Even more exciting news:  There is a little guy growing inside my sister(-in-law)!  I plan to shower him with gifts and love.  So far, I have scored a 50%, a failing grade, on my baby gift purchases.  Out of the eight gifts I have bought, three were American made (Angel Baby shampoo and lotion, and Prince Lioheart Dishwasher Basket); one was used; and four were made in China.  Luckily, I have plenty of time to improve my GPA.

Below are some good places for me to start:

1. My local baby store, Franklin Goose, has a whole Made in USA section on their website.
2. ABC World News encouraged their viewers buy Made in American for Christmas.  They have a a comprehensive list of items on their website.
3. The blog Made in USA Challenge also has a long company list.

As always, I will update you along the way.

A modern Bridges of Madison County, Nicole Benson, 35, is an ambitious college professor with dreams of teaching at an Ivy-League school until she meets Tom Ryan, 44, married 23 years and shattered after his daughter’s death from leukemia. A first-generation in her family to go to college,  Nicole is a self-made woman. She put herself through school, sacrificing marriage and children for her career. In the summer of 1997, she finally graduates with a Ph.D. from NYU, but her life is thrust into chaos when her father is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Abandoned by her mother as a girl, her father is all she has. After fifteen years in New York City, Nicole leaves everything and everyone she knows to teach for a year in rural Bradford, Pennsylvania to be close to him in nearby Buffalo. Now, trapped in tiny Bradford, she has never felt more alone in her life…until she meets Tom Ryan. At 44, Tom represents what Nicole longs to be: settled, secure, and clear about his purpose and direction in life. Emotionally scarred, he and his wife are empty nesters with an older son away at college and struggle to grieve together after the death of their daughter. Tom and Nicole’s story begins as a journey of self-discovery for both of them but turns to bittersweet romance when their friendship becomes love. Nicole risks offering what she has never given before, her heart; and Tom has never felt happier or more conflicted when he falls in love for the second time in his life.

Dr. Kimberly Young

Dr. Kimberly Young is a psychologist and an internationally known expert on Internet addiction and online behavior. Dr. Young founded the Center for Internet Addiction Recovery in 1995 (site at Netaddiction.com) and is a nationally-known speaker on the impact of the Internet. Her work has been featured in hundreds of media outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The London Times, USA Today, Newsweek, Time, CNN, CBS News, Fox News, Good Morning America, and ABC’s World News Tonight. She has received several awards for her research such as the Psychology in the Media Award from the Pennsylvania Psychological Association and the Alumni Ambassador Award for Outstanding Achievement from Indiana University at Pennsylvania. She is an expert on Addicted.com and GoodTherapy.org. She has served as an expert on the Child Online Protection Act Congressional Commission and serves on the editorial board of CyberPsychology & Behavior, the American Journal of Family Therapy, and the International Journal of Cyber Crime and Criminal Justice. She has dabbled in creative writing since she was eight-years-old. THE EIGHTH WONDER is her first novel. To learn more visit her blog at KimberlyYoung.net or on her research at Netaddiction.com

From the author (via Amazon)

I started writing The Eighth Wonder while I was recovering from retina re-attachment surgery. This was very serious. I had surgery in both eyes. I was homebound for several months and the surgeon was not sure if I would see again out of my left eye. All he could say was that it was “in God’s hands now”. I was scared. I made an entire career from reading and writing, so the idea of potentially being blind was difficult for me. During my recovery, I could not drive, bend, or even poop too hard for fear of my retinas becoming dislodged. I felt pain in my eyes, something I had never experienced, both were full of blood and I looked like I was punched in the face several times. I felt embarrassed for anyone to see me. 

The first weeks of recovery, I laid on the couch thinking about my life. During those reflections, I remembered how lost I felt when I first moved to Bradford after graduating with my doctorate in clinical psychology. I had moved to Bradford to be near my father who was dying of cancer. Like Nicole, my dad was the only anchor in my life. It was very life-changing when he died. It was only a few weeks before I was diagnosed with retina detachments and had my surgery, so the experience was still fresh in my mind. This began the journey into Nicole’s character. I started making notes, some by hand and some on the computer. My surgeon said that using my eyes was good — they were muscles in need of exercise is how he put it. I had long hours alone after my husband went to work so writing gave me something to do. It took my mind off my eyes.

