Just because it's Friday and to prove that I wasn't making it up when I said I nearly blew away in Ireland last week...

And remember check back for the winners of this week's photography competition this afternoon.

Nuff said. =)

kofi kicks the ghost out of jericho

I know a good writer is supposed to take whatever assignment s/he can grab, build on that, use it as a challenge to grow from, &c.  I know a good writer can grab the ball and run with it and shouldn't be too proud to undertake a job.

Gods know I haven't had any assignments lately.  I'm looking for work through various channels and am excited about some of the opportunities, but at the risk of sounding princessy, there is one job I will never accept.

Marketing.  I see a lot of writing positions in the realm of marketing, and as much as I need the experience and would like the money, I can't bring myself to work in marketing.  I see it as a force of evil.  It uses increasingly manipulative messaging and semiotics to exploit an undereducated population while exploring how closely it can skirt technical legal offense.

I see these jobs that start to sound okay, like a blogger wanted for a company-wide intranet blog, but then they mention planning e-mail and mobile phone campaigns.  I'm against spamming (however they want to call it) and I'm particularly defensive against marketing through text messaging.  Marketing sees no boundary, no inviolate personal realm, no inappropriate breach.  There is nowhere you can suggest that Marketing will say, "That's going too far."  All they want to do is sell you stuff that you don't need and, once you've bought it, sell you more of it.

I don't want to use my powers for evil.  It would be a personal failure for me to design an unsuccessful Yo-J or Sunny D campaign, but it would be a larger moral failure for me to write a successful one.  I don't want a legacy in the form of unsolicited and invasive text messages on millions of cell phones, and I don't want all the anger generated from that directed at me.

At the same time... I need a job.

He aprendido... que cuando estás  enamorado, se nota... 

He aprendido... que una persona diciéndome, "Me alegraste el  día"... alegra mi día. 

He aprendido... que siempre puedo orar por alguien, cuando no  tengo otro modo de ayudarlo. 

He aprendido... que no importa que tan serio requiera la vida  que seas, todos necesitamos un amigo con el que podamos reir a carcajadas. 

He aprendido... que algunas veces, todo lo que una persona  necesita, es una mano que sostener y un corazón que entender. 

He aprendido... que la vida es como una espiral. Mientras más  se acerca al final, más rápido camina. 

He aprendido... que el dinero no compra la clase. 

He aprendido... que esas pequeñas cosas que pasan diariamente,  son las que hacen la vida espectacular. 

He aprendido... que debajo del duro escudo de las personas, hay  alguien que quiere ser apreciado y amado. 

He aprendido... que Dios no hizo todo en un solo día... que me  hace pensar que yo puedo? 

He aprendido... que ignorar lo hecho... no cambia los hechos. 

He aprendido... que es el amor, no el tiempo... el que cura  todas las heridas. 

He aprendido... que cada persona a la que conoces, merece ser  obsequiada con una sonrisa. 

He aprendido... que nadie es perfecto... hasta que te enamoras  de alguien. 

He aprendido... que las oportunidades nunca se pierden, alguien  más tomara aquella que tu dejaste pasar. 

He aprendido... que uno debe decir palabras suaves y tiernas,  porque más adelante puedes tener que tragártelas. 

He aprendido... que una sonrisa, es la manera más barata de  lucir mucho mejor... 

He aprendido... que no puedo elegir cómo me siento, pero puedo  elegir que hago con respecto a eso. 

He aprendido... que todos quieren estar en la cima de la  montaña, pero que toda la felicidad y experiencias agradables, suceden mientras  se escala hacia ella. 

He aprendido ... que estamos rodeados de muy buenas amistades,  que hay que cultivarlas y nunca dejarlas morir!!! 

LA FELICIDAD ES UN TRAYECTO, NO UN DESTINO! 

lets support brock lesnar in ufc as champion. he was 3 times wwe champion

we respect him as an ex-wrestler . HE is awsome

Adviento.  Tiempo de preparación a la venida del ¡Rey de Reyes, Señor de Señores!

