Rants From the Left Side of Reality

A Dark Day Indeed

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:48:44 GMT

Out side the sun is shining and its a beautiful day.
I received a message earlier this morning that has taken a bright day and has suddenly made it darker.
An aquaintance of mine had taken his life last night.
It has hit me as if I had lost a close friend, and death doesn't usually strike me this way.

I feel it fitting to re-post an essay I wrote back in '05 here
These are my feelings on suisade, they haven't changed much

so please read on

A special letter to a certain young man
This is a special letter to a boy fast becoming a young man. Whom I love as dearly and as much as I would as if he were my own son.

“you dont understand how i can live my life the way im living it. but untill the day that i feel i can leave cl. alone without worrying that hes gonna commit suicide then i cant do anything else but live my life this way. because no matter what, i love my little brother and i care for him more than any other person in my life”.

This is from the sister of the young man who passed over a couple of weeks back. I was unaware that her younger brother “Cl.” was showing suicidal tendancies I spoke of this above paragraph with their mother and she did confirm that the cub did have a history of suicide in his family on his fathers’ side.

I mentioned that it was too bad I wasn’t closer as I would give him my “Why Suicide is Stupid” talk. Then the idea of posting it here would be a good idea as it is something I feel strongly about.

I’m going to address the rest of this entry to Cl. Although, please feel free to save it in your files as someday you may find this useful. Or at least I would hope you might. On the other hand I hope that you my never need it.

Boo. This is part of my “What It Means To Be A Man speech”. I’ve never had to write it down before, so forgive me if this stumbles and rambles in some parts. If there is any part of this that is unclear to you, please e-mail me. You can also call me I will e-mail your mother my phone number. So here goes…

You, who though are not of my blood kin, are of the kin of my spirit. Cub of my Clan, Kin of my hearth.

First I want you to know, no matter how angry I may seem with you (even though that time has not come), I love you and I will always love you as if you were a son, nephew or even grand son.

I’ve been hearing some rather disturbing things about you that have me greatly disturbed. Yes, the top paragraph is the biggy so I’ll address this first.

An It Harm None, Do What You Will

This is the law that our kindred live by. What does it mean? The very essence of it means basically do what ever you will just don’t cause harm to any body. That includes yourself.

Do you love your mom? A stupid question, of course you do. If you took your own life you would kill her. Is that the sort of thing a loving son would do? Not likely.
Your sister adores you. I may not seem it at times but she really does. There are other people we both know (lots of them) that would be devastated if you were to do that to them (Yes, there is more here than just yourself)

There are also Spiritual side affects one must take into consideration. First of all you must understand that we are here for many reasons. The biggest and most important reason for our being, is that our soul or spirit is here on this earth so that it may advance to the point where we can stay in the Summerled ,Avalon, Nirvana, Heaven or what ever name we want to call it. This is the school the deities have sent us to.

When a person takes their own life, that soul that inhabited that body, is immediately re-incarnated into the same sort of life, the same situations, the same type of people and the same joys and hardships. And the same lessons.

Once you have learned the lessons in this life, you don’t have to do them entirely over. Once they are learned that is it. You graduate and you move on to the next batch of lessons. There is more to it than just this, but that is it in a nutshell.

I know that right now you are going through some extremely difficult times right now. You are growing a bit ahead of most of your friends (we have had many talks on that subject) You are also spiritually growing (and sometimes that is way more fun than the physical end of things)

I have to ask you are things all that bad? You have food in your belly, a roof over your head and clothes on your body. You have a mother and sister who love you dearly. You go to school, you play amtgard and other things.
You don’t live in some third world country where at the age of 11 you are forced into a military militia, and forced to kill and possibly die in a war you had nothing to do with. You don’t live in a place where a bomb can go off and destroy your house and worse. Your sister isn’t selling her body for money, and your mother is not a crack head.

And yet amazing as it may seem, there are eleven year old boys who live in those situations, and they make it. Do you know why? Be cause they have will The have the will to live because they know that there is going to be something for them when they grow to adult hood that will change their situation. They also have the courage to do so.
Courage. Now that is something to think about. I know that you have a lot to deal with right now. Bullies at school, adults who just don’t seem to understand you, and life in general. I’ve been through some serious stuff when I was a kid too. Things that I would never wish on a child, horrible things.

I’ll admit something to you C-boy, there were a couple of times I felt F*(# it I wanna quit. I’ll just kill myself. But you know what? I didn’t. And what if I had? My Mother would have never been the same. If I had committed suicide, I would have killed her with what I had done. She would not have died physically but she would have spiritually, psychologically and emotionally. How cruel that would have been. What a coward I would have been!

It takes a brave person to live this life. Over the next couple of years you will be going through all kinds of tests of your courage and resolve. Take em on! I know you can, I see the soul within that young body of yours. The Following is something I give to boys your age when they are ready for it. I know you are ready for this. Its called:

LITANY AGAINST FEAR
I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.

Read these words out loud. Take them to your heart and take comfort in them. Memorize this. Not just to have something memorized because I advised you too. Memorize it for your self. You want to learn spellcraft? Here is your first lesson Boo. It’s a freebie.

Another thing to keep in mind, every time you wake up it’s the start of a new adventure, life is a mystery to be lived. Not a problemme to be solved And remember no matter how bad things may seem, you are loved.

If things get to be more than you think you can bare and you feel you cant go to your mother, your sister, or O’B, you can always call on me (you still have that card I gave you?) or you can call:

866-488-7386 This is the phone number of the Trevor Hotline its for teen suicide prevention. There are people there 24 hours a day. The Trevor Hotline is geared towards gay and lesbian youth but they will help anyone.
Teenline
(713) 529-TEEN (713) 529-8336 this is the number for the Houston teen crisis hotline. Again you can call them 24-7. http://suicidehotlines.com/texas.html

Slave Labour or Indentured servitude

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 22:48:41 GMT

This is the kind of crap I'm dealing with at work...

