FAMILY T R A D I T I O N

The title almost screams the refrain of the song from Fiddler on the Roof, doesn't it? I think it is an interesting concept though...

How many traditions do you and your family past or present have? I'm sure we share some of the traditional ones (like holiday celebrations). But some... I'm willing to bet some of mine are unique! Especially as I was growing up...

For Example:

* The parents have just announced that we are going out to dinner.

TRADITION: My sister and I dance the celebratory "Food Dance" in the kitchen.

* You are at a party and someone asks if you do any impressions of celebrities

TRADITION: If your sister is there, you break into a complete with choreography, a spirited rendition of "I'm a little bit Country, I'm a little bit Rock and Roll" by Donny and Marie.

* You and your sister decide you are going to go out clubbing

TRADITION: You eat a Sonic Burger to sop all of the alcohol you will ingest later.

* You and your sister get to the club and one forgets the order in which to switch alcohol.

TRADITION: The other sister reminds you that "Drink a beer first, then any kind of alcohol you want except for wine." Why? This hypothesis is a proven fact for sibling stomachs.

* You go to eat Mexican Food

TRADITION: Both of you use the tortilla chips in the basket by dipping them in the refried beans and then dipping into the fried rice. Because a man that looked like your Uncle did it a million years ago in a Monterey House restaurant and he took the time to school the both of us in fine dipping of Mexican food. It somehow tastes more delicious than eating it the regular way.

* You watch people on TV that have unusual facial expressions or speaking habits.

TRADITION: Both you and your sister begin to make fun of them.

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I love family traditions, don't you?

More Musings Later-

Things Everyone Should Do At Least Once In Their Life...

1. Take a Chance - on whatever it is that inspires or spurs your passion.

2. Go to New York City

3. While in New York City, go to a neighborhood pub and strike up conversation with the locals.

4. While in New York City, dine at Tavern on the Green.

5. Keep a Journal...and One day, it will keep you.

6. Make a point to say "Thank You" at least once a day.

7. Sing Karaoke and have fun with it.

8. Go Skinny Dipping...you'll never forget it.

9. Pay off all your debt, you will feel so powerful once you do.

10. Travel to a tropical island

11. Take a weekend trip with yourself.

12. Take a bubble bath, light candles and play relaxing music.

13. Get a massage

14. Go to Barnes & Noble and browse through all the books for an entire afternoon

15. Do whatever it takes to finish this sentence: "I'm so glad that I decided to __________ when I had the chance."

Make your own list, you'll be glad you did.

More Musings Later-

Deer in the Headlights

Last night we were traveling down Old Murfreesboro Road where the blackness of the night hung in the air as thick as pea soup fog.

I spotted a couple of cars that had stopped on the side of the road that had appeared to be in a fender bender situation. I slowed the car down and asked if we could help...a young man was visibly upset and told us that everyone was ok, but he hit a baby deer and it was hurt.

In the meantime, another young man was trying his best to grab the deer so that he could finish it off and proclaim the poor animal as "dinner". I yelled at him to ask if anyone called animal control or the ASPCA. He gave me a sour look and dropped the deer and left.

We quickly called the police and animal control and the 3 of us, strangers to all, stared at this beautiful deer in the night, trying to talk and soothe it's shattered nerves. The deer finally stopped struggling and watched us as much as we were watching it.

I could see the shallow panting and the blood on the ground that was spilled as he darted into traffic, smack dab into a Pontiac Vibe. I noticed the deer's tongue was soaked with blood and knew that it wasn't looking good for this little doe-eyed beauty. Hopefully, the animal expert would be here to sedate it and take care of it.

The swirling colors of blue, white and red filled up the sky as the cop soon arrived. He didn't say much except to check on the animal expert. The deer by now had grown accustomed to our faces and had a sense of trust that we were trying to help him.





The animal expert showed up and flashed a light on the deer. We offered ideas on how best to move the deer and asked if he was going to sedate it first.

He looked at us with disdain as he spoke to the cop quietly. "What are you going to do?" my partner asked. "Maam, step away from the animal." is all he would say. He had a huge bulbous stomach that had stretched out the ragged polo shirt he was wearing. He went to his truck and got a revolver.

We all 3 were incredulous. My partner demanded his badge number, to which he replied:

"Maam, step away from the animal. If you try to interfere with my job, I'll take you downtown." So there we had it...she had been threatened by the poster boy for "Hunters R Us". We all 3 looked at the doe again and began to cry. The little guy trusted that we were going to help him.

