Apparently, in the strictest sense of the word, Gringo only applies to Americans. Since I am not a filthy Yank, I am saved the torment of that particular phrase. Suck it, Americans!

I am also not a racist. I quite like some Americans. Some. Russians, however…

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In other news, I started reading the Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. It’s quite a fascinating read so far, but I will say that the bleak coldness of distant Russia feels quite alien in this land of warmth and majesty. It’s strange how realism for some is escapism to others.

The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. I've heard it referred to too often to ignore any longer.

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Watched the film 500 Days of Summer last night. Wonderful stuff – very clever film making with one of the best final lines I’ve seen since the German film The Lives of Others. I think I may be getting my emotions back, too. I didn’t cry, but for the first time in a long time I actually understood why people would. This is a wholly new experience for me.

The film explores Love. But it is very clever with it and in the end is a very nuanced, complex tale with a strong dramatic character study in its own right. My thanks to Sebastian Hosu for the rec.

An ex international footballer now living in Nantwich was stunned to find someone has been impersonating him 250 miles away in Cornwall.

Former Crewe Alex, Chelsea and England star Frank Blunstone, 75, who lives in Nantwich with wife Doreen, was amazed to hear he was actually living in Cornwall, according to a local paper there.

The story featured a man claiming to be Frank who was now living in a nearby town.

But it soon spread and when Frank and his family discovered it, an investigation was launched.

The real Frank told Manchester Evening News: “A friend of a friend lives down there, saw the article in the paper and got in touch with his friend to tell him I’d moved down. It was a million-in-one chance.

“He told him ‘that’s funny because I saw him half an hour ago’. They sent the picture up here and he looks nothing like me.

“We contacted the police and they say he’s not doing anything wrong unless he commits an offence.”

Charlestown Saints, the Cornish club where the story was based, have launched an inquiry to find the fake Frank.

Some of the 1,092 officers are under investigation for their role in the Nov. 23 massacre of the supporters of gubernatorial candidate Esmael Mangudadatu and journalists, said Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina, spokesperson of the Philippine National Police.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/25/death-toll-rises-in-phili_n_370282.html

The military on Wednesday announced that it was limiting the movements of the Ampatuan clan to avoid unpleasant incidents when arrest warrants were served against any family member.

The ARMM governor’s brother, Andal Ampatuan Jr., the mayor of Datu Unsay town, has been charged with multiple murder in connection with the massacre and is detained at the National Bureau of Investigation headquarters in Manila.

The elder Ampatuan, patriarch of the family with close ties to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, was charged by the NBI and Mangudadatu with multiple murder, damage to property and robbery.

 On November 23 supporters of local vice-mayor Ismail Mangudadatu and 30 journalists were killed as they prepared to launch his candidacy for the governance of the Maguindanao Province. The clan of Ampatuan were blamed for the incident but lawyers of the suspects say their clients are innocent.

Follow this story here from my sources…

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20091206-240390/Martial-law-administrator-has-a-mind-of-his-own

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/12/05/world/international-uk-philippines-abduction.html

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/12/05/philippines.massacre/

I’d donate it to St. Jude, one of my very favorite charities. I absolutely love the work they do.

There are lots of things Nitalia Conti will do during the coming week while she’s in Memphis — eat Southern food, cheer at today’s St. Jude Memphis Marathon and attend tonight’s holiday parade Downtown.

But on Friday, Nitalia, 13, was at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. There, the Arizona teen and her family distributed more than 100 blankets and hats, handmade by her grandmother and a legion of other family members, friends and even total strangers.

“When I was going through radiation or (what she calls) heavenly arrays, I was always cold and people from the community dropped off blankets. They would keep me warm and they were all bright colors, and they would make me happy,” Nitalia said. “I still have them.”

She wanted other children to feel that warmth and happiness, too.

So her paternal grandmother started crocheting. Word spread quickly, with crafters in Arizona, Nevada and California making blankets for the children at St. Jude.

Ex-patient spreads warmth, love of St. Jude with donation» The Commercial Appeal

I enjoy having a few older books and things, but I can’t say I enjoy them this much:

A signed four-page letter written by George Washington to his nephew in 1787 sold for $3.2 million, and two works by Edgar Allen Poe set new sales records on Friday in auctions held by Christie’s.

The letter by the first U.S. president was estimated to sell for $1.5 million to $2.5 million dollars, and smashed the previous 2002 record of $834,500 dollars for a Washington document, Christie’s said.

The letter was written at Mount Vernon, Washington's home near Washington D.C. for more than 45 years, on November 9, 1787, before he was president. This was the first time the letter had been publicly exhibited, although it has been reproduced.

