Chirp chirp chirp. Silence. Thunk THUNK. Scratch scratch scratch scratch scraaaaatch. Silence. Tap tap tap.
It never fails. Every morning at 6 a.m., I hear the lovely sounds of the squirrels that have so conveniently made my porch roof their new abode. They not only think they own the porch roof, but all trees, fences, posts, and window screens in and around the house.
Every morning, a squirrel comes flying out of the hole in the porch roof. And every morning it scares the living daylights out of me, sending me into a cussing frenzy as I start my day. The squirrel then scales the front of the house to the nearest window screen where it digs in its claws and hangs there until I drive away. I’m waiting for the day when the squirrel loosens the screen and it falls off the house, squirrel going with it.
The two squirrels have been living in the porch roof for months now. I have decided that it is one adult female and one adult male by the way they ‘fight’ with each other in the trees, on the fences, posts and window screens. This ‘fighting’ has led me to believe there will be more squirrels in the spring. I researched just how many squirrels I should be expecting and the magic number is four.
Obviously I’m not a big fan of adult squirrels, but at the very least, I thought squirrel babies would be kind of cute. Couldn’t be more wrong! They are supposed to weigh an ounce, have no hair or teeth, and be blind for the first eight weeks of their life. At least I don’t have to worry about the babies running around in the trees, fences, posts and window screens anytime soon. It will be at least eight weeks before they can even see!
So in the next couple months, I will be watching the hole in our porch roof like a hawk. I’m not excited to see these rat-looking squirrel babies; I just want them out of the porch roof so I can fix the hole. I can only hope that once I board up their abode, they will leave and never return. I’m not quite sure what is so appealing about the trees, fences, posts and window screens in my yard, but by golly, they love it. I hope the squirrel babies won’t be as ornery as their parents. I would hate to open the mini-blinds one day and find six squirrels hanging out on the window screen.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
I can't resist!
I always enjoy news stories that provide me with a chuckle or two...or three or four. We hear enough news about depressing subjects; it's time for some humor! And by humor, I mean a 17-year-old cross dresser.
A 17-year-old boy (aka the 'imposter') from Schenectady, NY was caught dressing like a girl to take a test at school. Wait, it gets even better. This boy is facing a felony burglary charge. A FELONY! This boy could serve time in jail (ahem, wasting the lovely tax money of Schenectady) for dressing like a girl!
Obviously he’s not a pro at this whole dressing like a girl thing because he was caught. So in this case, give the kid a break. Let him sit in detention or bang erasers for a couple weeks. Pair that with the humiliation from his friends and teachers and he should be good to go. He won’t dress like a girl after that. His jail time won’t make him learn a lesson; it will be the public humiliation he will endure if and when he ever sets foot back in his school (or should I say if he ever sets a high heeled foot back in the school?).
Don’t get me wrong, I am glad that the justice system is working correctly. However, jail time for a 17-year-old cross dresser doesn’t seem like the answer. Don’t we have bigger problems to worry about in our school systems?
In my high school we dedicated DAYS to dressing like the opposite sex. Boys wore swimming suits and skirts, and girls wore grungy overalls. We even chose a winner; sadly though, it was usually a boy. Call me crazy, but putting a teenager in jail for dressing like the opposite sex isn't on my list of heinous crimes. He could have done much worse.
A 17-year-old boy (aka the 'imposter') from Schenectady, NY was caught dressing like a girl to take a test at school. Wait, it gets even better. This boy is facing a felony burglary charge. A FELONY! This boy could serve time in jail (ahem, wasting the lovely tax money of Schenectady) for dressing like a girl!
Obviously he’s not a pro at this whole dressing like a girl thing because he was caught. So in this case, give the kid a break. Let him sit in detention or bang erasers for a couple weeks. Pair that with the humiliation from his friends and teachers and he should be good to go. He won’t dress like a girl after that. His jail time won’t make him learn a lesson; it will be the public humiliation he will endure if and when he ever sets foot back in his school (or should I say if he ever sets a high heeled foot back in the school?).
Don’t get me wrong, I am glad that the justice system is working correctly. However, jail time for a 17-year-old cross dresser doesn’t seem like the answer. Don’t we have bigger problems to worry about in our school systems?
