ORLANDO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY TIPS : ORLANDO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY CONSULTS

According to Orlando accident attorney Doug Bills, immediately after an accident is unfortunately the best time to gather and preserve important evidence for a possible claim.   A simple phone camera can be an effective tool and is usually readily available.  If you can safely do it take pictures of skid marks or ruts along the grass indicating the direction of vehicles.  At the very least note the intersection and location of the vehicles.  Take pictures of the condition of the damage to the vehicles.  Although Orlando accident attorney Doug Bills as well as most lawyers, have pictures taken by professionals, it can be very surprising just how quickly vehicles are towed away and even repaired.

At times when the client is seeking an attorney it is already too late to preserve certain evidence.  Another important part of the evidence are witness statements.  If there were any witnesses be sure to get their names and addressess.  Just because someone is willing to say they saw the whole thing happen, does not mean they are willing to testify in court or even be available for comment to an attorney.  According to Orlando accident attorney, those folks who take the time to document their file and take pictures of evidence before it is destroyed or changed make for good clients because it shows they are thinking ahead and are organized. 

Obviously, when an accident involves a single driver who has been severely injured they must rely on the police to perform an investigation.   Most police departments will perform a relatively thourough investigation of an accident when injuries are involved.  For this reason says Orlando and Tampa accident attorney Doug Bills, if you have pain or suspect an injury, do not refuse medical attention or the officer will only perform a cursory investigation and you may be perceived as not having an injury at all.  For more information or to schedule a free legal consultation with Orlando accident attorney Doug Bills or to discuss a Daytona accident attorney Doug Bills can be reached at 888-420-4878.

As we get ready to begin 2010, it’s the perfect time for reflection on our choices that made 2009 … what it was. It was certainly the year of change for us, as I’m sure it was for many others. Looking back over 2009 – it was truly challenging, wonderful, and exciting, all at the same time.
2009 was the year Marty & I threw our ego’s completely out the door and became teachable and coachable, with a true desire to help others in an attempt to achieve greatness through gratitude.

It’s important that as we roll into the New Year, we continue our pledge and practice of Gratitude & Appreciation. In our business, we teach “Appreciation wins out over Self-Promotion every single time.” Now don’t you think, if everyone lived their life by such a creed that we’d be in a much better place? How might your outlook on life improve if you spent just five minutes in the morning looking around and reflecting on all your grateful for in your life.

We are grateful for things that cannot be measured and even down to life’s little indulgences like warm coffee with vanilla creamer on a wintry Florida day. Each and every morning, start your day off with love and appreciation “I am so happy and grateful that…” …You’d be surprised where that will lead you.

During this time of year I can’t help but reflect on the things that I believe in. I’d like to share with you some of my beliefs, and challenge you to take a moment to write your own list, along with the daily commitment to take time to reflect life’s blessings.

I believe the one thing in your life that you, and you alone, control is your mind. I believe that you can do anything you set your mind to.
I believe that we all have something to contribute to the world and have a choice to greatness.
I believe what you send out you get back. I believe that Gratitude is Attitude, and Attitude is everything. I believe an Attitude of appreciation trumps out an attitude of entitlement.
I believe that the written word is powerful and can change lives.
I believe it’s important to act on our promptings.
I believe that you must live each day as if it’s your last. And to ask yourself, where am I going after this is all gone?
I believe that we’re changing the world one card at a time.
I believe in paying cash for just about anything and not having any debt.
I believe that you can create anything as long as you have desire.
I believe that 2010 will bring more hardship for those who are mediocre and opportunity for those who are extraordinary innovative.
I believe in Jesus Christ and I cherish the annual celebration of his birth. I believe that changing the inner attitudes of our minds can change the outer aspects of our lives.
I believe in focusing on the core belief that we all have the desire to love and be loved.

God bless everyone!

Have a Great day, unless you have other plans !
~MB

Enjoy!!

**Credits to jilllisar @ YouTube for the video clip**

I am thankful for family and friends, having a wonderful puppy dog who protects me, and the opportunities I have. I passed all of my teaching exams, my second internship, and am graduating in the spring. Really and truly blessed.

As for the break, well, there is just so much to cover. First of all, I got a chance to come back to Tallahassee for the first time since September. So that was wonderful. First couple days I just lazed about, went to the Museum of Florida History, didn’t do too much. Wednesday is where it starts getting eventful and if you are a cat lover or hate dogs then I would suggest not reading the rest of the paragraph. Mom took a half day and we went to get a Christmas tree and begin setting up our decorations. Since we were working outside, we figured we’d let the dogs sit in the front yard (attached to a tree). Well as I was getting Bear, he escaped. And everything after that is kind of blurred. But what it all comes down to is that Bear killed the neighbors cat and there was nothing we could do about it. It was a terrible and sad day. However we did come up with some awful jokes.