In it, Washington shares his firm support for the ratification of the American Constitution.

An 1827 first edition copy of Edgar Allen Poe poems sold for $662,500 — a record for a 19th century book of poetry — and two-pages of hand scrawled verses from 1849 netted $830,500 dollars, breaking the 19th century literary manuscript record.

Washington letter, Poe book set auction records – Yahoo! News

Groby Road fire, Crewe

Nantwich firefighters were called out to a major incident in Crewe after a building containing deadly acetylene cylinders went up in smoke.

The fire started in a building used as an engineering workshop on Groby Road.

One appliance from Nantwich joined two from Crewe and one from Sandbach, and crews spent most of the day putting the fire out and cooling the cylinders.

At one stage, a 200-metre cordon was set up around the building and other properties were evacuated for safety reasons.

Fire investigators are now probing the cause of the blaze which began early on Thursday.

Teams remained at the property until the early hours of Friday.

Image ‘Copyleft’ by Carlos Latuff

Quite often we see a personal tragedy open hearts. Anger and frustration can be dealt with in many ways…. the following is one positive example of how some people deal with their pain….

His own road to recovery

By GLORIA DEUTSCH

Yuval Roth

In 1993 Yuval Roth became a bereaved brother. His younger brother Udi was killed by Hamas terrorists while returning home from reserve duty. They were disguised as religious Jews and the unsuspecting young man got into the car and was murdered.

“No, I didn’t want revenge, but I was angry, angry and frustrated,” says Roth. His response was to join the Forum of Bereaved Families of Israelis and Palestinians, which he became very active in. Four years ago he founded the organization Derech Hachlama (The Way to Recovery), whose volunteers pick up sick West Bank Arabs at checkpoints and deliver them to hospitals in Israel.

Since the organization was founded, he has a list of about 150 volunteers he can call on, 40 to 50 of whom are very active. And if no one is available, he will do the job himself as he did at the beginning.

How did it all begin?

“Although I had never been active in the peace movement, when the disaster happened I went to hear a talk given by Yitzhak Frankenthal, a religious bereaved father, and he spoke on reconciliation and how we must stop the cycle of blood and revenge,” says Roth. “I called him and told him he spoke in my name and I felt exactly the same.

People are being encouraged to shop locally as part of a new loyalty card scheme launched in Nantwich.

Cardholders involved in the Redcard scheme are given incentives to shop in certain stores in the town.

The scheme is also in operation in Crewe and Sandbach. Current stores involved include the Nantwich Book Shop, The Box Nightclub in Crewe, Lakeside Superbowl in Crewe, Stone Sales in Sandbach and Fireplace Warehouse in Wistaston.

Scheme organiser Glenn Powell said incentives for cardholders include discounts or freebies.

Cards cost £5 and the official launch of the scheme is next Wednesday December 9 at the Wychwood Park Hotel.

Contact Glenn Powell on 07989 300989 or on the website at www.myredcard.co.uk

Ina moved in after struggling to sell her semi-detached bungalow in Crewe.

Joan Collins, 75, added: “Everything was so quick and the team were very efficient and helpful. It will be lovely to see the community grow as more residents join us.”

Fiona Brooks, Regional Sales and Marketing Manager, said: “Welcoming Ina and Joan to Beatty Court is an important landmark for the development and we look forward to many more residents joining them over the coming months.”

Beatty Court, at the top of Red Lion Lane, has 62 one and two-bedroom retirement apartments with prices starting from £144,950.

This just makes me plain angry. I hope the old man calls their bluff and makes them look stupid in court.

A veteran of three wars who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor is now facing an unlikely enemy — his neighbors.

Col. Van T. Barfoot, 90, has raised the Stars and Stripes every day at sunrise and lowered them every day at sunset since he served in the U.S. Army. But on Tuesday he received a letter from the law firm that represents his homeowners’ association, ordering him to remove the flagpole from his Richmond, Va. yard by 5 p.m. on Friday or face “legal action.”

Decorated Veteran, 90, Fights to Raise Flag in His Yard – Local News | News Articles | National News | US News – FOXNews.com.

I can’t wait to see this movie.

Actress Sandra Bullock says meeting Leigh Anne Tuohy, who she portrays in The Blind Side, showed her there really are some Christians who “walk the walk.”

The film, which opened the week before Thanksgiving, presents the true story of the Tuohys — a well-off white family in Tennessee — who welcome a homeless black youth into their home and then adopt him as their son. That young man, Michael Oher, became an All-American selection for Ole Miss and a first-round draft pick. He now plays for the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens.

