Mini Red « Life of Red

Archive for the 'Mini Red' Category

Nov

Catholics and the homeless

By Red 1 Comment

Categories: D.C., Mini Red and religion

The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington said Wednesday that it will be unable to continue the social service programs it runs for the District if the city doesn’t change a proposed same-sex marriage law, a threat that could affect tens of thousands of people the church helps with adoption, homelessness and health care.

WOW!

Topics like this are something I tend to shy away from but what is going on here is just not right.

I’ve been falling away from the Catholic Church, where I was raised, for years now. Recent events tell me I’m headed in the right direction. I cannot get into to expressing the things that yank my chain with this church and then this!

I’ve taken the basis of my Catholic upbringing and became more of a “Cafeteria” Catholic. You know… Pick and choose. I brought my daughter up in the Catholic Church and sent her through CCD (Catechism classes). I tried to be a good Catholic but a little over a year ago the guilt of missing church went away.

My feelings about the Catholic Church I’ve kept from Aunt Dot. She has gotten grumpier and grumpier as time goes on and I can’t blame her especially since she can’t walk anymore. At least she has stopped asking me about getting an Annulment. Every once-in-a-while she will mention something that is going on. Not to long ago she was telling me something about how the Church was kicking some people out because of a certain issue. Even though I was only on the phone when she told me about this I could almost see her among the Catholics with their torches.

Although I don’t agree with the Church on that issue I couldn’t help but ask her, “Why not just envelop these people with love and help them understand?”

She yelled, “NO!”

I was a bit taken aback, “You can’t help them understand by loving them???”

“No! That’s not what Father says!”

“So you just oust them?”

“Yes.”

There was no use in talking to her, it was useless. As if she was in a cult and couldn’t think for herself. I won’t ever try and talk to her about any issues again.

I told Mini Red about this current issue and what the Catholic Church is doing. I try and answer any questions she has and let her make her own decision on topics. It’s kinda interesting to watch really.

She was outraged.

She was so outraged that she Facebooked it.

Oh boy… Here comes another life lesson. A lesson on Politics and Religion among your peers in an open forum.

Here’s what happened:

Mini Red Facebook status: Did u hear that the church says that if D.C. lifts the law on Gay marraige they will no longer help with the homeless in D.C. Doesnt really seem Godly to stop helping others because u wanna just be a stuck up little BIshop (yes i did mean bitch)

Boy 1: i actually support the church on this one, gay marriage is wrong

Boy 2: Well Boy 1 You are wrong in the fact that You do not chose to be gay or straight but it is in your genetics. So when you say wrong what are you saying, there made wrong, Well if they were ask god. If he wanted people that way he would have them that way. The Church is Fucked up

Boy 3: fuck u Boy 1 there people just because u case a fucking republican douche bag doesnt mean u should hate gays

Boy 1: im like anti republican…. wat r u talking about… gays dont deserve rights.

Boy 3: douchebag u think woman shouldent ether wtf asshole

Boy 1: ur an asshole, shut up faggot

Boy 3: im an ass hole but i dont want to oppress gay people

Girl 1: Boy 1, get a life. I support gay marriage! And Boy 1…you may end up being one…

Boy 3: i agree with Girl 1

Girl 1: ^-^

Boy 3: she agrees with Girl 1 too

Girl 1: dude u fail …that was me

Boy 3: i know

Girl 1: then why did you say she agrees with Girl 1 too? lol

Boy 3: because im like that

Girl 1: BOY 3

Boy 1: Excuse me? You guys are all retarded

Boy 3: no just not fucking oppressive

Boy 1: —-No rights for gay people—-

Boy 3: no rights for statists

Boy 1: i have no idea what that means

Girl 1: You are fucking retarded Boy 1…you should go to hell and live there…there may be a place for you.

Boy 1: u no what fine be like that Girl 1, fuck you, fuck you all

Boy 3: because u r one

Girl 1: Hey Boy 1 if you dnt support gay marriage then leave this status alone…its for people who support gay marriage…so fuck off and burn.

Boy 3: DIE FAKE EMO DIE

Girl 1: I agree with Boy 3

Boy 3: DIE BOY 1

Boy 1: DIE ALL OF U!!!! BOY 3 UR A FAG! GIRL 1 YOUR A BITCH! NOW BURN

Boy 3: FUCK U BUSHES BITCH

Boy 1: I FUCKING HATE BUSH YOU RETARD

Boy 3: BULL SHIT

Boy 1: I HATE BUSH, REPUBLICANS, MORMONS, AND GAYS

Girl 1: This is pointless Boy 3

Boy 3: BOY 1 THAT MAKES U A RETARD AND UR LIEING TO YOUR SELF SO DIE

Boy 1: burn in hell Boy 3, just like you can support gay rights, i can oppose gay rights

Girl 1: Fuck this.