Thursday being Thanksgiving, there was a lot of cooking. Dad went to Cocoa Beach to be with his family and Mom, Jamie, and I stayed home since I hadn’t been around in a couple months and this was where I wanted to spend it. I think it went off splendidly. The only problem was that the brine made the gravy super salty, so I’m gonna suggest only one cup of salt for the brine. And that miscalculation could be that we used a smaller bird then most of the brine recipes I referenced. I got to bring some left overs home so that was a huge score. Plus mom had gotten me some extra stuff at the grocery store (you know the buy one get one free stuff) so I don’t think I’ll have to go to the grocery store between now and next time I come back home. Later that night we went to a self-service car wash that also has a dog wash attached (more later on this) and got the dogs and their crates washed and cleaned for the drive back to Tampa.

So, on to today. We traveled back down to Tampa. Pretty uneventful. Bear is happy being back, put another hole in my screen trying to get at a cat from the second story. Shelby is adjusting nicely to being an indoor dog after 8 years of living outdoors and has only had one accident so far.
Tomorrow is the FSU/UF game. Seriously, if the Noles can win this one, the rest of the season would go unnoticed. It would also make my year. And who doesn’t want to make my year? Unfortunately I am being required to attend the USF vs. Miami game that happens to be played at the exact same time. Who in their right mind would do this? 2/3 of Florida is going to be watching the Florida/State game and only 1/3 will watch USF because they are Miami fans. Ugh. Well, you’ll see me in all my FSU glory tomorrow at Raymond James.

All in all, a Thanksgiving we will all remember.

Everybody loves this game and anybody who says different is lying.

My longtime boyfriend, who will be happy to see I’m going to call him Big Cocky, has been harassing me all week with nightmare scenarios about this game. Clemson’s looking ahead to the ACC Championship, he predicted. Their minds are on Tampa, not Columbia. They’re thinking about a rematch with Georgia Tech. And the most chilling statement of all: a mediocre SEC team, which he readily admits his Gamecocks are, can beat a top-shelf ACC team.

I have to admit I’ve lost a little sleep over that last one.

OK, I’m looking forward to Tampa, mostly because I want to go but I’m so broke right now I couldn’t buy a bag of peanuts and a souvenir Coke at a football game, let alone a championship ticket. But there’s a level of fun to rivalry week that doesn’t accompany any other game. The championship game isn’t going to be about fun so much as it’s going to be about respect. But rivalry week – well, that’s like Halloween for football fans. You get to let your inner smartass come out to trash-talk the opposition.

Is it like this at other schools? I wonder – do Auburn and Alabama fans have this sort of good-natured-among-friends-but-potentially-bloody-among-strangers relationship? I feel fairly certain Georgia and Georgia Tech have a higher level of animosity than Clemson and Carolina do, mostly because the Dawgs are such frickin’ swaggering loudmouthed bullies. Who are going to get their clocks cleaned this year, by the way, and whatever I may think of Tech and the upcoming championship game, I will smile every time they stuff the ball back down Georgia’s throat. The only way I could hate Georgia more is if we played them every year.

But I digress.

I have a history with this game, because every Clemson or Carolina fan does. I was in the stands in 2000, freezing my ass off as the sun went down, to see Rod Gardner make The Second Catch and position us to win the game; I was there four years later for The Brawl, when my best friend and I stood nervously in the stands while the fight spanned the visitors’ sidelines, half expecting the ugliness to migrate up from the field.

I was there in 1984 for the Black Magic season, our first defeat in the famous Orange Pants. I was a kid, thoroughly dismayed, and as my dad and I left Death Valley, some blowhard in his 40s, who I bet I could pick out of a lineup even 25 years later, came running through the crowd, going up to every other Clemson fan like a sugar-addled kid and crowing, “We beat ‘em in the Orange! We beat ‘em in the Orange!” My dad, normally mild-mannered, clearly didn’t think much of this but refused to take the bait. He patted me on the shoulder, leaned down, and said, “You know what? Someone’s going to kick his ass.” Not ten steps later, we heard the ass-kicking begin, although Dad refused to let me stay and watch.

I think it’s mellowed a bit since then, although I’m probably biased, coming from a mixed relationship. I know a Carolina fan who cringes whenever the 63-17 game is mentioned, and after the 2006 “wide left” game (not to mention the Florida State game earlier this year), I sometimes cover my eyes when a field goal is kicked.

I want C.J. Spiller to have a great game that helps him toward the Heisman.

I want Jacoby Ford to have a great game that gets him picked in the first round of the draft.

I want Deandre McDaniel to have four interceptions, and I have faith that Stephen Garcia will help him do it.

