Lately I've been watching Smallville and working on some scrapbooks (enjoying free time between my summer class ending and fall classes beginning on the 19th). I'm on season two at the moment and planning to watch through season four.

Now, in the Twilight memorabilia they have shirts that say Team Edward or Team Jacob, depending on whether fans like Edward the century-old, romantic vampire or Jacob the mechanically-inclined werewolf, who likes to work on cars and motorcycles in his spare time. I myself am Team Jacob. I'd prefer a tall, big, strong, warm werewolf with a body temperature that runs at 108 degrees to a strong but slender vampire of average height who's always icy cold. If they did that with Smallville (and if I were to waste money on such shirts), I would be Team Lex. I was always more drawn to his character than Clark's.

My sister Olivia, on the other hand, likes Clark Kent. So she decided she wanted to write a story where she and I are dating Clark and Lex. It's led to some amusing conversations--questions about what I want my name to be, what I want my bedroom to look like etc. etc. I always tell her it's her story, I'll take what she gives me--in this case the name Haley Oaks and a bedroom done in pink silk, satin and lots of lace. I even have a window seat! (And she knocked three years off my age, which I appreciate.)

A few nights ago she asked me (I was in bed but not asleep yet) about synonyms for the word "butt." She was describing a figure-hugging outfit and didn't want to use that word, so we settled on "derriere."

Last night she said, "I've decided not to give Lex any powers. Does that bother you? Cause I'll give him powers if you want."

"Olivia, I am not interested in superpowers," I told her. "I like Lex because of his culture and sophistication, his knowledge of history and literature, and of course he's filthy rich. You don't have to give him powers. He's good as is."

She's two chapters into her story, and seems to know where it's going. Just her writing it makes me a bit uncomfortable, because I remember the hours I wasted in high school, daydreaming and writing stories about Luke Sywalker in a Star Wars galaxy. What did it get me? Nothing. I look back on those days (and the stories) now and think, "Ugh. You were such a pathetic nerd. And you're fiction writing was so cheesy."

But she is going to write for the college magazine this fall when she goes to school, so it will be good practice for her to write for fun and be creative.

The writer of the editorial attacking the TEA parties accused Senator Tim Huelskamp, who gave a speech about the rights of citizens to keep and bear arms against the federal government, of being a traitor and bordering on treason. In my editorial, I responded with this:

Third, this nation is NOT a democracy. We are a constitutional republic—the people rule, but under laws—like those given in the constitution. And fourth, we the people were given the constitutional right to keep and bear arms not to go deer hunting, but to protect ourselves and our property against a federal government gone tyrannical. And, if the skyrocketing of gun sales on November 5, 2008 is any indication, we are ready to do so if necessary. In the words of Patrick Henry, “If this be treason, make the most of it!”

Now, I really hope nobody takes that out of context and says I advocate attacking the President. The CIA will be after me for sure then. There is a world of difference between "federal government," which includes a lot of people and "President." Also, as ominous as the paragraph sounds, words like "protect" make it clear I am talking about a defense if necessary, not an offense I'm plotting.

The following is a perfect reason to keep and bear arms, taken from fellow xanga blogger ShamelesslyRed:

President Obama’s top science and technology adviser is John P. Holdren. He co-authored a 1977 book titled Ecoscience in which he advocated the formation of a “planetary regime” that would use a “global police force” to enforce totalitarian measures of population control, including forced abortions, mass sterilization programs conducted via the food and water supply, as well as mandatory bodily implants that would prevent couples from having children.

You can see the specific quotes and citations for yourself by clicking on the link to her page, but it is sick stuff.

I certainly hope this John P. Holdren has changed or renounced those views since then, but if he hasn't, and he somehow convinces our president and the federal government these procedures are necessary because of global warming...We're talking about a president who wanted to push FOCA, after all. How is mandatory sterilization any different?

I think my future children are reason to defend myself, my womb, my "property" via my second amendment if need be. I just pray, like most other armed citizens, it doesn't come to that.