tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33077682Sat, 07 Mar 2009 07:28:29 +0000(c) 2008 by V Kingsley. All rights reserved<br><br> <a href="http://www.alotoflife.com">Go to the Home Page of "A Lot of Life!"</a><br><br>Truth is so much stranger than fiction. V's Version is an unabashedly personal blog from my perspective as a formerly-blind quilter, a feminist home-schooling mother, a powerhouse cancer fighter for 5 years running and an avid journal writer since 1974. If you can handle that, my friends, read on!http://www.alotoflife.com/vsversion.htmnoreply@blogger.com (V Kingsley)Blogger274125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33077682.post-5184373248453264601Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:21:00 +00002009-01-14T15:55:50.484-08:00Vs version blog V Kingsley alotoflife....V's Version Has Moved !I hope you'll come visit my new web site by clickingalotoflife.comor copy and pastewww.alotoflife.cominto the web browser !Please bookmark the new site for the future.Sorry for the inconvenience........http://www.alotoflife.com/2008/11/vs-version-has-moved-i-am-trying-out-my.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Kingsley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33077682.post-4603384123845495717Wed, 19 Nov 2008 02:11:00 +00002008-11-18T19:25:28.258-08:00womenpiratessupport systemParaneoplastic PemphigusimmunePNPoptomisticgratitudelymphomahopepurplecancerTransparent WorldI am just feeling vulnerable and tired and somewhat defeated. Well - not defeated - but kicked down. I cannot tell you how disappointed I was to get the news yesterday. I have battled cancer and PNP and pneumonia and sinus infections, strange rashes, corneal damage, headaches, pulmonary problems and various other infections. I have been so sick for so long. There are some periodshttp://www.alotoflife.com/2008/11/transparent-world-i-am-just-feeling.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Kingsley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33077682.post-6917112025496207897Tue, 18 Nov 2008 05:16:00 +00002008-11-18T19:20:53.616-08:00cervical cancerlesbian family lifetwittercancer survivorcancerV Twitters here.What I like about twitter is that it only gives me 140 characters to say something meaningful.Today I wrote (in exactly 140 characters): I can not believe that the cells are pre-cancerous and that I have to endure MORE pain, MORE forms, MORE doctors. I really am stunned. Fuck.(Sorry if you aren't a fan of swearing. I don't usually swear but I am SO over all of this. I want to be http://www.alotoflife.com/2008/11/v-twitters-here.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Kingsley)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33077682.post-5811478758094839649Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:21:00 +00002008-11-19T09:04:46.247-08:00change government share stories obama biden vision gay agenda gblt lesbian family equal rights equality marriage marryOur new administration asked us to tell our stories on Change.gov - so I did. You can too.Welcome and Congratulations President Obama and Vice President Biden. Along with the majority of Americans, I am relieved and proud and grateful that you are on your way to Washington.I am one of the only known survivors of a rare skin-blistering disease with underlying cancer so I know a little bit about http://www.alotoflife.com/2008/11/our-new-administration-asked-us-to-tell.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Kingsley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33077682.post-5737030634400934899Wed, 12 Nov 2008 02:47:00 +00002008-11-11T22:53:57.807-08:00depression pity bereft somali pirates gratitudeMy 43rd BirthdayIt was, as many of you know, my birthday today. I would have to check my diaries to be sure - but I think it was the saddest birthday I have ever had. Not for lack of love or attention or well-wishes though. People - and my family especially - are incredibly generous and kind. But toxic sadness doesn't always make sense and is just too much to crawl from under even if it is my http://www.alotoflife.com/2008/11/my-43rd-birthday-it-was-as-many-of-you.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Kingsley)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33077682.post-6480368927914798890Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:05:00 +00002008-11-11T14:00:54.302-08:00national protest against prop proposition 8 join the imact jointheimpact gblti gblt gay lesbian equal equality rights discrimination rally noNational Protest Against Proposition 8 - November 15Check Here For Your AreaThis is in every city and town in the country - at 1:30 EST and 10:30 PSTWe need everyone to take a stance for equal rights.Not sure what it all means and how it affects you? Please find out.---Home---Contact---Quilts---Videos------Commission---About---Family---Links---Testimonials---http://www.alotoflife.com/2008/11/national-protest-against-proposition-8.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Kingsley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33077682.post-1094457408667896910Mon, 10 Nov 2008 22:32:00 +00002008-11-10T14:33:57.888-08:00I am just about to launch an all newly designed web page for alotoflife.comI sure do hope you will come see it.Stay tuned. Tomorrow is my birthday and it would be the best present if I could publish it by then!---Home---Contact---Quilts---Videos------Commission---About---Family---Links---Testimonials---.Subscribe to V's Version..http://www.alotoflife.com/2008/11/i-am-just-about-to-launch-all-newly.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Kingsley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33077682.post-6412197886912500461Fri, 07 Nov 2008 01:19:00 +00002008-11-06T17:22:58.237-08:00change government share stories new website president barack obama elect new voice people grassroots democracyThis is our government.President-Elect Obama wants to hear from you.---Home---Contact---Quilts---Videos------Commission---About---Family---Links---Testimonials---.Subscribe to V's Version..http://www.alotoflife.com/2008/11/this-is-our-government.