And I want every damn Clemson fan in the stands to close out the game yelling “ACC! ACC! ACC!”

Is that so much to ask?

(On a more serious note: R.I.P., UGA VII. I may hate the team but I never hate a mascot. I bet you were a good dog.)

The last leg of my U.S. Tempra Tantrum tour took me to  Miami, Tampa and Jacksonville. It was amazing to feel like it was summer again, since Madrid was pretty cold when I left. When I was little, I used to visit Miami and Orlando quite often, but the last time was 15 years ago!

It’s funny how each city in Florida has it’s own style and rhythm. It seems like everyone in Miami South Beach is in party mood, and each place has loud music and lights all throughout the night. It was a little bit difficult to sleep, and if I hadn’t had an early meeting, I would’ve loved to enjoy Miami’s night life! So unfair!

While in Miami, we had a casual media dinner at a very nice restaurant, Urbanite Bistro. We had a great menu to go along with the Tempra Tantrum wines, which was a great success. As always, one of my favourite parts was meeting so many interesting people with whom I share a passion for wine.

In Tampa we went to Columbia, a restaurant that has been around for more than 100 years and is now operated by the 4th and 5th generation of the Gonzmart family.  We had the chance of having dinner with the family: Richard and his wife Melanie, their daughter Andrea, her husband, and their 4 month-old baby. They were all great and treated us like family. The wine list was spectacular with more than one thousand wines, most of them Spanish. We got to enjoy an amazing dinner paired with Tempra Tantrum and Montecillo Gran Reserva 1982 that was my grandfather’s favourite Montecillo vintage until he passed away.

Dinner @ Columbia, Tampa

Columbia´s impresive wine list

Columbia´s cellar

After Tampa we went to Jacksonville for more tastings, and then returned to Miami. I couldn’t leave back to Spain without enjoying Miami’s night life and having a Cosmpolitan, so even though we were tired from traveling all day, we went out for a while. We had dinner at a very fancy restaurant, Asia de Cuba, at the Mondrian Hotel in South Beach. I enjoyed having dinner out in the terrace with an incredible view of  Miami’s sky line, and the sea, it was great! And the hotel was great too, they even have a vending machine that sells cars!! It´s crazy!!

Trying to fit in Miami´s fashion style

Vending Machine @ the Mondrian Hotel

My week in Florida was incredible.  I signed hundreds of bottles, had the opportunity to work with amazing people, taste Tempra Tantrum with many consumers, and even enjoy a little bit of the Thanksgiving spirit that was all over the air. I realized that Tempra Tantrum Tempranillo/Grenache is perfect with turkey, so if you’re looking for a wine, that’s my Thanksgiving tip!

Enjoy the holidays!!

-Rocio

Many PMPs get into the holiday spirit by an additional service for their customers, but I’ve never heard of this one. I have to ask my friends in Florida: Is this a common service in your state?

Congratulations to VIP Pest Control in Tampa, Fla., and Vicki Hutto, the owner, in particular, on this innovative add-on service.

But perhaps we can work out a deal: When I’m dealing with 12 feet of snow in the middle of January, I would be happy to send Hutto some so her customers can get a taste of the real thing. In return, I’d ask her to send me a little bit of that Florida sunshine at the same time of year. Do we have a deal?

Ahhhh Thanksgiving, the time for tryptophane to coax you into slumber, more pumpkin than you know what to do with, a few hours or in some cases a few days worth of family time and of course the inevitable quest to find out who’s thankful for what.  Here at Rhyme & Reason Design, we have discovered that we have a lot to be thankful for and wanted to take the time to publicly thank those persons, places and things that have made the last 300+ days pretty darn great.

So without further ado, the collective unit that is Rhyme & Reason Design would like to thank…

1. Our incredible friends and supportive families, of whom have provided shoulders to lean on, ears to bend and belly shaking laughter every time we needed a pick-me-up
2. Our clients, fans and loyal readers, who trusted us with their businesses, referred us to friends and without whom we wouldn’t be here today
3. A business that we all love, in an economy that we all hate
4. The University of Florida, which has provided us with not only a great education, but lifelong friends and a somewhat unhealthy addiction to college football

Early Tuesday morning, the reggae world lost one it’s most charismatic and exciting selectors: Kevin “Squingy” Bennett of “Bass Odyssey”

Squingy has been battling an undisclosed terminal sickness for the past year or so and unfortunately, he succumb to his illness in a Tampa, Florida hospital yesterday morning.

He will be sorely missed by his family, friends, fans and fellow soundsmen…

I will be dedicating the remainder of my 2009 parties as an MC to “Squingy”, including “One Remarkable Year” on Friday November 27th @ Woo Lounge, “Rhyme & Wine” on Friday December 4th @ Premium Rhythm Bar and “The Triple Threat” on Saturday December 19th @ Tota Lounge.

