DE LA CORRESPONSAL  ESPECIAL TOÑITA ALCANTAR

UN GOBERNANTE DE PALABRA...MI PRIORIDAD ES COMONDU...NAM

Al trascender la informacion de que LEONEL COTA vendria a este municipio antes de terminar noviembre para darn banderazo oficial al FRENTE DEMOCRATICO SUDCALIFORNIANO se soltaron cientos de conjeturas entre ellas la de que el gobernador NARCISO AGUNDEZ apenas llegado ayer de Chihuahua fue virtualmente ¨presionado¨ por Luis armando diaz quien ya le tenia PREPARADA UNA GIRA URGENTE de entrega de creditos e incio de obras por la cabecera municipal y la delegacion de San Carlos.

La URGIDA DEL GOBERNADOR no cayo mal,por lo contrario se le toma a bien que venga y entregue los anhelados apoyos de credito emergente a la micro y pequena industria de  Constitcion,Insurgentes,Lopez Mateos y San Carlos.

Inicio el ritual en la Casa Amarilla a las nueve de la manana con gran asistencia de  benficiarios y la compañia del ALCALDE JOEL VILLEGAS IBARRA,regidores,sindico,funcionarios y representativos de organizacions productivas.

Al redactar la presente ya salia rumbo al estero de SAN BUTO  para inugurar un muelle ecoturistico y valorar las condiciones del infernal camino de terraceria y la gente espera que se anime a pavimentarlo.

En ese lugar avanza lentamente el proyecto DESARROLLO SECRET donde inversionistar privados son pioneros en el despqgue turistico del lugar.

En el lugar habra mas derrama de creditos para empresarios de San Carlos y Lopez Mateos.

Aca en Constitucion a su regreso,temerariamente entrara al CERESO para dar un simbolico banderazo a obras de rehabilitacion,colgado como siempre el director Pedro Garcia le solicitara otros apoyos para los internos en areas de educacion,cocina,salud,deporte y dormitorios,los reos ya no caben y sus condiciones de estancia violentan ya a los derechos humanos. 

Y si logra salir del CE.RE.SO el ejecutivo pisara el viejo edificio de BANRURAL con 50 años de antiguedad PARA CHECAR LA PINTADA RAPIDA Y DOS TRES PARCHES que alguien ordeno para tapar el ojo el macho y meter en ese lugar a las oficinas estatales con el pomposo nombre de CENTRO ESTATAL DE GOBIERNO.

De fondo la IDEA ES ACABAR CON EL NEGOCIO DE LAS RENTAS las cuales dejan un diezmo mensual de 50 mil pesos al promotor ya que se pagan alrededor de 500 mil por diversas oficinas.

Habra mas entrega de billete a beneficiarios de credito en Conasttucion y la Toba.

Y esta vez a los inllenables de la llanos de Magdalena y pioneros de comonondu SOLO LES ENTREGARA SEMILLA DE BUFFEL,26.2 TONELADAS para que les hagan pradera a sus vaquitas y chivos y no se arimmen al FDS …..

EDITORIAL DE VILLANOTAS…Vaya estilo del corresponsal entre lo politico y lo administrativo,entre lo serio y lo jocoso.

A nosotros nos parede que la GIRA DE NAM es dentro de su programas normales de trabajo y no tiene nada que ver con el FDS.

Vemos que traera mucho benficio economico a la gente tan necesitada y que podria ser el reinicio de la actividad productiva en micro empresas y pequeñas empresas que es de donde dependen cientos y cientos de familias locales.

Esperamos que la gira sea un exito para todos.

You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,

And praise the name of the Lord your God

Who has dealt wondrously with you.

Joel 2:26

In our country, Thanksgiving is a day devoted to eating in plenty and many are more than satisfied, they are stuffed just like the turkeys that adorn our tables.   It seems we have the first directive down but often neglect the second one… the praising God part.  Gratitude is such a wonderful virtue, wonder why we have to have a special day to remind us to practice it.

 By being grateful I express the blessing of the gift and the giver.  Gratitude is especially nourishing to body and soul. Hard to be angry, jealous, or self-centered when I am grateful.  I have learned a deep and abiding presence exists when I express my gratitude… for when I focus on what I have instead of what I am lacking, I realize I have enough to fill my heart and soul with gladness.  I have a bounty which not only meets my needs but can satisfy the hunger in another.  God provides such a harvest and so many blessings… it is impossible not to be happy if I will only stop and count the wonders in my life.  Bounty of friendship, the joy of children, the art in the a flower, the amazing variety of animals & plants.  Today, I am grateful for my life, full of stress and challenges, for each day is a new opportunity to see God’s hand at work. 

 Lord, Make me aware of how I can bring gratitude to my table this Thanksgiving and everyday!    

Here are some of photos captured during their wedding day, hope both of you will love them

# The lovely couple and the photographers, Susan (right) and me (left)

For more photos, please go Here.

For the movie clips, please go here:  Video Clip 1 | Video Clip 2

** Special thank to Susan for her hard works to create these 2 lovely video clips with great songs

~ all photo are capture by Nikon D700, Nikon D300, Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8, Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8, Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8, Nikkor 50mm f/1.4, Nikkor 85mm f/1.8, Sigma 10-20mm,  SB900. SB800 ~

DISCLAIMER: Minor language. Proceed with caution.

Quite the piss poor, I-feel-like-disowning-you “performance” by the Sharks in their 7-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. The Sharks should have just stayed home in their cribs and choked on their pacifiers rather than “play” tonight.

Joe Thornton: Hey guys, let’s step on the ice.

*SILENCE*

Team: …and do what Jumbo? Are you going to finish that thought?

Thornton: Ya know, step on the ice and succeed with good ol’ fashioned California chillin’.

Team: OMFG, you iz brilliant Jumbo! Why didnt us think of that?! LOLZ.

Give me a damn break. This was disgusting. Absolutely putrid. Um, helllllooooo? Um, hi? You little children play professional hockey. Sounds kinda cool when you think about it. How about you actually play the game. And try. Just try.