Boy 3: ya really im done dude

Boy 1: me too

Boy 4: FUK U BOY 1 U CANT BE HATING ON MORMONS…..IM GONNA FUK U UP TOMORO >:(

Boy 3: ill help

Girl 1: @Boy 4: LMAO

Mini Red turned to me last night and her face was red. She was so mad at Boy 1. There was so much she wanted to say.

I just put my hand on her shoulder and said, “You can’t change people. You can discuss calmly, if possible. More often than not you have agree to disagree. This conversation on your Facebook is not calm at all. Think very carefully before you put a topic such as this out in an open forum again.”

Personally I had a mix of emotions reading what these teenagers had to say. It’s amazing to see them all become aware of the world around them and develop their own opinions. It’s also interesting how they handle it but violence is not the way.

So Mini Red defriended Boy 1.

Oct

H1N1

By Red 3 Comments

Categories: Mini Red

I’m in Atlanta this week for work so Mini Red is staying with Memaw and Pawpaw.

Have I mentioned my Mother is a saint? Mini Red had to be picked up on Tuesday and Friday late from school after her Crew practice and Thursday is violin lessons, we cancelled piano due to her over booked schedule here recently. Plus there is Family Dinner Night on Wednesdays and Mom took Mini Red for a physical today to meet Crew requirements. Plus I wanted her to get the flu shot along with the H1N1 shot if possible.

Now on top of that Mom works part time for Dad and she has classes that she is in and Sis and Viper are leaving for their Honeymoon on Thursday… Finally!

So I was sad I wasn’t there for Mini Red’s appointment today but she told me she got both shots… Phew! Evidently, the doc asked some personal questions but first asked if Mini Red wanted Grandma to leave the room. Mini Red said “I don’t have anything to hide“.

He then asked her if she was sexually active, if she drank alcohol or smoked.

Mini Red said, ” Well… Mom and I have talked about this and I’m not planning on having sex before college. Both my parents used to smoke and I bugged them to quit for such a long time that I will never start. Lastly, both sides of my family have a bad history with alcohol so I’m too afraid to even try a drink.”

The Doc said it was refreshing to come across a teenager with scruples and he saw a good future for her.

Maybe I’m doing something right?

Tonight at Family Dinner Night Dad asked Mini Red if she got the H1N1 mist or the shot. Her Facebook status reads like this: My grandpa asked me “Mini Red did u get the shot or the mist?” im like “mist?……..theres a mist OMG IVE BEEN SKREWED”.

OMG I can’t stop laughing.

Jun

Volunteering

By Red 1 Comment

Categories: Mini Red and Volunteering

Mini Red is at Washington HealthCare Center volunteering for The DC Emergency Healthcare Coalition’s city-wide emergency preparedness exercise.

Her and her friends have volunteered to play victims and seems they dressing them for the part.

Leg

She’s taking lots of pics so check back for more.

May

Who are you trying to reach?

By Red 2 Comments

Categories: Mini Red and phone

Sometime last Fall I had to take on a work Blackberry. When I did that I got rid of Mini Red’s phone and gave her mine in an effort to save money. Then my Blackberry got stolen in Vegas so I got a personal phone while I was there because I needed to stay connected. So there was a lot of number changes for me and many still call the old number, which is now Mini Red’s number. I’ve had that number for such a long time so making sure I got to everyone with the update info can be difficult. Mini Red knows the drill and now at 14 she can become quite amusing as GoogleBoy found out:

GB: So I heard a rumor. Confirm / Deny

Red: What rumor and who is this?

GB: GoogleBoy. Maybe, might be hopefully going to…??

Red: What going to…?? what phone are you on?

GB: I’m on my cell. So i guess it was just a rumor

Red: Wait.. Are you looking for Red?

GB: Maybe. This isn’t her number anymore?? Little Red??

Mini Red: No it’s her daughter Little Red. Hi Person!

Mini Red: Si

GB: LOL. Hey it’s Googleboy from The Company.

Mini Red: Right, u want moms #

GB: I forgot your mom got a new cell!!! please!!

Mini Red: XXX-XXX-XXXX

GB: TY!

Mini Red: No prob dude, what’s the rumor??

GB: Your mom would kill me if I told you.

Jan

Now that the holidays are over we can breathe a sigh of relief and welcome 2009

By Red Leave a Comment

Categories: Mini Red, family and holidays

The holidays have come and gone… Thank goodness.