Do list for Monday, January 19th, 2009

Shrink wrap and box V8000HDMI (over 100 pieces)

Shrink wrap and box V8000HDe (over 100 pieces)

Re-box V8000w’s (30 pieces)

Prep V9200’s with cables and QSG’s (30 Pieces)

Build 15-20 Monitor arms (approx. 200 Minutes total time for all units)

Build 15 PT2000 (approx 150 minutes total build time)

Organize and put away monitor parts that came in with last shipment(approx. 2 hrs)

Cut gells for I-Led lights (approx 5 to 10 hrs)

Prep more uni-racks once rack screws come in (cannot give an approximation of how long it will take as there are well over 150 of them)

Organize and clean studio “C” (Approx 2-4 hours)

Take egg crates out of new light shipment and organize (approx. 1.5-3 hrs)

Camera dolly room needs to be organized and the “optional equipment” has to be removed from the cases and placed in a separate area of the dolly room. (approx 2-3 hours of work)

This is all in addition to my regular warehouse duties…

And you tell me that I still need to make time for the janitorial work???!!!!!???

The only time I have for the janitorial work is on the weekends.

My working hours are supposed to be from 8:30 to 5:30 Monday through Friday, and I’ve been coming in at 7:30 in the morning so I can get all this shit done!

You’re gonna shit when you see the overtime I’m putting in!

Love,

Kenji

Man! They're dying off left and right!

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:33:38 GMT

You know youre getting old when the icons of your kidhood start dying off :(
First was James Doohan then Majel Barret. Now....

Patrick McGoohan has died

Jan 14, 2009, 01:29 PM | by Ken Tucker

Categories: '60s mind-blowing, Television

Patrick McGoohan, the man who embodied hope over despair in the coolest way imaginable in the 1960s cult TV classic The Prisoner, has died--he was 80 years old.

The Prisoner was a British TV series that aired in America starting in 1967. Only 17 episodes long, The Prisoner was a strikingly original show about a former British spy who wakes one morning to find himself in a psychedelic fantasy-land that's not all candy and sunshine--it's a combination British village/futuristic prison, and McGoohan's character was stripped of his identity and known only as "Number Six." McGoohan (who'd starred in an earlier spy show, Danger Man, which was titled Secret Agent in the U.S.) had the rugged good looks and clipped accent that leant The Prisoner a gravity its giddy alternate-worldliness might otherwise have lacked. Number Six's famous cry, "I am not a number, I am a free man!" became both a counterculture catchphrase as well as an anguished plea for freedom. The Prisoner was James Bond for acid-heads, and McGoohan's straitlaced image made his small-screen version of a hip spy all the more appealing.

McGoohan also appeared in many films, from Ice Station Zebra to Braveheart, but for TV fans, he'll always be The Prisoner.

And then Khan Noonian Singh

‘Fantasy Island’ star Ricardo Montalban dies

Mexican-born actor, 88, became a star in splashy MGM musicals

updated 3:34 p.m. CT, Wed., Jan. 14, 2009

LOS ANGELES - Ricardo Montalban, the Mexican-born actor who became a star in splashy MGM musicals and later as the wish-fulfilling Mr. Roarke in TV’s “Fantasy Island,” died Wednesday morning at his home, his family said. He was 88.

Montalban’s death was first announced at a city council meeting by president Eric Garcetti, who represents the district where the actor lived. He died “from complications of advancing age,” his son-in-law, Gilbert Smith, later said.

“He was so gracious, and Aaron was always humbled by Ricardo’s gratitude for ’Fantasy Island,” said Candy Spelling, wife of the

Montalban had been a star in Mexican movies when MGM brought him to Hollywood in 1946. He was cast in the leading role opposite Esther Williams in “Fiesta,” and starred again with the swimming beauty in “On an Island with You” and “Neptune’s Daughter.”

But Montalban was best known as the faintly mysterious, white-suited Mr. Roarke, who presided over a tropical island resort where visitors fulfilled their lifelong dreams — usually at the unexpected expense of a difficult life lesson. “I am Mr. Roarke, your host. Welcome to Fantasy Island,” he told arriving guests.

Montalban had already coined a cultural catchphrase before the show, which ran from 1978 to 1984. As the celebrity spokesman for mid-1970s models of the Chrysler Cordoba, Montalban unwittingly opened himself up to endless imitation when he described the car’s optional seats as being “available in soft, Corinthian leather.”

More recently, he appeared as villains in two hits of the 1980s: “Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan” and — in line with his always-apparent sense of humor about himself — the farcical “The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad.”

‘He was just a marvelous human being’
Montalban’s longtime friend and publicist David Brokaw said the actor was “exactly how you’d imagine him to be” off camera. “What you saw on the screen and on television and on talk shows, this very courtly, modest, dignified individual, that’s exactly who he was,” Brokaw said.

Raul Yzaguirre, longtime president of National Council of La Raza, called Montalban “a hero” and noted the actor’s contributions to his community. Montalban helped found the ALMA Awards, which honor and encourage fair portrayals of Latinos in entertainment.

“He was just a marvelous human being and an inspiration to be around,” Yzaguirre said. “I hope his spirit pervades more of Hollywood — the spirit of humility and excellence and giving back to the community and just plain decency.”

Between movie and TV roles, Montalban was active in the theater. He starred on Broadway in the 1957 musical “Jamaica” opposite Lena Horne, picking up a Tony nomination for best actor in a musical.

Montalban also toured in Shaw’s “Don Juan in Hell,” playing Don Juan, a performance critic John Simon later recalled as “irresistible.” In 1965 he appeared on tour in the Yul Brynner role in “The King and I.”

“Fantasy Island” received high ratings for most of its run on ABC, and still appears in reruns. Mr. Roarke and his sidekick, Tattoo, played by the 3-foot, 11-inch Herve Villechaize, reached the state of TV icons. Villechaize died in 1993.

Gregg DeGuire / Getty Images file

Ricardo Montalban, the Mexican-born actor who became a star in splashy MGM musicals and later as Mr. Roarke in TV's "Fantasy Island," died Wednesday morning at age 88.

Quotes

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:01:11 GMT

I love ole Tommy Jefferson, he were smart :)

"Question with boldness even the existence of God, for if there be one He must more approve the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear." - Thomas Jefferson, letter to Phillip Carr, Aug 10, 1787.

"I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men whatever in religion, in philosophy, in politics, or anything else where I was capable of thinking for myself. Such an addiction is the last degradation of a free and moral agent." - Thomas Jefferson, letter to Francis Hopkinson, Mar 13, 1789

"Religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, he owes account to none other for his faith or worship." Thomas Jefferson, letter to Danbury Baptist Association, Jan 01, 1802.

"I do not believe in the creed professed by any Church that I know of. My own mind is my own Church." - Thomas Paine.

