The Daily Drab

My Vision For Election Day 2010

2010-11-02T06:50:00.003-05:00

The people take back their Nation.
We round up all of our Elected offices, from the lowest held to Commander and Chief. We drop them all at our Nations Capital. Heavily Surround the area. The people have had enough! Heavily armed with foam bats...nobody get out!
Our Elected 1st assignment, Watch "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington". Reason, You need some humility before you can open your mouths.
The people will hold you in this camp until you, Our Elected, can admit to the people that you are corrupt, you are busy with back biting, payoffs, corruption , you don't represent the people of this Nation, but your own personal agendas, Stop making the rich, richer and the poor, poorer, Move away from your desks and walk with the people of this Nation, every single one of you, until you get it through your heads that your office is designed for the people and by the people. NOT your personal Career Goals! You, our Elected will remain in camp until you learn how to get along, until you can come together as you expect the Nation to come together, Put down your bribes,your big Government, your petty differences, and for Gods Sake...make a decision good for this Nation.
You pound on us to vote and we are tired. Our Nation of people has come down to voting for the lesser of the evils instead of someone we truly believe in. How sick is that?!?!

No one gets out until we get common decency and Honor back in our Elected!

cliches and expressions origins

2010-10-21T14:33:00.004-05:00

http://www.businessballs.com/clichesorigins.htm

Deticated to Michael Brown

Blast from the past!

2010-10-11T16:29:00.004-05:00

Wowie it's cool to be back. I almost forgot about our blogs!! Very cool new

look I must say Auntie. Well I'll be back for some posting once I get mine

all setup! *Hugs*

Up and Running

2010-10-11T08:02:00.001-05:00

I have my blog back now :) So much time has passed, it will take me a while to catch up. Have no idea where to start, so much has happened in my life. I will wait for that creative moment where the words just flow. I'm so excited!

Much Time Lost

2010-10-11T07:17:00.001-05:00

It has been an awful long time since I've had acess to my blog. My sister Elaine hijacked it somehow and I am trying to recover it.

Pete's Song

2006-11-19T10:16:00.002-06:00

The Scientist
Martin/Berryman/Buckland/Champion. 2001©coldplay

Come up to meet you, tell you I'm sorry,
You don't know how lovely you are,
I had to find you, tell you I need ya,
And tell you I set you apart,
Tell me your secrets, and ask me your questions,
Oh lets go back to the start,
Running in circles, coming in tails,
Heads on a science apart,

Nobody said it was easy,
It's such a shame for us to part,
Nobody said it was easy,
No one ever said it would be this hard,
Oh take me back to the start

I was just guessing at numbers and figures,
Pulling the puzzles apart,
Questions of science, science and progress,
Do not speak as loud as my heart,
And tell me you love me, come back and haunt me,
Oh and I rush to the start,
Running in circles, chasing tails,
Coming back as we are

Nobody said it was easy,
Oh it's such a shame for us to part,
Nobody said it was easy,
No one ever said it would be so hard,
I'm going back to the start

2006-10-17T03:33:00.000-05:00

As gazebo_dude wandered through the empty streets he remembered a story he read once about a place called Salidar. It's hard to believe that just a year ago this place was a bustling little city. Now the cold winter breeze blew through empty streets, past abandoned buildings. Most were single story houses made of wood with tile roofs missing the occasional shingle. Moving towards the center of town there were shops and markets; ramshackle buildings with the doors falling off the hinges more often than not. A musty odor spoke of mildew and vermin in the storehouses. All alone in the center of town, set off from the rest of the buildings by a respectable square of packed dirt, was a tall three story stone building with a slate roof mostly intact. The doors were nowhere to be seen. It was there that gazebo_dude was headed.

Like Salidar of legend, the inhabitants of this town had come together briefly for a common purpose, and when that purpose was concluded, moved on with their lives. Like Salidar, the safest place to meet was the one place that your enemies knew you used to meet. As far as gazebo_dude was aware, nobody else knew he was here. They would know – the world would know, shortly. Rising to the top of the stone building, the old town hall – center of a phenomenon, holding high the rod of legend, he began the call. A call that would resonate far and wide. A call to unite once again.

You are invited to join Sparta again. As account activation is enabled please make sure that I will recognize your username. What will it become? I cannot say - that is for you to decide. I look forward to seeing everyone again.

Thanks to Robert Jordan, author of The Wheel of Time series, for Salidar, and a million other products of his genius. Looking forward to book 12!

Jealousy

2006-10-08T09:29:00.000-05:00

Jealousy is simply and clearly the fear that you do not have value.

Jealousy scans for evidence to prove the point -

that others will be preferred and rewarded more than you.

There is only one alternative - self-value.

If you cannot love yourself, you will not believe that you are loved.

You will always think it's a mistake or luck.

Take your eyes off others and turn the scanner within.

Find the seeds of your jealousy, clear the old voices and experiences.

Put all the energy into building your personal and emotional security.

Then you will be the one others envy, and you can remember the pain and reach out to them.

By
~Jennifer James

To Sir With Love

2006-10-07T13:56:00.000-05:00

Mr. Michael Brown.....Mark Hardiman sends Love and Greetings to you and your
Lovely Wife.
Don't Shoot The Messenger :)!

This Weeks Review

2006-10-06T15:59:00.000-05:00

Mill Work.......No, I have nothing good to say about it!

Jordan is the funniest person I have EVER met!!!!!!!!
P.S. Special as well. Very Special!

Hotel this week.....Great! No Breakfast Nazi :)

City ....Crawfordsville. I only wish Princeton was as
nice. They have business that are operating on their Square!
I Know....its cooky to think of it! Princeton is a bit of a cess pool.....Sorry to whom ever that offends.

The Holiday is a BUST because SOME people......no names for now, are
just to good to come together. To you I say, Shame on YOU!!!!!!!!
I will revise a portion of that statement. They think they are to good
to break bread with the rest of us. I have BIG ASS news for you...YOUR NOT that
F*cking good....if your good at all!

The reat of us here will celebrate and have a Great holiday.

I Love You All! However...I could kick some stuck up back biting ass in some of you.
You know who you are!

Tabby...Thank You Baby for your efforts. You are always the 1st one to be festive.
Never let anyone take that from you!!!!!! Your Beautiful Baby Girl.

The worst news of all...Michael and Amy will be late to Thanksgiving Dinner.

LOVE
Good Night

Quote of the Week:

2006-10-01T01:13:00.000-05:00

"I love marriage; you get to constantly bag out your favourite person in the whole world..." -Michael Brown-

Sharing

2006-09-28T00:56:00.000-05:00

Just thought I would share some of my latest email forwarded to with you all since I rarely forward them to anyone. Reason: I HATE forwards!!! :s But I thought these were particularly cute :)

So Lets See....What Is New?

2006-09-22T07:14:00.000-05:00

-The Tour at Indy is over after 5 weeks. We all got out with all fingers still in tact....which is a miracle for me. The opening of a new store with the crew I was with, was and will remain some of the greatest moments in time. Bitter Sweet ending.

-Hammer Drills are pretty nice.

-Michael, as we all know has reached 22 years old , old news now:). Get over it!

-Off work for the weekend and I have gone strait for the dress and heels. It is the Girl Girl in me.

-Time spent with Sister today, a good deal.

-Work I will do today....None!

-Tomorrow......the same!

-Sunday....Hey, I don't work on Sundays!

-How much I miss you all....More than words.

-Jordan demonstrated making love to heavy metal music this week. I almost broke my wrist banging it on his dash board from laughter. It is a must see! If you see Jordan....request a demo!

-Tabby wants to have "The 3rd Annual Friends Thanksgiving"...considering renting a hall. If there is anyone interested in getting on board with that expense...Please contact Tabby or myself. It would be a good idea to get the space reserved early! It is this reporters opinion that Tabby is on the right track with this idea. Time is short and friends few and far between. It is time to gather together , get those gushy group hugs , eat, drink and be marry:).

-Must go do my hair now...Kisses!

Happy 22nd Birthday Michael

2006-09-19T18:18:00.000-05:00

In the Beginning there was Dad, Mom and Me
Mike in yellow outfit: Man I'm loving this!
Mike sitting up in Ninja outfit: I am so ready to go kick some bad guy ass!!
Mike Laying down in Ninja outfit: Man who's going to take me seriously in Puppy shoes...Geez thanks Mom!!
Mike at Christmas: Wow!!! I'm loving this whole Santa gig.
Mike as Mini Me.....Note the finger at his mouth hehehe
Mike's first grade picture: No honest it's my mom who did my hair.
Yuda Mike: In the Beginning there was my Dad and Mom, oh wait that's me!!!

Happy Birthday

2006-09-11T07:06:00.000-05:00

Not Even The Trees

2006-09-09T09:02:00.000-05:00

Alone as I sit and watch the trees Won't you tell me if I scream will they bend down and listen to me And it makes me wonder if I know the words will you come Or will you laugh at me Or will I run Little boy says to me, "Where you goin' now son" I said, "I don't know where I'm goin' boy I only know where I'm from" And it makes me wonder If the stars shine when my eyes close Or does my brothers heart cry I don't know I'm a stranger in my home Now that everybody's gone Someone please talk to me Cause I feel you cry And you're sitting with him And I know I'll never see you again Lying down in Charleston under the Carolina sky You see I'm tired of feeling this pain I'm tired of living my own little lie And it makes me wonder When I see you in my dreams Does it mean anything Are you trying to talk to me I'm a stranger in my home Tell me are you feeling alone Someone tell me what to do 'Cause I'm feeling strong And I wonder how you feel Do you realize my pain is for real I see you in my dreams And I wonder if you're looking down at me And smiling right now I wanna know if it's true When he looks at me Won't you tell me Does he realize he came down here And he took you too soon And now my days are short an my nights are long I lay down with memories of you that keep me going on, going on It makes me wonder as I sit and stare Will I see your face again Tell me, do you care I'm a stranger in my home Living life on my own Right now I just can't see 'Cause i'm feeling weak And my soul begins to bleed And no one is listening to me, not even the trees
Hottie and The Blow Fish....For Ken

I'm Goin' Home

Mama, please don't go Won't you stay here for one more day I've been your boy for so long now There's so much I, I still have to say The sky ripped open and I held my heart in my hand Like a soldier on his very last day Cried myself to sleep that night And I listened as I heard the angels sing Sha la la chorus: Sha la la la, Sha la la la I'm goin' home Sha la la la, La la la la I'm goin' home Something inside of me makes me scream, oh.. How could God take you from a little boy? You'll be alright he's by my side He's not a little boy, he's my pride and joy Sha la la la la Sha la la la, Sha la la la, La la la la, I'm goin' home Take me home Sha la la la, Sha la la la la la, La la la la, I'm goin' home Take me home now Summer on the radio, when the phone rang And it was Jeanette Saying boy we had to let her go I beg, "No, no not yet" You left six of us to fend for ourselves Guess it's just part of someone's master plan We'll say you left cause you're my best friend You were a light to them, And I smiled when the angels sang... Sha la la la, Sha la la la I'm goin' home ...etc....
Hottie and The Blow Fish....Patty's Song

This year ROSH HASHANAH is on 23rd September, 2006

2006-09-09T06:39:00.000-05:00

Customs and Tradition
Rosh Hashanah and High Holy Days of Jewish New Year
High Holy Days with Rosh Hashanah. The holiday la rosh that means the new year celebrations of the Jewish community and stands for the feast of trumpets, freeing ourselves from all bad stuffs lurking inside us and wishing all a good and pious new year.
The Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) takes place in the month of Tishri (September and October on the Gregorian calendar) and commemorates the anniversary of Creation. It is on this day that G-d opens the Book of Life and observes his creatures, deciding their fate for the coming year. It is a time of restricted rejoicing because, even though it celebrates HaShem's kingship, the celebrations are muted in acknowledgement of the great judgement taking place.

As is customary in Jewish festivals, observance begins on nightfall the day before Rosh Hashanah. Celebrants prepare by bathing, receiving haircuts, donning special clothes and giving treats to children.

Certain types of work are forbidden, though there are some exceptions. Food preparation and the carrying, transferring or increasing of the fire are all permitted. Women of the household light commemorative candles before sunset of the first night and a half-hour before sunset on the second night of Rosh Hashanah, reciting blessings over them.

Though G-d opens the Book of Life on Rosh Hashanah the judgement is not final. The book is 'sealed' on Yom Kippur, ten days later. The time between these two festivals is known as Shabbat Shuva (The Shabbat of Returning). This is a period for self-reflection in which to justify your existence to G-d. Rosh Hashanah is the only Jewish celebration that lasts for two days, signifying the importance of this date in the calendar.

Prayers play an important part in the proceedings. Intense and lengthy devotions on Rosh Hashanah vary from those normally uttered on Sabbath with even the familiar prayers containing subtle differences. Following the evening prayer people will wish each other a Good New Year. There are also specific greetings for each sex. A man is wished, "Leshana tova tikateiv v'techateim." A woman is bid, "Leshana tova tikateivi vetichatemi." . The Yiddish equivalent is a "gut yoar."