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Kingsley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33077682.post-1785516275378972505Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:41:00 +00002008-11-05T11:15:15.114-08:00No on Proposition 8 ethics politics religion lesbian family values freedom equality hypocrisy free oppression battle California marriage marry civil unions No one is free while others are oppressed.The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertainuntil it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life.- Jane AddamsPresident Barack Obama:What a night.What a moment in history.Equal Rights for All:Gone.To paraphrase Martin Luther King Jr:"The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by thosewho http://www.alotoflife.com/2008/11/president-barak-obama-what-night.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Kingsley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33077682.post-7228836739636757789Sun, 02 Nov 2008 02:42:00 +00002008-11-02T09:13:31.097-08:00vote voter laws employer state time delay presidential election november 4 2008 polls expect employee notice political involvement people get out rock turnout Vote as early as possible!We want everyone to vote - no matter how long it takes. Even if you think you know who is going to win - get out and vote! This election could be (I hope WILL be) the mandate our elected officials need to hear the will of the people. Dani and I have just come home from phone bank campaigning for Obama in Colorado. (I have to say that I really didn't want to go. I was http://www.alotoflife.com/2008/11/vote-as-early-as-possible-we-want.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Kingsley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33077682.post-2756333625789075474Sat, 01 Nov 2008 16:14:00 +00002008-11-02T09:35:10.032-08:00 My Voting Record(for what it's worth)1984 Election - Jesse Jackson in the primaries, Mondale / Ferrarro in election1988 Election - Jesse Jackson in the primaries, Dukakis / Bensten in election1992 Election - Jerry Brown in the primaries, Clinton / Gore in election1996 Election - Clinton / Gore in both primary and election (worked for the campaign)2000 Election - Nader in primary and Gore / http://www.alotoflife.com/2008/11/my-voting-record-for-what-its-worth.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Kingsley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33077682.post-922176841289266723Thu, 30 Oct 2008 05:08:00 +00002008-10-29T22:13:49.478-07:00barack obama 30 minute commercial infomercial get out the vote president full text videoBarack Obama's 30-Minute CommercialFor the full text of the 30-minute commercial, click here.http://www.alotoflife.com/2008/10/barack-obamas-30-minute-commercial-for.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Kingsley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33077682.post-787175754041986312Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:23:00 +00002008-10-29T10:27:03.837-07:00No on Proposition 8 ethics politics religion leswbian family valuesA flyer to give to the neighbors (above) andA letter I just wrote (below)Thanks, Dad. I am pretty miserable. I'm still bleeding and changing the dressing frequently. Yuck. Very painful. Very uncomfortable.I'm trying to cheer myself up and keep myself occupied even though I am in pain. I'm holding off on the pain meds this morning in hopes that I can take Parker out to get his Halloween costume. Ihttp://www.alotoflife.com/2008/10/flyer-to-give-to-neighbors-above-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Kingsley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33077682.post-3126932744592074122Mon, 27 Oct 2008 23:32:00 +00002008-10-27T17:14:45.598-07:00sinus surgery dr william b lewis oakland summit center entBefore surgery. Pain level 4.Sometimes the pain must get worse before it gets better.Pain level 8.Ouch.But now I am on the mend - Thanks, Dr. Lewis!I am stoked that Julie Wolf recommended me to Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) Dr. William B. Lewis in Oakland, CA. Not only is he a competent ENT who is up on the latest technology but it's been fun to talk politics with him too! I just wrote a review callinghttp://www.alotoflife.com/2008/10/before-surgery.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Kingsley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33077682.post-4430982819900098061Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:34:00 +00002008-10-24T05:38:00.351-07:00I am off to have major sinus surgeries and get a broken and fixed nose. Wish me luck.http://www.alotoflife.com/2008/10/i-am-off-to-have-major-sinus-surgeries.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Kingsley)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33077682.post-8024707267187854432Wed, 22 Oct 2008 18:08:00 +00002008-10-22T12:09:39.550-07:00girl talk feed the animals review positive vibration dance party plunderphonics being ill urban dictionaryBeing Ill with "Girl Talk"I feel ill.(in both the new and old-school meanings of the word.)So do you want to know what I am listening to? "Feed the Animals"! It's the high octane dance computer mashup plunderphonics of Gregg Gillis' (aka Girl Talk). (Free or pay what you want download here.) There is very little of Gregg's own music on this album. It is a mash up of hip hop, 70s and 80s soft http://www.alotoflife.com/2008/10/being-ill-with-girl-talk-i-feel-ill.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Kingsley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33077682.post-2586807251513398449Tue, 21 Oct 2008 04:56:00 +00002008-10-20T22:22:06.754-07:00cala lily daisy meet the flowers gregory case quilt photograph art kingsley pvqa pajaro valley quilt guild california santa cruz"Meet the Flowers"2008, 30" x 36"Photo by Gregory CaseFinally.If only it were possible to show the high resolution image of this quilt on this blog or to visit a certain happy couple in Minnesota who might be willing to let you take a peek! It would be so nice for you to actually see the quilt itself! Good news! "Meet the Flowers" will be shown in California in 2009 at Pajaro Valley Quilt Guild'shttp://www.alotoflife.com/2008/10/meet-flowers-2008-30-x-36-photo-by.