Yeah, Right, Whatever

My mom passed away this morning.




But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

I'm not going to go into details, but... my mom is in the ICU right now and could really use a lot of prayers.

God love AlGore's pointy little head.

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (Luke 2:1-20)

If you've run out of gift ideas, here are some tips to get you through the next 48 hours.

• First, here's a real list of gift ideas. Here's another one. Some of them scream "I didn't put much thought into this", but that's ok.
• Here's a friendly reminder of some not-so-good gift ideas. Here's another one.
  
• Don't get these. No, really. Just don't.
  
• If you're looking for a gift for that altruistic person in your life... how about giving a gift in his or her name?
  
• Should I tell my sister about Wii-itis? Nah... she'll figure it out on her own... right?
• Crappy gifts for kids? It's for their own good.
  
• Besides milk and cookies, who gets Santa a gift?
  
• This is just mean.
• If you're still stumped, how about these gadgets?

Hope this helped. Happy hunting.

Here's a little news round-up. Enjoy!

General:

• And this is bad, why? Especially with stupidity like this...
  

Politics:

• What's the word I'm looking for? Oh, yeah... cajones... that's the word.
• Peter Kirsanow has it about right.
• Well, that's awfully nice of her.
• He has a point... too bad it will take decades for anyone else to notice.
• "Post Partisan Depression"... ew, Barney... just ew...
  

Sports:

• Forget arresting him. Sign him to a contract!
• A show of hands, please... who wishes Clemens and McNamee would just GOAWAY? (counting)... yup... that's everyone...
• Is now a good time for the "Why does Bob Stoops eat his Cheerios from a plate?" joke? I hope not... (yeah... I know I can't leave y'all hanging... scroll down...)
  

Science:

• Wolverine's healing being investigated by the military... no, really...
• I question the age of said discovery, but it's still cool.
• Oh, yeah... that's news. NOT.
• Science has been at the White House, you moron. The "evidence" is what you need it to be to further your agenda. Science can proceed without violating ethics... not that you'd know anything about that, would you?
• And how much thicker is the Antarctic ice now than it was in 2003? hmm? Just asking... Ice melts... and water freezes... it's what it does...
  

umm... everything else:

• That must have been some wind.
• I think I'd get just a little nervous.
• You have to love her determination. Weeble, indeed!
• I know who's getting coal in his stocking.
  
• And people wonder why I hate clowns!
• She needs therapy. An intervention. Something.
  

joke answer: Because he lost all his bowls. (highlight to see)

I've already informed my children that no, they may not have one of these for Christmas (h't to the Armorer). They are, however, more than welcome to get one for their mother.

... well... like cats. This video is great. Some cat victories... and more than a few cat defeats.

... a tidbit of telling... a dash of discovery... a hint of headlines... you get the idea... right?

Nah, this is isn't really a news round-up as much as some bite-sized morsels of insight and news and whatever else is going on...

• Woohoo! to Sam Bradford for winning the Heisman over the weekend. All three candidates were worthy of the award, and the voting was close.
  
• Speaking of Sooners... they'll be without Murray for the BCS game next month... uh... um... good luck with that.
  
• Boohoo! to the people in central Texas who scream "winter storm warning" for a dusting of snow (in some areas) and some freezing drizzle (in some areas). That's not a winter storm, and you really don't need the arctic-weight parkas and gloves to walk to the car. No, really... you don't. (Yeah, it can get dangerous to drive on the bridges if they're untreated. Just use a little caution.)
  
• Congrats to the Austin Christian Cougars for maintaining their undefeated streak against Granger last night. The Varsity Granger Lions have never beaten the Cougars. (They've played 4 times now... not a huge rivalry, but rivalries have to start somewhere, right?)
• Good Luck! to Michael Williams in his bid for Kay Bailey Hutchison's Senate seat. (As of right now, that link is to his announcement. That might change.) Instead of an appointment, the seat will probably be determined by special election. No Blago-ing in Texas, I suppose.
• Speaking of Blago... he wants to tell his side of the story. Will anyone want to listen?
  
• Poor kid. He's a cutie, but with goofball parents like his, he's doomed. Unless he lives in an Aryan Nation commune, that is... then he'll be loved, I suppose.
• There's no accounting for taste... or stupidity. I guess she hasn't watched the news in the past year. Just a guess.
• I've been listening to President-Elect Obama's Cabinet picks, and I can't help but think that if you're not from Chicago or the Clinton administration, you really need not apply. Oh, yeah... or have ever done anything embarassing or own a handgun. But, besides that, he's an equal opportunity employer.
  