Following lunch on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, the ritual of the Casting is performed. Crumbs of bread are tossed into water after the Torah verse, "And you will cast all their sins into the depth of the sea." The hems of the worshippers' garments are shaken alluding to the fact that sins are being cast away.

One of the essential elements of Rosh Hashanah is the sounding of the shofar. The shofar is made from an animal's horn, preferably a ram. The cow's horn is not acceptable, nor is any animal horn that's a solid piece.

The horn is blown 100 times every day of Rosh Hashanah upon the command of HaShem with different meanings attached to the varying sounds. The Tekiah is one long 'blast' with a clear tone. The Skevarium is a 'broken' sighing sound of three short calls. The Teruah is the 'alarm' of a rapid series of nine or more quick short notes.

The command to blow the shofar comes from the Torah, but no explanation is attached. Rabbis have provided different reasons. It acts as a reminder for the soul to enter into repentance. It is also a warning to the Jewish people not to fall into temptation. It calls to mind the blasts blown by Moses when he ascended from Mount Sinai for the second time, after pleading with G-d for mercy for the Jews who had worshipped at the alter of a false God.

The shofar blower recites two blessings - the community must listen to the blessings and respond 'Amen' to both. It is forbidden to speak once the first blast is sounded until the last one is blown.

Death of a Crocodile Hunter

2006-09-04T14:15:00.000-05:00

Steve Irwin, the daredevil wildlife documentarian, is killed in a stingray attack while filming on the Great Barrier Reef
By RORY CALLINAN / QUEENSLAND

Posted Monday, Sep. 04, 2006
Australian naturalist Steve Irwin was famous for getting up close and personal with his deadly subjects. He leapt fearlessly on to the backs of man-eating crocodiles, wrestled Komodo Dragons and deftly juggled snakes as they sought to plunge their venomous fangs into his arm or face, all the while keeping up a lively commentary for the cameras of his multimillion-dollar documentary operation. Scratched, bitten and bruised, he would display his wounds like trophies, casually using gaffer tape to bind up a severe bite from a large saltwater crocodile that he had been wrestling in a mangrove swamp. And the Crocodile Hunter understood how his risk-taking made him a cult hero to millions in the 130 countries where his films aired: his fans aped his trademark cry of "Crikey, he nearly got me!" and flocked to his Australia Zoo in Queensland on Australia's east coast.

"Steve Irwin's all pretty interesting on the telly or in the movie and that, but by crikey, it's great when he gets bitten," he once told Australia's ABC television. "Now and again I do get bitten. But I haven't been killed. And it's that, you know, that sense of morbidity that people do have. There's no use sticking your head in the sand and going, 'Oh, no, they're only here because, you know, I talk well.' Nah, man, they wanna see me come unglued."

This morning, at 11am Australian time, things finally came unglued for the 44-year-old as he was shooting a documentary segment on stingrays. Snorkeling on Batt Reef , a stretch of the Great Barrier Reef about 15km from Port Douglas in North Queensland, Irwin happened to swim over a large ray which, startled, whipped its barbed tail upwards into his chest. He died instantly. Veteran marine wildlife documentary maker Ben Cropp, who has spent hundreds of hours filming on Batt Reef, says Irwin had come too close to a bull ray. Citing a colleague who saw footage of the attack, Cropp says Irwin had accidently boxed the animal in, causing it to attack. "It stopped and twisted and threw up its tail with the spike, and it caught him in the chest," says Cropp. "It's a defensive thing. It's like being stabbed with a dirty dagger." Says Cropp: "It's a one-in-a-million thing. I have swum with many rays, and I have only had one do that to me."

Fellow crew members dragged Irwin from the water and began cardio-pulmonary resuscitation while racing their boat Croc One to meet a rescue helicopter. Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead at Cairns Base Hospital at noon. Outside the hospital his longtime friend and producer John Stainton said, "He died doing what he loves best, and left this world in a happy and peaceful state of mind. He would have said, Crocs rule."

Some in the animal conservation world felt it was perhaps inevitable that this larger-than-life figure would someday take one too many risks. "He had a long history of doing this kind of thing with dangerous animals; some people do these things and get away with it, and other times your number comes up," says Professor Grahame Webb, a crocodile expert who operates a crocodile park in Darwin. "He had huge experience with crocodiles and snakes and reptiles, but stingrays are quite different." Webb, who supports crocodile conservation but had clashed with Irwin over issues to do with sustainable development, believes Irwin had played a significant role in ensuring crocodiles were protected. "Conserving koala bears is easy. When it comes to conserving the nasties like spiders, snakes and crocodiles, and things that kill you and eat you, it's a different story to get people to value those animals. People say, 'What the hell are you conserving them for?' and he made a strong contribution in making people think a lot more about the values of conserving these animals."

Other wildlife conservation groups and experts were quick to pay tribute to Irwin. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals hailed him as a "modern-day Noah." Said RSPCA Queensland chief executive Mark Townend: "His loss will be felt by animal lovers not just in Australia, but all over the world." Queensland Museum director Dr. Ian Galloway described Irwin as "a dedicated naturalist who was actively committed to highlighting the plight of threatened species, and championing the cause of conservation. Steve Irwin was a special person whose energy and enthusiasm encouraged a whole new audience to better understand and become involved in conservation and science. He will be sorely missed." Prime Minister John Howard echoed the sentiments of many of his fellow Australians, saying the country had lost "a wonderful and colorful son."

Irwin is survived by his Oregon-born wife Terri and their children, two-year-old Bob and eight-year-old Bindi Sue.

POSTCARDS TO VICE PRESIDENT CHENEY FROM POOR, DEMENTED LUNATIC IMPERSONATING THE 100% DEAD FORMER C.E.O. OF ENRON

2006-09-02T07:17:00.000-05:00

Ode to Patty

2006-09-01T10:08:00.000-05:00

NOTE TO SELF.........

2006-08-26T07:45:00.000-05:00

You could be overly concerned with a very complicated issue now that is pushing you right up against the edges of your own comfort zone. But it's really not so bad, even if you aren't as free and easy in the emotional realms as you often are in the world of productive action. Don't try to change your feelings, for that will not make anyone happy. Instead, just observe what makes you uncomfortable. Awareness can be the most effective catalyst for change all by itself.
Circumstances seem to be in control of your life and it may not feel good. Don't worry; this is about a higher kind of love. Push through anything that is holding you back so you can be there for someone who needs you. If you do, you'll not only be of help, you'll also feel good about your effort.

PRESIDENT CELEBRATES GOVERNMENT'S ULTRA-CONSTITUTIONAL PURCHASE OF GARGANTUAN MONUMENT TO CHRIST'S MURDER BY JEWS

2006-08-26T07:30:00.000-05:00

Remarks by the President

THE PRESIDENT: Welcome. Today, in a completely non-election-year-related panderfest to lilly-white temple merchant McJesus fanatics – AKA "my base" – I am pleased to sign H.R. 5683, a bill of sale which transfers ownership of San Diego's Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial to the United States Government.

(Applause.)

By taking legal possession of this site, H.R. 5683's backers and me hope to provide federal protection to this ginormous eyesore of a Jesusgasm, which for 17 years now has been under legal attack by atheists and their shyster ACL-Jew lawyers. And shockingly enough, a whole parade of activist judges, with their faggish "legal reasoning" and unAmerican "adherence to law," have consistently ruled that it's unconstitutional for this here cross to be on taxpayer-maintained property.

(Boos.)

Fortunately, finding loopholes in that stupid Constitution thing is what I – or I should say YOU – pay my crackerjack legal department to do! And according to them, religious displays can stand on public property so long as they have a secular meaning. So what we did was have the US Department of Faith take a look at this here monument, and they concluded that it's just coincidentally shaped exactly like that thingamabob to which the Jews nailed America's favorite magically powered undead hippy some 2000 odd years ago.

That's right, it's just a giant, ultra-secular "T". And "T" stands for lots of positive things: like terrorism, terrorists, terror, tinkle-your-pants-acuz-of-the-terrorists-under-your-bed. This "T" serves as a constant reminder to the good folks of San Diego that they are not safe anywhere, at any time – unless conservatives maintain a stranglehold on every branch of the U.S. government. "T" is also the 20th letter in the alphabet, a mere holy trinity of three letters away from Dubya – the most awesomest letter.

Indeed, the San Diego "T" is a 1000% secular symbol that God favors this giant landmass over any other in the world. And as a war memorial, it is a tribute to the military industrial complex which has made the Bush family the proud war profiteering plutocrat chickenhawks we are today.

(Applause.)

But most importantly, this here "T" extolls several simple, totally-completely secular truths: Jesus is the Master of the Universe AND FITS AMERICA TO A "T", only dead Christian soldiers deserve to be honored, and no matter what the law or the constitution says, the Bushman gets to do whatever the fuck he wants. (Thumbs up.)

(Applause.)

Thank you, and May Jesus H. Christ, The One-And-Only-Accurate-Version-Of-The-Invisible-Cloud-Dwelling-Superman, continue to bless the Red States of America. Amen.

(Applause.)

These comments are NOT supported by me or my staff here at TheDailyDrab! Just bringing you the hard hitting news as it comes our way :).
I say, "God Bless America, The Jewish Nation and that "T" thingy"

Courtesy of My Funny Husband...

2006-08-18T19:06:00.000-05:00

Random Questions
Who's your second mom?: I only have one mom. I don't support Lesbian adoption

Do you have "your chair" or "your spot" on the couch in your house?: I am the KING of my domain. I sit wherever I won't get in trouble for sitting.

Which friend's house do you spend the most time at?: Probably Patty and Pete's or Josiah and Johnna's

What was your favorite class in high school?: PE

What are your first memories?: Getting in trouble for sneezing on Nini's Oven

How much did you weigh when you were born?: 185lbs

Did you use paper bags or a lunch box?: I ate mostly from Joey Hammond's lunchbox

Do you play your music at harmful decibel levels?: As often as I'm allowed

iTunes or Windows Media Player?: WMP. iTunes sucks

What is the number one characteristic you look for in a guy/girl?: Well-defined calf muscles

Do you dress for style or comfort?: I wear whatever is on top in my ever-packed suitcase

Microwave or stove?: stove covers toaster, toaster cuts microwave, microwave crushes stove

When you find a favorite song do you listen to it over and over?: depending on the song, but i usually listen to the CD over and over and not just the one song

Stranded on a desert island... what one thing would you take with you?: a copy of "43 Ways to Build a Boat from Sand, Leaves and Fish Entrails" by Macgyver. Foreword by Paul Hogan

What brand of body lotion do you use?: Cocoaa Butteeeeeer

Should country music die?: No it should just get better

Should the guy make the first move?: In Chess? White goes first

Movie theater or Blockbuster?: theater

Do you like pump tops or flip caps better?: I don't know much about shoes and fashion

Are you afraid of heights?: depends on if I'm falling from them

How about clowns?: I KNOW!! How about 'em.

Do you have a credit/debit card?: who doesn't

How much money do you have in the bank right now?: $3.29 (rough estimate)

Is youth an excuse for doing stupid things?: why not. old age is.

If you were alive in the 60s, would you have been a hippie?: No

Would you have been obsessed with the Elvis?: I don't obsess, I covet fame.

How about the Beatles?: see above

Have you ever considered suicide?: I used to when I was younger. I'm pretty just straight Sprite now, none of that mixing soda's for me anymore. It's a dangerous road to travel.

Is life nothing but pain and hurt?: "Everything Was Beautiful, and Nothing Hurt" Kurt Vonnegut

Are lottery tickets a waste of money?: Not if you win

Are you cool with "living together"?: My wife and I have settled into the idea. Took some time though.

Do you use a lot of abbreviations on IM?: no. abbreviation are the devil's playtoy.

Do blondes really have more fun?: It depends on if they're having more fun.

If you could live in any other country, which one would you pick?: Germany

Is there too much security everywhere these days?: I get frisked every time I enter our apartment complex.

Where were you when you heard about the World Trade Towers?: In the parking lot of the Business Building at Vincennes University

Can anyone get into heaven?: Only those who love Jesus and not just the idea and culture of Jesus. You know who you are.

Do you wear makeup to cover up or enhance?: enhance

Does your mom dress stylish or no?: My mother is a victim of being way ahead of her time.

Does brown belt and black shoes bother you?: Not as bad as a Black Belt and a Bad Temper

Do you follow fashion rules like "no white after labor day"?: I try my hardest

What bank do you use?: Regions

Are camera phones worth it?: I used to not think so, but the price has gone down on them so drastically that it's now a really fun and cheap feature.

Are there too many commericals on TV?: I don't really care

Was O.J. Simpson guilty?: In 1994 i didn't think so, but now... in 2006... 12 years later... I forget what he was even charged with.

Do you like crabmeat?: with a fury

Are you lactose intolerant?: I do get a little farty, so I dunno.

Have you ever had surgery?: oral surgery, but that's it. I'm not even sure I've ever had a check-up.