What the hell happened during this long layoff to make the Sharks play like a beer league team? They allowed three, THREE shorthanded goals. Two of them were on the same power play!

Nobody wanted to play, everyone played with jocks on their heads. Turnover after turnover, fail after fail. If there was any doubt left about our defense, those were put to rest. From now on, if anyone tells you the Sharks defense is good, go ahead and tell them to remove their secret Ducks jersey or to go watch the NBA.

What a joke. Jason Demers played his worst game of his career. Dan Boyle felt like playing with an injured foot because this was a big game. He did end up scoring very late in the game, but it’s refreshing to know he waited 56 minutes to do something with his life. He finished with a -4 rating.

Also joining Pimple — I mean Boyle — with a -4 rating were Thornton and Dany Heatley. For all the great stuff they’ve done recently, this game shat all over it. Good gracious, it was atrocious. They must be stunned to know you have to play defense too. What a concept!

Manny Malhotra does his best pylon impression (From NHL.com)

With five minutes left to go in the second period, the shots were 26-7 Chicago. What in the blue hell is that about? Seven shots after 35 minutes? I could get eight shots on net by doing cartwheels the whole time.

At that time it was 4-0 and after the fourth, Ryane Clowe took it upon his messed-up-nose self to take a penalty. Brilliant. What a smart hockey player. Take a penalty and you show those bad guys you can beat them even with a man down. Ryane Clown. Blow me up a balloon while you make a joke of yourself.

Let’s go ahead and give credit to Chicago. They came in with an exceptional gameplan and their coach Joel Quenneville and perfected it. Sharks coach Todd McClellan was lost in the Tao of Joel’s stache.

This is the Blackhawks’ eighth win in a row and they’re no signs of slowing down.

LOL WUT?

Frazer McLaren managed a +1 for the Sharks. Ha ha ha ha.

AHL

Five AHL players were in the lineup: Jamie McGinn, Benn Ferriero, McLaren, Steven Zalewski and Derek Joslin. Certainly looked like Worcester was playing.

Kent friggin’ Huskins…

…was on the power play. Yes. On the power play and caused the turnover that led to a Chicago goal. Don’t EVER put that guy on the PP again.

Optimism Corner

Hit-O-Meter: SJ 26  CHI 17

Faceoff Percentage: SJ 56%  CHI 44%

The game ended.

Other Dreadful Notes

The Sharks’ injuries are plaguing them so badly now. Rob Blake, Devin Setoguchi, Jody Shelley, Brad Staubitz, Torrey Mitchell need to come back.

Per NHL rules, the Sharks are required to play again. They play Edmonton in Edmonton, Friday.

–Ray

I’m always fascinated when I encounter surprises in the biblical text. Today was one such occasion. As I began preparing for the noon Eucharist, I turned to Lesser Feasts and Fasts. November 25 is the commemoration of James Huntington.

As is often the case, when I encounter a figure with whom I am not familiar, I look for alternatives. Tomorrow being Thanksgiving, I checked out the propers for Thanksgiving in Year C. The gospel was immediately approachable: Matthew 6:25-33 which include those wonderful words: Consider the lilies of the field; they neither toil nor spin…” Given the anxiety I was experiencing, trying to make final preparations for Sunday, after having been out of the office all day yesterday, they were words I needed to hear.

But the lesson from Joel was even more fascinating: “Do not fear, O soil; be glad and rejoice, for the LORD has done great things! Do not fear, you animals of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness are green; the tree bears its fruit, the fig tree and vine give their full yield” (Joel 2:21-22). Remarkable words given the overall attitude toward the land and its non-human inhabitants in the Hebrew Bible.

I had to drive to Whitewater yesterday. As I did, I saw fields that had been harvested, cornfields that remained untouched, and farmers here and there picking corn. Our culture has tended to view the land as something to exploit, but Joel’s words suggest a more difficult and complex relationship. Thanksgiving is traditionally a time to enjoy the fruits of one’s labors, the fruits of harvest. We live in a world that is very much divorced from the struggles of farmers, and their work in the fields. But much of our wealth is created on the backs of the poor, and on the backs of those who toil in fields to harvest vegetables and fruits for our tables. We also benefit from a system that exploits animals horribly. Thanksgiving is a hollow holiday indeed if we do not recognize the sacrifices of others (human beings and animals) to make our table full of food.

DEL DIRECTOR

EL ALCALDE VILLEGAS Y SU CABILDO UN EQUIPO DE GOBIERNO COMPROMETIDO CON EL PUEBLO,NO AUMENTO DE IMPUESTOS PERO QUE SE PAGUEN LOS REZAGOS EN PREDIAL Y AGUA

Me han llegado comentarios muy positivos sobre la ferrea voluntad del PRESIDENTE MUNICIPAL JOEL VILLEGAS IBARRA en torno a como enfrentara  en 2010 los negros augurios de la crisis nacional la cual en su efecto “rebote” complicara a los tres niveles de gobierno  la funcion publica.

-”El alcalde es un extraordinario lider”-me dijo el secretario general JULIO VEGA PEREZ-”a cada problema lo vemos crecerse,no se abruma ni despotrica,busca  y exige soluciones,es un hombre limpio su politica es el trabajo nunca ocupa o distrae su tiempo en las cuestiones de la “grilla” ni se distrae en escuchar chismes o festinarlos,es una persona seria,muy seria y responsable,sincera,directa,de buen humor pero estricto como jefe”.

Las deliberaciones en la PRESIDENCIA MUNICIPAL CON EL PLENO DEL CABILDO,nos  cuentan,arrojaron a PROPUESTA DEL ALCALDE,dar prioridad en el nuevo ano a la REACTIVACION DEL SECTOR PRODUCTIVO Y LA GENERACION DE EMPLEOS,cuidar la calidad del SERVICIO EDUCATIVO Y DE SALUD y MEJORAR LOS SERVICIOS PUBLICOS,”primero los ciudadanos,que vean nuestro esfuerzo y se sumen”.

