CASH MOB ST PAUL MN NOVEMBER EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

Our fifth Cash Mob St Paul MN (CMSPM) get-together is heralded!! Help support a local business by spending at least $20 cash at this event (okay to spend less).

CMSPM Event #5
Date: Saturday, November 24th, 2012
Times: 11am-Business AND Noon-Restaurant (okay to arrive late or shop on another date)
Location: TO BE ANNOUNCED a day or two before the event, please check back for details.

NOMINATE A BUSINESS WITH A NEARBY RESTAURANT before Saturday, November 10th. Location can be anywhere in Ramsey, Dakota or Washington Counties. Please post the establishments name (with website, if possible) on the Event page. (Sorry, no chain stores or franchises qualify.) We’ll shop at the business at 11am and then eat at the restaurant (must be within walking distance of the business). www.facebook.com/#!/events/299196923518470

The cash mob rules are simple:
1. Spend $20 cash (more or less but cash does speed up the check out process),
2. Chat with three people that you don’t know but please bring along a friend or two, and
3. Enjoy yourself! We want this to be a fun experience for everyone.

On the CMSPM Facebook (FB) page:
* Please RSVP with “Join” if you can make it; invite your FB Friends; and SHARE THIS INVITATION WITH OTHERS via FB by posting on your personal page. Help spread the word to non-FB folks (see next paragraph for details).
* If you can’t attend, you can temporarily indicate a “Maybe” to invite your FB friends and then decline at a later date.
* Please decline before the event if you have to cancel. It’s rude to be a no-show.
* “Like” our FB community page at “Cash Mob St Paul MN” to receive notification of future events and invite your FB Friends to join us, too! www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Cash-Mob-St-Paul-MN/297499490345966

We welcome other methods of advertising our efforts, if you would like to co-host or publicize this event in another way, such as MeetUp or another FB group. Please send a message via our FB page and keep us informed as to the numbers of people attending. The more the merrier!

Optional: Wear something green to the occasion to indicate that you are a member of the Cash Mob…just an idea, not a requirement.

Thank you ever so much!

PS If you can’t join us for this happening, please patronize the business another time and let them know that you heard about their entrepreneurial efforts from Cash Mob St Paul MN.

Mobfully Yours!
© 2012 Ima B. Musing

COLLECTING SUMMER

Crunchy leaves
Falling from trees
Bare limbs reaching for the sky
The birds fly
South to the warmth
Wish that I could follow
Instead, I rake.

© 2012 Ima B. Musing

GET OFF YOUR BUTT

Its so difficult to find parking, oh the line is so long, whine whine, moan moan. Enough already! Voting is your civic duty. You owe it to your ancestors and every single person who has suffered, sacrificed or died to obtain or maintain American democracy. My ancestors (with the exception of my Native American heritage) journeyed to the United States hoping for a better life. When a citizen chooses not to vote, they are disrespecting their elders as well as mine.

What is most disturbing is that people who are politically moderate or liberal don’t vote at the same rate as people who are politically conservative. Why? Is it because moderates and liberals are optimists and assume that their candidates and causes will win due to logic? What utter nonsense. The Presidential contest as well as both amendment issues in Minnesota are neck-and-neck this year. What will matter is the actual vote. Don’t do absentee balloting unless you absolutely have to because if you mess up the outer envelope, it will be rejected.

Grab a cup of coffee and a neighbor/roomie and venture to your polling place on Tuesday, November 6th. Due to redistricting, make certain that you are going to the correct location. The polls are open for thirteen hours, 7am to 8pm. The lines tend to be longest in the morning so visit during lunchtime or after work. Consider it as entertaining as the State Fair, terrific for people watching. Bring leftover Halloween candy to share with people waiting in line. Make it a little party. Maybe you’ll procure new friends or meet someone cute. Smile, laugh and celebrate wearing the “I Voted” sticker. It would be terrific if business owners would give away a free dessert or cup of coffee/tea to people wearing the sticker on Election Day. I’ll be working as an Election Judge.

www.vote411.org for polling location finder, do it before you go to vote!

