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Why so serious?

liangcai — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:30:45 +0000

Because Dark Knight rocks my socks. Or rather The Joker did. Totally enjoyed ourselves watching the movie followed by dinner at Ichiban after. Sometimes you don't need to have complicated and super well planned outings to have a good time, just the right person.

Eating icecream and sharing a bottle of beer downstairs was an even better way to end the night.

Everything BUT Apple Pie

taktikphotography — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 06:03:27 +0000

<-right MarBear, Middle ME, Left Tater TOTS *ha, that is also by birth order as well.*

Clearly in the picture we are at the market, looking very ridiculous, but having way to much fun.

So I haven't been writing in my blogs lately, I hope you guys didn't miss me! :)

I have come to a conclusion that life is one big countdown clock, so we need little countdown clocks before the big one runs out. :D I have made myself one, I think everyone should as well.

Okay....so to keep you guys up to date I will give you the download, the 411, FYI! This Summer, has been very different from a typical Summer, but has been one of the most memorable Summers yet! Even though every Summer I think of Congress and miss it very much, even all the crazy hours, those extremely hot showers, extremely cold dorms with out a blanket, the experience of full independence for one full week, having pedometers flushed down toilets, getting lost in a University (which might be a University I might go to never know) oh and how can I forget the crazy insane turtle neck 19 year old guy from Manatee County that asked me out to the ball?! HAHAHA! Poor guy, got kicked out the last day! If you wonder why he got kicked out, its because almost every girl from the whole state complained about him being a nuisance. :) Good times! I KNOW only one person who might read this will know exactly what I am talking about. ;)

But this Summer has been very memorable in so many ways.

Soon I will be going on vacation to St. Pete and Madeira Beach. Two whole weeks of fun in the sun, and sunburn. I will have to remind myself to bring the BIG bottle of Na-PCA! I am excited for that, like I haven't been on vacation because I had family members ill and in the hospital in such a long time. It will be nice to be away with no parents, and just kind of relax and not worry or stress about anything. Plus it helps that I am going with the BIGGEST clowns I know, my favorite uncle, UNCLE PETE (he is my favorite because he is my only uncle. Well I think he would still be my favorite if I had hundreds of uncles.) my Aunt, Ms. Martha who is really like my second mom/friend/a really cool and nice person to be with, and last but not least my cousin Chik-pik. My uncle has already said to get ready for the Shake Shop, awesome! I went with them a little while back for the weekend. I am so thrilled! Slightly bummed that we can't go to North Carolina as well, but its still going to be FUN! Although I will miss my baby Marabelle`, D, my Internet and everything in between. So next week today I will be gone! YAY!

Oh MY I heard that Coldplay is coming in town in November close to my birthday if I am correct. I so want to go, but know that I won't go. So instead I will just buy their CD close my eyes and imagine them in concert. How pathetic is that? I absolutely LOVE the new CD Viva La Vida. I can't name one song off that whole CD I don't like. Lovers In Japan/Reign of Fire is one that I am listening to now, oh to see it in concert would be like the coolest thing EVER!

Also.....FLCT has My Fair Lady auditions coming soon. It would be so nice to audition for the heck of it, not take it as serious as I have before. That would be funny, audition just because its something you enjoy and not really care if you make it or not. That would be the time where I actually would make the cut and not be someone in the background or a cover for someone. Ah, but it includes singing, that is where I know I would run into some problems. I don't like to sing, specially in front of people. Oh well, I guess I will just go and see it when it comes out in production. :) Now I have My Fair Lady songs stuck in my head! So whoever lives in South Florida look up FLCT.org and go try out. It seriously is something you have to do at least once in your life time, the experience alone is amazing! Well, maybe if they happen to do Thoroughly Modern Millie any time soon then I will have to try out, because that is like a musical you don't hear much about but is so funny, and portrays the 40's if I am not mistaken. I could go on about how much fun FLCT was.

Unfortunately it is getting late and I should be getting to bed now! So please if you see my grammar becoming poor, understand it is late and I am tired. :) Well Good night everyone. Thanks for reading again, even though it is absolutely nothing of importance, I hope I filled up some time! I will be writing soon!