La palabra Adviento significa: advenimiento, venida o llegada. Todas las lecturas bíblicas nos preparan para las Fiestas de Navidad. Pero, para una verdadera Navidad Cristiana, no una navidad superficial, basada en jolgorios, bebentinas, francachelas, desarreglos, en fin, toda clase de consumismo, hedonismo y materialismo que ya el mundo nos ha acostumbrado a vivir.

Aunque no se sabe con certeza la fecha del nacimiento del hijo de Dios...Esta debe de ser una Navidad en que se recuerde al verdadero  motivo de esta gran fiesta: Jesús de Nazaret.

¡Es increíble, que el mundo celebre un cumpleaños sin pensar en el invitado principal! Ya hasta los adornos que se venden parecen para una fiesta pagana: duendes, gnomos, trineos, figuras de santa claus, árboles, etc.

Nosotros los cristianos debemos luchar cada vez más para que nuestras experiencias de fe permanezcan en nuestros hogares: Los padres cristianos somos los responsables de la educación en la fe de nuestros hijos. Porque si no: "Cuando venga el Hijo del hombre, ¿encontrará fe en la Tierra? (Lc 18,8)

Debemos enseñar a nuestros niños, el origen de esta gran celebración: La primera venida de Jesús al mundo como Redentor de los hombres, así como de Su segunda  venida en la "no sabréis cuando vendrá, si al atardecer, o a medianoche, o al canto del gallo, o al amanecer; velad, no sea que venga inesperadamente y les encuentre dormidos. Lo que les digo a ustedes, lo digo a todos: ¡Velad!" (Mc 13, 33-37)

El Señor nos está pidiendo hoy también a nosotros que estemos alertas. No podemos seguir huyendo de nuestros principios, viviendo la "vida loca". Es hora de detenernos a pensar: ¿Hacía donde nos dirigimos? ¿Qué es lo que estamos persiguiendo? ¿A qué se debe tanta angustia? ¿Qué está pasando con la educación de nuestros hijos? ¿Qué está pasando con nuestras familias? ¿Dónde están las familias que se dicen ser cristianas? ¿Dónde está la disciplina en la crianza de los hijos? ¿Por qué han abandonado la guardia?

Adviento: Tiempo de Reflexión; Tiempo de Conversión. Vamos a aprovechar esta nueva oportunidad que nos brinda hoy el Señor para conocer Su Grandeza.

Vamos a pedir en este tiempo que las familias dejen su apatía y conformismo y se vuelvan mensajeros de la Buena Noticia del Evangelio para otras familias.  Que se conviertan en agentes para la transformación de la sociedad. Es un trabajo arduo el de la familia, pero es el trabajo que más beneficio produce para a la felicidad de todos los miembros de esas mismas familias.

Vamos a aprovechar este tiempo para compartir como familia, con los más necesitados. Vamos a ser solidarios, con los más pobres del Señor; vamos a ser más austeros, y sacrificar lujos, las fiestas, los trajes y vivir junto a los que no tienen en este tiempo a veces ni lo más necesario. Jesús eligió la pobreza. Dejemos tanto consumismo y tanto materialismo y vivamos este Adviento como preparación a Su Venida Gloriosa. El, que sigue viniendo cada día a nuestra vida, y no somos capaces de verlo ni encontrarnos con El. Vamos a hacer partícipes de esto a nuestros hijos. Amén!

Earlier today, I promised a reader that I would try to be more optimistic in the New Year. I'm glad I said in the New Year, because it's beyond my limited capabilities to put a positive spin on the latest jobless numbers from the US. Half a million jobs were shed last month, about 50 per cent more than economists were expecting, according to the New York Times.

Not only has the UK been following the US into this recession, but the pattern of job losses - if we can call it that - seems similiar. In both countries, companies in every sector of the economy are laying off staff.