• JoePa's good until he turns 85. I guess there's no way to write a "you get to stay until you either quit or croak" clause in his contract, is there?
• I guess it's a bad sign when the NFL Pro Bowl roster comes out, and very few of my fantasy players make the cut... and most of those in reserves...
  
• Oh, yeah... that's the photo that Obama wants the world to see... a college photo shoot???
• Global cooling is caused by... manmade global warming. Huh?
• Is it really closure if it's 27 years after the murder and 12 years after the confession?
• Oh, the irony.
• Why is it a big deal when the US isn't invited to a summit of Latin American countries? I mean, the US isn't IN Latin America, so... whatever...

That's about it for right now... time to run some errands.

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Melinda

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Christian P. Humphreys
28 years old from Fallon, Nevada
6th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, Task Force 49
November 15, 2008


A funny, nice guy who loved to fly. That's how Christian P. Humphreys is remembered by his friends. "He was a great guy, always happy and had a joke," said Sean Whitney, a flight medic. "We used to play with our paintball guns in the cornfields behind his house."

Humphreys flew with the Fallon Naval Air Station Search and Rescue Longhorns from June 6, 2004, to May 5, 2006. He left the Navy and joined the Army as part of the "Blue to Green" program to become a helicopter pilot.

Humphreys, along with Chief Warrant Officer 3 Donald V. Clark, 37 years old from Tennessee, was killed when their OH-58 Kiowa helicopter crashed while on a mission over Mosul, Iraq. As a rescue crew chief, Humphreys was in charge of the operation behind the pilots. He made the decisions when to deploy rescue crews out of the helicopter to assist injured people, and he also took care of the equipment.

"He was a funny guy, a nice guy, a lot of character," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Schmidt. "The guy was always entertaining, always had something to say, but like everyone here, he displayed the professionalism in saving lives."

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Christian P. Humphreys leaves behind a wife and parents.

All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

I just received this message from my apartment complex:

Dear Resident,

The winter season is now upon us. Along with its pleasures, like the leaves changing color and the warm allure of a fireplace burning, comes the potential of a hard freeze. We would like to take this opportunity to pass on some precautionary measures to better prepare you to deal with weather related adversities should they occur.

Hard freezes are typically forecast several days in advance, allowing adequate preparation time. The two main inconveniences associated with a freeze are frozen water pipes that leak once thawed, and loss of electricity from power lines downed by the weight of ice.

PRECAUTIONS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER

Purchase emergency supplies such as:

· Firewood, portable heater

· Additional blankets

· Battery powered weather radio or TV

· Sanitary drinking water and containers

· Flashlight/batteries

· Non-perishable food items

· Dry ice/ice chest for perishables

· Manually operated can opener

· First Aid Kit

Shelter your animals and bring patio plants indoors.

Familiarize yourself with area emergency shelters, or arrange alternate housing in the event of an extended utility outage. Remember to lock all doors and windows if you leave. Keep in mind that a hard freeze usually affects the entire surrounding area, and businesses will be affected just as you are. Stock up on all medications and other necessities that may not be available if merchants are closed.

DRIVING ON ICY STREETS ALSO PRESENTS A HAZARD

Fill your automobile with gas, and check the anti-freeze, oil and battery. Drive only when absolutely necessary.

When you leave apartment, walk carefully and watch for ice on walkways, stairs, and parking area.

Store drinking water in sanitary containers, or purchase drinking water. Store water in the bathtub for other uses.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Although the community personnel will take every precaution possible to prevent problems that result from a freeze, the assistance of every resident is needed as well.

1. Drip the water in your tub and kitchen sink to help prevent the water from freezing. If you are aware that the water pressure is low and needed for fire fighting, as often occurs with a freeze, do not drip the water.

2. Keep your heater set on 65 degrees, even if you leave your apartment. Leave cabinet doors open under sinks to washer/dryer rooms to allow heat to the pipes.

3. If your washing machine is located in a room to which heat cannot be provided, disconnect the water supply lines to your washer to prevent frozen water from bursting the pipes in your washer. Place towels or blankets under the door to such rooms to keep out as much freezing wind as possible.

4. Should pipes be damaged, and leaks occur, the sheetrock will hold water until it begins to leak. Punch a pencil hole in the wet area to allow the water to drain. Place a container under the water where possible.

