My basic thought (and the most likely) is that she's suffering from postpartem depression. TJ quickly corrected me and added that it's more likely "post-stardom depression." Nice.
When discussing her recent "drive-through" rehab session, Kris commented that that when when hears that any celebrity has to go to rehab, if they're not out within twenty-four hours, they're not as good as Britney. (Though, after her recent actions, the treatment she received may be questionable.)
Update: She did it again! Damn! she's good.
]]>And I hope you'll celebrate the Christmas season by offending someone. If you're Jewish, how about a hearty "Happy Hanukkah" to a good Christian? If they're offended you've revealed a fool, not such a good Christian and someone you shouldn't waste your expression of good will upon. But get ready for a few robust "Merry Christmas" calls to be thrown your way as well.
I for one will welcome any "Happy Hanukkahs" tossed my way. Even better would be the ocassional "Happy Kwanzaa!"
]]>]]>Bush today said this country is safer today than it was prior to 9/11. Personally, I don't think he knows. Whether we like it or not, terrorist attacks on Americans are now part of the global reality. They will continue to happen. Many places around the globe have had to deal with a similar reality for years. India, Ireland, England, Spain, Russia, to name a few. In many cases, these societies have pulled together and not allowed isolated acts of violence to tear at their fiber. Like disease and the forces of nature, it's a risk that we have to rationally come to terms with. The government's responsibility is to make sure that fear and terror are not disproportionate to the reality of the situation.
Today the President said, "This nation is at war with Islamic fascists who will use any means to destroy those of us who love freedom to hurt our nation." Generalized statements like this which instill nebulous fear without specific information are exactly in line with the goals of terrorism.
"I have a great job and my family loves the ranch where we live," he said in explaining why he makes the commute. "So this is the only solution."
Here's where it gets good:
"We were impressed with the [nearly 3,000] responses," said [Rick] Dow [senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Midas.] "Apparently, there are a lot of Americans putting a lot of miles on their cars to get to the office each day. Consequently, it's more important than ever that commuters properly maintain their vehicles."
No word on the impact to the envrionment by each of the 3,000 contest entrants. Dave, I suggest you rent The End of Suburbia. Not that it's all true, but it does provide some interesting viewpoints on where we're headed.
]]>"What does it cost us, literally, as a city?" (He estimated that the weekend will cost Madison $350,000.) "Neither does it take into account the tremendous drain on his time, Police Chief Noble Wray's time and that of their assistants. The cost is one thing. The other thing, For what? What does all this money go for? It goes for a huge public drunk and I'm really concerned about the impact on young people."
The mayor wants to shut down the entire street, businesses and all for next year's Halloween. Businesses claim their best business over this weekend. The Mayor would, in effect, be canceling Christmas for these business owners. This is after the City enacted a stricter ventilation ordinance, prohibited weekend drink specials, and finally outlawed smoking in public buildings. I would have to believe that the Tavern League's collective heads would blow up.
The Capitol Times today summed up the collective thoughts of everyone: Chill Out Mr. Mayor. It basically says that for any other event, the cost to the City is worth the sold-out hotels, crowded streets, and 100,000 people from all over the world spreading the good word about Madison.
I'm thinking about printing that out and sending that to his office, just to make sure he gets the message. I would add the fact that a controlled party with gates, a private security company and a entrance fee would solve most of the Mayor's problems.
$350,000 or not, something should be done about the horse shit. I would not miss the putrid smell of the horse shit that covered the street under the lights. The mass stomped through the piles, dragging across the entire street, preventing any step hitting clean pavement. I purposely ran down State Street the next morning to see the aftermath. Kids were dazed, clutching their overnight and sleeping bags as they found breakfast and rides home. The street itself was still covered in a layer of horse shit. All the cracks were filled with it, and there was a faint hue of greenish-brown that glistened in the sun. It's great to know that will all wash into the lakes with the next rainfall. So, thanks for that, Mr. Mayor.