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Kingsley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33077682.post-403023491296509787Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:54:00 +00002008-10-16T11:32:07.213-07:00plumbers for obamajoe the plumber debunk McCain claim small business taxJoe the Plumber - as it turns out - is actually richer than the average plumber AND the average small business owner. $250,000 a year (or more) is NOT middle class. Not in my book.I've had to deal with quite a few plumbers in my life. My neighbor Chris is a plumber. His wallet (and mine and probably yours) will be smaller with McCain as President. Those same wallets will be larger if Obama's tax http://www.alotoflife.com/2008/10/joe-plumber-as-it-turns-out-is-actually.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Kingsley)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33077682.post-3866862651431555528Wed, 15 Oct 2008 02:05:00 +00002008-10-14T19:59:11.430-07:00obama believe mags art no proposition 8 lesbian family life home school house wife depressionThis is my friend Mags.She is famous and talented AND she has agreat merch fund raiserfor the Obama Campaign. The Huffington Post put her in national print yesterday. I hope people will go to her creations because Dani and I really respect her work.I also hope that you (yes YOU) are doing something to be involved in this election. Dani and I spent time listening to the fine folks of New Mexicohttp://www.alotoflife.com/2008/10/this-is-my-friend-mags.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Kingsley)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33077682.post-5027343250039752554Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:27:00 +00002008-10-10T09:12:16.409-07:00health financial stock market crash perspective honestyMy Health and the Stock MarketKeeping it in PerspectiveHere is a letter I wrote to a friend this morning. It kind of sums it up so I thought I would just reprint it here:Hey Lis - thanks for asking. It's not like I can't share or don't want to - but, you know, where do I start? It's all one continuous battle to me. The Paraneoplastic Pemphigus has ravaged (to greater and lesser degrees) all areashttp://www.alotoflife.com/2008/10/my-health-and-stock-market-keeping-it.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Kingsley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33077682.post-347822256905908991Tue, 07 Oct 2008 04:15:00 +00002008-10-07T01:11:05.377-07:00october 1 2008 coup Bush martial law wake up America economyI am leery of conspiracy theories. I hate chain letters.I do not, as a rule, consider Chicken Little to be my meteorologist.But, with that said, I honestly believe thatWe are all in trouble.I have been sleeping. You have been sleeping. But now I am waking up and putting all the crazy pieces together. The economy, the elections, the "conservative agenda", the regulation of press and the http://www.alotoflife.com/2008/10/naomi-wolf-interview-stating-that-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Kingsley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33077682.post-3592393334157789890Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:26:00 +00002008-10-02T17:24:13.348-07:00personal finance blog politics lesbian health family issue NVCMy head is full. Very, very full.Political ideas and financial terminology and major infectionsare all swimming together in one murky mess.It's a little overwhelming.I'm catching up on SNL skits (Tina Fey - gotta love her) and on conservative Kathleen Parker's call for Mrs. Palin to step down from the Republican ticket while I anxiously await the VP "debate" tonight. I've also learned about http://www.alotoflife.com/2008/10/my-head-is-full.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Kingsley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33077682.post-6758936336910070496Sun, 28 Sep 2008 03:43:00 +00002008-09-27T21:52:20.354-07:00paul newman philanthropy newman's own popcorn sundance kid fred small hero obituary death coincidenceR.Redford and P.Newman in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"Paul Newman - Rest in PeaceIn a strange twist of fate, our son, Pk, was watching "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and eating popcorn (which is often Newman's Own) at the exact time that Paul Newman was dying last night. Newman was one of my philanthropic heroes and I have nothing but respect for all the good he did in this world. http://www.alotoflife.com/2008/09/r.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Kingsley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33077682.post-1987500319466903041Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:07:00 +00002008-09-27T21:59:00.976-07:00sarah palin vice presidential candidate reproductive rights abortion sex education choice freedom feminism menfolk mydebates electionBig questions - No answers.Reproduction Rights aren't the only place where the menfolk are making decisions that affect me. There are so many places to pay attention to in politics and the economy that it's enough to make one's head spin. Or - to just bury one's head altogether.But bury we must not, my friends! (lest we bury the last of our freedoms as well.)For a prime example of a "we don't http://www.alotoflife.com/2008/09/big-questions-no-answers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Kingsley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33077682.post-3251324210421636700Tue, 23 Sep 2008 03:13:00 +00002008-09-22T20:50:57.528-07:00obama for president MLK martin luther king I have a dream American prayer get out the voteAmerican PrayerPlease take a moment when you are finished reading my blog to hear this - my - American Prayer.It does not sum up my thoughts but it shows a few factors in the equation.I would like to have seen a $700 Billion bail-out of the mortgage crisis on behalf of low to moderate income home buyers. I would like to have seen a $700 Billion bail-out of health care industry on behalf of the http://www.alotoflife.com/2008/09/american-prayer-please-take-moment-when.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (V Kingsley)0