Bullock says thanks to the Tuohys, who attend Grace Evangelical Church in Memphis, she now has “faith in those who say they represent a faith.” Getting to know Leigh Anne Tuohy, says the actress, showed her that religious faith can be authentic. “She was so open and honest and forthright,” Bullock shares, “and I said, wow, I finally met someone who practices but doesn’t preach.”

Sandra Bullock: A blessing to meet, portray a real Christian (OneNewsNow.com)

I received the following letter from a very nice person who is quite concerned about this case. She wishes to remain anonymous, but she gets full credit for this – not me. Of course, I thanked her very much. You can, too. Just call her KWM.

In her opening remarks to me, she wrote, “I read all the sites about Caylee, including yours. I enjoy your views. Like you, I try not to let my emotions get in the way of facts. I also put a lot of importance on the original motion by the defense to gain TES search records and I was also concerned about it since many of our [group] took part in the search and as a [group] we contributed financially to TES and provided food and water, etc. I was also intrigued and concerned about Conway having access to the records as was reported in the media. As this news broke in August, TES came under fire by many bloggers as it appeared that TES had given Conway information. I doubted that was the case in its simplistic sense so I wrote to Mark NeJame. He sent me this [response] on August 29.”

THE LETTER:

Thank you for contacting me and expressing your concern and the concern of your fellow members. I appreciate the professional way you approached me and your efforts to get the truth out rather than allow rumors to control the flow of information. We all know how that happens repeatedly and has happened so much in the Caylee Anthony case.

I did not specifically disclose the name of the 32 searchers to Brad Conway. I received the information on all the searchers obtained by Tim Miller and Texas Equusearch. I maintained possession of them so that they would not be compromised or leaked. There were some media reports initially that the Anthony’s and Jose Baez were claiming that the searchers had been at the spot where Caylee was found and that her body was placed there afterwards. I allowed Brad Conway to review the records in my office so that he could ascertain that none of the searchers were at the spot where Caylee was found. He was not allowed to take any notes, copy any documents or leave with any information. He tagged some of the files of those who were in the general area. I permitted Linda Drane Burdick, the prosecutor in the case to do the same thing. She reviewed the documents in my office under the same rules and conditions that I permitted to Mr. Conway . She similarly tabbed some files and reviewed the tagged files left by Mr. Conway. I also had an independent member of Texas Equusearch review each of the files and further tab files of those in the general area where Caylee was found.

Neither Mr. Conway or Ms. Drane Burdick left with any information whatsoever. No names or files were released. Despite some opinions from those who don’t know or are prejudiced because of his clients, Mr. Conway, is an ethical and good person. He wanted to confirm to his clients that nobody tampered with  Caylee’s remains. He was able to inform them that he had reviewed the search documents and that nobody had been to the specific area where Caylee was found. Mr. Conway was satisfied in this regard. I hoped that would eliminate the rumors that were started in this regard. I do believe that neither George or Cindy Anthony or Brad Conway ever made any public statements thereafter that Caylee had been placed there after the spot was searched. Obviously, Mr. Baez and his team are now stating otherwise, but they have never been privy to the documents.

It had come to my attention that the prosecution wanted to call certain members of Texas Equusearch as possible witnesses in the case. They were interested in the searchers who were in the area where Caylee was found. It was not possible to turn them over to the State without disclosing them to the defense as well. Moreover, I was very concerned that a partial release would “open the door” to the defense for all 4,000 searchers. As such, I made a strategic decision to allow the information release of the 32 searchers. I believed that the Court was going to Order this anyway. There was no expectation of privacy to these 32 as they would be deemed to have relevant information, as ground conditions of the area had become relevant. Moreover, the State wanted this information and with Florida ’s liberal discovery rules, the defense would automatically get this. I used the argument that Mr. Conway had reviewed the documents in Court to show that he had similarly determined that these were the only relevant files and searchers. Apparently, the Court agreed with my argument, as the Order entered today limits Mr. Baez and the defense and completely adopted our position. The 32 have yet to be released but they will. Texas Equusearch called most of these 32 prior to the hearing and with the exception of one moderately disgruntled searcher who found this bothersome, everyone who was reached was agreeable to the disclosure and understood why they were material. The way I had it handled prevented anyone from being disclosed or identified until the Court entered its Order. No one, to my knowledge, has heretofore been contacted by the defense, appeared on the internet or been publicly identified. The defense never had the information.

I hope this answers all of your concerns. It is important that the truth be known and I really appreciate the opportunity to fully explain. I have developed great respect and empathy for the searchers of missing people and with the close relationship I have developed with Tim Miller, I am especially sensitive to protecting Texas Equusearch volunteers.