]]>"In the end, the difference between a 15% tip and a 20% tip really only amounts to a few extra dollars out of my pocket, but it can make a lot of difference to the person receiving the tip. If you're dining at the restaurant, chances are you make more money than the people waiting on you. As a percentage of income, those few extra dollars make a far bigger difference to a waiter or waitress than to you -- especially if other patrons adopt the same strategy."
So there you have it. If you make sure my glass it topped off, clear my place when I'm finished, and just be friendly, I will make sure that you know you earned it. Bonus points for establishing a connection through a conversation or offering a particular menu item you enjoy. However, being directly rude or cruel will make me keep the extra bucks in my pocket.
]]>
Both shots taken by Odin's Dad
I started following Odin's amazing entry into life just about a year ago. His journey through micro-preemie life, and and now age-adjusted life as been special to watch. Monday, he celebrated his first birthday. Happy Birthday Odin! I wish him and his family all the best.
]]>I finally convinced myself this morning that this is important to them. I don't know why it didn't hit me this earlier. I caught a clip of a woman saying through her tears, "...I just hope that by coming hear, I'll get better." That's when the box of rocks hit my head. These people have committed so much of their lives to their faith in God that unfortunate events such as a terminal illness shake their belief to the core. I imagine they have huge battles of doubt in everything they have faith in. Some cave in and give up. Others cling even tighter to their faith and seek out events like this to affirm their beliefs.
I've come to believe The mind is much too powerful for us to understand its power. (That's makes sense, doesn't it?) What I mean to say is that, put your mind to anything, and, given enough conviction, it will be so. Lance Armstrong had a revelation while waiting to die, got on his bike and beat cancer. George Bush wanted to be like his daddy, and bought the presidency. Cults believe their from another planet and the Halle-Bopp comet is their ticket home, and they kill themselves wearing Nikes. For me, I hated being overweight, convinced myself to lose weight, and now I'm training for an Ironman. And so on and so forth. You can make yourself believe anything, all it takes is a little nudge from your consciousness to get you going. The stronger the belief, the grander the results.
So these people praying under the expressway are simply giving themselves a little nudge that their belief God does exist, because for some, that is what they need to survive. It's simply easier for them to use their religion to explain the unexplainable than to understand the complex science and mind power that makes up the human species and its interaction with the universe.
]]>Just goes to show where our society's priorities are.
]]>| Here's my rundown (with the game chronology as a guide): | |
| Kerry's pulls an early lead during the day as P-Diddy/Rock the Vote/MTV "Vote or Die/Choose or Loose" campaign drives the 18-24 demographic out to vote in record numbers. Also, die-hard Democrats eager to get Bush out of the White House as soon as possible vote early and as often as possible until the lawyers notice. | The Packers score 17 points early on the litmus test-like Redskins. The Redskins stumbled, fumbled and weren't connecting. |
| The working stiffs that just get through every day decide to make a lunch of it and use the election as an excuse to get a long lunch, head to the polling place, and vote. Bush regains some ground on the early deficit. Kerry remains unfazed and confident throughout lunch. Thoughts of a victory speech start to surface. | Just before halftime, the Redskins defense stiffened got an interception and their offense eventually found the end zone. Score: GB: 17, WAS: 7 |
| Bush's lawyers | Packers and Redskins trade possessions, but GB manages a field goal. GB: 20, WAS: 7 after 3 quarters. |
| Bush realizes the end is drawing near, and it's not close enough to bring in the Supreme Court. He gets personal and starts attacking Kerry and strikes fear into republicans with the thought of having someone other than him | Packers QB Favre reinjures his throwing hand. |
| The attacks work. Kerry looks weak. Visions of a late takeover in the Bush camp start to emerge. Fox News reports that Bush carries Florida, Ohio and looks like he'll squeak through with just barely enough electoral votes to carry the election. | Favre's injury disrupts his throwing strength and accuracy. Redskins capitalize with a touchdown to pull within six at 20-14. Then, Redskins pick up a Walker fumble, and within a few plays, score on a long play to tie the game at 20. |
