Cardboard Testimonies

This entry doesn't need words. Just click on the video and watch. You will be moved.
-xD

BREATHE!

Yes I finally got some time off to catch my breath. I did what Patrick Starr would do, absolutely nothing. Usually I am a fairly productive person, getting nearly everything done in a day. However, yesterday was different.

Yesterday, I didnt leave the house. Yesterday, I stayed in my pajamas all day. Yesterday, I didnt even turn the stove or microwave on. Yesterday, I fasted. Yesterday was the least productive day so far this year. I did absolutely NOTHING. But by 2:00pm I was starting to feel like I was going mad, because by 2:00pm my day is half over with. Up at 4:30, at work by 5, off work at 3:00, then off to either class or AWANA Clubs with my daughter by 4 or 5 in the evening.

But after working four six-day workweeks in a row, it was starting to take its toll on my body. I was to the point that I was literally waking up exhausted every morning. Where even brushing my teeth became a chore. With hypoglycemia, this doesnt bode very well at all. I made it through the weeks.

But this past week I didnt want to dissappoint my daughter, I kissed my incentive and a day of pay goodbye to take my daughter to the fair parade. But not only was I taking her to the parade - I was also having her ill-behaved cousin join us becuase his mother didnt want to take him. (That could take up another blog entry altogether later). So I spent all day Friday wrangling two pre-schoolers in the heat so they could enjoy the parade. My daughter was happy and that is all that matters to me.

This week only gets busier as I have my first test on Thursday night. Eek, this could be mind numbing - me and linear equations and their applications do not go well together. However, me and a 2 1/2 page rough draft for composition was WONDERFUL. If you haven't noticed, I like to write, I like to write well. Needless to say, I have nothing but straight A's in my compostion class. In Algebra, Im drowning in a suckhole of numbers and variables. I need a calculator that can solve all the variables for me. Just give me 'X' for Pete's sake!

But for tonight, Im going to sit back, watch a TV show or two, drink coffee then go to bed around 9:30 or 10. And back the grind at 4:30 in the morning. I finally got my much needed 3 day weekend, but at a cost I'm afraid.

Deaf Baptist has changed layouts again.

I grew tired of the dark page, and I think it was too much strain on the eyes so I opted for a new lighter layout that may or may not be better. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Also the widgets will be re-added tomorrow possibly.

I have been incredibly busy

Yes, I know it has been quite some time since I last posted an entry on here, but nonetheless I continue blogging on.

As you knew in previous posts, I had hopes of returning to school, well guess what - those hopes have materialized and I am now taking two courses at night at ATU - Russellville. I am taking composition and algebra. With me working full time, that is enough of a load to start with. I struggle with math as it is so I decided to pair it with an easy course such as comp so the stress isnt quite so much.

I go to class on Mondays and Thursdays from 6:30 - 9:00 pm. Then my composition class is being taken online through the same school which helps. I hope to get these two courses knocked out this semester so that I can take comp II and Algebra for General Education requirements.

What am I going for you ask? I am working on getting my degree in English Education. I was previously a Journalism major. But I decided to switch as you know that journalism isnt exactly conducive to being a single mother.

So right now my week looks like this
M__________T_________W_____________T___________F
Work______Work______Work__________Work________Work
Class_____Check_____AWANA_________Class_____Football
_________ATU mail

WHEW! Plus I have had to work the last two Saturdays and my Sundays are booked solid everyweek, so I haven't really been able to catch my breath.

But today I finally got a breather, sort of. I went to work this morning, and there were no lights! I thought 'weird no lights'. I walked up to the group standing outside. There was no power whatsoever. So we ended up standing outside in the rain from 5:30 AM until 9:30 when they finally let us come home as we could not run any production. I was soaked. I had two options, either stand out side in the rain or go stand in the dark, stiffling break room where I couldnt see or breath. I decided to stay outside underneath the awning.

Due to no production today, that is a gauranteed full day of work on Saturday unless some of the chicken got too warm and they tossed it out, but I doubt it as the freezer is well insulated for this reason.

There is flooding here and if people do not show up for work in the morning and we run just a few lines, that also means we work Saturday, so this is just a bad week altogether to even plan anything for Saturday which I originally had - I was going to take my daughter to one of her friends birthday party Saturday afternoon and now we can't. I wont tell my daughter yet though until the sign is posted at work we are working on Saturday.