El llamado del ALCALDE es para que cada ciudadano,hombres  y mujeres,jovenes,adultos,todos,reconquistemos  en la UNIDAD Y EL TRABAJO RESPONSABLE,en el cumplimiento de deberes y obligaciones,en el disfrute de los derechos civiles y politicos el ORGULLO Y RIQUEZA DE LA SOCIEDAD QUE SOMOS,Aqui la gente vale por la forma en que se esfuerza no por cuanto gana ni como viste,el objetivo es ser mejores seres humanos y eso nos lleva a ser mejores ciudadanos,respeto por uno mismo es respeto por los demas…

EDITORIAL DE VILLANOTAS.-Si una vez la grilla y la llamada politica le dieron a COMONDU una imagen dolorosa,de divisiones en su gente,de pleitos bizantinos y en cada trienio se generaban desaveniencias,parece ser que ya no mas….

Se puede convivir en la independencia y en el respeto,o se puede asumir tareas conjuntas como una buena COMUNIDAD DE VECINOS.

El liderazgo de quien gobierna,el EJEMPLO,eso es lo que cuenta para los PUEBLOS,se gana o se pierde pero LUCHANDO A BRAZO PARTIDO.

No es COMONDU EL LLANO EN LLAMAS de RULFO,no es COMALA y SUS FANTASMAS.

Es mas una ATLANTIDA EMERGIENDO DE LAS AGUAS en las cuales cobijo su grandeza y sus tesoros…

A nosotros como pueblo nos toca escoger si deseamos seguir entre ruinas y lamentos,entre animas en pena o escuchar el llamado DE JOEL VILLEGAS para construirnos esta ATLANTIDA DEL DESIERTO,unidos,el gobierno en lo suyo y los ciudadanos cumpliendo con sus deberes fiscales pero a la vez gozando de sus derechos y beneficios emanados de su propio trabajo.

My dad posted a blog yesterday about his thankfulness. I was going to comment but instead Ill post my own blog. Ill focus on why I am thankful for my family.

Ill start with my son, Joel. Right now he is in time-out and NOT because he just headbutted me and left a huge bruise on my cheek. I wondered briefly what a broken cheek bone feels like and if that was the case with me.

Joel was an indian this year rather than a pilgrim at school last week. I thought the 3 feathers were so cute!

Joel is very smart and funny. While I was pregnant I kept saying I wanted a funny kid (why else would you even have them??) and, that’s what I got. I’m thankful for him and I am very proud of him and proud of the way others (not just family members) are also proud of him. I don’t think I have to go through all of the reasons why I am thankful for Joel. He is my son – gifted and chosen by God for this time and place in the earth. It is already evident to us in so many ways just how true that is.

Here is some of Joel’s Thanksgiving art from school this year:

And, here are the turkey-hands he made last year and this year:

I am thankful for my husband, Travis. He is a special kind of person. A few weeks ago he got a phone call from a number he did not recognize. When he answered it was the husband of a woman who Travis sees about once a year at a job site he goes to for work annually. He made an impression on this woman in such a brief amount of time that left her husband comfortable enough to call Travis on the phone, who he did not know, and ask that we all meet for dinner to talk about God and his church. This kind of thing happens often (that Travis leaves such an impression on people he deals with day to day).

The same night the 3 of us were on our way out the door to go somewhere and there was a knock. It was a kid who lives down the street. His dad had sent him down to ask if Travis could come and help him move a dryer into the house. Travis helped. This stuff also happens often and its not the same people every time asking for Travis’s help. God has given him grace in our neighborhood in the form of a reputation that he is a man who helps and loves others. In some cases, even people who don’t know him, know this. This is only the beginning of how God will use him in this capacity. So, you can imagine how thankful I am to be married to someone like this.

My sister lives with us. My being 7 1/2 years older and since it has been about 9 years since I lived at home with her on a regular, full-time basis, we don’t know each other that well. God has set this time to do some neat stuff most of which we cannot realize yet. She is a blessing and God is working on our relationship. She is a blessing to Joel as well and it is very neat for me to see the cool relationship she has with Travis.

I am thankful for my brother who really does care for other people and his family. This has lead him, so far, to seek out many paths that allow him to watch out for others on a day to day basis in special ways. In college when my brother would visit me friends of mine would always know who he was the moment they saw him because we look so much alike. I always thought that was pretty neat.

My mom and dad are still together and still in love. In a world where so many cannot say the same, I am very thankful for that. They taught me to have a heart turned towards God and I could not go where I go if it were not for them, first. I have often described my mom to others as a present day Renaissance Woman. My dad remarked that she snuck into the talents line twice while God wasn’t looking. I agree! The reason her talents are so special, though, is because she has the capacity to pour them out for others over and over again without any strings attached. That’s the economy of God. That is special.

My dad has a gift of honor and peace. You can see his gift of honor, for example, in his blog post I mention above. And, when he has peace, everyone else does. In my dads case that’s not just because he is the dad ha ha. It’s because there is such a thing as a commanding presence of peace even though that may not be the context in which we normally think of a commanding presence. I see it more and more. I always thought I was the one out of the 3 of us kids who is the most like him. I am not sure that I am ready to hand that over to Madeline yet, dad.

So, Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

View Gaïa’s book here.

It was twelve forty-seven by the dashboard clock; no interior lights glowed in the house. The porch light was dark. When Rachel turned off the headlights, only the street lamp cut the darkness. She killed the engine and coasted into the driveway, hoping her father was not home, or already asleep. She leaned against the car door until it latched quietly, then crept into the house.

“You’re late,” Steve said in her ear as he flipped on the foyer light. The keys clattered on the tile floor and Rachel swallowed half a scream. The rest came out as a plaintive whimper; she sagged against the door for support and took a deep breath.

“You scared the crap out of me!”

“Where have you been? It’s one in the morning.” He ignored her remark. His voice was calm, but he folded his arms across his chest and narrowed his eyes.

“I, um, I went for a drive.” Her heart was still pounding, her mouth was dry, and her knees were shaking. The sudden light was blinding; she was disoriented and off guard, which was probably the point.