I spent Christmas week sick as a dawg. Started with a cold and by the Christmas Eve I couldn’t keep much down. I felt so bad that during the annual Family Christmas Eve Party I went and took a nap. The Family got up at the crack of dawn for 7:30 Mass but decided to leave me be. Yeah I wasn’t doing too well but when I did get up I felt better than I did the day before.

Mom said it was gonna be low key this year and not as many gifts… Yeah right! That woman is off the hook and honestly, I don’t know how she does it all.

Mini Red had a blast especially when she walked in the room to find the keyboard she has been DYING for.

100_0151_2

By Sunday I was feeling better and able to eat. Mini Red’s Dad brought her home. I was a little shocked to see what she was wearing. Her Dad had previously agreed with me that the Goth look wasn’t for her but that seems to be all he bought her. Everything was black with skulls. Now don’t get me wrong I’m not against the skulls but when combined with all the black it’s so unappealing. Oh and the shirt she was wearing… Horrible!

joker2

Mini Red and I ran out to do some errands and ended up at Sushi Damo. It was pretty warm that day but I had to have Mini Red zip up her jacket because the Joker was staring at me and it was unnerving. I think her Dad does it to piss me off and it’s working. When I mentioned all the black and skulls he bought her he pointed out the shoes I got her. Well, the shoes are cool but that is the ONLY thing I got her with skulls. Converse allows you to design your own shoes so that’s what I had Mini Red do and she even personalized them!

converse2

We brought the New Year in quietly while packing. I’m looking forward to 2009 especially with moving into a house. 2008 had it’s ups and downs which started with a new job and a horrible cold. I experienced kidney stones, finding wonderful people, a conference in Orlando, the Big 40 and a long awaited, beautiful wedding in Chicago. I learned a lot in 2008 and realized how much is beyond my control and to just let it go. Several people left my life, not due to death but for their own reasons, some unbeknownst to me and some ridiculous. All were people I knew for a very long time but I’m ok with it.

2009 has many promises… Some good and some bad but I’m ready for it. Just giving Mini Red a home soars above anything else. My upcoming work trip to Vegas helps too but the promise of coming back from that in time to spend Valentine’s Day alone is a small annoyance to get past. Just thinking about this year is exciting… Brotha-Man and SIL just had their second child, a little girl… Awwww. Then there’s the wedding in June…Sis and Viper are getting married.

I hope the new year brings nothing but goodness for all of you reading. I can’t wait to see what 2009 brings but it’s greeted with a new me to face any challenges that may come and I welcome them.

Dec

The fun things you find when packing for the move

By Red 2 Comments

Categories: Mini Red

As I’m packing up my apartment I am cleaning out as well. Tonight I was cleaning out some drawers and finding all sorts of things that Mom’s tend to keep. Mini Red keeps running out when she hears me sighing and awwing at the pictures I find of her when she was little.

Besides finding pictures I am finding notes I’ve written of funny things Mini Red did such as:

9/15/04
In the car Mini Red held up her umbrella and made a “cha chi” sound as if the umbrella was a rifle. Then in an accent she says: “Don’t mess with me! I am Anol Swartaznegger and I am the Gov’nor of Calaforneeiaah”. I don’t know where she get’s this.

Thank goodness there is always a date. September 15, 2004 would make Mini Red about 9 yrs old.

Here’s a note she wrote to me when she was 10 and I’m including the mispellings:

10-25-05
Dear Read, (Red)
Hi I am not going to tell you my real name but just call me Evil Priness. I want to also tell you my messenger is my friend Mini Red (axa Best friend). I want you to know that my love for you burns like the white hot entencity of a thousend Sun’s. I think you are hansom funny and sweet. So I hope you right back Soon give the letter to Mini Red. I am not Mini Red I swar I am Some one else. (not Kayka not Ashley not Alex not Nicky not Mini Red I Swar
Love
Evil Princeess

I can’t wait to find more of these. If Mini Red allows I may post more. I’m just glad to see that I’ve at least written down some of these funny, kid like, things she did and put them anyplace to find later. I’m also so happy I’ve saved her notes. So many of her notes end with “P.S. I Love You Mommy“. It just doesn’t get any better than that.

Nov

Baby It’s Cold Outside

By Red 3 Comments

Categories: Mini Red, movie and music
Tags: Mini Red, music

Mini Red and I caught some of the movie Elf last night after a particularly kick butt round of wrestling. It was the first time she was able to get out of Mommy Leg Jail but I had to release her or fall off the bed on my head.