But I suppose the upside is that we stood outside and did nothing for four hours and got paid for it. Crazy.

Thats all for now, so I hope to have another update posted sometime soon.

A New Beginning.

Yes, it is that time of year again. Children return to the cool confines of schools across America, and parents return to the chaos of homework, athletics, and what have you not.

For me, this week also marks a new beginning. I, too, am also returning to school. More specifically to work on completing my Bachelor's Degree of Fine Arts, majoring in English Education. I plan to teach at the secondary level, where hopefully the majority of students will have matured a bit.

I formally begin classes on Thursday night, going two nights a week, while also taking an online course, through the same University.

So yes, I am a single mother working full time as well as completing college coursework, and I'm deaf. The upside is, that from here until Christmas, dull moments are going to be few and far between. I plan to start living at twice the speed of life. I'm tired of droning through life like a lemming doing only what it is commanded to do.

I want to have fun, I want to LIVE. Health problems and piddly paychecks be damned.

What do I plan to do? One put back money starting now to plan a HUGE week-long vacation for next summer. I may do a week long road trip or I may spend a week at a resort of some sorting, flying out and flying back.

Secondly, I want to really put a dent in that degree I'm working on. I dont want to be one of those people that spend 10 years going to school for a 4 year degree. Finishing that ONLY when my own child starts college. Not good. I want to better her life NOW while she's young enough to enjoy and realize that mom made every effort for her.

Third, I want to do something I've never experienced. For most people I have already done it all, seen it all, blah blah. But there's a couple things on my Life's To Do list I want to mark off this year.
A) I want to fly in an airplane. Yep, that's correct. I have never been on an airplane. Not that I'm afraid of heights, its just that I have never been presented the chance to experience it.
B) I want to see the ocean. I know its not far, and I could probably get there in a day, but once again I have never been presented with the opportunity to see it in real life for myself. I want to know what the salty air smells like. I want to know what it feels like to walk on a beach with waves crashing at my feet.

A new beginning, a step into the light. I feel like I'm on the edge of something wonderful. Wish me well in the new beginning hoping that I succeed in at least one thing.

Political Hogwash in my Inbox

Yes its an election year complaint. If you have email and you've got friends, you've likely been 'forwarded' these political smear campaign emails claiming that one or both of the nominees are the 'Devil'.

An example of such hogwash:
Subject: Who is Barack Obama?



whether our bleeding-heart, secular, Liberal friends believe it or not. This man fits every description from =the Bible of the 'Anti-Christ'!

I'm just glad to know that there are others that are frightened by this =man!

Who is Barack Obama?

Very interesting and something that should be considered in your choice.

If you do not ever forward anything else, please
forward this to all your contacts...this is very scary to
think of what lies ahead of us here in our own United
States...better heed this and pray about it and share it.

=
/> snopes.com
< =
/> http://snopes.com >' confirms this
is factual. Check for yourself.

Who is Barack Obama?

Probable U. S. presidential candidate, Barack
Hussein Obama was born in Honolulu ,
Hawaii , to Barack Hussein Obama, Sr., a black MUSLIM
from Nyangoma-Kogel , Kenya and Ann Dunham, a white ATHEIST from
Wichita , Kansas =20

Obama's parents met at the
University of Hawaii .
When Obama was two years old, his parents
divorced. His father returned to
Kenya . His mother then married Lolo Soetoro, a RADICAL
Muslim from Indonesia . When Obama was 6 years
old, the family relocate
to Indonesia . Obama attended
& nbsp;a MUSLIM school in Jakarta . He also spent two
years in a Catholic school.

Obama takes great care to conceal the fact that
he is a Muslim . He is quick to point out that, 'He was once
a Muslim, but that he also attended Catholic school.'

Obama's political handlers are attempting to
make it appear that that he is not a radical.

Obama's introduction to Islam came via his father, and that this =
influence was
temporary at best. In reality, the senior Obama returned to
Kenya soon after the divorce, and never again had any direct influence =
over his
son's education.

Lolo Soetoro, the second husband of Obama's mother, Ann Dunham, =
introduced his
stepson to Islam. Obama
was enrolled in a Wahabi school in Jakarta .

