Summa cum Laude at that. Brilliant has graduated from U of A and while we will miss visiting Alabama the Beautiful as well as driving that funway the Alabama Adventure Highway, it is time to move on.
She has received an excellent education and had fantastic experiences, we are eternally grateful for all the good that has come from her time with the Crimson Tide.
Brilliant has been offered a full scholarship for Medical School. Yes, actually 8 years worth plus a tidy stipend to live off of - and get this, it's the 4th highest rated medical school in the country. The Higher Power and the angels obviously smile on my girl. She deserves everything wonderful she receives, she's been a blessing and a joy. I'm proud to add, one day she may have her name attached to helping find the genetic marker that could help cure Parkinsons. Absolutely stunning.
Brilliant will be home for a few months which makes the little Darling Daughter very happy. Brilliant-Boyfriend is also attending that institution of 'doctoral learning' so they'll be together, which makes both Brilliants very happy. Naturally, I'll have to travel along to help out with the new California digs and the IKEA shopping, which makes me very happy. Good times.
"On My Way" Phil Collins (one of Brilliant-Boyfriend's fave artists)
Today my Darling Man hits the Half-Century mark. Yep, I can really call him "My Old Man" now. Thing is he's still gorgeous. When he and I first got together, my Mother said to me, don't get too attached to that guy. I asked her why not, of course. She said, men that 'movie star handsome' never settle down. That was two decades ago. Guess I'm doing something right. On our third outing he played and sang me this song:
Some of the guys at our kid's elementary school, members of the 'Dad's Club' have learned they have multiple interests in common; guitars, music and motorcycles. Just a few weeks ago they put their Dad heads together and decided to put on a fun concert for the kid's last day before Christmas break. Here are some videos on that chaotic crazy day they decided to play at the school. My man is playing guitar... "Feliz Navidad"
"Twelve Days of Christmas" - Dad's Version
Next they'll be taking off like in the movie "Wild Hogs"...
In a recent "Media Advisory" issued from Rep. Dana Rohrabacher's (R-CA) office, it's revealed that President Bush once again ignores and snubs the Border Patrol agents, Ramos and Compean. Congressman Rohrabacher outlines the imprisoned officers conditions, stating they are being held in a solitary confinement situation, "worse than those enjoyed by suspected terrorists in the Guantanamo Bay detention facility". Read the article: HERE.
Steve Elliott of grassfire.org informed me that the President has just released his latest pardons and communications list,which does NOT include unjustly imprisoned border agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean. This is outrageous in light of the fact that eight drug dealers are included on this list and now set to go free! Interesting the type of individuals, this President whom I voted for during the election, who are receiving pardons, tragic how he continues to ignore the Border Patrol agents. Man, it makes me wonder what I was thinking in voting for a man with such a seemingly lack of moral compass not to mention common sense until I remember his running mate. It is a tragedy in the United States and our political systems that we the people are having to boil it down having to chose the lesser of two evils to run our country. It will be interesting to find out regarding these latest pardons, how many were set free due to behind the scene machinations involving monetary interests.
Please, take a few minutes to contact the White House and express your outrage over yet one more travesty of injustice and political manipulations and let your voice be heard.
Contact information: White House Comments Line: 202-456-1111 White House Fax: 202-456-2461 email the White House: comments@whitehouse.gov.
I'll also be contacting my representatives from Texas, anyone in this great state, here is where you can communicate most effectively: Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison 202-224-5922 Sen. John Cornyn 202-224-2934
An informative interview with Tara Setmayer, who serves as the Communications Director for Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) can be found HERE. Lou Dobbs: "Border Betrayal" video by mediaman1947
Beyond ridiculous.
Here are addresses if you'd care to send out a Christmas Card or letter:
Ignacio "Nacho" Ramos #58079-180 FCI Phoenix Federal Correctional Institution 37910 N. 45th Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85086
Jose Compean #58080180 FCI Elkton PO Box 10 Lisbon, OH 44432
I wish there were better news for these men and their families. "Feliz Navidad"
Steve Elliott with grassfire.org has come forward again asking that anyone concerned with the current U.S. Border situation, this pertains to North or South, show your support.
Apparently, Judge E. Grady Jolly, one of three judges from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said today that federal prosecutors (Johnny Sutton and his team) "may have overreacted in their case against" Ramos and Compean. I believe Mr. Sutton and his team should come up under Federal scrutiny themselves considering the rumored ties Mr. Sutton may have with the key witness in this case; the drug smuggler from Mexico.
