The life of an Intellectual ....

Properties prosecution paralegal is really boring. I know this because I am one. Unlike criminal prosecution which involves juicy stories, negotiations, and trials, IP prosecution just involves a lot of paperwork. My job is to file and keep track of paper work. Most of this is falls between exceedingly mundane and impossible unintelligible. I have no idea what the Inhibitors of C-KIT and Uses Thereof refers to nor why the world needs a Digital Restriction Enzyme Analysis of Methylation.

So when something happens across my desk that I can identify with, I'm pleased. And today it happened. In the course of filing a trademark in the United Arab Emirates, I had some documents legalized. They were returned to me today after making the rounds from the Texas Department of State, The UAE Embassy and the US Department of State. Signed and Sealed. Signed by Hillary Clienton.

I am almost tempted to keep them. Tell our clients they were lost in the mail and we would have to restart the process. I don't know why, but I felt great pride when I saw the important looking paper describing the former first lady as our Secretary of State. Now it really has sunk in just how much our world has changed since I was born. I'm only 26!

I remember watching when Hillary and Bill stumbled out the woods of Arkansas and rose from political obscurity to become the savors of the Democratic party. I remember Hillary's really bad hair cuts and her comments about Barbra Bush "making cookies". I remember the out rage of conservative women who felt that a wife had no business putting a toe in the political arena. Even if she was a highly respected and accomplished attorney she should spend her time making cookies, not policies.

Now look... our little Hillary is all grown up. And I can't help but feel that our country has grown with her.

Book Group... Movement One

So my book group met last night for our first real discussion.

As I said we are reading The Velvet Elvis: A Repainting of the Christian Faith. I think this book was well chosen. It fosters discussion in a meaningful way. And for all that I disagreed with what a lot of my fellow readers I have to say, I appreciated their approach to the discussion. Everyone came with an open mind. Everyone came, ready to hear other points of view. I assure you we all had our own points of view.

There was a young man, new to me, who has just recently graduated from that bastion of conservatism, Texas A&M University. Not only that, but he was a member of the "Brotherhood of Christian Aggies." Then there was me. Spirituality has been a part of me all of my life, but I have always been weary of religion and "the church". I think everyone else seemed to fall somewhere in between the two of us.

So far I am not all that impressed with the book. While many in the group praised Bell and said that it "blew my mind", I felt like Bell was doing nothing more than climbing on the shoulders of the mystic tradition of the faith and watering it down for today's young adults. My view might change as I read more than just the first chapter, but as it was, I found myself adding things in the margins as I read. I wanted him to flush out his idea that "Its okay to question" and say that its not only okay to question, but we must question. I kept waiting for him to reveal that questioning is the only way we can move from simply obeying and defining doctrines and move into a fuller, richer, deeper relationship with God. I wanted to see him say what was said in the Cloud of Unknowing that "Our need to understand is our biggest stumbling block to God." He came really close to it a few times, but he never fully got there.

Still, like I said, it was a good group of people. Some of us were polar opposites, but we all listened to what the other had to say. We all articulated our points well. We were all heard and understood. On a personal note, it was nice to hear the Aggie say that he had to go home and think about some of the things he had heard.

If I were just reading this book on my own, I'm not sure I would care to move on to Movement two, but I'm excited about next week's discusstion.

Happy New Year China!

Chinese Acrobats torturing themselves for tourists, Fall 2008.
Epcot, China
Walt Disney World
Photo by Katy

Today, and for the rest of the week the people in China are celebrating the new year. It is the year of the OX, whatever that means.

I have to confess that I'm not Chinese. I don't celebrate the Chinese new year. I don't know what it means that this is the year of the OX. The Chinese zodiac has always confused me. Still I know that it is their new year because all of the agents that I deal with in China are not in their offices today. They aren't there today and they will not be there for the rest of the week. Even the Beijing office of my law firm is closed.

It is times like these I want to not just step, but leap of the bandwagon. China, a nation that generally treats it citizens like pawns in an international game of chess can find it in his stone cold heart to grant a week long holiday to its people. For one whole week the nation of China will not be checking its e-mails or listening to voice mails.

Yet, somehow, miraculously... the world is not going to end.

Bravo China. Well played.

Waste Not...

Crunchy Chicken is hosting this challenge next month. When I first read her post I wasn't going to join. It just "wasn't my thing." I don't let food go bad. (Generally speaking). I'm not saying that I am some kind of food saint, I simply don't have the income that allows me to spend $7.89 on chicken, so I can watch it go bad in my fridge.