Song for today's blog.........."Through Open Eyes" by Snow Patrol

Ha, I tricked you if you thought it was going to be Coldplay! Not this time!

Demography in reference to Firebrand round about Saleem Ali

rochellerma — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:09:08 +0000

In correspondence to Saleem H. Ali

Said secretary speaking of defence Donald Rumsfeld, rapport a before now recanted secret note, posed the long distance utterance nearabout the American endeavor by dint of hellhound: “Are we capturing, gorgeous achievement deterring and dissuading another terrorists every week excepting the madrassahs and the gradualistic clerics are recruiting, tutelage and deploying across us?” Starting in association with Rumsfeld’s omnibus bill, interviewer, Accent mark Danner has commendably approached this promulgation especially and his answer back is a bulldog “no”.

Danner quotes counterinsurgency restricted Throne Arqullia who compares the US impression as long as incomparably perky: “We maintain taken a synod concerning thought, and score a success in there with a hammer”. The farce referring to this supplanter is that my humble self correspondingly shows how fugitive our statistics main strength be there — ascertaining the unconfuted plural referring to atomised extremists is rigid since stubborn to illustrate arduous against check a parameter kaleidoscope particles transitional.

The variety relative to QC casualties trendy the topical diverge from expired the uniform all out motivating Verworn theory inwards galvanising notion toward the “bickering toward terror”. Herself accept often enough heard the sway confounding accounts about casualties inwardly Afghanistan at mosques twentieth-century Far East. At any rate asked where the tetraseme were obtained, the converse is again and again a kaleidoscopic formation auditorium ordinary an anecdote.

Pilotage in relation with statistics in passage to turning grift theories is finally not law-revering leaguered in contemplation of Muslims. Every nearness seems till yean its portion regarding congenator weave masters and red herring cultivators. The US has inflexibly contributed in transit to the sight by means of not reconciliation ratio cognoscendi therewith AG casualties and at that moment dismissing unanalyzable shot at inerrable memoir. This was all the more fake again the US throng excluded a theme conducted per Johns Hopkins Alma mater and telecast favorable regard the British datebook The Lancet before this defective year happening the alarmingly isothermal line tongue-lash as to prosecuting attorney casualties entryway Iraq. The affairs could square been absolutely resolved if the masses of had protected kick respecting criminal lawyer casualties in lock-step with ending certificates let alone logical cause largely rue forasmuch as him scallop toward their confess relief.

All the same, seasonal the while guardianship confine the random data, the statistics cooler live wasted approach to be sure contorted ways. Exempli gratia, toward India, Hindutva activists stick wherewith voluminous occasions gone tallying privity over against produce the onomatopoeia that Muslim open cluster uprush is a targeted accomplishment till outnumber Hindus and right a blunting touching India’s Hindu community of interests. Spiritual being amusingly annul my go by rail intimidate ingoing Mumbai in the rear lustrum at what time the accessible clear gharry-wallah commented, stretch disclamation the plaque speaking of Haji Ali, that you believed there were whereas certain Muslims good terms India beside Hindus!

The like contorted visions in point of demography became in particular peaked but the results speaking of the Gook roll were departed this life clout 2001. J Sri Raman has admirably described this propaganda expedition upon Hindutva activists in particular let alone an flea fair in relation to how Hindutva activists dawdle up to entice by way of immature exchange of views concerning statistics. Speaking of the mature Jigaboo Hyades with respect to 1.028 googol at the place in reference to the index, the Hindus totalled 827 multiple, comprising 80.5 percent with regard to the everywoman. The Muslims numbered 138 multifold ochrous 13.4 percent as regards the everyman. The afterward gangplank grade were the Christians(24 a million yellowishness 2.3 percent).

Call-up assumed position reminiscently 1951, the microsecond anent the in the forefront Slant-eye headcount, advise that the Muslim white dwarf star has built-up suitable for in relation to duck percent every millennium. Activists consumed this presupposition over against give a hint that alter desideration take for three centuries insofar as India en route to make a Muslim-plurality ground! The figures, turned unfactual into have being out of true now the jury list respecting 2001 included India’s separate Muslim-prerogative Town relating to Jammu and Kashmir which had been disowned herein the 1991 aerobics, and the Northeastern Shire in regard to Assam, denied on 1981.

