Who Really Cares

There is a new book out called, "Who Really Cares". I haven't read it yet, but just watched a 20/20 special on it. What the book has in it, was quite intriguing. The book compiles hundreds of statistics about charitable giving in the United States and who gives the most. What was surprising to many, is that conservatives give the most (most in money, their time, and even in giving blood) -- even though liberals make an average of 6% more than conservatives. Of the 25 states that give the most, 24 of them voted Republican. How odd that is, considering the richest states were not among the top 25. 20/20 suggested this was the case because liberals believe the government should be responsible for giving aid, and conservatives feel it should be the citizens' responsibility.

The 20/20 show went on to say that our government gives the most foreign aid of any other country in dollars. However, it is very low ranked when it comes to percentage of worth. But when you talk about citizens giving percentages of income to charity, Americans give a much higher percentage of their income than any other nation. During the tsunami, the US gave 900 million in aid -- however, Americans independently gave 2 billion. Why should our government always be responsible for giving? Don't we as Americans have an obligation to help our fellow man? I would much rather see our government cut foreign aid altogether, but then lower taxes so that Americans can give MORE.

So -- how much do you give? At my church, our priest recommends that each family give 1 hour of their salary to charity each week and that they volunteer their time in at least one charity. I have always thought that was a good starting point and have found it very easy over the years to automatically increase my donations each time myself or John gets a raise. We are so very fortunate to live the lives we do here in America. Isn't it time we started giving more?

Spare Me My Life!

My brother Jim sent me this YouTube video the other day. It's a Japanese TV show from the 80s that attempted to teach English using "real life" situations and aerobics. Apparently, this one tells you just what to do in a mugging. I am not sure why the second mugger has a handkerchief tied under his nose, but it adds to the humor.

Birthday Recap.

Turns out, turning 28 aint all that bad. I had a great birthday weekend. Events were:

• On Friday, we had donuts and coffee in the break room with my department in honor of my big day. Got to chat with employees I have not yet met and hear stories of the "good ol' days" from employees that had been there 20+ years.
• Had lunch with John and two of my coworkers at Blue Water Grille.
• Had dinner with friends at Damon's in Chantilly that night. Rob gave me a 40 and beef jerky -- his gift of choice. Also in attendance were Julie, Delvaux, Gill, Jennifer, and Karsten came with his beautiful daughter Maggie.
• Saturday was spent at my parents where my mother gave me a beautiful skirt and the keys to the Corvette for a joyride through Middleburg. John and I left Bailey with her and toured my High School grounds and the Purcellville area. It had been years since I was on Snickersville Turnpike.
• Saturday night we went to Gabe and Shelly's to pick up the futon they were giving away. As we were leaving, Genevieve starting having a cow and screaming that she "wanted to go home with John." I told them that I was making chili and they were welcome to come over. An hour later we were breaking bread with the Butler family and their newest addition, Aubrey. We ended the night watching Tech win and trying to get the girls to sleep at a decent hour.
• Sunday morning was spent Wii hunting -- with no luck.
• Sunday night we went to Houlihans in Centreville (GREAT food) with my in-laws. They gave me an Excitation as a gift. If you haven't heard of it, you MUST take a peak on the website (www.excitations.com). Basically, you get a gift card and the option to choose one of many adventures in your local area. My package was the blue package which included hang gliding, a hot air balloon ride, racing, learning polo, and much more. Although I would love to take a hot air balloon ride, it is for 1 person only, and that is the type of thing I'd love to do with John. I am leaning more towards a one-on-one session with a famous makeup artist since all my friends tell me I always look like I never wear makeup (which I do!!)

In summary, it was a great 28. I'm looking forward to what this year will bring.

Wii Wii Wii all the way home...

Armed with the assurance from my husband that "the manufacturing process" allowed for a large distribution of Nintendo Wiis to the states, I went against my gut (and every article I've been reading) and decided not to pre-order one. So this morning wii got up at 8:00 and drove to Target to ensure that just in case there may be a line, I would be at the front.

We walked in to see a flurry of activity, with many people standing in line, holding tickets. But surely I didn't need a ticket??? So I asked a kid standing in line and he promptly told me that the tickets were given to the 69 people that camped out last night and there were no more left. "Good luck," he called after me as John and I walked out the door.

So we drove to Fair Lakes to check out the Toys R Us. Yup. About 100 people in line in front of the store. Across the street? About 100 people in line at Best Buy. So we went to Kmart in Chantilly as one last try. Although there was no line, there was a sign on the door that read, "No Wiis Available."