In my high school we dedicated DAYS to dressing like the opposite sex. Boys wore swimming suits and skirts, and girls wore grungy overalls. We even chose a winner; sadly though, it was usually a boy. Call me crazy, but putting a teenager in jail for dressing like the opposite sex isn't on my list of heinous crimes. He could have done much worse.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Zimbabwe hanging on by threads; U.S. involvement is crucial
Final draft of Editoral #1:
The United States may be in a flailing economy, but Zimbabwe is hanging on by only threads. Inflation of 231 million per year (the highest in the world), a politically unstable environment and a breakout of cholera have Zimbabweans crying for help. Zimbabwe is in the midst of a humanitarian crisis that is only getting worse by bickering politicians and severe food shortages.
UNICEF, the Red Cross and other organizations have attempted to help Zimbabwe, but it simply is not enough. No woman, man or child should have to beg for something to eat or watch a loved one die of cholera. In 2009, President Obama and his administration must get involved in order to stop the humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe.
The main politician at the head of the crisis in Zimbabwe is Robert Mugabe. Ego-driven Mugabe refuses to give his power to anyone else, and cannot share his power with Morgan Tsvangirai to see this country succeed. Mugabe blocked aid to Zimbabweans at the end of 2008 but let them back in shortly after. Meanwhile, Zimbabweans are left with little food, no shelter and an economy just short of total disaster.
We can relate the current humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe to the oppression of the Iraqis by Saddam Hussein before his death in 2006. Although Hussein’s sanctions against the Iraqis were much worse than Mugabe’s are in Zimbabwe, who is to say that Mugabe could not go in that direction. If Zimbabwe moves in the governmental direction of old Iraq, Zimbabwe will become a dangerous threat to other countries.
Many Zimbabweans are now trying to escape their country to find better opportunities. Musina, South Africa has now become the town through which Zimbabweans are trying to escape. Many men, women and young children try to cross this border everyday. However, without the right permit from the Zimbabwean government, these people are beaten and abused by gangs who lure on the border. Only 300 permits are given out daily by the government, leaving many waiting for weeks to cross into a better life.
Although Mugabe is not forcing people to relocate, he is sure not making conditions in Zimbabwe favorable for staying. In old Iraq, Hussein destroyed villages which forced people to relocate outside of Iraq. Hussein’s actions were more violent and obvious while Mugabe’s are more of a slow torture; making the Zimbabweans struggle for months on end. At the end of the day, bad living conditions are bad living conditions, whether they happen quickly or over a long period of time. Hussein did not make the living conditions favorable for the Iraqis, and Mugabe is surely not making them favorable in Zimbabwe.
Mugabe has been urged by critics around the world to step down off his ego platform and leave Zimbabwe alone before the country slides into disaster. The critics believe it is Mugabe alone who is making this country destitute for even the basic needs of survival. However, any military involvement would be disastrous to Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe needs help, not a war.
In order to get Zimbabwe back on its feet, President Obama must aid Zimbabwe in a non-forceful way before it slides into ruins. Zimbabwe is in a humanitarian crisis bigger than our economic crisis. People are being starved, beaten and stricken with cholera daily. The new administration needs to take Zimbabwe into account when handing out aid in 2009. We must help Zimbabwe before it slides into ruins or becomes the next big threat.
The United States may be in a flailing economy, but Zimbabwe is hanging on by only threads. Inflation of 231 million per year (the highest in the world), a politically unstable environment and a breakout of cholera have Zimbabweans crying for help. Zimbabwe is in the midst of a humanitarian crisis that is only getting worse by bickering politicians and severe food shortages.
UNICEF, the Red Cross and other organizations have attempted to help Zimbabwe, but it simply is not enough. No woman, man or child should have to beg for something to eat or watch a loved one die of cholera. In 2009, President Obama and his administration must get involved in order to stop the humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe.
The main politician at the head of the crisis in Zimbabwe is Robert Mugabe. Ego-driven Mugabe refuses to give his power to anyone else, and cannot share his power with Morgan Tsvangirai to see this country succeed. Mugabe blocked aid to Zimbabweans at the end of 2008 but let them back in shortly after. Meanwhile, Zimbabweans are left with little food, no shelter and an economy just short of total disaster.