If you have never seen or heard Mr. Bennett “talk de tings dem”, then I suggest you do your research asap, as he was one of the most incredible and vibrant selectors of all time.

R.I.P. Squingy…

I am writing today from the beautiful Tampa Bay area.

Here is the study for Tuesday’s Group Bible Study. At the request of one of our students we are exploring the humanity and divinity of Christ. Many find I a mystery how Jesus could be 100% man and 100% God all at the same time. The math seems a little fuzzy there. A country gospel song I heard a while back explains it best I think. In the song Jesus in the temple visiting the teachers, who ask Him how old He is. In the song he answers, “On my mother’s side I am 12 years old. On my Father’s side I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.”

The Human Nature of Jesus

John 1:1-3, 14 —————————- Did Jesus really become flesh?

Hebrews 2:14-17 ——————————— Who was He made like?

Romans 1:1-3 —————— Who was one of His earthly ancestors?

Romans 8:3, 4 ——– What type of flesh did He take upon Himself?

1 John 4:3 ——————— What does the spirit of antichrist deny?

NOTE: The word flesh here always refers to fallen flesh. Never once

is it used in reference to unfallen, sinless flesh.

Philippians 2:5-7 ————- Who was Jesus made in the likeness of?

NOTE: The phrase “made Himself of no reputation” means literally

“emptied Himself.” When He became man, He emptied Himself of

His Godly powers to meet the Devil on the same ground we must meet

him on. These three powers were His omniscience (all knowing),

omnipotence (all powerful), and omnipresence (all present).

Mark 13:32 – Did Jesus still know all things while in His human form?

John 5:19, 30 ——— How only was He able to do the things He did?

John 8:28 ——————- How much was He able to do on His own?

Matthew 26:39, 42 - To Whom did He always keep His will submitted?

Revelation 3:21 ——————————– How are we to overcome?

James 4:7 ——————————– What are we called upon to do?

Here is a parting thought: On the cross Christ was completely man and completely God. While everyone was mocking and crucifying Him one man turned to Him and repented. Christ then used his divine right to forgive sin. He never used His divinity to save Himself, only to save others. He gave up all divine rights on the cross, save the right to forgive sinners.

Please click here for a Desire of Ages study on the divinity and humanity of Christ.

You may find more studies and devotionals at http://www.InLightOfTheCross.com

This is another family I met through TBP when I did the santa photos. Mya and Avery are so precious! Avery was a ham for the camera, and sweet Mya wouldn’t let go of my hand the whole time we were walking around for this session. Lisa, hope you enjoy your sneak peak!

Eu sempre perco essas tampinhas vagabundas de plástico do guidão. Aqui vai uma dica bem simples, que qualquer ciclista amador perdedor de tampinhas pode fazer em casa, sem ferramentas ou habilidades específicas.

1) Convide uma linda mulher para jantar. Pode ser sua esposa, se você for casado.  Vá ao seu fornecedor preferido de vinhos e escolha um que respeite a uma adequada relação custo-benefício.

2) Busque receitas de pratos que combinem com seu vinho, e dedique-se bastante à cozinha.

3) Durante o jantar, não esqueça as regras de etiqueta, tampouco de guardar a rolha. Obs.: caso o consumo de álcool seja grande (obviamente não dirija, ou pedale com muita moderação), lembre-se que a ingestão de altas quantidades de água diminuem as conseqüências encefálicas desagradáveis.

4) Lembra da rolha? Corte-a na metade, pois como você não é Jesus, as chances de vinho brotar milagrosamente do seu guidão é bastante baixa, então a vedação não é um ponto importante: meia rolha dá para o gasto. Corte um pouco da borda da parte que ficará dentro do guidão, agora é só apertar a rolha para dentro do guidão. Obs.: pode ser que você precise de um saca-rolhas para a remoção da sua nova tampa de guidão.

I had a great time with Michelle and her family at The University of Tampa the other day! LisaMichelle is another Mom I met through TBP.  Actually, it was her husband I had met. Aren’t their kids adorable? I love how their photos came out!

Today was my last day of work for the week and I have 4 more sessions next week then I am done for the season! (Not working in December except for a Christmas party I got hired to shoot in Orlando and the new triplets!) I have been so busy booking new clients ever since I got involved with Tampa Bay Parenting! It has been so wonderful, yet a little crazy! I have only had about 16 hours of sleep in the last five days-I am worn out and so ready for Turkey Day!

I have seven sessions to edit, and four to post. I am hoping to have them all up soon, but you may recieve your orders before they are on the blog! LOL All orders will be shipped by Friday-so be on the lookout!