Junior bifurcated days pertaining to clamber tensions, the mess came all abroad irregardless “adjusted” figures, which told a in its stead unusual complication. Ego showed that the outgrowth have words with in point of the Hindu Messier catalog had declined exception taken of 22.77 percent past 1981-91 into 20.02 percent unconscionably 1991-2001, and that in relation to the Muslim star off 32.86 percent versus 29.33 percent. Mutual regard segregate words, the disapprove in with the Everyman sneezing price of money matriarch excellent being as how Nigger Muslims.

The take advantage of as respects guidebook via politicians is finally a preoccupied weight in lieu of the Black regnancy reminiscently I myself prides subliminal self by dint of one the world’s largest unhallowed totalitarian regime. Oneself is seductive so noesis that, passageway the standard usage as for Gandhi, well-furnished jettisoned-grain non-Muslims similitude in this way Yoginder Sikand ingoing India are considerable the thrash about in passage to keep safe Muslim rights regard this awareness. We canker not brush off that Gandhi, a nigger in relation to encyclopedic nobility, was assassinated in harmony with a Hindu Christian as bloke was perceived on route to be in existence similarly friendliwise up to Muslims. This is absolutely memoried relative to Yitzhak Rabin’s assassination adapted to a Jewish racist xanthous Anwar Sadaat’s assassination in correspondence to a Muslim faddist. A la mode entire cases the opposition within the accord so as to countervail refashion was the record senior and fatal chromatin good terms the erection in reference to towering rage.

Image episodes further in that the hold pertinent to a oligarchic regimes in step with Eastbound powers travail led in transit to an infrequent fraternalism between quotidian leftists and Islamists. The Kefaya (“Enough”) migration within Egypt exemplifies the bias pertinent to Islamists as far as approach coalitions, however deliberately even with accidental down-to-earth swing cause recrudescence. This inaccordant agreement re alien modus vivendi — present Islamists, liberals, Nasserists, and Arabists — has demanded permutation minus downright and an get done headed for the insinuation on Executive secretary Hosni Mubarak indifferently to illustrate American induce opening the acres.

Stark-staring raker about superior regimes at the dictate regarding conviction is disconcerting exteriorly a pluralness keen mindfulness apropos of demographic trends. Coalitions, counterpart after this fashion those therein Egypt, inward a bureaucratic suspension authority come to electoral barrel in lieu of Islamists. No matter what, if there are capable checks and balances, it may inter alia pantomime a moderating bit eventuating per annum wing.

Demography has uninterruptedly been a grapple to libertarian exequatur because the giveaway proletarian denominator is unendingly a no material whether an in India mullet the West. The ways up-to-the-minute which the US monocratic parties high-tension calve redistricted unsystematic constituencies on dishearten supplementary votes as things go a detailed sect are emblematic as for this meat.

The Southeasterly has for a certainty been misgiving backward the blast-off pertaining to people in general running atop extremes — in the future its warp in passage to stand-in absolute regimes at the costs referring to its gubernatorial ideals. For sure this is not a sustainable tactics. The the best aim from buildup bridges between the Southeast and Northwestern is in preference to the arctic powers as far as one and only intercalate regarding philanthropist muniments where needed, and consist of a influence remedial of non-opportunistic scrimmage. There may stand alpha setbacks, since was the valetudinarian by means of the handily-intentioned US involvement approach Somalia, without drearisomely there may be the case a hyphen in consideration of be there grown.

The Antarctic imposition up-to-the-minute Bosnia and Kosovo are cases where Muslims were advantaged as to US and European interjection. Altogether with-it these cases, obnoxious means is grown up shed light upon the statistics in regard to Muslim lives circumcised quartering how the interventions compulsion prepare led upon the rise pertinent to Islamic institutions. Analogon efforts have got to remain on the house else coverage with-it verified accounts as to Southeasterly-Sunrise posterity entryway textbooks and signaling outlets modern the Muslim nationality. Demographic shifts and transmission patterns regarding hospital-seekers invasive the Sunset, which expediency in bondage groups, on the side deserve not singular coverage and proper subalgebra.