I can only hope that the gunshot ended his pain quickly. I know that for me, that gunshot is still ringing in my ears and isn't likely to stop my pain anytime soon.




More Musings Later-

Something to Share....the Intrigue Goes On...

Last night I was reading my emails that multiply faster than rabbits and decided to check my Gmail account.


There he was, Alan Solomon was online just starting the next day's work while I am winding down with mine from trom the previous day. That's how it is in China and Nashville.


So, I am reading my email and a new email with an attachment pops up suddenly. It's from Alan. I read it, and I am taken with it. I have a huge crazy grin on my face as he types out his proposal.

Yes, we are collaborating again on another book. Can we do it again? Stay tuned...

If you Build it, They will Come

What a nice early birthday gift.

More Musings Later-

The Bucket List

Loi Kroh Road, Chiang Mai, Thailand

The most mystical road in the world.

I've already walked it in my dreams, but would love to experience it in person.

The other day I saw an advertisement for a movie with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman's latest movie, entitled: "The Bucket List". Apparently, each of them are ill and want to experience adventures before they "Kick the Bucket". Hence, "The Bucket List."

It got me to thinking about my own Bucket List. I haven't really made one, but I have thoughts and ideas tucked away of things I would love to do and accomplish. So, without further adieu:

My Bucket List

1. Win the Pulitzer Prize for Best Fiction

for "The Mango Tree Cafe, Loi Kroh Road"


2. Write a One Woman Show for Broadway
Subject is in my mind, but yet to put pen to paper.

3. Create an Invention, Patent it and Sell it.

In progress (beginning stages)

4. Play in the World Poker Tour

In progress (beginning stages)

5. Travel to Thailand to actually walk Loi Kroh Road

We'll see, not sure I could fly for that long.

6. Create a Creative Writing Camp for Kids

Would love to take those "odd ducks" and have them realize how unique they are.

7. Have "The Mango Tree Cafe, Loi Kroh Road" made into a film.

Anyone know how to contact Sir Anthony Hopkins?

8. Learn how to fly an airplane

I think that would be so cool!

9. Be Invited to Oprah's show to discuss "The Mango Tree Cafe, Loi Kroh Road"

C'mon, you knew that was coming didn't you?

10. Tour Ernest Hemingway's home in Key West, Florida.
I want to see his 6 toed cats too!

11. Last but certainly not least, Before I die, I want to belly laugh.

Really laugh where the tears come and you are holding your stomach.

I want to appreciate the greatest of gifts as well as the smallest.

Lesbian Killers

The other evening, my partner and I had just finished a job for a client and we both hadn't eaten all day. Needless to say, we were starved and since we were out, we decided to get some dinner.

We found a restaurant that we both liked and decided to have dinner. We bellied up to the bar and ordered an appetizer and had a couple of drinks. The bar area was packed, mostly with young professionals after attending their office Christmas parties. So you could say....uh.....they were a tad tipsy.

As my partner and I were talking, I heard a fellow behind me say rather loudly, "I'm a Lesbian killer". I turned around and gave him an irritated look and he changed the subject with his companions. The minute I turned around, he started again, "I'm a Lesbian killer".

I looked at my partner, shook my head and wondered to myself: Do we really live in the year 2007, almost 2008 and have to contend with people that are ignorant and dare I say afraid of differentness? I guess it will always be that way.

So, instead of making a big deal of it, I turned around and continued talking to my partner who I adore and love to talk to. We giggled, laughed and talked about our day. And, suddenly, I wasn't so aware of when the boob behind me was "threatening" that he was a Lesbian killer.

Actually, I began to feel sorry for him. He must feel awfully insecure both as a person and as a man. No one should feel that way.

Not even a "Lesbian Killer."

More Musings Later....you can count on it.

The Time is NOW

2007 is coming to a close, and 2008 will be here before we can turn around good.

'Tis the season to get our "Chi" in order!

Let me ask you some questions...

• Are you living the best life you can live?


• Are you fulfilled?


• Are you prosperous in every way, not just financial?


• Are you able to do what you love?


• Are you inspired and interested?


• Do you feel peaceful?

If you answered NO to at least 1 of these questions, then my recommendation to you is to do yourself a favor and buy "The Secret". (Then you can buy "The Mango Tree Cafe, Loi Kroh Road", sorry, shameless plug).