Let me know if you need any additional information or if I can provide any additional assistance. Please share with your fellow members how much their work is appreciated and how much I respect their dedication and efforts.

Warm regards,

Mark NeJame

If you watch these networks exclusively, you would not know that the biggest story and scandal of the year, maybe the last two decades, even existed! Are we to think that all three of these networks don’t know that Climate-gate is not only a hot topic, but a hugely important topic? They have not reported on this major fraud on air at all! Just a couple small mentions on their websites. Why are they wanting to hide the truth?

The only answer I can think of is that these networks do not like the fact that the whole global warming theory is a fraud. They must have something at stake in the global warming debate that I am unaware of. But who knows why all three networks are ignoring the matter. My only other guess is the fact that the majority of the American (and world) public are outraged by this scandal, and have a huge desire to know more about this fraud, just doesn’t rate very high on the importance scale to these old and tired networks.

I do know one thing, and that is that no one really watches their morning and evening news programs anymore. Get a clue ABC, CBS, and NBC – we are not stupid! We see that your ‘news’ reporting is biased and a lame attempt to lead people down a path of your own choosing. Your networks’ are not the end all be all anymore. Your relevence is limited at best. Ignore subjects on the order of magnitude like Climate-gate at your own peril. You are only shooting yourselves in the foot.

Update: The following was posted on FoxNews.com Dec. 5, 2009.

“The media already accept the theory of manmade global warming, so their modus operandi will be — let’s come to an agreement on reducing energy, either through taxes or restrictions,” Cliff Kincaid, editor for Accuracy in Media, told FoxNews.com.

“This is a story of global importance, involving potentially enormous scandal. Other than a little bit of print coverage, the mainstream media has made no comment,” Gainor told FoxNews.com. (Dan Gainor, vice president for business and culture at the Media Research Center.)

The Wednesday’s story on SecretCPH again brought up an old pet peeve: How hard can it be to come up with names for pervasive games?

I mean — Ludic Nation calls the game SecretCPH in most places, but after the game the registration site now calls it Secret Copenhagen: The Spies, while their Ning community site has the heading Secret: Copenhagen. Of course, they walk solidly in the footsteps of the ARG genre, following the nameless thing that the very creators call both The Beast and The A.I. Web Game, and fans with many more names. Remember — those guys who created I Love Bees / ilovebees? The game that for some reason has the Wikipedia URL as Haunted Apiary?

Reminds me of Alias Online Adventure, Alias Web Puzzle and Alias Web Game, and their various seasons whatever they were called before the sites went down. Funnily, the fan-produced Omnifam (or Alias: Omanifam?) is a bit more consistent with its name than the official Alias ARGs, even though those fans managed put up a credits page without giving a label to the thing they claim credit for.

I understand that often the names are created by players and fans during runtime; the designers didn’t create the Wikipedia page that remains undecided between The Art of the Heist and Art of the H3ist, but I suppose fans would know if the creators were consistent. McKinney’s excellent presentation on the game is posted as Art of The Heist, but opens up with a title The Art of The H3ist. This undecided approach might be one reason why Motor Trend News also called the game The Art Of The H3ist and The Art of the H3ist. With four moving parts, there are at some 23 ways to spell that name wrong.

I’ll forgive Stolen A3 since I believe that was a fan-created derivative of a website url. Heroes Evolutions is also forgiven, since they apparently were explicit about changing their name from Heroes 360 Experience. Seasons and iterations are complicated, I’m not even going to get started on Nokia Game — or on wondering Nokia 20Lives was a Nokia Game or not.

If you engage in funny spelling, make sure you know what you are doing. I don’t think the creators of vQuest can agree whether it’s actually VQuest or not. The same goes, I think, with PacManhattan, Pac-Manhattan and Pacmanhattan.

In our own IPerG project (funnily spelled as iPerG in all too many slidesets) we had skills too. Only after writing two papers and a bit more on a game called Prosopopeia, I first heard the complete name having been Prosopopeia Bardo 1: Där vi föll. Well, the game documentation website remains solid on the original name. Having learned from our experiences, we determinedly poked our book case authors for precision, as only the designer could tell that the correct name for the 2121box game was Mystery on Fifth Avenue, not In These Rooms of Wood and Stone as we had thought (that is the correct name of the book  that came with the mystery).

Some of this stuff has budgets upwards from one million eurodollars. Wouldn’t it also benefit the business to establish clear brand names for the stuff you’ll put into your portfolios?

Please?