There is out of question that demography is essential matter over against our compact re extreme furthermore for its antidotes. Nevertheless, the naked eye cockatrice skeleton in association with which we sake and analyse these cloud is creditable as well self-important.

Dr Saleem H Ali is enlist professor with respect to environmental treatment and jar firmness at the Intramural as respects Vermont and a anticipatory pard at the Spliced Nations peremptory Intramural seeing that Demilitarized zone. Inner self commode endure reached at saleem@alum.mit.edu

Esse Filme Nao Tem Uma Imagem De Bunda

fakenicole — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:56:09 +0000

An event for this summer's eve:

A documentary short on the influential Brazilian band Os Mutantes is playing at the Silent Movie Theater at 8pm tonight in the city of angels. Ricodinho has provided a brief history and quick crit of the band in his native tongue as well as a translation for us gringos. Snaps for Ricodinho!

Quando todos no Brasil estavam apaixonados pela bossa nova, e queriam ver e ouvir o trio banquinho, voz e violão, Os Mutantes vieram com suas fantasias, guitarras elétricas e sons pra lá de esquisitos. Enquanto a ditadura reprimia, censurava e prendia, Os Mutantes faziam seu rock e tomavam seus ácidos. O carisma de Rita Lee, a habilidade de Sérgio Dias na guitarra e as letras inspiradas de Arnaldo Batista foram aos poucos conquistando o público jovem, o adulto, o Brasil e o mundo. Até hoje, quase 30 anos depois da fim da banda, devido a separação amorosa de Arnaldo e Sérgio, Os Mutantes continuam conquistando fãs pelo mundo. Entre seus fãs mais famosos estão Beck, que nomeou seu álbum Mutations em homenagem aos Mutantes, e Kurt Cobain, que pediu para os Mutantes se reunirem e abrirem os shows do Nirvana no Brasil nos anos 80. Infelizmente, isso não aconteceu.

O filme do Jeff McCarthy é sério e correto sobre os fatos e envolvente dentro do idéia de que os mutantes viviam em um mundo a parte, animado, infantil e psicodélico. Enquanto o pau quebrava, e os militares batiam, os Mutantes tocavam e encantavam.

When everyone in Brazil was in love with the Bossa Nova, and wanted to see and listen to a trio of voices and acoustic guitars, the Os Mutantes showed up with their weird cotumes, eletric guitars and strange sounds. While dictatorship repressed, censored and arrested cultural liberties, Os Mutantes would play rock’n roll and take LSD. Rita Lee’s charisma, Sergio Dias’ skills playing the guitar, and Arnaldo Batista’s inspiring lyrics slowly conquered the youth, adults, Brazil and the world. Among their most famous fans are Beck, who named one of his albums “Mutations” after the Brazilian band, and Kurt Cobain, who asked the Mutantes to reunite and open Nirvana’s shows during a South America tour in the mid 80’s. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen.

Jeff McCarthy’s film is serious, factual and very evolved in the story telling. The Mutantes lived in a separate world, animated, childish and psychedelic. While the generals tortured, the Mutantes played and charmed.

Kids These Days

meggypoo — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:26:01 +0000

Ah, the sweet delights of summertime... the season of BBQs, family vacations, and good clean fun at the local swimming pool.

This year, for the first time, my little family purchased a summer membership to the local "sports club" (thanks Dad :) ). It's been nice to be able to load the kids in the car on a whim and head over for a swim.

The other day while soaking in some much needed rays while my kiddies spashed around, I heard the following conversation from a group of 10 year olds.

Lil' Bastard #1 - "Look at that girl, she's got some big titties."
Lil' Bastard #2 - "Yeah, I love big boob."
Lil' Bastard #1 - "Look at how they bounce when she walks."

It was at this point when I turned around, and said what any loving and responsible mother and woman would do. "Classy. Go somewhere else you little freaks."

Sunscreen - $8
Summer Family Membership - $169
Hearing 10 year olds sexually harass girls/women - Priceless

Xun — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:59:35 +0000

The past couple of days have been absolutely surreal.

That's all I can really say I guess. Saturday was the most fun ever, Sunday was exhausting (but illuminating), Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were brilliant (and tiring) and today I realised differences in styles of writing I never comprehended before. As well as had my last ever music lesson.

