One good thing about today

I unfriended someone on Facebook today. I know that sounds like a bad thing, but let me assure you, it was a very good thing.

I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. I will say something if somebody is an asshole in any way, shape or form, but my hope is that it becomes a teachable moment. It's been my experience that the person being an asshole usually has asshole influences in his/her past and they have an a-ha moment. Most of the time redemption is made, and the world is all rainbows and sunshine again.

The day I friended my old high school acquaintance on Facebook, I was actually excited. We had one of those epic teenage tales together that I still love to reminisce about. We also were both bullied and had a rough childhood. I know he floated around the foster system which isn't easy. He's also a proud gay man, which explains why he was bullied in our suburban high school. So, knowing that, I gave him lots of chances. My acquaintance, however, turned out to become quite the racist.

While I've butted heads with him before. I hoped, if anything, a reminder of how hurtful he was being by comparing racist comments to homophobic slurs that something may have absorbed. I made excuses for him (see above) and gave him another chance.

Today his status update was along the lines of "nothing ruins a meal faster than when someone at the table next to you decides to cut their child's nails while you're eating. No surprise that they were 'ethnic'.

Now, by the time I saw the update, someone else commented that there really was no need to add the 'ethnic' bit. People of all shades, from all cultures, of all classes and all sexual orientations are disgusting and thoughtless at times was one of the points made. His response was that he believed he was being polite enough by not mentioning which ethnicity they where.

Well, with that "justification" I was done. My response, "this is about the 3rd or 4th time I've given your comments the side eye. This ethnic person has had enough. Adios, cabron!". And I clicked unfriend. And when the box popped up that asked if I was sure I meant to unfriend him, I did not hesitate to click YES.

It would have been easy to just unfriend, but when it comes to bigotry of any kind, things need to be said. In this day and age it's inexcusable to allow this bullshit to slide. With that said, actions do speak louder than words, and sometimes quickly distancing yourself from people like this is good enough. I know I don't want to be demonized by simple association, especially if blogging makes me Internet famous someday.

So, I am proud of myself for taking a stand in my own way. This is the kind of mother I want to be. Lead by example, etc.

This is my good thing of the day.

In which we welcome 2013

Ah yes. Another January 1st has come and gone. However, this year, instead of nursing a hangover somewhere in the Greater Vancouver area, I'm nursing a 7 1/2 month old, a cough (me and Zuul's second virus in less than 3 weeks. Don't get me started.) and doing both from my in-law's basement somewhere in the Greater Victoria area. Subversive Dad is gearing up for his first day at work at his new job. Needless to say, 2012 was a very big year in the Subversive Family household.

Being a relatively sluggish day that January 1st is for many, I had the opportunity to read through some of my social networking forums. Catching up with strangers on the Internet I've become so fond of over the years. Reviewing some of the obligatory New Years Resolution threads, I came across one post where someone said her resolution is to write down one nice thing a day about her day, even if she had a really shitty one.

Interesting.

I'm not one for resolutions, but I am a Carpe Diem type and, when I like something I hear, I like to give it a try without the pressure of labeling it anything. The move to Victoria has been more challenging for me, mentally, than I thought it would be, so I think this is something I need to adopt in order to stop scrutinizing the negative and so forth. I need reminders now, more than ever, about the good reasons I committed to such a huge change for my little family. (Although, would it kill people to say 'oh I'm sick, so let's wish each other and our babies holiday greetings from a distance' around here? Sick, twice, in three weeks!! Ok, I'm done.)

So, to get things rolling, today's good observation is that Zuul handles being sick like a champ. She's not extra whiny or needy. She still smiles after every cough and sneeze. She still only cries for the usual reasons, wet/dirty diaper, tired or had a tumble. I am lucky to have an easy baby.

Happy New Year, everyone.

Monday Confessional

Oops! I'm a day late.

I was out of washcloths and baby wipes after Zuul's lunch yesterday, so I called the dog over to help clean her up.

Fa la la la la la la not sure.

Happy holidays, everyone! From the Subversive family home.

Sunday Confessional

Protip: Be prepared to do some explaining if you miss a spot or two on baby's face after a blueberry meal. They look remarkably like bruises. And you will miss a spot because cleaning up baby with just wipes or a wet cloth is impossible. I've just given up and tell people she's in a fight club.

As for the confessional part, I am so over this introducing baby to one food at a time thing. I know it's the right thing to do just in case she might have an allergy, but it's become tedious.

Sunday Confessional

The first "lullaby" I sang to Zuul was Pink Floyd's "Mother". It was the only song I could remember the lyrics to. Even though I named her after a song. Those sweet lyrics escaped me. "Mother" though? Like I was in high school, watching The Wall on repeat with my clique of band/art/film geeks all over again.

If you're wondering what the big deal is, go Google the lyrics and get back to me.

Creepy mom is creepy.

Zuul's going to be so fucked up.


***

And, with that, I'll be very pressed for time the next few days. We move in with Grandma and Grandpa on Thursday all the way over on Vancouver Island until we sell our Mainland home. Grandma & grandpa do not have wifi either. I write most of these blogs from my non-Bluetooth iPad while Zuul naps or plays next to me. Pro. Grandma and grandpa are very eager to help and play with Zuul, leaving me with more me time, but Con, only one computer to share between four people, therefore, OMG SO LOST WITH OUT MY SOCIAL NETWORKS!!!

I guess I'll finally be catching up on some knitting and exercise.

Wish me luck! I'm going to miss my home very, very much.

Help Bring Baby Carriers to Families in Need This Holiday Season

Help Bring Baby Carriers to Families in Need This Holiday Season