</rant>

Thanksgiving 09

Originally uploaded by Kiki Karia.

2009 has certainly been a year of milestones for the Mesters. Mike turned 50, and we celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. But the surprise turning point in our lives came when Jeremy and Molly told us we were going to be grandparents in 2010! Malachi James Mester should make his entrance around January 17. The arrival of a grandbaby signifies the start of a new generation in our family. It’s a time of wonder and excitement! We await his arrival with joyful expectation. And one thing is certain: Our lives will never be the same!

Some 2,000 years ago, God made His entrance into the world as a tiny baby in a manger in Bethlehem. Royalty lay in a robe of rags. Divinity had merged with humanity. Emmanuel, God with us. Prophets of old foretold of his birth, angels heralded his arrival, shepherds were witnesses, and kings worshipped Him. The God who spun the galaxies into space and spoke the world into existence had become one of us. The heavens could not hold Him, yet a body did. JESUS; God has become our salvation. He healed the sick, He raised the dead. He comforts all that mourn. He preached good tidings to the meek. He set the captives free. He gave us beauty for ashes and replaced our mourning with joy. And one thing is certain: Because of Him, our lives will never be the same. And for that, we Rejoice!

The snow is coming down gently here in Minnesota. The weather has finally cooled all the way off to allow for accumulations of snow, but that does not mean the memories of summer have floated down river like the temperatures.

Trees along the St. Croix National Scenic River Way offer a calming nature to any causual observer.

This summer I meandered my way along the St. Croix National Scenic River Way with a close friend of mine. A three-day canoe trip started south of Taylor’s Falls and went to the top end of Stillwater. As I reflect back on the trip, I think of many fond memories. From the drive through the Twin Cities to get there and then the set of camp was just the start to the memories. Then there was the drive down to the take out which proved very interesting in the dark. The transfer of the canoe to my car followed by heading to the campsite for the night was a new challenge. It was a late night that first night as Thom and I had not seen each other for going on two years. That just meant that we did not get out on the river until about 1pm that next day. Thankfully, we only had to go a shorter distance that day to our next campsite on the river.

Then there was the first lunch on the river–Pita Pizzas!

When traveling in the "wilderness" what does one take for meals? This stop for lunch included Pita Pizzas.

Being Thom and I met at Youth Dynamics, a non profit Christian Adventure Based program in Washington State, we borrowed their menu plan for our trip. Thanks goes out to Sarah Ristow for the menus! Over lunch, Thom and I shared many reflections on our time at YD and since then. At the end of the meal, we both used the facilities at that location, as it was a boat launch area. Thom went back to the canoe before me! As I was coming back to that area, I could not help but get this image of Thom standing by the canoe!

After lunch on the St. Croix River, one can be put into a contemplative mood quite easily.

After lunch on the St. Croix River, one can be put into a contemplative mood quite easily. I took it because it caused me to take the time to reflect on my own situation and desires while on the river. After all, the river’s calmness and tranquility helped both Thom and I to relax, reflect, and rejuvenate.

That night we camped along the river again. I tried to get sunset imagery but we were in a narrower spot on the river and it did not work the best. However, the following morning the water was like glass with the mist rising from it. I was up before Thom and decided to get some images. While a goal of mine was to get on the river for sunrise, it did not happen. That would be another day.

Not knowing what we would encounter in that wildlife area, we somewhat just took our time through it. It was truly a neat area with lots of waterfowl throughout it. At one point, we were in a narrow and heavily down tree area. We came to an area where it was how are we going to get the canoe through this. The Lord provided a way to fit the canoe through an arch in the tree but not with us in the canoe. Thankfully, we made it through without backtracking and we were blessed with our time there. Thanks to Thom for paddling me through the area while I tried to capture images of the Bald Eagles, Egrets, Blue Heron and more.

This Great White Egret was interesting to watch from the canoe on the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway inside of the St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area.

By the second night, I was quite relaxed and thankful for the trip. I remember saying how I needed to do this more often–that is get out and into the wilderness. Thom felt that way, too! That led to the next discussion of when could we do this again. While that trip is yet to be planned, we both want to do it. That night, we camped underneath a railroad bridge and on an island in the river. We got there before sunset and got camp all set up. Then we did our own things for a while. For me, that meant capturing the beauty around us at that site. That is where I got this image of the Reflective Arches of the St. Croix. I took several images but this is the one that I decided to frame for shows this year. It was an overtly serene time when I could truly relax, reflect, and rejuvenate.

The one night the two guys camped right below a very high railroad bridge. In teh evening light, the bridge glowed and was captured in that state.