Wahabism is the RADICAL teaching that is followed by the Muslim =
terrorists
who are now waging Jihad against the western world. Since it is =
politically
expedient to be a CHRIS TIAN when seeking major
public office in the United States , Barack Hussein Obama has
joined the United Church of Christ in an attempt to downplay
his Muslim background. ALSO, keep in mind that when he was
sworn into office he DID NOT use the Holy Bible, but instead the Koran.
Barack Hussein Obama will NOT recite the Pledge of Allegiance nor will =
he show any
reverence for our flag. While others place their hands over their =
hearts, Obama
turns his back to the flag and slouches. Do you want someone like this =
as your PRESIDENT?

Let us all remain alert concerning Obama's expected presidential =
candidacy.

The Muslims have said they plan on destroying the US from the inside =
out, what
better way to start than at the highest level - through the
President of the United States , one of their own! The
Bible says 'He will come from among you!'

Please forward to everyone you know.

Would you want this man leading our country?

NOT ME!!!

=20
WITHOUT GOD, WE ARE NOTHING!!!=20

=20

=20


What turns me off altogether from the very get-go is the fact that the Subject line contains the name of a Presidential candidate.

Secondly, skimming down the email, it is ill-formatted. The links are not true links to http://www.snopes.com. Hovering your cursor over them reveals another source code or 'link source' that is questionable and therefore I do not click. It is simply formatted to fool one into clicking the link. This chaps my rear-end for two reasons, one of which is obvious - it discredits a reputable source of information by 'piggybacking' the name to a dubious source of information. This is illegal, and in the brick and mortar world - their have been civil suits and large law suits over this practice.

Reading the actual content reveals even more bull, best put on your waders because it is about to get thick!
It first states that Barack Obama 'fits every discription of the Anti-Christ' from the book of Revelations. I think someone has been spending WAAAAAAY too much time watching those cheesy 'Left-Behind' movie series from the late 90s. Its Hollywood, it is fabricated, cannot be issued as fact, simply prophesy. It is impossible to state the future as fact because it has not happened yet. No one can really say what the Anti-Christ will look like or will manifest itself as. A Presidential Candidate is just a sitting duck for this type of stuff. A perfect target for the media, sadly.

Before it even gets to the juicy content - it begs the reader to forward it to all of their friends before really even reading it and considering it's 'message'. People who blidly forward this junk should be banished from the Internet altogether.

Then it offers the fake links to snopes.com claiming that it is factual.

Then it states that his parents are Muslim and Atheist. For Pete's sake, does it matter what diety one's parent's worship? This is a very weak argument for the sake of the smear campaign put forth by the McCain supporters. One's parents can be Wiccans and yet the person of discussion (in this case it is Obama) can be a Christian. You're not BORN into Christianity, you have to ask your way into it according to the Scriptures. Ah yes, more political hogwash, and sadly using religion to justify their words. They'll answer for it soon enough.

His parents divorced at age two - his mother then remarried to a supposed 'radical' Muslim. Again who cares, this is polital poop and not much more. My above statements reaffirm why this information is yet another weak argument for the McCain supporters.

When Obama was 6 his family relocated to Indonesia and he attended a Muslim school as well as a Catholic School. DOES IT MATTER WHERE HE WAS EDUCATED? Indonesia has a very large Muslim population as well as a Catholic population. Just because he wasnt educated in the public school system or a private Christian school in the good ole US of A doesnt mean he necessarily adheres to the beliefs of the Muslims or Catholics. Here in America where we want to admit it or not, we have Muslim and Jewish children attending Catholic or Christian charter schools right here. Why? Because it boils down to the fact that the parents want the best education possible for their children. Now couldnt it have been that Obama's Momma and Step-father only wanted to ensure that he got the best education possible regardless of the religious affiliation of the school? Absolutely. Some people just don't want to admit this.

'He takes great care to hide the fact that he is Muslim and that he once attended a Catholic school.' Well gee golly molly! Could it simply be that he converted from Islam to Christianity? I think someone is just wanting to beat the dead Muslim horse some more just for the sake of argument.

The final bits that his advisors and campaign handlers are downplaying his Islam and his affiliation to the Church of Christ and etc. And that he does not show reverence for the flag and that he used a Koran to be sworn into office?

DOES IT REALLY MATTER WHEN WE'VE GOT GUYS BUSTING THEIR TAILS OVERSEAS?