Some communities with pipes prone to freezing may turn the water to the community off and drain the water pipe system completely. If this occurs, please be patient, as this precautionary measure will prevent prolonged repair time associated with a mass of broken pipes.

Community Clothes Care Centers and facilities may be shut down.

We strongly urge all residents to obtain sufficient insurance to cover their personal belongings damaged as a result of a disaster, such as water damage from broken pipes or fires from downed power lines.

Above all, plan in advance!

Call 911 or local Police for Emergencies

Where do they think we live, Minnesota? I've lived in the Austin area for 13 years now, and ONCE we had weather bad enough to warrant this kind of hysteria (the week we moved here, now that I think about it). Sure, we'll get a little ice here and there, but nothing like... well... places where winter actually happens.

Yeah, it's chilly today (downright cold for those who have never seen more than a scattering of snow). Pipes freezing? Ice downing power lines? I don't think so. I'm not quite ready to grab my parka and hook up the sled dogs. Goofy Austinites.

That being said, sure... I'd love another cup of hot tea. Thanks for asking!

Let's see if I can find something worth commenting on.

General:

• I'd love to see the demographics on this survey. The vast majority of the nation opposed TARP. I can't imagine that they'd be more inclined to support corporate stupidity.
• "Please pray for him not to suffer from this accident." There's really nothing more to say.
• How cute! Today is "Call in Gay" Day... whatever that means. Since we didn't actually have Prop 8 here in sane Texas, I doubt many gays have taken the day off here. hmmm... I should probably go shopping... just in case...
• While we're on the subject... Newsweek seems to think the Bible can mean whatever you want it to mean... words be damned. Oh, yeah... and if you don't like a translation, you can just make up your own.
  

Politics:

• Hot Rod is evidently a bit of a pariah these days. I can't imagine why. In other news, Obama has already paged his bus driver.
• Speaking of Hot Rod... is anyone shocked that Jesse Jr. might be "Candidate No. 5"? I guess I am... only because he was willing to hand over the cash. I mean, didn't his daddy teach him better than that?
• Oh, yeah... I'm going to believe Obama on this one... not.
  

Sports:

• NHL refs used profanity? Say it isn't so...
• CC is going to the Dark Side. I'm not a Brewers' fan, but still...
  
• NFLPA is on crack. Just sayin'...
• The NFL is feeling the pinch.
  
• How bad is it when Blago makes my round-up in multiple categories? Yeah... that bad.
• I hope he stays in Lubbock.
• Colt is staying in Austin. Will Sam stay in Norman?
• Speaking of Sam... he's fine and will be ready for the Gators.
  

Science:

• Is The Goracle vacationing in southern California?
• Food allergy hysteria makes things worse.
• Scientists are morons... but you knew that.
  

Christmas:

• UNC decided not to follow any one tradition. Lovely. How... politically correct.
• Scientists have tried to figure out when Jesus' birthday actually is. Not like it will change anything. (This is a good video, if you want some of this research explained.)
• So much for the Christmas spirit, I guess.
• Rudolf is back. (You know... if the mother in question had a fun Hanukkah song, I don't see why it couldn't have been added... but the school's argument makes sense- Rudolf isn't exactly a religious figure... the bearded man in the red suit isn't... even if his namesake was.)
• eh... let 'em have their displays... it just shows them to be the whiners that they are. I do not feel insulted or ridiculed by their beliefs. Why should I? (This campaign is a bit smarter. I've always liked the Messages from God billboards.)
• Why do I hate this movie so much? I have no idea... but I just can't stand it. (For those of you who care, here is a "where are they now?" for the cast.)
  

Stuff that defies categorization:

• ew. No thanks. I'll take care of that myself, if it's ok with you.
• Supposedly, it snowed here last night. Yeah, right.
• How much money did they spend for this study? Men overspend to get a mate? You don't say... in other news, the sky is blue...
• Is it petty of me that this article makes me want to run out and buy a few more artificial trees? One for every room is what I'm thinking...
  

Has anyone else noticed how many celebrity scents are out there now? It used to be that cosmetics/ perfume companies would hire a famous face to hawk their colognes and perfumes. Now? Celebrities have their own unique scents to push onto our sheeple public.