"I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies."

Thomas Jefferson

Say nothing of my religion. It is known to God and myself alone. Its evidence before the world is to be sought in my life: if it has been honest and dutiful to society the religion which has regulated it cannot be a bad one.

Thomas Jefferson

Not Jefferson but ligit none the less:

Everyone ought to worship God according to his own inclinations, and not to be constrained by force.
Flavius Josephus, Life
Jewish-Roman historian & turncoat (37 AD - 100 AD)

Is uniformity attainable? Millions of innocent men, women, and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined, imprisoned; yet we have not advanced one inch towards uniformity. What has been the effect of coercion? To make one half the world fools, and the other half hypocrites. Tomas Jefferson

Work Rant number umpteen

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:47:30 GMT

NO ONE UNDER THE AGE OF 40 SHOULD EVER BE PUT IN A SUPERVISORY POSITION, NO MATTER HOW EDUCATED THEY MAY THINK THEY ARE

NO ONE WHO CANNOT SPEAK ENGLISH OR HAVE A GOOD COMPRHENSION OF THE LANGUAGE SHOULD BE PUT INTO A SUPERVISORY POSITION.

This is from a memo sent to the staff where I work:
"Hi, Here the form for your to order office supplies. We will go to order office supplies once a month. Thank you for your attention."

yeah right!

Sarah Palin: A few things we need to know

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:10:08 GMT

Palin recently said that the war in Iraq is "God's task." She's even admitted she hasn't thought about the war much—just last year she was quoted saying, "I've been so focused on state government, I haven't really focused much on the war in Iraq." ^{1, 2}
Palin has actively sought the support of the fringe Alaska Independence Party. Six months ago, Palin told members of the group—who advocate for a vote on secession from the union—to "keep up the good work" and "wished the party luck on what she called its 'inspiring convention.'" ³
Palin wants to teach creationism in public schools. She hasn't made clear whether she thinks evolution is a fact.⁴
Palin doesn't believe that humans contribute to global warming. Speaking about climate change, she said, "I'm not one though who would attribute it to being manmade." ⁵
Palin has close ties to Big Oil. Her inauguration was even sponsored by BP. ⁶
Palin is extremely anti-choice. She doesn't even support abortion in the case of rape or incest. ⁷
Palin opposes comprehensive sex-ed in public schools. She's said she will only support abstinence-only approaches. ⁸
As mayor, Palin tried to ban books from the library. Palin asked the library how she might go about banning books because some had inappropriate language in them—shocking the librarian, Mary Ellen Baker. According to Time, "news reports from the time show that Palin had threatened to fire Baker for not giving "full support" to the mayor." ⁹
She DID support the Bridge to Nowhere (before she opposed it). Palin claimed that she said "thanks, but no thanks" to the infamous Bridge to Nowhere. But in 2006, Palin supported the project repeatedly, saying that Alaska should take advantage of earmarks "while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist." ¹⁰

The plain fact of the matter is that Sarah Palin did a bang-up job delivering a Karl Rove-style political attack speech last night. That makes her a skilled politician but it doesn't make her views any more palatable for voters. Americans don't really want another far-right, anti-science ideologue in the White House.

Please help get the word out about where Sarah Palin really stands on the issues.

http://pol.moveon.org/lte?campaign_id=95&id=13709-10067698-bUhvSjx&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Nita, Ilyse, Wes, Karin and the rest of the team

P.S. If you haven't seen it, check out the Daily Show clip on Palin. It's worth a watch
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=24753&id=13709-10067698-bUhvSjx&t=5

Sources
1. "Palin: Iraq war 'a task that is from God'," Associated Press, September 3, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=24701&id=13709-10067698-bUhvSjx&t=6

2. "Palin wasn't 'really focused much' on the Iraq war," ThinkProgress, August 30, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=24702&id=13709-10067698-bUhvSjx&t=7

3. "The Sarah Palin Digest," ThinkProgress, September 4, 2008
http://thinkprogress.org/palin-digest/

4. "McCain and Palin differ on issues," Associated Press, September 3, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=24703&id=13709-10067698-bUhvSjx&t=8

5. Ibid

6. The Sarah Palin Digest," ThinkProgress, September 4, 2008
http://thinkprogress.org/palin-digest/

7. Ibid

8. Ibid.

9. "Mayor Palin: A Rough Record," Time, September 2, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=24704&id=13709-10067698-bUhvSjx&t=9

10. The Sarah Palin Digest," ThinkProgress, September 4, 2008
http://thinkprogress.org/palin-digest/

Work Rant

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:48:00 GMT

Why is it that nothing gets moving or done till after I turn into a screaming, cussing, object throwing objects, bad imitation of the Tasmanian Devil?!?

What part of “Return after use” Do you not understand? I’m sick and tired of having to track down the warehouse tools because you are too stupid and/or lazy to bring it back.

I notice that someone is kind enough to empty the trash in the break room every night. Thank you. However will it simply kill you to replace the trash can liner?

Which reminds me. No matter how paternal I may come across sometime, I AM NOT YOUR MOTHER! Its not my place to clean after you slobs! I don’t think your mothers cleaned up after you as much as I do. I’m sick and tired of hearing “Oh Kenji will do it”. You are all big boys and girls now. CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR OWN DAMED SELVES!

Kan you please explain how this business has lasted 28 years and yet you still don’t know your stock, ask to see if we have enough of something to make sure that it can ship, or even know what certain items do or how they are supposed to be packed???

How is it that you can afford to remodel the break room and the restrooms but you can’t afford proper packing materials? (BTW, the rats love the shredded paper), Nor can you afford a good printer for the warehouse?

Don’t even try to tell me how I “should” do things in my private life. I’m sick and tired of you telling me how I should live, weather or not I “need” a car (in this state and in this city, cars are a necessity, not a luxury! THIS IS NOT HONG KONG YOU FUCKING GOOK!)

Family comes first in my book, nuff said. Read your Bible if you don’t believe me.

And hey, while the barrels are pointed in your direction, What are you doing with all those hours you are not paying me for??? I know I owed you comp time hours, they should be paid off by now. As far as the money I owe you, are you taking that out of my paycheques??? If so, why is it not reflected in my pay stubs?!???

I don’t think I need to address your schizophrenia.

Okay Ricardo Cunningham, now its your turn you little shit!

When I tell you I need supplies, DON’T wait a fucking week to order them!!