The reflection on the water along the St. Croix National Scenic River were just spectacular.

That tranquility though was somewhat shattered in the morning as a train rumbled across that mile high bridge rousing both of us rather quickly. While that was not how we planned to be woken  up that morning, we had breakfast and packed up camp to get on the river to cover our last stretch. That morning the water was also glassy. We almost did not want to disturb the water yet we had to get to our take out on the north end of Stillwater.

We took our time through the bluffs and wider river valley before we headed into a really wider opening in the river. All of a sudden, the water had much bigger waves. Being neither of us had been on the river before, we thought this was our take out area but did not know for sure. We saw some islands and decided to head into their shelter to check out the map. Low and behold, our take out was on the shoreline towards the east of the islands. Had we not stopped at the islands though, we would not have seen all of the birds in them nor would we have been at the right take out? Praise the Lord for the shelter of the islands.

I cannot help but think of the time in my life when a shelter has come my way just when I needed it. From my cancer journey to getting glasses fixed in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, before a four day fine art show; to having a lot of substitute teaching assignments, to many more times. Just when I needed something to turn things around, God provided the shelter when I could relax, reflect on the situation, and then move forward with His grace. As you gaze at the reflective arches, where are you sitting in that image and what are you thinking about? What do you hear? What might the winds in your world be telling you? Perhaps you hear the still small voice saying, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Check out the entire St Croix River Trip Gallery! Then, feel free to post any comments about the images to the blog or the images themselves! I look forward to hear how the images speak to you!

Growing up with "I was here photos," Thom and I each took some good images of the two of us!

After a five day fiasco that was Thanksgiving week, which culminated in me shifting back to street survival mode and sadly making a decision to part ways with a beautiful angel. Unfortunately my mind could not handle nor grasp the logic of switching back and forth from a comfortable bed at times and cold concrete other times. I am sure there was some kind of logic behind this, nonetheless I was thankful for the brief moments of comfort that was afforded to me. For that she will always be special in my heart, though I fear because of my decision she will no longer be my friend…for that I am truly saddened, I have become fond of her and will miss her company. I’ve survived all yearlong with so many ups and downs, somehow sensed this was too good to be true. But I’ll take it all in stride, my heart is still humbled, my spirit still flies…I roll like the river.

In dire need of rest due to the fact I was sick, another angel appeared as a welcomed turn of events. It could not have come at a better time. Offering a place to rest my head as long as I needed with no preconditions. It certainly has been of great help since I am still recovering my health. The days spent outside which I’ve done plenty of times before, put a hurting on me this time.

I don’t know how long this will last, but I feel safe and secure at the moment. Off the streets and thanking God for the angels he has sent my way. I still lone for my own..maybe this time it will take a turn for the better.

Last week looked pretty bleak…this week looks better..One day at a time….One day at a time….Thank you Lord for another day

On December 11, 2008, the bones of Caylee Marie Anthony were discovered in a wooded area on the south side of Suburban Drive, in Orlando. Precisely one year later, her mother will be fighting for her own life in front of Orange County Circuit Court Judge Stan Strickland, when her defense attorneys argue that the state was wrong for seeking the death penalty.

In their motion filed in September, Casey Anthony’s lawyers claimed that state prosecutors do not have a legitimate interest or enough aggravating circumstances to recommend a penalty of death against her. This is an interesting motion because the brunt of evidence is circumstantial. However, it’s hardly precedent setting. There have been many cases where defendants have been convicted and subsequently executed based on nothing more than circumstantial evidence. Think of “Bruno” Richard Hauptmann, executed in 1936 for the kidnapping and death of the son of famed aviator Charles Lindbergh. Hauptmann’s trial took place in Flemington, New Jersey, my hometown. Called “The Crime of the Century,” I have studied the case extensively. Perhaps, it’s the reason why I have such a keen interest in what will probably be dubbed “The Crime of the 21st Century,” transpiring before me in my adopted hometown of Orlando.

Two other motions will be heard that day and they pertain to recording videos made of Casey at the Orange County Jail. Her defense wants the judge to prohibit officials from recording her visits with them. Jail spokesman Allen Moore said that these types of recordings are routine and they follow corrections policies. They are for the protection of the inmates and their attorneys.

“Our recording system in that part of the jail does not have the ability to record audio,” Moore said. “We have followed jail policies and rules very carefully and directly and we intend to continue do so. We will attempt to accommodate Mr. Baez, but never outside of jail policy.”

The visits between attorney Jose Baez and Casey are usually held in a classroom that is always digitally videotaped without audio.