VOTE November 6th!
© 2012 Ima B. Musing

FOUR MORE

Barack Obama and Joseph Biden will be procuring my vote on November 6th, 2012. They are the better choice. Granted, I’ve been disappointed. The sluggish economy is reliant upon global issues so only a part of the system hinges upon the Presidential Administration. The President needs the cooperation of the US Congress to alter laws to protect the investor and rev up the economy. Unfortunately, the current Congress has been profoundly obstinate and refuses to compromise in a mature manner. If they behave that irresponsibly at home, no Members of Congress will remain in a long-term relationship.

At least Obama did get the Health Care Reform bill passed, aka Obamacare. It will have a positive impact as it gets implemented. My part-time employer doesn’t offer me health insurance. I am terrified if something bad would happen. I haven’t been to a medical doctor for over three years. The French health care system is the most logical model so hopefully the US will tweak our system to match their success.

Executive Orders have accomplished a lot. Ending the ridiculous “Don’t Ask: Don’t Tell” policy in the military is an achievement. Expanding open job positions for women in the military is tremendously powerful. Implementing the auto buy-back program to encourage people to dispose of their gas-guzzlers was terrific (wish I would have had the funds to participate). Lots of good work, despite the childish Congress. I do hope they bring in more “out of the Beltway” people into the Administration. Washington, DC has morphed into a nasty conceited zone. The Beltway strangles the rest of the country because it’s arrogance and blindness to reality. The real United States exists outside of the Beltway and coastal minions.

Unaffiliated is my political choice. I have been a member of the Democrats, Independents, and flirted with the Socialist Greens. I’m a social liberal and fiscal moderate. I don’t really fit into any major political group. I have served as the Head Election Judge, volunteered for numerous political campaigns, and been the State Chairperson of a couple large political groups. When the partisan bickering became poisonous about ten years ago I quit. I didn’t want my personal life bandied about and the advent of the Internet has its drawbacks regarding rumors and hatemongering. I still vote, though.

www.barackobama.com

Vote for Obama-Biden
© 2012 Ima B. Musing

COUNT EVERY ONE

My family has been active in the military since at least the Civil War. They fought, were battered and bruised or died for the United States of America. They sought to uphold the freedoms that we enjoy as citizens of a democratic nation. One of those rights and privileges is a “free and fair” election process. Women and people of ethnic diversity were only awarded those rights during the past 100 years and now there is a proposed Minnesota Constitutional Amendment that would disproportionately affect these people. Our ancestors would be appalled.

Yes, it is a nice concept to have every voter display photographic identification when they cast a ballot. However, a photo ID is difficult to attain for many people. My parents were born on the farm and didn’t obtain birth certificates until they needed a passport to travel. Many elders are in that situation; it would be nearly impossible to prove that they were born in the US. An estimated 140,000 Minnesotans who are completely qualified to vote would not have access to the polls. The blood of my ancestors would have been shed in vain.

Also troubling are the additional provisions of the amendment. As a Head Election Judge for several years, I observed how important same-day registration was for voters. First, many people move after the pre-registration date (October 15th of this year) and would be disqualified if this amendment passes. Second, members of the military (which includes my family) would be forced to do a two-step ballot and there is a high probability that their vote would never be counted. What a terrible irony. Third, county governments would be forced to locate money to pay for items required by the amendment. Not exactly fiscally prudent, now is it?

Finally, it is very uncommon to have a contested campaign conclusion. Very few campaigns end with a close vote. Technically, the opportunity for an “illegal” vote to sway the result of an election is miniscule. I’m willing to take that risk to ensure access for all the people who would have trouble attaining a photo ID and for multitude that would be barred by the other provisions of the amendment. That is why I will mark NO on the Anti-Voting Amendment in Minnesota on November 6th, 2012.

www.ourvoteourfuture.org

Two NOs make a Right!
© 2012 Ima B. Musing

AFFIRMING LOVE

He was taught it was evil and unnatural. It was dangerous to explore in rural Minnesota. He believes that that God condemns it. More than seven decades of self-loathing, over fifty years of marriage, and numerous prodigy did not heal him. Prayer only brought more pain. He hates the fact that his soul desires the companionship of another man. He has had numerous affairs with men and continues to view online pornography. He is my father.