When I tell you there is a need in the warehouse, don’t procrastinate, GET IT TAKEN CARE OF!!! I’ve been waiting more than a month for you to replace the shrink wrap sealer that the summer apprentices ruined. What the fuck is the hold up?

When you know there is a large order going out, get the packing slips done, don’t make me wait an hour or more before I have the packing slips in hand.

I’ve told you (no, asked you) and the tall asian chickita to get the orders to me as soon as they are processed. Yet you STILL wait till almost the end of the day to get them to me, yet you get pissed at me if all the orders aren’t out at the end of the day. I set the Warehouse policies and hours for a reason, and if you cant figure out why by now you are more stupid then I give you credit for.

Gigglebutt, When I ask you to print out the quick start guides, I mean for you to print them up within the next fifteen minutes, NOT when you feel like moving that little butt out of your chair. GET IT DONE!!!

Asian Chikita and Sales people, For the love of Jaysus will you please remember to include the customer’s phone number, email address, and the name of the business. MAKE SURE YOU TAKE DOWN THINGS LIKE ZIP CODES CORRECTLY!!! And if it is a cross shipment using another vendors’ acct. number include the vendors zip code!!!! HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO REMIND YOU “EDUCATED” PEOPLE!???

Bug Eyed One, DON’T YOU EVEN pretend like you own this place, you don’t. and the warehouse is MINE!

I’m thinking of investing in an AK47 (get the hint?)

Old fashioned values

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:56:35 GMT

I had an experience recently which left me annoyed & dismayed. I found that someone thought I was a "soft touch" because I was polite & said things like "please" and "thank you". Or maybe they thought I was a soft touch just because I'm gay, or because I"m starting to show my age in my face. Well, whatever their notions, maybe they've learned that common courtesy isn't a sign of weakness. Somehow I doubt it, lol.

It is a sad state of affairs that common (though I suppose it is becoming far less common) courtesy is taken as permission to walk all over someone.

But then I suppose, these days, anything goes and it's a case of "get out my way or I'll just run right over you & in the process I'll do whatever i want to do because there is no way i will listen to anyone else". And very little thought is given to anyone else - bosses, friends, whatever the relationship.

Maybe I'm just getting old. I know this afternoon I feel positively ancient & so incredibly tired.

Supervillan test

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:06:27 GMT

Your result for The Supervillain Archetype Test...<h3>The Megalomaniac</h3>Ambitious, Intelligent, Calculating<img src="http://cdn.okcimg.com/php/load_okc_image.php/images/0x0/0x0/0/8374314928934135453.jpeg" width="442" height="350" /><div>The Megalomaniac is the most prestigious of super-villain classes. If anyone is ever going to rule the world, it will probably be you. 
 
Your main goal in life is power and domination, you have the tools to do it, and you know it. Megalomaniacs are intelligent and forceful, and they tend not to let their emotions cloud their judgment. Most of the time. They are usually found, or not found, working at the top of a huge structured organization, though many prefer to work by themselves.
The Megalomaniac has but one flaw, but its an invariably fatal one; arrogance. He knows that he can take over the world, and he isn't afraid to let you know, often elaborately and in great detail. They often do not foresee the fly in their ointment, because they do not want to admit that such a fly could exist.
Sample Megalomaniacs: Dr. Doom, Lex Luthor, Ras al'Ghul, Kang the Conqueror, Emperor Palpatine, Brain</div><a href="http://www.helloquizzy.com/tests/the-supervillain-archetype-test">Take The Supervillain Archetype Test</a> at <a href="http://www.helloquizzy.com/">HelloQuizzy</a>

Okay so if this doesn't work (and it seldom does) I scored The MegalomaniacAmbitious, Intelligent, Calculating

How they came to that conclusion I'll never know

An offering of thanks

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:11:44 GMT

Life Itself

By George Harrison

You are the One
You are my love
You send the rain and bring the sun
You stand alone and speak the truth
You are the breath of life itself, oh yes you are
You are the One

You're in my dream
I hold you Lord in high esteem
I need you more each step I take
You are the love in life itself, oh yes you are
You are the One

You are the one that I'd die for
And you're all that is real
You are the essence of that which
We taste, touch and feel

You are the One
No matter what
You are the real love that I've got
You are my friend and when life's through
You are the light in death itself, oh yes are
You are the One

They call you Christ, Vishnu, Buddha, Jehovah,
Our Lord
You are, Govindam, Bismillah, Creator of All

You are the One
No matter what
You are the real love that I've got
You are my friend and when life's through
You are the light in death itself, oh yes are
You are the One
You are my love
You send the rain and bring the sun
You stand alone and speak the truth
You are the breath of life itself, oh yes you are
You are the breath of life itself, oh yes you are
You are the One

Hope this works

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:58:58 GMT

Just wanted to share this vid with y'all
when I finished it last night, It played (I have the program set to play when finished) It hit me strongly on an emotional level.
I guess it was because these vids were taken the day before he went into hospital. I hope and pray that C can play like this again real soon.

<object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lUD1vcvbpRI"> </param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lUD1vcvbpRI" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"> </embed> </object>

The sacredness of your calling

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 17:49:45 GMT

The Sacredness of your calling

By Rev. Ken Gurton, ULC.

Good morning,

When I was a youth of 14 years old, I received the call to ministry. It didn’t leave me alone. I’ve had many “jobs” through the years but the call to serve God and its’ people have never left me. In August of 2000 I answered that call and became an ordained minister.

There have been times I’ve not wanted to answer that call, and yet I still find myself putting my own wants and ego aside to serve the Creator. As well as his/her creation.

There are many who have a similar calling. Police Officers, Firefighters, and Those who work in the Medical Profession.

It is the latter of these three that I’m addressing this homily to.

You have been called to be healers. This is just as much a sacred calling as the one I answered eight years ago. What prompted that calling? I’m sure each of you have various stories and reasons. I prefer to think that it is because you have something in you that very many people do not have in this day and age.

That “thing” is compassion. You see someone who is hurt and/or suffering and you are the one who extends the hand of healing.

Some of you (not all, but some) have lost sight of why you were called into this vocation. Yes, it is a vocation, a calling from God to heal.

Some of you have allowed your ego to lead you to false arrogance. And this sometimes is taken out on your fellow workers and worse, the very people you were called upon to heal.