Hope you all have a wonderful Turkey Day!! I am so thankful for my family, my wonderful friends, and of course, my awesome  clients!

Here is a session I am proofing now, because I hate to post without a photo!

I realized I had only posted two from this session, and I love them so much, I decided to post a few more. These girls were so adorable, and so sweet!!

The fallout continues in Tampa.  When I left my old franchise for greener (as in EXIT Realty) pastures in March, I made a bold prediction that old school franchise models with 6%-8% franchise fees were KILLING Brokers and making those models obsolete because of newer, “revenue sharing” models like EXIT and to a lesser extent, Keller Williams.  The loyal Brokers of my old franchise were outraged at that blog!  Now, here we are, less than one year later and three of the five of those Franchises in Tampa have either closed their doors or are no longer affiliated with that brand, including the areas most prestigious and well known, closing last Friday. . . . . . coincidence….. or glimpse of the future?

Are they cutting those fees so the agents and brokers can survive the meltdown?  It LOOKS to me like they are not.  At least my old broker kept charging me the 6% fee in 2008.  Where did that get them?  Brokers need to stand up and demand change or they will face a fairly certain demise.  EXIT is proof that everyone can win.  Corporate GREED has killed many firms, real estate, Wallstreet and any other business that refused to change.  EXIT is the only major brand that was born AFTER the Internet explosion in the late 1990’s and they have a clear structure and picture of what the future of real estate looks like and it look very TEAL in color!

Bottom line is this: With traditional models of the old franchises, the AGENT HAS NO STAKE IN THE COMPANY THEY WORK FOR (and getting eaten alive by franchise fees and desk fees)!  The last time I checked, THE AGENTS are the ASSETS of the brokerage!  With those models, it seems like they think the Brokerage is the asset.

I can’t see any way possible to avoid the inevitable….. in another decade, EXIT REALTY will be the largest, most successful model in the game.  Single level residual!  Learn the term!  With EXIT, YOU are the Recording Artist and the Agent you sponsor in is the CD you cut.  Everytime someone buys the CD or downloads your music (the agent makes a sale), YOU get a residual! 

If you don’t understand, you need to at least find out what Exit is all about.  TRAINING, the best in the business.  Residuals? No other franchise offers this alternate stream of income.

With Team Arcuri being ranked #1 worldwide with ERA in 2008, I looked at every model, including 100% models.  I saw the future.  The ONLY company where you can earn more than 100%.  110%, 200% are all realistic goals and can and have been attained by agents.  To learn more, go to http://www.headofrealestate.com or click this link for a video that explains the EXIT system: http://www.headofrealestate.com/videos_sponsoring.html

My brother Brian, his wife Kim, and their four kids, Zachary, Savannah, Maria and Joshua made a quick visit from Atlanta this week. As is customary, I’m the family photographer… here’s a few images from their family session…

Con el objetivo de incentivar a los consumidores a invertir y estirar su dinero lo más que se pueda, los parques tematicos en Orlando y Tampa han formulado unas interesantes promociones de tiquetes que incrementarán los ahorros entre los Residentes de Florida.  Vea a continuación estas 3 atractivas promociones  que además de darle la opción de visitar los parques multiples veces, también le dan la oportunidad de celebrar la Navidad en ellos.

1.   Universal Studios Orlando

Ofrece un pase Navideño (Holiday Pass) de  $79.99 (más impuestos) para ambos parques tematicos, Universal Studios Orlando y Islands of Adventure sin límite de uso por 2 meses, de Diciembre 2009 a Enero 31, 2010. El precio normal es de $89.99 más impuestos, pero al presentar el código de barra de cualquier producto de Coca Cola o Sprite obtendrá $10 de descuento.

La Navidad en Universal Studios Resort es un experiencia única. De Diciembre 5 al primero de Enero,  unase a la diversión en Islands of Adventure con Grinchmas y goce de una versión en vivo de “Como el Grinch se Robó la Navidad. ” Además en Universal Studios disfrute del Desfíle Navideño de Macy’s (Macy’s Holiday Parade), el cual sale a la calle con nuevos globos  y carrozas, bandas marchando, coloridos artistas y mucho más!  Y si no fuese suficiente disfrute de una Serie de Conciertos Navideños celebrados en el Universal Music Plaza con artistas como Mannheim Steamroller en Diciembre 5; Chris Isaak en Diciembre 12; y Natalie Cole en Diciembre 19, 2009.

Recuerde que tiene hasta el 31 de Enero 2010 para regresar a disfrutar con más calma sus atracciones favoritas como la nueva Rip, Ride and Rock It, Jurassic Park River Adventure y The Amazing Adventures of Spider Man.