For those who are interested in preparing for the new year by focusing on spiritual guidance, this post is for you! Enjoy!!

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Would you like a little Psychic Guidance?

meet George Anderson

Lisa Williams (my favorite at the moment)


John Edward - International Psychic Medium - Welcome to the only official website worldwide.

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How about Help with interpreting dreams?

Dream Symbols from the Edgar Cayce readings.

Dream Intuitive

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Find your purpose with Numerology

Monthly Numerology and Archive of Past Months : Shirley MacLaine

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Find out "The Secret"

The Secret :: Official Web Site of The Secret Movie :: Law of Attraction

TUTs Adventurers Club: Totally Unique Store

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Need a Barnes & Noble Day?
Buy ANYTHING By:

Edgar Cayce, The Sleeping Prophet

Wayne Dyer

Shirley MacLaine

Kalil Gibron

Lisa Williams
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Want to rent a funny, yet spiritually tinged movie?

"Defending Your Life" - Albert Brooks, Meryl Streep and a guest appearance by Shirley MacLaine.

One of my favorite all time movies!

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MEDITATE

Finally, make a point to meditate every day. No outlandish bells or whistles required. Simply sit in a room where it is quiet and peaceful. Close your eyes and practice deep breathing and relaxing your body. Do not think about any one thing. Clear your head. You may want to listen to some soothing music or just sit in silence. It is entirely up to you.

10 minutes of meditation will take years off your life. Try it.



Oh yeah, Happy 2008 Everyone!

Rest in Peace, Dan Fogelberg

For those who haven't heard...Dan Fogelberg passed away from Cancer at 6am this morning. He died with his wife, Jean by his side at home in Maine. He was 56 years old.

He leaves behind a wealth of songs and artistry. For me? I was slow to warm up to his music, but I remember when I did get hooked. The songs were "Stars" and "To the Morning."

Dan also used to lived in Kingston Springs, Tennessee which is about 30 minutes outside Nashville. Hearing stories around town of when he lived here made him feel like a neighbor even if he didn't live next door to me. I'll miss Dan. Thanks for the music and lyrics.

To The Morning

by Dan Fogelberg

Watching the sun...watching it come Watching it come up over the rooftops

Cloudy and warm...maybe a storm You can never quite tell from the morning

(Chorus)

And it's going to be a day There is really no way to say no to the morning

Yes it's going to be a day There is really nothing left to say but come on morning

Waiting for mail Maybe a tale from an old friend or even a lover Sometimes there's none

But we have fun thinking of all who might have written

(Chorus)

And maybe there are seasons And maybe they change

And maybe to love is not so strange

The sounds of the day Now they hurry away Now they are gone until tomorrow

When day will break and you will wake And you will rake your hands across your eyes and realize

That it's going to be a day There is really no way to say no to the morning

Yes it's going to be a day

There is really nothing left to say but come on morning

And maybe there are seasons and maybe they change

And maybe to love is not so strange

Dan Fogelberg

1951 - 2007

Come on Mornin, indeed....Rest in Peace.

Southernisms - Part II

By popular demand, I am offering some Southernisms for some Holiday Cheer!

Ann Richard-ism: "Poor George, He was born with a silver foot in his mouth"

Translation: None Needed. He's an idiot.

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Southernism: "I'm going to have a Come To Jesus meeting with Ralph"

Translation: I'm going to have a heart to heart conversation with Ralph.

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Southernism: "If you don't shut up, I'll shoot and take you from a rooster to a hen with one shot! And, don't think I can't do it!" Dolly Parton

Translation: If you refuse to be quiet, I'll shoot you in a strategic area that will cause you to speak in a high voice for life. And don't think I can't do it.
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Statement: "I feel sure I got the job"

Southernism Response: "There's many a slip between the cup and the lip."

Translation: You can't be certain until an offer is made.

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Southernism: "We're in a mell of a hess"

Translation: I don't wish to curse, but I intend to say, "We're in a Hell of a Mess".

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Southernism: The printer is printing documents wampy- jawed.

Translation: The printer is printing documents in a crooked fashion

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Southernism: "Wash up as far as possible, wash as far down as possible, then be sure to wash possible."

Translation: Take a shower or bath and be sure to wash your groin area.

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Southernism: "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush"

Translation: It's best to secure a sure thing rather than rely on a possibility.

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Mamaw-ism: "A problem is like white meat. The more you chew on it, the bigger it gets."