Remember, you have taken a sacred oath, I refer to the Hippocratic Oath. You can not afford to allow your egos to get in your way of your calling and oath to heal. You cannot allow yourself to think that you are any better than anyone else. If we were to take everyone in this room and then took a group of homeless people and had you all strip down to what nature intended, you would all be equals.

Do not assume that your patient is any more or less intelligent than you are. The only difference between you and a plumber is education.

Remember to treat the patient with dignity. I have seen more than one instance in this hospital where that has been forgotten. Professionalism is just as paramount. If you have a patient that is a young man in the middle of adolescents, and he just happens to be “gifted” Don’t make an issue of it. By doing so you are breaking the patience’s dignity by causing him undue embarrassment. Keep in mind that this is something you see everyday! Biology is biology. Whether they are a young person or the elderly.

Do not argue amongst yourselves. That is one thing that will break down the trust between doctor and patient. Ortho can not argue with General Surgery. Don’t place responsibility on someone else, when you know that it takes each and everyone of you to do your “jobs” in tandem with the other.

If you came into this profession for the money or prestige, Leave it now! You are in it for all of the wrong reasons. Go become a plumber instead.

Don’t forget the real reason for your calling.

Be compassionate, be honest, and take the other person’s feelings into consideration. Remember, they are a person just as much as you are, and not just a piece of meat to be prodded without compassion.

Thank you,

May God continue to guide your hands, give you wisdom and may your blessings be many.

Last nights prayer vigil

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:34:12 GMT

Thank you to all who attended last night's prayer vigil for Conell. For those of you who couldn't make it, than you for being with us in spirit and for your prayers "with us" last night :)

I think it serendipitious (SP?) that we had the vigil last night as Conell went into surgery at 2:00 this morning or so. Please read Higher's LJ for more info

Regarding tonights prayer vigil

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:57:51 GMT

For those of you who will be attending tonights prayer vigil. The meditation room is located right next to the "Hermann Cafe" (the cafateria) I will be waiting outside the door. You can't miss it :)

For those of you who cannot attend please take some time to sit quietly and pray for our boy. In your mind's eye visualize him up on his feet, running around and having fun

Thanks
Ken

Calling everyone to Prayer and Meditation

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 19:59:18 GMT

Prayer And Meditation Vigil for the healing of Conell Osborne

Hey all,

As many of you know, Conell is in hospital and is a very sick young man. He is really appreciating all the attention he is getting and is pleasantly surprised to find out how much he is really loved by all of us.

The gifts and visits are doing him a tremendous amount of good and our private prayers, though he is not aware of them, are also aiding to his getting better.

There is however strength in numbers. And as the saying goes; “whenever two or more are gathered”…

I am calling on everyone of us to gather at Sterling Prayer & Meditation Room: 1st floor, Robertson Pavilion in Hermann Memorial Hospital at 7:00 on Thursday August 7^th so that we may gather together for an hour of prayer and meditation on Conell’s behalf.

There will be some guided meditation to get us started and some light chanting. It will conclude with sending the energies that we have raised to Conell. We will also use this time to do the same for his mother, she is holding up well so far but as any parent knows there is nothing more stressful than when your child is sick.

Hope to see you there

Anger Management

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 18:50:21 GMT

No, I'm not the author of this article but it is wonderfully funny and ohhhhhh so true :)

When you occasionally have a really bad day,

and you just need to take it out on someone,

don't take it out on someone you know,

take it out on someone you don't know,

but you know deserves it.

I was sitting at my desk when I remembered

a phone call I'd forgotten to make.

I found the number and dialed it.

A man answered, saying

'Hello.'

I politely said,

'This is Chris.

Could I please speak with Robyn Carter?'

Suddenly a manic voice yelled out in my ear

'Get the right f***ing number!'

and the phone was slammed down on me.

I couldn't believe that anyone could be so rude.

When I tracked down Robyn 's correct number to call her,

I found that I had accidentally transposed the last two digits.

After hanging up with her,

I decided to call the 'wrong' number again.

When the same guy answered the phone, I yelled

'You're an asshole!'

and hung up.

I wrote his number down with the word 'asshole' next to it,

and put it in my desk drawer.

Every couple of weeks,

when I was paying bills or had a really bad day,

I'd call him up and yell,

'You're an asshole!'

It always cheered me up.

When Caller ID was introduced,

I thought my theraputic 'asshole'

calling would have to stop.

So, I called his number and said,

'Hi, this is John Smith from the telephone company.

I'm calling to see if you're familiar with our Caller ID Program?'

He yelled

'NO!'

and slammed down the phone.

I quickly called him back and said,

'That's because you're an asshole!'

and hung up.

One day I was at the store,

getting ready to pull into a parking Spot.

Some guy in a black BMW

cut me off and pulled into the spot I had patiently waited for.

I hit the horn and yelled that I'd been waiting for that spot, but the idiot ignored me.

I noticed a 'For Sale ' sign in his back window,

so I wrote down his number.

A couple of days later,

right after calling the first asshole

(I had his number on speed dial,)

I thought that I'd better call the BMW asshole, too.

I said,

'Is this the man with the black BMW for sale?'

He said,

'Yes, it is.'

I then asked,

'Can you tell me where I can see it?'

He said,

'Yes, I live at 34 Oaktree Blvd , in Fairfax .

It's a yellow ranch style house and the car's parked right out in front.'

I asked,

'What's your name?'

He said,

'My name is Don Hansen,'

I asked,

'When's a good time to catch you, Don?'

He said,

'I'm home every evening after five.'

I said,

'Listen, Don, can I tell you something?'

He said,

'Yes?'

I said,

'Don, you're an asshole!'

Then I hung up,

and added his number to my speed dial, too.

Now, when I had a problem,

I had two assholes to call.

Then I came up with an idea..

I called asshole #1.

He said,

'Hello.'

I said,

'You're an asshole!'

(But I didn't hang up.)

He asked,

'Are you still there?'

I said,

'Yeah!'

He screamed,

'Stop calling me,'

I said,

'Make me,'

He asked,

'Who are you?'

I said,

'My name is Don Hansen.'

He said,

'Yeah? Where do you live?'

I said,

'Asshole, I live at 34 Oaktree Blvd , in Fairfax ,

a yellow ranch style home and

I have a black Beamer parked in front.'

He said,

'I'm coming over right now, Don.

And you had better start saying your prayers.'

I said,

'Yeah, like I'm really scared, asshole,'

and hung up.