The part about irreverence is hooey. And those throwing a hissy fit over whether or not Obama wears a silly pin need to get a life.

Those who start and send such emails should put their hands on the computer desk and give it a good shove and push themselves AWAY from the computer and learn to get their information from more reputable sources other than random emails floating into their inboxes as well as their posterior.

For those of you who send me such emails - I never read them, I simply toss them into the junk box without ever opening them. But for the sake of blogging I opened one today to use as an example in my blog. :)

Neon Bird

Some of you may have noticed the neon bird widget at the footer of this page, if you haven't scroll down to the bottom for a moment to take a peek. It is a countdown ticker for a DVD release of Darren Hayes' 'Time Machine Tour'.

But you mostly notice the neon bird, the origami crane which is the main theme for the entire album and DVD series for this go around. (For the record he is possibly working on some new stuff, but nothing for sure yet, just a mention of being in between albums on his blog.)

Well if you go to www.neonbird.com, you can learn how to make an origami swan. (I have made a trio of them ranging from large to small.)

Darren has decided to launch an experiment of random kindness, and your left wondering what does origami have anything to do with kindness?

Well in ancient Japanese tradition, the unfolding of paper releases a wish to be fullfilled.

What you are supposed to do is, get some square paper and write a wish on it for a friend, a relative, or a random person. Then follow the instructions on neonbird.com on how to properly fold it. Once you have folded it, write 'A wish for you' on one of the wings then leave your swan in random places, mail it, leave it at their door step, office desk, anywhere. You can even directly hand them to their reciepients as a small gift.

I will continue practicing on a few more until I have gotten perfection with them. Once I am satisfied, I will purchase origami paper from a craft store then make several to send to the people I care about.

I will post photos of them before delivering them.

Also if you want to take part in the neon bird version, be sure to write 'www.neonbird.com' somewhere on the swan so that they will visit and hopefully 'register' their swans with th site.

There is nothing quite like seeing the smile of someones face when they receive a random act of kindness. This is just one unique way of saying/doing so. Be sure to check back for pictures in the next day or so.

Where You Want To Be

Yes this post is titled after a Darren Hayes song of the same title. As I listened to the lyrics thoughts and memories of close friends past came flooding in. Good times and bad times and intimate moments shared.

Out of the few friends I have made in life - I'm the one that's failed or so it seems. Am I jealous? Not really, but sometimes I wonder if they are really happy with what theyve ended up with. It terms of worldy measures of success and material things, yes these people went on to be very successful and I am glad they accomplished everything they set out to do. But I have stop and wonder - are they really where they wanted to be? Did they wait for love or did they settle for someone to hold?

I don't have much to offer in terms of money, or things, but I have my love to give and frankly to me, thats worth more than money or gold.

But at the same time, when people would imagine that I am content of where I've landed, and considering where I've been. I still feel this void that desires to be filled. I have this longing for something to make me whole, complete, a finished work. Something that can allow me to look back on my life and say 'Hey it was worth it and I'd do it all again to get right back here.'

Do I desire to go higher? Absolutely. Anything has got to beat being a single mother working in foodservice and given the rising cost of living, obviously cannot make it on her own, and consequently, setting her child up for the same fate becuase thats all the child knows. I want to better my life so that in turn I can better my daughter's life. That's my motive.

Where do I want to be? I don't know. I do know that I want to break free of the glass ceiling thats holding me in. For now is slow-going, almost feeling like Im trudging through a swamp in search of dry land.

What happened to my friends? We grew apart and Im sad that I don't have these relationships in my present life. During these relationships I had the best memories of my life and I felt like I was going places. But sadly, I turned a sharp left when I should have turned right. But that's life, sometimes it can be full of regrets and memories, could have beens, and hopes for a higher future.

Maybe someday I'll find another decent somebody to share my life with.

Time Machine Tour DVD Trailer released on YouTube.

Wow, if this is only a hint of what the DVD will entail, this will be money well worth spent.

Video: Sexy blender.

This was taken while on vacation in Texas, we were all up late and had clearly lost our minds when this was taken. Enjoy the laughs.

Im back from Texas!

Yes I have returned from Texas and I am glad to be back home, back in my own comfy bed. Ahhhh!