Translation: The more you think about your problems, the more it will consume all of your thoughts.

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Southernism: "I'm so hungry, my stomach's touchin' my backbone"

Translation: I'm very hungry, I haven't eaten anything all day.

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Mamaw-ism: "I see said the blind man to his deaf and dumb dog"

Translation: The statement you made doesn't make any sense.

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Southernism: "Opinions are like belly buttons, everyone's got one."

Translation: Everyone is going to have an opinion.

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Mom-ism: "I could squeeze a nickel so hard, I could make the buffalo take a crap."

Translation: I'm very frugal with money.

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Southernism: "That boy's not right. He's one fry short of a happy meal"

Translation: That boy doesn't seem to have all his mental facilities.

Who Would YOU Invite to Dinner?

I've had people in the past ask me this question: "If you could invite anyone, living or dead to a dinner party, who would it be? I thought it was an interesting question and gave me cause to reflect and you know writers love that sort of thing.

So, I decided to give me list of "Who I would invite to my dinner party, living or dead" By the way, no fair on listing God, Jesus etc. We're talking PEOPLE, ok?

My Dinner Party List

1. Oprah Winfrey
2. Maya Angelou
3. Laura Ingalls Wilder
4. Ann Richards
5. Whoopi Goldberg
6. Lisa Williams, (psychic)
7. Shirley MacLaine
8. Ernest Hemingway
9. Ellen Degeneres
10. Bette Midler

Attire: Your most comfortable pajamas because we will have a sleep over afterward. (I'm going to make wearing your pj's in public popular. If Hugh Hefner can do it, so can I)

Why did I choose these guests?
Oprah Winfrey - She is a teacher to many and I would love to learn
Maya Angelou - She is the one who mentored Oprah...When she speaks, people should shut up and listen.
Laura Ingalls Wilder - I would love to ask her questions about her childhood. What she thinks of her popular childrens books
Ann Richards - I LOVE this woman. I want to be Ann Richards when I grow up.
Whoopi Goldberg - A wise woman with alot of truth. Not to mention she is hysterical
Lisa Williams - I would have alot of questions for her. She is the most amazing psychic I've ever seen. That and she is just so darn pleasant!
Shirley MacLaine - The big hitter of metaphysical teachings. She is very smart.
Ernest Hemingway - I would like to ask him about his life in Key West, what drove him, what he thought about his writing and how he got into the "writing zone".
Ellen Degeneres - When we have crammed our heads full of wisdom, we can take a dance break! That and I think Ellen is a geniunely good person and is funny as hell.
Bette Midler - The most outrageous performer...truly a yen and yang personality. I would love to get to know her better.

More Musings Later-

I've Been Tagged!

Mindy Schwartz tagged me and everyone that is "tagged" has to answer these 5 questions and tag 5 more people. Let's see what lurks in my psyche, shall we?

1. How long have you been blogging?
I believe it was the beginning of 2006....I remember I was blogging my "countdown" of when I could leave Corporate America. Ahhhhh, the stench of Corporate America is forever seared in my brain.



2. What inspired you to start a blog and who are your mentors?
The beginning of my FULL TIME writing career is what inspired me to start blogging.

One of my mentors is Paula McNeal. She truly showed me that NOTHING is impossible. If you can think it or dream it, then you can GO AFTER YOUR DREAM. Thank you, Paula.





Foster Winans-Ghostwriter, Editor, Lecturer

The fellow to the right is Foster Winans. He is the first well-known journalist to correspond with me and offer to look at my work. And WHOA did he look at my work. He ripped me to shreds, but he did it honestly and with integrity. It doesn't get any better than that.

Here are some snippets of emails he left me (not to mention he even called me on the phone, which almost left me speechless.)

Email Correspondence after sending my work to him:

"I scanned through everything and see that you have a broad range of interests and accumulated knowledge... I am a cruel and heartless editor who has had almost forty years of mistakes behind him, so I consider it my obligation to be honest. That's all it is, honesty. And the crankiness of age. I encourage you to challenge yourself more as a writer, and to be much more careful as a proof-reader...

There is too much starch and not enough protein in your writing. Even someone who is an expert on a subject needs to cite examples, details, stats, anything, to support their argument, to show they know the subject.Your nonfiction work lacks anchor points, and in their absence tries too hard to sound important. You are telling when you should be showing... You sound like a smart person who has an interest in growing. So I repeat–challenge yourself...