“Kate said you left around nine. You drove around for almost four hours?”

Rachel fixed her eyes on her keys, afraid to pick them up, afraid to move. With one long stride, her father closed the distance, standing centimeters away from her, millimeters. She tried to step backward, but the door stopped her. Very reluctantly, she met his stare.

“You’ve been drinking.” It was a statement, not a question, so Rachel said nothing. Like a palm tree in a hurricane, she could only hope she wouldn’t break in the path of his anger; bending was inevitable. He stood there for a full minute, just looking at her, the calm before the storm. “We’ll discuss this in the morning when you’re sober.” Finally, he picked up her key-ring and turned away. Rachel could only stand there, not sure it was over. He hadn’t even yelled at her yet. Steve turned back and tossed the keys to Rachel, who caught them reflexively. The key to the Mustang was missing.

*****

The next morning, her father was waiting for her when she came downstairs. Rachel braced herself for the explosion she expected, but all he said was, “Morning,” as he looked over the top of the newspaper. With a little sigh that was only partly relief – because she knew she was still in trouble – Rachel made a cup of instant coffee and sat at the table.

A palpable silence grew between them, broken only by the rustling of the newspaper pages as he turned them. Rachel reached for a section of the paper and pretended to read. She could not escape the inevitable confrontation, but she would not initiate it; she would say nothing until her father made the first move. After about ten minutes, he finally did.

“Why don’t you tell me what happened last night?”

“I did tell you. I went for a drive,” Rachel responded in an even tone.

“For four hours.”

“Well, I stopped by Joel’s for a while.”

“I see,” said her father. “And did Joel’s parents give you booze? Do they let him drink? They think that’s okay?”

Biting back a sharp retort, she took a deep breath to dissipate her annoyance. If she was sarcastic, or fought him in any way, she would only get in more trouble. “No, that wasn’t it at all. Joel’s parents weren’t home. And I bought some beer before I went over there,” she answered, hoping he would accept the small lie – she didn’t want to tell him she was drinking hard liquor. Somehow, she knew that would upset him more. “We split a six-pack, Dad, it’s not like I was drunk or anything.”

“Hold on. You’re sixteen years old, Rachel, you shouldn’t be drinking at all. It doesn’t matter if it’s a six-pack of beer or a case of scotch. You can get arrested, spend the night in juvie. The charge is minor in possession of alcohol. Did you know I could be sued if anything happens while you are breaking the law? So don’t tell me you weren’t drunk, because it’s irrelevant. What matters is you aren’t supposed to drink. Period.”

“I’m sorry,” responded Rachel meekly.

Her father held up a hand and continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “And it isn’t okay to drive when you’ve been drinking, despite what you think you know. Alcohol is a depressant. The very first beer affects your system. You might not feel drunk after two beers, but your reflexes are slowed. That’s how people get killed.” He stopped abruptly.

Rachel could only stare at him, appalled. How many times did you drive home? How many times did you park the car in the yard and pass out on the couch? And you never got in a wreck. You should have. It should have been you. She bit her cheek to keep the words in; she tasted blood on her tongue.

After a moment, Steve said, “I’m keeping your car keys for a week.”

“Okay. Fine, whatever.” Her tongue pushed between her teeth and she bit down hard again. She pushed her chair back from the table.

“I’m not finished.”

“What?” Her bangs fell in her eyes and she tossed her head to shake them back.

“Your aunt said you were upset when you left. What happened?”

“She didn’t tell you?” When Steve shook his head, she said, “I’d rather straighten it out with her, if you don’t mind.”

Steve caught her gaze and held it before he said, “Okay, Rachel. Just be sure you do straighten it out.”

“Is that it?”

“Yes, that’s it. End of lecture. I’ll let you know if I think of something to add,” he said, smiling.

“I’m sure you will,” Rachel muttered.

“What did you say?”

“I said okay. No problem, Dad.”

*****

Without wheels, Rachel was forced to walk to school the next week, which was humiliating in itself. Plus, she had to spend her evenings at home with her father, which was unbearable. She didn’t dare ask to borrow her father’s car. He hadn’t mentioned it, but she knew that she was restricted not only from her car, she was just plain restricted. Resigned to her fate, Rachel spent her afternoons doing her homework and her evenings in her room, sneaking drinks and watching television. The week was a prison sentence.

With the extra time on her hands and nothing to do, Rachel’s room was soon cleaner than it had ever been and she rearranged the furniture twice before putting it all back in the original positions. She was filled with a restless energy that she didn’t know what to do with. The plastic bag of black beauties was still in her purse, but Rachel had no desire for them now; she was like a caged animal, restless and irritable.

Joel called early in the week and she talked to him for over an hour, hungry for human contact. Jenny and Rachel had not spoken since their argument and Rachel missed her. Susan was a drug connection, not a friend. At school, Jenny and Dan had been her gang, her clique, and she hadn’t needed anyone else. It hurt too much to think about Dan, but he was always lurking at the edges of her memory.

As soon as Joel’s voice came through the receiver, Rachel felt better – unknowingly, Joel tossed her a lifeline. Stretching out on her bed, she made herself comfortable and told him what happened Saturday night. Everything. “She was just trying to help me and I made a total fool of myself. I can’t believe I accused her of having an affair with my dad. I didn’t mean to say it, it just came out.” She glanced at the bedroom door. As far as she knew, her father still didn’t know what had happened and Rachel didn’t want him to know.

“Wow. That’s pretty intense. So they’re … what? Dating?” Joel asked incredulously.

“I don’t know, Joel. They both say they’re just friends, but I think it’s weird. They sure act like they’re dating.”

“Wow,” Joel said again. “Can’t even imagine that one.”

“My aunt is so cool; we get along great. That’s why I feel so bad about it.”

“Then just apologize to her. Tell her what you’ve been telling me.”

“You’re so easy to talk to. I like that about you,” Rachel admitted. Thinking about the night they met, she laughed and added, “You know, I wasn’t sure I liked you when we first met.”