2.   SeaWorld Orlando

Pone a su disposición una entrada de $69.95 más impuestos, que es más economica que una entrada de precio regular y que podrá usar sin límite hasta Diciembre 2010. En esta temporada Navideña, usted podrá disfrutar de The Polar Express Experience desde Noviembre 13 hasta Enero 3, 2010; el solemne show de Shamu Christmas Miracles de 22 minutos de duración y Reflections, el íncreible show pirotecnico y de fuentes de agua.  Tendrá hasta la Navidad 2010 para visitar el parque y disfrutar de Believe, Clyde and Seamore y Kraken.

3.   Busch Gardens Tampa

También ofrece una entrada de $69.95 más impuestos de uso ilimitado hasta Diciembre 2010. Con su nuevo pase anual podrá disfrutar de Holidays at Busch Gardens de Noviembre 21 a Enero 3, 2010 y New Year’s Eve at Busch Gardens de Diciembre 26-31, 2009. De Enero en adelante podrá regresar al parque al disfrutar con más tiempo de sus atracciones favoritas como Sheikra, Congo River Rapids y Katonga.

Orlando, Florida Guide, la guía más completa en línea de Orlando, le ofrece información  de tiquetes a Disney World, tiquetes a Universal Orlando, y tiquetes a Sea World Orlando.

If you’re looking for a cheap way to get a new car, then we’ve got your answer. Once again this year Fourth and Goal is partnering with Toyota to give away a 2010 Prius. Buy purchasing a raffle ticket for only $10 you will be automatically entered into the giveaway and with only 3,000 tickets available for purchase your chances of winning are increased tremendously.You can purchase your tickets online by CLICKING HERE.

Proceeds from the Toyota Prius giveaway will go to Fourth and Goal’s dire need fund that assists retired NFL players and families in medical and financial crisis.

Last year’s winner of a 2009 Toyota Matrix was former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Steve Wilson. For more information on the Prius giveaway visit www.helpoldnflplayers.com

The Baltimore Colts’ alumni have long been at the forefront of a movement to publicize the pension and disability issues faced by hundreds of retired NFL players. Our efforts on behalf of our teammate John Mackey have grown into a national 501(c)(3) organization, Fourth & Goal, which is dedicated to:

• Gaining representation for retired players.
• Advocating for improved pension and disability benefits for retired players.
• Raising funds to provide immediate assistance for retired players in need.

Through our fund-raising efforts, Fourth & Goal has already helped retired players like:

• Former Chicago Bear Larry Morris – MVP of the 1963 NFL championship game – who now suffers from dementia.
• Wayne Hawkins – an Oakland Raiders’ teammate of NFLPA Executive Director Gene Upshaw – who now suffers from early-onset Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia.
• Brent Boyd, who suffers from depression and other football-related illnesses after a six-year career with the Minnesota Vikings.
• Suzie Heywood, whose late husband Ralph – the only NFL player to serve in the U.S. armed forces in three wars (World War II, Korea and Vietnam) – died of complications from Alzheimer’s in April 2007. Mrs. Heywood sold the couple’s ranch and possessions and moved into a horse trailer in order to afford the care her husband needed.
• Syndi Shy, widow of Don Shy. Don, who died of brain tumors in October 2006 at age 61, was the first round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1967 and played for the Steelers, the Chicago Bears, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the New Orleans Saints in his seven-year NFL career.

Fourth & Goal is engaged in an ongoing dialog with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to change the pension and disability system and to gain representation for retired players. The organization’s advocacy efforts have been instrumental in the incremental enhancements to benefits for retired players, including the formation of the 88 Plan, named after ex-Colt John Mackey and benefiting retired players who, like Mackey, suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Fourth & Goal has been responsible for numerous articles on the issues faced by retired players, in print and electronic media outlets across the country. The organization operates a weblog to keep the public informed, and a private Google Group to provide a forum in which retired players may seek and obtain information and express their opinions.

Fourth & Goal is an independent national organization for the benefit of all retired NFL players. Maxie Baughan, Joe DeLamielleure, John Hannah, Sam Havrilak, Sam Huff, Bruce Laird, Mercury Morris, Jim Mutscheller, Jeff Nixon, and Charlie Waters serve on Fourth & Goal’s Board of Directors.

Here are highlights of the final Tampa Junior Honda quarter midget race of 2009. Isaak is racing in the yellow #6.

When Isaak got an invitation from his buddy Garrett Jones to drive one of his cars, Isaak was just excited for the opportunity. Little did he expect to become the first of his rookie class to claim a Junior Honda win.

But the combination of car and driver proved just the ticket to the checkers for a determined Isaak on Sunday afternoon.

