Hate is a Conscious Choice

I wasn't going to share this, because I'm pretty sure everyone who this message would reach is already on board, but there is something that Matthew's mom, Judy, said that struck me:

Most perplexing thing for me about hate is that it's a conscious choice: you choose to do that, you learn to do that...

and I thought - how true.
D2 does not know how to hate. He loves everything and everyone he sees. Those who perpetuate the cycle of hate, those who teach their children to hate (and oh, you can TELL them all you want, but what you really need to watch is what you DO) are committing the most atrocious crime, because it leads to so many others.
Hate can be very casual, like using the word "gay" in a derogatory fashion. Like using the word "bitch" casually (and I'm guilty of this myself). Like choosing to pass a judgement on someone just because their life choices differ from yours (unless those choices hurt others, of course).
All these things perpetuate the stereotypes and keep us all from moving forward. So, don't do it!

Half Life

Half Life, a photo by elfinity on Flickr.

Yesterday marked 17 years since my family moved to USA. Which makes it a half point for me - I spent exactly half my life in Russia and half here.

My co-worker and friend Leslie gave me these lovely flowers from her garden and it took me half a day to get the red/white/blue thing that was happening with the pointy ones.

She absolutely loves hearing my story of my family's very first culture shock. You see, in Russia we don't have Halloween. (At least we didn't back then). So, when my uncle drove us from the airport to his house in the suburbs, we were greeted by cobwebs, skeletons, giant spiders, and such all around us. My grandma finally asked about it, and my uncle explained that these were decorations people put up for a holiday. Now, in Russia, "decorations" and "holiday" mean something pretty and exciting, and skeletons and witches just don't meet the criteria as "decorations".
"Crazy country," we decided collectively and doubted for a moment the wisdom of our choice to move here.

To be fair, though, my cousin took me and my brother trick-or-treating that year, even though we were kind of too old to do it, and the concept blew our mind. You mean, complete strangers, for no good reason other than it's the tradition, will give us candy just for muttering a code phrase? And all you have to do is dress up? We're so in! So, for the youngest generation Halloween in US of A was redeemed.

Open Letter

Dear drivers who take I-95 North in the morning:

When you approach the Gerard Point Bridge, please do not be alarmed by the flaming ball of gas that you see. It is a natural phenomenon called "the Sun". It's there every day, provided there are no clouds. It won't attack you, cause the other cars to randomly change their positions, and will not create sun monsters that might destroy your car, the bridge or anything else, for that matter.
So, please, please - STOP SLAMMING ON YOUR BRAKES and causing traffic jams! It's really annoying and just makes me think that there are people almost every day who go, "WHOA! SUN! I ain't nevur seed that befores!"
Get over it, and drive.

Thank you.
Sincerely,
Concerned Driver.

I like shopping for groceries late at night - after all my boys are asleep (or at least have no demands on me) and the stores are practically empty. I take a bit of time to go and look through greeting card section (buying those is a sort of hobby), and I am finding that I like listening to the sappy romantic songs that get played on the PA system, though the Pathmark I used to go to before we moved tended to play the Beatles, which was even better.

This has been your random elfinithought, brought to you by Late Night Grocery Run.

Opinions Needed!

As I am brain-storming for ideas for my new Etsy store, and trying to figure out what doll clothes to offer, what do you think of this dress:



Would you buy it? If not, why not? I am totally open to suggestions, so now's your chance to let me know what you'd like to see in my store!


And while we're on the subject, what is your opinion on the sock dresses such as these? Obviously, they are made from new and clean ones, and I really love the texture and little details I add, but what about you? Would you buy one? How much would you honestly feel comfortable paying?




I really appreciate any and all comments, suggestions and critiques you can offer! Don't feel bad if the only thing you've got to say is "Cool, I'd buy it" or "Nah, not my taste." Obviously, the more you tell me, the better I can improve, so don't be shy!