Last post of 2006

Well, this year has been up and down. I've made new friends and lost some dear friends and family. This year didn't involve a hurricane, thank goodness. Kc bought a house. Who will ever forget the Leprechaun video (voted #2 on VH1 btw)? Democrats taking control of Congress (hopefully they will cut the wild spending). Alabama finally getting the clue and dumping Shula, but bumbling that situation. So, its definitely one that I would like to remember and forget at the same time.

What do I look forward to in 2007? Everything I guess. Graduating with my Masters. Getting a good job. Getting fit. Being happy with myself (had to throw an easy one in there). I guess I'll start with those as small steps.

So, Happy New Year to all of you who read this. Friends, family and people I have not met yet.

President Gerald Ford passes away at 93

It just came across the news that former President Gerald Ford has passed away at age 93. (ABC, CNN, MSNBC, AP)

When Gerald R. Ford took the oath of office on August 9, 1974, he declared, "I assume the Presidency under extraordinary circumstances.... This is an hour of history that troubles our minds and hurts our hearts." - WhiteHouse.gov

On November 12th he became the oldest living President, surpassing Ronald Reagan at 93 years 121 days. The new record will be about 93 years 164 days if my math is correct. Reagan was 93 years, 120 days when he died June 5, 2004. The nation's 40th president was born Feb. 6, 1911. On Oct. 11, 2001, Reagan surpassed the longevity milestone of the nation's second president, John Adams. Adams lived from Oct. 30, 1735, to July 4, 1826. His statement he released from his Rancho Mirage compound which he shares with his wife Betty Ford, about surpassing Reagan's mark was:

"The length of one's days matters less than the love of one's family and friends," - sfgate.com

A quick side note on John Adams death. John Adams had proclaimed before that he would outlive Thomas Jefferson. Just before John Adams death, he uttered "Thomas Jefferson survives".It is rumored that when the messenger was dispatched to carry the news to Jefferson's home in Virginia, the messenger passed another messenger bearing the news that Thomas Jefferson had also passed. But, just a few hours earlier, Thomas Jefferson died and both men who were architects of the document that gave birth to this wonderful nation died 50 years to the day from the birth of the United States of which they founded.

Now there are only three living former presidents: Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, and William J. Clinton.

'New Show' and 'Mooooving'

'New Show'

Well, since there was no new episodes of shows that I routinely watch tonight, so I was flipping through the stations and found what seems to be a funny show. 'Big Day' is a 30 minute serial about the day leading up to a wedding. It has a funny actor named Josh Cooke, which I first saw in a very funny show called 'Committed'.

So, after that I did not change the channel and my interest was peaked when William Shatner started talking. It was Boston Legal, it seems to be very funny at times between the dramatic points.

'Mooooving'

Here we go again. Its time to move again. This time though maybe its for more than this last stint. I have most of my packed up now. All I have left is a few things to pack up in the morning like my awesome new monitors and the rest of my computer setup. The router and the rest of the network cables etc. A few bathroom hygene items. My pots and pans. Then the disassembly of my desk.

UGH!

Awesome Christmas Lights

This is the same house that I saw last year synchronized to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra piece. This song is quite enjoyable too.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Merry Christmas to all. I hope you have a great day with your family and for those of you who cannot be with your family then remember that they are thinking of you.

Now, it wouldn't be the same if I didn't gripe about something. So, here I go...

In a time of constant bickering between political factions, wars against terror, and nuclear uncertainty its good for us to sit back and enjoy a time to celebrate togetherness and family. While gifts are a tradition of this holiday, it isn't that necessary. Don't get me wrong, its good, but the extreme that some crazy people take it is insane.

Over the weekend, there were shootings a malls in the Carolinas. In Miami today, there was a shooting killing one person. Two people were arrested in this case have been charged with first degree murder and attempted first degree murder. Their ages? 21 and 20.

I just ask the crazy people to be considerate of others. If you are worked up into such a frenzy to get something, maybe just maybe you need to step back and think 'Is this really worth it?' Some people may not possess enough mental capacity or self control to do this.

