♣ Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Daoibh! ♣

Or for those of you not versed in Gaelic - Happy St. Patrick's Day!

For many, this holiday is much like another New Year's Eve: the revelry, the camaraderie and oh, yes, the drinking. Many partake in these festivities whether or not they are Irish (hey, only some of us can be perfect the rest of the year) and everyone has a grand old time.

However, have you ever wondered about the history behind St. Patrick's Day celebrations and customs?

St. Patrick's Day began as a Catholic holiday and is actually an official feast day. Over the years, the holiday has evolved into one of secular nature and serves as a celebration of Irish heritage and culture.

St. Patrick's Day is in honor of St. Patrick (duh!), a native Brit who was kidnapped by the Irish and taken to Ireland as a slave. At some point, he fled from captivity and returned to Britain. Upon his return, he studied to be a priest and was "called" to Ireland to convert them. Thus, St. Patrick was responsible for introducing Catholicism to the Irish or as they say "chasing the snakes out of Ireland" (and you wondered how Lakefront Brewery came up with the name Snake Chaser for their tasty Irish Stout). According to folklore, he used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity (Father, Son & Holy Spirit). As a result, the shamrock continues to be a prominent of St. Patrick's Day celebrations today.

As the Irish immigrated to the USA, St. Patrick's Day observances moved from a religious to a political nature. The first known observance (known as a parade) was in Boston in 1737. Irish immigrant workers marched to make a political statement about how they were not happy with their low social status and their inability to obtain jobs in America. New York City began its observance of the holiday in 1766 with a parade (which started at a tavern) in protest of the unfair treatment of the Irish immigrants. NYC continues to have the largest parade and celebration of St. Patrick's Day outside of Ireland, and it is likely not political in nature. Almost 300 years later, most major cities with historical Irish ancestry also stage parades in celebration; Chicago even dyes the Chicago River green for the festivities.

Today, Saint Patrick's Day is widely celebrated in the US by bloody everyone (Irish or not) by the wearing green-colored clothing and accessories (i.e. boas, funky ass hats). Traditionally, those who are caught not wearing green are pinched affectionately. If you are pinched for not wearing green, you have my permission to kick them in the "lucky charms". If you are wearing a traditional kilt, you can pinch or kick anyone you want...and look authentic doing it (regardless of ancestry).

Another modern-day tradition includes hitting local pubs, taverns and bars (again, Irish or not...in reference to the watering hole and the revelers) at 6 am on St. Patrick's day for free swag and libations (which should include a shot of Jameson). And in the States you'll hear a lot of U2 played. At least in Toronto they'll also play the Cranberries, the Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly. "Drunken Lullabies" seems appropriate at about midnight on a day like this.

And why the green? The color originally associated with St. Patrick was blue. However, green is one of the colors on the Irish flag. And that little shamrock has something to do with it as well.

But please, don't drink the green beer. It's an abomination of the holiday. Really. Try a Guinness or Harp.

♣ Sláinte! ♣

We Are The World, take 2

Where were you on 5 April 1985 at 10:25 am EST? That's the date more than 8000 radio stations in the USA played "We Are The World" by USA for Africa simultaneously. Twenty-five years later, "We Are The World" has been re-recorded and released. But before I get to that, let's explore how the music forged to the forefront of social causes.

How did USA for Africa come about? Well, It was the USA's response to the UK's effort to fight hunger relief. This effort, led by Bob Geldoff of Boomtown Rats fame, is better known as Band Aid. The song, "Do They Know It's Christmas", recorded and released in 1984. Geldoff's song raised millions of dollars, and had already made a significant difference to those suffering from famine and disease in Africa, specifically to famine relief in Ethiopia.

(Note: if you are not familiar with "Do They Know It's Christmas", you can hear it every year, multiple times, on any radio station that decides to begin their Christmas programming on 1 November.)

Not to be excluded, Canadian artists released "Tears Are Not Enough" under the name Northern Lights to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia. Practically overshadowed by its USA and UK counterparts, this continues to be my favorite of the three.

While the individual artists in the music industry frequently have stood for social causes, this marks the first first time the music industry assembled on a grand scale with supergroup quality to tackle a worldwide cause. Farm Aid, Amnesty International (among other musical/social cause marriages) concerts/fundraisers likely would not have flourished had it not been for Bob Geldoff's vision.

It's hard to believe that "We Are The World" is now 25 years old. It is also hard to believe that 25 years later, there are places on our planet that are still suffering from hunger, sub-par living conditions; basically a natural disaster away from total devastation.

Enter the marriage of "We Are The World (2010)" and Haitian earthquake relief. In reality, a 25th anniversary re-recording was planned for 28 January 2010 - exactly 25 years from the date of the original. However, the earthquake on 12 January altered plans slightly, one of which was re-designating the proceeds of the re-recording to benefit Haitian earthquake relief.