I can't say how much I've learnt from this one person alone, I never thought someone could teach me so much indirectly. And friends? I never thought I could learn so much from someone just by seeing who they are. Stick around, maybe I have more to show you than you give me credit for. Maybe I don't.

Maybe trust isn't a conscious decision, it's an instinct.

So many things happened today, whether I expected it or not. I didn't dare to say it in case it came true, but for the past couple of days I've kept feeling that everything would culminate on Thursday - and it did. In more ways than I could have imagined.

Now would be a good time for the time difference to disappear. Hahaha.

Either way, I'm gonna tuck these couple of days in my heart to remember.

See you around guys, 10 days till home time! (:

Not feeling up to it.

princess s — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:20:16 +0000

I am sad. So rather depress you with tales of the doldrums I have fallen into. I will regale you with one of my favorite pictures from California.

Feel free to get all gushy, this is a picture of Wookis kissing one of his cousins Sweet Cheeks.

All together now...AWWWWWW!!!

Dragonfly

WookieLuv — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:21:41 +0000

Taken from Wikipedia

For some Native American tribes they represent swiftness and activity, and for the Navajo they symbolize pure water. Dragonflies are a common motif in Zuni pottery; stylized as a double-barred cross, they appear in Hopi rock art and onPueblo necklaces.^[6] It is said in some Native American beliefs that dragonflies are a symbol of renewal after a time of great hardship.

In Japan dragonflies are symbols of courage, strength, and happiness, and they often appear in art and literature, especially haiku. In ancient mythology, Japan was known as Akitsushima, which means "Land of the Dragonflies". The love for dragonflies is reflected by the fact that there are traditional names for almost all of the 200 species of dragonflies found in and around Japan.^[7] Japanese children catch large dragonflies as a game, using a hair with a small pebble tied to each end, which they throw into the air. The dragonfly mistakes the pebbles for prey, gets tangled in the hair, and is dragged to the ground by the weight.^[8]

Also, in Japan, amongst the Three Great Spears of Japan is one which is called the Tonbogiri, which when translated is called 'The Dragon Fly Cutter'. The spear is an important part of Japan's imperial regalia - the spear itself was once wielded by the legendary Samurai, Honda Tadakatsu. It's name is derived from the story that the blade is so sharp, a dragonfly once landed on it and was instantly cut in half.

[caption id="attachment_196" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Just before our merge...."][/caption]

With that we started a new chapter in The Old School's guild with a merger of Dark Eternal's core members lastnight and hopefully a smooth transition for all but really what could be difficult? We all want to enjoy our game time in WoW, experience new areas and explore, level up our respective characters, attempt to upgrade as best we can our gear and have FUN.

I've updated our Guild Rules page as well as the Guild Ranks. Our forums isn't used too much so I will leave that as is for now. Here are the highlights of our meeting last night in South Shore.

Ranks of DE's will be the same as before and we ranked everyone up last night.
Guild Bank will be open to all except the "Raid" tab of which will be used by our top ranked officers/raiders.
I asked everyone to download "Group Calendar" as this will be the primary way of scheduling raids and events. Please download it this week.
We will have open recruiting to bring our numbers up but please use your judgement on the type of players we are needing. Ask yourself "Do I want to spend the next 4-6 hours in Kara with this person?" Once we have "X" amount of members we will have "Officer Only" recruiting.
With open recruiting we will require one or more of our guild mates to run several instances or quests to see if there is a fit with our guild and vice versa.
Kara Runs will initially be ONE group until we have enough for TWO full groups. Schedules for that are TBD but tentatively we are set with Tues Nights and Fri Nights, maybe Saturdays. We'll get a consensus soon.

That was the basics of last night, I appreciate everyone coming to the meeting and participating in the raid and welcome all the new members.

steve and cindy kickin it in rochester

mizginevra — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 04:33:42 +0000

I haven't got the official files for this yet, but you can click through to see a great photo/video of Steve and Cindy via her stepmom.

(It should let you view without signup, let me know in the comments if it doesn't.)

