Last night was the annual benefit gala fundraiser for our kids’ school. It’s an evening of dinner, dancing, boozin’, auction, games and prize drawings. There’s a large cash prize, and this year, my name was drawn as one of the 10 finalists. I even got a lapel pin to wear all night, so as not to forget I was one of the finalists. I thought this particular pin was a good omen!

The theme of the evening was Paris, or something like that. We entered through the Arc de Triomphe (and a giant hat tip to the designer, it was a fabulous idea). Speaking of the designer, I begged him to let me have these banners after they take down the decorations!

(I circled the evening’s emcee to illustrate scale.) I am keeping my fingers crossed that he remembers because those would be so cool for my next party. He’s a Colts fan, though, and might burn them or something.

Unfortunately, in the final draw, my name was drawn out early; we won back the price of our entrance ticket. I did score some super goodies in the silent auction, so I walked away thrilled.

When I arrived home, my husband, who skipped this year’s event, wondered what I had bought and how much I had spent.

“Guess!” I said.

He looked at me.

“Guess! Guess!” I said.

“A baseball?” (Aside: we have a major league baseball collection that actually started with one I obtained at this event quite a few years ago.)

“Yes!”

“Really?”

“Yes!”, I said, “and, it’s a GOOD one.”

“Tom Glavine?”

“Nope.”

“Better than Tom Glavine?”

“Yep.”

“Really? Better than that? Okay, was it a Brave?”

“YEP.”

“Bobby Cox.”

“NO. Nooooooooooo. Way better than that.”

“WAY BETTER THAN BOBBY?!?”

“Uh-huh.”

So he threw out what he thought was a crazy guess, “Hank Aaron.”

“YES! YES! YES!”

I think I shopped well.

will be joining the lineup in the bonus room

Bwa ha ha ha ha. This is a complete joke, right? It’s MARCH! In ALABAMA!

I was engaged in a conversation, the gist of which, centered around how could a large employer have possibly hired someone who was questioned by the police about a threat. I asked them to clarify; did they really intend to imply that if you’ve been questioned by the authorities in connection with a possible crime, then you should be ineligible for employment? Yes! Absolutely! was a reply. How could they not see that it was a problem, was a reply. It should have shown up in the background check, was a reply.

Now, I understand that our town is justifiably angry at the crime committed and the lost lives. In no way am I excusing anyone’s violent behavior. And, there are some genuine charges (probation) from the past that could have been red flags.

But, I have a serious problem with the idea that having been questioned is equivalent to guilt.

I was once questioned by the police about my possible involvement in what appeared to be grand larceny by an individual, but was actually an organized heist of quite a few automobiles. I was innocent of any wrong-doing; I was the victim of bad circumstances. Should that show up on my background checks for employment? Should my privacy be trampled on by requiring police departments to make questioning a matter of public record as prerequisite to seeking employment?

Frankly, there is a substantial difference between being questioned by the police and being charged. Unless we all are willing to live in a police state, constantly being watched, worrying where our papers are, I suggest we remember that.

Project To Finish for Work by Monday, in addition to attending:

3 Baseball Games
2 Soccer Games
1 Benefit Gala Fundraiser

…On top of a much-needed grocery trip, 8 loads of laundry, a teenaged grounding and, oh, somewhere in there I need to think up a good meatless meal for tonight.

I’m not complaining. Life is busy, but life is good. I am relatively healthy, even if overweight. My life has not been turned inside out by violence, like other people for whom we pray every day.

Life is good.

The other night, as I was working on a project for a friend, I overheard someone being interviewed on a news show. Unfortunately, I cannot remember who it was, what time it was or what network it was. But, he said something that made me stop in my tracks: “I just don’t understand how the American people can be opposed to the government doing something that would help them.”

Really? Oh. Boy. Can I count the ways, here?

Very important concept: it is not the government’s responsibility to help me; it is the government’s job to get out of the way and allow me to help myself. Stop taxing our children and grandchildren into oblivion in order to impose a system that will cost more and force people (unconstitutionally) to purchase a product, all in the name of help. Stop making up systems that will force utility bills up in the name of saving the planet when we have no idea of how exactly to do that, other than robbing some people and industries to pay other people and industries. Again, get out of the way and allow the system to work.

Have we forgotten that our system has worked for over 200 years, producing world-class medical advances, world-class innovations and world-class generocity?

On the way to the cafeteria to grab a quick bite during a very busy day at work, I paused at the water fountain for a drink. I searched for the knob or button to push, to no avail. My co-worker said, “it’s automated – just stand there.” So I did. But, no water came. I leaned to the left, I leaned to the right, I leaned back, I leaned forward. No water. I shrugged, turned away, and then the water started to flow.

The water fountain was designed to aid the small segment of population that may have need of assistance due to various physical limitations. However, it also designed out the perfectly simple mechanism that would have provided the water I needed, quickly, simply and without extra overhead.

Designing out the simple, is what these 2000 page bills on health-care overhaul and cap-and-trade are doing.

The odd thing about this, is that it isn’t really very odd to me.