“No way! You’re kidding, right? I’m an extremely likable guy,” he retorted.

“Yeah, really. I like you now, though.”

“Well, at least you learn from your mistakes,” he responded, making her giggle again. “Are you going to be grounded this weekend?”

“I didn’t ask, but I’m sure I am. This is driving me nuts. It’s not like I did anything bad. I mean, I was less than an hour late. I sure hope my car never breaks down – he would probably take my firstborn for that,” said Rachel sarcastically.

Joel laughed with her and then had a sudden inspiration. “Wait a second. You’re grounded from your car and from leaving the house, right? Are you allowed visitors? Even hard-core criminals get to have visitors.”

“He didn’t mention, but I’m sure that only means he didn’t think of it.”

“Why don’t I come over tomorrow? I won’t stay long, you won’t get busted. I could pick you up from school if you want. Hate for you to have to walk.”

“Would you really? That would be great, Joel.”

“Good. If I can’t take you out this weekend, I’d at least like to see you if I can. Besides, it’s partly my fault you’re in trouble.”

“That’s true. You owe me big time!” Rachel accused, trying to sound harsh, but she couldn’t keep the smile out of her voice.

“Then I’ll see what I can do to make your confinement more tolerable.”

“That would be a good trick, if you can do it. I hate this. I’m trying to be cool about it, because if my dad knew how much it bothered me, he would ground me for the rest of my natural life.”

“Hey, it will be over before you know it.”

“Yeah, right.”

His laughter echoed in her ear. “Man, Rachel, you are such a pessimist! Cheer up, will you? I’ll see you tomorrow, okay.”

“I’ll be here. Where else am I going to go?” she replied despondently, but she was smiling again.

*****

Making her way between the cars in the school parking lot, Rachel was treated with a cacophony of stereos – all tuned to different stations. The noise receded slightly as she neared the building and Rachel sighed with relief. Her head was pounding and she hadn’t gotten much sleep the night before. Pausing to light a cigarette, she scanned the crowd gathered in front of the gym doors, looking for Susan, but didn’t see her.

A thin cloud of gray smoke hovered over the students in the chill morning air. Rachel was early, so only a dozen kids gathered around, but they were all smoking something. The familiar scent of marijuana drifted toward her and she followed her nose to a small group by the wall. Surrounded by four other guys, a kid Rachel only vaguely recognized was selling. Dressed in the requisite jeans and leather jacket, his dirty brown hair hung in his eyes as he conducted business from his little corner. Inching her way forward, Rachel benefited him with her best smile and patiently waited her turn.

“Got a joint, man?” asked the boy standing next to her. He looked stoned already, his eyes bloodshot and his speech slurred.

“No shit,” said the dealer as he shook the plastic bag he was holding. It was filled with joints. “How many you want?”

“Couple. Two. How much?” the customer asked nervously. Acne sprinkled his face and Rachel took a step backward to get away from him. She could smell his sour breath.

“Ten bucks.”

“No way. For two joints?”

“You heard me. That’s the price. End of story.” The dealer turned away, shrugging his jacket tighter around his shoulders. Two of the other boys laughed quietly, lazily, but they were staring at the kid. Rachel could tell they were getting impatient.

“Okay, okay. Wait.” He dug in his pocket and pulled out a five dollar bill. “This is all I’ve got,” he whined.

The dealer plucked the bill from him and handed him a joint. “Then this is all you get. Enjoy.” The three of them laughed as the kid scurried away and then the dealer turned to Rachel. “Hi, what can I help you with?” he asked, suddenly smiling and friendly.

“Um, how about a joint?” she asked, her voice shaking a little.

“Sounds good to me,” he replied and reached into the bag. He lit the cigarette, took a deep drag and handed it to Rachel. Surprised and unsure what to do, she accepted it with a questioning glance. “Go ahead. Try it out. If you don’t like it, it’s free.”

Shrugging, she took a drag, pulling the smoke into her lungs and holding it. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Susan approaching and she waved as she handed the joint back. The residue from the pot was sweet on the tip of her tongue and she exhaled slowly, enjoying the taste. “Not bad,” Rachel judged. “How about a couple of them?”

“No problem. Five bucks.”

Rachel cocked her eyebrow and said, “I thought it was ten bucks.”

“That was for him. For you, it’s five.” He smiled at her with yellowing teeth and Rachel hid a grimace as she handed him a five dollar bill and received two joints in return.

“Thanks. And thanks for the hit.”

“See ya around,” the dealer said, taking another drag off the joint he still held.

Rachel joined Susan along the wall and lit the joint, placing the other in her cigarette pack. “How’s it going?” she asked, holding the smoldering cigarette toward Susan, who accepted it eagerly.

“Much better now, thanks. I was up half the night studying for that English test.”

“English test?” Rachel looked stunned. “What are you talking about?”

“Um, there’s a test today. Murphy mentioned it about ninety times last week, and she reminded us about thirty times this week.”

“No way,” Rachel groaned. “I forgot all about it. Over The Fountainhead, right?” When Susan nodded, Rachel sighed with relief. “Maybe I can wing it, that was one of my favorite books. I should be okay. I hope.” Rachel took another deep drag off the joint and then pinched it out between her fingers.

“I can’t believe you actually liked that book. It was the most boring thing I’ve ever read – nothing happens. It was so boring I couldn’t get through it. That’s why I was up late last night, trying to skim the rest of it so I would at least have a clue.”

“You can safely give up on that, Susan.”

“Give up on what?”

“Having a clue.” Rachel ignored Susan’s indignant screech and scanned the parking lot, watching cars vie for the best parking spaces. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Dan’s Monte Carlo enter the lot and her gaze followed him as he pulled into a space near the building. It wasn’t the cool place to park, but Dan had never cared much about being cool, she thought with a pang. Susan saw where Rachel was looking and gave her a sympathetic smile.

“Still hung up on him, huh?” she asked quietly.

“No,” came the sharp response. Turning to her friend, she made herself smile and said more calmly, “Not at all.” Feeling very mellow from the joint, she grinned and lit another cigarette. “Besides, I’m kind of going out with someone else.” Susan’s look of admiration made her smile wider. “Remember that guy I told you about? The one who gave me the weed?”