Further big job losses are coming in the UK, with the associated company defaults, mortgage arrears and continuing slump in demand. That is why I think the housing market still has further to fall, which is how I upset this morning's reader in the first place.

The US economy has now been in recession for 12 months, and things are still getting worse rather than better.

So here  is my best shot at optimism for now: there is still a reasonable chance that both the US and the UK will only suffer a severe recession, rather than a depression.

Movado Women's Amorosa Watch

A cool accessory, supa fab.  I want one too.

Canon PowerShot SD1100IS 8MP Digital Camera

It's pink, it's cute...it's perfect for takin' pics of friends when she goes out for cocktails or when her chihuahuas are looking especially adorable that day :-)  And then she can throw them on her Pig Pen page!  It's perfect!

Apple iPod Touch 8 GB

Load this up with songs & your girl can hit Bayshore Blvd for a run or the gym for some weight training.  It's a must-have when you workout.  Plus it has that fun touch-screen.  Endless hours of entertainment!

KitchenAid Professional 600 Series 6-Quart Stand Mixer

I get an "A" for effort (or is it "E"??  I can never remember that saying.  Ha) when it comes to cooking...but who doesn't love a little appliance that also serves as an accessory for your kitchen!  Ta-da! 

Philosophy - The Recipe Box - Classic Recipe Shower Gels

OK...I'm gonna interject here.  You don't have to get EXACTLY this, but lotions/shower gels/bubble baths are always good for a girl to have.  You don't think we wake up naturally smelling like candy, do you? :-)  Well, some of us do (ahem). 

Votive Aromatic Candles

Candles are the best!  They make our homes smell yummy & look good doing it.  Just make sure you do a smell-check.  No one likes a stinky candle.  That's torture. 

Farouk CHI GF1538 Turbo Regular 1 Inch Ceramic Flat Iron Straightener

I WANT THIS!!!!!!!!!  Curly hair & Florida weather = good luck getting (and keeping!) it straight.  This thing is a beast, it doesn't mess around.  Loves it. 

Lovely Perfume for Women

Now we can all smell like Carrie Bradshaw!  Score!  Not that any of us really knows what that is...but I bet it smells good :-)  Sarah Jessica Parker concocted this perfume that's a blend of Rosewood, Lavender, Mandarin, Apple Martini and Bergamot.

Flip Video Mino Series Camcorder, 60 Minutes

Super-duper fun!  Small enough to keep it in your Louis Vuitton...then you can instantly upload, edit & post all your fav video creations on You Tube (& your Pig Penn page, heyyyyyooo)!

Or...just get a massive card & stuff it full of cash.  I'm a fan.

http://theblock.wgci.com/mr.valentine1987

PICTURED HERE WITH BRIAN MC KNIGHT AT THE NBA ALL STAR GAME IN PHOENIX IN 1995. THIS IS A OLD PICTURE BUT HE STILL LOOKS THE SAME:)

8:34 am This is Barbara Proctor's Oldest Grandson and Morgan's oldest son.

ya viene navidad, no olvidemos el real significado de esta temporada, no espero inculcar mis creancias en nadie solo dejar saber lo que sale de mi corazon, porque creo todos tenemos nuestros propios valores y creencias, para mi la navidad es lo mas hermoso porque es un dia de celebrar el nacimiento de el amor mas grande que dios nos da, ubo un tiempo en que para mi esta fecha era lo mas triste que habia en mi vida, porque ya no tenia a mi chiquilla conmigo para celebrarla, y se llevo mucho tiempo para que yo pudiera sobrepasar esto, pero un ano al estar decorando mi arbolito mis hijos dormian asia un lado y no se si fue por la gloria de dios pero algo paso esa noche y realize que ellos no merecian yo menopreciara esta temporada con ellos, ellos eran todo para mi hija fallecida y yo la estaba desepcionando con mi comportamiento, como podia yo celebrar una fecha tan grandiosa si no me salia del corazon,dios me ayudo a que yo aprendiara de nuevo a difrutar ese dia tan importante porque me dio paz en mi corazon, ahora tengo 3 nietos con quien compartir, gracias senor Dios por el nacimiento de tu hijo Jesus,espero todos pasen bien este dia y que el ano termine en armonia y el nuevo comienze lleno de alegria

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the toy store, the sane and rational people behind the MAMA campaign (Moms Ask Mattel for Accountability) have taken the fight against Islam to new heights.

