Day Off

Well, I started work the day after I got home, as most of you know. Unfortunately for me, that makes me very tired [although I make money, and money is good.] It's not so bad though. However, today is MY DAY OFF!!! Oh yah, my day off, YOU HEARD ME, my day off. Yesterday, Sunday night, my immediate familly and my mom's sister and her kids and her eldest's best friend went to my grandma's house and she and her husband and all of us had my grandmother's birthday party. She just turned 70. Now, being Irish and living in McAllen means that we had potato soup with Tres Leches cake for desert. Then Erika came home with us and spent the night. Today we slept late, and then Joshua, Erika & I went shopping ALL DAY [after eating at Fudruckers - or however you spell it]. It was INSAINITY. I did however, luck out and get two pairs of Tommy Hipster Jeans for a lean $75. That's a deal my friends, that's a deal.

Check Out the Snow!

SNOW ON A PALM TREE? SURELY NOT!

Well, Christmas Was Fun

Well, Christmas was rockin' this year you know? I really had a good time. We opened our presents at 12;45 this morning. I got:

Jurassic Park Vol I
Jurassic Park Vol II
Bridget Jone's Diary
Maid in Manhatten
My Best Friend's Wedding
The Wedding Singer
The Star Wars Trilogy [THE ORIGINAL THREE]
George Strait's 50 #1s CD
FM Transmitter for my iPod
Car Charger for my iPod
Isotoner gloveers [the cool kind the chick uses to play piano with on the commericial]
a $15 car charger for my iPod
$200 in cash

and some other stuff but I'm good with that list. My familia left later in the day, and tomorrow's church so I'm gonna jet for now. Peace out!

I Don't Believe It

I absolutely do not believe it, but it's true, it really is!!


IT'S SNOWING. Yes, I said SNOWING, here, in McAllen, Texas on Christmas. It hasn't snowed here since 1894, this is absolutely ridiculous. And I'm not talking about a tiny little collection of snow flakes or flurries. Oh no, I'm talking about a bonifide White Christmas. I'm not even sure I want to know what this is gonna look like in the morning. My brothers are having a SNOWBALL FIGHT outside and my dog is going biserk. Well, there you go guys, I'll check in laterz!

I Hate Tacky Christmas Lights

So I haven't had much time to update the past couple of days - been pretty exhausted. Last night [Wednesday] I got home from work, took a shower, and got dressed just as Andrew showed up. We bailed to Mr. Gatti's for a while where we watched "Ed, Edd, and Eddie". We frappin' love that show! Ironically, those three idgits represent Andrew and his two brothers, Scott and Brian. They aren't exaclty in permament spots though, they kind of rotate places amongst themselves based on whatever is going on at the moment.

So, we saw "A Series of Unfortunate Events" and it was pretty funny - Jim Carey is hysterical. :-) After that, we went to Starbucks where Andrew got into an argument with the first drive - thru sign [ the one WITHOUT a speaker...don't ask]. Promptly after Andrew resolved his inner issues, we went cruisin' for an hour-ish to scam on people's TACKY CHRISTMAS LIGHTS. Top violations are as follows:

1) Using multicolored icicle lights
2) Only wrapping 1/3 - 1/2 of your tree trunk, and neglegting the rest of the tree
3) Using only red lights on your Christmas tree, and opening your window
4) Having cardboard cut-outs of Betty-Boop in your front yard illuminated by Christmas lights [it was so awful you don't even understand]
5) Using a different kind of colored lights on each bush
6) Having cardboard cutouts of Santa at the beach in your front yard
7) Having neon nativity scenes
8) Having cardboard cutouts PERIOD in your front yard
9) AND MY ALL TIME FAVORITE: Barbershop styler trees done in red and white Christmas lights with flashing yellow, green, and blue rainbow lights on the roof. HIDEOUS.

I won $15 in Lotteria when I got home from my Dad and Joshua, so that made up for it.


TACKINESS IS SO OFFENSIVE

This One's For You

So, as this vacation has been going by [1 and 1/2 weeks already, u know?], I've been wondering about what it is like to grow up. My mom and dad were married around my age, and soon after [a year or 2 or something] had me. Jon followed just 15 short months after. But, I still come home whenever I can over the holidays because I'm really close to my family, & I like it that way.

I guess what I'm really wondering, is when do you become to old to "come home" and when do you just start "visting"? My dad once told me that home is where you are, and where you can be - not some actual tangible place or location. And although my parents are pretty smart and between the both of them could probably figure out the answer to the Middle East Peace Crisis, I'm afraid I'm gonna have to disagree there. There's something about a place just being home that makes the difference. I really love this house. I've seen it under 22 different coats of paint at least. I've watched it go through different colored carpets to tile to wood. I've seen the kitchen and bathrooms redone, and the new den put in. Pets have lived [and some have died or "left us"] here: I'll never forget having to take my own beloved Siamesse cat to be put to sleep when she became mentally unstable.

I love my church home here; it's so much more than just a place I go. It really is my community of faith - I grew up in it, since I was 8 or so. Not a time goes by @ school when I don't hear the lyrics to "Santo! Santo! Santo!" in my head [in Spanish] when we sing "Holy! Holy! Holy!" I've been to camp with people here, and taken their kids to camp as I grew up and became a counselor. I've worked the sound booth, done MOPS, helped in the nursery & sung @ funerals. I love this place - a place where the people know me when I come home, and I can pick up right were I left off it seems. The people here truly love my family and myself with the love of the Lord. Sure, there are rough and tough times and some people with thorns on them, but what field of flowers is perfect? None, but this one is definately part of God's flower garden...
I've seen Joshua grow up here it seems, and Jon and I too. I've seen my parents grow older in age, but they always look the same to me u know? There's something about the Valley, I love it. It IS home.

A lot of kids my age [and face it people: we still are all kids for the most part] seem to have this desire to get away from their parents and siblings and other family. And if not that, at least they don't have any particular desire to come home or go home to them. I feel sorry for those people - it bothers me that other people weren't as lucky as I was - as I am. It is my earnest prayer, that I will be the kind of parent to my children, that my parents were to me. They did everything right - I'm a faithful Christian struggling daily to do what I hope is right. But you know what?-they taught me so well I just try to be like them. I'm pretty patient at school and with my Congressmen and my "Freshman" and my friends, I'll handle a lot. But you know what, I've never seen ANYONE as patient as my mom. If I had to spend my day with 20-30 fourth graders like the ones she's got, I'd be on the fast-track to nutz-ville. Kudos mom. U know what else? So, now I'm working from 8-5:30, and I'm tried as crud when I get home. At school I'm tired too, but there's something different now. When I come home at lunch, I'm cleaning up the mess I made in my room getting ready for work. After work, I just want to pass out. It's all I can do to work on a law school application or clean the kitchen or help with dinner, feed the dog or whatever. Now, here's my mom, up @ 5:30 in the morning coming home after school, and cleaning and shopping and cooking and cleaning some more and helping Joshua with his homework [and Jon and me in our day] and decorating and writing cards to people and making presents and sewing and teaching Sunday school and spending time with my dad and like NINE GAGILLION other things, and she never seems to miss a beat. And, when I'm too cranky to do one little thing, she doesn't burn me up with laser eyes, she gives me what I deserve. Man, way to be mom. Way to be. [Then, she'll talk to my aunt, uncle, and grandma too, and cheer them up - like always.]

Then there's my dad. I'm telling you man, my dad knows EVERYTHING [and perhaps his worst and only fault, is making sure you KNOW IT when you CLEARLY seem to know NOTHING.] My dad doesn't just know stuff though - HOW TOOs, he knows WHATs and WHYs. My dad is the kind of person, who seems to command attention. He doesn't say much you know, when he's in a room full of people discussing something. What I mean is, he doesn't talk too much - doesn't make sure everyone knows how smart he is. He ponders, listens, and weighs. But when he does talk, everyone [except sometimes his stupid kids, like me] listens. He's wise u know? And what a source for wisdom. I ask my dad's advice on so many things and I trust him. I know he knows because he just, he just does. If I can grow up to be half as Jedi-Knight as my dad, man I'd be rollin' in the coolness.

My mom and dad are dedicated too, let me tell you. Choir concert, tennis tournament, soccer team: you name it and they're there. At least one of my parents have seen EVERYTHING I've ever done, and my brothers too. And besides that, they were always ready to make a sacrifice so Jon could have those basketball shoes, I could have that dress, or Joshua could have that camp. If we wanted it really badly, and especially if we needed it or it would help us as we grew up, they would do EVERYTHING to make it happen. When we were younger and money was MUCH tighter, they'd cut back on something so I could have new shoes for my 8th grade dance, or so I wouldn't be the only one at Nationals without money to spend or a new suit. They probably think we don't know, or don't care. But I'm telling you now Mom and Dad, if you're reading this, we know. We care, and we wish there was something we could do to give it all back.

Thank you guys, also, for saying "no". There have been so many things I have wanted, and when you said "no" I thought my life was over, and you were just too dumb to know how brilliant I was. [Sound familiar to all you fellow college students out there having epiphanies??? yah...i know it does so don't EVEN try it] But you know what, you were right, and I was wrong. I am so sorry I didn't know that then, but I do now. I guess if I knew that then, I wouldn't have needed parents. But I did and I still do. You raised me right. Mom, I had no business wearing make-up when I was 13, you were right. Thank you for letting me when I was 14 for nationals [see, I was young for my age - most girls after our Freshman year in High School were 15 or 16, but I was still 14, even in the beginning of June. I had made it to Nationals in Debate and that second week in June I'd be competing against girls and guys who were 18 or even 19 and I looked like a child. I had to wear make-up to compete on their level.] But thanks for mostly letting me wait until I was 15. I didn't grow up too fast, and I'm thankful. Dad, you were right in making me drive that ugly Toyota, and taking driving from you. As much as I fought it, I'm a klutz and my hand/eye coordination skils are NILL. You were right to make me learn from you over a period of months, and take the test slowly. Thank you for making me learn and listen when I was being a brat. I'm a really, really good driver now [even though I still can't walk and not spill stuff OFF the road and OUT of the car], and you teaching me to drive so well saved my life last February, and Josh's and Melanie's and Kathleen's. I'm sure their parents thank you too.