I don't know who started it. J Lo? Brittany? Probably Elizabeth Taylor. I guess I don't really care who started it. The market is now flooded with the aroma of Beyonce, Donald Trump, Paris Hilton, Celine Dion, Kate Moss, The Beckhams, Gwen Stefani, Sarah Jessica Parker, Christina Aguilera , Jessica Simpson, Antonio Banderas, Tim McGraw, Halle Berry, P. Diddy, Justin Timberlake, Danielle Steel, Hillary Duff, Mariah Carey, Shania Twain, Michael Jordan, Russell and Kimora Kee Simmons, Usher, and who-knows-how-many-more. High School Musical even has one.

You'll also find scents from all the famous designers. That makes a little more scents sense. Perry Ellis has had fragrances for years, as have Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren. The newer designers have their own lines, too. But the celebrities?

What happened to the old standbys? Chantilly and Sweet Honesty? Shalimar and Emeraude? And for the guys, Jovan and Stetson? Aramis and Drakkar Noir? I guess you can find them... if you look.

Yeah... yeah... I know... free market economy... capitalism... blah blah blah... For me, this isn't about the best way for a company to make money (use a familiar face). It's more about a society where sheeple think that J Lo, Brittany and Tim McGraw (sorry to lump you with them, Tim, but ...) know anything about fragrances. Our society has become so celebrity-obsessed that it borders on hysteria. We have to have so-and-so's hair style, that celeb's clothes, the "perfect" body we see trotted out on every movie, tv show and supermarket tabloid. And now we have to smell like them, too?

Oh, I know... it's not about what they know about chemistry and biology and marketing... it's about... well... check out this chart I saw here:

It's all about what sells... and sex and celebrity sell...

eh... whatever... y'all can have Brittany's "Curious" or j.lo's "Love". I'll stick with Obsession and Poison and Black (my only "new" fragrance).

I know... I know... as my dad pointed out, I haven't been blogging much lately. There's just not much out there. The arrest of Governor Blago didn't even really stir my blogging interest. (I do have to mention something about Blago, though. What is it with governors that they feel the need to... how do I put this?... do that with their hair? I mean, Rick Perry is not-so-affectionately known as "The Best Hair In Texas"... now Blago is set to get the Illinois title... even the gang at Ace of Spades have noticed. How can you not? What is the deal???? OK... I feel better now.) The fact that, according to the Constitution, Hillary can't be Secretary of State barely caught my attention. (Both of those, btw, were tipped to me by my dad.)

I'll try to do better, but... there's just not a lot of bloggy goodness out there right now. The Obamasiah is choosing the goons that he will later throw under his bus, but his choices are so... 1992. Conress is doing their damnedest to turn this country into the USSA with all of their bailouts and takeovers. W is doing the final rounds with the media, trying to secure a legacy that only time can save. Besides that? eh... I'm working on a pet peevish rant and a round-up, but even those are... bleh.

What am I trying to say? I'm sure there will be bloggy goodness in the future. I just kind of doubt that anything interesting will happen before... let's say... 2009.

But check back. You never know.

Spc. Jonnie L Stiles
38 years old from Highlands Ranch, Colorado
769th Engineer Battalion, Louisiana Army National Guard
November 13, 2008


Louisiana National Guard spokesman Maj. Michael Kazmierzak said Spc. Jonnie L. Stiles had been serving as a gunner on a Humvee doing route clearance when and IED detonated near his vehicle in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. He said the job typically involves checking roads for bombs and insurgents.

Stiles' wife, Launa, said that he was nearly killed last month when a suicide bomber blew up a military vehicle in front of his. She said he was still able to rescue three other soldiers and returned to duty before his 30-day recovery period was finished.

"He was strong and really cared for his men," she said.

Stiles was born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and graduated from Littleton High School in Colorado. He served in the military for 17 years, first joining the Marines and then switching to the Army in 1999. He served three years at Fort Carson, left the Army and then returned as a member of the Colorado Air National Guard in the Summer of 2007.

All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Spc. Matthew T. Morris
23 years old from Cedar Park, Texas
2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment
April 06, 2008


"He was a very creative kid, and when he wasn't in a challenging environment, he tried to make life interesting," Glenn Morris, father of Spc. Morris, said. "He excelled in a military school structure and in a team environment."

Before enlisting in the Army in 2005, Morris attended the Fishburne Military School in Waynesboro, Virginia where he met a history teacher who inspired him to want to become an educator. "After his service, he wanted to go back to school and get a four-year degree to become a teacher," said his mother, Lisa. "He wanted to make a difference and give back to the community."

Spc. Morris was killed when his vehicle encountered an IED in Balad, Iraq. Also killed in the attack was Cpt. Ulises Burgos-Cruz.

All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.