Was any member of your family a Mason?: No we're the Millers. Although we do have some Wilkersons.

If you could see one of the Ancient Wonders, which would you see?: A successful celebrity marriage

Do you have universal password?: yes. it's the first 317 digits of Pi.

How many numbers do you have in your phone?: 49 on my personal cell and 30 on my company cell

For All My Favorite Women

2006-08-17T16:54:00.000-05:00

I am only as strong as the cocktails I drink, the hair spray I use and the girlfriends I have.

Here's to you! Let's celebrate each other for each other's sake!

Be happy! Someone will always be prettier.

Someone will always be smarter.

Their house will be bigger.

They will drive a better car.

Their children will do better in school.

And their husband will fix more things around the house.

So let it go, And love you and your circumstances. Think about it.

The prettiest woman in the world can have hell in her heart.

And the richest woman you know, she's got the car, the house, the clothes .... might be lonely.

And the word says if "I have not Love, I am nothing."

So, again, love you. Love who you are.

Look in the mirror in the morning and smile and say.

"I am too blessed to be stressed and too anointed to be disappointed!"

"Winners make things happen. Losers let things happen."

For all my favorite women!

2006-08-13T12:58:00.000-05:00

Hello friends. Oppressive summer heat got you down? As a Republican Christian, I don't allow anything in my house to submit to the laws of physics. The one exception came about as the result of a nifty little science experiment that Jenna did she was in the 6th Grade. Apparently, alcohol freezes at minus 173° Fahrenheit (NOTE: it freezes quicker in Europe because they use Celsius). This means that liquor is the ONLY beverage you can drink straight out of the freezer. I nevertheless recommend decanting it, as I've lost chunks of my lips on more than a few of those metal thingies left over when you twist the cap off of a plastic liter of Gilbert's gin! LOL!

Anyway, here are my sure-fire solutions for keeping cool during our increasingly sweltering summers, which are in no way related to all that "science" gobleddygook in Al Gore's snoresville new documentary!

* I set the White House thermostats to the temperature of the blood running through my mother-in-law's veins – about 58 degrees. I like to keep the residence cool enough so that the ice in my margarita stays crunchy – even if it takes me a full four minutes to drunk it!

* Idle your SUV at a darkened intersection and crank the AC while you unwind with a pack of ciggies and a Reba McEntire CD. While you are cooling down, be on the lookout for New York Times reporters – or ex-boyfriends – and hit the gas for an added burst of Freon goodness!

* If the air gets stagnant in a hot room, cajole your sluttiest daughter into doing a fan dance! Having someone drunkenly waving 4-foot ostrich feather fans around as she vainly tries to shield her exposed, moist bosom from the leers of drunken congressmen can create a rather pleasing flow of air.

* Leave all the doors on your wet bar mini-fridges open. You would be surprised how twelve or thirteen refrigerators can cool a corridor!

* Host a "Gone with the Wind" theme party at your home. Entice colored street urchins (try using teeny-tiny baggies you've filled with confectioner's sugar) to come in and fan all the pretty white ladies during their naps. Keep one light sleeper in every room to makes sure purses aren't lifted by the pickaninnies – or petticoats aren't lifted by Mary Cheney.

* One of my favorite ways to take the heat off of summer requires no effort at all! Nothing chills a room quicker than icing your husband with a passive aggressive remark – or freezing out your daughters with a year's worth of unreturned phone calls.

* Running the air-conditioning until half the White House chandeliers are actually icicles is a win-win for America! Using a supertanker's worth of fossil fuel each summer not only makes temperatures drop, it makes stock portfolios rise. Because the most fabulous present any Texan can get come Christmastime is their ExxonMobil's quarterly report!

* For our colored citizens living in the South looking to cool off, I recommend sitting at a lunch counter in a high-handed manner – or messing with the seating arrangement for a local municipal bus. Nothing cools down an angry minority like a refreshing spritz from a 150 PSI fire hose!

* Gals, remaining cool when things get sticky is really just a state of mind. Even at times when I've felt unpleasantly warm, I can't tell you the number of times the President has told folks that I am the most frigid woman in the Free World!

* Finally – and while I can't vouch for this one myself – Bushie tells me that one of his favorite tricks to beat the oppressive Washington DC summers is to play the "opposite game", and just stop drinking altogether for a few days! He says that swearing off all malt liquor, Everclear, mouthwash, and vanilla extracts after a twenty year bender produces REFRESHING delirium tremens that can leave you shivering on a soiled mattress in the White House basement!

STATE MENTAL HOSPITAL

2006-08-12T12:17:00.000-05:00

STATE MENTAL HOSPITAL PHONE NUMBERS
Hello and thank you for calling The State Mental Hospital.
Please select from the following options menu:

If you are obsessive-compulsive , press 1 repeatedly!!!

If you are co-dependent, please ask someone to press 2 for you.

If you have multiple personalities, press 3, 4, 5 and 6.

If you are paranoid, we know who you are and what you want. Stay on the line so we can trace your call.

If you are delusional, press 7 and your call will be forwarded to the MotherShip.

If you are schizophrenic, listen carefully and a little voice will tell you which number to press.

If you are manic-depressive , it doesn't matter which number you press, nothing will make you happy anyway.

If you are dyslexic, press 9696969696969696.

If you are bipolar , please leave a message after the beep or before the beep or after the beep. Please wait for the beep.

If you have short-term memory loss , press 9. If you have short-term memory loss, press 9. If you have short-term memory loss, press 9.

If you have low self-esteem , please hang up. Our operators are too busy to talk with you.

If you are menopausal, put the gun down, hang up, turn on the fan, lie down and cry. You won't be crazy forever.

If you are blonde , don't press any buttons, you'll just mess it up anyway."

Just Too Cute!

2006-08-11T01:58:00.000-05:00

JUST GIVE ME 5 MINUTES.

5 MINUTES IS ALL I NEED AND I WILL BE GOOD AS NEW!

IF YOU TELL THE GUYS ABOUT THIS, I'M PEEING IN YOUR SHOES!

CAN YOU BELIEVE WHAT THIS DUDE LOOKS LIKE WET? HA HA HA

The Pasta Diet

2006-08-11T01:49:00.000-05:00

ITALIAN PASTA DIET -- IT REALLY WORKS !!

1.. You walka pasta da bakery.

2.. You walka pasta da candy store.

3.. You walka pasta da Ice Cream shop.

4... You walka pasta da table and fridge.You will lose weight!

AND......CONCERNED ABOUT TOO MANY CARBS IN YOUR DIET?

For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

CONCLUSION
Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

International Adoption

2006-08-10T12:31:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to share Karina & Jamie's Journey.

Jamie and I are currently in the process of adopting
internationally from Guatemala, after experiencing
much difficulty with infertility issues. We are extremely
excited about our journey to adopt a baby girl and bring
her home to the United States.

We will be having a fundraiser in the near future and
would like to find out if anyone would be interested
in helping us make this fundraiser a great success.

If you are interested in helping with the fundraiser
or would like to make a monetary donation we
would greatly appreciate any help that anyone can give.

Contact Karina at: k.carroll@insightbb.com

Thank you to everyone for listenting!

Sincerely,

Karina & Jamie Carroll
"Hopeful Parents of a sweet baby girl"

The Script Writer... Nicola Marciano

2006-08-10T10:42:00.000-05:00

">
I am showing you the face of the man who is creating our life on script and from script to film He is Italian and quit a lovely person. The Script is going to be here the 15th.....next week! I am excited to see what has been done so far and will share it with a select few. I wanted Michael and Amy to see Nicola more so than anyone. Pretty Girl Tabby and her Fabulous husband Jordan have already met Nick by way of photo. So, for the rest of you.....I give you Nicola.

Watch Out For The Harvest Moon

2006-08-10T09:46:00.000-05:00

I am not sure if this is what Bubby and I saw this week, but it looks similar.
If you know why the orange moon is orange Michael or anyone, Please forward that info.
I have been pre occupied with "The Orange Moon" since we saw it early this week. The
moon we saw was far more orange than this picture shows. Also, the time frame is off
for the moon we saw to have been a "Harvest Moon". Please Advise!

September 16, 2005 -- How many moons does Earth have? Let's count:

artwork by Duane HiltonThe Wolf Moon, the Snow Moon, the Worm Moon, the Pink Moon, the Flower Moon, the Strawberry Moon, the Buck Moon, the Sturgeon Moon, the Harvest Moon, the Hunter's Moon, the Beaver Moon, and the Cold Moon.

Twelve.

Right: "Harvest Moon Rising" by artist Duane Hilton.

They're really all the same Moon, of course, but long before the advent of modern calendars people named the full Moons of a year to keep track of time. These fanciful names have been handed down through the generations and they are still a part of modern Moon lore.

Tonight and tomorrow you can see the Harvest Moon.

Science@NASA newsletter subscription icon
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The Harvest Moon is no ordinary full moon; it behaves in a special way. Throughout the year the Moon rises, on average, about 50 minutes later each day. But near the autumnal equinox, which comes this year on Sept. 22nd, the day-to-day difference in the local time of moonrise is only 30 minutes. The Moon will rise around sunset tonight--and not long after sunset for the next few evenings.

That comes in handy for northern farmers who are working long days to harvest their crops before autumn. The extra dose of lighting afforded by the full Moon closest to the equinox is what gives the Harvest Moon its name. In the southern hemisphere, this week's full Moon behaves in exactly the opposite way: there will be an extra long time between moonrises from one evening to the next.

Try looking at the Moon tonight when it's rising in the east. You might notice something funny: the low-hanging Moon looks very big. This is a trick of the eye known as the "Moon Illusion."

see caption

Above: This plot shows the daily difference in moonrise times for a mid-northern latitude observer around the time of each Full Moon in the year 2000. (The 2005 plot looks almost identical.) Suppose the year's first Full Moon in January rises at 6 p.m.. The Moon would rise at 7:10 p.m. the next night, approximately 70 minutes later. Nine months later around the time of the autumnal equinox this daily difference is at an annual minimum. The nearly-full Moon that rises on Sept. 18, 2005, for instance, will appear only 30 minutes later than the full Harvest Moon did the day before. The September minimum is caused by the small angle that the ecliptic makes with the eastern horizon in early autumn. [more information from EarthSky.org]

Just To Tell You, "I Miss You"

2006-07-28T12:22:00.000-05:00

Your Goodness Is Missed

Your Attitude Is Missed

A Letter To The Barber

2006-07-10T07:03:00.000-05:00

Dear Danny,
I hate that we were interupted last evening at the Fair.
Our children....they mean the world to us. I can imagine
the pain that you have in your heart watching your son
go through living hell. I have you and your family in
my prayers.
I turned and looked for you last night after the booth
emptied and you were gone.
As a parent, I can not minimize your pain as you set
helpless watching your sons tears and heartbreak.
I want you to know that i am hear if you should need
a sounding board.
Love to you and your family
Patty

Eleven photos

2006-07-05T22:23:00.000-05:00

The in-laws brought up their digital camera for last week so we managed to get a few snaps. There are a few from around our home but we didn't get any from the greater townsville area - oh well, win some, lose some - but at least it gives a bit of an idea what our hovel *cough* home is like. :)

Here's the front.

(Most of) Our Herb patch. There are a few more in pots and hanging pots. Basil, Parsley, Thyme, Chives, and Rosemary in this pic.

As you walk in you'll find Amy's kimono hanging on the wall... this is the living room.

Amy's latest knitting excursion.

Our couch... futon... where most of the time is spent. This is the other side of the living room.

The fabulous multicolored bathroom that you've all heard about. Yes, that shower curtain came with the place.

The pink bathtub.

Hard at work in our kitchen. Two (2) person maximum! But hey... it works for us.

Fruit of our labor...

The creek beside our place which is dry at the moment...

Finally, a pic of us doing the turist thing for the first time since we moved here. :) Behind us is Little Crystal Creek, a beautiful little waterhole on the way to Paluma, about 40 minutes drive north of Townsville. Over the creek is a stonework bridge (not in photo) that is apparently some sort of heritage site.

So that's eleven pictures for now. There are more but there isn't much more in the way of content... so I'll just leave it at that. If you *really* want to see the bridge I can post it.

Love all, Mike & Amy

New Fashion

2006-07-04T18:25:00.000-05:00

Patty is clearly representing the 222 in a pair of Casey's pants. Fight the Power. Stay Informed.

Check Out The Shaklee Chicks.....WooooHooooo!

2006-07-04T18:09:00.000-05:00

Patty And Her Boat....Summertime Firsts!

2006-06-27T07:32:00.000-05:00

So, Michael said and i quote "You still have a very bright future, If only you wouldn't nip it in the bud through fear" end quote! With that , this is me giving it a go!
See Patty drive a boat:)
Talk To The Hand!

Hiding from more pictures

Day Dreaming

I am digging for my hair brush. It is needed pretty bad as you can see!

Titanic.......What a feeling this was!