Thank you guys, for making the hard choices. Thank you, for finding the balance between making us work for it, and letting us enjoy it. We didn't have to work in high school, even when we WANTED TO, because you knew, we'd be working for the rest of our lives. We just wanted the money to have more stuff - movies and CDs and trips to PATOs. We didnt' need that. We didn't need the stress or the horror of being sucked into the cycle of working for what we didn't need. We grew up appreciating work ethic, and the value of money. We grew up knowing that our job as students was that, and whatever we NEEDED we had. Thank you for that. I had a good time growing up, thank you.

Thank you for finding the balance between two clashing cultures. I always thought that I was lost somewhere, like that movie "in translation" beause Jon, Joshua, and I are different from both of you. We're half and it's hard. But you know something - you showed me the answer. It was there the whole time. Family and God come first - your culture comes out of there first. The rest is elevator music. Thanks dad for teaching me Spanish, and thanks mom, for teaching me it's rude to use it to exclude others from understanding you. Thanks mom for making enchilladas and thanks dad for letting me get my hair cut before I was 15 [because at the rate my hair was growing multiplied by it's thickness, I wouldn't have been able to walk!!!] Thanks for the songs in both languages and celtic music. Thanks for both of my extended families, rich in culture with disclaimers: I'm me - not them or you or a check-box on the census. I'm a child of God and your daughter and whatever I want because you taught me to decide.

Thanks for teaching me discipline. I knew, when I made a C in Medieval and Renn. French Literature, that you'd understand. I knew that you would know how hard I tried, because you taught me that. You taught me to do my homework and do it right and well. But you know something else, you two also taught me, that it's ok to go to sleep if I'm tired, and it's ok not to be good at everything. You didn't expect an "A" unless that was within my reach. If I could do my best and get it, that was what I should strive for. But if not, that's ok too. You taught me a very valuable lesson. It's a lesson I know, and try to pass on while struggling to remember it myself: everyone is different. Just because you expected different things from each of your kids didn't mean you loved one of us less or more: it meant you loved all of us enough to care who we were as people. So, I've learned from you people and God first, stuff, money and grades later.

Thanks for listening to me read outloud, to my love for music, and my random stories. Thanks for letting me love Law & Order, and for FINALLY saying I was old enough to watch cheers. Thanks for screening EVERY SINGLE BOY I've ever gone out with: thanx for putting your foot down. I know how important what I read, watch and read is: and who I do those things with. You made the difference in how I make my life's choices.

Thanks for supporting me when I quit cheerleading, track, tennis, soccer and volleyball for speech and debate through the years. Thanks for being there when you had no idea WHY I needed ANOTHER TUB or SIX MORE 31-pocket xpandos @ $15 each, or why Cindy had to be picked up with me in Mercedes, or why it was ok to miss a week of school because of the stomach flu but catch the plane Thursday afternoon to State anyways. You have no idea how much debate means to me, but you care as if you knew. It's wonderful and thanx to you, I know the trophies don't make me who I am, and sometiimes I think I'm the only person at tournaments who knows that.

Bottom line? I know that some people my age have kids, and get married, and they're certainly old enough too I suppose. If they are, they are, u know? What I mean to say is, I've reached the point where I know that I behave differently from other people at school. I'm self-sufficient, and I'm gonna make it. You gave me that. I could do it on my own, all alone and I would be ok. I wouldn't be lost or mugged. I can read a map, shop, cook, clean, take care of my car, sew my clothes, read good books, study, and manage a house. [I'm still working on the checkbook thing...:-)] You know what though, I WON'T do it on my own. That's my choice now. So I hope you guys are all right with that. I'll always call you mom on Saturday, and dad, I'll always call you before work on Tuesday. I'll always be home for Christmas. I'll always take care of you and help you and do what I can, ok? I'll tell you right now, a Human Rights Attorney for the government doesn't make beacoups of money. But I'd give you every paycheck I ever got if I thought that would make up for what I've put you through, and what you've done for me. I can admit without being obnoxious, that I'm pretty bright. The problem is, I was too brilliant for my own good. I learned too many words too fast and learned to read to early: I was precocious. My whole life, especially when I was younger [baby teenager], has been me trying to catch up with my brain. But you guys put up with a 3 year old who had a bigger and more annoying vocabulary than most kids twice her age, a 5 year old who thought she had a constitutional right to Fraggle Rock, and an 11 year old who knew the Bill of Rights by heart and SWORE that the 1st amendment applied to her right to listen to a radio station she shouldn't be listening too. You know, I've actually considered working in a corporate [immigration and labor law mabye] or a defense law firm for a while, to make ACTUAL MONEY. And you want the truth...it's not for me, it's for you. I want to buy you that house you've always wanted Mom, and a life-time supply of Pier One things and paint from Dutch Boy. I want you to have a room like Rachel Ashwell in Shabby Sheek, so you can do whatever you want whenever you want. I want you to have your own antique stores, and I don't want you EVER to worry about what will happen. Dad, I want you to have that barracuda you want, and I want to help you take care of Abuela. I want to pay off your medical bills. And when the time comes, I want you to have the best transplant surgeon money can buy. I want you to have every gangsta movie ever, and a permanent pass to the movies [one for you and one for you movie buddies - acie and mike and etc.]. I'd buy you a kidney if I could dad. I love you both so much.

Just remember this then, ok? Maybe I can't buy you what you want, but I'll alway love you and always be home with you when the time is for family. And every person in slavery I pray for, and every child prostitute I weep for, and every SINGLE PERSON I free from the bondage of injustice is not just for each one of them, and because of God, it's because of you. I love everyone because you taught me to love EVERYONE. I always cry and even though that makes me sensitive, it's because you taught me that every little choice matters. So every time I see a picture of a child who is oppressed I will cry. But my tears mean my heart is moved and I will fight for them, and maybe I wouldn't if I didn't cry. And maybe I wouldn't cry if you had not shown me to care and be vigilliant always, and told me it was ok to care. I will be dedicated and never give up on these people not because I think I'm so great and can help, but because I know how great I'm not. I know that I am nothing without Him, and so that could easily have been me. It is obvious what's right, and you always taught me to find it, know it, and do it. I won't try, I just will. I will love this people, like you loved me and everyone you ever knew or met. I will fight with all the determination you show in everthing you do that's right. I will never give up and I will most of all trust in Him who will help me, just like you taught me. Thank you for making my dream come true; I'm an angel. See, in God's word, he says he will hear the cries of the oppressed, and he will save them. But, the scriptures say that instead of just doing it himself, God will send his servants and messengers to save the chained, and the enslaved, the widow and the orphan and the oppressed. God will call some people to deliver those in his name - angels of justice. You have raised me to grow up loving and serving so much that I just cannot turn away from the injustice, not when God has blessed me with the ability to help. I'm an angel of justice [Layne first called me that, showing me what the scriptures said about the subject], and I'm so excited. Remember mom, when you said not to be so concerned with injustice that i miss the justice? I won't, I'm not. You guys taught me that everything around me is improtant, and more stuff isn't. That being said, I'm so happy and appreciative of every freedom I have and the beautiful flowers growing in the yard and my brothers and just everything, that I want to get what you've given me for everyone. I'll live my life seeking Justice, for God, because of you.


I know I probably won't come back to stay after I graduate law school, this just isn't where I'm meant to be, because more than likely the kind of law I want to practice and need to practice won't find me here. But I will always think of it as home, and someday I'd like to come here to stay.

So, as I make my way there you two: thank you.

This one's for you.



John 3:30
Issiah 1:17

Here's A Thought...

Ok, so I have a guestbook on my blog, but onlly my cousin and myself have signed it. I have had over 200 visitors here since Thanksgiving Vacation, but NO ONE WILL SIGN MY FLIPPIN' BLOG. It is muy irritating, k?/ So SIGN IT ALREADY. That is all.

Rockin' @ Atlas & Hall

So work this week is way more fun that last week was. Luke is back from the University of Arizona, and Chago's sister is here from St. Edwards [Ester, your shoes rule!], and Dameon and Sam are off from McHi, so we're having a blast again. The old school crew only needs good ol' "Dubbya" to get us back to the way we used to be.


The Cast***

Hector: The Head File Clerk, 30 years old, Catholic and Mexican [and when I say Mexican, I mean MEXIcan-Cheech and Chong + a Ghetto Pick-Up + Luther Vandross + a funny laugh]. He's hillarious. He cracks down if you're lazy, but he's totally cool.

Norma [Mother of Sam}: Secondary file clerk. She's sweet and kinda quiet, and really hard working.

Chago: Secondary file clerk. He's 25 and is in school part time - he supports his Grandma and is helping to put his sister through college @ St. Edwards. He's quiet and hard-working. We call him "the Zen Master". Picture this:

*Luke: "Oh NOOOO!!! There are at least 25 FAXES in each machine and the confirmation box is overflowing, the copy jobs are stacked to the cieling and the mail has to be metered and second-checked. OH NO, ROSA WANTS ANOTHER EMERGENCY FAX. Wait, Anne just called and she's mad - WHERE'S THAT AFFIDAVIT FOR REX? CRAP - MARIJKE IS COMMING! OH NO! I'm all alone and it's already 4:25"

*[Walking in from running an errand]Chago: "Hey, go take this fax down the hall, and I'll handle this."

When Luke comes back, everything is done, 4.62 [we timed Chago once - just kidding] minutes later. TA - DA, Chago the Zen Master.

Sam: @ McHi, Sam is a character - he's got quite a mouth on him and is kinda spacey, u know the type. He's really easy going for the most part though.


Luke: Luke cracks me up - he's a Freshman @ the University of Arizona, and he's like the funniest guy I've ever met. He's very Connan O'Brien and he, Dameon & I pretty bunch bounce comments off one another all day and entertain the entire file clerk crew [the FCC 2623] and the FLEET OF SECRETARIES who work at this RIDICULOUSLY LARGE LAW FIRM.