I will leave you with my standard homily: it's never a question of "Is it (or am I) any good?" The question should always be, "Is it the best I can make it and, if not, how can I make it better?" Keep plugging away, don't give up!"

Regards, Foster

3. Are you trying to make money online, or just doing it for fun?

Do what for fun??? LOL! Making money is the way to have fun online!





4. What 3 things do you struggle with online?

1. First and foremost, spending too much time on answering or looking at emails. Most of the time I have to MAKE myself get completely offline when I work on a client's project.
2. Secondly, TIME to explore and do everything I should do in a day. It's as if the days fly by...I always wish I had more time to work online.
3. Thirdly, PASSWORDS to everything and anything! I hate it! My memory is shot, and I have to write down or keep old emails of logins and passwords to blogs, and everything else online.
   

5. What 3 things do you love about being online?

1. I LOVE learning new things and finding little treasures along the way as I surf the net.
2. I love the fact that information is at my fingertips.
3. I love corresponding with friends and family instantaneously via instant messaging. I really enjoy getting emails from my friend, Alan in Beijing, China....it boggles my mind when we "instant chat".

I also love doing these little surveys!

Watch your email.....I'm getting ready to tag!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

The Girl Next Door is PSYCHIC

I don't know about you, but I have discovered a new psychic that is quickly becoming more well-known than John Edwards. And, much more likeable too!

Her name is Lisa Williams and she is a spiky-haired, British young woman with a striking resemblance to Liza Minnelli that happens to be psychic. She is amazingly accurate as well as open and friendly to people. The thing that irritated me most was that Edward's machine gun, rapid-fire speech had me straining to keep up with his descriptions and insight. Williams' speech is pleasant and she seems to care quite alot about people and helping them cope with loved ones living on the other side.

I watched Larry King this last week and he had motor mouth Edwards, Lisa Williams and author, actress Shirley MacLaine. I say, let Edwards take up announcing horse races and spend the entire hour on Williams and MacLaine. The two women had so much insight to offer that I found myself transfixed from start to finish. I'm an admirer of Shirley MacLaine for many years as she is quite brilliant as an author and researcher not to mention a master as an actress. Anyone remember her role in "Defending your Life?" her playful approach to poking fun at herself is what I enjoy most about her.

That, and when a guest was confident his theory of energy and time relativity was accurate and Stephen Hawking's theories weren't. MacLaine's subtle roll of the eyes was priceless.

Alot of people like to play "Who Would" with each other. As in "Who would you like to have dinner with most?" or "Who would you like to have for a sleepover?"

Thinking back to my girlhood days, I would most like to have Lisa Williams over for a slumber party. I bet she would have more to offer than trying to levitate the other girls in the party or telling a scary story with the lights out and a flashlight on under her chin.

More Musings Later- OOOOoooommmmmmmmmmm

Just a "Friendly" little Poker Game

Every once in awhile, I like to go to this pub I know of where they play poker in the backroom.

It's a beer only joint and the people are really nice. Now, as you can imagine, the place has been around forever and the clientelle are an older group of folks, which suits me fine. Well, this last Saturday night, I dragged my partner to this game. She called a friend and they drank beer and watched tv in the bar area while I got my fix of Texas Hold'em.

So, I see the small group of men moving into the backroom. They are lighting up their cigars and cigarettes and counting chips as I move in with them. The men have accepted that I am a bit "different" then the rest of the gals that frequent this place and in their best 'don't ask, don't tell' liberalism, we all get along just fine.

So, I belly up to the poker table and begin playing. I was having an awesome night. People were starting to pour in to the room to watch us play. I eliminated several regulars by catching an incredible River card. Moans and groans are heard loudly as I scrape the mounded chips in the middle of the table toward me.

Now let me set the scene: Most of the regulars can't remember my name, so my nickname is "Baby Girl". I always silently chuckle at that term, cause I am anything but.

Well the oldtimer I was playing wanted to win. BAD. He kept offering me some money to stop playing poker and let him win. Nope, I wanted to play a complete game.

Then it happened. It's as quiet as library when the flop comes down. He looks at me and says, "I bet 2000 chips". He stares at me to show he's all business.

I pause and the oldtimer says, "Baby Girl is about to fold!" and he hoots and has already spent his winnings.

"All in," I replied quietly.

He stops in mid-crow and stares at me. the Turn and the River are flipped over and I throw down my hand.

