OK - so I’m sounding repetitive. Counting days….going on about the trip and so on and so fourth. Can ya tell what my focus is this week??

Someone asked me the other day why I blogroll some blogs that are written by people that have thoughts/views diametrically opposed to my own? (i.e. political beliefs) I explained that a person is more than their politics - there is a whole lot more about them that I find interesting and fun. It is also not so unfathomable that I listen to the other side of things, either. I always have - it’s how I make up my mind on things. I listen to all sides…think on it…and form my own opinions. I don’t go around in life feeling like my opinions must match those of the people around me - I have a brain and I use it.

Plus there are many times (and some very very recent times) that I will read a blog/journal/article that contains views that are radically opposite of mine and I’ll sit back, after reading it,…..and feel like it just validated my point on why I don’t believe in whatever that person just presented. Keeping your mind open to other ideas and views can either introduce you to new beliefs or a new way of thinking - - or it can simply validate your own beliefs/opinions.

I try to get that point through to my mother all the time. She’s about as close-minded as they come. Talk about tunnel vision. She has her beliefs — she is strong in them and no one will ever change her. Well, it’s what I love about her too. lol But, for instance, during the entire 8 years of the Clinton Administration - she would turn off her TV every time he made a public appearance - whether it was just an empty photo-op or the State of The Union Address. She couldn’t stand him from day one. Same thing during the campaign between Bush/Gore. She would not watch any of Gore’s speeches - - -and definitely would not watch the debates. She couldn’t stand Gore either. She knew she believed in Bush - and that’s all she needed to know to keep her happy. I told her, at the time - that I watched every one of Gore’s stump speeches and I watched the debates, as well. Not because I liked Gore — no no no. Let’s not make that mistake. However, there were/are plenty of people in this country who did/do like him - so I listened to see what all the fuss was about. Basically, all it did for me was validate my own beliefs and preference in candidates - - and validated my own stance on things. He didn’t enlighten me on any new ideas (as if) - but I do like to keep an open mind and give the other side their time to make their case. My mom will always be the way she is - - and I love her and wouldn’t change her for the world…..but we have interesting arguments. lol

I think I’m going to stop and get one of those nifty optical mouse’s today. You just would not believe what I cleaned out of my mouse today! It wasn’t working quite right - -so I took the ball out of it and cleaned the inside rollers - - - unbelievable! Now I just need to decide if I should go wireless with it or not?

I also need to stop at the mall and pick up a new pair of Calvin’s. I had a bizarre jeans accident a while ago….when walking from the kitchen into the living room - I caught my jeans on a nail in the wall and it ripped out a whole section in the side of my jeans. My favorite Calvin’s! *whine* It didn’t even rip along a seam where I could possibly try to mend it - - NO! So, I’m on the impossible mission to find a replacement for my favorite pair of jeans. Oh bother!

Hey - if these are my biggest worries . . . I’m not doing too awful bad. Off to work I go!