We can relate the current humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe to the oppression of the Iraqis by Saddam Hussein before his death in 2006. Although Hussein’s sanctions against the Iraqis were much worse than Mugabe’s are in Zimbabwe, who is to say that Mugabe could not go in that direction. If Zimbabwe moves in the governmental direction of old Iraq, Zimbabwe will become a dangerous threat to other countries.
Many Zimbabweans are now trying to escape their country to find better opportunities. Musina, South Africa has now become the town through which Zimbabweans are trying to escape. Many men, women and young children try to cross this border everyday. However, without the right permit from the Zimbabwean government, these people are beaten and abused by gangs who lure on the border. Only 300 permits are given out daily by the government, leaving many waiting for weeks to cross into a better life.
Although Mugabe is not forcing people to relocate, he is sure not making conditions in Zimbabwe favorable for staying. In old Iraq, Hussein destroyed villages which forced people to relocate outside of Iraq. Hussein’s actions were more violent and obvious while Mugabe’s are more of a slow torture; making the Zimbabweans struggle for months on end. At the end of the day, bad living conditions are bad living conditions, whether they happen quickly or over a long period of time. Hussein did not make the living conditions favorable for the Iraqis, and Mugabe is surely not making them favorable in Zimbabwe.
Mugabe has been urged by critics around the world to step down off his ego platform and leave Zimbabwe alone before the country slides into disaster. The critics believe it is Mugabe alone who is making this country destitute for even the basic needs of survival. However, any military involvement would be disastrous to Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe needs help, not a war.
In order to get Zimbabwe back on its feet, President Obama must aid Zimbabwe in a non-forceful way before it slides into ruins. Zimbabwe is in a humanitarian crisis bigger than our economic crisis. People are being starved, beaten and stricken with cholera daily. The new administration needs to take Zimbabwe into account when handing out aid in 2009. We must help Zimbabwe before it slides into ruins or becomes the next big threat.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Here comes the bride, all dressed in HOLY COW, HOW MUCH DID THAT COST?!?!?!
I love weddings. Wait, let me rephrase. I wish I could go to a wedding every weekend. I wish I was the girl on '27 Dresses' who has at least three weddings a weekend. I love the cakes, the tuxes, the dresses, the arguing in-laws, the cream cheese mints, EVERYTHING!
My husband and I have been married for about four months and prior to our wedding I was glued to wedding shows on TV. I loved the ‘Bridezillas’ screaming about a shade of purple that would clash with the centerpieces and how it would eventually ruin the whole wedding. I also loved the brides that could care less and gave all control to the wedding planners. I was addicted to these shows. I thought this addiction would fade after I was done planning my own wedding. Wrong! It only got worse!
One thing always amazes me about weddings. Two words: ka ching! Some weddings aren’t your run of the mill ‘let’s get married and have a nice cake and dance reception.’ Some are ‘let’s do a whole week of festivities leading up to our wedding and then throw a humungous party for everyone we know.’ Crazy as it sounds, these humungous weddings are becoming the norm.
When my husband and I were planning our wedding we had a budget and we made sure we stayed on mark. Let’s face it; I’m never going to be made of money. But according to an article published in 2005 the average price of a wedding is nearing $30,000. With the rising price of well, everything, this $30,000 is suspected to almost double in 2009.
However, don’t let these figures scare you into thinking that planning a reasonably priced wedding is out of the ball park. It is possible with just having a budget and staying on that budget no matter what. Some other tips my husband and I found were to be the ‘DIY couple’ and to realize that it’s not about what you know, it’s who you know.
So as the months go by and my husband and I turn from newlyweds to ‘old married people,’ my passion for wedding and wedding planning will never subside. I am a wedding nut. As soon as I hear wind that someone is thinking about walking down the aisle I immediately start making phone calls. ‘Do you need help planning?’ ‘What are you colors?’ ‘Have you found your dress yet?’
So if you are looking for me on the weekend never fear, I am probably finding someone’s wedding, somewhere to attend. I will be the one doing the ‘Chicken Dance’ and the ‘YMCA’ until I am old and gray. My husband, well, he’ll just watch and laugh.
My husband and I have been married for about four months and prior to our wedding I was glued to wedding shows on TV. I loved the ‘Bridezillas’ screaming about a shade of purple that would clash with the centerpieces and how it would eventually ruin the whole wedding. I also loved the brides that could care less and gave all control to the wedding planners. I was addicted to these shows. I thought this addiction would fade after I was done planning my own wedding. Wrong! It only got worse!