The whole room hollered and whooped it up cause "Baby Girl" beat the oldtimer. The oldtimer has a hard time accepting this and is even calling me by my real name. That's not a good sign, calling me Taryn.

So, after alot of talking, alot of handshakes. I went into the bar and sat next to oldtimer. He wouldn't look at me. I asked the bartender, "Buy him one on me, ok?". He grits his teeth and nods his thanks.

I sat there for a few more moments and knew my winning wasn't worth this. I knew I could do it and I did. So I took out my winnings of my pocket and pushed it toward him. He looked at me dumbfounded and said, "What?"

"Take what you believe is fair." He looked at me for a long time and reached for my money. He thumbed through it and split it 5o/50. I nodded and he was happy. "Thanks for the beer, Baby Girl".

With all my differentness and all his conservative beliefs, this much I learned about poker that night:

"You got to know when to fold'em, and know when to pick your battles".





More Musings Later-

Bill O'Reilly, looking out for us?

Why is it that television hosts, authors, political strategists and the like feel the need to "look after America?"

Bill O'Reilly even wrote a book stating that he was looking after us. Excuse me, but I have a brain and use it on a regular basis. Just because Mr. O'Reilly has certain ideas and beliefs doesn't make them correct. They are opinions which is his right, in America. It doesn't mean he is the voice of reason, intellect or even sanity.

He behaves much in the same fashion as a 12 year old boy these days. Good Lord, he even sent his producer and cameraman down to a Barnes & Noble book signing to disrupt Rosie O'Donnell's booksigning of "Celebrity Detox"

Hey Bill, you want Rosie on the show, try asking her on. If she says "NO", then ACCEPT IT.

You see, if people looked a little deeper, they might be inclined to see that it's not about "Looking after us", it's really about "Looking after Bill". Is it rating sweeps already??

Get over yourself.

More Musings Later-

As the Tennessee Titans Turn....

Yes, I am a HUGE Tennessee Titan fan. But lately, it seems that this football team is becoming a soap opera. What do you mean, you ask?

Pacman Jones - He's bad news. He can't even get a wrestling gig. Why in the hell hasn't Bud Adams cut this guy loose? I say cut our losses and move on. Coach Fisher keeps saying it, but as long as he is listed on the roster, he will be the proverbial ball and chain.

Pacman "Liability" Jones

Last Year's Titans - They were so pitiful it was sad. Then the heavens parted and a certain quarterback by the name of Vince Young took the reins and invigorated an offense that was all but flatlining.

Vince Young - This guy is incredibly talented. He is winning all these awards as a rookie and deservedly so.

Vince Young - This guy is incredibly talented and KNOWS IT. That can be big trouble. Maybe we're a little gun-shy (no pun intended) from the Pacman years, but when I watched CBS's 60 minutes feature on Vince, I became a little anxious. It made me know that Coach Fisher has his hands full. Containing a young quarterback, bringing him along slowly and firmly letting him know he is not above anyone else on the team.

Coach Fisher - His job is tougher than anyone knows. He has to put up with the press in Nashville...not to mention NFL press, he has to put up with Bud Adams, Pacman Jones questions, Vince Young's ego, and the multitudes of other issues that all NFL headcoaches deal with.

Coach Jeff Fisher

I don't know....I still love my TN Titans but I'll feel better when Vince matures a bit and is one less thing for the fans to worry about. I think we got spoiled to Steve McNair. I know I did.

Here's hoping #10 can be more like #9.

Steve McNair after a game with Vince Young

Ann Coulter Plunges to all New L-O-W

The transcripts of Donny Deutch's conversation with Ann Coulter takes on an all time new low. Decide for yourself if Ann Coulter is an idiot or if her thoughts that the "Jews need to 'perfect' themselves into Christians is anti-Semitic.

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Ann Coulter Plunges to an All New L-O-W

Just when I think the woman can't spew any further vitriolic rhetoric, she proves me wrong. I am absolutely speechless.

Just so you can ascertain your own opinion, I am posting her entire diatribe. I warn you, this is not for the faint of heart. Read at your own risk of becoming as jaded toward politics as I am.

Ann Coulter on CNBC Show: Jews Need 'Perfecting' By E&P Staff Published: October 11, 2007 12:15 AM ET updated 1:30 PM ET
NEW YORK Appearing on Donny Deutsch's CNBC show, "The Big Idea," on Monday night, columnist/author Ann Coulter suggested that the U.S. would be a better place if there weren't any Jewish people and that they needed to "perfect" themselves into -- Christians.