Dameon: Hey, this guy is my buddy, is @ McHi and he helped me close files last summer. He is huge [six foot three and a solid 245 lbs] - a football player, and he good easily beat up a lion or an iguana [a lion has prowess over an iguana, or a monkey]. He and I love to score El Pato on break, under the code name "Larry".

Janet: Office manager. In an office with like 27 attorneys and a herd of secretaries and legal assistants, she's like for real "IT". Unless you're a "SPECIAL PARTNER" she OWNS YOU. She's tiny but scarier than a democratic majority in the house & senate and I swear she could run the pentagon. She has this thing about safety hazards ['DAMEON, pick up that paper clip on the floor, it's a safety hazard." "Luke, move that box, it's a safety hazard." "Sam, that child is a safety hazard - DESTROY IT."

So, in the mornings, Sam shreds in the file room with his headphones out, completely zonked. Dameon, Luke, and I go back to the old STCC building the Law Firm owns behind the massive building they actually have their offices and law library in. D & I close files and Luke shreds while we jam to my iPod jimmy-rigged to a stereo. Sometimes, we wonder what happened to Ashlee, who just disappeared a month ago...hmm [Hector says she got involved in an underground Chinesse boxing league].

Usually, we take our 15 minute break [honestly, the 30 minutes we SEEM to have spent in the break room is a figmant of your imagination, I promise...] around 10.

After lunch [which Hector gives to us 15 minutes early unless you're Daniel Crane, who isn't home this vacation], Dameon and I close files for about an hour, then head over to file room to help with rush copy jobs, general refiling and FAXES [DOOM DOOM DOOM!!!!! - insert scary music here]. Luke joins us @3:30 when Sam goes home with his mom [they open the office @ 7:30].

Today was pretty funny as days go, topic of the day: why Star Wars episode one is pathetic. More later.


Secret Squirrel Out

Legally Blonde and Vivian

You know what people? I have recently watched Legally Blonde with my parents, and I have to say, my favorite character is Vivian. The whole time you're watching this movie, you're meant to think badly of her, that she's evil and she's a man-stealer and a jerk. But you know what, I think she deserves major props because she had to make the hardest decision there is: dump your man and be friends with his ex-girlfriend - YOUR MAN IS NO GOOD. Notice throughout the movie, she is realizing that Warner is a jerk, such as the time he tells Elle to only think about herself and not to worry if she gave Brooke her word or not. Basically, it took guts for Vivian to tell Warner tht he really wasn't what she once though he was, and definately not what he thought he was. She sands up for herself and makes friends with Elle. That's guts right there.

She's my favorite because it's hard to say that your boyfriend/fiance isn't worth your time of day. It creates a feeling of wasted time and effort in you, and makes you feel mean. It's not easy, but she did it. She gets five daises [because I like daises more than stars.]

Tirade

So let's talk about today's adventure. This is my blog, so if you don't like the following, get your own.

It REALLY REALLY annoys me when people think that they are the ONLY ONES who are entitled to be obnoxious or have their own opinion. Furthermore, it really bugs me when they would rather demean your response patterns than discuss the issue, because they know
1) They can never win [if changing your mind is their goal]
2) They realize the futility of their arguments.



Well, it stands to reason, that if you want to start an argument or discuss something controversial, you should limit the frame of reference and audience to those with whom you'd like to discuss it. [Most of you remember the Jeff McCain/Jake Roseberry e-mail circulations of 2004??] If you don't want to have a discussion with more than one person on an issue, a market place of ideas if you will [props to John Stuart Mill, the man was pretty smart u know?], THEN DON'T SEND AN EMAIL TO A BUNCH OF PEOPLE. You start the discussion, you pick the audience, you have infinate prep time. You don't want them to hear my reply - YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE INCLUDED THEM IN THE CONVERSATION. PERIOD.

Bugs me, just bugs me.

Furthermore, you want to make me read e-mails about how we should all be so quick to reply to your original e-mails, and you want to start the incinuation that one of your friends is doing well to pay you more attention, then you best be ready for a reply. It's not obnoxious or evil - it's in jest - the same as your original statement. DON'T tell me how upset someone else is because of my response - they have a problem - let them come and talk to me.

Bugs me, just bugs me.

So u know what, to those of you who are concerned with this, I'm sorry if you're upset about my attempt to continue your own conversation patterns, and I'm sorry if it embarrasses you to have my reply circulated amongst those who were privy to the original conversation. If it truly is a problem, then I'm sorry becuase I don't like confrontation and I definately don't like to upset my friends. Sorry. I'm sorry because it upset you. But don't misunderstand me, my interpretation still stands.

Finally, I think I've had enough of this conversation period. I won't change my mind on race relations and that's it. Am I closed-minded - maybe. Or maybe, closed-mindedness is the assumption that just because I'm a first generation american I have to think a certain way, and that I have to join some over-inflated, self-important, underground minority revoltuion. Closed-mindedness is a double standard that only I can care about my being hispanic, or black, or native american, or Irish, but if anyone else does - WATCH OUT!! DARN THOSE RACISTS! Close mindedness comes from saying that only I can make deroggatory comments about my ethnic group, but OTHER PEOPLE WHO AREN'T LIKE ME can't. Close-mindedness is saying racisim is bad and evil without recognizing that every time I group people into "white people" as a category and decide they are all the same and all against me, I am practicing the worst kind of racism there is : the kind with a double standard that only goes to display my ignorance and willingness to incite passion in the minds of others. Real closed-mindedness is when I am allowed and even encouraged to associate myself with people who are the same color as me or the same ethnic group as me because that means they are like me and will be my friends - by my "own people"! And then, as a group, we decry segregation. Ironic, isn't it?

Finally, closed-mindedness is that perception that all statistical minorities which do NOT subscribe to the idea that oppression is huge and alive today in all aspects of life, and that outrage is the answer are sell-outs, dumb, or "missing the point". I think it is you who miss the point, oh race-monger. Untill you quit telling everyone what color you are, and how important that is to who you are, no one will be able to forget, because YOU won't let them. The only reason your race, heritage or ethnic group works against you is because YOU DEMAND THAT IT DOES. Let them be and they'll let you be. And if you can't, let me be. Because I'm very busy relying on other dictators of my fortune, because I don't believe in fortune, and I don't believe in chance. Life isn't fair, or didn't you get the memo? I'll get you another copy. But I'll tell you something, it's unfair TO A LOT OF PEOPLE, ALL AROUND THE WORLD. And until you are being forced to work as a prostitute at the age of 9 with 15 customers a day, I don't want to hear about it, ok?

So what, the lady at the Minnessotta airport wanted to know my country of origin, and so what if she didn't believe me when I told her America? Yah, that sux. And yah, it angers me and hurt my feelings. But you know what, she did it to protect this country from threats from abroad, and I'm darn lucky to sit in my house and tell you on my brand new iMac over broadband internet al about it, and not get thrown in prison. Shoot, I'm lucky to be INSIDE instead of UNDER A TREE like my dad was when he was little in Mexico before he came here. Let me give you a piece of advice, it's stupid to come to America to continue to live in Mexico. So don't come here to live in your own prison, and then complain to me about it. When you quit oppressing women and other statistical minorities or unpopular groups with your DAILY speech patterns, music choices, and consumption patterns, you can give me a call. Untill then, muse to someone else, because I'm busy working in America, dreaming in America, thankful to live in America.

Dumb Cowboys

Well, first of all, I'd like to apologize for not posting a while. I've been busy with work and law school applications and sleep etc. Also, my brothers and my dad were wicked sick and by Wednesday, so was I. I'm gettin' better now though...

So, the Cowboys just blew another game, and I'm saddened by yet another loss to the undefeated in the NFC East Eagles (Darn you Donavan!). If we won the game, we still couldn't be in the playoffs, but we coulda stuck it to the Eagles, denying them home field advantage for the playoffs which they have now securely grabbed. Darn it.


****I HATE THE EAGLES - CASEY YOU STINK!****

Oh well. I'm enjoying my vacation thus far (minus the sickness part) and have already had many great adventures. However, it seems rather pointless to write about them on days when they don't happen. So, I'll just write about them as they happen from now on, I promise.

My knitting project for the week is a blanket for my mom out of super soft White TLC Yarn, it's so pretty with little eyelets and stuff, looks like lace. I guess I could take a picture when I'm done. Also, I'm making a scarf for Andrew out of burnt orange and white volour (go UT) for when they play in DC for the inauguration. I'm excited about the scarf - it's got the SHAZAAM stripes (thank you Mrs. Denman for that fantastic description) they have on their uniforms. I get way to happy about knitting, you know it?

Darn It

Ok, so I think that God may find himself to be rather humorous. I woke up really late today [around 11] to get ready for work, and I noticed something rather unfortunate: it was dark outside - and it was COLD. That's right, I said cold, C-O-L-D cold. It's cold here in McAllen today [aka it's only like 60 degrees or something], although I've been informed that it was it's usual pretty self BEFORE I woke up. Ok, ok, so I'll get up early from now on.

Well, I'm dressed and headed out the door in my gray pants, black shirt and black heels [ I love Old Navy]. My pretty purse makes me happy...I should be home around 6:00 so untill then


Peace Out Everyone!

M Town Stomp

do do do do
do do do do
do do do do
do do do do

VACATION...YES!

Allrighty then, school is over for now and it's time for my month long vacation. Excited, you betcha! Goodness, after my ConLaw final on Friday, I was ready to sleep for like a year. Unfortunately for me, I still had to finish my honors capstone project...and of course, Layne chose NOW to be incapacitated [I TOLD HIM ABOUT THAT BIKE MANY A TIME...AH WELL.]

I packed my stuff up yesterday morning and pulled out at 10:12 AM from mi casa. Then, with Tyler in my car and a one Jeremy Pond behind us, we headed to Starbucks for one last semester hurrah [stopin' off at Dr. Dillman's of course, to drop off my Senior Capstone -hahahaha!!]. The Strawberries & Creme was good and the company and converstion were better, so it was a nice start to my Christmas Holidays.

