Today's excitement peaked at the hour of egg dying, when two 1 year olds, two preschoolers, and two middle schoolers embarked on an egg coloring extravaganze that left stained hands, cloths, and mouths (Charlotte apparently likes vinegar) as well as spills at every turn despite the close surveillance of FIVE capable adults.
It's moments like these that we were missing Paul for an entirely different reason....
We needed the help.
This is Day 77.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
A Brother Abroad
As I type this I am sitting next to one of my favorite people in the whole world, Nurse Julie, as we enjoy the effects of a few fun drinks, Facebook, and tormenting my brother Mike....I love it when we all get together.
Now, I don't know if it's just that the time is always a blast because it rarely happens, causing us to enjoy the precious time we have, or we're just really happy to be together. Whatever the reason, we are only one day in to this Easter weekend (and the cherry blossoms in DC are in full, gorgeous bloom), and I already am trying to convince everyone to fulfill my lifelong dream of setting up a Weaver compound that would rival the Kennedys.
I just wish Paul was here too.
This is Day 76.
Now, I don't know if it's just that the time is always a blast because it rarely happens, causing us to enjoy the precious time we have, or we're just really happy to be together. Whatever the reason, we are only one day in to this Easter weekend (and the cherry blossoms in DC are in full, gorgeous bloom), and I already am trying to convince everyone to fulfill my lifelong dream of setting up a Weaver compound that would rival the Kennedys.
I just wish Paul was here too.
This is Day 76.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
A Brother Abroad: A Not So Compelling Conflagration
Here's the thing about flag burning...I could care less about it. If people want to light a match and put it to Old Glory....then, light it up--- your action speaks volumes.
I know that may be surprising coming from me, but I believe with all my heart that the least among the things that make our country great are the symbols. The flag, the Eagle, a monument, a pledge....they are all things that I attach great emotion and significance to, but that's only because they represent so much more. We are a nation of pioneers, industrialists, soldiers, philosophers, poets, dreamers, and, most importantly, survivors.
Having said that, if someone believes that burning a flag is going to make some statement greater than their apparent need to gain attention through shock value in lieu of more compelling actions, then go right ahead. But with the match, you actually lose the message, don't you?
The following clip could not contain more symbolic elements in regard to our nation's identity and history. A flag, a fire, baseball, and a diverse assembly. And I love what the player does, choosing to take the flag and not the fist. I love that these two men, so intent on spreading their message that they break the law while attempting to break somes spirit, also get peacefully escorted off the field....their purpose deflated as a greater message prevails.
Love to hear some thoughts on this one....and I agree, this was one of the greatest baseball moments.
And this is Day 75.
I know that may be surprising coming from me, but I believe with all my heart that the least among the things that make our country great are the symbols. The flag, the Eagle, a monument, a pledge....they are all things that I attach great emotion and significance to, but that's only because they represent so much more. We are a nation of pioneers, industrialists, soldiers, philosophers, poets, dreamers, and, most importantly, survivors.
Having said that, if someone believes that burning a flag is going to make some statement greater than their apparent need to gain attention through shock value in lieu of more compelling actions, then go right ahead. But with the match, you actually lose the message, don't you?
The following clip could not contain more symbolic elements in regard to our nation's identity and history. A flag, a fire, baseball, and a diverse assembly. And I love what the player does, choosing to take the flag and not the fist. I love that these two men, so intent on spreading their message that they break the law while attempting to break somes spirit, also get peacefully escorted off the field....their purpose deflated as a greater message prevails.
Love to hear some thoughts on this one....and I agree, this was one of the greatest baseball moments.
And this is Day 75.
American Idol Results
1) Was Flo-Rida's song what I think it was about?
2) Isn't this a family show?
3) I am officially 5 for 7....look out Miss Cleo, there's a new soothsayer in town!
As for the whole deliberation over using the "save", you simply cannot help but to be inspired by his accomplishments, but letting him go was the right decision. It's no surprise Simon was the only one to have the guts to do it.
On another note, it was kind of strange that they had him face a screen of memories that he could not see.....
2) Isn't this a family show?
3) I am officially 5 for 7....look out Miss Cleo, there's a new soothsayer in town!
As for the whole deliberation over using the "save", you simply cannot help but to be inspired by his accomplishments, but letting him go was the right decision. It's no surprise Simon was the only one to have the guts to do it.
On another note, it was kind of strange that they had him face a screen of memories that he could not see.....
