This is a bit of a sad vent because I need to get it out.

( Unhappy )

Want to find all of my social stuff in one place?

I'm now at RebelMouse!

You can find my social front page at http://www.rebelmouse.com/caitriona_3/

I’m tired of the derogatory comments I keep reading on the Pope and his predecessors. Others are doing fine work defending Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict. However, people are reaching even further back to be insulting and inflammatory. So let me look for a moment on Pope Pius XII.

He is insulted and spit upon for being “Hitler’s Pope” – a charge which is untrue. The idea of him being a supporter of Hitler who sat back and watched as the Jews were slaughtered did not come out until a German playwright, Rolf Hochhuth, wrote a play called “The Deputy” in 1963. This play, a ficticious creation ignored the time, the situation, and the atmosphere of the world at the time.

Funny how no one remembers these quotes:

( Get the truth )

Enough is enough.

Rebecca Marino quits tennis because of bullying on social media.

Whoever came up with the old phrase "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" apparently was never the focus of a real bully. As someone who has been bullied through a good portion of her life, let me inform you:

WORDS HURT.

While I am, in general, a fan of social media, it is the new playground of the bully. Now, instead of having to keep an eye out for the teachers or other kind of authority, bullies get to let all their bile and spite flow without fear or repercussions.

Does that mean I want censorship?

No, I think the government, ALL governments should keep their greedy little hands off.

However, when you see cyber bullying going on, make sure to step up and point out that its not cool. If its possible, give the recipient of the bullying some positive support; if its not, for whatever reason, tell the bully to grow up. In some way show that you do NOT support the bully and their name calling, trash talk tactics.

Most importantly of all - don't YOU be a bully. When you feel the urge to call someone a name, you may be used to biting your tongue. These days - sit on your hands. Count to ten, rethink what you're typing, and how it might be received. A joke to you might be an attack to them. Remember - name calling is the FIRST step a bully takes...it gets worse from there.

We all have crosses to bear - don't make them heavier by your words.

“Knowing what's right doesn't mean much unless you do what's right.”
― Theodore Roosevelt

“Because even the smallest of words can be the ones to hurt you, or save you.”
― Natsuki Takaya

Speaking as a Catholic woman (single, not married) & wiling to lose "friends" over it:

The Pope is allowed to retire. It doesn't happen very often, but it is within his rights to do so. Personally, more respect should be shown a man who knows when it is time to step back and let younger hands take over. We've got politicians I wish had HALF that much common sense.

It would be nice if Catholics could get a little of the respect people seem to automatically give to other groups. You don't have to agree with our beliefs, but tearing us down? Insulting them just because you don't like them? Who does that say the most about? I don't tear down people who I disagree with - similar respect would be appreciated.

In answer to some of what I've been hearing on the net and in RL -

American Catholics are NOT going to separate from Rome - to do so would make us Protestant, not Catholic, and there are other churches we could go to if we wanted to do that.

The new Pope is not going to overturn Church teachings on women priests, contraception, abortion, gay marriage, etc.

The Church is not going to throw everything out and suddenly become "politically correct" according to the secular world's desires just because there is a new Pope.

I am grateful for the time we have had with Pope Benedict as our shepherd. This is a time of prayer for all Catholics as we wait for our new Pope to be chosen.

May God bless Pope Benedict and his successor.

I'm clicking along on my Galentine's Day fic - it's an Avengers story centered on Natasha. I worked on it over lunch...and forgot to email it home! *rolls eyes* And I wanted to finish it and find a beta! Now I have to wait until Monday.

I still need to get some more words down on the Narnia BB story, and my Historical BB.

Narnia has been moving, even if slowly, and I'm determined to get the historical one in line...if only the M7 guys would cooperate! I'm about to shut everything but my computer off and force myself to stare at the page until I write from sheer boredom if nothing else.

Started Weight Watchers last Saturday, and I've been pretty good this week - actually keeping my goal most days and barely going over the others. By the way, if you haven't tried them, Jimmy John's Unwiches are really good! Lets hope I can stick with it...I like how I can eat real food, so its got a better chance than some things.

I signed up to do the LotR BB since its a long one, and I know the story I want to write. Now I have to get it out of my head and onto the paper.

Work has clicked along this week, so I'm wondering what's going to kick me next week. I know that sounds bad, but its the cycle. Just please don't let it be too bad.

Not much of an update, but its mostly been work and sleep, so the little things really click. Oh, I've been reading Josephus lately during meals - his history of the Jews. Its an interesting view of first century life among the Jews and the Romans.

I'm hoping to do some more American history stuff this week, but I've GOT to work on the writing I've promised to do...plus I need to work on my original stuff as well.

I should clean my room, but that's not happening tonight...and tomorrow's not looking good either.

Sorry, I know I have been missing in action, but my schedule is still silly, and I just haven't had time to go through my friends pages...I'm a bad flister this month...

I hope to build in some more time soon, so I'll be trying to haunt a bit more.

Good news? I'm working on a handful of stories right now - gifts, auctions, and big bangs, so maybe this year will be a bit more productive than last!

For those who are interested, you can also find me:

Fun:

Tumblr - caitriona3 - http://caitriona3.tumblr.com/

Less "fun":

Twitter - caitriona_3 - https://twitter.com/caitriona_3

WordPress - Catholic GRITS - http://catholicgrits.wordpress.com/

These are the places I tend to be more focused on politics, religion, and my other outspokenly traditionalist views. Please see my DW or LJ profile for who I am before going to either place as that is the person you are going to get. DW & LJ tend to be my playgrounds - Twitter & WordPress tend to be my...hmmmmm...not sure what to call them - my soapboxes?