Well, we gave Jeremy Pond his present at Starbucks, and he loved it [I think, sometimes he's hard to read, but he's so intense if he hated it we probably would've known.] See, our good friend Mr. Pond works at the KACU radio station and unfortunately, must spend these first two weeks of Christmas Break in ABILENE. And, he's only a Freshman, and he's only SEVENTEEN!! [So, I definately would've cried if that were me.] So, unbeknowst to him, I alert a good 16 people or so to this terrible miscarriage of justice, and we get a crackin'. We made him an Xpando [like what we use for DB8]. We decorated it and indexed it for his 2-week stay. There's one letter for every single day he'll be alone in Abilene from a different person, a giant card, introductory instructions, emergency entertainment, movies and books he should see, a Hastings Rental Account and much more. [It was, after all, a 31-pocket Xpando!] It was a good thing...plus, the Xpando was DECORATED...I LOVE STICKERS.

Moving on...

After leaving Starbucks I headed out of Abilene [Thank God] and toward home. However, I stoped in San Antonio where my brothers, my father, some familly friends, and I watched the Spurs / Caveliers Game @ the SBC Center. It was GLORIOUS. And, WE WON! GO SPURS, GO SPURS, GO SPURS...ahhh, yes it was good. [Also, I watched the brillance of Lebron James in action. He dunked on Tim Duncan. Then, at one point when it looked as if he was going up for a rebound on a Spurs Shot, he SMACKED the ball instead. And, he hit the ball sooo hard it flew the 30 feet off the court and like FIFTY FEET into the air. Spiffing, simply spiffing. The King was in the house.]

Well, I'm tired today and stuff, but good to be home. We'll see how the vacation unfolds. I'm definately starting work tomorrow at Atlas & Hall [afternoons only - I'm to tired for full time right now].

Peace Out
M TOWN STOMP

I'm Posting DANGIT So WATCH ME!

Ok, so I have decided that allthough I have numerous other things I could and SHOULD be doing I'm going to sit here and post on this blog ANWAYZ. Ridiculous, yes? Well, I don't flippin' care so there. Moving on, let us all now take the time to discuss stuff that only matters to me because I'm goofy like that. I'm excited about my blog it is oh so beautiful...


UPDATE: SUNDAY

So, yesterday I had a good day. Church was in Moody because of the 75th Anniversary or whatever, and afterwards, I went home to get some chow and get to work on homework. So, then what? Oh yes, MORE HOMEWORK!! Today, I had a makeup quiz for Social Psychology due @ 12:00 noon on Monday, nd two make-up tests: one in American Presidency and one in Constitutional Law. So I needed to study for those. After that, Tyler and I went to dinner @ Taco Bueno [I'm gonna miss my weekly time with Tyler when I graduate, I know I am!] After that, we went to Christmas at the Paramount - the cheeziest thing in America, but alltogether good for engendering Christmas Spirit - and then to Starbucks. While we were there, we ran into Partner and Ashley [our counterparts: the Dynamic Latte Duo]. After this, we went to Tyler's to watch British comedies only to discover THEY'D CHANGED THE SCHEDULE. How annoying, no "Keeping Up Appearences"? I shall never recover, ah...sigh.

All in all, life was pretty cool today, it hasn't been as cold as I was afraid it would be this week, and there are only a few more days left before I get to go home and be w/ mi familia.

Cheers.

I Have So Much to Say, But Really, It Amounts to Nothing At All...

I would love to say that I post on this blog "religiously" but I'm afraid that's not quite true. It is a shame though, because i use this blog as unwinding time. I really enjoy writing stories and other amusing things, and it makes me happy to know that my friends are reading this and that way I can make sure we ALL stay up on what each other are doing...So maybe, I should learn the discipline of posting more regularly.

So today, I woke up @ 7:00 am and thought to myself: WHY MUST MY INTERNAL CLOCK TORTURE ME SO???!!!! I didn't have an 8:00 class today so it seemed, to me anyway, to be quite futile, this idea of getting up that early. I'm enjoying the fact that I no longer have debate lab @ 5:30 am this semester for either extemp or LD, so i was hoping to catch up on some much needed sleep. Of course, this would never be the case with me. Instead of course, my body chose to wake me up far to early in order to be spiteful for the lack of milk I've been drinking lately or something like that.

My 9:00 class was good today, the European Union and Balance of Payments stuff. [I like learning about the FX market but maybe that's just me.] Chet left this morning @9:30 or so and I'm a bit sad about it. It's kinda dishartening to think of everyone moving farther and farther away from each other. It will be quite some time before I see him again, but I suppose it will be allright.

I had to run some errands this morning after class, so I was glad it got out early. It gave me a chance to come down and do some of my daily "administrative tasks" or whatever you want to call it. I'm a little tired but that's a given at this point. So, I made a run to Financial Aide and other such things. Then, I get to check my email, work on my planner and do the upcoming week. Also, I get time to post on this blog. About this I am pleased. So, that's the administrative update for the day. Smile everyone, Christmas [Vacation] is coming!

End of School

Well faithful blog readers, this is the last week of school and I'm so unbelievably tired. It's for real true, you know it? I haven't slept well or eaten much in days and I'm doped up on Caffiene. But that's pretty much over now. I had my last test of the year today at 12:00 in Consitutional Law. But now it's over, and I can get started on Finals Week. Really, I look forward to finals week.

a) I don't have to work
b) I only have to go to class like once a day
c) there's no debate lab or practice [ i like debate and all, but practice is EXHAUSTING]
d)I get more sleep than i do normally

So, let us all review my upcomin' schedule...

Friday December 2nd: My 8:00 class is optional, so guess who's NOT going! Hahaha, me! Then I have a 9:00 class and THEN I'M DONE FOR THE SEMESTER! Then later that evening, it will be time for the SA Social!!!! Eventually, I'm gonna try to go the Village in Cullen -IT'S FREE.

Saturday: Meeting w/ Layne tht matters not...

Sunday: Church and Tyler's B-day Party

Monday: DEAD DAY...rockin' it ALSEEP

Tuesday: 10:00am - 12:00 American Presidency Final

Wednesday: 2:00 - 4:00 pm Social Psychology Final

Thursday: 12:00 - 2:00 pm. Economics Final

Friday: 12:00 - 2:00 Con Law Final

More to follow later MY BESTEST FRIEND CHET IS HERE TO VISIT ME AND I MUST GO!

So Today Is Finally OVER

My dear blog readers, how are you today? I tell you what, I'm excited that Wednesday is over. Wednesday is my long day - my BUTT LONG DAY. I always have class from 8:00-10:00 and by the time I get to Wednesday I never can manage to actually GET DRESSED BEFORE CLASS. Therefore, I must always spend my 10;00-11:00 hour getting myself ready for the day. I man the office from 12:00 to 5:00 for SA. Today, everything was of course, a mad house.

Ahh, I return

So, does anyone want to know how my day was today? Even if you don't want to I'm going to tell you ANYWAY. It all started when I was almost late [but not quite so there] to my MWF @8:00 class. Ok so last week the classroom we usually have class in was flooded out. So we've been having class in a concrete room with no heat now. And well, this morning we all discovered that not only had someone stolen the space heater, but SOMEONE LEFT THE WINDOW OPEN. It was like 22 degrees. I am not amused or pleased. Dr. Culp said the last time this happened he had everyone take a picture with their sweatshirts and blankets and he sent it upstairs...

Well, at least I wasn't late: that was quite an accomplishment.

Then I went to economics and we were learning about the FX Market and exchange rates. Well, I've grown up changing dollars for pesos all the time so you know...not un problemo. So class - besides the fact that I froze - completely uneventful.

The trip back though - very entertaining. So, at about 1:30 or so Conrad and I take off to pick up David. Then, we realize we need gas, so we stop off at the gas station, but not before I realized I left my sunglasses and had to go back and get them. After we get gas and are on the loop, I realize I left my chocolate fudge brownies that my mom made IN BAGS ON THE COUCH. Craptastic. So AGAIN, off the loop and back to the house. [By this time my black lab is VERY confused] Eventually, we get to David's, and then have to take a guitar to some random person's house before we can leave - DON'T ASK. So, a Hispanic, a Mexican, a Mexican American, and a rodent in his own crack house take to the road.

Yes, I said rodent. David brought home from Abilene a white Japanesse rat in a cardboard box with newspaper and crumbs: his own little crack house. It was kind of disturbing. As we approached the checkpoint we realized our little troop did not make for an unsuspicious bunch: we look like a drug ring with a young Madam. For those who don't know, you cannot leave south Texas without passing through a check point with Border PatrolAnd, coincidentally, this happened to be JUST what the border patrol was looking for on Sunday. Ironic isn't it? I should have paid more attention to the four points bulletin...I hate the border patrol.

The rat was amused. That is all, suffice to say I saw someone kill Bambi's mom...

Essence

Somehow I always have so much more to take back to school than I came home with. I wonder why that could be? Well, I just got home from Casa Mesa where there was good food and fine conversation. I'm a little sleepy but that's mostly just from the food. It's time to leave home and go back - once more - to ACU for just a couple more weeks. I can do it, I know I can. As I drive home the temperature will drop along with my temperment, but it'll be allright I suppose.

I'm very thankful for all the friends I have there, and I'm looking forward to the Christmas & Holiday season w/ the ACU gang just one last time. It's funny u know? Being a senior is just "funny". It is interesting to me, to think of everything as my last [insert word here]. Last Freshman Follies, last homecoming, last homecoming chapel, last homecoming parade, last culture show. Last time to post a Thanksgiving Vacation dealio before I graduate...

Bye...safe journey all!
Vaya con Dios!

Sunday Morning

It's Sunday Morning in my house, and I'm really glad. I love Sunday mornings. Every Sunday without fail, for as long as I can remember, my dad busts open the door to every room in the house and says "Church is in ONE HOUR. Then, he strolls off to the next door. If you were to see him walking from room to room, it would amuse you because you couldn't tell by his stroll that there were any problems. But with every door swing [swoosh] as he awakens myself and my brothers, my mom, & any other random person who happens to be sleeping in my house at that moment in time you can tell somthing serious is happening: its Sunday Morning.