The agent's attorneys are asking the 5th Circuit to throw out the charges - especially in light of the recent arrest of Osvaldo Alrete-Davila, the drug smuggler whose testimony put the two border agents in prison! Yes, Osvaldo was arrested again crossing the border with his van full of illegal drugs. He's obviously unconcerned with prosecution since he has evaded any so far, and now enjoys the notoriety of being instrumental in placing Border Patrol agents who tried to stop him behind bars.
Referencing the harsh, decade long prison terms, Jolly questioned Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Steimach saying, "It does seem to me that the government overreacted here."
No word was given as to when a ruling might be handed down. Noting how our Federal system operates, this could yet be a long while for the agents in jail.
Grassfire is hopeful that considering the new evidence regarding the drug smuggler, and the fact that the appeal was actually heard, that Ramos and Compean will be freed.
But until their cells are opened and they are escorted out the prison doors to freedom, we are urging EVERY member of our team to order their "Free Ramos and Compean" yellow ribbons to fix to packages, doors, cars, clothing and more!
Without question this is our best opportunity to see significant action on this incredible case. Now with it once again in the headlines grassroots Americans have an opportunity to show their solidarity for these two agents who have each served 320 days in solitary confinement when the appeal was heard!
Mr. Elliott's tireless efforts continue to work to free these two men. He has worked to expose the faulty efforts of the prosecution, to reveal the outrageous lengths that Mr. Johnny Sutton and his team went through to protect the civil rights of an illegal alien drug smuggler. Mr. Elliott has been effectively exposing how the Federal in-justice system has turned a deaf ear and blind eye to the truth about this case, one which has destroyed the lives of two decorated border agents and their families. Meanwhile the drug smuggler whose biased and untrue testimony put these two guys behind bars has operated in and out of our Borders, freely.
Duncan Hunter and Laura Ingram discuss this case:
It's time for the grassroots movement in America to respond and keep responding until this tragic wrong is righted and Ramos and Compean are freed to spend Christmas with their loved ones! In the above video the talk was to free them for Thanksgiving, now we're moving on to Christmas, let's not have the men spend another year behind bars for a 'crime' they haven't committed.
On behalf of the Ramos and Compean families, thank you for taking action! YOu can find out more information on this issue and read more from Steve Elliott on his site, grassfire.org.
'Tis the season, give these men a moment of your time to reflect on this situation and to send out for your ribbons to show support for justice and your refusal to accept our Federal system to sink further into the abyss mired with red tape and blatant misuse of our Bureaucracy.
"Dark Days" my new undercover name provided by the Caroline Lyders Fan Club leader known as "Chill". Seems I'm also "harshing" the mellow of this individual. (Or is it marshing the mellow. I rather like roasting the mellow.) I am extended an invitation: chill // November 27, 2007 at 2:03 am
Looks like Dark Days sneaks into our comfy little chat room late at night. Nothing better to do? Here’s a project for you, update your picture, it’s kind of ’80s, don’t you think? Talk about obsessed! Geesh, I have a stalker. I’ll work on making chat private this weekend. Dark Days is harshing my mellow, lol. Leave a comment in this thread so that I have your e-mail to send the invite to.
There was no sneaking involved, I just popped right in just like on other occasions.
Apparently Chill is curious about my real life appearance in the here and now, because my blogger photo is not a recent one - but no, it's not from the '80's - I guess it's my uncombed bangs reminding them of that era.
Regarding the picture, a few words. I post a photo so anyone managing to find my blogs have a general idea who they are dealing with - male/female, etc... Some of accused me for vanity, liking my own face, whatever else they contrive from my actually showing my face to the cyber world rather than hiding behind a blank screen, like so many bloggers select to do.
This picture was taken about 8 years ago, so yeah, CL Fan Clubbers it's not new. Why I keep it on the blogs? This picture was taken to send to a dear friend I had been out of touch with at that time. We were reconnecting. I had sought him out during a time I had not been feeling well and had undergone some massive invasive testing to determine what the hell was going on with me. I wasn't sure how things were going to pan out, I guess you'd say and wanted to make sure I found him at least in the event, well, something happened. I took this pic of myself to send to that old friend and it happened to be taken the day before I was set to see the doctor regarding the testing.
The next day I had the doctor appointment and I found out that I have SLE, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. You see, the photo on this page, is a snapshot of me a day before my life underwent a real change.