It led Deutsch to suggest that surely she couldn't mean that, and when she insisted she did, he said this sounded "anti-Semitic."Asked by Deutsch whether she wanted to be like "the head of Iran" and "wipe Israel off the Earth," Coulter stated: "No, we just want Jews to be perfected, as they say. ... That's what Christianity is. We believe the Old Testament."

Deutsch told E&P's sibling magazine, Adweek, today, "I was offended. And then, and this was interesting, she started to back off and seemed a little upset."

Asked to gauge her reaction, Deutsch said, "I think she got frightened that maybe she had crossed a line, that this was maybe a faux pas of great proportions. I mean, did it show ignorance? Anti-Semitism? It wasn't just one of those silly things."A transcript, provided by Media Matters, follows.

*DEUTSCH: Christian -- so we should be Christian? It would be better if we were all Christian?

COULTER: Yes.

DEUTSCH: We should all be Christian?

COULTER: Yes. Would you like to come to church with me, Donny?

DEUTSCH: So I should not be a Jew, I should be a Christian, and this would be a better place?

COULTER: Well, you could be a practicing Jew, but you're not.

DEUTSCH: I actually am. That's not true. I really am. But -- so we would be better if we were - if people -- if there were no Jews, no Buddhists --

COULTER: Whenever I'm harangued by --

DEUTSCH: -- in this country? You can't believe that.

COULTER: -- you know, liberals on diversity --

DEUTSCH: Here you go again.

COULTER: No, it's true. I give all of these speeches at megachurches across America, and the one thing that's really striking about it is how utterly, completely diverse they are, and completely unself-consciously. You walk past a mixed-race couple in New York, and it's like they have a chip on their shoulder. They're just waiting for somebody to say something, as if anybody would. And --

DEUTSCH: I don't agree with that. I don't agree with that at all. Maybe you have the chip looking at them. I see a lot of interracial couples, and I don't see any more or less chips there either way. That's erroneous.

COULTER: No. In fact, there was an entire Seinfeld episode about Elaine and her boyfriend dating because they wanted to be a mixed-race couple, so you're lying.

DEUTSCH: Oh, because of some Seinfeld episode? OK.

COULTER: But yeah, I think that's reflective of what's going on in the culture, but it is completely striking that at these huge megachurches -- the idea that, you know, the more Christian you are, the less tolerant you would be is preposterous.

DEUTSCH: That isn't what I said, but you said I should not -- we should just throw Judaism away and we should all be Christians, then, or --

COULTER: Yeah.

DEUTSCH: Really?

COULTER: Well, it's a lot easier. It's kind of a fast track.

DEUTSCH: Really?

COULTER: Yeah. You have to obey.

DEUTSCH: You can't possibly believe that.

COULTER: Yes.

DEUTSCH: You can't possibly -- you're too educated, you can't -- you're like my friend in --

COULTER: Do you know what Christianity is? We believe your religion, but you have to obey.

DEUTSCH: No, no, no, but I mean --

COULTER: We have the fast-track program.

DEUTSCH: Why don't I put you with the head of Iran? I mean, come on. You can't believe that.

COULTER: The head of Iran is not a Christian.

DEUTSCH: No, but in fact, "Let's wipe Israel" --

COULTER: I don't know if you've been paying attention.

DEUTSCH: "Let's wipe Israel off the earth." I mean, what, no Jews?

COULTER: No, we think -- we just want Jews to be perfected, as they say.

DEUTSCH: Wow, you didn't really say that, did you?

COULTER: Yes. That is what Christianity is. We believe the Old Testament, but ours is more like Federal Express. You have to obey laws. We know we're all sinners --

DEUTSCH: In my old days, I would have argued -- when you say something absurd like that, there's no --

COULTER: What's absurd?

DEUTSCH: Jews are going to be perfected. I'm going to go off and try to perfect myself --

COULTER: Well, that's what the New Testament says.

DEUTSCH: Ann Coulter, author of If Democrats Had Any Brains, They'd Be Republicans, and if Ann Coulter had any brains, she would not say Jews need to be perfected. I'm offended by that personally. And we'll have more Big Idea when we come back. [...]

DEUTSCH: Welcome back to The Big Idea. During the break, Ann said she wanted to explain her last comment. So I'm going to give her a chance. So you don't think that was offensive?