We planned to return today, but not in the way expected. One of my mates got sick due to some sort of airborne bug that gives you a VERY upset stomach and you're going from both ends. Well she stayed behind in Texas while me, my DD, and my friend's mom came back to AR. My friend's mom is headed back to Texas as we speak and will call in the morning to let me know she made it OK. I wouldve stayed, but

1.) I did not want me nor my DD to get sick from this bug.

2.) I was getting restless from having spent only 1 day out and about, the rest of the time was spent loafing or sleeping. Stuff I could have easily done at home. Im not pleased with the vacation overall.

3.) I was more than ready to get away from the controlling mother. (not me).

I did enjoy the time I was able to get out, but I just feel like Ive been used as a means to take someone else on vacation rather than getting a vacation of my own. I doubt I will ever return to this part of Texas given the circumstances and the interesting information Ive received and the things I have seen.

So I will simply put a list of photos here for you to view:

An old Victorian-era style house that is now a Bed & Breakfast.
Zoom of the lion's head on the B&B.
My DD and I posing on the train at the train museum.
An old stagecoach hotel in Denison, and yes it has actually been there since stagecoach times.
The photo of the train at the train museum.

Denison's official welcome sign.
My DD posing whilst outside playing with the other kids.
Another pose, this time in grayscale or B&W.
A really good Willie Nelson look-alike.
Logo of the local depot on the side of a train at the train museum.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower's birthplace. As you can see it is well protected from terrorists with a wooden fence, some bushes, and OMG even a chain-link fence! LOL.
Life size sculpture of a full grown horse.
Deer are the same size as real deer.
Life-size sculpture of a buffalo.

I wish I had more exciting bits to share, but sadly due to circumstances I do not. Maybe next year's vacation will be better.

Live from Denison, TX!!

Hello! We are live from Denison, TX via wireless Internet. Yesterday we departed from Danville at approximately 2:00 pm, and drove 8 hours to our destination.

We had four major stops along the way, with one being quite unexpected. My daughter's lunch did not agree with her just outside DeQueen, AR. That required an emergency stop on the side of the road for a clean up and a change of clothes. Thank the Good Lord that we had airconditioning. And let's just say that I will not be eating macaroni and cheese for quite some time. ICK!

Then we debated whether or not we should eat in DeQueen depending on how my daughter was feeling. Well, actually she felt better and even returned to her talkitive self and said she was hungry so we stopped at the 'Ranch House' Restaurant in town for some wonderful food. I had the Chicken Fried Steak and WOW!, it was good and I hate to admit this but the food there is better than alot of the food in Danville and some cases Russellville as well. Maddie had chicken and fries and ate quite well. My mates, Sharon and Juaniva both also had the chicken fried steak. Needless to say we left satisfied and wasn't hungry again until breakfast this morning.

We arrived in Denison around 11:00 pm, we unloaded, got cleaned up and went immediately to bed.

This morning was off to a jumpstart. Laying there in bed partially conscious I felt the pitter patter of feet running towards the door then BOOM!! I jump up to see a young boy of not more than 4 years and an older lady barreling through the door followed by my mate Sharon laughing hysterically. Appearently, the boy was told that someone was sleeping in there and curiosity beckoned him to look and see, his grandmother followed to try and stop him only she reached him only as he burst through the door. Startling at first but funny looking back on it.

This was only the start of many oopsies for me. I went to pour one my mates a cup of coffee only to pour coffee all over myself as well as the counter top as well as having coffee grounds all around. My mates laughing hysterically, we all agreed that if it were going to happen, it was going to happen to me. I still think it was rigged.

Later we went grocery shopping to pick up some needed items. We got a fun cart that was shaped like a race car, only it would not go into the direction guided into. 'Nanu' somehow managed to get it wedged into a shelf and I thought to help I should grab the front end and pull it over. Only when I grabbed it, the entire cab portion came off and I was left standing in the aisle holding a large piece of shopping cart. Several other customers around me saw the entire spectacle and one lady in a bright green shirt gave me a standing ovation and were laughing. I'm telling you whether intentional or not I am usually in the middle of the action. I put the piece back on and ensured it was snapped in place.

That was the last of the hysterics for the day and I will conclude this with photos from our day which included feeding chickens and a rabbit on the farm.