I do, however have a confession to make.... I don't do left overs. I'm just not a fan. There are exceptions to this rule. Like soup. Mac and Cheese. Rice. Thanksgiving turkey. Dressing. ... okay, maybe there are only five exceptions to that rule. I just don't like eating things that look gross. To me, cold chicken generally looks gross. Cold green beans... gross. Cold spaghetti sauce... disgusting

I'm not going to try to justify my aversion to left overs. I realize that it is, mostly, unfounded. Reheated spaghetti sauce taste just as good the second time. Why not reheat those green beans that were frozen to begin with?

So I am on the band wagon. I am going to challenge my fear.

(Did you know that there is no "scientific name for "Fear of left overs"? At least non that google could efficiently find.)

I joined a book group...

...and to tell you the truth I'm not entirely sure why. I like to read. The book sounds interesting. For some reason I always feel like I should be hanging out with more people my age.

But I am sceptical. For one, this book group is pulling from the same mix of people who attended the bible study I frequented before I lost my Wednesdays to karate. I like these people. They are all really nice. They are easy to talk to. They are welcoming to everyone that walks in the door. We differ. Our life styles don't match. Our world views are sometimes at odds.

On the one hand this kind of annoys me. Its a lot more fun to sit with people who are all in the same place. Then you can all nod approvingly at each other and soak up every word that is said. Even if you are with people you have nothing in common with outside of your faith, its always wonderful to know that your faith is shared. You aren't a lone nut job. Someone else gets it.

On the other hand, I realize that it takes all kinds. I don't believe that there is one set way to experience God. Its not wrong its just different. Still, battle grounds of dogma aren't as fun as kumbaya circles. The book we are reading rushes into battle.

Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell. If you google it, like I did, you will find that there are a lot of people who are really vocal about their dislike of Bell and his book. I know that there will be people in this group who are just as vocal. I'm excited about reading what seems to be a book on contemplative theology written for people of my generation. I'm excited because I know that the person who chose this book did so because she read it and loved it. It gave her a "whole new way to think." I'm waiting to see how this evolves.

The Better Angels of Our Nature

Shepard Fairey’s Poster Art

There is a lot that can be said about the inauguration of our new president. A lot can be said about the progress that we have made as a country in terms of the love and acceptance that was preached by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Not that long ago. We celebrated a day of remembrance of Dr. King yesterday. And it strikes me that this day, is probably the greatest testament to his legacy as a civil rights activist. Thank you Dr. King. And it is because of your great dream that we remember that this is only the beginning. This is progress, it is not perfection.

I am a little weary of the pure celebration of the moment. Change is possible, but it is not immediate. Hope has won the day, but we are still in the fight. Obama now has to live up to his hype and prove that he is not only a black president, but a great one. He not only speaks eloquently but is true to his word. He has allowed us to re-imagine the world. Now we have to make that world come true.

I think Richard Rohr summed it up best today when he said, "Barack Obama needs and deserves our prayers for his continued wisdom and his protection. Let's send "the better angels of our nature" his way. "

When a Princess Meets a Frog

Princess and the Frog

From the Walt Disney Company's 2008 Annual Report

Among the garble that is the 2008 Annual Report of the Walt Disney Company was a gem of artistry. Princess and the Frog will be coming this Christmas to a theater near you.

This the first Disney Animation film that John Laseter has over seen from start to finish. It features the first African American Disney Princess. The first new princess since Belle. The first hand drawn Disney Animation film in 10 years. And the last chance for the animators that believe in true art to prove that hand drawn movies can make money when the stories are told right. A lot is riding on this Princess' shoulders. From what I have read, she will more than hold her own. Christmas can't come soon enough...

The Life of Tea

I walked Gryffindor this morning. As always. I was in my morning rush. Engrossed in my daily "must do before I leave the house" check list. We walked along the side walk. First along the road and then we turned and headed into the "quad". Four interior apartment buildings that form a kind of courtyard around the pool. When Gryfiindor stopped to relieve himself I looked away to give him some privacy. It is then that I saw them. In the open window of a second floor apartment I saw a table where two tea cups were resting. They were facing each other. Like two old lovers holding an easy conversation in a cafe. But the lovers were not there. The work of the day had already called to them. No doubt they were engrossed in their own check lists. They had left their cups to carry on life with out them.

98%

I know. I am officially going to hell. I have to confess my little dark secret. Breast Cancer annoys me. It bugs me. I know that it is the number one cancer among women. I know that dealing with an illness is never easy. I also know that its JUST breast cancer. And when I say "JUST" I mean it. I'm belittling it. If you are going to get cancer in the years to come, and statics say that many of us will, breast cancer is the one to get. Its easy to find, its easy to treat and 98% of people who are diagnosed early are CURED. They do not go into remission only to have it come back later, they are 100%, won't have to worry about it again CURED.