Sunday Morning brings with it the chance to see people that I now see only on rare occasions. I miss my Church home here in McAllen. Don't get me wrong, I know that there are other places in the universe, and certainly other churches. But there is undoubtedly something special about Harvey Drive Church of Christ. This morning during service @ 9:30, there won't be a message from our usual pulpit minister. Instead, Tom Ablright will be speaking. I'm looking forward to it.

Today is a bad back day - I can already tell. But in spite of it, I've had my shower and I'm having my breakfast. Jon's in bed still [he gets ready in a record 8 minutes and that's a new state record!], and Joshua and Erika are eating donuts in the dining room. My mom is drinking her coffee and getting dressed and my dad's at work/church already. It's about that time for me too: to go and put on some "church clothes" whatever that means. Today I think, I think that will mean whatever I'm wearing when I go to Church.

Good morning.

Contemplative

Sometimes I wonder what the use is in some things. I mean take school for example. I see the point in having my doctor going to medical school and my attorney going to law school. [I don't however, see the point in having him take the LSAT, but whatever that's another story.] Sometimes I feel as if the whole thing is entirely futile. Most of the time, all I'm doing is jumping through a bunch of hoops to make some random human being happy. I haven't learned anything sometimes I think, other than how to do menial tasks whilst pertending they are important. And then, we are back to the beginning aren't we? We're back to realizing what the whole point of education isn't education, it's socialization.

The question I think that I have to ask myself is why? Why do I do this to myself? Why do I stay up late at night and push myself to the limits? All so that I can push myself to the limitz later? I don't understand why I must push and push and push to earn the right to push and push more. Then, I'll push myself way past 9-5 to pay back "The Man" for the right to push and push myself. Meanwhile my friends and collegues around me will drink themselves into a stupor and their livers into comas while others will use the determination they've learned to resolve to throw themselves off a ledge somewhere. And meanwhile the rest of my friends will work themselves into lonliness even further still - and their families will not be there because those families got left behind in the dust behind tax credits and overtime. Why?

Because all I have to do is play the game to earn the right to set myself and others free.

Random New Stuff on My Blog

Well if you've noticed that my Christmas list is on the sidebar of my blog, never fear - I'm not suggesting that you all buy me presents dear blog readers. Rather, my parents have asked me [as they have been doing in recent years] for me to be AS SPECIFIC AS POSSIBLE with what I want for Christmas. So, in order to accommodate their wishes I have posted the answers to their questions [i.e. "What DVDs do you not have but would like to have?"] on my blog as they read it daily. That is all.


If you are feeling generous however, post-its and pens are ALWAYS a given...along with Skittles.


End Transmission
Secret Squirrel Out

Hey, Well My Dad Thinks This is Funny...

Check out this terrible propaganda...we need something like this at ACU. Partner, can you hook us up? Haha!

Thanksgiving Vacation Part II: The Big Day

Well, it definately has been a long day over here in El Valle. We had Thanksgiving at my Grandma's [She and her husband live in Mission, a small suburb] with my uncles, aunts and cousins. It was really very good. Andrea, Erika and myself watched VH1 "awesomely bad hair" and "awesomely bad fashion" and chilled for a while. Of course, there was the given 2 hours of conversation the "adults" had in the "adult" room which I have recently been moved up to. Now, this is not because I am actually an "adult" so to speak: one must simply understand that as the "chilluns" grow older, they begin to take up more space. Consequently, the "chilluns" table is getting to be quite crowded as I am the shortest of all my cousins who today ranged to as young as 12 years of age. So, it was merely for reasons of efficiency that I was allowed to converse in the adult room today [as I did the dishes]...

Eventually however, the fun and frolic of the afternoon took on quasi-legal attributes and my family began to play lotteria for money. Oh the fun you can have with Spanish bingo! Hehehehe...Joshua cleaned house though, raking in upwards of $30 dollars. Go figure eh?

Finally, it was time for the ritualistic voyage to el cine. Erika, Andrea, CJ & I all saw Christmas with the Kranks - it's cute, you should probably see it if you think situational humor is a good thin [Tim Allen seems to do pretty well with it - he and Jamie Lee Curtis together: BRILLIANT! Why has no one thought of this before?] Now, I'm eating a turkey sandwich and watching Pretty Woman - which I LOVE! - Thanksgiving is pretty much a wrap for me. But what about a lesson for the vacation time? What am I thankful for?

I think that question alone completely misses the mark. I am not quite sure that the point is for me to thank God for my aunt's pumpkin nut roll, or that no one needed stitches today. Probably safe travel and stuffing in TWO DIFFERENT PANS or the BIGGEST MASHED POTATO STASH I'VE EVER SEEN are supposed to make the list. I'm pretty sure that there is something deeper at stake here. What I'm really thankful for, is the KIND of God I have, not just what He does for me. I am abundantly thankful, that He is my father, and that I am his child. I am so glad, that He is the kind of father that will let me come to him and tell him how happy I am about just anything, but He is also there when I'm heartbroken. I amd so excited that I have a father like that. I'm thankful, that I can go to Him, and He'll put me on His knee and hear just how I feel. I am thankful that He is the giver of all things and the keeper of all secrets; that he is the God of Justice and Mercy at once. He is a both a judge and my attorney. God loves me - he loves me like a child - as His child. I don't have to serve all day everyday because I am not His servant or slave: I am His child and I serve because the love and joy in my heart pours out daily because of what the Lord has done for me. It is for this I give thanks.

You see, I don't have to thank Him for every small thing: I AM thankful because I recognize them in context, in the context of the character of God.


Give Thanks.

Thanksgiving Vacation Part I: The Voyage Home

I'm so glad to finally be home again. I love Thanksgiving vacation. Not only is it a vacation in and of itself, it prompts me to get my butt in gear for the final weeks of school and reminds me that there are in fact, only a few weeks of school left.

I left the cold of Abilene this morning at about 11:00 am with Conrad, David, and a pet white mouse in a box. [Interesting, no?] We traveled pretty far I suppose, and the temperature went up the closer we got to home even though night was approaching and it's NOVEMBER. The trip was loads of fun filled with lots of Old School [Backstreet Boy fans unite!] Jams and funny stories. I love road trips.

My mom had Capt. Soup and Pumpkin Pie waiting for me when I got here [mmm Good - BY WHICH I MEAN BETTER THAN THAT CONDENSED CAMPBELL'S CRUD that is CLEARLY NOT made from fresh veggies and by my mom who rocks] along with LEMONAIDE!!! YAHHH! My newly panneled wooden floors are pretty...I can smell the sea in the air. I'm home.

Happy Thanksgiving

Dan Rather

Dan Rather must "STEP DOWN" in order to prevent himself from looking more Clintonesque...SURELY NOT!

Jesus Is In the Small Things

I hear so much about being like Jesus, living like Jesus, acting like Jesus, & being willing to die like Jesus for Jesus. But I ask you, if I posed to all of you the question "Would you die for Jesus?" would it be as difficult to answer as the question "Would you live for Jesus?"

I've found that it is harder to live for Jesus, or live as Jesus than to be like Jesus. Being like Jesus, is to act as He would act at any moment in a given time spectrum when we are aware that such a response would be appropriate. but to live as Jesus, would be to bless people everyday, as one is. I would be happy, if I knew that just me being myself made a difference in people's lives.

When I lost my chance at nationals bid in Minnesotta on Sunday, I was devestated. I can't seem to get it right this semester: there seems to be somethin wrong. But you know what - I have friends who are Jesus to me. Layne went shopping with me and he was patient and sweet with me - but not because of my recent disappointment, but because that is who he is. That made the difference to me. Jeremy Pond: your blog was and is Jesus to me. Thank you for the Skittles.

Home - I Miss It

I cannot wait - I'm going home tomorrow. I want to see Joshua so much - my precious baby brother. My mom and dad - I miss them too. And then, there's Nemo. My puppy has cried for me since Fall Break - poor Nemo. [And no, not from "Finding Nemo": I have read a book besides "The Vindication of the Rights of Women". It's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea people...]

I got home yesterday a little late: our flight was delayed a bit. Casey picked me up from the airport [he was waiting, with flowers] and then I dropped my bags off at home and went to LYNAY. Casey and I had dinner @ Abuelos and then, off to the books!

I'm exhausted today, and I've gotten everything done. I'm on my way to my apartment in a minute to clean up, and pick up my brother's check-book which he has apparantly tossed up to my apartment. I'm gonna do a bit of cleaning, and then pack up and get ready for tomorrow. Jeremy is coming over for spaghetti tonight - it will be good: I'm excited about having real food and a good night sleep.

All in all, this break is much needed. Life I think, needs breaks from itself - it has a tendency to overcommit you.

Peace Out
A-Town Stomp

Football

ATTENTION

For those of you who are evil...LET IT BE KNOWN!!!

1. If you cheer for the Eagles, you ARE NOT nor CAN YOU EVER BE a real Cowboys fan...
2. I WILL watch the Titians WHENEVER I WANT

that is all

THIS HAS BEEN A MESSAGE FROM YOUR MINISTRY OF SPORTS ADMINISTRATION

end transmission

secret squirrel out

I Am HERE World!!

Well everyone, [it's amazing isn't it, the number of posts that I start with the word "Well"] I'm here in the twin cities. Casey took me to the airport today where I was subsequently VIOLATED by airport security. They like, felt me up for real, because the UNDERWIRE IN MY BRA set off the darn metal gun of DOOM. But we made it to the greater Dallas area finally.