One thing always amazes me about weddings. Two words: ka ching! Some weddings aren’t your run of the mill ‘let’s get married and have a nice cake and dance reception.’ Some are ‘let’s do a whole week of festivities leading up to our wedding and then throw a humungous party for everyone we know.’ Crazy as it sounds, these humungous weddings are becoming the norm.
When my husband and I were planning our wedding we had a budget and we made sure we stayed on mark. Let’s face it; I’m never going to be made of money. But according to an article published in 2005 the average price of a wedding is nearing $30,000. With the rising price of well, everything, this $30,000 is suspected to almost double in 2009.
However, don’t let these figures scare you into thinking that planning a reasonably priced wedding is out of the ball park. It is possible with just having a budget and staying on that budget no matter what. Some other tips my husband and I found were to be the ‘DIY couple’ and to realize that it’s not about what you know, it’s who you know.
So as the months go by and my husband and I turn from newlyweds to ‘old married people,’ my passion for wedding and wedding planning will never subside. I am a wedding nut. As soon as I hear wind that someone is thinking about walking down the aisle I immediately start making phone calls. ‘Do you need help planning?’ ‘What are you colors?’ ‘Have you found your dress yet?’
So if you are looking for me on the weekend never fear, I am probably finding someone’s wedding, somewhere to attend. I will be the one doing the ‘Chicken Dance’ and the ‘YMCA’ until I am old and gray. My husband, well, he’ll just watch and laugh.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
How does Mugabe sleep at night?
I wrote a couple of days ago about prominent figures in Zimbabwe going on a hunger strike in order to stop the food shortages in Zimbabwe. I would like to continue with Zimbabwes humanitarian crisis with the rough draft of my first editorial:
The United States may be in a flailing economy but Zimbabwe has it much worse. Inflation of 231 million per year (the highest in the world), a politically unstable environment and a breakout of cholera have Zimbabweans crying for help. This has left Zimbabwe in a humanitarian crisis that is only getting worse by bickering politicians and severe food shortages.
The main politician at the head of the crisis in Zimbabwe is President Robert Mugabe (pictured above). Mugabe refuses to give his power to anyone else and can not find it in his heart to share this power to see this country back on its feet. He blocked aid to Zimbabweans at the end of 2008 but let them back in shortly after. Meanwhile, Zimbabweans are left with little food, no shelter and an economy just short of total disaster.
The current humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe can be related to Saddam Hussein and his repression of the Iraqis before his death in 2006. Although Hussein’s sanctions against the Iraqis were much worse than Mugabe’s in Zimbabwe, who is to say that Mugabe could not go in that direction. If Zimbabwe moves in the governmental direction of old Iraq, Zimbabwe will become a dangerous threat to other countries.
Musina, South Africa has now become the town through which Zimbabweans are trying to escape. Many women with young children try to cross this border, but without the right permit from the Zimbabwean government, these women and children are beaten and abused by gangs who lure on the border. Only 300 permits are given out daily by the government, leaving women and children waiting for weeks to cross into a better life.
Although former President Mugabe is not forcing people to relocate, he is sure not making conditions in Zimbabwe favorable for staying. Hussein forced people to relocate to other villages outside Iraq by destroying their current village. Hussein did not make the living conditions favorable for the Iraqis, and Mugabe is surely not making them favorable in Zimbabwe.
Mugabe has been urged by critics around the world to step down off his ego platform and leave Zimbabwe alone before it slides into disaster. The critics believe it is Mugabe alone who is making this country so destitute for even the basic needs of survival. However, any military involvement would be disastrous to Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe needs help, not a war trying to rid of them of ego-ridden Mugabe.
In order to get Zimbabwe back on its feet, President Obama must aid Zimbabwe in a non-forceful way before it slides into ruins. The media does not put Zimbabwe in the forefront where it needs to be. Zimbabwe is in a humanitarian crisis bigger than our economic crisis. People are being starved, beaten and stricken with cholera on a daily basis. The new administration should take Zimbabwe into account when handing out aid in 2009.