“Get out of here! You are too much, Rachel, I swear. You’ve got guys everywhere. I don’t supposed you’d care to pass along my phone number, would you?”

“Yeah, right. But at least you’ll get a chance to meet Joel today. He’s picking me up after school.”

Susan just shook her head as Rachel laughed and they walked into the building together. In the main lobby, they went in separate directions, Susan to her locker and Rachel her history class. As she walked into the room, thinking about Joel, Rachel was still smiling.

i am having a hard time figuring out where to start with this review. i have written a few different sentences and then just gotten rid of them. its hard to know how to kick off something like this. the movie is brilliant. there is no argument there… and what it is saying is very important… but still… its hard to put my opinion of the film in words.

our main character, Michael Douglas in this film is both a down on his luck guy you feel bad for, and a man with sever anger issues. his furious tirade across a city is both justified and unjustifiable. every point he makes, every scream and every threat is justified. it is all true. companies do charge too much for anything. people are selfish. people abuse the small amounts of power their jobs give them. people can be bigoted horrible people. he is right that bureaucracy and greed have crippled not only the nation of America but the society of our entire planet. he is right. but he is also slowly falling down into a psychotic break.

that was what was so hard for me personally while i watched this film. i agreed with so much about the character… in a way i even identified with him. his anger at the convenience store clerk who spoke fractured English and over-charged for thing, his anger at the fast food employee and manager that abused their SLIGHT level power just to show that they could. i get that. and when he busts up the convenience store with a baseball bat i was there with him. standing in those shoes engaged in an orgy of destruction that we have all felt. that eightyfive cent can of soda isnt just overpriced soda, it is a symbol of the larger price jacking and hostile corporate takeover of our world. that coca-cola is a little icon of how we are all being bled. im with him there. when he demands his food the way he wants it at the burger joint, i was with him there. because in both instances… he paid. he just exercised a little justifiable anger. but as the film progresses, he falls down. hard. he is clearly angry at himself more than anyone else int he film. and again… i identify with that. he is angry at his ex-wife for leaving him and taking his child, but as can be seen in the scene where he watched the video of him yelling at his wife… he is more angry at himself for pushing her. he knows he has made mistakes. and he regrets them. but now he is too angry. he is too angry at the world, at himself, at his anger… he has fallen down.

Robert Duvall is excellent as the police officer in the same situation. both men are being bossed around, abused, and pushed into lives they cant and dont want to fit into. both men are taking the world’s shit and just plowing through it. and both of them finally turn around on the same day. both of them finally stand up. Robert Duvall stands up and walks away. Michael Douglas stands up and falls down.

i love this movie. i love what it means, i love how it is filmed, i love how it is acted, and i love how it makes me feel. for the most part. part of me hates that i can identify with the movie… but i guess thats also something i love about it.

{unlike most of the movies i review here, this one is not only still in print, but very easy to find. the film has been released on blu-ray in a wonderful package that you can find on amazon right HERE.}

When I’m reborn as a dog, just let me live in Japan.

The promise for the future spiritual blessings of our children does not depend on whether or not they have been baptized or dedicated as babies. God has made a special covenant with the par-ents who earnestly seek the Lord and turn from all transgression.

Isaiah 59: 20 “The Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,” says the LORD.

21 “As for Me,” says the LORD, “this is my covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descend­ants, nor from the mouth of your descendant’s descendants,“ says the LORD, “from this time and forevermore.”

No matter what may be happening now in the lives of your descendants, seek the Lord and turn from every transgression and God will work mightily in their lives. In time to come, sooner or later, they will speak His words and sing His praise in the Spirit. Even to your descendant’s descendants! Do not be discouraged

Isaiah 44:3 For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring; they will spring up among the grass like willows by the watercourses.

Isaiah 54:13 All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. (John 6:45)

Psalms 103:17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to ever­lasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children,

18 to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them.

Acts 2:39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.

Psalms 37:26; Isaiah 66:22;65:23; Psalms 112:2; Proverbs 20:7; Joel 1:3; Malachi.4:6

And I include all who belong to me by marriage or adoption!

17 Nov 2009

The night before, we went back to the hotel
the first thing i noticed was my eyes were like super red!
Took a shower then put eye mo… -.-”"

Slept at around 10 plus cause i was damn shagged
and Narelle had no choice but to sleep at the same time(:
haha.

we were told that breakfast was at 6.30
so narelle and i decided to wake up at 5.45
instead of 6 which the morning call was registered.

we were all prepared by 6.20
when we headed down to the cade floor,
we found out breakfast only started at 7 =.=”"”

So we went back to our room and read until 6.55
then we went down for breakfast
and it was such a rush!
our bus came at 7.15!

After rushing,
we quickly boarded the bus along with Kathryn
and Desiree who were going to the same school as us.
We reached Diocesan Girl’s school at around 7.50 – 8
it was a 45mins drive from our hotel to the school.

Enjoyed the scenery going to school(:
When we got down from the bus,
the first thing everyone did was to put their arms around themselves.
IT WAS FREEZING!
the temperature was 10 degrees!
and our teachers told us the temperature would be
18 – 23. -.-”"”"

So we like ran towards the school
and the janitor told us to go to the visitor’s room.
the moment we stepped in we were like so warmed up!
hahas.
REALLY COLD!
The school is currently located in Kowloon I think,
Holding school.

Their court @ holding school.

then the teachers came in
and told us we had two buddies!
We all bought only one buddy gift.

She then brought the buddies in.
We were then brought up to class
and lesson began!
They started with Religious class,
which they have to remember a bible quote
as their dictation.
I think that day was 1 Samuel sth sth…
hehe

I found out the teachers their use a mic
to conduct lessons. Cool!

Next was Geography
then Chinese lesson,
which was conducted in Cantonese.
I was just like so gong like that!
Sitting there stoning.

then they had a break
followed by double English
and this english teacher keeps irritating me!!!!

then lunch and my last lesson was liberal studies(:
they learn social work like dat.
cool!