Then I called Asshole #2.

He said,

'Hello?'

I said,

'Hello, asshole,'

He yelled,

'If I ever find out who you are...'

I said,

'You'll what?'

He exclaimed,

'I'll kick your ass,'

I answered,

'Well, asshole, here's your chance.

I'm coming over right now.'

Then I hung up and immediately called the police,

saying that I lived at 34 Oaktree Blvd , in Fairfax ,

and that I was on my way over there to kill my gay lover.

Then I called Channel 7 News

about the gang war going down in Oaktree Blvd in Fairfax .

I quickly got into my car and headed over to Fairfax .

I got there just in time to watch two assholes

beating the crap out of each other

in front of six cop cars, an overhead news helicopter

and surrounded by a news crew.

NOW I feel much better.

Anger management really does work

Dead Family

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 21:37:05 GMT

My family seems to be dropping like flies
First my mother in January of this year
Second my Brother Reggie's wife Barbera succomed to cancer (don't know what kind) in Febuary
About half an hour ago my brother Wayne calls me to inform me that our brother David dropped dead from an apperant heart attack last night!

Just makes me feel kinda wierd. Guess I'm just getting old.

Notes for a talk with a young man

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:54:52 GMT

These are the notes that I will be using for a moderated chat I have to have with a certain young man this weekend. Sorry its such a long read but I still haven't got the hang of the whole hyperlink thingy. If anyone wants to share some advice or has suggestions on this matter please feel free to speak up.

So here I go:

The following paragraphs were written last December when I was planning on having a talk with a certain young man. We never had that talk as things started to improve between us.

Well we are going to have that talk hopefully this coming July 4^th weekend. His Brother in law has agreed to moderate between the two of us.

Talk with Conell notes

(Originally written 12/1207)

Okay, you have made it quite clear at times, since we were brought back together at Game Day, that things are strained between us. I’m sorry for the way things have turned out. I know however that if you are willing, we can fix it.

I’m sorry for the way things went in September. I have given it lots of thought (2 and a half months worth). C, we have known each other really since you were nine years old (yes I know you were seven when we met but I wasn’t an active part of your life till you were nine). And one thing we have never really done is set limitations and boundaries with each other.

We also don’t know when to stop when a person says “stop”. That is one of the reasons I kept teasing you that day not realizing that you were getting angry.

In certain adult circles they use what is called a code word. That word is used to tell one person that the other person has had enough. It can be any word. Some it may be “candy bar” others it may be “please stop”

For us I think it should be a firmly said (not yelling) “Enough!” When one of us says the word we stop the conversation (or sparring or wrestling) and take a few breaths to calm ourselves down. We can either take up from where we left off or go to another activity.

I also need to know why you have been (since you came back from Cali.) treating me as if you absolutely hated me. Because you have. C, there are many kinds of abuse and you have been verbally (and to a degree psychologically) abusive to me.

Okay, so since then things have improved between us. Or at least I had thought so. That is up until last month at the fighter practice.

Okay, I realize why you yelled and you were right in doing it to stop me. What wasn’t right was the way you continued to go off on me.

Needless to say I was hurt, angered, and upset at the tone and the way you said what you said.

Later I was talking with N. expressing my anger at your disrespect and that is when your mother brought us both together to “make an accord” Well I tried but you apparently weren’t in any mood for any accords or anything else for that matter. All you could say was “Get your act together” and when I asked you what you meant and how I should “get my act together” you couldn’t come up with a sufficient answer.

The next day when I took you to the skateboard park, you were back to being the cool C. again.

And that’s what I don’t get. When you are with me at my apartment or when its just you and I you are the coolest kid on earth. You are respectful, you keep an even tone and you seem to watch what you say and how you say things. Most of all you are the fun kid I know you to be.

But when you are with your animae buddies or with (recently) Amtgard, you turn into an mouthy arrogant jerk! (many would use another less polite term). I’ve heard the words “Bastard and Asshole” attached to you more times than I cared to last weekend. I heard it from the kids you were with as well as adults. So you see, its not just me that is seeing these things in you. And hearing that sort of thing about you really hurts as I know better about you.

There is also that little subject of “rank”. C, pulling rank on anyone is un cool. I’ve heard you do it with a lot of the adults in WTC and SFI. You even tried it with S and I have to agree with her, “Rank only is important to those who give a flip about it” (As I recall the way she said it was a lot less polite than the terms I just used)

I took a look at the WTC website and my “rank” is listed as Chaplain (not really a rank as it is a position) and you are still listed as a “Cub” I’m sure by now you are a stripe. Anyway, In the fairytale world of amtgard, yes you do outrank me (not that I care as rank in amtgard and SFI really don’t mean anything to me as they are naught in the real world)

However in the real world, when it comes to responsibility, experience, and years, your mother, S, T, N, OB, and all the other adults in both organizations are light years ahead of you. Like it or not.

Rank also will eventually for you lead to leadership. Currently because of your attitude regarding rank, you would not make a good leader as people will only follow your orders “because they have to”. And because of that you will loose members. You have to do three things before you can become a leader. 1) Remember that out side of Amtgard and SFI, you are just a person, equal to everyone else and leave the rank in its worlds where it belongs. 2) You will get further with honey than you will with vinegar. In other words, because in real life we are doing these things because they are fun, we are still equals. The reality of it is, if people don’t want to follow your orders, they won’t! Words like “please” and “thank you” go a long way. If you continue to pull rank on people eventually they will ignore you, and you don’t want that I don’t think.

Finally, the third thing you need to consider and remember. Like I told you when you asked me why if I am so opposed to things military and rank and such, I do Civil war re-enacting. Part of my answer was that at the end of the day when the public all went home, the ranks came off and we were all once again equals (note: this does not necessary happen at the big national events, but at the end of those events, the rank and such does “come off”) Don’t take pretend ranks into places or events where it has no meaning. For instance, Your mother is your mother first and your Captain only at Amtgard or SFI events.

Now then as far as the “accord” we need to make up and hold to. Do you know what an “Accord” is and what it means?

From the dictionary: Accord: verb (used without object)

1.	to be in agreement or harmony; agree.

–verb (used with object)

2.	to make agree or correspond; adapt.

3.	to grant; bestow: to accord due praise.

4.	Archaic. to settle; reconcile.

–noun

5.	proper relationship or proportion; harmony.