That this Amazing Looking young man will be Celebrating his 21st birthday in just a matter of days. Rumor also has it.....he is planning the tradional drunk fest held on most 21st Birthdays.
I just wanted to say Happy Birthday Jared!
Don't you think you look just like Brad Pitt? WOWSA!

Happy Birthday Baby!!!!

TRUCK STOP HUMOR

2006-06-22T08:16:00.000-05:00

Trucker came into a truck stop cafe and placed his order.
He said, "I want three flat tires, a pair of headlights and a pair of running boards."
?
The brand new blonde waitress, not wanting to appear stupid, went to the kitchen and said to the cook,
"This guy out there just ordered three flat tires, a pair of headlights and a pair of running boards.
What does he think this place is . an auto parts store?"

"No," the cook said. "Three flat tires mean three pancakes, a pair of headlights is two eggs sunny side up,
and running boards are 2 slices of crisp bacon."

"Oh, OK!" said the blonde. She thought about it for a moment and then spooned up a bowl of beans and
gave it to the customer.

The trucker asked, "What are the beans for Blondie?

She replied, "I thought while you were waiting for the flat tires, headlights and running boards,
you might as well gas up!
?
FOR ONCE THE BLOND GETS EVEN!

DA VINCI CODE

2006-06-22T07:44:00.000-05:00

Written across the wall of the cave were the following symbols:

It was considered a unique find and the writings were said to be at least three thousand years old!

The piece of stone was brought to the museum, and archaeologists from around the world came to study the ancient symbols. They held a huge meeting after months of conferences to discuss the meaning of the markings.

The President of the society pointed to first drawing and said: "This is a woman. We can see these people held women in high esteem. You can also tell they were intelligent, as the next symbol is a donkey,
so they were smart enough to have animals help them till the soil.
The next drawing is a shovel, which means they had tools to help them."

Even further proof of their high intelligence is the fish which means that if a famine hit the earth and food didn't grow, they seek food from the sea. The last symbol appears to be the Star of David which means they were evidently Hebrews.

The audience applauded enthusiastically.

Then a little old Jewish man stood up in the back of the room and said,
"Idiots, Hebrew is read from right to left......
It says: 'Holy Mackerel, Dig The Ass On That Chick ........

Copying Carrie....."Hello Luver"

2006-06-21T07:36:00.000-05:00

PUMPS,Manolo Blahnik
Manolo Blahnik Satin High-Heel Pump
$495.00 from Neiman Marcus
Satin in striking white. White satin. 3 1/2 heel. Tuccio is made in Italy.
Can you just Die!!!!!

How to Be Dumb

2006-06-20T07:32:00.000-05:00

The Huffingtom Post

Hello, would you like to be dumb? Great! It only takes two steps.

Step #1: Read this explanation for the disastrous occupation of Iraq, courtesy of The New York Times' John Burns:

"To a great extent, the American story in Iraq has been one of a profound clash of cultures - of invaders who came with a belief that they could transplant the virtues of democratic bargaining and a civil society that secures the vital interests of all, only to be confounded by what Iraqis themselves often describe as the culture of Ali Baba, the mythical villain of Baghdad.
In that culture, maneuver and guile, secrets and untruths, terror and treachery are, too often, the coin of the realm for deciding who gets wealth and power."

Great! It only takes two steps.
OK, you're almost done/dumb! There's one more step...

Step #2: Believe this explanation.

CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE NOW DUMB. Feel free to stick your finger up your nose and play the harmonica while crying at Burger King commercials.

(You know what stinks about Iraq's culture, as opposed to, say, every other culture on Earth? I'll tell you: "Maneuver and guile" play a role in deciding "who gets wealth and power." Isn't that SO CRAZY AND BIZARRE??? What kind of kooky culture do they have over there in Iraq, right? I mean, seriously! In American culture, deciding who gets wealth and power is determined by who is the nicest! Duh! That's why Dick Cheney is so polite and so honest.)

Something We should All Join

2006-06-18T22:17:00.000-05:00

Quotations about Fathers:

2006-06-18T09:03:00.000-05:00

HAPPY FATHERS DAY TO ALL THE FATHERS OUT THERE
LOVE YOU.....PATTY
Many people over the years have paid tribute to their father, or discussed fatherhood.

* "A wise son maketh a glad father."
- 10:1

* "One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters."
- George Herbert

* "Directly after God in heaven comes a Papa."
- Mozart as a boy.

* "Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him father!"
- Lydia M. Child

* "A father is a banker provided by nature."
- French Proverb

* "What a father says to his children is not heard by the world, but it will be heard for posterity."
- Richter

* "A truly great man never puts away the simplicity of a child."
- Confucius

* "Father of fathers, make me one,
A fit example for a son."
- Douglas Mallooch

* "It doesn't matter who my father was; it matters who I remember he was."
- Anne Sexton

Jim Cantore StormTracker

2006-06-16T08:08:00.000-05:00

On-Camera Meteorologist

Jim is one of the most recognized faces in weather today. When he shows up, you know the weather is going to get interesting. Jim's passion for field reporting during extreme weather events is well known among TWC viewers. Whether it's "thunder snow", an ice storm, tornado chasing or a category 5 hurricane, there is no place Jim would rather be than right in the "eye of the storm."

Like many weather enthusiasts, Jim has a great respect for the weather. "We want to inform our viewers about the potential impact of the weather events so they can protect their property and most importantly their lives, but, we don't want to become the story. We locate ourselves close enough to the action to help viewers understand the severity of the weather, before during and after the storm.

"Wildweather.com" voted Jim "Meteorologist of the Month" for August 2000. In their acknowledgement of his award it read, "Jim Cantore pushes television forecasting to the next level. Much as Michael Jordan changed basketball, Jim Cantore has forever altered the field of weather forecasting." "This man means business."

Storm Stories........Good TV! Check your local listings or go to weatherchannel.com

Relay For Life

2006-06-15T13:01:00.000-05:00

June 06'
At fisrt i did not want to go! I got there and i was anixous. I wanted to leave. I lingered for a while...The Opening Cermonies started. I began to get the chills. The walk began. It was Pete, Jamie and myself walking for Heartland Home Healthcare. They were our sponser's. As i began to walk, i looked down all the way around the 1/4 mile track at all the luminaries that were circled around the track. They were in Honor of those who have passed. I gaind my momentium. I found Ken! I keep walking......i just did not want to stop. I took Pete out in lap 7 :) and i creamed Jamie also. It turns out...my fear in going was simply fear of facing my own heartache. What i found though was something all together differant. I found a peace, a calm as i walked around that track over and over again. At that point in time during my walk, i had peace! I had Ken! Michael..........Karina was so kind to get a picture of your Fathers Luminarie so that we could share it with you. She wrote on the near bottom......"We Miss You!"

WATER OR COKE?

2006-06-14T01:51:00.000-05:00

WATER

1. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated.

2. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger.

3. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3%.

4. One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of Washington study.

5. Lack of water, the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.

6. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.

7. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, Trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.

8. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer By 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.

And now for the properties of Coke:

1. In many states (in the USA) the highway patrol carries two gallons of Coke in the truck to remove blood from the highway after a car accident.

2. You can put a T-bone steak in a bowl of Coke and it will be gone in two days.

3. To clean a toilet: Pour a can of Coca-Cola into the toilet bowl and Let the "real thing" sit for one hour, then flush clean. The citric acid in Coke removes stains from vitreous China.

4. To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers: Rub the bumper with a rumpled-up piece of aluminum foil dipped in Coca-Cola.

5. To clean corrosion from car battery terminals: Pour a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals to bubble away the corrosion.

6. To loosen a rusted bolt: Applying a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes.

7. To remove grease from clothes: Empty a can of Coke into a load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run through a regular cycle. The Coca-Cola will help loosen grease stains.

8. It will also clean road haze from your windshield.

For Your Info:

1. The active ingredient in Coke is phosphoric acid. Its pH is 2.8. It will dissolve a nail in about 4 days. Phosphoric acid also leaches calcium from bones and is a major contributor to the rising increase in osteoporosis.

2. To carry Coca-Cola syrup (the concentrate) the commercial truck must Use the Hazardous material place cards reserved for highly corrosive materials.

3. The distributors of Coke have been using it to clean the engines of their trucks for about 20 years!

Now the question is...
So now, Would you like a Coke or a glass of water?

Have A Great Day :-)

Diagnosed with A. A. A. D. D.

2006-06-14T01:10:00.000-05:00

I was diagnosed with A. A. A. D. D. - Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder

This is how it manifests:

I decide to water my garden.

As I turn on the hose in the driveway, I look over at my car and decide my car needs washing.

As I start toward the garage, I notice that there is mail on the porch table that I brought up from the mailbox earlier.

I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car.

I lay my car keys down on the table, put the junk mail in the garbage can under the table, and notice that the can is full.

So, I decide to put the bills back on the table and take out the garbage first.

But then I think, since I'm going to be near the mailbox when I take out the garbage anyway, I may as well pay the bills first.

I take my checkbook off the table, and see that there is only one check left.

My extra checks are in my desk in the study, so I go inside the house to my desk where I find the can of Diet Pepsi that I had been drinking.

I'm going to look for my checks, but first I need to push the Diet Pepsi aside so that I don't accidentally knock it over. I realize the Diet Pepsi is getting warm, and I decide I should put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold.

As I head toward the kitchen with the Diet Pepsi , a vase of flowers on the counter catches my eye--they need to be watered.

I set the Diet Pepsi down on the counter, and I discover my reading glasses that I've been searching for all morning.

I decide I better put them back on my desk, but first I'm going to water the flowers.

I set the glasses back down on the counter, fill a container with water and suddenly I spot the TV remote someone left it on the kitchen table.

I realize that tonight when we go to watch TV, I will be looking for the remote, but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs, but first I'll water the flowers.

I pour some water in the flowers, but quite a bit of it spills on the floor.

Then I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do.

At the end of the day:
the driveway is flooded
the car isn't washed
the bills aren't paid
there is a warm can of Diet Pepsi sitting on the counter
there is still only one check in my check book
I can't find the remote
I can't find my glasses
and I don't remember what I did with the car keys

Then when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day long, and I'm really tired.

I realize this is a serious problem, and I'll try to get some help for it, but first I'll check the blog.

Don't laugh -- if this isn't you yet, your day is coming!

A Real Quagmire

2006-06-12T08:18:00.000-05:00

How long before food dropped on the ground is off-limits?
* Right away!
*5 seconds
*10 seconds

* What's wrong with food dropped on the ground?

Flea Activity for Princeton, IN

2006-06-07T12:30:00.000-05:00

All cats and dogs are susceptible to flea infestations, except for some that live in high elevations or in extremely dry environments. You can help your pet win the war on fleas by knowing your flea season, which is largely influenced by temperature and humidity. The following graph factors past weather data to illustrate when fleas are most likely to be active in your area.

Boredom has no limits :)
This was brought to my attention by The Weather Channel
My first response was Laughter
I then decided it may be news worthy. At the very least,
you will shake your head, band head on desk or rush out
to get your Pet the flea treatment they need as the graph
shows we here in Princeton are on "High Alert"!

A TOAST

2006-06-07T07:55:00.000-05:00

Please raise your glasses to Michael!
He is now the new owner of A Visa!
Australia Likes him and he can now stay.
Much better i must say, than the time he was
kicked out of the South after Katrina hit!
Brother...that was a nerve racker!!!!
Congratulations Michael :)
You are the
proud owner of Two Very Important Documents.
Amy is Sporting the 1st one!
She appears to be giving it
a Major Thumbs Up.....or is
she showing off her funky nails.....*Scratches Head* :)
Bravo to the both of you!

Lucky Prime

2006-06-06T10:56:00.000-05:00

A lucky prime is a number that is a prime number and a lucky number. The first few lucky primes are

3 7 13 31 37 43 67 73 79 127 151 163 193 211 223 241 283 307 331 349 367 409 421 433 463 487 541 577 601 613 619 631 643 673 727 739 769 787 823 883 937 991 997 1009

It is not known whether there are infinitely many lucky primes.

Twin lucky primes occur less often than twin primes in general, but in a similar proportion. Twin primes are primes which are separated by two (example 5 and 7); these are only rare due to the methods by which lucky numbers are determined.

With that being said.......how about this for the Lucky 7!

On the Seventh month, the Seventh day, Marks the time that Michael has been gone.

On the Seventh month, Seventeenth day, Seven years ago, Ken moved.

One Word and thats all i'm sayin!
Adjective
indelible

1. having the quality of being difficult to remove, wash away, blot out, or efface;
2. incapable of being canceled, lost, or forgotten.

Josiah Making Jordan Sad!

2006-06-02T14:00:00.000-05:00

The photo will show that Josiah is bragging over his win at Poker...leaving Jordan melting in to sadness. Buck Up Jordan......It is not winning that counts, but how you play the game :).
P.S. I stole this pic from you Josiah!

Though I Chose Death Instead of Pointless Pain

2006-05-30T10:30:00.000-05:00

Nicholas Gordon
Though I chose death instead of pointless pain,
Please forgive the manner of my leaving.
My love and need for all of you remain.

