I don't bring knives to gun fights.

Why I Am Voting No on 26

2011-10-07T22:00:00.000-07:00

Before I attended law school, I never really understood the gravity codification can have on a person's rights, but as I studied Constitutional law, I learned that the simplest statements can be twisted, turned, and reinterpreted to have huge effects on how we live our lives. While some statements may seem simple and straightforward on their face, the consequences of having those statements codified as law can wreak havoc on the way citizens live their lives. That is the case for Initiative 26, which will appear on ballots this November in Mississippi. If you are voting in Mississippi this November, this is what you will see:

Should the term "person" be defined to include every human being from the moment of fertilization, cloning, or the equivalent thereof? Yes or No.

At a glance, this seems like a relatively simple and harmless decision to make: If you agree, mark yes. If you don't agree, mark no.

Unfortunately, what most voters do not understand is the fact that answering yes or no is not as black and white as the ballot might have you believe. By choosing an answer, you are not merely showing an opinion in regard for the above statement. You are also choosing to support or not support a wide range of other things. In other words, the personhood amendment is not about abortion. It is also about a wide range of healthcare options and the availability of those options to families in Mississippi.

By voting no on 26, you are not saying that you are in support of abortion; you are instead saying that you support the health of women in Mississippi. In other words, you have many opportunities to take a stance against abortion if that is your cause, but voting for this initiative is not one of them.

Let me tell you a story: A few years ago, I received a terrifying phone call from my doctor after a pap smear. I was told that I had precancerous cellular growth on my cervix. I went to the doctor for a second test, which confirmed that I would need to undergo a series of procedures to remove these cells. After three rounds of surgical procedures and numerous followups, I was finally able to get my body back to normal. Unfortunately, my doctor told me that simply removing these cells would not ensure that I would be free from worries. She told me that I was at a greater risk for cervical cancer, and further procedures to remove abnormal cells could affect my ability to have children in the future. Luckily, she was able to provide me with a solution that could reduce the chances that abnormal cells would develop again: an IUD. Medical studies have shown that IUDs reduce the risk for both cervical cancer and endometrial cancer. While I still have to go to the doctor on a regular basis, my IUD has given me hope for my future. If I were to develop abnormal cells again, not only could I potentially face cancer, but I would also lose the ability to carry a child. This solution not only helps protect my own life, but it also gives me the ability to perhaps one day give new life. Unfortunately, for women in my situation in Mississippi, a yes vote for initiative 26 could prohibit doctors from prescribing IUDs, the same medical device that helps to protect my life and ensure my ability to create new life down the road. But this is just one example of how Initiative 26 could prove detrimental to the life of women and their future children. For more information, read this statement by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

If you truly believe in protecting life and the health of your fellow Mississippians, please VOTE NO ON 26 this November.

The War on Drugs at Lincoln Hall

2011-03-31T22:23:00.000-07:00

Adam Granduciel and company came to town Tuesday night for an always stellar performance with Destroyer. I didn't have my camera with me, but I snagged these photos with my iPhone. Enjoy!

My Frankie Always Makes Me Smile

2011-03-15T20:53:00.000-07:00

Just got off the phone with one of my favorite old flames, and it put a huge grin on my face. I was having a bad day, and he's the type of guy I can call up on a bad day and instantly change my mood. There's something so wonderfully innocent about this high-spirited, wild man that I could never lay all my problems into him. And yet, he somehow absorbs all of my bad vibes and sets me right without me ever having to ask. I hope every single person in the world has a friend like that...the kind of friend that never skips a beat and who loves you so much he makes you feel hesitant to burden him with any bad feelings at all.

Reading List: Gwyneth Paltrow's Blog

2011-03-02T09:47:00.000-08:00

About a year ago, my friend Robyn Dulaney Pela introduced me to GOOP. GOOP is the personal blog of Gwyneth Paltrow. I've always loved GP and thought that she was a beautiful actress, but now that I read her blog, I am a huge fan. She shares great tips on everything from home decor, fashion and travel to health, beauty and personal growth. One post that I really enjoyed reading recently was her post on "friendship divorce." Having gone through a similar situation recently, it was really nice to read this article and confirm some of the feelings I had before I chose to cut stronger ties with someone who was creating a lot of negative energy in my life. Check out the full blog here, and read "Friendship Divorce" here.

Vote for Dylan's T-Shirt Design!

2011-03-01T20:34:00.000-08:00

Score this design: "Happy New Wave Skulls," to help it get printed on Threadless!

