Petty (or maybe not so petty) things not welcomed back in 2011

So, maybe I'm in a slightly negative mood today.  Blame it on the overcast weather or the overfull week catching up with me or the fact that I'm a member of that weaker sex.  Who knows.  All I know is that I'm in a bit of a funk.  As un-conducive this frame of mind is to spreading Christmas cheer, it's the perfect frame of mind to compose a list of things that are not welcomed back in the new year.  Here they are in no particular order:

1. Whitman and Brown campaign commercials.  As terrible as it will be at have to listen to Jerry Brown give State of the State speeches or to hear him in press conferences, what a relief to not see any more of his or Whitman's commercials.  The only sound more annoying is the Governator's political speeches or this:

2. Trips to the ER.  Spent the better part of the week at Urgent Care, the orthopedic doctor and the hand specialist.  Belgee has a broken pinky with a laceration thanks to a slamming bedroom door.  I could have written a doctrinal thesis in the time I've spent waiting for doctors, x-rays, cast techs, etc.  Instead I watched Chikin Run through twice, Toy Story 2, Go Diego Go and hours of PBS kids.

3. Nasty emails.  Seriously, if you couldn't or wouldn't say it to my face, don't think that saying it through email will soften the blow any.

4. Along with number 3 is nasty blog comments.  "We already know that anonymous letters are despicable. In etiquette, as well as in law, hiring a hit man to do the job does not relieve you of responsibility." --Judith Martin

5. Defriending me via FB because you don't like my theology, family members, family member's blog, or politics.  Can't we disagree without being disagreeable?  I don't think I've ever defriended anyone. If I friended you on FB it is because I actually consider you a friend in real life.  And if you just kick me off, it does hurt.



6. Wine with screw tops.  They tried to convince me at Whole Foods that it was a superior way of bottling.  But drinking wine (and eating food for that matter) is as much about the aesthetic as it is the taste.  I tried it a few times, because the wine was organic so "try to keep an open mind" and all that.  But it gave me no pleasure to twist off the cap.

7. The violation of my constitutional rights--be it in enormous unread health-care bills that are shoved down the throat of the American people or TSA molestation of people who do not pose any possible risk to safety.  I'm very tempted to require my children to memorize the Constitution and Bill of Rights, just in case no one else remembers them by the time they are grown.

8. Theological reflection papers.  Aside from the theological reflection I post from time-to-time on this blog, I (and I think I speak for Gana here) shall be happy to never have to proofread another assigned theological reflection paper.  Gana graduated in June.  He's officially a "theologian" which means my title of editor and proofreader is done....unless one of my children decides to go to seminary before they have a spouse who can take that role.

9. Bad food.  I was well on my way to becoming an organic foodie years ago.  But, this movie pushed me over the edge (along with Gana, who finally "saw the light".)



10. Uncomfortable chonies.  I know I have a primarily female readership, if you are a man, you may excuse yourself now.  All ladies left reading this, go here and get the Vanishing Edge panties.  You will never want to wear any other underwear ever again.

So, what's on your list of things you are not inviting back in 2011?  Leave me a comment.  If you post it on your blog, leave me the link.  I will choose a random winner from all comments and links after January 1 and send you a wine cork that I will personally autograph for you.