6.	a harmonious union of sounds, colors, etc.

7.	consent or concurrence of opinions or wills; agreement.

8.	an international agreement; settlement of questions outstanding among nations.

—Idiom

9.	of one's own accord, without being asked or told; voluntarily: We did the extra work of our own accord.

Numbers 1,4, 5 and 8 (even though we aren’t countries)

Okay then, lets take #1, Where do you and I agree or are in harmony on? I can think of a few things but I would like to hear your point of view

Number 4 is a good one. I don’t know why you treat badly me the way you do at times. Whatever I have done to deserve it I’m sure can be reconciled between us. Frankly C, I really don’t know what I have done to make you that way towards me.

Number 5: For the most part with the exceptions afore mentioned I feel our relationship is good. But like with everything, there is always room for improvement. How do you think we can attain this?

Number 8 Lets rephrase this one to: “an agreement; settlement of questions outstanding between each other” I’ve given you my questions before, do you remember what they were? I can tell you if you would like me to.

Finally, (and this turned out to be way longer than I had anticipated) We need to make some promises to each other.

You know I don’t normally make promises, like glass, they break too easily. I’ve already promised you that I won’t field against you as you fear I may hurt you. (again, something I would not intentionally do). I also promise to try my best at not letting you down.

Would you please, if you can’t promise me, to please watch your tone and what you say. Not just with me but with others as well. You don’t need a sword or gun to hurt someone. You can do it all with what you say. Think to yourself before speaking your mind; “how would I feel if someone said that to me?”

Hope this all works

This is a bit much

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:09:12 GMT

http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/generalarticlesynopsfullart.aspx?csid1=120&csid2=844&fid1=30610

Wars in Mexico against Emo?!!!

Been a While but...

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:03:09 GMT

I can't help but to post this. I think it should be spread around I also think a copy should be sent to Obama and McCain:

Britain & America Needs A Leader Like This!

Prime Minister John Howard - Australia

Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on
Wednesday to get out of Australia , as the government targeted
radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.

Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by
saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques.
Quote:

'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am
tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some
individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we
have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of
Australians.'

'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles,
trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought
freedom'

'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese,
Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to
become part of our society . Learn the language!'

'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right
wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on
Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly
documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of
our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another
part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our
culture.'

'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is
that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with
us.'

'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow
you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done
complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our
Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take
advantage of one other great Australian freedom,
'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.'

'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come
here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.'

Maybe if we circulate this amongst ourselves, American and British
citizens will find the backbone to start speaking and voicing the same
truths.

May the Gods have Mercy on my soul

Tue, 13 May 2008 23:29:44 GMT

I just stated a my splace account and all I can say about it is this:

HOLY SHIT WHAT A COMMERCIAL CLUSTER FUCK OF AN OPERATION THAT IS!!!!!!
First of all it seems to be nothing but one big advertisement. Where are the flippin instructions? Their "help" is less than helpfull. When I started the process it had all my google "friends" listed. but when I go to my friends page there is nothing there but one person I don't even know and he is supposed to be there to "help" Help? Hell when I tried to e-mail him for assistance I got a message saying that he isn't taking any e-mails!!! Seems to me he is as use full as tits on a boar hog!!!

Guess I'll be out of the loop with most of my friends as they all seem to be joining the Cult of MY Space.

and that really sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not PC But true

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:44:37 GMT

What if 20 Million Illegal Aliens Vacated America?

Tina Griego, journalist for the Denver Rocky Mountain News wrote a column titled, "Mexican Visitor's Lament" -- 10/25/07. She interviewed Mexican journalist Evangelina Hernandez while visiting Denver last week. Hernandez said, "They (illegal aliens) pay rent, buy groceries, buy clothes...What Happens to your country's economy if 20 million people go away?" That's a good question - it deserves an answer.

Over 80 percent of Americans demand secured borders and illegal migration stopped. But what would happen if all 20 million or more vacated America?

The answers may surprise you!

 In California, if 3.5 million illegal aliens moved back to Mexico, it would leave an extra $10.2 billion to spend on overloaded school systems, bankrupt hospitals and overrun prisons. It would leave highways cleaner, safer and less congested. Everyone could understand one another as English became the dominant language again.

 In Colorado, 500,000 illegal migrants, plus their 300,000 kids an d grandkids would move back 'home', mostly to Mexico. That would save Coloradans an estimated $2 billion (other experts say $7 billion) annually in taxes that pay for schooling, medical, social-services and incarceration
costs. It means 12,000 gang members would vanish out of Denver alone.

 Colorado would save more than $20 million in prison costs, and the terror that those 7,300 alien criminals set upon local citizens. Denver ;Officer Don Young and hundreds of Colorado victims would not have suffered death, accidents, rapes and other crimes by illegals.

 Denver Public Schools would not suffer a 67 percent
drop-out rate because of thousands of illegal alien students speaking 41 different languages. At least 200,000 vehicles would vanish from our gridlocked cities in Colorado.

 Denver's four percent unemployment rate would vanish as our working poor wo uld gain jobs at a living wage.

 In Florida, 1.5 million illegals would return the Sunshine State back to America, the rule of law, and English.

 ; In Chicago, Illinois, 2.1 million illegals would free up hospitals , schools, prisons and highways for a safer, cleaner and more crime-free experience.

 If 20 million illegal aliens returned 'home' --

 If 20 million illegal aliens returned 'home', the U.S. Economy would return to the rule of law. Employers would hire legal American citizens at a living wage. Everyone would pay their fair share of taxes because they wouldn't be working off the books. That would result in an additional $401Billion in IRS income taxes collected annually, and an equal amount for local, state and city coffers.

 No more push '1' for Spanish or '2' for English. No more confusion in American schools that now must contend with over 100 languages that degrade the educational system for American kids. Our overcrowded schools would lose more than two million illegal alien kids at a cost of billions in ESL a nd free breakfasts and lunches.

 We would lose 500,000 illegal criminal alien inmates at a cost of more than $1.6 billion annually. That includes 15,000 MS-13 gang members who distribute $130 billion in drugs annually would vacate our country.

 In cities like L.A., 20,000 members of the '18th Street Gang' would vanish from our nation. No more Mexican forgery gangs for ID theft from Americans! No more foreign rapists and child molesters!

 Losing more than 20 million peopl e would clear up our crowded highways and gr idlock. Cleaner air and less drinking and driving American deaths by illegal aliens!