I could not long such suffering sustain,
Nor would it long have held you from your grieving.
Though I chose death instead of pointless pain,

I hope that choice will not my memory stain,
Nor lead you to be wroth at my deceiving.
My love and need for all of you remain.

For only in you do I live again,
Woven like a wind into your weaving.
Though I chose death instead of pointless pain,

I put to you the plea of the self-slain:
To comprehend an anguish past conceiving.
My love and need for all of you remain

That all that I have been not be in vain,
But blend into the earth of your believing.
Though I chose death instead of pointless pain,
My love and need for all of you remain.

Wrong Bitch

2006-05-25T14:38:00.000-05:00

Legend: Frustrated soldier throws snooty lady's dog off train; bystander comments he'd gotten rid of the wrong irritant.

Example:

An American soldier, serving in World War II, had just returned from several weeks of intense action on the German front lines. He had finally been granted R&R and was on a train bound for London. The train was very crowded, so the soldier walked the length of the train, looking for an empty seat.

The only unoccupied seat was directly adjacent to a well dressed middle aged lady and was being used by her little dog. The war weary soldier asked, "Please, ma'am, may I sit in that seat?"

The English woman looked down her nose at the soldier, sniffed and said, "You Americans. You are such a rude class of people. Can't you see my Little Fifi is using that seat?"

The soldier walked away, determined to find a place to rest, but after another trip down to the end of the train, found himself again facing the woman with the dog.

Again he asked, "Please, lady. May I sit there? I'm very tired."

The English woman wrinkled her nose and snorted, "You Americans! Not only are you rude, you are also arrogant. Imagine!"

The soldier didn't say anything else; he leaned over, picked up the little dog, tossed it out the window of the train and sat down in the empty seat.

The woman shrieked and railed, and demanded that someone defend her and chastise the soldier.

An English gentleman sitting across the aisle spoke up, "You know, sir, you Americans do seem to have a penchant for doing the wrong thing. You eat holding the fork in the wrong hand. You drive your autos on the wrong side of the road.

"And now, Sir, you've thrown the wrong bitch out the window."

The Aussie Brown Happenings

2006-05-25T01:49:00.000-05:00

This being a day off for me, I thought I'd take a few minutes to let the Drab know of the Aussie Brown Happenings, compartmentalized and brief(ish) for your reading ease/pleasure...

Michael: Is doing well. Visa still hasn't come through so he is still doing a wonderful role of house husband. He makes a mean spaghetti bolognaise. And stirfry. And many other dishes.

Amy: I'm doing well. Work's been especially busy the last few weeks but it going well. It's nice to not be studying, although I miss the life of a student, especially the holidays.

Our Home: Is lovely and quaint. It seems we never stop thinking of things to do... furniture to re-arrange; pictures to hang up, things to buy etc etc. The pink bathtub is even growing on me. Or at least I now don't want to gag every time I see it.

Our Plants (being our potted flowers, herbs and tomatoes): Are a mixed bag. Some are thriving, some are dying for no reason. I don't know if the tomatoes are going to make it...

Our Church: We have joined a good church. Smaller, 40-50 people, approx 70% of whom newly marrieds so we've fit in. I've joined the worship team on keys and vocals. Mike's been joyfully conscripted to doing some computer stuff for our Pastor Hugh.

Our Routine: We've settled into a comfortable routine in that we don't have any routine whatsoever. The only constant is a weekly visit to Gloria Jeans for coffee.

And because it seems a few people want to know...
Our Sex: Is fantastic.

And I think that's about it for now.

Drop us a line, let us know how you're doing...

Stripe Your Way Thin

2006-05-24T07:01:00.000-05:00

The hottest new fitness craze involves stripper moves and pole dancing. No joke, ladies. Guys, put away your dollars. Women everywhere are dropping more than their inhibitions to get in great shape. This new form of fitness can help you look good and feel great. Learn how to enhance your physical and sexual potential. Come on... start stripping away your extra pounds!

So now it is becoming a hip craze! I have always done it and it is the best of times people. I
encourage everyone to get up outta that chair, slam in some hot music and start stripping. You will see results in just a matter of weeks!

I pulled this out of The Archives bc i felt it bore repeating:)
So, get that pole installed people!

PRESIDENT DEMANDS THAT AMERICA'S SLAVE CLASS SING NATIONAL ANTHEM IN JESUS' LANGUAGE INSTEAD OF MUMBO-JUMBO MEXICANESE

2006-05-23T08:56:00.000-05:00

Statement by the President

THE PRESIDENT: Hello, my Mexi-Rican amigos, or "Ho-la" as you people say it.

I will try to speak slowly AND LOUDLY so that you can understand me. Can. You. Understand. Me? How. About. Now? HOW. ABOUT. NOW?

It has come to my attention that many of you brush critters intend to sing the American Theme Song in your native tongue, and well, I have to put my cowboy boot down. I can turn my back on this here problem of people not expressly invited to America overstaying their welcome for a long time, but when it comes to the defining jingle of this here nation, I have to pander to my paranoid, racist, piss-ignorant base.

You MUST sing The National Anthem the way it was written. No ifs, ands, or buts. Here, I'll show you how it's done:

1000's of Shirts, Stickers, Hats & More Featuring:
Bumper Stickers
Peace is for Pussies!

Quality Religious Gear: Religion Kills Folks Dead!

"Oh hey do you seeeeee, all that dawn-like bright light,
That so proudly we sailed at the twilight old beaming.
Whose broads, stripes and stars blah blah blah blah blah FIGHT!
Oh the go-carts we watched, for so gallantly screaming.
And the rockets red glaaaaaare! Dropping bombs in her haaaaairr!!
Blah blah blah blah blah, and the flag is still there!
Whoa say does that star-mangled banner flap ooooooon?
Buy me some peanuts and crackerjacks, I don't care if it ever waves back.
So it's one, two, three strikes you're out at the graaaand ooooold flaaaaag!"

See? Is that really so hard? I know that you have small, rodent-like ears and squat bodies designed to keep you closer to the cool Earth, since heat rises. So maybe that's why you can't understand English: a complicated language I managed to masterize somewhere around my second year in office. It's not your fault, the Good Lord just made you different from normal folk like me.

Did you know white people invented science, and guns, and money? And you people figured out a way to get drunk from cactuses. Them suckers is waxy and prickly! Maybe y'all was just wicked thirsty, but my ancestors would never have spent their days sucking on a porcupine plant. We were too busy makin' civilization. That's just one of millions and millions of ways that we're different.

But don't get me wrong, I love Mexicanitos. I love the way you mow lawns, make Chinese food, and wash my stinky BVDs. I love the way you dance circles around sombreros, sleep in the street, and make pretend that Texas was ever a part of a third world country like Mexico.

I have been told, or "briefed" in executive terms, that many of you have been protesting up a storm recently, and I've been happily straddling the fence. I'm mighty impressed to see so many of you out there marching; I only thought a 50% off sale at TJ Maxx could get you people in the streets!

See, on one hand I understand why real Americans are scared. By my guesstimation, there's one Arab terrorist for every five Mezzicans. Scary, right? And even more, these real Americans are afraid you desert monkeys will take important jobs away in the septic, strawberry, and humiliation industries. I¹m sorry, but I can't allow the worst jobs in America be outsourced to those who will perform those jobs. I'd rather the positions remain unfilled by real Americans.

And yet, on the other hand, there are a lot of Mexicans who are ACTUALLY Americans, and no doubt some of you will one day squirt out citizens, and I want to make sure your stubby poo-fingers select Republican in the voting booth.

As you can see, I'm conveniently of two minds as to this important issue that threatens to divide the nation. And I will make up my mind as soon as the polls tell me what my mind is. Until then, I'm going to continue advocating tagging Mezzican ear lobes with large GPS transmitters, while plowing a moat teeming with rattlesnakes along the border. One of those two options has got to be the popularest.

Thank you, and God Bless an eternally unilingual America.

Boy's Whale-Song Imitation Not Helping Anything

2006-05-23T08:37:00.000-05:00

May 15, 2006 | Issue 42•20

BROOKLYN, NY—Whale songs voiced in a local diner by 8-year-old Sasha Tyler Holgerton Monday did not in any way, shape, or form help anything, according to the adults ostensibly supervising the boy. "Sasha's chicken tenders took a little while to arrive, and while I'm very proud of my son for knowing his whale songs, I had to tell him that making those noises over and over wasn't really a good idea," part-time mother Barbara Stein-Holgerton said, explaining her difficulty in calmly explaining to Sasha that he should not mimic animals, throw ice, or stand on his seat in restaurants. "Sasha is very bright, so sometimes he forgets to use inside voices, or respect people's quiet time." Whether the boy believed his repeated whale songs would facilitate better service could not be confirmed by press time.

Take The Week Off!

2006-05-23T08:33:00.000-05:00

An argument this week over the maximum weight capacity of your building's elevator will come to an abrupt end just moments after it began, essentially nullifying any well-thought-out arguments you may have had in the matter.

I have to admit....i don't get it!

Working Toward The Splits

2006-05-20T11:08:00.000-05:00

The following stretching routine is tailored specifically to the purpose of achieving the ability to perform both front splits and side splits. It consists of the following exercises:

1. lower back stretches

2. lying buttock stretch

3. groin & inner-thigh stretch

4. seated calf stretch

5. seated hamstring stretch

6. seated inner-thigh stretch

7. psoas stretch

8. quadricep stretch

9. lying `V' stretch

Don't forget to warm-up your body before performing any of these exercises.

Exactly everything i failed to do last night! So, don't try this at home with out following the above stretching:) I pulled a Ham string, but i got errr down:), Down to the ground! Sadly enough....i knew better, being a Fitness Instructor and all!

The American Way

2006-05-17T23:19:00.000-05:00

A Japanese company (Toyota) and an American company (General Motors) decided to have a canoe race on the Missouri River. Both teams practiced long and hard to reach their peak performance before the race. On the big day, the Japanese won by a mile.The Americans, very discouraged and depressed, decided to investigate the reason for the crushing defeat.

A management team made up of senior management was formed to investigate and recommend appropriate action.

Their conclusion was the Japanese had 8 people rowing and 1 person steering, while the American team had 8 people steering and 1 person rowing. So American management hired a consulting company and paid them a large amount of money for a second opinion.

They advised that too many people were steering the boat, while not enough people were rowing. To prevent another loss to the Japanese, the rowing team's management structure was totally reorganized to 4 steering supervisors, 3 area steering superintendents and 1 assistant superintendent steering manager.

They also implemented a new performance system that would give the 1 person rowing the boat greater incentive to work harder. It was called the "Rowing Team Quality First Program", with meetings, dinners and free pens for the rower. There was discussion of getting new paddles, canoes and other equipment, extra vacation days for practices, and bonuses.

The next year the Japanese won by two miles.

Humiliated, the American management laid off the rower for poor performance, halted development of a new canoe, sold the paddles, and canceled all capital investments for new equipment. The money saved was distributed to the Senior Executives as bonuses and the next year's racing team was out sourced to India!

Subject: Mental Hospital Phone Menu

2006-05-16T08:54:00.000-05:00

State Mental Hospital Phone Menu

Hello and thank you for calling the State Mental Hospital. Please
select from the following options menu:

If you are obsessive compulsive, press 1 repeatedly.

If you are co-dependent, please ask someone to press 2 for you.

If you have multiple personalities, press 3,4,5, and 6.

If you are paranoid, we know who you are and what you want. Stay on
the line so we can trace your call.

If you are delusional, press 7 and your call will be forwarded to the
Mothership.

If you are schizophrenic, listen carefully and a little voice will tell
you which number to press.

If you are manic-depressive, it doesn't matter which number you
press, nothing will make you happy anyway.

If you are dyslexic, press 969696969696969696969696969696.

If you are bi-polar, please leave a message after the beep or before
the beep or after the beep. Please wait for the beep.

If you have short-term memory loss, press 9. If you have short-term
memory loss, press 9. If you have short-term memory loss, press 9.

If you have low self-esteem, please hang up. Our operators are too
busy to talk with you.

If you are menopausal, put the gun down, hang up, turn on the fan, lie
down and cry. You won't be crazy forever.

If you are blonde, don't press any buttons, you'll just mess it up.

2006-05-14T17:29:00.000-05:00

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY,
PATTY!

A Tribute....

2006-05-09T19:59:00.000-05:00

This post is a tribute to the one and only Jordan Andrew Miller. Today is his 23rd birthday, and he is working his butt off, instead of enjoying it. I just wanted to say I love him very much. As I am sure everyone else does too. (Or atleast you better!)

Jody,
I love you very much. I appreciate everything you do for me. I appreciate everything you sacrifice to give me the life I want. (Not necessarily deserve.) Just wanted to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the one I love. (And 3 days 'till vacation!)

I LOVE YOU,
Your Chabby (No, our names are not misspelled)

This Could Happen To You

2006-05-08T14:24:00.000-05:00

Submitted by my friend Wouter, all the way over in the Netherlands :)

Drugs Now Legal If User Is Employed, What The....

