Family Research Council Hate Video

I found the video below from Laughing in Purgatory, it’s a “Family Research Council” video on how homosexual/bisexual/pansexual or as they say people in “unhealthy relationships” and who are involved in “destructive behavior” are destroying families.

I find it sad that they need a video to push their religious anti-LGBT agenda. So much for their God being “all loving” and atheists being “evil”. Atheists aren’t the one’s trying to destroy others families. 

Wounded Warrior – Derek McConnell

Yesterday I found out about a wounded soldier on the Homefront Blog from Operation Write Home. He was stationed in Afghanistan in March 2011 and on July 23^rd 2011, he lost both legs due to an IED. You can read more of his story here. 

OWH asked us to send cards of encouragement to him. So today I made him a card

Death and a Baby Shower

So Thursday I found out that my grandmother, who lives in Florida, died. And before you start with the sympathy, let me just say that I’m not upset about it, at all.

My morals (are LGBT friendly)

There’s been a lot of talk going on lately online about marriage equality, especially since New York passed it. Why some people think it’s wrong and why other’s think we should have it.

I’ve noticed a lot of people like to say that it goes against their morals or family values. They don’t want their children to learn about LGBT people and equality. They don’t like LGBT people being around their children. LGBT people shouldn’t be allowed to marry. All because it goes against their morals.

I’m all for free speech and people voicing their opinions. However these people tend to forget that there are people out there that have different morals than them. Like me for example; I have very different morals than these people.

I’m for marriage equality. I don’t see a problem if two consenting adults want to get married. I also want my future children to learn about LGBT people, the history of the fight for equality and to learn that all people are equal. I don’t want my children around bigoted straight people. I don’t want my children to learn that being LGBT is a bad thing or something to be ashamed of. I don’t want these people teaching my children in general. I don’t want their negativity and hate around my children. Why? Because it goes against MY morals.

I hate these people that say other people should be treated as second class citizens all because it goes against their morals. What about people like me? Shouldn’t I have a say in this too?

These people will bitch and moan how the government is infringing on their lives and morals when allowing marriage equality. Yet when marriage equality gets shot down they are infringing on my morals.

Our country is all about freedom. Freedom of speech, freedom of/from religion, freedom to work and live anywhere we want. Shouldn’t we also have the freedom of marriage equality?

30 Day Blog Challenge – Day 9 |Something You’re Proud Of|

So today is day 9 of my 30 day challenge and I get to tell you something I’m proud of. I’m proud of the fact that I graduated from Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI). Why? Because, first off, not that many people who start MMI actually graduate. It’s a really intense tech school, most guys end up attendance failing and just don’t come back. Or they fail a class or a couple of classes and just quit because it’s too hard for them.

And secondly, most girls who start don’t finish either, mainly because they can’t hack it. MMI for girls is like 50% harder than it is for guys. Because being a girl in a guys world is hard (for most girls). You get compared to guys all the time. Are you smart enough? Are you strong enough? And then there’s the fact that they will make fun of you and talk down to you. Guy humor is very different than girl humor. They think calling you a hooker or a slut is funny, when you probably think it’s insulting. You have to have an attitude, an ‘I’m not going to take your shit’ attitude and ‘I will kick your ass, if you come near me’ attitude. You can’t be weak. It’s like they smell it and will attack you (not literally, of course). The teachers will push you harder than the guys. Some will do it to make you quit, some do it to make you a better mechanic. Either way, if you make it, you are stronger than you went in. But if you can’t handle it, you will not make it. I know quite a few girls that started MMI and didn’t even get half way through it.

For me, at first, it was kind of hard. I had no idea what I was doing and thought they all did. But then I realized that we were all pretty much in the same boat. And most of the time I was smarter than them and tougher too. They called me a hooker, I called them a slut. They said they could kick my ass, I said I’d stab them with a screw driver if they came within 5 feet of me. After I proved I could keep up with them as a mechanic, I was way more sarcastic, I could joke around and not get offended and I had just as bad a mouth as them, they accepted me and started treating me like one of the guys. That’s when I knew I had done it; I earned their respect as a friend and as a mechanic. I’m proud of that because most girls can’t do it. They couldn’t keep up, they got offended and they took shit too seriously. But then again, I prefer hanging out with guys than dealing with girls.

But anyway, that’s one of the things I’m most proud of.

On a side note; today is the hubby’s birthday. We didn’t do much, but I plan of getting him a good present after we move. I would tell you, but he reads this and I don’t want to give it away.

Bottled Water Vs. Tap Water

I keep seeing the Poland Spring bottled water commercials and they say that their water is healthy, you get your water deliver straight to your door and it’s so easy and convenient.

That may be nice and all but it’s not quite true. Like all other bottled water companies, they claim that their water is healthy, cleaner and tastes better, but most bottled water is the same as tap water. Actually, tap water maybe better for you since it’s more regulated than bottled water. Plus, some bottled water is just filtered tap water. Seriously, Google it if you don’t believe me.

If you don’t like tap water for whatever reason (like Florida water has an odd taste, I’ll drink it, but some people won’t.) get a filter. There are many different types of filters, like the type that just attaches to your faucet. Tap water is cheaper than buying bottled water or even getting a water cooler. It saves you money and the environment in the long run.

Think about it this way; to get bottled water they have to put it in those plastic containers which takes 2,000 times more energy to produce than it does to produce tap water. Then they have to load it up on semi trucks and ship it to different stores around the country. Once it gets on store shelves, people buy them, drink them and then dispose of the bottles. Now I know you can recycle these bottles, however, 69% of bottled water containers end up in the trash and not in a recycling container. Also, another fact that may shock you, in 2008, the U.S. used enough plastic water bottles to stretch around the Earth more than 190 times! That’s insane! I can’t even picture how many water bottles that is.