The heat race offered little indication of what was to come. He started sixth (based on a crummy pill draw by Dad) and finished fifth. The car looked good and fast, but Isaak still needed to figure out how to handle it. He had only first sat in it for practice on Saturday, and new rides take some getting used to.

During the break, he got some advice from Garrett — when you’re moving to take a spot on the inside, stick to it and don’t back off. Isaak took that to heart for the main event, driving from the back all the way to the front in the 30 lap race.

Yes, he was supposed to have started fifth. But his chain fell off right after hot laps, so when he came to the pits for adjustments, he got sent back to seventh. He didn’t let that faze him at all. Isaak took two positions back on the second lap, passing Tyler Clem and Braden Nash to reclaim fifth, a spot he held for more than half the race, which featured a battle between Danny Sams and A.J. Freitas up front.

At lap 19, things changed. Hunter Durocher spun out, causing a yellow flag. Isaak’s chain came off, and Tyler’s car also needed work. Both came to the pits. Braden’s chain also popped off during caution, bringing him in to the pits, too. On the restart, Stetson Lail ran off the track, curving back on into Hunter’s car and then nicking Isaak’s 6. When all the cars sorted back out, Isaak was in third.

On the next restart, Tyler grabbed third away from Isaak. Then came a couple more yellows. Starting up again, Isaak overtook Tyler on turn 3. Two laps later, Isaak pressed inside A.J. between turns 1 and 2 to claim second. He then zoomed up to Danny’s bumper. Said the announcer: “The fastest car on the race track is Isaak Solochek’s.”

As Isaak angled for first, A.J. spun out and was sent to the back. Isaak restarted in second, and two laps later, Isaak passed Danny in the back turns to grab first with the white flag flying. Danny moved to try to take the spot back, going three-wide between Isaak and Braden. Isaak got away clear, but Danny and Braden collided, both flipping partially. Hunter smacked the wall trying to avoid the wreckage, and Stetson also stalled in the grass trying to get past.  Red flag came out with one lap to go. Shootout time.

The announcer put it best: “This is going to be the biggest lap of Isaak Solochek’s career.”

Isaak led the field with one to go. He kept the pack slow going into 3 and then took off, with Braden hot on his tail. Isaak held the lead going into turn 3 of the final lap when Braden slid inside. Isaak held the outside line, never letting up on the throttle, and maintained his lead, winning the race by 0.019 seconds, or about six inches. Again, we’ll let the announcer put this in perspective: “Nine times out of ten, the inside car will take it.” This was that other time.

“It was so cool,” Isaak said after the race. “It felt like a shotgun and cars are like flying out of it. I was like, whoa.”

He added that he didn’t feel threatened, though he was well aware that Braden was breathing down his neck: “I knew I was faster.” Wow.

Congrats too to Tyler Clem, who won the 2009 Junior Honda points championship. And special thanks and congratulations to Garrett Jones, who in addition to letting Isaak drive his car also won the Senior Honda and Light 160 races.

tampa, miami

Wow!  I have missed blogging.  I realize how much it allows me to vent, and thank, and appreciate everything that goes on in my life.

We finally are getting settled in our house.

With Thanksgiving approaching quicker than I can handle, I have been feeling pretty thankful this last week.

Our little family made a Thankful tree to acknowledge our blessings this year.  We copied her.  Who is very very amazing.  We try to copy her a lot actually.  Well, I guess I should say I try to copy her, but can’t keep up! No I don’t know her, she is just very inspiring.

Everyday, we each get to pick something we are thankful for, write it on the leaf, and glue it to our tree.

It melts my to heart to hear Quincy say, “I thankful my Daddy,” EVERY night we write our leaves.

Although we have only been in our home a short while, I feel at peace.  I haven’t felt that feeling in a long time.  I feel home.  This last year and a half was a whirlwind.  Are we moving?  Are we selling our house?  We are moving to Arizona.  Where will we go next?  We are already moving again?  Across the country?!?!

But now we are here.  And we aren’t going anywhere.  Which makes me feel happy and settled and excited.

So today, the thing I am most thankful for is constants, certainty, and direction.  When that has been missing in your life, everyday is hard and confusing.  Hearing where you are supposed to be, or where you are supposed to go, becomes very unclear.  And without that direction and guidance in your life, all hope seems to go  to the wayside.  But not today.  I am so grateful for that clarity, and peace, and calm that is back.  So so very grateful.

And you know what else?  Are you ready to hear it?  I LOVE Tampa!  There, I said it.  I eat my words, of my previous trash talk.  The area we live in is darling.  And people are so friendly.  And the atmosphere is just….well???  Great.  I have such anticipation toward the thought of all my loved ones coming to visit.  I think about it often.