| CNN & the networks disagree with the premature call by Fox and say that the Bush team illegally advanced several lawsuits, causing republican votes to be double counted in several states, including Ohio and Florida. Local judges throw out Republican suits, saving Kerry to hang on to the slim lead he still carries. | Redskins score on a play that is called back due to an illegal procedure penalty. |
| Kerry takes the slim lead he has and follows it up with several legal wins, clearing his path to the White House. He doesn't have to do anything to win the election, but yet he ceases to give in, and continues to maintain his slim margin. Then he carries Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa, all but guaranteeing his presidency. He throws Colorado and their split electoral votes in for insurance. | Packers Al Harris intercepts a pass on the play following the procedure penalty. The Packers run the ball, cruising down the field, eating up the clock. Green scores a TD, and Favre completes the two-point conversion. GB: 28, WAS: 14 |
| Bush tries desperately pleading to the Supreme Court to win him another term. He fails miserably. Colorado took the wind out if sails, and he seems to concede with out really saying as much. | Packers hold off late attempts and a final hail mary pass and close out the game. Final score: GB: 28, WAS: 14. |
Although not as extreme, when I was a freshman at RPI, my own sociology class professor offered the males the option to write a report about wearing a dress for a day. (She also included $20.) I took her up on it, wanting to do it more for the subject of paper than the money. (That was icing.) It was a cold winter day when I wore the dress, which I borrowed from a guy down the hall. The long johns may have been a bit much, but wearing a dress wasn't all that different than the speedos I wore in the pool every day. I don't have the report anymore, but I do remember getting an A.
]]>COOPER: Are you going to watch the Grammies?Anderson was quick to sidestep the issue and move on.
WILLIAMS: No.
COOPER: Is it like a protest or are you just not interested?
WILLIAMS: well, award shows just aren't my thing, but I also won't be watching, making a conscious effort not to watch, because it's a black thing. Do you understand what I'm saying?
COOPER: You think in part it's racial.
WILLIAMS: I think this has turned into a black thing. At first I did not want to believe that. People are quick, African-Americans to make this into a black thing, but this is a black-white thing in my opinion. And this is also a Jackson thing most definitely.
COOPER: In your opinion?
WILLIAMS: The crazy family, the brother Michael. Let's get at them any way we can.
transcript
I hope Wendy is alone on this issue. It's disappointing to not only see the overblown reaction to the boob, but to play the race card when it's not even an issue is taking it too far.
]]>But, I know I did nothing wrong. I know that he had nothing on me. Why do those that "Serve & Protect" instill so much fear? Could that be part of the problem? I may just freakishly impose the fear on myself, but why do I fear the people that are supposed to protect me. Maybe it's because they'll "kick my ass."
]]>I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well. There is a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn't deserve. The defense carried this team.I was watching when Rush made the above statement. I knew it was sketchy, but it was an intelligent comment that was accepted, although debated, by his colleagues on the show.
What amazed me was the distance that everyone not directly associated with it, (NFL, ESPN, etc.) distanced themselves from it very quickly. And how quickly political candidates jumped to flame Rush and his republican views. Whe can't we have a level-headed intelligent conversation about race? If we cannot intelligently discuss the issues of race, how will those issues ever be resolved?
]]>It's mainly because their pledge says alot.
]]> I definitely feel this way when watching sportscenter. It seems that every week they have a new, meaningless segment to get theirs and athletes' mugs on TV as much as possible. All courtesy of your favorite alcoholic beverage. That, and news about 13 year-olds signing million dollar endorsements really starts to get under my nerves.It would be nice to see these around town and the country, but I doubt it will do much damage. Really, how many people have stopped eating meat because they see pictures like these?
(lifted from Adam)
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