In the other jail related motion, Baez asked the court to “destroy any and all video or audio tapes or reports or other records in its possession memorializing meetings between Miss Anthony and her attorneys.”

Please don’t squeeze the inmate

Sometimes, a corrections officer is stationed outside the classroom or in one of the monitoring rooms where jail personnel can only watch the meetings and this is standard procedure for all inmates. Normally, no reports are ever filed. However, in October, 2008, personnel warned Baez that he was not allowed to touch his clients after officers saw him hugging Casey. Moore said that jail policy forbids any kind of touching between visitors and inmates.

Also, if you recall, a video was shot last year on the day her daughter’s remains were found. Corrections Officer, Lt. Tammy Unger, told OCSO detectives that Casey began to breathe rapidly, her hands became sweaty and red blotches appeared on her neck after hearing the news on TV. She also requested a sedative. Her defense team didn’t want the video to be released to the media. Although it contained no audio, they argued successfully that it could be misleading and it violated her right to medical privacy. Judge Strickland concurred and he sealed the video in June.

I will attempt to go to this hearing. If I do, you will read a first-hand account of my experience.

…fraudulent climate data! Sen. Boxer is a sore loser. So ready to tax America into oblivion because she bought hook, line, and sinker, the ridiculous global warming scam.

She can’t admit she was way off base like the rest who bought into the global warming mess, so she wants to entertain prosecuting those that leaked the fraudulent data. Sour grapes Barbara?

Well good luck! What you call hackers, I call heros. They should be given a medal for exposing this garbage. Who says that the data was hacked, by the way, Barbara? Seems to me it was more likely leaked by someone with a conscience. There is no evidence that the emails were hacked, and if they were, again, they did us all a tremendous favor.

Boxer in her true liberal stance would rather accuse someone of criminal activity, and prosecute them, than admit that she and her kind bit off a lot of rancid crow that was going to cost the American taxpayers trillions of dollars. Are you so rabid to spend tax dollars that you can’t see how great it is the exposing of this fraud? The quote you give is “This is a crime”.

No Boxer, what is ‘criminal’ here is you! You, and those like you, should be run out of office without benefit of a rail. That includes Al Gore, who is the poster boy for this fraud. It is criminal that you would tax us into the ground so readily. I’d say look in the mirror to see who is criminal, but you have no reflection.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night

And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone round about them and they were sore afraid

And the angel said unto them. Fear not: for, behold, I bring you  tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you:  Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God, and saying:

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke Chapter 2

*****

And that’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

*****

Merry Christmas

Posted:  12.02.09

The Hermitage, home of President Andrew Jackson, is getting a million-dollar facelift. It’s the first time in more than 4 decades that it has had any exterior work done.

While on the topic of facelifts, I would make a crass remark about Nancy Pelosi right about here, but since I do try to maintain some level of decorum at Right Minded Online, I’ll let it go.

Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage gets $1M face lift | tennessean.com | The Tennessean

     The holidays are here and many people are already feeling stress over what is supposed to be a time of celebration and joy.  There are many reasons why people feel sad or overwhelmed during this time.  Thousands of Americans have faced unemployment and feel financial pressure as retailers stock shelves with items we “must” buy in order to achieve holiday bliss.  Members of the Military may be oceans away, often depending on email messages to wish “Merry Christmas” to family and friends.  Then there are those facing the difficult reality of a loved one who has died.  It’s difficult to know how to face a joyous season when in the process of grieving.  Charlie Brown said it best when he confided in Linus, ”I just don’t understand Christmas.  Instead of feeling happy, I feel sort of let down.”

     Charlie Brown may have been comforted to know he wasn’t alone in feeling “let down”.  If you feel a sense of sadness this season, you’re not alone either.  Understanding your feelings are normal and allowing yourself to feel sad is important.  Grieving the loss of a job, being separated from a member of the family, or grieving the loss of a loved one is not easy.  But there are things you can do to make the holidays a little brighter.  These are some suggestions for overcoming holiday blues.

     1.  Surround yourself with people who understand what you are going through and are supportive.

     2.  Keep a holiday journal.  Write down your thoughts and feelings each day.  Allow yourself to write things that worry or upset you while still writing down things that bring you joy.

     3.  Decide what you can realistically do during the holidays and give yourself permission to “skip” activities if needed.  Let your family and friends know about your plans ahead of time if possible.

     4.  Challenge yourself to do something different during the holidays.  Start a new tradition, get involved in a toy drive or treat yourself to an ice cream sundae on Christmas Eve.  Mixing things up can ease the tension from the heavy expectations we place on ourselves.

     5.  Take care of yourself.  Get plenty of rest, eat right and do your best to get some exercise.   Most of all, take one day at a time. 