I kinda realized that my dear old dad was at least bi-sexual in grade school. He had issues of Playgirl tucked away in the basement. Though I thought it was strange, he couldn’t be gay if he was married, right? I was naive and decided that someone must have sent him the magazines as a joke. During high school he and my mom had a huge fight about his ongoing affair. He said it didn’t count since no children could be born, again, I didn’t comprehend the insinuation.

Once I entered college, my best friend came out to me as gay. He was concerned that I would reject him because of my conservative faith. I had already separated myself from organized religion and we remained friends. We became closer because he could be completely honest with me. However, he gently pointed out to me that my dad was probably gay. HIV/AIDS was a new diagnosis and it frightened me. I gathered up prevention brochures and discreetly placed them in my dad’s office. I didn’t want him to contract the disease and give it to my mom. He never acknowledged their presence.

During the ensuing years, my dad has developed a fascination with my gay friends. He constantly asks how the couples are doing. My heart breaks for him. He hasn’t been able to be truthful about his sexuality and has suffered greatly. I think that he loved my mom but that faded long ago. Decades of misery together. They should have divorced and each located a good man for companionship.

I’ve made it clear to my father that homosexuality is a gift from the Creator (however it is defined, if it exists at all). He has never discussed his sexuality with me. I just wonder what would have happened if he could have been candid from the beginning. I know that I would not of been born but at least he and my mother would have had a better chance of being happy separately. He is now taking care of her since her dementia is getting worse every day.

I will vote NO to the Anti-Marriage Amendment ballot question in Minnesota on November 6th, 2012. I will vote NO in honor of my father and all the self-homophobic people like him. The Minnesota State Constitution should never limit rights or mandate morality. My dad deserves to love himself and be loved by a terrific man.

P.S. This is not “outing” my father, even if you read all my blogs you would not know the community where my family resides. If I were writing under my real name I would never discuss this topic openly, I would not risk causing him more discomfort.

UPDATE: Minnesotans wisely voted to defeat this amendment, the first state to stop this type of horrendous amendment. YEAH!

www.mnunited.org

Love is Love.
© 2012 Ima B. Musing

IMA’S BOOKWORM REVIEW, VOLUME III, ISSUE 3

Worm ranking: Four = Very Good; Three and a half = Good; Three worms = Fair, but readable; Two and a half worms = So-So (don’t bother). The worms are very pernickety.

Objects of My Affection by Jill Somolinski Four worms
Surprisingly delightful examination of complicated issues. Strong character development and interesting storyline. Makes the reader want to clean out a closet. Romantic elements didn’t become tedious until near the end. Perfect for a book club.

Devine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells Three and a half worms
Humorous strong storyline became confusing when the narrative leapt through time and changed voices. May have been better to write as multiple book epic with more development of all the Ya-Ya members.

Murder Most Austen by Tracy Kiely Three worms
Clever alliterations to Jane Austen novels. Author ruined the suspense by stating who would die in the first chapter. Likeable main character with witty humor and detailed descriptions of the venue. Some logic errors didn’t add up.

The Turtle-Girl from East PukaPuka by Cole Alpaugh Two and a half worms
Beautiful brilliant descriptions ruined by author’s fixation on physical pleasure. Sections of the book qualify as soft porn. Could have used another chapter to wrap up the story.

The Map of Lost Memories by Kim Fay Two and a half worms
Characters needed more development. Interesting to learn more about the beginning of communist movement in China. Good description of travel through the luscious jungle. You could almost smell and taste the portrayal of portage.

Seeking suggestions for a dazzling book, please leave a note.

Worms rule!
© 2012 Ima B. Musing

MY ACHY BREAKY JOINTS

Arthritis is rampant on both sides of my family. I experienced pangs in my shoulders during high school. My left knee began to indicate forthcoming rain/snow in my 20s, it is sensitive to air pressure change. During my 30s my hips, ankles and right knee would occasionally hurt. No big deal a pain murderer would block the discomfort.

