful presence and be respected and heard and counted, I could pick up a fashion book and read and heed.

Final thought: Practice random acts of kindness. Be kinder than necessary, because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. And don’t be kinder for certain holidays. Do it 365 days a year because those random acts of kindness surely go far in brightening the lives of others around you. Happy holidays y’all!

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It’s the holidays, it’s crazy, let’s have some fun.

1. If your “alias” at Kitsap Sun is Cynic, I have some news for you. It’s 2009, almost 2010 and Lary says it’s OKAY to like Josh Brown. I have been told by absolutely reliable and trustworthy reporter types that when Lary says something and says it in public, it’s absolutely true and there’s no lie behind any of it. Find something new and fresh to whine about. Wait, I got it for you.

2. How come every email I receive from “Governor Chris Gregoire” hits my spambox instead of my inbox? It’s been months now and I swear my spambox looks like Christine herself loves me dearly. Are my email account settings trying to tell me something? How come the first time anyone drops the word “income tax” in reference to our state getting out of our ever growing hole of deep despair, it’s like open season on grumbling about how we got into hell instead of how we’re going to get out?

3. I’m still wanting to go with the bikini barista gig in Mason County for one day. I just want to see Tim Sheldon shriek in fear. Mental note: Maybe I could drop a line to Santa to make this happen.

4. Last but not least, again, I’m telling you, 2010 is right around the corner. Cynic, I really want to have a discussion with you sometime on that grudge you have. Randy, I swear I am going to get to freakin Mason County before the end of this year. Citizens who are contemplating running for public office, hear me out on this. Not everyone is into social networking. So buy an actual domain/host, put up a decent picture of yourself and tell us all about you and why we would want you to represent us. Don’t leave it to social networking sites to get your name out there or even yard signs for that matter.

I think that’s about all I have to say about that. For now.

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I could have called this “in the inbox” as well, but no, we’ll call it Black Friday because you know there’s going to be lots of hot discussion on the senate floor once everyone returns. Black Friday, as you know, has taken on many connotations over the years, but usually it refers to outrageous sales and lack of civility before the crack of dawn. No one, it seems, remembers long ago how black it was during the depression. Allow me to tell you about my dad real quick and how his family survived on rice & rice water during those times. It’s amazing he still even likes rice to this day. By the way, he was dining on rice during the depression in West Seattle.

Alki ain’t local enough for you? Oh fine! I had the honor of meeting a woman who started one of the first “victory gardens” in Southworth a couple years back. I know, different era, but still times were tough in our country. To this day, she still maintains an incredible garden although her husband passed away long ago. An amazing woman for sure and I still am honored to have been introduced to her.

With all that, I received an interesting thought in my inbox a couple days ago. I have to say, I tend to agree with it. Thanks to my friends of the 26th LD Dems for sharing this & hope everyone had a great Turkey day no matter what sort of financial straits you’re in currently.

Proposed Amendment 28 to the US Constitution!

“Congress shall make no law that applies to any citizen of the United States that does not apply equally to all US Senators, and Congress shall make no law that applies to US Senator or Representative that does not apply equally to all citizens of the United States . All existing laws and regulations that do not meet these criteria shall be declared null and void!”

Mr Lupkes, great thought, wouldn’t you agree?

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…was what my own mother told me. Well Mom, thanks for the thought, but I’ve been a bit busy. However, Lary has been moving right along and by heavens, he published a comment of mine. I’m waiting for his response to my comment, because it seems like he only likes my friend Tim. I’m a little hurt, but he’s a busy guy being mayor and political blogger. (In case you’re reading Lary, remember how we laughed over “political bloggers should never be listened to because well, they’re just horrible people”. Face it Lary, we’re horrible and we should NEVER be listened to. One more laugh about that, okay?) I don’t like linking to West Sound Politics because I believe that a mayor, if elected non-partisan should stay that way, but no, we should see this story. Read the rest of this entry »

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