After a not-so-fun stint at TGI Fridays, we made it to our LATE flight to the Twin Cities, and chilled out for a couple of hours. When we got here, we almost died at least twice while Nicole was driving us in the van only shortly before we found out there IS no tax exempt concept here in Minnesotta [a finding that is almost CERTAIN to set of Dr. G every time...] and suprisingly, there was little fuss [and by that I mean nuclear war was not neccesitated]. Dinner's on its way from Pizza Hut and then SLEEP. We leave just before 8:00 am en la manana...so....

peace out
A-Town Stomp

WEEK OF TOURTURE: PART V - Go Condi! Go Condi! It's your birthday! Shake your booty! Go! Go! Go!

Hello friends and familia!

Well, so today I have to go to the doctor on campus here, Dr. Rector for two, no three basic reasons:

1. There is this big to-do on campus here about keeping people with the flu "quarantined"
2. I'm sick as crap
3. My coach won't let me travel tomorrow unless the doctor says I won't infect the innocent populous of the twin cities.

Sux huh?

That's ok though because one day this will be me:

Except for the lipstick: not really my color...

WEEK OF TOURTURE: PART IV - The Least of These

Matthew 25:34-40

34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'





I haven't eaten anything since Sunday - till now. I'm sitting here eating Chicken & Starts [my favorite] and drinking Orange Gatorade [my favorite flavor].

Here....

Jeremy Pond redeemed himself - he called me last night and asked me to

read something

and when I did, it broke my heart. Isn't it sweet?

He called me back, and talked to me for a while because I could not sleep - too sick. He called this morning before my
8:00am class to check on me. And when I dragged my sorry self to the office today, he gave me a little present: Orange Gatorade and Chicken & Stars Soup. Not having eaten in days...I'm pleased.

I still am quite sick...and I definately had to drag my sorry self out of bed for class this morning ... my stomach is hurting me...maybe I should go to the Doctor...whatever.

Casey apologized after the big charade and after Jeremy left us last night. He wrote me an "I'm So Sorry" note in crayon on a napkin...hmmm. He insisted on walking me home and carried my DB8 stuff and held the umbrella over me in the rain. He too, is forgiven.

I'm in the office finishing up my work for the meeting tonight, and unfortunately it needs to be done today. I hope to make it through the day and I'm not really sure if that's gonna work. I have responsibilities...must be what it's like in the real world. I remember when I was little and my mom got sick and Jon and I were too little to be of any help. Eventually, either the house shut down or she got up and did what she could anyways. I feel like that now. It's not presumptious, it's not awful, it's the bitter reality.

After the meeting tonight I have Church and debate lab and to finsh my paper. We'll see.

WEEK OF TORTURE: PART III I'm Too Sick Too Care

I just don't feel like posting right now, but I need to because this is my "me time". It's my time to get away and process through stuff. My personality needs time to process.

My stomach is gettin' queezy and I feel dizzy - Casey and Jeremy are having a testorone competition in the other room over each other's posts and "behavior as of late". I'm not really feeling very good.

I'm too sick to care is the sad thing - I'm just too sick to care.

I threw up three times yesterday and three times today @ least...I lost count somewhere in the middle of the night. I don't have anymore crakers, anymore soup, or any gatorade. I didn't go to my 8:00 or my 9:30 today...I was too sick. I'm so sick right now I'm not even sure what to say. My stomach was churning before the two of them started in on each other. After Casey read Jeremy's post, and found out Jeremy was here with me, he responded that the post was "way out of line" and that he would be there if I would "just give him 5". I want to go to sleep, but I've got so much to do, and my stomach just hurts too darn bad to think clearly and I'm freezing. It's raining and I'm sick. I thought that boys hurling gauntlents at each other over "how to treat a lady" stopped in the Middle Ages. I just don't understand why they are so agressive and confrontational. The worst part is, they do it in a "civil" manner. What ever happened to punching the other guy in the face and moving on? Doing it this way...holding a mini-trial in the room next to me is disturbingly surreal.

While this makes an amusing story, they both seem to miss the point entirely. If they REALLY cared about me, they would call to see how I feel and ask me if they could get me anything - the same I do for both of them. They would find out if I need chicken soup instead of ordering me to eat some. Or, they might find out if there's any SA work in the office they could do for me [since most of it MUST GET DONE] instead of telling me to just "go home and not do it". Instead they are both too busy being "concerned" to be concerned; much like those who walked by before the samaritan came by...

Ask me if I am out of gatorade, or juice [like Tyler] or if I have crackers and stuff [like Layne] or if there's any medicine they could pick up for me [like Joy] or if there is work they could do FOR me so I could rest [like Val].

I'd tell them all this, but I'm just too sick to care.

Guest Author #2: The Mysterious Jeremy Pond aka. "Walking in the Rain"

First of all, I would like to thank Lizz for giving me the opportunity to voice my end of this painfully blown-out-of-proportion story. Let's return to the scene of the "crime", shall we?

Reviewing the facts of the case, Lizz and I went for a walk Sunday night. It was slightly drizzly when we began our ambling, and we didn't figure it was going to be any big deal. God had something else in mind. It started pouring. My fault? I don't think so. Lizz's? Despite the great amount of authority she can exercise when she chooses, she has yet to gain control over the weather (emphasis on yet).

So, once the rain really started coming down, Lizz called Casey. When Casey realized we were outside, well, let's just say he was displeased (yeah, that was an understatement). This sophomore then had the nerve to use the word, "Woman" to address a senior. Out of line? You be the judge. Lizz then very meekly explained that we were out by the administration building. Casey states very definitively that he was coming out to get her. After Lizz convinced Casey to wait at the dorm, we began our trek over to Edwards. Deciding Casey was probably going to make a much bigger deal of this than he needed to, I left Lizz on the doorstep of the dorm and headed back to mine.

Naive little me thinks the whole thing is over. Ha ha haaa, no. Lizz calls me about 15 minutes after I get back to my room and tells me of Casey's patronizing behavior that I'm sure you've all heard about by now. What you probably haven't heard is that shortly after Lizz and I were finished talking, Casey Bingham decided he should call and lecture the stupid freshman. Those of you who know our Mr. Bingham will no doubt find the following dialogue humorous.

Casey: Mr. Pond?

Me: Hi Casey, how you doing?

Casey: Were you just out with Elizabeth?

Me: Yes, Casey, I was.

Casey: Was she dry when you reached the dorm?

Me: No, Casey, she wasn't. It's raining outside.

Casey: Very good. Was she cold?

Me: Yes.

Casey: Was she muy frio? (yeah, he really asked that)

Me: Yes, Casey, I'm sure she was very cold.

It just went downhill from there. He proceeded to explain to me, in very condescending language I might add, that people from McAllen, TX do not use the words "cold" and "wet" in the same sentence. Now honestly, how many of you even know where McAllen is? Neither did I. Like I was supposed to know this? Please cut me some slack.

It might have been funny if it had ended there. For those of you who know Casey well, you know this was again naive thinking on my part. I go down to the SA office the following day (Monday) and Casey is there. As I prepare to leave, I make the observation that Casey, who is still making comments about how grounded Lizz is, is in need of professional help. Casey states that he should have grounded me. Please. The only people that have ever grounded me were my parents. My relationship with Casey is more of an acquaintence than anything else, and he seems to think that he could actually exercise that kind of authority over me? Give me a break.

Did it end there? Dream on. I was heading down to the office again today and met Casey and Lizz coming up the stairs. It was here that I learned that Casey had just relieved Lizz of her iPod. Now, in life we have certain lines of decency that ought never, under any circumstances, be crossed. Music is what keeps Liz alive. In taking away her iPod, Casey committed a crime of the utmost indecency. Then he has the nerve to listen to it, and the nerve to criticize Lizz's choice of music. If nothing else had been across the line to this point, these actions pushed him at least 25.4 miles passed it.

So ends my side of the story. I now submit it to you, the jury to make your decision. You have heard the story from all three perspectives, and I think there is only one conclusion that you can come to. Casey Bingham is innocent, on grounds of insanity.

WEEK OF TOURTURE: Part II - My Response to Casey's Response

Ok, so I'm glad everyone thinks my getting grounded is SOOO humerous. No, really, very funny. I have absolutely nothing else to do anyway besides school and debate so it doesn't matter [tear, sigh]. You know there's a problem with the balance of the universe when Casey grounds me and the following people agree it is necessary and warranted:

1. My debate partner
2. A few of my friends
3. My debate coach
4. My PARENTS!!! [Thanx mom, take HIS side why don't you..I'm your daughter! sheesh.]

Oh the humanity!! So, I'd like to publish a response, DB8 style...Off the statement that I give Casey gray hair:

1. The only thing that gives Casey gray hair is the fright he gets EVERY TIME DR. DILLMAN CALLS HIM OUT FOR SLEEPING IN CLASS.
2. Casey, if anyone gives anyone gray hair in this relationship, I think you've got it backwards: Exhibit A: The time I had to study with you for like SIX HOURS so you'd get a good grade in American Presidency. Exhibit B: [It's 3:00 am] "My dear Elizabeth, I need help AGAIN. What's the present tense for 'I am hungry' in Spanish? How do you conjugate 'estar'? I don't know any of the answers!!!" [I think I should get MORE sympathy points for that because after like weeks of harassing me for help with your Spanish YOU DROPPED THE CLASS.]
3. I have more stories of you giving me gray hair, and earning "jerk" points at the same time, but you wouldn't want them subject to public scrutiny. [Now, at this point, some of you may say I'm being a bit unfair to our good friend Mr. Bingham. But remember friends, HE STOLE MY iPod! End of story.]

Off the statement where Casey says he thinks it's FUNNY to say patriarichal statements [to me]:

1. Oh really, keep it up and see how far it gets you...
2. Jesus is not a patriarch...
3. I'm not sure that's part of the "chivalry" statements in the FRAT credo
4. Dehumanization Is the Most Destructive Force In the Round: It's the Fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse - VOTE HIM DOWN -Ashley Montagu and Floyd Matson, author and editor, prof. of American Studies, Univ. of Hawaii, THE DEHUMANIZATION OF MAN, 1983, p. xi

It neither kills outright nor inflicts apparent physical harm, yet the extent of its destructive toll is already greater than that of any war, plague, famine, or natural calamity on record -- and its potential damage to the quality of human life and the fabric of civilized society is beyond calculation. For that reason this sickness of the soul might well be called the "Fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse." It's more conventional name, of course, is dehumanization.