 If your feelings of sadness get worse, consider talking to a trusted friend, your minister, or a professional counselor.  Seasonal sadness can lead to depression.  Take care of yourself and seek help when you need it.  Charlie Brown was able to see a glimmer of hope despite the many obstacles he faced.  That’s all we need, just a little hope.

     American’s get bored if there isn’t a scandal to talk about, and this week’s target is Tiger Woods.  While Black Friday shoppers were nestled in bed, dreaming of the official start of Christmas season,  Tiger was lying on the pavement, dazed and bleeding.  He apparently lost control of his vehicle in front of a neighbor’s house, taking out a fire hydrant and scuffing a tree.  Tiger’s wife used a golf club to smash out a back window of his Cadillac Escalade in order to help free him from the vehicle.  Tiger was reportedly unconscious for six minutes, which pretty much confirms this was more than a fender bender. 

     I was cleaning up the remaining dishes from Thanksgiving Day dinner when I heard the story on the 24//7 news channel that keeps me up to speed with the latest news and gossip.  Upon hearing about Tiger’s mishap, I turned to my husband and said, “Uh huh, sounds like there’s more to the story than that!”  My husband nodded, knowing that I would continue to give several plausible theories on what “really happened”.  The news anchor stated alcohol was not a factor, and I said “Oh come on!”  The correspondent stated that Tiger and his wife may have been fighting.  I smiled, and starting singing, “I dug my key into the side of his pretty little souped up four-wheel drive, carved my name into his leather seats… I took a big golf club to the back window, slashed a hole in all four tires, maybe next time he’ll think, before he cheats”.  By this time my husband is looking at me like I’ve lost mind.  But you have to admit, there was some poetry to it.

     It didn’t take me long to go from accusing to forgiving.  As the media continued to pounce on poor Tiger, I started feeling sorry for him.  Why don’t they leave him alone?  Who cares?  What does this have to do with anything?  I jumped on my soapbox and lectured my husband about how we should be worried about the starving children in Africa, not whether the most famous golfer in the world is cheating on his wife!  My dear Christopher just looked at me with a confused look on his face.  He never knows what I’m going to come up with next. 

     By yesterday afternoon, I was bored with the whole story and wishing the media would just shut up about Tiger.  Then this morning I am making my online news rounds and see “shocking new developments in the Tiger Woods case” and of course I had to double-click.  Now there is juicy information about Jaimee Grubbs, a 24-year-old cocktail waitress that Tiger has allegedly been fooling around with.  There is possible evidence, a voicemail left by Tiger and possible x-rated text messages.  Who can resist that? 

     I can.  Because when I stop to think about it, I realize it’s just wrong for me to be in other people’s business, even if it’s only through network t.v.  It is none of my business.  I have plenty to keep my mind busy and Tiger Woods doesn’t need me prying into his personal affairs (no pun  intended). As my first grade teacher said, “You need to keep your eyes open, your mouth shut and your hands to yourself.”  I think that rule applies here. 

     I won’t be too hard on myself though.  Afterall, I understand the fascination with juicy gossip.  I get it.  We love a good story.  It’s why I still watch “All My Children”.  My life seems much more normal when I can watch other people screw things up.  But the fact is, we all screw up.  And when it’s me screwing up,  I hope people will give me a break.  So maybe that’s what we should do now.  Let’s just give the poor guy a Mulligan.

It looks like Apple Corp is at it again, and I am sure they are so proud, too. A few days back I called them down for refusing to approve an app that would let people reach their congressional representatives easily. After much public pressure, Apple relented and went ahead and approved the app. So, good for them they did the right thing in the end.

Now, an app, approved by Apple without any problem, helps illegal aliens to break the law. Some bleeding heart liberal professor has developed this app to aid lawbreakers enter our country in the ’safest’ way possible. Another example of  how liberals don’t support the rule of law in our nation. Now, do I believe that any of these illegals are going to use such an app? No, if any it will be the one’s that are human trafficking for money.

So, Mr. Professor who developed this ridiculous app. You can be proud that your work, approved without reservation by Apple, will aid in the human misery that occurs daily around our southern border. Don’t forget to write and tell your mother! She will be so proud, too! I can see her beaming face now. Maybe you can develope your next app to count how many illegals are murdered, die in hidden containers, or die of thirst in the desert using this stupid app!

Why don’t you, Mr. Liberal Professor, develope an app that directs would-be illegals to the steps that will allow them to legally enter our nation? Oh yeah, that would mean helping people to follow the rule of law. How un-liberal that would be.