Giant maze on the Christmas Tree farm next door. It took us close to 15 minutes to complete it and find our way out.

my daughter feeding the baby chicks.

Maddie and 'Nanu' feeds the roosters and hens in the laying pen.
Maddie feeding the little chicks again.Farm fresh eggs for cooking - YUM!



Roosters (above and below)


Oreo the farm bunny.

What to pack in carry-on and what to pack for the luggage??

Ah 3 days til the day of departure. Its not so much that I dont have enough luggage for everything its just the sorting out what needs to be packed in a carry-on bag for the cab and what needs to go in the luggage in the truck bed.

I have since invest $10.00 USD for a device that is basically a backpack for your seat and the person in the back seat has access to it. Why? Because I need to take several things that will keep my DD occupied for those lulls in conversation during a road trip. I will have her coloring books and some crayons, an activity set, as well as some short picture books for reading. No movies, no DVD player, nada. I dont want her growing up feeling like she has to constantly be plugged into something to feel human. (I honestly feel robotic when I'm running around work wearing my iPod.)

I will be taking the laptop in order to provide a daily summary of events whenever possible as well as uploading photos to share. My problem is this: with the small icechest in the cab between the back seat and the transom, my Sony DSC-H7 Camera (It is a full-size camera, not a wimpy P&S)in the bag of course with its accessories and a spare memory stick. My tripod, my laptop and its accessories, plus the overly priced, overy done 'auto safety kit' I absolutely had to buy (not my idea folks) when I could have put one together myself for less than half the price of the one I bought. Sometimes those package deals arent such good deals after all.

Where and how am I going to fit all of this in? These are items I dont feel safe just leaving in the bed of my truck- these are high dollar valuables I have worked my tail off for. Well I can easily leave the safety kit in the truck bed and not worry, I mean who is going to steal a safety kit anyway? Mr. Safety?

Right now - I'm trying to figure out how to get all of my needed laundry done so that come Thursday night all I have to do is pack and gather essential items and toss it in the back of the cab before I go to bed so that I am all set for Friday morning. Get up go to work, volunteer out, come home change out of my work clothes, change into travel clothes, get gas, get my mates, cash our checks, get my DD, then were off.

ROAD TRIP!!

OK Today begins the countdown to my road trip to Texas. We are planning to leave Friday morning, and Friday afternoon at the latest. We are headed to the Witchita Falls area of TX, specifically the suburbs of Denison. The vehicle of choice is my 2001 Ford SporTrac, dubbed, 'Bubba'. So any future references of the SporTrac will simply be 'Bubba'.

The overall driving time will be around 8 hours so it will be done straight through, with one major stop in De Queen, AR for a late lunch or dinner, again depending on the departure time.

I will try to keep the blog updated throughout the trip, from the countdown to the departure day as well as the trip itself. I will include vlogs and photos where possible using my Sony DSC-H7.

Until the next entry I leave you with a link of some tourism information of the area I will be visiting.

City of Denison, TX.

Guest Vlog: Access to ALL music WARNING: not suitable for children.

First the video:



Commentary by me:
Finally! Something from the same old 'let's-interpret-hymns-for-the-deaf' to something that some if not a lot of deafies like. Not all deafies are holy rollers, some are hardcore and love it. Don't get me wrong I believe in Jesus Christ and spreading His word, but sadly it's often thought of as a 'new' idea when in fact interpreting only 'nice' music to the deaf has been around for decades if not centuries. Also I dont share the same views and perspectives as Manson, but I do believe in keeping an open mind to new experiences.

The State of Connection

As I sit here sipping my coffee, I catch a glimpse of a show on National Geographic. An entire hour long prime time slot is dedicated to a popular video on YouTube called 'Battle at Kruger'.

I realize that our need to stay connected at all times has become the norm, even when we feel the need to disconnect ourselves we often feel that we would be missing something if we did.

Cell phones, laptops, internet, tellyboxes, and iPods in our earholes. If we are not plugged in to some sort of electrical device we feel naked. Welcome to the 21st century.

In recent times, you tube videos have made national news headlines of teenage girls ganging up on one of their unlucky classmates and beating them to a pulp.

Others are of teenagers protesting the lack of an adequate skating park in Hot Springs AR.

MySpace, YouTube, Google, and Hotmail.