As I wrote more about Nicole, a story popped out, and four months later I had the novel written. It was written in first person, focusing on Nicole. I sent the manuscript out to several agents. Several rejections later, I started to re-examine the novel. I realized that I had not talked about Tom. For him, a devoted family man, I needed to dig into his character much deeper than I had. He was the one making harder choices after all. I remember that the more I wrote about Tom, the more I reflected how different it was to fall in love at mid-life. A pivotal moment in the novel comes when Tom says “falling in love at this age is much deeper”. It is fairly easy to fall in love when we in our 20s with our lives ahead of us. It is a different experience in our 40s or 50s (or beyond). After our expectations for relationships have evolved, falling in love takes on an entirely different meaning. Writing became my therapy during a difficult time in my life, I enjoyed writing the novel. I did not know how much it was impact me personally unlike anything I have written before. I only hope that others enjoy reading it!

First, I mourn with those who mourn. It is no small thing to lose a loved one, especially a child. There are no words for that. Whenever I try to empathize for these – which is nearly as often as I turn on the local news – unspeakable pain rips open my heart; it is a wound for which there are precious few salves. In fact, I find only One…

Even Jesus, the Son of God, wept upon entering the town where Lazarus had died and his friends were mourning; he wept though he knew what he was about to do – raise Lazarus from the dead. There is a time for tears. No doubt many weep them tonight, as did I.

Despite the incredible pain and tragedy of these circumstance(s) (both current in CT today and past like happenings), I can’t help but feel that the major news stations are doing everyone a disservice by using words like “madman” to describe the “killer”. No doubt, he killed. Perhaps he was mad when he did it; then again, perhaps he was perfectly intentional (which may speak to even greater madness). But whatever the case, it is fair to say that this “madman” was once also someone’s little boy – child – baby.

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but this is becoming a trend. Guys in their late teens or twenties seem to be the most commonly bent towards earning their infamy as “madman”. I’m fairly certain I’ve met a few in my own day. None that have made the cover of ABC’s World News, but disturbed young men all the same. Again, the hype disturbs me – the line of news anchors all wanting to get inside the “mind of the killer”, wanting a reason, or hedged by the external lack of one.

Does a “madman” need a reason? Perhaps that is what truly disturbs us: the “madman” didn’t look like a “madman” and it could have been any of us. Indeed, it is unsettling.

And I guess this where I’d like to shift the heart of the matter for a moment. I never felt more insane than in my twenties. I never felt more alone, more misunderstood, more like a failure who would amount to nothing than in my twenties. And I consider myself relatively sane. Please see the open wound still dripping from my heart when I ask this of my elders:

Where are you?

Where are the mothers? The ones who are supposed to teach their daughters sanity and prudence instead of how to wear a power suit or have whiter teeth?

Where are the fathers? The ones who are supposed to teach the young men love and wisdom instead of how to cheat on their taxes or make an extra buck?

Where are you?

Where are the brothers who embrace and comfort instead of condemn and ridicule and mock?

Where are the sisters who will as eagerly tell the truth as cheer for you?

Where are you?

It matters. Did we really need another reason to prove that it matters? – You matter. What you say to our sons matters. What you teach our daughters matters. A younger generation is literally screaming from the inside out for you…for your arms…for your tears…for your care. Do you care? Are you listening?

Or is it just another “madman” on the news?

We all have choices to make, but let’s not deify villainy for the sake of another buck, more shock and awe. Did he commit a heartless, evil deed? Absolutely. But I believe we are looking at symptoms not root cause:

“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” -Ephesians 6:12, NLV (The Bible)

If you are the young man or woman feeling unseen, unheard, and unsung, I hope that you will take courage and set your eyes upon something more concrete than the latest trends, your current lacks (whatever they may be: emotional, physical, relational), other’s opinions of you, and even your own opinion of yourself. These things do and will change – often – though sometimes not as quickly as we’d like. My concrete is my Father – God – Who has always, in every circumstance and through every painful situation, been my Defense, my Comforter, and my Wisdom.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” -James 1:5 NIV (The Bible)

I think I could speak for slews of young people, at least in my own past circles, when I say: Don’t give us your religion or your hand-me-down shoes; give us instead YOU. Walking hand-in-hand means nothing if those hands are without heart. The Gospel of Niceness cannot save.

“Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”  -Titus 2:6-8 NIV (The Bible)

I specifically address the church at large now. There is plenty of teaching going around but scarce a man with self-control. What are you teaching? What are you living? Are you even acquainted with the young men under your care? I am not here to judge or condemn you. I only mean to challenge and inspire you – someone – anyone listening – to consider these things.

…where the heart is.

Awards for thieves

10. I’m really not looking forward to hearing about a fake Prince and a fake Princess, giving birth to a fake heir to a fake throne. ABC World News Lite with Diane Sawyer actually had the audacity to lead their broadcast on Monday with the news of the conception of the fake heir. Look, if the Brits like having fake royals, then great for them. But, why must we Americans be tortured with non-news about them?

09. And speaking of fake Brits. Led Zeppelin was honored by President Barack Obama at a White House reception recently. Which made me think of something that I’ve been thinking about lately. That is; in America you can be a lowlife and still hobnob with truly talented people and be considered successful. Led Zeppelin sold millions of albums by stealing music from Black blues artists. Zeppelin never gave any sort of attribution to the Blues artists nor paid them any money. If you own a Led Zeppelin album then you own an album that contains stolen music. Shame on President Obama for honoring thieves.

Here is a list of just a few of the songs Zeppelin stole;

- “Whole Lotta Love”
– “Moby Dick”
– “Stairway To Heaven”
– “Whole Lotta Love”
– “Dazed And Confused”
– “Communication Breakdown”

08. And now music from an artist with actual talent. Here is a great new song from Alicia Keys! It’s called “When It’s All Over“. It’s from her new album. Check it out!

07. Is anyone else sick of so-called ‘viral videos‘? I mean they have become too viral. If something appears on the evening network news then it’s too viral. Back in the day you’d hear about a video from a friend and check it out. Now they’re everywhere. On the news, facebook, TV morning shows, TV talk shows, everywhere! Is a viral video a viral video if it’s in the mainstream media?

06. AK is covering the January Essence Magazine! I haven’t purchased Essence in a long time but I’m going to buy this one!

05. I was really trying to like the adult cartoon Family Guy. But, just when I’m really getting into it they throw in some racist hipster humor. I’m really getting tired of racist hipster humor on TV. Shows like 30 Rock on NBC are full of this type of so-called humor. They think they can get away with it because the humor is supposed to be ironic. The problem is though, it’s not the least bit ironic. It’s just racist.

03. Does anyone else get depressed during the 2 or 3 weeks before Christmas? It really sucks. I think I’m actually on the verge of hating Christmas. It’s just such a dreary holiday unless you are either a kid or have a big family to spend it with. I try to get myself hyped about it but it usually doesn’t work for more than a day or two. I wish I could figure out a way to ignore Christmas.

02. I am in love with cream cheese. Lol. I’ve been putting it on bagels and on raisin toast. It’s great? Do you like it?

01. My favorite TV show at the moment is TV One’s Unsung. That is such a great show! I love music, as you know, and I have learned so much about music artists by watching that show. What’s my favorite episode you ask? I have two; Phyllis Hyman and Teddy Pendergrass. But, I’ve only seen about 7 episodes so far. What do you think of the show?

My goal is to learn how to use Cinema 4d in one year. That way I can make something that rivals the network and the cable news graphic packages.

In the meantime, I’m relegated to simple animations like this using Adobe After Effects. Nonetheless, I think it’s elegant enough.

The current graphics package needs to be revamped, and they have no theme music other than Willie K’s “Good Morning.”

Herein are my attempts at modernizing Rampage News.

The broadcast you see here was downloaded from the Rampage TV archive site. New theme music and a new, simple motion graphics package have been added in. The theme song is Hans Zimmer’s score for “ABC World News with Diane Sawyer.”

I disagree with the use of green screens and the placement of two plush animals on the set of Radford’s only morning news program. But what can I do?

Voiceovers by Matt Gilcheck.

Rampage 2013 relaunch station ID and “Rampage Morning News” open graphic:

Go to the Rampage archive website and check out their current graphics package/music score that has been in use for over six years and desperately needs to be updated:

https://sites.google.com/a/radford.k12.hi.us/rampagetv/Home/morning-bulletin-archive-2012-13