Parents want to give their children the best things they can. It was evident when kc and I were waiting in line at GameStop to try and get a Wii a few weeks ago. We were fourth in line and hoping that maybe they will get a more than three. The longer we waited, the more crazy some people got. This one lady from Louisiana still stands out in my mind. They only got three in, thus we did not come away with one. We didn't get upset and thank goodness the other dozen people in there decided not to riot. She did get one later that same day, but if we didn't get one we were not going to be upset.

I also hold companies responsible for things like this. They want just about any kind of press they can get. Last year Microsoft released the xbox360 and the numbers were quite scarce until after Christmas. But after then they were pretty plentiful. This will probably be the same with the Wii and PS3. While it is capitalism and they are free to do just this, it doesn't make it right.

Have a great Christmas.
B

The Godfather of soul is gone...

At around 1:45am, James Brown who is known as 'The Godfather of Soul' died after being admitted to a hospital in Atlanta, Georgia with pneumonia.

"ATLANTA, Georgia (AP) -- James Brown, the dynamic, pompadoured "Godfather of Soul," whose rasping vocals and revolutionary rhythms made him a founder of rap, funk and disco as well, died early Monday, his agent said. He was 73.

Brown was hospitalized with pneumonia at Emory Crawford Long Hospital on Sunday and died around 1:45 a.m. Monday, said his agent, Frank Copsidas of Intrigue Music. Longtime friend Charles Bobbit was by his side, he said."

A robber with guts.....literally

I just heard this on WIAT's news program in Birmingham. A man in his late 20's robbed 'City Meats' in Woodlawn on Thursday, getting away with an undisclosed amount of cash and 3 buckets of Chitlins. Yes, I just wrote Chitlins. In case you don't know what Chitlins or, as I just found out the correct spelling is Chitterlings, wikipedia has an article on them here. Plus, here is a link to the al.com about it.

The Doctor appears in Heroes...

'According to the latest issue of TV Guide magazine, Christopher Eccleston will play Claude, an invisible man, and will first appear on Heroes January 22. According to series creator Tim Kring: "He's been living with his invisablility for many years and has come to grips with it, so he'll give us a different veiw into this hero world."'

SWEET!!!

News

Iran vows to accelerate nuke work, "Ahmadinejad says sanction backers will soon regret their 'superficial act'"

Spanish Intestinal specialist rushed to treat Fidel Castro, brings special equipment in case further surgery is needed.

The Governator broke his leg skiing and will have surgery to repair leg.

Finally, Merry Christmas and if your not busy Wednesday and Thursday, December 27th and 28th in Mobile Alabama. Feel free to help me move......didn't think so.

B

Cool dancer

The Randomness

Bad Brian for neglecting the blog. So, I have made my yearly travel northward for a Christmas break with the family. For about the last week my truck has been 'skipping' and not the kind of skipping you did in elementary school. So, I limped it home with a lawnmower on the back (backup transportation just in case....lol). A big round of thanks goes out to Jeremy, Matt, and BJD for helping to load up the mower last night.

The last two days has been spent painting and working at kc's new house, where which I will have a new bat cave to hide from the world. In order to move my bat cave, I have been packing all of my stuff up into little cardboard boxes which magically appear whenever kc arrives home from a day of work. I have quite a bit of stuff but my lord at the amount of stuff that she has.

Over the last week or so I have been battling this reoccurring cough and phlegm (funny how that word is spelled). Hopefully, I can kick it to the curb by the time the move comes around on the 27th. I have to give myself a pat on the back though. I single handedly took care of moving/creating/whatever the utilities to the new place (thanks for the applause). Kc claimed she 'forgot' but I really think she didn't want to do it and wanted me to do it.

More 'O come all ye faithful'

O come all ye faithful...

December 7th

65 years ago today, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in a surprise attack which launched us into World War II. Then for the next four years or so, we fought for, not only our own, but the worlds freedom from tyranny. This was a horrible attack on American soil, something that had never happened in such a fashion.

Until September 11th 2001, Pearl Harbor had only been a memory of the worst attack on American soil. The World Trade Towers are now the Pearl Harbor of this generation, it is a vivid memory to many. As long as Al Qaeda is in operation, America has a job to do just like America did in World War II.

So, take some time and thank the remaining survivors of WWII for their service. This will be the last trip to Pearl Harbor for many veterans, not because of the travel but because they are elderly and some may not be alive next year for their annual trip.

Well, i'm off to study for my final tonight.