MySpace wants to compromise safety?

We always hear that it isn't safe to enter too much personal information online.  I signed-up for a trial account on Facebook once, but cancelled the account after a few days because they kept hounding me to enter my employer's name & address, names/dates of the schools I had attended, as well as other personal information "so that friends can find you."  Yeah, I'll get right on that.  I don't need random people calling me at work and jeopardizing my job.  I also don't need every fucktard I've ever known to start looking for me.

Bastards.

Now I sign-into MySpace this morning and they have begun doing the same thing by telling me they don't have my real first & last names on file.  WTF?  If I want people to know I am here, then I will tell them, dammit.

Is MySpace now going to start hounding us, as the stupid FaceBook site does, for more-and-more personal information until we have compromised our security online?  Are we going to be bound by so much "red tape" here just to keep our accounts?  If so, you can bet that I will cancel my account in a heartbeat.

Bastards.

© 2008 Sapphire @ Blogspot.com

Mulam and the Spear

Mulam helped me when my side was pierced by the spear. It should never have happened to me since I am a woman, but a world at war with itself doesn't always discriminate when it comes to casualties. The war had come to the village, and I had been struck as I fled in terror.

Mulam removed the spear, cleaned the wound, and nursed me back to health over the next few weeks. When I was almost healed enough to travel, Mulam mentioned the spear that had been in my side. "Oh, no, Mulam," I said, "the spear wasn't just in my side, but also in my heart. I know it is true because I bled for you, myself, and all the world. My tears washed over you as any Mother's tears would have washed over her child."

Years later on the streets of Odigo, Mulam mentioned the spear again and marveled at how the most beautiful rose sometimes has the sharpest thorns." But we were able, once again, to walk freely through those streets of Odigo and sit and talk over coffee.

© 2008 Sapphire @ Blogspot.com

Yes, We Can!

Something moved me

Those of you who have known me for a long time are aware that I do not voluntarily discuss politics very often. It takes something special to move me to do so. Something moved me today.

Jon Favreau (pictured at right), 26, heads Senator Barack Obama's team of speechwriters which also includes Adam Frankel, 26, and Ben Rhodes, 30.

In my opinion, the speech they wrote for the Senator's victory in the Democratic Primary in South Carolina is uplifting and brilliant. If you haven't already heard it, please check out the video posted below.

© 2008 Sapphire @ Blogspot.com

Homemade Pizza Recipe

I am posting this recipe 'cause I agreed to share it with a girlfriend, plus this is a backup in case I lose my copy of the recipe sometime!

PIZZA from WHOLE WHEAT PIZZA DOUGH

INGREDIENTS:

1 teaspsoon white sugar
(I use Spenda 'cause my man is diabetic)
1-and-a-half cups warm water
(about 110 degrees F)
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups whole wheat flour
1-and-a-half cups all-purpose flour
one-half cup of cornmeal
(My tweak of the recipe — makes the crust better!)

DIRECTIONS:

In a large bowl, dissolve sugar in warm water. Sprinkle yeast over the top and let stand for 10 minutes until foamy.

Stir olive oil and salt into the yeast mixture, then mix in the flour and cornmeal until dough starts to come together. Tip dough onto floured surface and knead until all the flour has been absorbed and the ball of dough becomes smooth. Place dough in an oiled bowl (I coat the sides of the mixing bowl I used, rather than dirty another bowl), cover with a kitchen towel, and let stand in a warm place until the dough doubles in size (about one hour).

Tip dough back out onto floured surface and divide into 2 halves for thin crust pizza, or leave whole for a deep-dish style pizza. Form into tight ball(s) and let rise for 45 minutes or so.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Roll a ball of dough with a rolling pin until it will not stretch any further. Then, drape it over both fists and gently pull edges outward while slowly rotating the dough. When the circle has reached the desired size, place on a well-oiled pizza pan or screen. Spoon your favorite sauce (I make my own from canned tomato sauce, minced garlic, chopped onions, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper) onto the crust, then add toppings (meats, veggies, cheeses).

Bake for 15 - 25 minutes (depending on thickness, how fast your oven cooks, and how crispy you want your crust). Ideally, the crust should be crisp and golden at the edges, and cheeses should be nicely melted on top.

Enjoy!

© 2008 Sapphire @ Blogspot.com

New Year's advice

I posted the following in a friend's blog last night and then decided it would be good to share here as well. If nothing else, perhaps having it here will help me remember it when I need it.

We are here to "get our hands dirty" in this world, to live life to the fullest. With living, a little suffering and sorrow comes here-and-there — it's unavoidable, it's a sign of a life well-lived. With each bit of suffering and sorrow comes a greater capacity for compassion towards ourselves and other people. Keep living, keep loving, and let that compassion come until it overflows your soul and rains down onto the world!




© 2008 Sapphire @ Blogspot.com

New Year's wish

© 2008 Sapphire @ Blogspot.com