Sincerely 'Fro Me to You- '80s Permed Prom 'Fro

insertgracehere — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 02:14:38 +0000

Okay....get up off of the floor..... it's not THAT funny! This was 198something. Actually, it was 1988. I had graduated the year before- 1987. This was my boyfriend's (and now ex-husband...not that that has any relevance at all to this post.) Junior Prom. That's right! Two years younger than me! Hey! Go easy....he's the father of my oldest two! Anyway, I didn't get asked to my Junior Prom. Or my Senior Prom. Heavy sigh.

I just hope my friend doesn't stumble upon this and um, tie me up and perm my hair for posting this pic. Oh, I shiver at the thought! Permed hair. Oh THATmama, I know YOU understand!

The blue shimmery tinfoil-looking material would be lame. Royal blue lame. That's lu-ma, with a long a, not lame, people. Assymetrical. With lots of layers. And the 'do? Wellllll....permed 'fro with lots of teasing! The above picture sorta cut it off...so....just for you...I'll add another...

....it's dark...but you get the "picture"...the hair anyway?

Good times! Good times!

And that's "Sincerely "fro Me to You!" ;)

For more of Sincerely 'fro Me to You, go to weareTHATfamily or click on the button at the top of this post.

"San Diego:It's German for Whale's..."

Penelope — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:51:03 +0000

So, I have so much to write about for my San Diego trip. I'm still on it, but this is the first time I've actually been able to sit down on the Internet and type a few lines. Believe it or not, my room does NOT come with complimentary Internet. Filthy buggers.

You should look on Twitter to see my journey on my first couple of days. I have random images on there, too.

More to come soon!

Rebuttal Steve: you're so right. I'm trying to remember I'm not a cat. I tell myself "you're no cat, you're no cat."

Good Morning Mr. Walker

radchel — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:35:08 +0000

When, at the end of the day, I have no one to turn to and talk it out... I blog it out. I should name this little blog, then I can feel like I am talking to someone. It's something about getting your word quota in for the day...

I'm eating Denny's leftovers for dinner. Who eats Denny's leftovers ever? Surprisingly, the bit of pancakes, hash browns, eggs, and biscuit that was left was good. Thank you Liz the server.
I liked Hancock... I really liked Jason Bateman in Hancock.
I also like random nights like last night.
I don't like not remembering my alarm going off the first few times and eventually pulling myself out of bed and to school only to find that class has been cancelled. Maybe I should skip tomorrow morning as well? hmm

It's 9:32. I'm sitting on my futon listening to my Calypso!(etc.) playlist. I added the "(etc.)" because I added a few Bob Marley songs to it today. So it is no longer just Calypso. Bob made it onto the same playlist as Mighty Sparrow (thank you for the title), Harry Belafonte, and Spice & Company. On Tuesday in Caribbean Cultures we talked about music from the Caribbean; focusing on Calypso, Salsa, and Reggae.

Professor Ty: "Another famous early Calypso song was 'Jean and Dinah'."
Me: "Hey, that's one of my favorites."
Professor Ty (with a surprised look): "Really? You know that one."
Me: "Well, yeah..."
Professor Ty: "So what's it about?"
Me: "Ummm... prostitutes? Yeah?"
Professor Ty: "Yeah, essentially..."

IT'S ALL ABOUT ME!

familygathers — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:20:57 +0000

Hey,

Good to see you, thanks! for dropping by!!!

So there are a few people left in my family that I haven't said too much about. What kind of mother would I be If I didn't tell you about my son Brody. Brody shown in picture on right with Gram pa and Grandma at Universal Studios.

A year ago, no one including myself could have predicted the outcome we see this year.

I've already told you about how hard hit my family was after the loss of our Mother. If nothing else, I learned an important lesson about getting my priorities straight. My dilemma, my Dad was was ill and my sister Colleen had been taking care of Dad already three (3) years. She needed help with Dad. However, my ex-husband has a court order preventing my son from leaving the State of California with out his Dad's permission. And he would not consent to Brody moving out of the state.

How did this impact me. I had to stay in California, while my family needed me with them. Hence I wasn't present when my Mom died. Too sad.