We have 26 gazillion ways to connect to each other. And 26 gazillion ways for those whom we do not want to have contact with to contact us (or at least attempt to). For the latter, thank god there are 'delete' buttons for this, as well as the 'decline' buttons on Facebook.

These are the times that anyone can be published online via Blogger, Wordpress, and others. The day to day documentation of the life of Joe Blow.

What would happen should the lights go out? Would we just stare blankly at our tellyboxes or would we begrudgingly engage in conversations with our housemates? Would we pull out the board games of decades ago and drag the kids in from their rooms for a family game night?

No, I dont think so. I think we would wander aimlessly in our minds searching for something to feed it to entertain it while we take on our day to day tasks. We would dust off the books from our bookshelves and read them before we realized the best storylines come from reality. The best entertainment can only happen in real life.

I pity those who are lonely and have shut themselves in to the Internet believing the world is at their fingertips. The information about the world at their fingertips, but the experiences of that world lie just outside their doors.

We live in more than just states of a nation, we live in a state of connection becuase rarely do you meet someone that doesnt at least have cell phone and/or an internet connection.

Sometimes I wonder if man would go mad should he find himself completely disconnected with the modern means. Instead having to rely on mail from the mailbox and having to wait several days for a reply versus having an instant reply.

New Truck

Yes that is correct I have purchased a new truck. I settled on the gold 2001 SporTrac and it is nice! I paid $3,000 USD down and my monthly payments are $145 USD a month for 30 months. Not a bad deal! Not only that I traded my green monster in for $200 USD from the dealer and this is the sad part - the dealer said "It would cost more to fix it that what it is worth." and I agree with him 100%. While the green monster was pretty beat up she was more reliable than she looked. The sad part? Her blue book value was less than what I make a week at work.

Pic of the green monster the only one I have on photobucket:


And photos of my new ride: a 2001 Ford SporTrac






I am very happy with it. It handles well and rides very smooth. I love the bed extension as well as the power point in the truck bed, the power windows and even the back glass is automatic. It is an automatic v6 engine and gets 21 mpg, not bad for a sport utility truck or SUT. I love everything about it. I have gotten compliments on it ranging from cute, sweet, and sexy which is giving me mental visions of a Victoria's Secret model, lol. Now that I have a vacation coming up the week of May 26th I will have some time to enjoy my new ride. Im very proud of it.

Truck Shopping Day 1

Yesterday was day one of truck shopping. We found not one or two of what I was looking for, but four of them. One of the models we looked at was a supernice 2004 model SporTrac, XLT edition, cloud white in color and very few miles. Asking price $19,995 - way outside my budget range - but the sting of the price was enough to turn me off to it.

Second model was a 2001 SporTrac, metallic tan in color 97000 miles on the sucker and not to mention a few dings and dongs in the body. It is obviously used but not abused. Asking price is $6,995. Very affordable - we are looking at monthly payments of less than $200 a month for 30 months. Considering the damage Ive done to my current vehicle I can live with a few dings and dongs and high mileage. I test drove it and it runs smoother and is perfectly aligned unlike what I have, but it's stuff I can live with if need be.

The third one is one that the dealership has not yet put out on the lot for sale yet, but rather one theyve had for about 2-3 days and are waiting to have it detailed and checked before it goes on the lot, normal car dealership stuff, but I am going to keep an eye out for that one for the next week or two.

The fourth one we we looked at was a 2005 SporTrac, black in color, 35000 miles, asking price is $18,500 - sales tax paid. It was very clean and very few dings and dongs but one problem, the battery was dead in it. That right there put some red flags up Im tempted though thinking I can get the dealer to replace the battery but it could be more than just the battery so Im mentally pinching myself everytime I think about it. I dont want a lemon on my hands.

So far that is what we have found and the one we are looking the closest at is the 2001 tan color model going for $6,995. We have already made an offer but we are going to let them sit on it for a day or two and see what happens next. Dad will be contacting them about it tomorrow.

My heart isnt set on anything yet until I find an exceptionally good deal that would be ludicrous to pass up. We have also looked on the Internet as well as newspaper ads and I have suckered an uncle into looking around Little Rock for me. Hopefully in one of these avenues something will turn up.

I will continue to keep the progress posted as we go along.