The United States may be in a flailing economy but Zimbabwe has it much worse. Inflation of 231 million per year (the highest in the world), a politically unstable environment and a breakout of cholera have Zimbabweans crying for help. This has left Zimbabwe in a humanitarian crisis that is only getting worse by bickering politicians and severe food shortages.
UNICEF and other organizations have attempted to help Zimbabwe but it simply is not enough. In 2009, President Obama and his administration must get involved in order to stop the humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe.
The main politician at the head of the crisis in Zimbabwe is President Robert Mugabe (pictured above). Mugabe refuses to give his power to anyone else and can not find it in his heart to share this power to see this country back on its feet. He blocked aid to Zimbabweans at the end of 2008 but let them back in shortly after. Meanwhile, Zimbabweans are left with little food, no shelter and an economy just short of total disaster.The current humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe can be related to Saddam Hussein and his repression of the Iraqis before his death in 2006. Although Hussein’s sanctions against the Iraqis were much worse than Mugabe’s in Zimbabwe, who is to say that Mugabe could not go in that direction. If Zimbabwe moves in the governmental direction of old Iraq, Zimbabwe will become a dangerous threat to other countries.Musina, South Africa has now become the town through which Zimbabweans are trying to escape. Many women with young children try to cross this border, but without the right permit from the Zimbabwean government, these women and children are beaten and abused by gangs who lure on the border. Only 300 permits are given out daily by the government, leaving women and children waiting for weeks to cross into a better life.
Although former President Mugabe is not forcing people to relocate, he is sure not making conditions in Zimbabwe favorable for staying. Hussein forced people to relocate to other villages outside Iraq by destroying their current village. Hussein did not make the living conditions favorable for the Iraqis, and Mugabe is surely not making them favorable in Zimbabwe.
Mugabe has been urged by critics around the world to step down off his ego platform and leave Zimbabwe alone before it slides into disaster. The critics believe it is Mugabe alone who is making this country so destitute for even the basic needs of survival. However, any military involvement would be disastrous to Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe needs help, not a war trying to rid of them of ego-ridden Mugabe.
In order to get Zimbabwe back on its feet, President Obama must aid Zimbabwe in a non-forceful way before it slides into ruins. The media does not put Zimbabwe in the forefront where it needs to be. Zimbabwe is in a humanitarian crisis bigger than our economic crisis. People are being starved, beaten and stricken with cholera on a daily basis. The new administration should take Zimbabwe into account when handing out aid in 2009.
Please visit Martin Fletchers blog to read his account of Zimbabweans crossing the border into South Africa. It is very interesting and worth your time.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
The Great Pyramids and Times Square all from my sofa
Technology makes my head spin sometimes. A GPS that can get me from here to Timbuktu this and a cell phone that has more memory than my computer that. It makes me feel like I will never catch up and really know what is going on in the tech world.
Then there’s the web cam.
About two years ago I purchased a web cam on a whim, mainly because it was on sale. In two years I have used it a whopping three times. All three times I got so frustrated I wanted to throw it out the window. It would freeze mid frame while I was making a weird face or while I was eating something. For minutes my face would be frozen on the screen while the person on the other end of the web cam was laughing hysterically. I gave the whole kit and caboodle to Goodwill. Good riddance web cam.
On my regular evening browse through Fox News I ran across hundreds of web cams that are stationed throughout the world. These web cams aren’t like the rinky dink web cam I bought; these are high tech. I can see a beach in Israel, the Vatican and Old Faithful with just the click of my mouse and 30 seconds of patience while it loads.
Some of the web cams have constant video, others have sporadic photos. Either way I think it’s amazing. But I do have to say, it’s a little weird at the same time.
I watched the Times Square web cam for about ten minutes and I have a feeling some people know where this camera is. There was a man standing in front of it on his cell phone, waving hysterically for minutes.
On the other hand, I honestly think some people have no clue they are being broadcast live over the Internet. A business man yelling obscenities over his cell phone walks by as does a tourist looking couple looking very lost and confused, pointing frantically for directions.
Check out all the webcams foxnews has available.
Fox News isn’t the only web site with webcams available. It is possible to virtually see any part of the Earth with just a simple search. Rocky Mountain snow fall? Got it. Los Angeles traffic? Got it. But one has to wonder…..how far is too far? Must we equip every inch of the Earth with a web cam just so we can see what is going on?