I can't fault the proceeds going to Haitian earthquake relief. In fact, I think it's fabulous that those deemed celebrities by our standards are using this status for a greater good - even if only for eight minutes and 33 seconds.

However, I do have to ask: who the hell are these people in the video? I could name 12, and that includes the image/voice of Michael Jackson. I recognized four less people in the "Tears Are Not Enough" video. I realize the face of pop music has changed over the years (which is why I don't listen to it anymore), but a slightly more diverse sampling of American music (read: alternative) would have been appreciated.

But in all seriousness, it once again shows that we, as human beings, can unify in our humanitarian efforts to help those who have been affected by devastation. And if it encourages or influences at least one person to take action, then it was well worth it.

my tax dollar

Planned Parenthood clinics perform about one third of all abortions in the United States, about 300,000 abortions in 2007-2008, and they receive $350 million in tax dollars annually. I don't want my taxes being spent this way.

When I first thought of my rebuttal to yet another of this friend's fb status updates, I was going to focus on areas in which I did not my tax dollars being spent. Then I reconsidered; this approach would be successful in allowing me to vent my displeasure, but beyond that it wouldn't accomplish much. Rather, I have decided to focus on the nuts and bolts of what Planned Parenthood actually does and how these tax dollars indeed provide necessary services.

While I was at Marquette, I went to Planned Parenthood for my annual checkup and to receive my birth control pills; years later, I still do so. Why? As a college student, I believed being on the pill (or any form of birth control) was better than the alternative of bringing an unplanned child into the world. Today, due to being older and hopefully wiser, it still beats the alternative AND I wholeheartedly believe in the purpose and existence of Planned Parenthood.

The root of Planned Parenthood's mission and actions is that all women should have access to the full range of reproductive health care. This includes (but is not limited to) birth control, breast and cervical cancer screenings, and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. Their primary goal is prevention; reducing the number of unintended pregnancies in our communities via preventative healthcare measures and education.

In fact, preventative and primary health care is what Planned Parenthood predominantly does; more than 90% of their resources (or more than $315 million in tax dollars) are allocated to these services. By providing these services, Planned Parenthood helps women and families make responsible decisions about their sexual and reproductive health, their lives and their futures.

As a part of protecting their health and the health of their families, women facing an unintended or unwanted pregnancy must have access to safe, abortion services without interference from the government or anti-choice extremists. In case you missed it, Roe v. Wade (1973) constitutionally and legally protects a woman's access to a medically safe abortion. Decisions about whether or not to have an abortion is up to the individual, not the government; and should be made by a woman in consultation with her family and doctor, not by politicians. This is a right that must be protected.

However, the real issue is to reduce unintended and unwanted pregnancies in the first place. How is this done? By increasing access to affordable birth control and comprehensive sex education. Yes, sex education does include abstinence. However, with over 50% of teenagers (a percentage that is higher in low-income urban areas) losing their virginity before high school graduation, preaching abstinence is not wholly effective.

Teenagers, and the populous as a whole, need to be educated on the different options of birth control available and the way to properly use these options; as well as the consequences of not utilizing what is available to them. By providing the correct resources and working together, we (in theory) can produce an educated population equipped with the knowledge to make responsible and informed decisions.

Planned Parenthood provides necessary services to women and their families - preventative and primary health care, affordable birth control and sex education.

I want my tax dollars being spent this way.

(additional information and statistics provided by Planned Parenthood and The Kaiser Family Foundation)

not propaganda

This morning, I was greeted by the following status message from a fb friend:
Life has suffered and been destroyed constantly in Haiti over the last decade and it took a massive earthquake for people to decide to help. What will it take for our country to recognize and stop the suffering and destruction of the unborn?

Sigh.

Haiti has never been what we would call a stable country - plagued by periods of political unrest, economic decline and general abuse of human rights. The recent earthquake, while sad and devastating, adds to the tumultuous history of this island country.

I agree that, due to natural disasters and a militant dictatorship, life has indeed suffered and been destroyed in Haiti. And we Americans tend to be a reactive bunch, thus it takes an event of mass and devastating proportions for us to take action. I don't think many would argue with either statement.

However, to use a disastrous event like the Haitian earthquake to promote religious and/or political propaganda?

Regardless of your political or religious persuasion, that's just wrong.

People have lost loved ones, their homes, their whole livelihood. We, as human beings, have unified in our humanitarian efforts to help those who have been affected - whether it be donating money to the Red Cross, participating in an organized fundraiser, or for those who are able, going to Haiti to help directly.

They say there is a time and place for everything - in this case, compassion for our fellow human beings.

Not propaganda.

this is milwaukee, right?

Last I checked I lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin - not Madison, Wisconsin. Thus, I believe that coverage any college basketball team (i.e. Marquette, UW Milwaukee) based in Milwaukee should take precedence over the one (UW) in Madison.