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One More for the Wish List

2011-03-01T12:57:00.000-08:00

Lanvin Metal et Pierre Ring

Bang Bang, I Shot You Down

2011-02-08T07:35:00.000-08:00

Check out my new earrings, courtesy of Dorian Creations. I also got the necklace, but I don't think I'll wear all three bullets at once. These are super cute, and, at just $25 for the entire set, a total steal! As far as I can tell, I snagged the last set of earrings, but they also have some really nice looking pens crafted from 308 Winchester Bullets and a few different style keychains that would make great Valentine's Day gifts for your special guy.

And if you can't snag a pair of these earrings, you can always enjoy the sultry sounds of Miss Nancy Sinatra singing one of my favorite tunes. These bangs are free but not as fun:

For the Love of Boat-Inspired Design

2011-02-07T15:41:00.000-08:00

For the past few years, I have been raving about my brother's beautiful handmade canoes. They take months to create and the way he painstakingly shapes each strip of wood absolutely amazes me. That is why I am completely in love with this piece of furniture by David Trubridge. If only I had an extra 10k sitting around so I could buy it for myself!

Miniature Paintings

2011-01-29T14:33:00.000-08:00

I got up this morning and played with my new paints. Having fun learning how to use acrylics even if the paintings aren't that great.

Another addition to the wish list...

2011-01-28T13:26:00.000-08:00

Karen Walker Cat Eye Sunglasses from Bona Drag

What I Did for My Lunch Break Today

2011-01-14T14:39:00.000-08:00

The Smoking Popes at a live taping of JBTV today!

Josh Caterer

Another addition to the wish list...

2011-01-14T14:38:00.000-08:00

Umami paste!

I want...

2011-01-11T12:14:00.000-08:00

Cross Dagger Rosary by Pamela Love...This is so very me.

I admit it...I think I like INXS

2011-01-04T22:28:00.000-08:00

I never really took a good look at Michael Hutchence before, but that man was attractive, and this song is still so good today.

I Paint (for Fun) Sometimes

2010-12-24T21:40:00.001-08:00

What You Missed on Tuesday

2010-12-09T15:27:00.000-08:00

All I Want for Christmas...

2010-12-07T13:53:00.000-08:00

I would love to have one of these vintage-style, wire dress forms to use as a coat rack by my front door. So cute and functional!

How I'm Feeling Today

2010-12-06T12:03:00.000-08:00

Maybe it's the weather but for whatever reason all of the bad stuff that has happened in the past few months is weighing heavy on my mind and making me feel pretty emotional. I know I should focus on all of the wonderful things in my life right now, but for whatever reason, all of the deaths and sad things keep creeping in. I'm not usually one to get super emotional in my personal blog, but I am seriously looking forward to my run and a drink after work and my trip to Memphis can't come soon enough. Sometimes, all I need is a good sweat, a stiff drink and a trip to the homelands to cheer me up. Two out of three will have to do for today.

All I Want for Christmas...

2010-11-23T13:59:00.000-08:00

One of the lovely paintings from the Walter Anderson gallery, including this one (preferably painted):

Please Save JBTV!

2010-11-02T16:22:00.000-07:00

Go Bears!

2010-10-14T15:33:00.000-07:00

Hotty Toddy, Gosh Almighty. Only YOU can prevent forest fires! Flim flam, bim bam, Black Bears by damn.

Ole Miss got a new mascot today. Everyone, meet Rebel the Black Bear:

A Person is a Person No Matter How Small

2010-10-08T09:08:00.000-07:00

I'm usually on the side of the plaintiff when it comes to many suits based on misappropriation of a person's image or persona, but sometimes these suits go a little too far. Last year, Lindsay Lohan sued E-Trade when they had a commercial involving a "milkaholic" baby named Lindsay. Now, we have a speck suing Dido. Read more about Astronaut Bruce McCandless' suit against the singer Dido here on Legal Blog Watch.

This Song Makes Me Smile

2010-10-03T23:44:00.001-07:00

This Wheel's on Fire

2010-09-23T08:06:00.000-07:00

I started reading This Wheel's on Fire by Levon Helm (with Stephen Davis) today. I've only read the prologue, and this paragraph already has me excited: Memory Lane can be a pretty painful address at times, but in an inventory of five decades of American musical experience you've got to take the good with the bad. So draw up a chair to my Catskill bluestone fireplace while I roll one, and we'll crack open a couple of cold beers. The game's on the cable with the sound off, and I'm gonna take you back in time, specifically to cotton country: the Mississippi Delta just after World War II. We're gonna get this damn show on the road.

My New Boozer Cruiser

2010-09-20T21:34:00.000-07:00

I bought this little gem for only $20 today. The breaks are squeaky and it needs a little work, but I am looking forward to riding it to and from bars and other cruiser-worthy trips this fall and next summer. Let me know if you want to help me fix it up!