Sick

Update: I have finally been notified of a source confirming that this in fact a hoax, but it sure did get a lot of upheaval. I feel like my pants have been pulled down and my posterior slapped in order to make some sort of cheap point that people will react to what they are told to like sheep. G. Vargas ultimately did feed and water the dog and was released to the streets where it was originally captured. This could have had a better ending, but maybe somone in Costa Rica has spotted this dog on the streets and taken it in. At least it would be one less starving dog on the streets.


G. Vargas, also known as 'Habacuc' has garnered worldwide attention for using a dying dog as an art form. Story goes that he paid two boys to capture this malnourished and sick dog from the streets and he took it to a museum to be a part of an art exhibit.

His exhibit was titled 'You are what you eat.' The letters were made entirely of dog food. He tethered the dog into a corner and left it there for days without food or water and in obvious need of urgent medical care.

Was this an exhibit to bring awareness to the starving and abandoned animals in his country? NO. The exhibit was entirely done to memorialize a criminal that was mauled by two Rottweilers that were trained to protect property.


This man is sick and twisted beyond comprehension. Despite pleas from exhibit visitors to free the dog, he refused the release of the animal.

Why does an innocent creation of God have to suffer so needlessly at the hands of humans? He has been invited to represent his country of Costa Rica at the 2008 Bienal Centroamericana Honduras and repeat this act of cruelty as an art form.

Please sign the petition to ban him from the event - the more signatures the better!
Sign the Petition


Below are photos of this so-called 'art exhibit' *WARNING - photos may be graphic to some audiences*






Get the word out - make sure everyone you know, also knows about this disgusting form of abuse, conveneinently disguised at 'art'.

The silliest things people have said...

OK this is something I can no longer ignore. Over the course of the last several weeks I have heard many stupid comments in abundance from random people. Some of the best I've heard recently? Read on.

1. Them:'I am thinking about getting a part-time job at the hospital working just one day a week for some extra money.'
Me: 'Oh you are huh?'
Them: 'Yeah, but I just feel so tired, I hope Lisa (last name witheld) lets me go home today though.'
Me: 'Wouldnt it just be easier for you to work everyday at your one job rather than try to get a one day a week part-time job along with your 5-6 day a week job?'
Them: 'What?'

2. Them: You know what was wrong with the baby?
Me: What?
Them: The doctor said she is allergic to eggs.'
Me: Oh that's too bad then, no green eggs and ham for them, eh?'
The next day- Them: (same person) You know what was wrong with the baby?
Me: She's allergic to eggs?
Them: No, she had an infection.
Me: Oh well I hope she gets better.
The next day - Them: (Same person) You know what was wrong with the baby?
Me: No - but Im sure its different than the last two maladies.
Them: The doctor said she may have a stomach virus and she threw up all over the bed 5 times last night.
Me: Well then I feel sorry for the both of you.
The next day - Them: (Same person) Do you know what's wrong with the baby?
Me: Yes I do - she suffers from an overly dramatic and incompetent caregiver that cannot assimilate the truth and may or may not suffer from a mental disorder in which she uses untruthfulness and storytelling to gain sympathy and pity from others.
Them: What?

3. Them: I think I may be pregnant
Me: Oh, thats not good.
Them: Yeah a guy tried to rape me.
Me: Oh, did he actually penetrate?
Them: No but he tried to take my clothes off and he beat me with a cane pole from down by the river.
Me: Oh was this an immaculate conception?
Them: No, I was on birth control!

4. Also after having read a certain blog which I will not name for privacy reasons, the author stated that earning a doctorate degree was likened to having a job - only problem is this - the author to my knowledge has never held down a job, nor even needed to hold down a regular 40 hour per week job. Uhhh the only rebuttal I can offer is this - come down to PJP with me bud and work line 10 cutting shoulders for a while, then let's compare that sitting in a chair reading books all day to standing on a stretched aluminum stand on concrete floors for 8 hours a day 5-6 days a week. And you have to cut shoulders all day - there is no rotation of line jobs each round like there is at other companies. Oh and by the way your surrounded by non-English speaking immigrants and crabby middle aged menopausal women for line bosses. I don't know about you, but I would much rather go for earning the doctoral degree rather than spend my life cutting poultry.

Thats my top 4 for now. I will add more silly sayings as I get them. There must be something in the water though because Ive been getting alot of them as of recently.