 America's economy is drained. Taxpayers are harmed. Employers get rich. Over $80 billion annually wouldn't return to the aliens' home countries by cash transfers. Illegal migrants earned half that money untaxed, which further drains America's economy - which currently suffers an $8.7 trillion debt.

 At least 400,000 anchor babies would not be born in our country, costing us $109 billion per year per cycle. At least 86 ho spitals in California, Georgia and Florida would still be operating instead of being bankrupt out of existence because illegals pay nothing via the EMTOLA Act.

 Americans w ouldn't suffer thousands of TB and hepatitis cases rampant in our country brought in by illegals unscreened at our borders.

 Our cities would see 20 million less people driving, polluting and grid locking our cities. It would also put the 'progressives' on the horns of a dilemma; illegal aliens and their families cause 11 percent of our greenhouse gases.

 Over one million of Mexico's poorest citizens now live inside and along our border from Brownsville, Texas to San Diego, California in what the New York Times called, "colonias" or new neighborhoods. Trouble is, those living areas resemble Bombay and Calcutta where grinding poverty, filth, diseases, drugs, crimes, no sanitation and worse. They live without sewage, clean water, streets, electricity, ro ads or any kind of sanitation. The New York Times reported them to be America's new "Third World" inside our own country. Within 20 years, at their current growth rate, they expect 20 million residents of those colonias. (I've seen them personally in Texas and Arizona; it's sickening beyond anything you can imagine.) By enforcing our laws, we could repatria te them back to Mexico.

 We should invite 20 million aliens to go home, fix their own countries and/or make a better life in Mexico. We already invite a million people into our country legally more than all other countries combined annually. We cannot and must not allow anarchy at our borders, more anarchy within our borders and growing lawlessness at every level in our nation. It's time to stand up for our country, our culture, our civilization and our way of life.

 Interesting Statistics. Here are 14 re asons illegal aliens should vacate America, and I hope they are forwarded over and over again until they are read so many times that the reader gets sick of reading them:

 1. $11 billion to $22 billion dollars are spent each year on welfare to illegal aliens. http://tinyurl.com/zob77

 2. $2.2 billion dollars are spent each year on food assistance programs such as food stamps, WIC, and free school lunches for illegal aliens. http://www.cis.org/articles/2004/fiscalexec.html

 3. $2.5 billion dollars are spent each year on Medicaid for illegal aliens. http://www.cis.org/articles/2004/fiscalexec.html

 4. $12 billion dollars are spent each year on primary and secondary school education for children here illegally and they cannot speak a word of English! http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html

 5. $17 billion dollars are spent each year for education for the American-born children of illegal aliens, known as anchor babies.
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html

 6. $3 Million Dollars PER DAY is spent to incarcerate illegal aliens. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html

 7. 30% percent of all federal prison inmates are illegal aliens.
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html

 8. $90 billion dollars are spent each year on illegal aliens for welfare & social services by the American taxpayers.
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0610/29/ldt.01.html

 9. $200 billion dollars per year in suppressed American wages are caused by the illegal aliens.
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html

 10. The illegal aliens in the United States have a crime rate that's two and a half times that of white non-illegal aliens. In particular, their children, are going to make a huge additional crime problem in the US.
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0606/12/ldt.01.html

 11. During the year 2005, there were 4 to 10 MILLION illegal aliens that crossed our southern border with as many as 19,500 illegal aliens from terrorist countries. Millions of pounds of drugs, cocaine, meth, heroine, and marijuana crossed into the U.S. from the southern border.
http://tinyurl.com/t9sht

 12. The National Poli cy Institute, estimates that the total cost of mass deportation would be between $206 and $230 billion, or an average cost of between $41 and $46 billion annually over a five year period.
http://www.nationalpolicyinstitute.org/publications.php?b=deportation
 13. In 2006, illegal aliens sent home $45 BILLION in remittances back to their countries of origin. http://www.rense.com/general75/niht.htm

 14. The dark side of illegal immigration: Nearly one million sex crimes are committed by illegal immigrants in the United States!"
http://www.drdsk.com/ articleshtml

 The total cost is a whopping $338.3 BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR!!!

Cravings, ARRRRRRRRRRGH!

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 02:59:33 GMT

I am really craving Reece's Peanut butter Cup ice cream, with chocolate hard shell. And its too far for me to walk to Kroger's, and the little store up the street is out :(

I must be getting better, finally! The cough is still there but the doctor perscribed some kick ass medicine and I'm hoping the cough will finally be gone. I'm going to chill tomorrow, I tried to go to work yesterday and the results were less than what I hoped for. I ended up going home early, and falling asleep until midnight last night.

Anyway I managed to go to work this morning, pick up my paycheck, go to the bank, eat a hamburger at MacDonalds (and not feel like I ate a 20 ton brick. yaaay), and pick up my perscription. I got home around 1:30 and guess what? Well at least it wasn't till midnight.

Well I tried

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 21:33:09 GMT

Been sick for about two weeks now. Tried to go back to work today and only lasted till about 2:00. I've never been this sick! :( I can't afford to miss any more work so its all about another 40.00 to the doctor! ARRRRRRRGH!

She's gone

Sat, 05 Jan 2008 18:42:16 GMT

My mother passed over into the Summerland this morning at 6:15 Eastern Standard time.

Not the best pic of either one of us, it was taken with a poleroid camera at River Hospital in Alexandria Bey New York.

Words can't even come close to describing how I feel right now, I was just about to call the Hospital when my brother Wayne called with the news.

Her Funeral will be on the 2nd of Febuary (four days shy of her 87th birthday) She requested the following poem to be read at her memorial service:

No longer mourn for me when I am dead

by William Shakespeare

No longer mourn for me when I am dead
Than you shall hear the surly sullen bell
Give warning to the world that I am fled
From this vile world with vilest worms to dwell:
Nay, if you read this line, remember not
The hand that writ it, for I love you so,
That I in your sweet thoughts would be forgot,
If thinking on me then should make you woe.
O! if,—I say you look upon this verse,
When I perhaps compounded am with clay,
Do not so much as my poor name rehearse;
But let your love even with my life decay;
  Lest the wise world should look into your moan,
  And mock you with me after I am gone.

I am going to call the hospital this afternoon and see if they would be willing to take donations in lieu of flowers, mom always said that flowers should be for the living

Ken