2006-05-05T07:51:00.000-05:00

March 27, 2002 | Issue 38•11

WASHINGTON, DC—Seeking to "narrow the focus of the drug war to the true enemy," Congress passed a bill legalizing drug use for the gainfully employed Monday.

The Drug War

"Stockbrokers, lawyers, English professors... you're not the problem here," said DEA Administrator Asa Hutchinson at a White House press conference. "If you are paying taxes and keeping your yard tidy, we're not going to hassle you if you come home from a hard day of work and want to enjoy a little pot or blow. But if, on the other hand, you're one of these lazy, shiftless types hanging out on the street all day looking for your next high, we're coming after you."

The new law, which goes into effect May 1, will enable police departments and courts to focus on what Hutchinson called "the real drug offenders."

"There's no point going after some cardiac surgeon who needs some speed to keep him sharp," Hutchinson said. "That's not what the law was intended to prevent. But the more destructive drug users—the addict who spends his welfare money on crack, the guy in Harlem who smokes marijuana—that is something that we as a society must not tolerate."

According to Drug Czar John P. Walters, the legislation should have a beneficial effect on the health of the American people.

"As a result of this new law, we expect use of addictive, harmful drugs like heroin and crack—those statistically more likely to be linked to unemployment—to drop," Walters said. "Meanwhile, decent people with good jobs can continue their responsible use of milder drugs like E and cocaine in peace."

Walters said the new legislation will make it significantly easier to fight the drug war. The nation's courts will not be clogged with cases involving club kids caught with "Vitamin K" or doctors prescribing Vicodin to rich housewives. More money can be freed up to build prisons to keep chronically unemployed addicts in jail and off the streets—the only statistically proven method of improving an addict's chance of recovery.

"Clearly, a lot of people doing drugs simply cannot handle them," Walters said. "We've got to get the drugs out of the hands of these people, and give them back to the weekend user."

The law, Hutchinson noted, will also help protect the nation's poor and unemployed, who are not as equipped to handle the effects of drug addiction as their more affluent counterparts.

"Drugs are addictive, and that's true whether you're a ghetto gang member or a Harvard-educated entertainment lawyer," Hutchinson said. "But the cold, hard truth is, if the ghetto kid gets hooked, he isn't going to clean up in a rehab clinic in Palm Springs and maybe even become president, now, is he? That's why we need to protect the less fortunate among us with the threat of arrest and incarceration."

The U.S. economy also stands to benefit. Initial surveys indicate that the threat of jail will motivate recreational drug users to seek employment, reducing the nation's welfare rolls.

"Legal weed versus jail?" asked Cory Everly, 23, an unemployed Austin, TX, singer-songwriter. "I am so totally going down to the sub shop today to ask Rudy for my job back."

Added Everly: "Rudy's my boss... at the sub shop."

"The new American motto is 'Work Hard, Play Hard,'" Hutchinson said. "Do a few bumps of coke at your gay friend's party. Go to your be-in or your Lollapalooza rave or whatever it's called this year. But you'd better make it in to work on Monday, buddy, or you're going to jail."

"Sorry if some of my comments have been a bit rambling and unfocused," Hutchinson added. "I'm a little high right now."

Lady And Chance or Freaks Of Nature :)

2006-05-03T12:45:00.000-05:00

Michael do you remember the little Ewoks that Elaine calls, Dogs!
Huge pain in the bum.....still.
Just thought i'd send you a pic of something from home. Elaine has
made me help her with these Rats to many times here lately. Groomers,
Vet, Vet again to have nails clipped. Today i asked the Vet to put muzzels
on them so they won't bite bc Elaine said they bite when having their nails
cut. I kept telling the dogs how cute they looked all muzzeled up :). 1st
time i ever heard them quiet!
I Miss You Hijo!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here I am.....Hard At It !

2006-05-02T08:47:00.000-05:00

I don't expect the rest of you to put youself through this.
Someone need to get some rest! Slow down Babies....REST!

Changes Come, But Who Gives A Shit

2006-04-28T17:27:00.000-05:00

A few Hometown Updates For Michael

-Emma Lous Cafe....corner of Hart and Broadway. The cafe with the tacky swinging sign that reads "Air Condintioned".......Closed its doors. What i don't understand ,is why in the hell they stayed open as long as they did. The place is older than dirt.

-The little shop that Amy loved so well, the one with the Bling Bling.....Gone! No new location....just gone. *Tear*

-Daily Clarion, mowed today....By none other than the Fabulous Mark. I gave many honks as i drove by. He Slammed me with his killer smile!

-Theres something happining here. What it is aint exactly clear. There are men with hammers in their hands, telling us we need to be clear. Okay....i'll stop that crap!

There is a Huge Gazebo Style building, with what appears to be a steaple being built on the Courthouse lawn. Now i have to say.....it is really looking beautiful. Still unclear of why, who, etc. It is nice. Dare i say our City beautification program has kicked off!

-At this point in time, i can not think of any other changes that have taken place. I do not read the news paper! If i did....i could give you more info on what is taking place on the Courthouse Lawn :).

-

It's this......

2006-04-26T14:37:00.000-05:00

Give me five minutes for your thoughts
Five minutes to feel
Five minutes to share
Eternity for this feeling
be happy

Wouter Roosenburg

It's Tougher If You're Stupid

2006-04-20T06:24:00.000-05:00

Thank You Mrs Johnna Delong for this GREAT read!

How do these people survive?

1. I Recently, when I went to McDonald's I saw on the menu that you could have an order of 6, 9 or 12 Chicken McNuggets. I asked for a half dozen nuggets. "We don't have half dozen nuggets," said the teenager at the counter. "You don't?" I replied. "We only have six, nine, or twelve," was the reply. "So I can't order a half dozen nuggets, but I can order six?" "That's right." So I shook my head and ordered six McNuggets .

2. I was checking out at the local Wal-Mart with just a few items and the lady behind me put her things on the belt close to mine. I picked up one of those "dividers" that they keep by the cash register and placed it between our things so they wouldn't get mixed. After the girl had scanned all of my items, she picked up the "divider", looking it all over for the bar code so she could scan it. Not finding the bar code she said to me, "Do you know how much this is?" I said to her "I've changed my mind, I don't think I'll buy that today." She said "OK," and I paid her for the things and left. She had no clue to what had just happened.

3. A lady at work was seen putting a credit card into her floppy drive and pulling it out very quickly. When I inquired as to what she was doing, she said she was shopping on the Internet and they kept asking for a credit card number, so she was using the ATM "thingy."

4. I recently saw a distraught young lady weeping beside her car. "Do you need some help?" I asked. She replied, "I knew I should have replaced the battery to this remote door unlocker. Now I can't get into my car. Do you think they (pointing to a distant convenience store) would have a battery to fit this?" "Hmmm, I dunno. Do you have an alarm, too?" I asked. "No, just this remote thingy," she answered, handing it and the car keys to me. I took the key and manually unlocked the door, I replied, "Why don't you drive over there and check about the batteries. It's a long walk."

5. Several years ago, we had an Intern who was none too swift. One day she was typing and turned to a secretary and said, "I'm almost out of typing paper. What do I do?" "Just use copier machine paper," the secretary told her. With that, the intern took her last remaining blank piece of paper, put it on the photocopier and proceeded to make five "blank" copies.

6. I was in a car dealership a while ago, when a large motor home was towed into the garage. The front of the vehicle was in dire need of repair and the whole thing generally looked like an extra in "Twister." I asked the manager what had happened. He told me that the driver had set the "cruise control" and then went in the back to make a sandwich.

7. My neighbor works in the operations department in the central office of a large bank. Employees in the field call him when they have problems with their computers. One night he got a call from a woman in one of the branch banks who had this question: "I've got smoke coming from the back of my terminal. Do you guys have a fire downtown?"

8. Police in Radnor City interrogated a suspect by placing a metal colander on his head and connecting it with wires to a photocopy machine. The message "He's lying" was placed in the copier, and police pressed the copy button each time they thought the suspect wasn't telling the truth. Believing the "lie detector" was working, the suspect confessed.

9. A mother calls 911 very worried asking the dispatcher if she needs to take her kid to the emergency room, the kid was eating ants. The dispatcher tells her to give the kid some Benadryl and should be fine, the mother says, I just gave him some ant killer..... Dispatcher: Rush him in to emergency
Life is tough.

It's tougher if you're stupid
Thank You Mrs Johnna Delong for this GREAT read!

The Kramer

2006-04-17T16:52:00.000-05:00

He is a loathsome offessive brute, but I cant look away

Oddly enough....i have been unable to get this out of my mind.
My thoughts keep coming back to this over and over. I fear
that I too can't look away!

Shocking

2006-04-11T23:44:00.000-05:00

MIT Fraternity Accused Of Robot Hazing

CAMBRIDGE, MA—Several members of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology chapter of the Theta Tau fraternity are in campus-police custody today following a brutal hazing incident in which one robot remains missing and two others are in critical condition with extensive circuitry and servo-motor injuries, sources revealed Monday

<------

AMBLE5, top, and Bradbury, bottom, two of the pledgebots victimized in the latest on-campus incident of robo-hazing.

<-----
The robots, experimental prototypes recently devised at MIT's prestigious Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, were participating in an apparent initiation exercise that police say involved butyl alcohol and compressed air.

According to eyewitnesses, the three robots were ripped from their chargers at the Theta Tau chapter house at 3 a.m. Tuesday. One, a titanium-alloy hexapod approximately 13 inches in diameter, was reportedly forced to climb stairs built at a grade too steep for its small hinged legs, causing six of its pneumatic actuators to short out. A second robot, a biped from MIT's Leg Laboratory, was allegedly forced to replicate "the same humiliating hopping algorithm" 200,000 times, and is currently in critical condition in the laboratory's emergency-repair room.

The third robot, a tread-driven 38-inch-tall rover, is feared drowned after being forced to consume over 40 terabytes of data and then swim across the Charles River with a burning candle stuck in its rear port.

"We will thoroughly investigate this matter, and take strong disciplinary action," MIT Dean of Students Geraldine Knight said. "These robots are extremely artificially intelligent. They wouldn't willingly subject themselves to this sort of abuse without extreme levels of peer pressure or even downright reprogramming."

Among those detained for questioning were Theta Tau chapter president David Kovis, treasurer Charles Leung, and fraternity members Lee Berger, Andy Ockridge, A. Muduthanapally, and Chen Kwan Tan. They could be charged with first-degree botslaughter and operating a motorized robot under the influence, charges that carry a maximum punishment of lifetime banishment from the MIT Media lab.

This is not the first case of robot hazing on the campus. Last fall, during "Rush Week," a spider-legged unit was found struggling in a closet at MIT's School of Engineering, stripped of its outer casing, its motion sensors covered with duct tape. The perpetrators were never found.

On another occasion, a robot was locked in a room and forced to calculate pi to the 1083 decimal place in what officials called one of the worst cases of binge-thinking they'd ever seen.

This latest incident comes in the wake of a February episode in which an ambulating chatbot device created at Caltech was programmed to repeat the phrase "I am a faggot" while locomoting across campus.

Robots have also reportedly been made to fight each other, often to total annihilation, in the basements of applied-science-based campus fraternal organizations during their respective "hell weeks."

A spokesman for the Theta Tau fraternity claimed that the "fun just got out of hand," and that the robot pledges were "100 percent cool with the initiation." "They showed us they were willing to do anything to be Theta Tau brothers. Loyalty, commitment, and conformity are what the Greek system is all about," the spokesman said. In protest, human-emotion-simulator robot Kismet, a respected member of the MIT community, announced that it will only display an expression of disapproval—refusing to smile, show fear, or raise a curious eyebrow—until those responsible receive appropriate punishment.

Resource: The Onion I thought Michael would enjoy this one :)

First Of Spring

2006-04-11T16:31:00.000-05:00

I have to say.....this is a Beautiful Day!
75 degrees and i had to get a bit of it in.
As you can see, the lawn needs
to be mowed and it should be done Post Haste!
This one is for you Michael....Spring at home.

Are You Afraid to Play? Don't Forget to Play My Children!

2006-04-11T07:03:00.000-05:00

Play is as essential to the aged as it is to the young. I count that day lost when I am not moved to tears or laughter, but even more if I have not played.
-George Sheehan in "Going the Distance"

From "A Sideways Look at Time" by Jay Griffiths:

Play matters because, against the gray backdrop of a jobbing sky, play is the rainbow, is energy, is wicked flirtatiousness, is the helplessly laughing, the leglessly laddered, the God of Things which Brimmeth Over, the pint down the pub, the de trop overflow of excess, the resplendently unnecessary and the one-too-many which make the whole damn thing worthwhile. Play is harvest, is abundance, is generosity, the harvest of pleasure after work, the excess and the gusto, the more-than-enough, the gifts, the spirit of exchange. To play a game is, in German ein Spiel spielen, and the brimmingness, the spilling-over abundance of play is mirrored in this brimming-over phrase: spill it, spiel it twice — just for fun.