Now judge, when you are weighing impacts at the bottom of the round, remember my #3 off his #1: HE STOLE MY iPod...humph. Vote Neg [me].

Casey's Response to My "Small Dillema" and No Sympathy for Lizz's Illness (She is GROUNDED!!!)

Well, Lizz hit the nail right on the head when she said that there are only two things in my life.

1. Sleep (which ammounts to 49.5% of my life)
2. Crisis (which takes up the rest of the 50.5% of my life)

Yes, since I have been spending many dear sweet hours with this the Great Elizabeth Alvarez, I have found myself in interesting yet small dillemas this wonderful semester of my Sophomore year here at ACU. This weekend in particular is just filled with crisis after crisis. First, as I proceed to go to Colorado City, Texas for the ever so wonderful FRAT Trip to the state park, I reach my destination to find that it is no longer available for access. This makes me freak out and pull out half of my hair, which does not give me any kind of bald spot at all, it just makes my hair ever so slightly thinner. After an hour and a half of brutal frustration that is only brought upon bu myself, Brother Limbaugh shows up with the rest of the gang to let me into the park.

This however is not the highlight of my excitement. On Sunday of this fantabulous weekend, my pants are greeted by the wonderful sound of Stars and Stripes Forever, which could only be one of two people: Missy Mae Walters or my spifilicious friend Elizabeth Alvarez (the one that has left several of my hairs a lovely shade of grey this semester) and on this wonderful evening, there is no exception.

After Nine o' Clock service, proceed to return to my dorm (after long conversations with friends and walking back in the rain from Gardner), then I recieve the call of DOOM!!! I assumed that Lizz would be asking me for the keys to the SA Office because she gave them to me to lock up after the Sophomore Senators were meeting to select our Sing Song Director. However, I also come to the realization of whom I am speaking to. It had come to my attention that Lizz was walking in the COLD and RAINING weather of Abilene. I become most upset with Elizabeth for she frequently complains about the cold in Abilene (even when it is 75 degrees outside). Remembering that Elizabeth is from McAllen, Texas (where the concept of cold and wet are not to be used in the same sentence according to the people of McAllen) she is probably freezing to death.

She tells me that she is at the Administration building, and I tell her to walk to someplace warm. She then proceeds to tell me that she can make it to Edwards. I reluctantly agree. When she arrived at Edwards lobby, she was cold, wet, and freezing by all measure. At this point, I am most upset with her for willingly putting herself into such a position where she would freeze to death. I tell her to stay right were she was for me to grab my coat and keys. I then take her back to her appartment where I tell her that I am most upset with her and shouting patriarchial comments to her [ and by patriarchical i mean comments that start with "woman!!" and end with things like "and i'm minding my own business in my room and you go scurrying off outside alone without so much as a phone call! This is unacceptable!"]. I am enjoying every minute of it because she knows I'm upset with her and she probably deserved a few of them. She thought that she could put all the blame on me by contacting my Grandbrother in Club, Jeremy Gordon, but I managed to get a hold of him first. I leave a message, but he calls me back while I am doing laundry. He then gives me the idea of grounding her, so then she calls me back, and I proceed to punish her. She then tells me who she was with: Jeremy Pond (the Mabee Representative). After I get off the phone with Lizz, I call Mr. Pond and proceed to tell him that walking with a lady (who is from McAllen) in the COLD RAIN is not appropriate for a gentleman to do. After letting Jeremy off with a stern warning, I hang up the phone and proceed to go to sleep. The moral of this story is that Elizabeth is not to be out in the freezing cold or I get to ground her!!! HEHEHEHEHE!!! I am having fun, and so will Josh Massingill this weekend as he gets to be my enforcer while she is in Minnesota. She is grounded from the following:

1. No iPOD
2. No being out in the cold
3. No Law and Order
4. No Smallville (oh wait, that only applies to me)
5. No shows on the recently recieved Warner Brothers Network
6. No CNN, MSNBC, CBS (also known as UBS News thanks to Dan Rather) only Fox News
7. No Candy (which means no Skittles) only pepperments are allowed for her sickness
8. No Tacos (toooooo bad!!!)
9. No other events except to see Michael Reagan and Debate Lab (only because of the Tournament and the fact that the son of Ronald Reagan never comes to Abilene)

If there is anything else that one feels that Lizz should be grounded from (perhaps you can fill me in Mr. Alvarez) please post in this blog.

Ciao

Guest Author Casey Bingham

WEEK OF TORTURE: Part I - The Week In Review

Well, it has finally come, the week I haven't wanted to mess with and have been dreading for like six weeks. So, let's refer to it as WEEK OF TORTURE!!! For now, we'll just do the Week in Review...


Monday

• Social Research Test: 8:00 am
• Macro-Economics Test: 9:00 am [money and banking unit - am I lost? Um, yah]
• Work: 12 -4
• Publish the Docket
• Mail off Law School Applications
• Pay Electricity Bill
• Mail off USA Today Application
• Soccer Practice
• Cabinet Meeting
• Practice for Water aerobics Project
• LYNAY 4-6 [mus'nt forget about LYNAY]

Tuesday

• 5:30-8:00 AM: DEBATE LAB
• 8:00 AM, American Presidency: PAPER DUE - 10-12 PAGES on the Emergency War Powers of the President...I don't want to talk about it
• Social Psychology: apparently, when I posted our SGA from my tournament in Houston at a computer of U of H, IT DIDN'T GO THROUGH TO THE DROP BOX...I'm in trouble
• Constitutional Law: I think it's my turn for the rolling bolder...snaps...and a half
• Water Aerobics: 'nuff said
• Debate Lab: Also, 'nuff said
• 6:30: MICHAEL REAGAN...the highlight of my week...

Wednesday

• 5:30-8:00 AM: DEBATE LAB
• Boring class like things...business as usual
• Work 12-5
• Constituent Relations Meeting
• Questions for the Study Abroad Dude [yah, Kevin...]
• SA MEETING...humph [if you're in Congress...I still love you and stuff...]
• Church: 7-8 [Finally, something good]
• 9:30 - 11:30 PM: DEBATE LAB

Thursday

• Turn in final paper for Honors Capstone
• 4:00-6:30 PM: DEBATE LAB
• PACK...ahahahahahahahahahahah

Friday

• UM...MINNESOTA!!! [THIS BETTER NOT SUCK]

Uplifting

A very sweet freshman just asked me who my favorite Christian artist is. I'm not sure really, although FFH and Rebecca St. James are up there right next to ZOE praise music. But I can tell you, Chris Rice is probably it. The poetry in his songs makes my heart sing.



Belong
by Chris Rice
Album: Smell the Color 9

Fading memories ignored
I crawl across the forest floor
Pool reflects an orphan child
Dirty, lost, alone and wild
Fatherless and nameless still
Fallen heart and broken, will
there ever be a place where I belong
I cower ‘neath the monster trees
And try to stand on tired feet
But gravity knocks me to the ground
Where I give up, and tears roll down
I claw the dust and beg the end
Curse the day that I began
to hope there’d be a place where I belong
I hear a sound I recognize
You lift my chin and seek my eyes
Song of love You sing to me
I ache to sing it back to Thee
"Father Love prepares a place
Brother Jesus leads the way
Follow to the place where you belong!"
How did I miss this wondrous song?
The forest sang it all along
"River rinses all your shame
Father offers you His name
Father Love prepares a home
Brother Jesus leads you on
Follow to the place where you belong!"
"Father Love prepares a place
Brother Jesus leads the way
Follow to the place where you belong
Follow to the place where you belong!"

You Have to Read This!

I just felt like being funny today...so I looked up my favorite article on SatireWire.com.
It's so funny...

Moving, Isn't It?

President Lyndon B. Johnson's Address to Congress on the Importance of Passing the Voting Rights Act of 1965

March 15, 1965

"Many of the issues of civil rights are very complex and most difficult. But about this there can and should be no argument. Every American citizen must have an equal right to vote. There is no reason which can excuse the denial of that right. There is no duty which weighs more heavily on us that the duty we have to ensure that right.

Yet the harsh fact is that in many places in this country men and women are kept from voting simply because they are Negroes.

Every device of which human ingenuity is capable has been used to deny this right. The Negro citizen may go to register only to be told that the day is wrong, or the hour is late, or the official in charge is absent. And if he persists and if he manages to present himself to the registrar, he may be disqualified because he did not spell out his middle name or because he abbreviated a word on the application. And if he manages to fill out an application, he is given a test. The registrar is the sole judge of whether he passes this test. He may be asked to recite the entire constitution, or explain the most complex provisions of state laws. And even a college degree cannot be used to prove that he can read and write.

For the fact is that the only way to pass these barriers is to show a white skin....

This time, on this issue, there must be no delay, or no hesitation or no compromise with our purpose.

We cannot, we must not refuse to protect the right of every American to vote in every election that he may desire to participate in. And we ought not, we must not wait another eight months before we get a bill. We have already watied a hundred years andmore and the time for waiting is gone....

As a man whose roots go deeply into Southern soil I know how agonizing racial feelins are. I know how difficult it is to reshape the attitudes and the structure of our society.

But a century has passed, more than a hundred years, since the Negro was freed. And he is not fully free tonight.

It was more than a hundred years ago that Abraham Lincoln, the great President of the Northern party, signed the Emancipation Proclamation, but emancipation is a proclamation and not a fact.

And Another Day In Abilene...Joy Joy Rapture Rapture

I hear confession is good for the soul, so we'll start off with one of those this morning: when I woke up @ 7:30 this morning, I discovered something: IT WAS TOO COLD FOR CHURCH. I just couldn't do it. I hope God can forgive me...

