She accused a bunch of people I know, some of whom who hate the sight of each other,some who are lifelong lefsists who have suffered for their courageous stands in the past, of being involved in this vast right wing conspiracy against her.

She accused Kevin Urich and Larry Wilson of being involved in a conspiracy against her. THOSE GUYS HATE EACH OTHER. I doubt they have even spoken to each other in the last five years, let alone plot against Virginia Hoge.

She accused a African-American reporter I have known for thirty years of being a right wing tool of Pasadena’s Oligarchs and a Co Conspirator against them! This guy is the only reporter I know who will even look into misdeeds by those in local power!

She had some insane idea that Aaron Proctor was a Republican party plant to try to get the youth vote. LOL.

While some of Aarons postings were shall we say a wee dram over the top, and while he used to look like a refugee from a Black Sabbath training camp, he’s right about one thing:

Virginia is batshit CRAZY!

And this woman whining about Free Speech, didn’t she get Rene Amy’s web site shut down? I know Rene. He is a colorful character but he is no racist, far far from it. And he’s no right wing extremist,either.

She said Robin’s was a BBQ joint from hells hearth. Really? The only guy who has a waitstaff in town that actually reflects Pasadenas diversity is from hell? I mean if all Republicans were like Robin this would be a hell of a better country.

I have all kinds of friends in Pasadena. Some are Republicans, Some are Democrats. Some liberal, some conservative.Some gay, most straight, some Christians, pagans, atheists, buddhists (No Scientoligists, even I have lines I wont cross) A Jew or two. I even know and like a couple of Pasadneas oligarchs in spite of the fact that I know they are the enemy.

What I dont have is friends or associates who insist that sane hard working people, even ones who are wrong and have opinions different from mine, are involved in a conspiracy when they have NO EVIDENCE, not even the slightest teeniest thread of evidence, just wild unsupported accusation.

Long ago I once knew a person like Virgina whose every word I believed. That got me sued. I suggest everyone take heed.

Yes, things get ingrained. Yes, it’s hard. Yes, my folks screwed up on some major things. But they brought their own dysfunctions into the mix (and they came from an era when seeing a therapist was taboo). And they did some things right. For me to simply give in and say my problems are their fault is to say I’ve failed at being an adult.

Sadly I think you may be the wonderful exception that proves the rule. I know most folks born in your situation would not have had your outcome.

In my case marrying way out of my league helped mitigate much of the baggage of my up bringing.

rather than focusing on “what could have been…”, all of these experiences contributed to making me who i am today, and for that, i am Truly Thankful.

straight A student, been working since i was 16 and put myself through school…got an AA, BA, MA despite my mother saying, “why bother with school? it’s a waste of time and money!” oh the encouragement from that one! found and been with my honey for the last 23 years, vowing not to repeat the mistakes of the woman who came before me.

didn’t drink or do drugs, didn’t become a runaway teenage mother or a statistic, and don’t verbally abuse anyone who doesn’t have it coming.

there’s a difference between Dwelling and Reflecting on one’s past. to dwell is to stew and make excuses and be consumed; to reflect is to grow and learn and realize you’ve got choices, regardless of where you came from or what your circumstances have been.

what’s done IS done, but what’s LEFT TO DO…that’s entirely up to you.

It really isn’t worth pondering, because what is done is done…and yet, I still do.