Now if you’re like some people I know, you drink filtered tap water at home but when you’re out and about you just pick up bottled water, well I have news for you: they sell reusable water bottles that have a filter in them. So you get your filter water while you’re on the run and it saves you money!

Why people pay for bottled water I’ll never know. Who wants to pay $1 to $3 or more for a bottle of water when you can get it for free?

If I haven’t converted you to drink tap water or filter tap water yet, just picture it this way: Say you buy bottled water every week and you’re family goes through four 24 packs a week. If you get Poland Spring Water, that’s $3.99 for each 24 pack of 16.9oz bottles. That’s $15.96 a week for your water and 96 bottles of water. For a month (we’ll say four weeks), that’s $63.84 a month and 384 bottles of water. For a whole year (52 weeks) that’s $829.92 and 4992bottles of water. Now to me, that could be a couple car payments or 4 months worth of cable or a few months of groceries. I realize that the cost of bottle water is different depending on where you live, but you get the gist.

Now if you get a filter, say a Brita Filter which a 5 pack of replacement filters could run you about $45 (at least on Amazon.com) and each filter can last you about 2 to 4 months depending on how much you use it. So if you use one filter every 2 months, 5 will last you 10 months. That’s about $54 a year!

Just by switching to a filter, you’ll save $775.92 a year. Just think what you could do with that extra money you’d have!

So, in conclusion, do yourself and the environment a favor and get a filter and drink tap water.

If you’re interested check out these great websites to help you make the switch.

www.brita.com
www.filterforgood.com/facts
www.foodandwaterwatch.org/water/bottled
www.foodandwaterwatch.org/reports/take-back-the-tap-guide

Confessions of a biker; I’m afraid to ride my bike

Well let me start from the beginning. I’ve been riding passenger with my dad since I was 4. I’ve always been into motorcycles, even when people thought I was weird and everything in high school.

Well my junior year of high school my dad bought me a motorcycle, a Kawasaki 454 ltd. I didn’t have my permit yet, so he found it, test rode it and bought it. I pretty much didn’t have any say in it what so ever.

So a few months later, after I got my permit, my dad tried to teach me how to ride my bike. Let’s just say it didn’t go to well. I wasn’t comfortable on it and could barely touch the ground, even with leaning the bike over a bit.

Ever since then I’ve been nervous getting back on it. I was even nervous when taking my rider education class in Orlando, FL and I was on a Kawasaki 250 Eliminator. But after a day of riding it in the rain, I actually got used to it.

Then a day or two ago I find out that my dad finally admitted that he got the bike more for him than me. And that he finally realized that “my bike” is a little too big for me right now.

So yes, I am afraid to ride my bike. But, since my husband is going to auctions for our shop, he’s going to get me a 250 Eliminator and I know I won’t be afraid to ride that.

“Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly.”

My bike (AKA Kawasaki 454 LTD)

This is a Kawasaki 250 Eliminator (I want this one) :)

A motorcycle helmet can save your life.

Four years ago today my friend Dee got into an extremely bad motorcycle accident. She was a passenger with a guy who was taking her for a ride. He was speeding and not paying attention and rear ended a truck. He ended up with a broken leg and some bad bruises and scratches. Dee on the other hand, well, she went flying and ended up going head first into a telephone pole. She was in a coma and the doctors said she may not make or would end up a vegetable. Well a week or so later she woke up. It was a long road of recovery but she’s doing a whole lot better now. (She’s even got a super cute little baby girl.)

The doctor said that her wearing a helmet was the thing that saved her life. And I just happened to be the one to make her wear it. I made her promise to keep it on and even tightened it up so it was on properly. Well after the crash she called me (and still does) her angel. (I still find that a bit weird) I just believe that it was the helmet; I’m a big advocate for wearing a helmet. It’s the one thing that will be between your head and the pavement if you go down.

Now, I’m telling you this story for two reasons. One; because I just can’t believe it’s been four years already and even though Dee went through that, she’s living a normal, healthy life. And two; if you’re going to ride a motorcycle, please, please always wear a helmet. Because it can be the sole thing that will save your life and it only takes a few moments to put one on.

Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution Season 2

So Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution Season 2 starts Tuesday, April 12 at 8pm (Eastern time) and I’m so happy it’s back but so incredibly pissed because it’s on the same time as NCIS. Damn ABC had to move it, last year it was on Friday, so hopefully I can get it on demand.

Anyway, if you haven’t heard of Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution you really need to check out his website, here.

He’s trying to get better food in public schools and if you have a child in a public school you should really get involved. I got involved last season because even though I don’t have kids, I think the kids need better food and someday I may have kids in public school. Plus I remember how bad and nasty the food in my school was and trust me, it hasn’t gotten any better.

What he’s all about is basically to get all the processed food out and bring in fresh veggies, fruits and low-fat milk.

At this point you might be thinking, why milk? I’ll tell you why, flavored milk that they give to kids has just as much, if not more sugar than soda! I almost fell on the floor when I found that out. It’s crazy and that’s why he’s going for better options, like low-fat milk.

So I ask you to join Jamie Olvier’s Food Revolution (with over 640,000 other people) , because even if you don’t have kids yourself, you might have a niece or nephew, grandchild, godchild or just have a friend who has kids, and they all deserve better school food.