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May 12, 2006

Reaper on Rampage at Season Enders

This has got to be one of the most lethal season finale years for a while... every time I turn the channel to watch one of my shows, someone is getting killed off. What the hades already... Grim Reaper on a rampage. Biggest upset so far... without naming names, occurred on LOST. If you watch it, you already know who. For crying out loud, lets at least finish the character story arc before we axe em. I want to know why they were there and all the details... phooey, how irritating. Next we have the death on ER tonight... erm... didn't care for that one either, one of my favorite characters. mutters. Then you turn to CSI with a cliffhanger shooting and a nasty preview of the finale episode. Can we get any more body bags out here.

Posted by Ravennacht at 12:11 AM | Comments (0)

May 10, 2006

Vacant Pews

Not looking good on the familial support/attendance front for Ian's wedding, which is in ten days. It appears that the majority of the family will not be coming. Tony, Possibly. John, No. Tim, No. Nick, No. Chris, No. Tyler, No. Heather, No. Grandfather, No. Madison, No. Debbie, No. Stacey, No. Nicole, No, Kristin, Unknown, Sara, Yes, Rita, Yes, Bruce, Unknown. Harry, No. Julian, No. Irva, Yes, Kellee, Yes. Bobby, Yes. Kylee, Yes. Pat, Unknown. Kevin, No. Sharon, No.

I really feel bad for Ian. Nothing I can do about it though. The poor man called here late last evening just to ask if we knew if any had indicated if they were coming or not. I can't wait til they start bitching and whining about something next (which is inevitable), let the tide surge.

Posted by Ravennacht at 11:49 PM | Comments (0)

May 09, 2006

Again with the DMA Terrorism Declaration

Wrap your logic around this one in regards to the new Declaration of Material Assistance from Homeland Security.

www.webster.com

Main Entry: ter·ror·ism
Pronunciation: 'ter-&r-"i-z&m
Function: noun
: the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion

www.dictionary.com

ter·ror·ism
The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons.

If you read the Terrorist Exclusion List (which lists all of the groups for which the DMA is pertaining to) you will come to two glaring ommissions. Two groups which have a vocal and visual presence in Ohio, and have for some time. Two groups that fit the definitions of terrorism as included above... and in the mind of any that hear their name. Who do I speak of? None other than the Klan and the Nazi Skinheads.

We are so profoundly hysterical over outside groups that we ignore the dangers on our doorsteps. The churchburners... the gay beaters... the marching race haters with their nonstop rhetoric and threats of violence. What does it take for them to be considered a threat? Hmmm... collection of armed weaponry... training of youth as a force to unite on some day against race-haters and others.

Seems like they fit the formula to me. Do we need another Oklahoma City to remind us? I think not. Homeland Security needs to get its head out of the ground and research things before they do them.

Posted by Ravennacht at 09:12 AM | Comments (0)

May 07, 2006

Weddings

Just thought I would enlarge this questionaire out to the readers that drop by to get their opinions on wedding matters.

1. What color(s) should you absolutely never ever wear to a wedding?

2. How soon should a wedding invitation be sent out?

3. Should a couple's gift registry be put on/with the invitations (or on their wedding site if they have one) so the guests know where it is... or is it considered bad form/tacky and they should be told by word of mouth.

4. At a wedding rehearsal, is it okay to wear jeans and casual attire in the church?

5. On the wedding invitation... should both sets of parents be named or just the bride's parents?

6. Should the guests to the wedding ceremony be evened on both sides of the church even if there may be more for the bride/groom than the other has?

7. How should an in-law be treated... like a sibling... like a daughter/son... like a friend... like an acquantance?

8. Considering the escalating price of weddings, would you rather spend a lot of money on a lavish wedding ceremony... or save a lot of the money/gifts for something the couple could get later (like a house down payment, etc).

9. Gift Registry - pick things you will need... or pick things you would like to have but may not necessarily use (ie. china, wine glasses, etc)... or both.

10. How soon after the wedding do you go on the honeymoon... how late have you waited. How long do they last usually (weeks, days, etc)

Any others anyone can think of... I will gladly add them... just a few that have popped up so far.