Remember the doll that didn't say 'Islam is the light'? The one that caused The Sun to have a stroke?The one that caused yours truly to write a column in the Owasso Reporter in Oklahoma? Of course you do. But, - a reader shouts - surely we've all moved on from this silly season story? Oh no. Take a bow MAMA.

As they say on the terraces, who are you?

• Moms Ask Mattel for Accountability - MAMA -is a public education effort by concerned families to protect children from being invited to join Islam, without their parents’ knowledge or permission

Pleased to meet you, MAMA. So, you've heard about the doll then?

• Mattel, the largest toy maker in the world, is still selling a toy that says “Islam is the Light”

So, what's your solution to this crime against humanity?

• Truth-in-advertising for this toy is of material importance to the post-9/11 consumer, especially to the post 9/11 parent who purchases a toy in absence of any warning that the toy advocates Islam to young children.

I see. So, if granny buys this devil doll for little Britney she'll grow up wanting to blow up people? Or maybe she'll just join the US army where you get to learn to land planes as well.

Disturbingly, Mattel are apparently in on the indoctrination.

• “Chris Schaden, senior vice president of sales at Mattel, said last month the company did a thorough investigation and found that, ‘if told to listen for a particular phrase, you may hear something similar due to the power of suggestion.’”

Ah, Harry Hill's POS strikes again. What are the chances? (anyone outside the UK won't get this).

Even worse, Mattel, it is claimed, posted a different sound file on its website.

MAMA were not to be fobbed off. They used computer and audio experts to slow down the audio so that a definitive, remixed version could be produced. Whether this will be released on itunes is another matter.

Here, Randall Rathbun, the aliteratively named hero of the movement, picks up the gauntlet like a knight on his way to the crusades:

• I slowed the whole recording down to the following 3 ranges: a man’s voice, a woman’s voice and a child’s voice.

  I then listened carefully, playing each several times for subtle
  nuances. The child’s voice wasn’t quite right, there was too much
  articulation for a normal child to master. The man’s voice didn’t
  sound right, the timbre quality or resonances did not fit or sound
  right, but when I played the woman’s voice the first time, it was an
  uncanny match.

• I used the Windows version of Audacity Sound Editor to slow the speed from 44.1K to 31K and convert the file from mp3 to a wav file….

Slow down, Randy, you mean it won't work on a Mac?

Now, I'm losing the will to live so I can't be bothered to give these zealots any more space. I'm no apologist for any fundamentalist extremism whether it be Jihadists or the MAMAs from Hell.

ORIGINAL @ http://ericthefishking.blogspot.com/2008/12/gathering-nuts-in-december.html

I have been informed (okay, I was asked) that I am having visitors for a few days right before Christmas. My dad and brother are coming down for a couple of days. So, you know what that means. I actually HAVE to clean my house before Christmas.

Now, I normally do this anyway, but guests mean that I have to do all the things I've been putting off, like cleaning grimy child-size handprints off the walls and sweeping behind the couches. Housecleaning is not my favorite chore. My head is too full of necklaces and bracelets and quilts and new clothing projects to really enjoy housecleaning. I do try to keep it up, if nothing else for my husband's sake, but I really hate housecleaning. Yuck.