I’ll admit it, I’m nosy. At the same time though, what is the purpose to these web cams all over the world? To satisfy nosy people like me? Probably not. So why install hundreds and thousands of web cams and stream it on the Internet?
I came up with three reasons as to why these web cams are so strategically placed:
1) We want to travel without actually leaving the comfort of our living room. We have such busy lives and are constantly on the run. Why vacation when you can stay at home and watch a beautiful beach scene without greasy sunscreen or sand in your shoes?
2) We want to re-live the vacation we actually took. We went to New York City (Times Square in particular) and absolutely loved it. We want to be there everyday all day but can’t afford the rent of a New York City apartment. Solution: watch it online via webcam.
3) We have the technology and we are utilizing it. Why not put them up? Why not let people into other parts of the world? It’s just like seeing a photograph of a place, right?
So as technology continues to grow and more gadgets come out, I will forever be a little behind the times. But never fear, the web cam is something we can all master. We can watch any place, anytime and anywhere with Internet access. Take advantage of technology. Check it out! Make good use of technology!
Then there’s the web cam.
About two years ago I purchased a web cam on a whim, mainly because it was on sale. In two years I have used it a whopping three times. All three times I got so frustrated I wanted to throw it out the window. It would freeze mid frame while I was making a weird face or while I was eating something. For minutes my face would be frozen on the screen while the person on the other end of the web cam was laughing hysterically. I gave the whole kit and caboodle to Goodwill. Good riddance web cam.
On my regular evening browse through Fox News I ran across hundreds of web cams that are stationed throughout the world. These web cams aren’t like the rinky dink web cam I bought; these are high tech. I can see a beach in Israel, the Vatican and Old Faithful with just the click of my mouse and 30 seconds of patience while it loads.
Some of the web cams have constant video, others have sporadic photos. Either way I think it’s amazing. But I do have to say, it’s a little weird at the same time.
I watched the Times Square web cam for about ten minutes and I have a feeling some people know where this camera is. There was a man standing in front of it on his cell phone, waving hysterically for minutes.
On the other hand, I honestly think some people have no clue they are being broadcast live over the Internet. A business man yelling obscenities over his cell phone walks by as does a tourist looking couple looking very lost and confused, pointing frantically for directions.
Check out all the webcams foxnews has available.
Fox News isn’t the only web site with webcams available. It is possible to virtually see any part of the Earth with just a simple search. Rocky Mountain snow fall? Got it. Los Angeles traffic? Got it. But one has to wonder…..how far is too far? Must we equip every inch of the Earth with a web cam just so we can see what is going on?
I’ll admit it, I’m nosy. At the same time though, what is the purpose to these web cams all over the world? To satisfy nosy people like me? Probably not. So why install hundreds and thousands of web cams and stream it on the Internet?
I came up with three reasons as to why these web cams are so strategically placed:
1) We want to travel without actually leaving the comfort of our living room. We have such busy lives and are constantly on the run. Why vacation when you can stay at home and watch a beautiful beach scene without greasy sunscreen or sand in your shoes?
2) We want to re-live the vacation we actually took. We went to New York City (Times Square in particular) and absolutely loved it. We want to be there everyday all day but can’t afford the rent of a New York City apartment. Solution: watch it online via webcam.
3) We have the technology and we are utilizing it. Why not put them up? Why not let people into other parts of the world? It’s just like seeing a photograph of a place, right?
So as technology continues to grow and more gadgets come out, I will forever be a little behind the times. But never fear, the web cam is something we can all master. We can watch any place, anytime and anywhere with Internet access. Take advantage of technology. Check it out! Make good use of technology!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
In the United States we thrive with the three necessities to survive: food, water and shelter. Some countries do not have what we think are the basic needs of survival. Zimbabwe, for example, goes through severe food shortages everyday thanks to their economic and political crisis. Young children and adults wonder if what they ate yesterday will be the last thing they eat for days.
Hopefully, these food shortages will come to an end in the next month. Almost 50 prominent figures in South Africa have taken a stand in this crisis that is taking lives of men, women and children everyday. Figures including Desmond Tutu and Kumi Naidoo have sworn off food in an attempt to end the food shortages. These 'hunger strikers' have a list of six demands they hope to accomplish with their strike. Please read the six demands made by these strikers.