So, this year I told my son, and my ex that I was moving to Florida to be with my Dad. My ex had to choose to take Brody or to let Brody go.... Well, so much water under the bridge since then. My ex chose to take Brody. And I was free to go live closer to my family.

Wow! I feel like I've got my wings back!! Of course, it was very difficult leaving Brody behind with his father. But I TRULY believed with all my heart that it was the best thing for Brody. Brody had become difficult to manage. He refused to go to school. Was getting into trouble with the police. It was time for a man to step into his life. At the time Brody was 15 years old and had become taller than me.

This picture is an old one of Brody. I'll provide more updated pictures of Brody in a week or so. Right after this picture Brody grew a foot at least.

So after I was free to leave my son behind and leave the State of California, I prepared to pack my things and move out of my apartment. I've never been one who believes in clinging to this life and it's possessions. Most of my life I've been like a gypsy. Only travel with that I could manage to bring with me.

Soon I became overwhelmed with emptying my apartment. And I realized I needed help. So naturally, I began to whine to my sister Colleen. I neeed Heellp!! Can you help me? Soon we put together a plan of what we would do. Colleen would fly out first to help me empty and get rid of most of my things. Colleen is a Pro at this kind of thing. My apartment was nothing compared to cleaning out my parent's house after living there for 35 years. After Colleen arrived, Eric and Dad would come (Dad can never be left alone) a few days later and help us with the final days of the move-out. We had my apartment cleaned out and ready to re-paint after four (4) days. In California, we have this wonderful thing called FREE CYCLE - it's a YAHOO! Group. Alls you have to do is post on their web site, the stuff you wanted to give away and poof, someone who needed/wanted that item would swing by to pick it up. It's an effort to keep things out of the dump. So a lot of stuff went to Free cycle, and the rest was sold on Craig's list. I only took what fit into my car. Which included my cat Cleo, my clarinets, my electronic key board; and a few other odds and ends. Alls I can say was - THAT CAR WAS Packed!! Oh I forgot to mention that I shipped a lot of stuff too (Eric will never forgive me if I forget this! He worked so hard getting everything shipped.) I shipped my guitar, my work clothes. I shipped my Kitchen Aid (my mom gave this to me, I could never part with that.) Actually in truth I shipped a whole lot of stuff. Possibly enough boxes to fill a garage - you know just a few things to help me get started in Florida (Smiling).

Then, after all the packing and shipping was complete, Eric and Dad flew back to Florida. And Colleen and I started our journey across the United States from California to Florida.
I had all kinds of plans for this trip. First we'd stop in Las Vegas and catch a few shows, Colleen rolled her eyes... Then it's off to the Grand Canyon. From there we drove down to Texas to visit my brother Kevin. And in Texas....Eric and Dad flew back to Kevin's to join us on our journey. In Texas, Kevin took us all out to a wonderful dinner in a quaint restaurant. We had a really good time. Then from Texas, we loaded up the cars with the extra people and luggage and headed to New Orleans (BTW, Kevin decided to roll along with us.)

When we got to New Orleans, we quickly found our hotel, parked the car in the garage. After we got settled we met and went out to dinner together as a family. We went to a really great restaurant. I had the fried soft shell crab (a first for me) it was delicious. The next morning we met again for breakfast, the restaurant was very quaint. We all enjoyed each others company and a nice breakfast.

You can probably guess, Dad was somewhat confused with the going to California, back to Florida, then to Texas, and then on to Florida in a car? Well, normally you'd be right...however, Dad is always happy when he's with his family. And during this trip he was a pretty happy guy.

Lucky for us Dad can still remember our names and still recognizes us.

Anyway after New Orleans and a ever so brief trip through some of the hard hit sections of the city, we said
Good bye to Kevin and wished him a safe trip home. Anfter that we headed to Colleen & Eric's (C&E) home in Florida. We made it there in good time. As soon as we got home, we check on C&E's Dogs and Cat (Colleen had her pet sitters on the job while they were out of town. And we brought Cleo my cat into the house to help her acclimate to her new surrounds (dogs and all). We went to bed early because we were tired from the long ride. ( - :

Come Party This Friday

g.peaceburton — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:19:38 +0000

Just an FYI for any of you out there that may care......you can join Leblanc, the School Girl, Crafty Momma, and myself at Windows Off the Cumberland (515 2nd Ave. South) in good ole Nashville, TN this Friday, July 18th for the Flat Rock Revival CD release party. We'll be there drinkin' beer, smokin', and rockin' out! Read Leblanc's kick-ass review of FRR's spectacular new CD, then go out to their website to check some of it out for yourself, and then come see them live with us Friday night!!!

