a post about flags

I hate politics. I hate confrontation. I hate divulging my innermost thoughts because that means I might get hated on.

But there are times when I have to take a deep breath and dive into the frey. Because sometimes taking a stand is more important than protecting your own feelings.

I have two thoughts on flags right now. As much as I care about other people, these thoughts have to do with me.

THOUGHT #ONE -  South Carolina has one of the most beautiful flags to fly over a state capital. It is a beautiful flag for a beautiful state full of beautiful people. We have our problems, sure. Not everyone or everything is beautiful all the time. But there is no denying that, just as our flag represents, we are hopefully resilient and always looking up.

In the aftermath of the horrific shooting at Emmanuel AME Church, Charleston artist and friend Gil Shuler​ did a brilliant job of interpreting our flag in a way that helps us all visualize our feelings. Which is why we need art (and brilliant artists) in our state. Keep it up, dude.

    Art Credit: Gil Shuler Graphic Design Inc.

THOUGHT #TWO -  South Carolina flies another flag on its capital grounds that does not belong.

I do not give one freaking fig whether CEOs of companies who come to SC from-off like or dislike it. Companies are not people, regardless of what the tax laws say.

I, however, am a tax-paying citizen of this state. I am a Carolina girl born and bred. I am a white woman with a rainbow coalition of friends and family. And I have the blood of CSA soldiers running through my veins.

The flag my ancestors fought and fell under is part of my heritage. They did what they thought was right.

Now it is my turn.

Take it down.

the high price of cell phones, Russian style

In life, there are givers and there are takers. I usually pride myself on being a giver. Except for today. I was an unwitting giver. And I would like to punch the takers in the throat.

I'm a long-time Verizon customer. Like, "since they were 360 Communications and I had a bag phone" long-time customer. I'm not sharing that because I'm proud of it or because I own Verizon stock or think they hung the moon. I'm just one of those "ain't broke don't fix" kind of people.

Lately I've been a little torqued about the amount I pay monthly for two smart phones. The signal is good, the phones are good, the service is good. But I seriously was thinking about going to one of those pay-as-you-go deals you see at Target. Because I really hate paying this much money for freaking cell phones. 

Well, I wondered if Verizon had figured out my ploy because lately I've been getting a lot of calls from them. I don't usually have my cell phone with me during the day, so the calls went unanswered. There were no voice messages just "missed call from Verizon" on my screen. Whatever.. let 'em call.

Today I just happened to be working where I could have my cell phone nearby. Around 11:30 am, it rings. Verizon. Ok, I thought, I'm game, so I answered. They were calling to do a brief survey about the quality of the service, and by completing it I would receive a $20 credit per line on my account in the next billing cycle.

Ah, a credit? From Verizon? Love it! Now we were talking.

That One Time When Something Amazing Happened...

Last year this time, I was preparing to audition for a show called, provocatively, "Listen To Your Mother." The movement that started with blogger and humorist Ann Imig in Wisconsin in 2010 had quickly worked its way across the country and was debuting in Charleston in May 2014.

And I wanted to be a part of it.