Thousands of miles away in the United States, we take for granted how comfortable and predictable our lives our. We enjoy freedoms that not all countries have the pleasure of enjoying. We have food on our plate three times a day. The people of Zimbabwe only dream of these things.
Being thousands of miles away, one believes there is little we can do to save those in Zimbabwe. Wrong. Visit Save Zimbabwe Now! to learn about the many ways we Americans can help them. Many already have pledged to skip meals or give money. We have such a comfortable lifestyle in the United States, even in times of economic down turn.
Every man, woman and child deserves to enjoy the basic survival necessities. Food, water and shelter; only three things. Who would have known that people around the world are living without. Everyone deserves the basic needs of survival.
Hopefully, these food shortages will come to an end in the next month. Almost 50 prominent figures in South Africa have taken a stand in this crisis that is taking lives of men, women and children everyday. Figures including Desmond Tutu and Kumi Naidoo have sworn off food in an attempt to end the food shortages. These 'hunger strikers' have a list of six demands they hope to accomplish with their strike. Please read the six demands made by these strikers.
Thousands of miles away in the United States, we take for granted how comfortable and predictable our lives our. We enjoy freedoms that not all countries have the pleasure of enjoying. We have food on our plate three times a day. The people of Zimbabwe only dream of these things.
Being thousands of miles away, one believes there is little we can do to save those in Zimbabwe. Wrong. Visit Save Zimbabwe Now! to learn about the many ways we Americans can help them. Many already have pledged to skip meals or give money. We have such a comfortable lifestyle in the United States, even in times of economic down turn.
Every man, woman and child deserves to enjoy the basic survival necessities. Food, water and shelter; only three things. Who would have known that people around the world are living without. Everyone deserves the basic needs of survival.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Respect lost somewhere between Mexican cuisine and an Xbox
For 19-year-old Zachary Moir, chucking a taco at his mother cost him his independence. He now sits in the Volusia County Branch Jail in Florida. Why did he chuck his dinner? It was the result of his mom unplugging his Xbox. Check out the full article.
The article states that after calling repeatedly for her son, Dena Moir went to her son’s room and unplugged his video game. He pushed her, called her names and threw a taco in her face.
This article leaves me with a couple burning questions. Hard taco or soft taco? Cheese or no cheese? Why is a 19-year-old throwing a taco at his mom?
A 19-year-old is technically an adult. As adults we are expected to have certain character traits. One of them is respect. Where was this adult’s respect when he chucked a taco at his mom? I think it was stuck in his Xbox.
Some say his punishment was too harsh. I say let him stay in jail. Maybe the guards can teach him some respect. While he’s there I hope a hardcore criminal asks him what he’s in for. He will have to respond with, ‘I threw a taco at my mommy.’
The article states that after calling repeatedly for her son, Dena Moir went to her son’s room and unplugged his video game. He pushed her, called her names and threw a taco in her face.
This article leaves me with a couple burning questions. Hard taco or soft taco? Cheese or no cheese? Why is a 19-year-old throwing a taco at his mom?
A 19-year-old is technically an adult. As adults we are expected to have certain character traits. One of them is respect. Where was this adult’s respect when he chucked a taco at his mom? I think it was stuck in his Xbox.
Some say his punishment was too harsh. I say let him stay in jail. Maybe the guards can teach him some respect. While he’s there I hope a hardcore criminal asks him what he’s in for. He will have to respond with, ‘I threw a taco at my mommy.’
Friday, January 16, 2009
Hello, World!
Hey everyone! Welcome to my very first blog! My blog will be a combination of well, everything (so stay tuned, you never know what will happen). But first, a little bit about yours truly. I love sunsets and long romantic walks on the beach. Believe me? I hope not. Actually the feel of sand on my feet makes me cringe. If it were up to me, I would take a nice jog along the beach with tennis shoes that do not allow sand to get within an inch of my feet. Now that we have that figured out, let's move on to the nitty gritty about me! I am a junior majoring in News Editorial and minoring in Marketing/Management. I hope to one day manage a newspaper. I recently got married (Sept. '08) to my wonderful husband Jared (everyone say 'awww'). I love to paint, write and be sarcastic. I also love to be outside (unless of course it's that time of year when the cotton is flying off the trees-I can deal without that). That's me in a nutshell! I hope you enjoy my blog!
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