My particular brand of lupus has remained concentrated in my brain lining, the lining of my lungs, heart and my skin. During flare ups, cognitive thought processes become muddied, I have difficulty with finding words, and words are important to me for many reasons. I get fatigued, sore all over, and my head kills me. I have to avoid being out in the sun much, something I once loved. It's almost like an allergy to the sun. I had horses, I love the outdoors, I love swimming, love to sunbathe. Now too much of any of that and I experience a flare up. Over the past almost decade I've come to terms with it, learned to manage it, but it's always there. I once was one of those persons with the energy of four, burned my candles bright at both ends; I try that now and I'm sick. It's fucking aggravating, but it's not going to kill me, not for a while anyway. One bright spot, I haven't had a stroke and at least at this point I do not have some kind of brain tumor or cancer.
Back to the chicks that chill at the Caroline Lyders Fan Club, reading the posting from the site leader, really the posts sound more like sheep. Since you're so critical of my appearance and whatever else that ticks you off about me, post your own countenance, or is it as fierce ugly as your brand of blogging? Just to help you along, here's a recent partial of me: Now try not to love me too much.
Regarding the clever tags attached to the post, such as it is; like I have written before, the CL fan Club trends towards a humorless, malicious, unimaginative spot on the cyber world. Accusations of stalking the fierce leader, all I can say is baybee, if you'd not continue to cast those stones... but hell, I get it, some folks find it easy to toss the rocks at other's windows, but cry foul fowl when that rock bounces back and breaks theirs.
NBC has made the decision to keep "Chuck". Now if only the writer's strike would resolve itself within the next several months (and the writer's get paid what they should) "Chuck" may live on within the Monday night schedule. NBC is notably struggling in the ratings with most of this Fall's new offerings floundering in the coveted 18-49 year old demographics. Some analysts attribute this to the types of shows offered with aim at male dominated, action-oriented programs whereas ABC with its heavily female casting and shows limited, for the most part, to 30 minute sitcoms capturing that demographic.
Vince Manze, president of program planning at NBC, calls the irony that media buyers, known for always demanding "hard-to-reach" male viewers in prime time, are now weighing the net with criticisms for the network's very aim at targeting that coveted demographic. Of course, Sunday and Monday Night Football, especially in November play a big factor. In our household at least, after "Chuck" my Darling Man removes himself to the bedroom to watch football, passing on "Heroes".
The analogy of "The Little Engine That Could" rides with this sweet show; in its first airings "Chuck" didn't even have a decent opening theme. This series has grown and developed along the way showcasing the incredible casting decisions with a series peppered with more talent, regarding the actors and writers involved than any other new series this season. "The Little Engine That Could" theme sentiments also voiced by Universal Media Studios president, Katherine Pope, "Each week, this show has quietly built since its premiere into the little engine that could. We have every confidence that this drama will continue to impress audiences and critics with the quality of the acting and the writing."
"Chuck" is the type of show I could sit two hours through and be completely entertained. Last night's show, "Chuck Vs. The Nemesis" was a brilliantly handled melding of comedy, drama and action. You can watch it here if you missed it, as well as get caught up with any other previous episodes. This recap with iF Magazine will fill you in as well, and the writer gives credit to Adam Baldwin (not one of the brothers) who absolutely helps make this show work so well. I found this interview with him to share that provides some sight on what his take on the show is and on Zachary Levi. Baldwin shares a similar view as I do regarding the talents of Zachary Levi; he immediately put me in mind of Dick Van Dyke, but toss in a touch of Jerry Seinfeld, and a smidge of the late great Peter Sellers. He's an amazing find.
To NBC's credit they have provided the show with a great spot on their website with blogs, games, forum and other perks to create audience loyalty and excitement. Now if only CBS had the chutzpah to have provide this same experience for "Moonlight" that show would fare much better. There's a big difference between the networks, regarding the type of websites each offer, with ABC leading the group with its classy looking web offerings. NBC most likely second, FOX close behind and running more distant in last, The Eye, CBS. The CBS website feels clunky to navigate and would benefit from updating.
I'm relieved and so pleased to be able to look forward to enjoying many more episodes of "Chuck" - let's get this writer's strike over. Pay the talent!
I don't use this blogspot very often; most likely you'll find me at IDOL BLUES
I also have another writer's site, but won't post the link here. I have my reasons.
Thanks for stopping by, keep watching the stars and seeing the light.
About Me
Sunny
Writer, insane sense of humor (or sometimes simply insane). Debater of issues, sometime hot-head, never boring.
Temperature may be an issue for some;I like diversity.