Western society (urbanized, denatured, and ferociously work-oriented) is scared of this panplayism, frightened of its subversive, anarchic nature....
Aristotle said, "Nature requires us not only to be able to work well but also to idle well." Sigh. It's so hard. The Idea of the Idle which disses and rejects the clock is an ambition harder than it seems. To really play is to let go of the hand of the clock, to dive deep into the fathoms of time — a state of water this, deep play, with affinities to music, art, sex, deep drinking and deep thought. It is chancey, risky, fluxy, underwater world where immersion in the moment is all. This wild time is far richer, though far flukier, than clock-time, this is time enlivened and various, time as fast and slow as a waterfall's cascade. It is not necessarily easy to be in, for its waters are uncontrolled by a clock, uncommanded and uncharted. Without a clock you are on your own and it is a difficult but rich experience, this, the beautiful duress of ludic creativity — idlesse oblige.

"The Have A Drink And Sleep On IT, Advice Desk"

2006-04-09T08:38:00.000-05:00

Denial isn't an option, for we will only suffer negative consequences until we acknowledge what we desire, even if we choose not to pursue it.

Read It! Remember IT! Apply It!
Goodnight and Good Luck!

Jordan is still Cool!!!!!

Define Irony.... Incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs

2006-03-31T13:55:00.000-06:00

Poverty-Stricken Africans Receive Desperately Needed Bibles

March 13, 2006 | Issue 42•11

MARADI, NIGER—More than 60,000 urgently needed Bibles arrived to allay suffering throughout the famine-stricken nation of Niger Friday, in one of the largest humanitarian-relief operations ever attempted by a Christian ministry.
Enlarge ImageAfricans

Africans gather in hopes of receiving the Bibles they have hoped for.

"Come rejoice, and feast upon the word of Our Lord, Jesus Christ," said Christina Clarkson, executive director of the Living Light Ministries of Lubbock, TX. "Those who were hungry, hunger no more, for the Word brings life."

An exuberant Clarkson said the Bible drop was the culmination of one of the largest and most aggressive grassroots fundraising drives ever undertaken by the organization, which was able to fund the mission largely through local charitable events, such as bake-offs, barbecues, and pie-eating contests.

"We absolutely would not be here today if it were not for the amazing generosity of the people back home," Clarkson said. "People everywhere opened up their hearts and checkbooks to us and said, 'Dig in.'"

Niger, ranked as the second-poorest nation on Earth, is experiencing its worst famine in more than 20 years, as a brutal drought last year was followed by a plague of crop-destroying locusts. An estimated 3.5 million of Niger's 12 million people are currently at risk of starvation.

"That's why it was so important for this mission to happen right now," said Clarkson. "So many people here are suffering. Disease, starvation, and lack of shelter are day-to-day realities in Niger. But once they hear the Good News of Jesus Christ and accept Him as their Lord and Savior—once they really take Him into their hearts—then they will see what poor comforts are the things of this world."

Due to the tireless efforts of Clarkson and other members of the congregation, the ministry was able to provide the needy with Bibles superior to the ones they use in their own church services.

"Handcrafted, genuine leather—best money can buy," said 61-year-old missionary Don Kostic as he ran his hand along the book's ornately embossed spine. "It's like my wife back home says: Nothing is too good for people who are ready to receive the Living Word of Christ."

Although the fundraising efforts were unprecedented, congregation members said Living Light would never have succeeded had they not obtained the generous support of an array of corporate sponsors, including Applebee's and Church's Fried Chicken.

"We spent so much money just to get here," Kostic continued. "After we had all the Bibles engraved, we still had to charter the plane. When we landed in Niamey, we could barely even afford ground transportation."

Undaunted, the missionaries purchased the best vehicle they could find, which turned out to be a used bread truck. "That old thing!" recalled Kostic, laughing. "We must've scrubbed it down a hundred times. You couldn't get the smell of freshly baked, vitamin-fortified bread out of it if your life depended on it."

Reaction among Niger residents has been mixed.

Moussa Yaouli, a 35-year-old farmer, was particularly interested to learn more about the doctrine of transubstantiation, which Living Light personnel told him involved the eating of wafers. "It is said to be a big wafer. I am sure it will feed many of my children."
Enlarge ImageAfricans

Moussa Yaouli derives spiritual nourishment from his handcrafted leather Bible.

Though "spiritually gratified" by their work, many of the missionaries spoke about the difficulties of working in an impoverished country.

"It can be so hard being away from the comfort of our homes and our loving families," Clarkson confided. "I will admit, there have been times when I prayed, 'Lord, just help me get through this mission and get me back to Texas!' But when we rolled into town and people started running after the truck with those big smiles on their faces, I couldn't help but smile back."

Clarkson added: "And when we opened up the back of the truck and they saw that it was full of Bibles... Grown men and women wept in front of their children. That's how moved they were by the Holy Spirit. That's how I know it's all been worth it."

Clarkson said her mission will succeed in bringing the people of Niger "the spiritual sustenance they've been deprived of," despite such obstacles as the nation's 18 percent literacy rate.

"You say you're suffering. I say, let the good Lord do the suffering for you," she said. "You say you're exhibiting the deleterious effects of severe dehydration and chronic malnutrition. And I say that no matter what ails you, the Holy Bible is the best medicine there is."

Pennsylvannia and Dams

2006-03-28T23:56:00.000-06:00

This is a letter sent to a man named Ryan DeVries by thePennsylvania Department of Environmental Quality, State of Pennsylvania.

SUBJECT: DEQ File No.97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20; Lycoming County

Dear Mr. DeVries:

It has come to the attention of the Department of Environmental Quality that there has been recent unauthorized activity on the above referenced parcel of property. You have been certified as the legal landowner and/or contractor who did the following unauthorized activity:

Construction and maintenance of two wood debris dams across the outlet stream of Spring Pond.

A permit must be issued prior to the start of this type of activity.A review of the Department's files shows that no permits have been issued. Therefore, the Department has determined that this activity is in violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Pennsylvania Compiled Laws, annotated.

The Department has been informed that one or both of the dams partially failed during a recent rain event, causing debris and flooding at downstream locations. We find that dams of this nature are inherently hazardous and cannot be permitted. The Department therefore orders you to cease and desist all activities at this location, and to restore the stream to a free-flow condition by removing all wood and brush forming the dams from the stream channel.

All restoration work shall be completed no later than January 31, 2006. Please notify this office when the restoration has been completed so that a follow-up site inspection may be scheduled by our staff. Failure to comply with this request or any further unauthorized activity on the site may result in this case being referred for elevated enforcement action. We anticipate and would appreciate your full cooperation in this matter. Please feel free to contact me at this office if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
David L. Price
District Representative and Water Management Division.

Here is the response sent back by Mr. DeVries:
Re: DEQ File No. 97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20; Lycoming County

Dear Mr. Price,

Your certified letter dated 12/17/02 has been handed to me to respond to. I am the legal landowner but not the Contractor at 2088 Dagget Lane, Trout Run, Pennsylvania.

A couple of beavers are in the (State unauthorized) process of constructing and maintaining two wood "debris" dams across the outlet stream of my Spring Pond. While I did not pay for, authorize, nor supervise their dam project, I think they would be highly offended that you call their skillful use of natures building materials "debris."

I would like to challenge your department to attempt to emulate their dam project any time and/or any place you choose. I believe I can safely state there is no way you could ever match their dam skills, their dam resourcefulness, their dam ingenuity, their dam persistence, their dam determination and/or their dam work ethic.

As to your request, I do not think the beavers are aware that they must first fill out a dam permit prior to the start of this type of dam activity. My first dam question to you is:

(1) Are you trying to discriminate against my Spring Pond Beavers, or
(2) do you require all beavers throughout this State to conform to said dam request?

If you are not discriminating against these particular beavers, through the Freedom of Information Act, I request completed copies of all those other applicable beaver dam permits that have been issued. Perhaps we will see if there really is a dam violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Pennsylvania Compiled Laws, annotated.

I have several concerns. My first concern is; aren't the beavers entitled to legal representation? The Spring Pond Beavers are financially destitute and are unable to pay for said representation, so the State will have to provide them with a dam lawyer. The Department's dam concern that either one or both of the dams failed during a recent rain event, causing flooding, is proof that this is a natural occurrence, which the Department is required to protect. In other words, we should leave the Spring Pond Beavers alone rather than harassing them and calling their dam names.

If you want the stream "restored" to a dam free-flow condition please contact the beavers -- but if you are going to arrest them, they obviously did not pay any attention to your dam letter, they being unable to read English. In my humble opinion, the Spring Pond Beavers have a right to build their unauthorized dams as long as the sky is blue, the grass is green and water flows downstream. They have more dam rights than I do to live and enjoy Spring Pond. If the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection lives up to its name, it should protect the natural resources (Beavers) and the environment (Beavers' Dams).

So, as far as the beavers and I are concerned, this dam case can be referred for more elevated enforcement action right now. Why wait until 1/31/2006? The Spring Pond Beavers may be under the dam ice then and there will be no way for you or your dam staff to contact/harass them then.

In conclusion, I would like to bring to your attention to a real environmental quality (health) problem in the area. It is the bears! Bears are actually defecating in our woods. I definitely believe you should be persecuting the defecating bears and leave the beavers alone.If you are going to investigate the beaver dam, watch your step! (The bears are not careful where they dump!)

Being unable to comply with your dam request, and being unable to contact you on your dam answering machine, I am sending this response to your dam office.

THANK YOU. RYAN DEVRIES & THE DAM BEAVERS

Moving On....

2006-03-27T18:21:00.000-06:00

Jordan is officially looking for a new job. His current job has taken it's toll on both of us. So if anyone has any job leads, connections, or any info that might help in the search it would be greatly appreciated.

Can You Just Die....I Love My Shoes!

2006-03-22T20:38:00.000-06:00

I Miss You Too!

2006-03-22T20:36:00.000-06:00

Just A Reminder For Myself

2006-03-20T08:54:00.000-06:00

Aquarius
January 20 - February 17
Get your broom out of the closet today, dear Aquarius. Your job is to brush away all the cobwebs from the corners of your emotional bedroom. Use the intense transforming energy of the day to say goodbye to stale and unresolved relationships that have left a bad taste in your mouth. Ignite the fire of a new situation and consciously try to establish new habits so that old patterns don't continue to repeat themselves.

The New Face Of America

2006-03-17T07:18:00.000-06:00

What America will look like if the Arabs take over our Ports.
I'm sure there is no reason for instant alarm....we will just have
to do the ole' "Wait See" on this one.
It is my opinion ,but I am hating the new look of the White House and
i'm not loving the New York sky line. I do however, really like Bush's new
head gear. He looks Fabulous! There is not a whole lot of damage that can
be done to Burger King or Mc Nastys. KFC is looking pretty cool while The Statue
Of Liberty is pretty much shammed. Screw the Gas Stations and The Marlboro Camel
isn't a huge change from the horse. The new Microsoft Windows sucks, but is that really a change. I must not forget PlayBoy....is it differant?????
Forgive the pic layout...i am no Geek! I am merely Human, people :).
Photos Provided By: Dr. John

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News From Around The World

2006-03-16T06:50:00.000-06:00

The top storys at home and around the world.....if you listen,, you will hear the ticking:)

-Jordan loves his wife the way Christ loves his church. The new ring on her finger looks like real sparkly golf ball size hail. Way to Love your wife Jordan!

-Josiah and Johnna put them selves into a Huge new White Truck. It is this reporters opinion that, this truck gets at least 30 miles to the gallon. Props on the new wheels guys!

- Jared and Ally celebrate their love. Ally wears a new custom diamond ring. Good job Jared!

_Michael is reading up on Fedora Core 4. Look out world!

_Amy and Michael have taken on some gardening, cooking and various domestic weekend charm. Amy reports that they have planted their Tomatoes from seed and we believe there is much success.

=Bubby celebrates another Birthday. We are all very happy to have you around for another year. We all LOVE YOU!!!! P.S. How old are you now, Bubby?

-Michael and Amy will be up and running on line very soon now. They have recieved Fedora Core 3 & 4. It is my personal opinion, but Michael and Amy have Great taste in the OS that they will be using.

-Patty Loves Geeks!

Jewish Music Goes Hip

2006-03-15T16:34:00.000-06:00

Jewish artists are making music that unabashedly embraces their religious roots without being stodgy or didactic.
By Saul Austerlitz

To some, the phrase "hip Jewish music" is a natural oxymoron, an impossibility no less unlikely than "funky President" or "kosher ham." At worst, the notion of Jewish music conjures up images of fusty cantorial music and Hebrew school sing-alongs; at best, good music from nominally Jewish artists like the Beastie Boys and Bob Dylan with little connection to religious tradition.