For the Love of Lexicon
One of my favorite things about language is its transiency. Phrases, trendy words, and cliches float in and out of our lingo-sphere reflecting cultural identity, age, regionalism, and even self-characterization. They have life, they die out (though some people are less willing to let them go than others), and then they often enjoy a resurgence.
Some of these phrases I love, some I find amusing, and some I cannot stand (e.g. come with?, I'm just telling it like it is, anywho, etc.). The new, probably American Idol influenced phrase that is driving my crazy: "strip it down".
For example: "You know, I love Tina Turner, and so I was trying to just take the song, strip it down, and make it my own."
Why does it sound it sound like some sort of an assault? Why not use "reworking", even "deconstruct"?
It just sounds like something a wanna artist says without really knowing what it means....like a teacher telling a story to take a chill pill, or a middle aged boss telling his college intern not to be all up in his grill.
That being said, if someone thinks they could take "Clementine" and strip it down, well, that's something I'd like to hear.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
A Brother Abroad
Those lost in March:
March 1:
Sgt. Devin C. Poche, 25, of Jacksonville, N.C., died Mar. 31 at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, near Tikrit, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
Lance Cpl. Nelson M. Lantigua, 20, of Miami, Fla., died March 31 as a result of a non-hostile incident in Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 10 Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
March 25:
Staff Sgt. Raphael A. Futrell, 26, of Anderson, S.C., died March 25 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 13th Military Police Detachment, 728th Military Police Battalion, 8th Military Police Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, Fort Shafter, Hawaii.
March 20:
Sgt. Jose R. Escobedo Jr., 32, of Albuquerque, N.M., died March 20 in Baghdad, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident the night before at Forward Operating Base Kalsu in Iskandariyah, Iraq. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment in Schweinfurt, Germany.
March 16:
Spc. Gary L. Moore, 25, of Del City, Okla., died March 16 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when an explosive device struck his vehicle. He was assigned to the 978th Military Police Company, 93rd Military Police Battalion, Fort Bliss, Texas.
March 10:
Lance Cpl. Patrick A. Malone, 21, of Ocala, Fla., died March 10 as a result of a non-hostile incident in Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
March 7:
1st Lt. Daniel B. Hyde, 24, of Modesto, Calif., died March 7 in Samarra, Iraq, of wounds sustained in Tikrit when an explosive device struck his unit vehicle. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
March 3:
Pfc. Jessica Y. Sarandrea, 22, of Miami, Fla., died March 3 in Mosul, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked her forward operating base with mortar fire. She was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
March 2:
Sgt. Jeffrey A. Reed, 23, of Chesterfield, Va., died March 2 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle was struck by a grenade in Taji, Iraq. He was assigned to the 411th Military Police Company, 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.
This is Day 74.
March 1:
Sgt. Devin C. Poche, 25, of Jacksonville, N.C., died Mar. 31 at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, near Tikrit, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
Lance Cpl. Nelson M. Lantigua, 20, of Miami, Fla., died March 31 as a result of a non-hostile incident in Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 10 Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
March 25:
Staff Sgt. Raphael A. Futrell, 26, of Anderson, S.C., died March 25 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 13th Military Police Detachment, 728th Military Police Battalion, 8th Military Police Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, Fort Shafter, Hawaii.
March 20:
Sgt. Jose R. Escobedo Jr., 32, of Albuquerque, N.M., died March 20 in Baghdad, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident the night before at Forward Operating Base Kalsu in Iskandariyah, Iraq. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment in Schweinfurt, Germany.
March 16:
Spc. Gary L. Moore, 25, of Del City, Okla., died March 16 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when an explosive device struck his vehicle. He was assigned to the 978th Military Police Company, 93rd Military Police Battalion, Fort Bliss, Texas.
March 10:
Lance Cpl. Patrick A. Malone, 21, of Ocala, Fla., died March 10 as a result of a non-hostile incident in Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
March 7:
1st Lt. Daniel B. Hyde, 24, of Modesto, Calif., died March 7 in Samarra, Iraq, of wounds sustained in Tikrit when an explosive device struck his unit vehicle. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
March 3:
Pfc. Jessica Y. Sarandrea, 22, of Miami, Fla., died March 3 in Mosul, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked her forward operating base with mortar fire. She was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
March 2:
Sgt. Jeffrey A. Reed, 23, of Chesterfield, Va., died March 2 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle was struck by a grenade in Taji, Iraq. He was assigned to the 411th Military Police Company, 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.
This is Day 74.
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