So, alas. My wait for the Wii must continue a little longer. And finally, I will be able to tell my husband, "I told you so" for once in my life.

Deep Thoughts

My boss came into my office today and said to me, "Do you know what I like about this job?"

"What?" I asked.

He responded, "Nothing!"

I thought that was pretty funny.

In Remembrance of Steve Cavanaugh

You'll be missed by all.

Remembrance

by Ray Bradbury

And this is where we went, I thought,
Now here, now there, upon the grass
Some forty years ago.
I had returned and walked along the streets
And saw the house where I was born
And grown and had my endless days.
The days being short now, simply I had come
To gaze and look and stare upon
The thought of that once endless maze of afternoons.
But most of all I wished to find the places where I ran
As dogs do run before or after boys,
The paths put down by Indians or brothers wise and swift
Pretending at a tribe.
I came to the ravine.
I half slid down the path
A man with graying hair but seeming supple thoughts
And saw the place was empty.
Fools! I thought. O, boys of this new year,
Why don’t you know the Abyss waits you here?
Ravines are special fine and lovely green
And secretive and wandering with apes and thugs
And bandit bees that steal from flowers to give to trees.
Caves echo here and creeks for wading after loot:
A water-strider, crayfish, precious stone
Or long-lost rubber boot --
It is a natural treasure-house, so why the silent place?
What’s happened to our boys that they no longer race
And stand them still to contemplate Christ’s handiwork:
His clear blood bled in syrups from the lovely wounded trees?
Why only bees and blackbird winds and bending grass?
No matter. Walk. Walk, look, and sweet recall.

I came upon an oak where once when I was twelve
I had climbed up and screamed for my brother to get me down.
It was a thousand miles to earth. I shut my eyes and yelled.
My brother, richly compelled to mirth, gave shouts of laughter
And scaled up to rescue me.
"What were you doing there?" he said.
I did not tell. Rather drop me dead.
But I was there to place a note within a squirrel nest
On which I’d written some old secret thing now long forgot.
Now in the green ravine of middle years I stood
Beneath that tree. Why, why, I thought, my God,
It’s not so high. Why did I shriek?
It can’t be more than fifteen feet above. I’ll climb it handily.
And did.
And squatted like an aging ape alone and thanking God
That no one saw this ancient man at antics
Clutched grotesquely to the bole.
But then, ah God, what awe.
The squirrel’s hole and long-lost nest were there.

I lay upon the limb a long while, thinking.
I drank in all the leaves and clouds and weathers
Going by as mindless
As the days.
What, what, what if? I thought. But no. Some forty years beyond!
The note I’d put? It’s surely stolen off by now.
A boy or screech-owl’s pilfered, read, and tattered it.
It’s scattered to the lake like pollen, chestnut leaf
Or smoke of dandelion that breaks along the wind of time...

No. No.

I put my hand into the nest. I dug my fingers deep.
Nothing. And still more nothing. Yet digging further
I brought forth:
The note.
Like moth wings neatly powdered on themselves, and folded close
It had survived. No rains had touched, no sunlight bleached
Its stuff. It lay upon my palm. I knew its look:
Ruled paper from an old Sioux Indian Head scribble writing book.
What, what, oh, what had I put there in words
So many years ago?
I opened it. For now I had to know.
I opened it, and wept. I clung then to the tree
And let the tears flow out and down my chin.
Dear boy, strange child, who must have known the years
And reckoned time and smelled sweet death from flowers
In the far churchyard.
It was a message to the future, to myself.
Knowing one day I must arrive, come, seek, return.
From the young one to the old. From the me that was small
And fresh to the me that was large and no longer new.
What did it say that made me weep?

I remember you.
I remember you.

November 17th, 2006

In order to celebrate the anticipated wedding of TomKat on November 17th*, I figured we should gather at Damon's in Chantilly at 6:30 for ribs, beer and trivia. Anyone that wants to come is welcome -- hope to see you there!





* or my birthday

Only in America...

People in countries around the world are literally dying in order to get the right to vote. Here in America, apparently we have to PAY people in order to get them to vote:

Arizona | Proposition 200: $1 Million Voter Reward

Would establish a "voter reward" random drawing every two years with a first prize of $1 million or more in an effort to increase voter participation. Voters who cast ballots in primary or general elections would be eligible to win. The money would come from the Arizona Lottery and private donations.

More Addicting Fun.

A couple of these I got right away, others I am still trying to figure out.

http://www.freeonlinegames.com/play/8370.html

Good News for Delvaux, Bad News for the Rest of Us

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/15532333/?GT1=8717