1.

I hate little girl drama.  Miss E’s favorite friend, KS, has another friend Jealous Girl who just will not share.  She even goes so far as to call our house to let Miss E know that there’s no need to call KS today, since she’s playing with Jealous Girl.  Jealous Girl will also call our house every 5 minutes up to 10 pm asking to speak to Miss E, then telling her something mean or just hanging up.  And Jealous Girl’s parents?  Totally checked out of the situation.

This is why 9 year olds should not have cell phones.

2.

Our pastor doesn’t fool around when it comes to incense.  There’s no token swing or two of the censer – oh no.  It’s a full body swing around the entire altar.  I really appreciate how Catholic worship incorporates the physical as well as intellectual and spiritual, so truly all can worship together.

I’ve been to non-denominational, Baptist, and charismatic worship services and it’s generally the same.  Singing, then an hour or two of preaching on a Bible verse.  I think the worship part happens with the singing.  But it is limited – if you can’t hear, if you are mute, if intellectually you cannot grasp the sermon, you are left out, more or less.

But at Mass, everyone can participate because all of the senses are used.  If one is blind, they can hear the readings, the Mass, smell the incense, and receive Our Lord in a physical way.  If one has Alzheimer’s and can’t follow the sermon well, there is still the familiar ritual of the Mass.  Little kids might not understand everything that’s going on, but they can sing along, listen to bells, and find comfort in the rhythm of the liturgy.

3.

I’m taking the older kids to see The Last Airbender today to celebrate Mr P’s birthday.  I went to buy tickets ahead of time, and because it’s a 3D showing, they are $9.25!  For the CHILDREN’S ticket at noon!  Holy cow.  This is why we get Netflix.

4.

I searched the White House website and found out that President Obama never made an official statement of condolence for the loss of life on the Deepwater Horizon.  Not only did he sit around and do NOTHING for a couple of months, but he couldn’t even tell the victim’s families “I’m sorry for your loss”?  That is too shameful for words.

5.

He did find time to make a statement on the death of Lena Horne.  Guess ordinary Americans tragically killed aren’t famous enough.  He finally got around to expressing condolences to the families in a meeting on June 10, 2010 but there was no official declaration or statement.

6.

And while I’m on the subject, squirting Hershey’s syrup on your kids and taking their pictures to “raise awareness” of the spill actually does nothing.  I think it is distasteful and tacky and no, I won’t shut up about it.  It makes a mockery of the animals and people who really ARE suffering from the effects of the spill.

7.

Social graces hint: if someone tells you that one of the victims of the oil spill knew your family, the proper response is “I’m sorry” or “That must be so hard” or “That’s terrible” or something of that nature.  Because if you respond with “Good for you, love your strong opinions” it’s totally offensive.  And then, when I say something about it, if all you can say back is “thanks for sharing” that just cements the fact that your happy little chocolate syrup pics aren’t about helping people suffering, but to tug at heart strings and get your link passed around.

And a private email saying “sorry you lost a friend” later – when the previous comments were public on Twitter – doesn’t really make up for the shocking lack of decency.