Well, it's off to the drudges today, I've got to buckle down and finish all my junk which, unfortunately, I was not able to work on at all yesterday due to the fact that I AM INCAPABLE OF FINDING A WAY TO BE LEFT ALONE. Oh well...I'm sure you all want to hear the story, so here we go... It all started when I [big mistake] called one of my Freshman who was judging at the Abilene Cooper Camelot Classic this weekend to see if everything was going allright and if they had enough judges. Bad move Elizabeth...boy I hate having conscious. Well, I was told they needed a judge for 2:30 outrounds of debate so James and I headed on over. Unfortunately for us, we were unable to head on back until about, oh I don't know, 10:00 or so. Shame shame shame. I did get to see a really tight Neg. Strat commin' out of Flower Mound though...way to bust out ANOTHER Consult Russia CP y'all.

Oh well. It's cold as crud up here and I'm freezing. The newtword @ UP is down, YET AGAIN. You'd think for what I pay to live there they could keep the internet up and fix my bathroom. At least I have heat now. I'm so tired of it being cold...sick and tired. I had to walk over here b/c my brother is out trapsing around in my car again [with a torn ACL mind you, so I am not even sure he should be trapsing around AT ALL]. To get here I'm wearing:

• Windpants [fleece lined]
• Regular Socks
• Soccer Socks
• Shoes
• a cami
• tank top
• two t-shirts
• sweatshirt
• fleece-lined hooded raincoat
• gloves [which now have holes]

This sux.

Which kind of weather is your favorite?
	I'm insane and I like snow and cold and all that jazz.
	I'm a big fan of the beach, warmth, and general awesomeness.
	I think early spring rules...warm with a breeze...but not too warm.
	I kinda like fall: a little cool and crisp...pretty colors. Yah.
Free polls from Pollhost.com

peace out...A - Town Stomp

I'm SOO TIRED

WARNING: THIS ENTRY WILL CONTAIN LARGE AMOUNTS OF WHINNING AND COMPLAINING...IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT...GET YOUR OWN STINKIN' BLOG.


Ok, so today I feel like typing in purple. If you don't like it, see above. I had a late night last night, and it was a bit stressful as you may imagine. I went back to sleep after I published the post from last night, and Casey called at 10 minutes after midnight to tell me that they had indeed, succeeded in locating the FRAT camp within the State Park. Fantastic, kudos to you and your hunting dogs.

Well, I definately forgot that I was supposed to have debate lab this morning. And by forgot, I mean I forgot to set my mental alarm, which is how I get up every morning. I set my regular alarm, but because I had forgotten to remember how important it was for me to get up, definately didn't until about 1o minutes after 8:00 when my Freshman called me..."um, WHERE ARE YOU?" This, was a clear indication that this was going to be a long day.

I finally got my sorry self to lab by 8:30 and it was all downhill after that. The soccer team Mel & I coach at the Redbud YMCA is supposed to have its make-up game today for the time our game got rained out on homecoming weekend. Interestingly enough, today, it's RAINING. Hmm...I hope someone finds this funny.

I have so much to do today I'm not quite sure I should have voted against Bill Gates' motion to extend the day to 36 hours. I have GOT to:

1. email my USA Today application to the committee for review
2. do constitutional law
3. find my absence letters for Minnesotta this weekend
4. take my suits to the cleaners
5. do laundry
6. finish my FREAKIN LONG paper for American Presidency, it's almost done but I'm not really a big fan
7. Study for my Social Research Test on Monday: not hard, but definately haven't LOOKED at the material in a while...I've been doing DB8 in class again...darn that national qualification [hey baby bro, if you are reading this DON'T BE LIKE ME...PAY ATTENTION IN CLASS...IT SAVES ON SLEEP LATER IN LIFE...]
8. clean my apartment
9. study for my Macro-Econ Test on Monday: kinda lost on the whole Fed Funds thing...could be because I was so tired I SLEPT THROUGH THAT CLASS...hmm
10. create two surveys for constituient relations
11. mail my law school applications this weekend - darn it
12. write a letter to Ryan Porsche - he sent me one in the mail last week and I still haven't replied - i'm a bad friend you know it? ahahahahahahahahahahah
13. schedule three meetings w/ administrators for Congress
14. DEBATE...MUST QUAL FOR NATIONALS...
15. I should probably eat and sleep too...

I think I'm done whinning now...except for the part where I do it in my brain.

END TRANSMISSION

SECRET SQUIRREL OUT

Casey, there ARE NO SMALL DILLEMAS IN YOUR LIFE

For those of you who don't know, there are only two different types of situations in Casey's life:

1. Sleep [or otherwise vacant]
2. Crisis

• Casey: "That's not entirely true; I do take vacation."

Casey is lost, but not really. What's the definition of lost? If it is "unable to get where you want to go" than Casey is definately lost. If it is, "not sure where you are wanting to go" then I'm not sure what Casey's problem is. He left here after he dropped me off after the Film Festival for the FRAT trip to Colorado City [Lake Colorado to be exact]. He was supposed to call me when he got there, so when I got a call at 10:27, I assumed everything to be normal. Foolish me...

• Elizabeth: "Hello"
• Casey: "Hello Elizabeth, I'm here."
• Elizabeth: "Gosh Casey, it's 10:30. That took longer than we thought didn't it?"
• Casey: "Yes, but not the point. I have a small dillema here."
• Elizabeth: [thought - of freakin' course] ??
• Casey: "So, I"m here, but the gates are locked."

Apparantly, some FRAT genius decided to NOT tell the rest of his BTs that the gates would close at 10.

haha [sarcastically]

Anways, so when Casey got there, he found the gates closed and he was all alone in the VERY CREEPY WILDERNESS, AND ONLY I KNOW HE'S OUT THERE. [this has all the makings of a NOT FAMILY MOVIE.] He doesn't feel to terribly safe now, and we've resorted to him following random vehicles who might be FRATS. See, I called Aaron Robison - who was supposed to be out there but is ASLEEP IN HIS BED IN ABILENE and tried to get a little BT help, but that's not the point. Casey also called the camp assistance number NOTHING. WHY THE DUECE DO YOU HAVE ONE IF YOU WON'T ANSWER...IF YOU DON'T WORK THERE'S NOT MUCH POINT IN HAVING YOU IS THERE?


I'm actually kind of worried.
As I am typing this I am speaker phone in Casey's truck as he completes the following of the second random vehicle we had hoped would lead him to a fellow FRAT.

• Casey: "Dangit! He turned down the same stupid farm road the other guy did. I hate my life. Stop that, this isn't funny. And you're recording this all on your blog? Ha, Ha, Ha."

• Casey: "Oh, there's another car...should I follow him? SHould I? Are you sure...and it's nobody in particular, I don't recognize the vehicle, so I'm pretty much not following HIM."

We had decided first of all, that he should definately not "CHILL OUT" outside the dark and creepy campgrounds without light. That is definately on the Top 10 BAD MOVE list. He's not too keen on it anywayz....So, we decided he should go back to the city. Then, he saw a truck that might have belonged to Lemely, but it wasn't possible. But, he followed them anyway. The second truck - a dodge - could've been Cotton or BT Burns. Eventually, we decided THAT wasn't a brilliant strategy: following random people around. So, now he's driving around in the dark, alone and lost. I just communicated I'm not happy about this.

• Casey:"You think I'm happy right now? I'm at the Colorado River and OH MY GOD THAT'S A PRISON! I thought the big scary building might be a military base, but NO, TDCJ stands for TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE!! Where the deuce is the on-ramp?"

I have come through for Casey YET AGAIN **** [remember this the next time I am mean to you...] and got Brandon Lemely to call someone to let Casey in. Of course, at this lovely juncture, he's driving somewhere NOT at the camp.

• "In fact, I was headed toward the city to chill at the Dairy Queen. Grr."

So now, Casey is driving back toward the State Park and hopefull we will be able to conclude our conversation soon [neither of us is keen on him wandering around alone without me knowing where he is].

• "Dangit, I'm right next to a french gas station. Sigh."
• "Stupid Texas State Park System and their stupid curfews. For three dollars they should let me in whenever I want. Stupid communists. Imposing curfews! What is this, marshall law? I pay taxes to get in! Oh, but Colorado City wants more!!"

Oh by the way, Casey is now "safely" back at the gates, but they are still locked. Personally, my vote is for him coming home - NOW. But I'm not really sure what's going on...Casey's calling Brandon, so that Brandon will meet him at the Dairy Queen when he gets to Colorado City.

---elevator music while you are on hold: thank you for calling us today, your call is important---

Ok, after that 5 minute interruption: Casey's back on the phone. Brandon told him to DRIVE BACK TO THE GATES AGAIN, and wait outside for someone to come and let him in. I'm not really a big fan of this whole situation and B-Lem DEFINATELY didn't get brownie points for yelling at me. Now, he'll get his "come uppin's" as Casey will now refer to him as BT Limbaugh. hahahahaha. Still not happy.

• Casey: "And there's the creepy gas station...."

Suddenly Casey has been overtaken by a strange sense of masculinity:

• Casey: "I'll be fine. The brothers won't do anything that would get me killed. I'll just chill in my truck here...I wonder if there's any food in here."

I'm gonna stay on the phone w/ him until they let him in. I'm not sure about this...

• Casey: "I just found some Ramen Noodles."

Note to self Casey: clean your truck.

Clean it now.

Brandon is aparantly in Colorado City now, and he's a little lost. Life with FRATS is always intersting, this I can vouch for. Now, I'm sure EVERYONE will want some info on this "retreat" when they get back... so Casey YOU WILL WRITE A PARAGRAPH OR TWO ON THIS BLOG FOR MY READERS...they are already interested since you had your very random and lizz-like escapade tonight. [And by that I mean something bad randomly happened to you...and it involved you getting lost and being locked out of something.] Yes, I'm contagious.

Film Fest

I think I shall take this time to give a great shout out to my debate partner, Josh Massingill, for his performance at the first ACU Film Festival. His film [in cooperation with Lauren and B-Lem] won their category, and Josh won best director. B-Lem was nominated for best technical director. They got robbed though, from their just rewards by some fruity drama film...shame, shame, shame on the liberal media. [You could Casey saying they stole it from the Republicans all the way in Pennsylvania.]