For lunch that day I ate with Desiree’s buddy
as my buddies had something on.
We ate DUMPLINGS!

Dumpling with Noodles

After school,
we took a coach back to the hotel,
changed and headed to wan chai mtr station!

We took a Ferry Ride across the harbour
which was like so cold!

Scenery from cruise

We then went to see Avenue of the Stars

and we went to this market called temple street market.

Temple Street Market

Me and Narelle bought sth for our other buddy there then.(:

We were dismissed for dinner
and since me and Narelle don’t understand chinese
and can’t speak Catonese,
we followed Ms Leong, the SJI teacher!
hehe

She brought a group of us,
the four DGS girls,
and the four guys,
to eat Wanton Mee!

Wanton Mee

It was there that we got to know the boys a little bit more
and we were just talking casually.

However the boy which talked to us the most was Joel Tay!!!
Because why?
He knows *ahem*
So we kept asking him about *ahem*

Haha!
Kathryn ordered Hot coke
which i was quite surprise they had it.
It tasted sour,
probably because of the lemon
but other than that,
interestingly nice.
hahaha.

Hot Coke

 Innumerable discussions

Begging at the request of their opinions

To be caught by ears

Anybody’s ears

But still some more than others

From one to another

Words mingle in fractal humanity

Frustration, hysteria, laughter

A  spectrum of souls

And there I sat breathing every morsel in

With clocks ticking, mouths sprinting, ears opening and closing

Souls, hearts, and minds traversing differences and commonalities

Hi kids. Chad here. I hope you’re all enjoying your Monday. Now shut up for a second. Ok, so. Some instant back-story: Joel and I are white. No, I mean we’re white. So, naturally we would end up at a local d-bag club on a Sunday night, for what I can confidently call Oklahoma City’s only b-boy showdown. I know what you’re thinking: “Don’t you dumb Okies just hang guys like that from trees then smack the horse they’re standing on, so it runs off killing them in a twitchy dance of racist hatred?” Well..no, asshole. We stopped stringing people up back in the early 1980s, if I recall. Now, don’t get me wrong; I’m sort of a distant fan of b-boy culture. I owe that to the Beastie Boys and bad movies. So I had to see for myself when Joel mentioned this thing, and I was shocked at the way in unfolded.

So Joel, our good friend and all-around adorable dude Spencer Hicks and I head to this place in OKC’s “entertainment district” after recording podcasts, and started hitting the $3 mixed drink specials. That’s problem #1, by the way. Problem #2 will be discussed soon. As we all stood around, some b-boys decided to preempt the official battle, and the typical human circle formed on the dance floor. Only, nobody was dancing. It was dumb. I’m all of 5′9″, and standing there trying to see anything was as pointless as a screen door on a prostitute. Once the official battle started, we made our way up to the “reserved” VIP area upstairs, with a few other random folks. And that’s when things started to pick up.

Apparently, the Native American crew didn’t take to kindly to the little white kid who fucking served their asses. Them bitches was on a silver platter, y’all. So then the pushing and shit-starting began. By this time I was on $3 Crown&Coke #4, and upstairs away from the action that would normally terrify me, so it was just funny. Speaking of: Problem #2 was $3 whiskey. Not for me, mind you. But for the many, many douchey meat-heads in attendance. Things escalated quickly.

Before we knew what had happened, security (read – underemployed former college linebackers) were upstairs across from us breaking up an apparent skirmish. We watched a giant guy get headlocked and forced out by a former linebacker, only to see security come back in and demand that everybody upstairs vacate the area. Immediately. Can you guess why? Yep, Problem #3 is why: Some dumb fuck meat-head had a gun. In a club. On a sunday. In Oklahoma City’s family-friendly “entertainment district”. Sigh. Morons. If I would’ve gotten shot at fucking America’s Pub on a Sunday, I would have been far angrier than I was bloody, if for no other reason than to be seen on the news, getting carried out of one of the Ed Hardy-est cock markets in town.

So, long story short, there was only one winner in my first, and likely last, OKC b-boy showdown: Rampant idiocy, homegrown and on full display.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Problem #4 was the bass player from Hinder also being there. Seriously–if I’d gotten shot and been associated with all that without the implied sense of irony which made me even attend, my perfect internet reputation would never have recovered.)

We have much to escape, much to shed, much to loose, much to famine from and much to walk without. Moreover, there is far more that we ought receive. It is made perfect in the Lord. And it is the Lord whose perfection is gifted freely unto those who so submit that they receive it.

There is but one way to sever the chains of bondage from that which you come from. You were born to an environment where no father nor mother may have existed. Perhaps it was an environment by which chaos devoured you lean and mean into futile rebellion even unto that which is good. For what is good?

Is it your friend beside you? Your wife? Your brother? Your neighbor? Be it your dog that returns even after you have wrongly kicked him in your deeply embedded rage of anger? Was it Mao Tse Tung or perhaps Benito Mussolini or even Adolf Hitler? Who is good?

Ought it be defined and declared that all men should agree? Ought your good be greater than mine? Perhaps your good just as good as mine? Yet when my good just isn’t good enough should I fashion is definition accordingly? And to you the same? Should in debate the definition be altered by mere perspective? Ought we pervert our utterances evermore that we tailor it to our quests for inequity? Are you willing to accept that there remain truth everlasting? What is good?

WHAT IS GOOD

• Matthew 19:17 – And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
• Mark 10:18 – And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
• Luke 18:19 – And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.

Now let it be known what is good. Therefore there be no mistake nor nothing but a definitive proclamation of good. The definition of good is thereby defined and everlasting on its own accord. It is neither me nor you. It is Almighty God as Jesus so proclaimed.

Finally, from where have you arisen? Great disdain do I have for much of what I had to endure during my earliest years of childhood and youth. It was not great and certainly not the worse. But have I been shown any other way that I might know how to be a “good” man to raise a family of two boys or moreover be a deserving husband of such a great wife who takes great care of myself and our boys?