Before I go any further, perhaps I should preface this by saying I grew up with a dislike of the Badgers. I know what you're thinking: "But Bec, you grew up out east in the DC area. Why do you dislike the red and white so?" First, red and white are also University of Maryland colors; and in my world, they alwaus will be first and foremost. Second, my granddad was a proud Northwestern alum. Third, and likely the most relevant in this matter, my mother went to University of Minnesota. That Paul Bunyan axe? Well, it doesn't belong in Madison.

OK, maybe the fact I'm a Marquette alum also plays into this ever-so-slightly.

However, back to the original disgruntlement at hand. Last night both Marquette and Wisconsin played a game on the hardcourt and obviously, coverage of both games was on the news. Since TMJ-4 is a Milwaukee-based station, logically and logistically Marquette should be covered before Wisconsin, right? Wrong! Wisconsin v. Michigan THEN Marquette v. DePaul. Now, I don't know nor do I care about the results of this (or any) Wisconsin game. However, the Marquette was actually a big deal but definitely not in a good way. (Really...DePaul? A team that hadn't won a Big East game in two years until last night?).

Maybe I'm a mildly enthusiastic and biased Marquette alum; but I truly feel that in Milwaukee, Marquette should largely receive top-billing when it comes to college hoops. That being said, I do realize there is another Milwaukee NCAA Division I university. For you UW-Milwaukee fans and alum, I think UWM should receive priority coverage over Wisconsin as well. In some cases UWM can and rightfully should even precede Marquette (yes, I wrote that), like in the past when they have defeated Top 25 Butler.

Bottom line: This is Milwaukee. Support the Milwaukee universities, dammit!

double standard should dye

Despite the strides that women have made over the past 100-plus years, the double standard still remains. Men still make more cents on the dollar for equal work. Women often have to work harder for the same amount of prestige. Men's athletics draw more spectators and money than women's athletics (minus figure skating). Men are allowed, by societal standards, to age gracefully while women are encouraged to fight it every step of the way.

Why do I bring this up? I am one of those women who are involved in the fight on aging. Yes, I'll admit it; I dye my hair. I started when I was 17 because I though reddish or purple-ish hair would be cool. I was even platinum blonde for a time. Now, I dye my hair for a completely different reason - I am at least 30% grey.

I've been told that this "natural lightening process" (as I call it) is the only visible sign of aging I show. I believe I'm too young to go grey; even if it is the pretty silvery-grey that will eventually turn winter white. But if I did decide to go au natural, society would frown upon it.

In fact, society frowns upon it no matter what the woman's age. My mother is 70, retired, member of AARP, etc. She's certainly old enough to realistically have grey hair, yet she dyes it as not to appear old or unkempt. My 65-year-old dad, on the other hand, does not dye his hair (and never has). Yes, I inherited his silvery-grey hair; but that's not the point.

The point? Men are considered distinguished when they age gracefully; women are just considered aged. Aged is not only good for men, but wine and cheese as well. Well, why not women? If a woman wants no longer hide the natural color of her locks, she should be able to without question or being scrutinized.

Does this mean I'll stop dyeing my hair anytime soon?

Don't bet on it.

friendship...blendship...

Sometimes it takes a personal setback to realize what you might have lost, but more importantly, what you have.

Many of you know that I had surgery on Wednesday to (finally) repair my knee injury, which had been plaguing me since mid-August. For the record: yes, I know that I should have gotten it checked out then but I honestly didn't think it was as serious as a torn meniscus that required surgery. Thanks to the miracle of social networking, I posted updates on facebook because it was easier to keep everyone updated this way, rather than fielding multiple phone calls, e-mails and texts. Besides, isn't that what social networking is for, on some level anyway?

In dealing with setbacks you learn who your true friends are. I don't expect everyone to read everything in their newsfeed, nor to I expect the fb world to revolve around me (as nice as it may be for a time). For the better part of last decade, I spent a lot of time with a group of people who I thought were good friends -- honestly, I thought many of these people would be lifelong friends. However, a vast majority have not even checked in to see how I was doing with this setback...or even about life in general. I'll be truthful; it hurts. I felt there was a bond but maybe I should come to realize it was all a facade.

That being said, I'm fortunate to have a network of amazing friends who have been more than willing to help me out (schedules permitting, of course). This, quite frankly, floored me. I didn't realize that so many people would jump in and offer to help. Aside from the good thoughts, prayers, karma, well wishes, etc., they have volunteered to drive me places, bring me books, entertain me on fb or IM, bring me food...you name it, they've been there.

I also learned a valuable lesson in all this: be happy for what you have, and don't lament about what you don't. I am truly grateful for all my friends. A simple "thank you" doesn't seem like enough, but thank you for being there. You really have no idea how much it means.