I am also thankful to love and embrace being a mom.  To know that to my children, I am a great mom.  I don’t mean that to sound braggy or boastful.  Let me expand.  The whirlwind of Jotham coming out to Florida early without us, followed by being homeless in a hotel for 6 weeks, really took a toll on me.  I found myself questioning what I was doing as a mother.  Feeling inadequate.  Feeling as though I could not provide the support and excitement and love that my children needed.  In the hotel, the kids watched more tv than I wish to share.  We ate boxed food.  I was a nag nag nag to them about being quiet.  I was on the phone all the time, trying to get life sorted out.  I was grumpy.  And snappy.  And I yelled all too often.  I felt like life was lacking.

Then the storm calmed.  We moved into our house.  The kids have their own rooms.  We have our own space.  We have a routine.  We make yummy dinner.  And bake.  And go to the library.  And have Family Home Evening with Spiritual sustenance.  And explore the neighborhood on walks and bike rides.  And play in the yard.  And weed it.  We light yummy scentsy candles.  And have chores and responsibilities.  We have quiet time to reflect.

The icky feelings that were lurking over me dissipated.  I am again happy to be a mother.  Happy to know that my kids are happy.  Happy to be me.  Still hating my husbands job schedule, but happy to know that he loves me and tries.  And I am thankful for that.  More thankful than I let on to.

Life is good.  We are so very very blessed.

Now watch this video, and if by chance, I don’t get on here until after Thanksgiving.  I hope you have a great one.

Published: vybes.com

It appears that the Australia’s three-way stand-off with Sri Lankan asylum seekers onboard the Oceanic Viking and Indonesia may be over. It began:

on October 16 when a boatload of 78 Sri Lankan asylum seekers, all ethnic Tamils, were rescued from their sinking boat by the Australian ship, but in Indonesia’s search and rescue zone.

Initially Indonesia refused to allow the boat to dock at an Indonesian port, but after negotiations … Indonesia took the boat “on humanitarian grounds” because there was a sick child on board.

But the asylum seekers refused to leave the Australian ship, demanding they be taken to Christmas Island for processing by Australian authorities.

Oceanic Viking breakthrough: asylum seekers to come ashore

There has been a spike in asylum seekers coming to Australia by boat following the increasing violence in Afghanistan and the defeat of the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka. Kevin Rudd’s government has been heavily criticised for both its handling of the Oceanic Viking incident and refugee policy in general. His stance is supposed to be tough on people smugglers and border security but humane towards refugees. Critics see it as either too hard or too soft. It’s either encouraging so-called boatpeople or abusing the rights of asylum seekers.

Veteran News Limited journalist Piers Ackerman prides himself on his right wing zeal. Never a friend of Labor governments, he rarely misses a chance to go for the throat:

The Rudd Government has only succeeded in making Australia a more enticing destination for wannabe migrants who don’t meet the nation’s needs, it has helped people jump the queue of refugees seeking resettlement and it has boosted the bank balances of international people smugglers.

Rudd’s red carpet to asylum seekers

Jeremy Sears of An Onymous Lefty is a regular critic of Ackerman. He addressed his remarks to those whom he sees as driven by xenophobia:

One of the most obvious questions I’d like to ask the “THEY’D BETTER NOT LAND HERE” crowd is – where would you like to send them?

//
// //
// You realise that what the people on the boats are doing is precisely what you would do in the same circumstances.
And yet you want them STOPPED. You want them LOCKED UP. You want them SENT HOME.
And the party that promises to treat these people the worst, that party will get your vote?

I’m not scared of the “boat people”. I’m scared of YOU.

Mark Thompson blogs at Seeking Asylum Down Under. His detailed responses to the current situation have looked for the positives in a sea of negativity:

Rudd is between a rock and hard place, politically speaking, as the Coalition [Liberal and National parties opposition] and its conga line of fear mongers in the media whip up the refugee issue yet again. Many people are very prone to xenophobic responses on ‘boat people’, choosing to believe the fear drum beaten relentlessly by Turnbull, Stone, Andrews and Ruddock et al. There appears to be something in a large slice of the collective psyche that responds negatively to people arriving on boats.

His hope is for multi-lateral approaches to asylum seekers:

Australia must model best practice in this area, ensuring the provisions of international legal instruments and human rights conventions are followed to the letter. This can be a win/win for asylum seekers, the respective processing authorities, and the countries in the firing line. Opening a regional dialogue and developing a well-resourced multilateral approach, empowering all parties with a stake in a solution to this growing human crisis, would be a good start.

Labor all at sea on asylum seekers – but an opportunity presents itself.

Although this issue has generated a lot of heat and was a crucial part of the 2001 Australian Federal election, very few bloggers have posted about it lately. Perhaps it’s just too complex or a case of Tampa déjà vu.