This woman, my wife, stands at my greatest honor and thanks to have gifted me such earnest prayer and persistence in the Lord. I cleave unto her my wife who stands to build me to my finest hour in the Lord. She stands resilient in her directives to deliver us from generations’ fate. Tired in her plight she drives on that our two boys may be delivered from our own woeful pasts. She builds me up even when undeserving of such gifts of grace. She is magnificent in her manners and sharp with her retort against wrong. Correction is fierce but even still loving and pure.

I am inspired and go nowhere without. We are one in the same. She prays fervently on my behalf and behalf of our family. At my greatest hour she awakens me to rise. She is a valiant warrior herself, faithful and steadfast for the Lord. Even before her I stand, yet she stands before me such a gift that by whom there is much gain.

Likewise at such low she raises me accordingly by way of earnest servitude to the Lord everlasting, fashioning herself tireless in righteousness for the sake of our family even at great measures.

I have learned many of the wrong ways by the manner at which I have arrived. As a man, as a husband and as a father I am merely lost upon my own accord. My practices are vaguely practical and even less loving than I might be of myself if I even knew love beyond which she has led me. I was left to my own right, left to my own way, left to my own flawed vision of what family ought to be. My wife has been the greatest of contenders on my behalf. Her pursuits were greater than my reliance upon self. She ushered me unto my redemption. She in her own graciously loving way was delivered me that I might be saved from my own peril and likewise the generations hereafter.

Now what damage has been done? The path from which we might flee might lead full circle in our haste and angst against our those who’ve delivered us unto this moment. Now what damage has been done?

The damage from mere words can draw down nations. Words ruin marriage and raise up armies against a people. How is it that the generations from which you come and which follow shall not equally be affected by the sins therein of the forefathers? Even you at work whose anger is awoken take it with you and lay it upon the threshold of your home. Ought not the same remain for generations of perpetual misery that is made feast on our families?

• Exodus 34:7 - Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty ; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation .
• Joel 2-3 – 2 Hear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land. Hath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers?3 Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation.

I urge you to release it.

As a man and warrior, the enemy is real and wears a face and yet likewise goes silent among you, unnoticed. He wears the face that our soldiers face in Afghanistan. He is shewn down by bullet or by hand. He wears a face in more common places and yet goes unnoticed and lives freely among you to toil in your way. Target acquisition. Engage. Eliminate.

Sever ties from the way of generations who have jettisoned you unto this moment and make new for you, your family and even still such a great country among us.

And take upon you “the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” that you may drive the sword straight through that which you were and lead those generations who follow unto greatness greater than you yourself, as it is purposed deep within you, where reside the voice hereafter referenced. Heed.

• Ephesians 6:10-20 – 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places .13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Hey guys! I’m back!
Since i have like a ton of pictures
I’ll blog on parts.
This is part 1

16 Nov 2009
Okay so on the first day
we all met at 6.30 am at changi airport terminal 3!
Narelle and I decided to meet up cuz the teachers
did not tell us where to meet.
So we said the night before that we would text each other when we reached

Only Daddy and Ah Gong sent me off on that day
Ah Gong to drive me to the airport
and Daddy to command me on everything!
hahas.
We left home at 5.45
and then reached the airport around 6.
Narelle just smsed me when we got into the carpark
Saying that her dad drove them (her and her mum) to
the arrival hall! LOL!

She was eating breakfast there.
Then I waited for her
and we met our other friends.
She told me her luggage was the same size as mine
(she came over to my place to see it)
However when I saw it,
It was WAYYYYY BIGGER than mine.
HAHAHHA

Mine’s on the left.

So we checked our baggage in.
Mine was 11.2kg!
Hers was 13 i think or 15. lol

Then we said goodbye to our parents
And got into the Departure hall!
We then camwhored over the area.
Since each of us had a camera,
we took one photo with each camera.
I only have one the photos(:

After this picture (mine was the last)
We went to this Butterfly park in T3
Boarding time was 7.30
However we just went to the gate at 8. LOL!
So I called Bryan since he made me call him.
Haha.

After the call
I let Narelle read my blog post
and his blog post
then we boarded the plane!
I was flipping through the KrisFlyer magazine
and found out there was Bones on the plane!
HOWEVER it was season 3 episodes. -.-”"”

So on the plane i watched like Land of the Lost,
500 days of summer and the time traveler’s wife.
I just watched all of them halfway
was sleeping the rest of it. Haha.

OH and my seat was the one second from the window seat
AND I had a difficult time
because in front of me, there was this ang moh person
who reclined his seat back so much,
Behind me, there was this SJI boy (whom i found out later was JOEL TAY)
who was kicking me chair because he claims that his legs
are too long. -.-”"”

We landed and it was like freezing cold you know!
My phone had no signal!!!!!!!!!
I thought it was because it was in a new country
so i gave it another hour.
I finally gave up on it and used Mrs Low’s handphone
to sms my parents.
I stated that my phone has problems,
dad, fix it.

around 5 o’clock i restarted my phone and it worked!
Apparently my auto-roaming wasn’t turned on.
Because my plan didn’t have it.

We then set off for the Peak(:
We took a train to the station,
took a bus up the hills,
and took tram back down.
Now let me bombared you with pictures of there!

Walking to the platform

Waiting for the train

Our lovely Miss Leong from SJI. Ex IJ-ian. (:

Waited 30mins for the bus.

UP WE GO! Me and Narelle were scared like hell! Haha

All the way up!

Houses on the hills

The view from the top(:

The wind up there was like FREEEEZING!
I was like jumping non-stop to keep warm.
After the peak
we went to the wax museum!
ITS DAMN COOL MANS!

Diana!

Shakespeare!

OBAMA!!!

Yao Ming! (:

In the tram

The view coming down.

Okay I can’t even squeeze in two days in one post
Apologies, I have to do it day by day. Sorry!
I’ll continue tonight I guess.(:

Here’s the videos from Friday night. I thought it went really well!

No More Blues

Speer Sonata

Georgia On My Mind