When I turned 40 my body began to deteriorate. Eyesight worsened, fatigue, insomnia, and the joints in my hands began to swell and ache. It probably doesn’t help that I am overweight. The strain only places more pressure on my joints. Naughty me.

I watched my paternal grandmother bow over with a dowagers hump as her osteoporosis destroyed her spine. Her hands shriveled into stumps as the arthritis twisted the bone, muscle and tendons into claws. My dad has some arthritis but his sisters and niece are badly affected. My maternal grandmother Daisy had aches but died before they wrecked her body. My mom’s back hurts so much that she was immobilized for most of last winter. Her arthritis is made worse because she was born premature and her body didn’t quite develop correctly. I suspect that it is spina bifida but I don’t know if she’s been diagnosed.

I have a very mild case of spina bifida. One of my spinal bones is not fully formed and it slightly exposes the tender bits. It wasn’t diagnosed until six years ago. I was in a car accident (not my fault) and I had to see a chiropractor. The doctor took x-rays and it showed the slight abnormality. That explains why an old beau would hurt me when he would sweetly offer to massage my back and press in that area – the pain was excruciating. Unwittingly, he could have caused me great harm if he’d pressed too hard on the spinal nerve. I don’t blame my mom if my condition is due to lack of folic acid. The research wasn’t available at that time. I just have to be careful not to press that area of my back since it will always be vulnerable.

Back to the joints. Lots of research but little progress to stop or reduce arthritis. You can only block the pain. I have found that taking a glucosamine supplement does help to reduce the swelling. It is sad to watch my fingers start to twist. The joints are slightly swollen most of the time and hurt some of the time. This year my left elbow began to constantly ache. The pain is most apparent while trying to sleep because I can maintain some type of distraction during the day. I need to lose weight and join a Hatha Yoga class as soon as I can afford it. The stretching and breathing has always been helpful.

Getting older sucks.
© 2012 Ima B. Musing

CASH MOB ST PAUL MN EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

Our fourth Cash Mob St Paul MN (CMSPM) gathering is announced!! Help support a local business by spending at least $20 cash at this event (okay to spend less). We cover the entire East Metro area (Dakota, Ramsey, and Washington counties).

CMSPM Event #4
Date: Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012
Time: 6pm (okay to arrive late or shop on another date)
Location: West St. Paul (the city) TO BE ANNOUNCED a day or two before the event, please check back for details. www.facebook.com/#!/events/383460261724863/

We are seeking nominations for our October event, in the city of West St. Paul (geographically located south of downtown St. Paul). Please post the establishment’s name (with website, if possible) on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/Cash-Mob-St-Paul-MN before noon on October 14th. (Sorry, no chain stores or franchises qualify.)

The cash mob rules are simple:
1. Spend $20 cash (more or less but cash does speed up the check out process),
2. Chat with three people that you don’t know but please bring along a friend or two, and
3. Enjoy yourself! We want this to be a fun experience for everyone.

On the CMSPM Facebook (FB) page:
* Please RSVP with “Join” if you can make it; invite your FB Friends; and SHARE THIS INVITATION WITH OTHERS via FB by posting on your personal page. Help spread the word to non-FB folks (see next paragraph for details).
* If you can’t attend, you can temporarily indicate a “Maybe” to invite your FB friends and then decline at a later date.
* Please decline before the event if you have to cancel.
* “Like” our FB community page at “Cash Mob St Paul MN” to receive notification of future events and invite your FB Friends to join us, too!

We welcome other methods of advertising our efforts, if you would like to co-host or publicize this event in another way, such as MeetUp or another FB group. Please send a message via our FB page and keep us informed as to the numbers of people attending. The more the merrier!

Optional: Wear something green to the occasion to indicate that you are a member of the Cash Mob…just an idea, not a requirement.

Thank you ever so much!

PS If you can’t join us for this happening, please patronize the business another time and let them know that you heard about their entrepreneurial efforts from Cash Mob St Paul MN.

Come Mob with Me!
© 2012 Ima B. Musing