Posted by Ravennacht at 11:43 AM | Comments (1)

May 06, 2006

Dachsund Back Malady Returns

My dachsund (Devo) is ailing again. Could not move his rear legs. Return of the dread spinal degenerative issues... swelling... etc. He has recovered many times from this, it seems to come in waves. Lately, it is taking longer and longer to nurse him back to a degree of recovery, however. He is just getting too old to fight it.

We have to carry him, carefully, in and out, so he can use the facilities and have some time outside. The rest of the time he sleeps and doesn't really want to move too much. Today he was able to get up on his back legs (wobbly) but still cannot straighten his left rear leg out completely (he is walking on the knuckles and dragging it). He gets his baby aspirin, warm water bath, and back medicine a couple times a day.

He has definitely gotten better, I can only hope his swelling goes down more and he recovers more of his movement again. He has in the past, its just a losing battle though.

At times like this I really feel bad for him. I feel responsible for him. Not that he has the disease, as its a genetic thing in some dachsunds... but more to the fact that I neglected to research the breed before I ever went to get him and didn't ask the right questions. I wouldn't trade him for the world, for he has been one of our better dogs... very smart, great personality, friendly, playful. It is just horribly painful to watch any living creature have medical conditions like this. Enticing him to keep eating. Make sure he uses the restroom. Manually exercise his limbs each day. Watch to see that he stays interested in his surroundings, and isnt being vacant.

The poor chap has gone through one back surgery (that was only when he was 3 years old), which nearly killed the poor little guy. Mother has vowed not to do it again, for it was too much for him. We have gotten him thru several flare ups since... he is now 10. I just hope he continues to get better. We have gotten so close to taking him in to the vet to have him put down several times and he has finally made a turn... I really don't want to lose him, but I don't want him to suffer either. Such connundrums are these.

Posted by Ravennacht at 12:39 AM | Comments (0)

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

I grabbed I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou as part of my mission to enrich some of my classical american literature background. The novel is autobiographical, encompassing the author's life from early childhood to the birth of her son.

Maya Angelou was at a local women's college speaking recently, I was unable to acquire tickets, as they sold out within a few hours. I was sorely disappointed not to be able to get in. Ever since I had heard her poetry during Clinton's Presidency, I have enjoyed her works.

I found this novel to be quite touching, giving her perspective during the time as a woman of color being raised with her brother in her grandmother's home. She has many poignant moments that she is able to bring to the reader's eyes with her words, you can almost feel some of them happening.

I am thankful for her honest sharing of the sexual abuse she suffered as a young child and the confusion and fear it birthed. I believe it is a strong novel with many messages to share to those that have similar experiences. Definitely a good tome to read.

Posted by Ravennacht at 12:28 AM | Comments (0)

Angels and Demons by Dan Brown

I finished Angels and Demons by Dan Brown a couple of days ago. On the heels of completing The Da Vinci Code a couple of months ago, I thought I would try the first novel following the adventures of Robert Langdon out. I was not let down.

At first I was put off by the thematic plot and style seemingly following exactly as The Da Vinci Code had. I mean the stories practically mirror one another in the way they start... through several developments. Its somewhat disconcerting... I mean am I reading the same story or is this deja vu. However, considering that I was reading the first book after I had read the second, I felt it was my duty to give it a chance on its own merits.

I quickly became more engrossed in the rise of the Illuminati threat and the progression of the the dangers to Vatican City than I had by the successor story. It was quite a good tale... much better, in my opinion, than the events occurring in The Da Vinci Code. I found Angels and Demons more exciting and encompassing... not as narrowed down as the second book. I was nearly tricked by his mystery this time, though he gave some fine clues that I did catch onto before he revealed the truth at the end.

I intend to get his latest book, The Solomon Key, when it is released. Will have to see if he again starts the ball rolling as the first two did. That's a bit annoying. Single paragraph chapters still throw me over the edge.

Posted by Ravennacht at 12:08 AM | Comments (1)