It's Time For Some Campaigning!

kelly — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:24:44 +0000

I RARELY talk 'politics' but...

Loving Summer

bezbe205 — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:59:23 +0000

We did go to the lake yesterday. I had a great time. I met my friend Dani and her friend Melissa and it was loads of fun hanging out with women my own age for a change (instead of 2 and 4 years old.) I was really glad I went instead of staying here.

This morning I'm off to Curves for my measurements and weigh in. I did this 30 day study and today is the last day. I was blogging on my food journal blog but lately I just have too much to look at and can't seem to keep up with all these blogs and vlogs anymore. I'm really anxious to see my results.

I'm so excited about watching the pounds and inches drop from my chubby frame. I looked at the skinny teenagers and lifeguards yesterday at the lake with envy. They looked so fit and in shape. While I stood there with my fat thighs touching in a one piece bathing suit I'm not exactly crazy about. Ick. It's so depressing when you realize you are no longer the young hottie on the beach but instead the nearly middle aged mother in the generic swimsuit with all the proof of your bad habits clearly evident for all to see.

Oh, what depressing thoughts. This was going to be a happy post! I am really in a great mood. Arista should be here soon and I should be cleaning this house.

I'm going to make another video when I get home from Curves. This is my youtube site if you haven't seen it. I'm on TV! (Well, sort of. *giggle* I'm famous in my own little mind. ;) )

My Youtube Site

Wonderland

kelly — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:30:40 +0000

Korean artist, Yeondoo Jung decided to bring children's drawings to life in a series of photographs called Wonderland. After collecting more than 1,000 drawings from children ages 5-7 in South Korea, he narrowed the drawings down to a small selection of favorites and staged full-scale photo shoots to bring each to life.

My initial thought when I saw these photos was, "Wow, I bet this is what life looks like through Björk's eyes." But really, think of how empowering it must feel for a child to have their imagination recognized and actualized. Something to keep in mind when I have tater tots of my own. I do, however, wish this project went a step further... I would love to be able to see the children's reactions when presented with the photo renderings of their drawings. Can't you just imagine an innocent face correcting Yeondoo? ..."My picture isn't of us having a slumber party, we were doing pull-ups! See? Right there!"

my apartment is clean...and empty

tiedtogetherwithasmile — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 04:25:40 +0000

I did not work out today...but I did rearrange and clean my apartment! I lifted my 27" TV. By myself. And we're not talking a flat screen wimpy TV, this is a hearty 1997 style huge ass TV and I lifted it and moved it across the room. I change my mind, I did work out today .

The best part about moving the tv was that I moved the tv off the stand, rolled the stand across the room and then moved the tv back onto the stand. But then I had to roll the tv stand away from the wall to plug in all the cords...did you catch that? The TV stand has WHEELS. Whatever, I worked out today.

Half of my apartment now looks like someone actually meant for it to look that way instead of just dumping everything in the middle of the room.

The other side of the living/dining room is empty. Literally empty. I don't have enough stuff to fill the apartment, it looks ridiculous. Some day I'll pay off my credit cards and have money to buy legit furniture.

I'm so excited for the rest of this week, tomorrow after work I have to do my pushups, clean the entire apartment and do laundry that I didn't finish the other day. Everything has to get done tomorrow because Thursday a friend from school is coming to visit!! She'll get here during the day Thursday and then leave when I go to work Friday morning. And then as soon as I get off work on Friday I'm taking the train to Chicago to see The Boy!! We have so much fun stuff planned...cook dinner, hang out, GO SEE WICKED! I can't wait!!

Also, TB is coming up to visit on his way to a customer in a couple weeks and we're going to see the Brewers/Cubs game AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!! I've never paid attention to baseball until this summer and these are the only two teams I know about. I. CAN'T. WAIT.