So, I have a couple of weeks to git 'r done, and I will. Christmas music always makes it a little (okay, a lot) more bearable. You'd be amazed at how much I can get done in one Mannheim Steamroller Christmas album! So, off I go to start the annual madness. Have you ever noticed parental visits encourage a much more thorough cleaning? Maybe I can recruit a couple of little helpers this year. Hey, a girl can dream, right? LOL :)

Have an excellent day, and if you haven't finished your Christmas shopping, check out www.heartsabustin.etsy.com. There's still time to ship you whatever you see! Love ya'll!

 Hey Guys:

Don't miss This Mon 3-hr-special of Raw on USA 8/9ct where they're handling out Slammy Awards for Best Diva, Best Superstar, Best Finisher Move etc.

Plus matches that will raise the roof from Arena and Raw is going to be totally hot.

 Who do u think should win Best Superstar of the Year or Diva of the Year?

 Pierre has had a house turtle for seventeen years - his daughter lost interest and moved far away.

This turtle lives next to the wood stove in the living room, and has his own little pool with handy ladder to clamber in and out of at will.  He is very content.

At Easter, Pierre and Fabienne went on holiday for two weeks, leaving Arthur in the care of their daughter, who came specially to turtle-sit.

Perhaps it was the all-night parties, perhaps the irregular and infrequent mealtimes, but Arthur took the opportunity of a left-open back door to Run Away.

And in spite of Wanted Posters on all local windows and lampposts, he stayed away.  For Pierre, it's been heart-wrenching.

This week, he decided to bring  home a (live) chicken that someone no longer wanted (people can be so cruel)... it wasn't very turtley, but it might enjoy their secluded garden and could lay the odd egg.

Indeed, the chicken spent a happy afternoon vociferously exploring its new surroundings and making itself at home.

And Lo!  the morning after, who should be hammering on the back door (quite low down) but Arthur!  The little tinker had been there all the time!  (one assumes)

Apparently, turtles are irritated by strange chickens.

I will be interviewed today, Dec. 5, at 11am on TALK 820 AM radio.  Several of us will be interviewed; myself  (Lady M) and Poppy, Franco and Unity will all be on-the-air being interviewed about December's Mystic Spa.  As many of you know I will be doing tarot readings at the Mystic Spa on Dec. 13, 2008.

 TALK 820 will have a contest for five prize packs of goodies from Mystic Spa participants.  There are two valued at $450 each and three valued at $350 each.  They are worth winning.  They include product from the White Flame Candle Company (candy bowls, votives and glass jarred candles and a crystal votive holder) and Medieval Magic (incense and incense holder/ash catcher) as well as a $40 gift certificate for Medieval Magic online store.  There are also gift certificates for readings from Lady M, readings from Poppy, readings by Franco, services from Spirit Awakes, for $40 at the upcoming Mystic Spa, Dec. 13, 2008 to be used with any of the talent there.

 Listen to the show live online or catch us on the radio, and make sure you enter to win one of these great gift baskets.

 I am so looking forward to the interview and the Dec. 13, 2008 Mystic Spa in Burlington

I would really like to see what he siad about the Cavs here, so could anyone with Insider please post the article?

I'm not cheap, there's just no point in me joining as I can't get the magazines over here, so help would be appreciated :)

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=PERdieminsider-081204

Thanks in advance

Man calls in sick to rob employer later the same day

Intoxicated woman attacks, punches motorist in face.

Woman arrested for alleged theft broke security officer's nose

Man burned, broke and tortured his daughter while child's mother watched

Smuggler makes **** of himself

Woman accused of having sex with dogs

State trooper gives ticket to woman in labor

Woman sues Pa. sports bar for toilet seat break

Woman gets probation for setting tow truck on fire

Man allegedly attacks speed camera with pickax

Illinois boy charged with poking students with pin

Shoplifting suspect uses Taser on Wal-Mart worker

Man charged with assult after reportedly shoving cheeseburger into girlfriend's face

Mailed pot delievers Cedar Rapids man to jail

Father, Son arrested with five cases of pot