You would be forgiven for rethinking this dialectic, and possibly gaping in utter disbelief, if you flip television channels or turn a radio dial, and come upon a song called "King Without a Crown," from an artist named Matisyahu. A fiery, full-blooded reggae anthem in the vein of Peter Tosh and Burning Spear, the song features, on closer inspection, lyrics like, "Sing to my God all these songs of love and healing/ want Moshiach now so it's time we start revealing." Without doubt the first-ever song to mention "Hashem" (the Jewish name for God) and yearn for "Torah food" to make its way onto MTV playlists, "King Without a Crown" is a delightful anomaly.

Hearing his voice, it would be easy for listeners to be convinced Matisyahu is some kind of Jamaican biblical prophet. Seeing him dressed like a yeshiva student in white shirt, black jacket, and black homburg, though, it is difficult to believe that that voice, so dramatic and stentorian, comes from so unlikely-looking a candidate. Matisyahu is unabashedly, unashamedly, a religious Jew, but he is also unashamed about being a reggae singer. His religious and artistic interests may not intermesh perfectly, but he proceeds as if they do, and that assurance is at the heart of Matisyahu's left-field appeal.

What unites the new wave of hip Jewish music, above all, is its dedication to Jewish tradition. Rather than whitewash its religious sources, or turn it into ironic cultural japery, a la Heeb magazine, labels like JDub (home to Matisyahu) and Reboot Stereophonic pump out Jewish music attuned to its religious underpinnings. JDub has become a home to the most forward-looking Jewish artists in the contemporary pop realm.

Matisyahu's labelmate So Called's debut album, "The So Called Seder," is a DJ's tour through Passover, sampling klezmer ballads, traditional music, and hilarious holiday-themed dialogue with an ear to emulating hip-hop mixmasters like DJ Shadow and RJD2. Bringing the story of Passover into the era of the iPod, "The So Called Seder," like Matisyahu, is loyal to both Judaism and hip-hop, without seeing any contradiction between the two. "The So Called Seder" is suitable listening for 50 Cent fans and Orthodox music buffs, and both will find much to enjoy in its dense mélange of samples.

One of the obscure artists sampled by So Called on "The So Called Seder" is the Irving Fields Trio, a 1950s jazz ensemble who brought a taste of the Latin beat to tunes like "My Yiddishe Momme" and "Hava Nagila" (rendered here as "Havanna Negilah"). The Fields Trio's long-obscure album "Bagels and Bongos" has been reissued, and reinvigorated, by the new record label Reboot Stereophonic, run by "Jews who grew up on new wave and punk, know what a dub plate is, and put mambo, Tupac, and The Ramones on the same playlist," according to their promotional materials.

Reboot Stereophonic are Jewish crate-diggers, searching the wide world of musical history for music both hip and Jewish. The label functions as a Jewish musical anthropologist, looking to resuscitate the lost classics of Jewish popular music. "Bagels and Bongos" is highly enjoyable, an odd experiment in musical mind-meld reminiscent of exotica acts like Esquivel and Martin Denny. Fair warning, though--it can sound to contemporary ears like a product of the assimilationist postwar era, less open-minded about its mix of rhythm and ritual than today's popular Jewish music.

Sounding like So Called a generation before his time, Gershon Kingsley, the subject of Reboot Stereophonic's second release, mixed and matched musical styles in the name of creating a Jewish music neither purged of religious sensibility nor overly didactic. Similarly attempting to bring Judaism and modernity together by synchronizing religious practice with the musical avant-garde, Kingsley composed unusual takes on the Friday night prayer service and Passover with his trusty Moog synthesizer. His albums "Shabbat for Today" (1968)and "The Fifth Cup"(1974), large chunks of which appear on Reboot's new 2-disc Kingsley retrospective "God is a Moog: The Electronic Prayers of Gershon Kingsley," are the work of an unsung performer injecting gospel choirs into Shabbat staple "L'cha Dodi," and turning Passover's story of bondage and redemption into a simultaneous children's story and bitter Nixon-era diatribe against poverty and the erosion of civil rights. Kingsley's eerie Moog playing is reminiscent of the minimalist electronic music currently in vogue in nightclubs around the world. And his voice-overs, sounding exactly like the kind of quasi-mystic oracular pronouncements DJ Shadow loves to sample, are a delight.

Kingsley, Matisyahu, and the others are symbols of a new interest in Jewish music that is neither novelty tunesmithery nor didactic message-making. Much like its Christian counterpart, Jewish music has moved into the mainstream by embracing its roots without shame or hesitation, making music that includes religion unabashedly while refusing to be defined entirely by its religious content. The result is religious music without the taint of stodginess or didacticism that used to haunt its Christian counterpart. "Hip Jewish music?" I guess it's a contradiction in terms we'll all have to get used to.

Bob Dylan!?!?!? Jewish! I understand now why i like the guy so much.....who knew!

Today in Townsville

2006-03-10T17:23:00.000-06:00

Right Now for
Townsville, Australia
Mostly Cloudy
84°F
Feels Like
89°F
Updated Mar 11 09:00 a.m. Local Time

UV Index: 3 Moderate
Wind: From S at 13 mph
Humidity: 65%
Pressure: 29.84 in.
Dew Point: 71°F
Visibility: Unlimited

Today in Townsville
Scattered T-Storms
Scattered T-Storms High
84° F
Precip: 60%
Scattered showers and thunderstorms. High 84F. Winds ESE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Sunrise: 6:14 AM

Tonight
Scattered T-Storms
Scattered T-Storms Low
76° F
Precip: 60%
Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low 76F. SE winds at 20 to 30 mph, diminishing to 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Sunset: 6:32 PM

Tomorrow
Scattered T-Storms
Scattered T-Storms High
85° F
Precip: 60%
Scattered thunderstorms. High near 85F. Winds E at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 60%.

I Love This Shoe!!!!

2006-02-26T11:36:00.000-06:00

With that being said.....this is now my shoe :)! By the Way,
I did get one for each foot.
4 inch wrapped heel in a Bone White Satin, ankle tie with bow resting in back.
Waaaaaaaaay Fabulous!

One Flaw In Women

2006-02-14T14:06:00.000-06:00

One Flaw In Women

Women have strengths that amaze men. They bear hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy. They smile when they want to scream. They sing when they want to cry. They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous. They fight for what they believe in. They stand up to injustice. They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution. They go without so their family can have. They go to the doctor with a frightened friend. They love unconditionally. They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards. They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding. Their hearts break when a friend dies. They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left. They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart. Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors. They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you. The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning. They bring joy, hope and love. They have compassion and ideas. They give moral support to their family and friends. Women have vital things to say and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN, IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.
Believe in yourself even if others fail too

Going to Sleep

2006-02-11T08:51:00.000-06:00

Falling asleep at last
I vow with all beings
To enjoy the dark and the silence
And rest in the vast unknown.

- Andrew Weiss

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED

2006-02-04T21:55:00.000-06:00

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED
The 1930's 40's, 50's, and 60's!!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they carried us.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, our baby cribs were covered with bright colored lead-based paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.

As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags.

Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank soda pop with sugar in it, but we weren't overweight because WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on (or when dad whistled). No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 99 channels on cable, no video tape movies, no surround sound, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or Internet chatrooms .......... WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!

If YOU are one of them! CONGRATULATIONS! You had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated our lives for our own good. (And while you are at it, send this to your kids so they will know how brave their parents were.)

Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!

The Beautiful Betty Davis

2006-02-04T07:15:00.000-06:00

After the song "Bette Davis Eyes" became a hit single, Ms. Davis wrote letters to singer Kim Carnes and songwriters Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon and asked how did they know so much about her. One of the reasons Davis loved the song is that her granddaughter heard it and thought her grandmother was "cool" for having a hit song written about her.

Measurements: 34C-21-34 (as a "too busty" starlet), 36C-25-35 (in 1940), (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)
She said that among the jokes told about her, her favorite came from an impressionist who, dressed up like her, commanded the audience "Someone give me a cigarette". When the request was granted the performer threw it on the floor and shouted "LIT!"

For many years she was a popular target for impressionists but she was perplexed by the often used phrase "Pee-tah! Pee-tah! Pee-tah!". She said she had no idea who Pee-tah was and had never even met anyone by that name.

Here is one I like to call .......

2006-01-17T07:31:00.000-06:00

Amy Scores!

The Wedding Diaries: Part 3: The Reception

2006-01-15T00:37:00.000-06:00

The reception was a simple but lovely affair. Because it was even more of a blur then the ceremony, I won’t got into much detail, but you’ll get an idea of it on the dvd and the photos below. Much fun was had by all (or at least us, although we hardly got to eat a thing), although to be honest, it did go on quite late, or at least it felt that way to us… mainly because… well… we wanted to go…

Our grand entrance...

Preparing for the toasts…
Making our speech…

All (or most of) the guests…

Cutting the cake…

Fun with sparklers (our legal fireworks (Mike: sad)), while/after cutting the cake…

The bridal waltz…

Tossing the bouquet (which my 8 year old cousin caught… because she’s the only one who moved to get it)

The damage to our car… a group of friends, led by Carley and Andrew attacked it with toothpaste and toilet paper and filled the inside with balloons. Thankfully it rained later that night and therefore washed most of it off for us. (Mike: there was wind that night though so chunks of toilet paper went all over the town)

The Wedding Cars

2006-01-14T10:01:00.000-06:00

Mike and Amy seem to be enjoying the cars that they got to use for the wedding ceremony. Amy is trying to hitch a ride with the good looking guy in the blue car. Should we tell Mike?

The Wedding Diaries: Part 2: The Ceremony

2006-01-13T23:18:00.000-06:00

As Dad was walking me down the aisle, I noticed my friend Hayley who as far as I knew was supposed to be in New Zealand – she’d flown over especially as a surprise. As we walked past her, Dad reached over and slapped her butt… a very dignified moment. (Mike: we could hear the slap all the way from the stage; they were in the back row)

The ceremony went almost smoothly… Michael and I managed to get by fine; it was those around us who didn’t, which added some great laughs to the night. Pastor Phil, who did the first half of the ceremony before Dad took over, came out with (roughly paraphrased): “As you Michael, take your wives….” When Mum and Dad were asked “Who gives this woman to this man”, Dad replied with “Can we change our minds?”; instead of “placing a ring on the finger…” Dad came out with “placing a finger on the ring…” and when it came to the giving of the rings, there was much fumbling and dropping by Andrew and Dad, all of which they hopefully captured on video. This fumbling explains our expressions in the above photo.

And when it came to the kissing of the bride… Dad made sure to linger over it, taking his sweet time before allowing Michael to “get to the bit he’s been waiting for”.

For those of you who don’t know, here we incorporate the signing of the register into the ceremony – apparently it’s done beforehand in America.

This is my grandma. One of my personal favourite parts of the ceremony was having her come and pray for us as bride and groom.

So this one is to mainly show off our rings and marriage certificate – which I love; but can I also draw attention to my funky nails…

The Wedding Diaries: Part 1: Pre-Ceremony

2006-01-13T02:31:00.000-06:00

Well, we are back from a fabulous honeymoon, details of which shall be withheld (Mike: not due to lack of detail…), suffice to say it was great to just switch off and not worry about anything. Due to popular demand and specific requests, we thought we’d not only post some photos from the wedding, but provide a bit of a commentary on some of the day’s “highlights”… just to keep you going until you get to see the dvd of the day. We’ll do it over 3 parts, just because we have dial-up (Mike: also, regrettably the pictures had to be shrunk a good bit for the same reason. The full size versions are on the cd which is headed your way).

Because we had an evening ceremony, we had the main photos taken beforehand, something which is not traditional here. We had a fun afternoon posing and got some great shots, a select few of which are shown below… (Mike: also, these pre-ceremony photos were taken at the beach where I proposed to Amy, although the actual spot is not in any of the pics)

We had Bugeye Sprites for the wedding cars. The problem was the ride from the park took less time than expected (even though we’d timed it) so Carley and I arrived at 7:15pm, rather then the ideal 7:30pm. At this early point, most of the guests were only just arriving, and Michael and Andrew were just walking into the church so we couldn’t really make our grand entry then. What else to do but go for a drive… and so we drove for a further 10 minutes (Mike: at this point Ps. Phil mentioned to me that the bride had come and gone. Hopefully my reaction was caught on camera because I can’t remember it.) until one of the drivers of the cars decided he needed a smoke, and so there we were, pulled over in a side street, waiting for him to finish his cig. We made it to the church by 7:45pm… so went from 15 minutes early to 15 minutes late. But it’s a story to tell. Part 2 is coming...

The Latest Press Release On Michael of Oz

2006-01-03T12:34:00.000-06:00

Michael is sporting the suit that he will walk down the isle in.
Photo compliments of Amy of Oz a.k.a. Mrs Brown

I Wonder............

2006-01-02T08:57:00.000-06:00

If you ever drink Iced Tea

If your nagging cough has cleared up

If you ever get home sick

If you have moments of "Cold Feet"

If the sky there is brighter than it is here

If it is eaiser to breath there

If you talk when you have something on your mind

Most of all, I wonder if i'll ever see you again

I love you

Home For The Holidays

2006-01-01T16:33:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year to All!