She has become quite a worthy opponent even though I explained that she needs to, realistically, let me win a little because I’m old. Thus if I feel I can win, a little, I would be more willing to engage in the wrestling arena with her since I would still feel that I have somewhat of an upper edge and a chance to win. Seriously, who would engage in such wrestling if you know you would lose. Well, I guess Mini Red does but at least she has the knowledge that as she grows she also gains an upper hand and ultimately can overtake Mom.

Brotha-Man and I would wrestle with Dad. I’ll never forget the day we won and became “KINGS OF THE HILL” because we were finally strong enough to beat Dad. We never wrestled again.

Anyhow… So we stopped mid wrestle to see my favorite part of Elf where Zooey Deschanel sings “Baby It’s Cold Outside”. This woman has an amazing voice.

Sep

I feel sorry for the kids today

By Red 3 Comments

Categories: Mini Red
Tags: school

I am so lovin technology!

Minie Red might not be feeling the same way… All the time. Especially when I can check her grades online.

Whenever one of her teachers updates her grades I get notified. So a few weeks ago I noticed some pretty crappy work on her part and I came down on her. I even took her cell phone away. The main purpose of the cell phone is for the weekends with her Dad so it wasn’t a big deal for me. It was, however, a big deal for her.

Since that time she has stepped up her game. Last week she was studying for an upcoming test in History class. She even made flash cards and we had fun working on it together. Well here we are almost a week later and I find that she kicked ass on that test.

Last night, after I got home from my fantastic date*, she and I were laying on my bed watching TV and I turned to her and said, “I’m so proud of you!“

She looked really confused.

I said, “Does it feel good to hear that?”

“YES!”

“You kicked butt on that History test! I know you studied hard for that test and it paid off. Plus it was fun studying with you. Doesn’t this make you want to keep up the good work?”

“Yeah this is a good feeling.”

This morning I got an email that more grades have been updated. One of the classes she is taking is Health. The grade in Health dropped a bit after the last test she had. I’m not worried about it though but her last test in Health was a bit thought provoking. She got a C and the test was on Mental Health. I would say that means she is about average a/k/a normal. Thank Gawd!

*See, I mentioned you!

Sep

Certifiable!

By Red 1 Comment

Categories: Mini Red and work

Last week I was in a class for three days doing some serious studying so I could pass my ITIL Foundations Certification.

When I first started with this company back in December that was one of the first things I heard about. “The ITIL Way” was new to me back then. So I took the course early on and I had two things working against me then. I was brand, spanking, new to this HUGE company and I was horribly sick for my first two months here. This was when I first tried to learn ITIL. so I’m sure you can guess how that all went. Evidently, I wasn’t the first to take the course and not pass. I was devastated none-the-less.

Work has been extremely busy since then and I was finally able to sign up to take the course again… Last week. I definitely understand all the concepts of “The ITIL Way” but taking tests is not my fortay plus this exam comes from the UK and their word choices aren’t exactly like ours.

The first day of classes was a bit frustrating and nerve wracking but the instructor assured us it would all come together by the second day. Both nights I studied and worked on memorization but the second night Minnie Red had gotten herself into a heap of trouble. I had already taken the TV from her room because I really don’t see the purpose plus its a distraction. Last Wednesday I took her computer and her cell phone. The purpose for the phone is when she visits her Dad and I had been warning her that she could lose it if she doesn’t shape up.

Losing the cell phone left her wailing like a banshee. I maintained my cool for a while but my breaking point hit especially because she was keeping me from studying. My redhead temper came out… Oye! Unfortunately, it didn’t scare her because in the apartment I won’t yell like I might in the car and believe me I can yell.

Minnie Red is just being a typical teenager and I’m not going to continue with some of the silliness she is bringing. Mom is taking her down a notch or at least trying because she is one STUBBORN girl.

So come Thursday morning I was tired and hadn’t done my practice test. I figured I was doomed to fail. I got to the classroom and promptly took the practice exam cold. Passed! Not by a lot but it was passing. class started for the day and by noon we took a second exam… Passed! Still not by a lot but slightly better than the first exam. By one thirty the proctor arrive to administer the exam and by two we were working it out. I didn’t take the full hour for the 40 question exam and nervously turned it in.

I couldn’t help but worry what would happen if I didn’t pass this time. I hadn’t heard of anyone going back for a third time.

Today the email came with my results:

PASSED!

Thank goodness!

I can’t tell you what a relief that is and I did better than I had done on either of the practice exams. So I am now ITIL Certified but I like to just say I’m Certifiable.