Okay, I'm hoping I can get back online more now that the new year has truly begun.

Man I hope so - I think I'm going through withdrawal!

Anyway, you'll note I started with some history. I am renewing my love of history by connecting with it once more. Hopefully I'll get one historical blog in each day. I'm having a blast doing the reading, and I hope you enjoy the little blurbs I put up. I'm trying to start with people and times which are generally overlooked in this day and age, so you're unlikely to see big time favorites of the modern school system or media darlings. That is a deliberate choice. I wince every time I hear someone talking about situations and issues without any real knowledge about the history that led to them.

We'll see!

And I have been thinking on resolutions. I pretty much never make these things because I tend to forget about them by week's end. However, this year, I did decide to set some goals in an attempt to get my life a little more focused on moving forward rather than hanging out status quo.

( Goals )

So, those are my goals for 2013...now we'll see how I do.

Depends on how you look at it.

I'm working on stocking stuffers (art and fiction) and listening/watching to the Barbie version of the Nutcracker while trying to decide on buying the Muppet Christmas Carol. My niece, nephew and friends are about to go caroling in the neighborhood.

Other than that, we're in laid-back mode.

I've got some Big Bangs to work on - both art & fic - and I really need to catch up with some other fic. I swear, I seem to think I should have too, too, TOO much on my plate at any given point in time.

People seem to be liking the stuff I turned in for fests, and I'm looking forward to being able to claim them after the reveal dates.

Went to Confession today, and I'm feeling much better. Now I have to concentrate on my part and work on avoiding the attitudes and actions that sent me there in the first place!

Would someone please explain why I'm being defensive when I try and explain why I don't know where a formula came from and why I feel justified in being unhappy with a vendor when they've been accepting the formula for 6 years without comment?

I like my boss, I do, but when I try and explain things, I get told to calm down, he's not blaming me, and I don't need to be defensive. He interrupts to tell me this.

Am I being defensive? Maybe, but I do feel I should be allowed to finish my comment before he decides I'm just being defensive. I think I've got a right to be unhappy when they haven't said a damn word about the formula for SIX years and suddenly today it's a problem???

I can't even vent because then I'm being defensive.

Well, Thanksgiving was wonderful. We had a lot of family over for food and games and a general all around good time.

Then I got sick.

Something I ate didn't agree with me, and I was up all night in a very unhappy mood. Yesterday I ended up in bed all day.

ICK!

I'm feeling better today, and I have the house to myself, so I'm attempting to eat something for the first time in over 36 hours. It's bean soup, so its not too spicy or anything, but still has some flavor. At least I finally feel hungry!

This also means I'm behind on the stuff I wanted to work on, and my plot bunnies have been conspiring.

Some days...

Well, I figured I had better start getting my stuff together. I'm planning on having a post per day (of the trip), so we'll see how that goes. I'm going to transcribe my notes and include some pictures I took. This IS a pilgrimage, so religion WILL be present.

Israel - The Holy Land - Day 1 - Nov. 4th and 5th (lost a good portion of the day heading east)

( Here we go )

We just dragged all of the Christmas stuff down from the attic. This tells me we are having visitors for Thanksgiving, so the stuff has to be up by nighttime Wednesday.

We are absolutely mental about Christmas...lots of lights, a very eclectic tree, and decorations for every one of the main rooms.

One of the soldiers "bit" me - I've got a lovely scrape on my arm.

Anyhoo...I've still got shopping to do!

Well, I'm back from my trip! It was wonderful, inspiring, stimulating, and educating.

YAY!!!

Now I have to catch up with everything.

BOO!!

Oh, well, I think I win overall. I'm hoping tonight when I get home I'll have time to type up the notes I made as we traveled.

Got my nails done today. I wanted something a little different.

The pictures not real clear, but...



On a side note, my mom's doing fantasy football for the first time. She got my dad and my brother involved. They are having a blast!

Well, I finally went to the doctor yesterday as I have been unable to shake this stuff, and the cough decided to migrate down from my throat towards my lungs. He gave me a quick once over and decided....((drum roll))...

BRONCHITIS

**crickets chirping**

Yeah, I know. No big surprise there. I'm pretty sure the world will tilt off its axis if I don't have bronchitis at least once a year. On the plus side, at least this time I didn't end up in the emergency room! The problem with being able to focus intensely and shut everything out? You really do shut EVERYTHING out. If I'm in the middle of something, I'll pop the pills and ignore the whole thing until I'm done. Unfortunately, that's landed me in the emergency room twice with this stuff and the doctor giving me hell about being a day or so away from pneumonia. Fun thought.

Anyway, I got a shot, a Z-Pac, and cough syrup to let me sleep. Hopefully this stuff'll be gone soon. I'm really tired of hacking.

It's Friday! And I don't want to work today...

I wonder how much procrastination I can build in and still not get into trouble...hmm....

I swear, some places just need to be avoided like the plague! Okay, I work in construction, and one of our subdivisions is in a part of town that has long history & reputation as a "bad" part of town.

Sure enough, our builder headed into our model today to do some maintenance, and found that it had been broken into again (4th time) and now there appears to be some drug paraphenalia in there.

I'm all for trying to help build up run-down parts of town, trying to help revitalize them, but if the community doesn't want to be part of that, then they really shouldn't complain when businesses avoid the area.

Honestly, until they take back their own streets, they shouldn't ask us to come in. Our sales person has been threatened by a drugged up invader, almost every major item has been stolen (twice), a car has been driven through the garage door and into the wall, gun shots have damaged windows, doors, and walls, and now this.