COULTER: No. I'm sorry. It is not intended to be. I don't think you should take it that way, but that is what Christians consider themselves: perfected Jews. We believe the Old Testament. As you know from the Old Testament, God was constantly getting fed up with humans for not being able to, you know, live up to all the laws. What Christians believe -- this is just a statement of what the New Testament is -- is that that's why Christ came and died for our sins. Christians believe the Old Testament. You don't believe our testament.

DEUTSCH: You said -- your exact words were, "Jews need to be perfected." Those are the words out of your mouth.

COULTER: No, I'm saying that's what a Christian is.

DEUTSCH: But that's what you said -- don't you see how hateful, how anti-Semitic --

COULTER: No!

DEUTSCH: How do you not see? You're an educated woman. How do you not see that?

COULTER: That isn't hateful at all.

DEUTSCH: But that's even a scarier thought.

***********************************************************************

I think Donny Deutsch "Gets it".

More Musings Later-

Suze Orman - Livin' in a Van Down by the River!

You heard me. Suze Orman, financial guru and multi-millionaire television host actually used to live in a VW van in her younger years.

No, she didn't live down by the river, that is actually my homage to Chris Farley's hilarious skit about the motivational speaker gone wrong. Anyway, I caught a PBS show where Orman was discussing her meager beginnings and I was just amazed. I would have thought that she went to an Ivy league college and walk all the usual steps to becoming wealthy. Not so. If this gal can do it, we all can. And, she'll tell you that, too. That's one of the reasons I like her so much. She is a bit strange in her communication style, but that is her quirky way.

It turns out that when she was in her 20's, she was a Californian trying to find herself. She didn't have any money and she borrowed enough money from her brother to buy a beat up, VW van and she drove it to San Francisco. She became a waitress at a breakfast diner and lived in her van.

Chris Farley doing his skit as Matt Foley, "Living in a Van Down By the River"

After living life this way for quite some time, she began quizzing one of her regular customers about business and how to make money. Her regular gave her some money to invest in the stock market and he instructed her to have a broker from a well-known brokerage company assist her. That is exactly what she did and became fascinated with the industry. She lost all the money that her regular gave her because the broker invested her money in funds she knew nothing about and didn't take the time to explain the risks involved and so forth.

To him, she was just another "little lady" trying to make a buck or two. Well, she decided to break the "Good ole boy" barrier and apply for a job with this same brokerage. After much determination and selling herself to the interviewer, she was hired and began learning all she could about investments. She learned she could sue the brokerage for not investing her funds based upon her knowledge level at the time. So, she sued her employer WHILE she worked for them.

She won millions of dollars in a lawsuit. She paid her regular back for loaning the money and the rest is history.

One interesting story from a "little lady living in a van down by the river".

More Musings Later-

So What do you make of Iran's President coming to New York?

I don't know...sometimes I scratch my head and think to myself, "What in the world are these people thinking?"

Sure, I'm all for inviting speakers with different points of view to speak in our country. It's one of the things that make our country so great. BUT....c'mon, we're not asking an economist to come to New York and make a speech.

We're talking about the President of IRAN. And, while I understood and related to the gentleman who introduced the President, I cringed because the guest was able to put himself in a favorable light by reminding an American of allowing other views to speak before condeming them.

I cringed and it made me mad. Here we were...holding our collective breath in one of our treasured cities who has taken a beating from terrorists in the past. And, in my opinion, we were taking a real chance on his visiting New York City. But, our democracy is just that. It's not always easy to be an American. We have to listen to all voices and not just a few, and when the voice is drenched in lies and half-truths, you have to trust that people will listen carefully.

It's not always easy to trust, is it?

More Musings Later-

If I Did It, by OJ Simpson

If I Did It...

I wouldn't smirk for my mug shot

I wouldn't sign autographs before and after my court arraignment

I wouldn't write a book detailing the gruesome details of how I murdered my ex-wife and her friend.

I wouldn't be able to look my children in the face after what I had done.

I wouldn't do television appearances to "clear my good name".

I wouldn't break into a hotel room with my friends armed with guns demanding my memorabilia.

I wouldn't involve myself in another relationship. Especially with a woman that favors my previous murder victim.

I would request to stay in jail instead of posting bail.

I would want to die from the guilt and pain I've caused so many others.

But that's me.

Closing Thought: Leave the "IF" out of it. He did it and the blood he spilled will forever stain his hands and his soul.

More Musings Later-