pink bows and the apocalypse

So, there has been this meme floating around where you post one this that makes you happy every day for eight days. (i'm not sure of the exact terms.) As my journal hasn't been a super happy place lately, much like my head, I decided to do it. Not only can I share some things that make me happy, but it will also get me used to posting more regularly again.

Todays happiness came from my evening walk with my dog. In the 15 minutes I was able to take almost 20 pictures (though I'm not posting) with my dinky little snap and click that had beauty in them. As much as I wish I weren't living here, I realize I am blessed to live in area of physical beauty. Being able to look out a window to the lake (and occasionally all the way to Vermont) is one the best parts of my job.

I am not a great photographer by any means, but here are some of the sights that made me happy today.
( here is a picspam of some of the prettiness i saw today )
And now for something a bit more serious. The park I am posting pictures of it one I have enjoyed for a few years now. I'm not sure what the actual name of it is, but everyone in my family call is Monument Park. That is because of the monument that stands atop the hill, looking out over the lake.

( partial view of the monument today )

However, that is just a partial shot. When you look at the whole picture, you see why going to the park shows one of the reasons people are getting so upset about Mammothfail.
( this is what the monument looks like )

A white man towering over a Native American who is crouched (savage) at his feet. This is what I walk past at least twice a day. And no one in my family has ever talked about it, even though my father had his college education paid for by the government because he is Sioux. People sit in that park everyday to enjoy the lake, just like I do, and we sit there and don't think about the history of that statue, 100 years old this year, commemorating the 'discovery' of an already inhabited area.

Patricia Wrede would like this park, I think. She would be able to look at the pretty lake and well tended gardens and not think about the towering white elephant there. Lois McMaster Bujold could enjoy the park without remorse as well, it seems. And that breaks my heart a bit. (Today I removed her name from my lj and dreamwisth interest lists.)

I will still go to the park. I don't really know that I could avoid it, and feel ashamed whe I do. But last time I took my sisters, we talked about the issues it raises. Kayla, who is only 7, didn't quite understand, but I think Niki gets it.

people, i start a new job tomorrow and i am psyching myself out about it to the point of full blown panic attacks.

( so far this morning (and it is only 10:20 a.m.) i have )

i was able to accomplish all this by waking up around 4:30 a.m. (after going to sleep around 1:30 a.m.) the thing is, i am running out of distractions.

things i need: encouragement that i will be fine at my new job, and that my coworkers won't hate me. distractions

therefore i am inaugurating a meme:

give me a word of encouragement, advice on how to present myself, or a hug. in return, i will make you an icon, upload a song for you or write you a drabble, possibly all three. feel free to specify which you want.

fandoms available: pushing daisies, psych, the wire, the west wing, entourage, sports night, arrested development, doctor who, the sarah jane adventures or merlin. oh, who am i kidding, request any fandom and i will try figure something out.