So why does breast cancer bug me? Because of all the money that is lavished on it. All the pink bandannas, purses, toasters, can openers, mixers, vacuum cleaners, bottled water, soup, chips, yogurt, cream cheese... what doesn't give money to breast cancer research? Because there are other cancers, like ovarian cancer that no matter how soon they find it, it will kill you. You will be dead much sooner than you would have been before. If a doctor ever tells you that you have ovarian cancer start getting your affairs in order. Because prostate cancer is the number one cancer in men and it kills more men than breast cancer kills women. Because mammograms are part of everyday conversation, but men aren't encouraged to talk about getting their penis checked.

I'm not begrudging people who battle breast cancer. Its a disease, it sucks and it doesn't always go away with treatment. A friend of mine has a sister who has battled it for years. I walk in the race, I buy the breast cancer chip clips I get that its serious business.

But WAKE UP people! 98%. When I had my lung removed the survivor rate for that was 80%. In the advanced stage my cancer has taken, the survivor rate is 83%. Still, I don't think its going to be the thing that kills me. Not really. And even if it does kill me, who wants to think about that all the time?

I bring this up because my daughter's grandmother has been diagnosed with early breast cancer. They caught in her yearly check up. EARLY STAGES. She called me. Freaked out. I told her, "98%, you'll be fine. Talk to the doctor and get treated, you won't die and a year from now it will all seem like a bad dream." Four weeks later she is still freaked out. She's giving away her dog because she "won't be able to handle him." Convinced she will fight this thing for years. Convinced surgery will kill her. Convinced that chemo will make her so weak she will have to quit her job. That is the mentality that I can't stand. That is what makes me look at the breakfast cereal in disgust. I'm sorry you are sick. You will get better. Now please, move on.

And with that all said, maybe part of me is screaming at myself. Maybe I just needed a wake-up call about my own mortality. Once you have cancer, even when its gone. Its easy to be "in tune" with your body. Its easy to convince yourself that that headache you have had all week is a tumor, not stress. Its easy to worry.

FISHING
by Katy Sabayrac

Sometime I catch myself
fishing for death.

Every nibble that pulls
on the line reveals
a minuscule glimpse
of what I most fear.

Has this headache
gone on too long?
Why am I so tired?
How heavy is my menstrual cycle?

I strain my ears and try
to hear my lung, place
my hand over my heart
convinced it forgot a beat.

I stop.
If I keep fishing
I will catch a fish.

My Apartment Exploded

I didn't post about Christmas, partly because unlike everyone else on Earth work did not slow down for me. I was a busy as ever and did not have a minute of "me time" at work.

The other part of that was how it all turned out. I was determined not to have a spend happy Christmas. We got a $5 tree artificial tree and 50 cent strands of lights from a local department store that was getting ride of its used floor displays. We borrowed old ornaments that my parents had and made some out of felt and popsicle sticks. I bought my family members "experiences" instead of "stuff" and made sure not to buy my daughter too much.

So why does my apartment now look like a disaster zone? My Mother.

My mother, God bless her is a shopper. She buys Christmas presents early and often, and my daughter (the youngest grandchild) got the brunt of it. She now has all kinds of worthless things to add to her already large collection of worthless things. I have to admit, the bike is awesome, but why does she need a rainbow maker or a caramel apple machine? I have spent the last week just trying not to look around (or brake my neck) for fear of completely losing my mind.

So this weekend we will have to roll up our sleeves and organize. Wish me luck as I prepare Alex for the realization that some of her stuff will have to go....

Best of 2008

The best new song I listened to repeatedly was "Love Bug" by the Jonas Brothers. I'm a little assumed to admit that (they are a boy band), but its a cute song and completely unlike any other "new" song out there.

The song I feel in love with this year is the Untitled Hymn by Chris Rice. I am a huge fan of his. This song really touches on something. I have no idea when he actually released it, but this is the year I connected with it.

Best books read include Queen of Scots: The True Life of Mary Stuart by John Guy and Reading Lolita in Tehran: A memoir by Azar Nafisi. I also enjoyed picking up Sense and Sensibility again and I give a node to both Caroline Graham and Nick Hornby whose books I have enjoyed this year. The Spiritual Life by Eveyln Underhill was also very good. I am now carrying Winter Hours by Mary Oliver around with me (again) so I mention that one as well.

For movies I have to say that I have fallen short in seeing very many adult films this year so my list is very limited. The Fall was very good. As was Death at a Funeral which came out some time ago, but which I didn't see until this year was really good. My very favorites include Kung Fu Panda and Wall-E.