Light in the Darkroom

Some things that caught my eye recently (and ears):

Empty Tanks + Empty Pockets = Empty Refrigerators

Got Milk...Not without a truck

Make a choice...Kids or Gas

Name one thing not brought by a truck

A few of the protest statements I observed as the trucker "march" rolled past my work window. I can sympathize and empathize with the cause. Gas is getting crazy high and I can only imagine how much it cost to fuel those 18 wheelers with diesel and a 200+ gallon tank. I complain when filling up just 17 gallons! Then, if you are an independent trucker and your fitting the bill for fuel yourself, you have to make up the difference somehow. This translates into higher prices for you, the customer. Although some have said they will not raise their transporting fees, it's inevitable as gas prices have not even reached there anticipated level. On the other side of this, to be a bit sour might I add, I'm not sure the protest is going to do much to change the current situation. It seems there are many protest parading down to congress, but I have yet to see action taken to address the issues being voiced by the masses, at least in recent ones. Makes you wonder if Congress has a completely soundproof building or do they just not care to the point of being unaffected? Hmm...guess we'll see what happens.

To Kill or Not to Kill...that should NOT be the question. There has been a lot of talk lately about the rise in animal health care. There was a woman showcased in the paper speaking on her experience with vet bills. Although her bills were high she stated if she had it to do all over again she would, regardless of the cost. On the flip side of this, I can't believe how many people would euthanize there pet if the bill got too high. Why do you have pets? Would you kill your child if they had a terminal illness? Maybe that is a little too extreme for some as they may not view their pet as an integral member of their family. However, you did accept responsibility for them and therefore you should do any and every thing in your power to ensure a sound quality of life for your pet. If you can not guarantee care throughout the life of your pet, don't get another one! Why don't you find a loving forever home for your pet to live in where they will receive everything they need? It's irresponsible to deny care for or even consider euthanizing for the pet you accepted into your home that relies on you for care. I can't believe death would even be an option. Do your research folks before you buy that puppy in the window.

Animals from the safari and the hotel

Shots from the hotel

Whew......back from Disney World and boy was it fun! The best part of course was staying on Disney property at the Animal Kingdom Lodge with the wonderful savanna surrounding us. When I say this hotel was absolutely gorgeous, that's an understatement. The decor and staff attire was not only authentic but beautiful and very meticulous. The lobby made you feel as though you just stepped off the plane in Africa literally. Beyond my excitement for the hotel was the feeling of sereneness and peace. It was quiet and even though there were kids upon kids upon kids, I didn't even notice them. The weather was perfect for our first day there, a lovely breeze and sunny with no humidity...I was in awe because it was hotter a couple of days before in DC than it was in FL...go figure.

We explored Animal Kingdom first and went on a safari ride, which was quite funny. The guide said "holy pajamas" at the "broken bridge" and one of the kids I was chaperoning was waving and saying hi to the animals, a very interesting adventure. We had the pleasure of viewing elephants, lions, an ostrich, bongo, impala, antekole cattle, cheetahs, Nile crocodiles, hippos, giraffes, termite mounds, vultures, pink back pelicans, flamingos, some other weird looking birds, a Galapagos tortoise, American crocodile, and I'm sure I have missed something, but that's all I can remember.


Day Two--while I wanted to rise early(6am) and had set my alarm to see the animals closer in at the viewing points of the hotel, after only having just under 3 hours of sleep...the snooze button was my best friend in deed. I did not get up til 10am and of course all of the animals by that point have taken refuge under select trees all of which were too far away to get good shots of with the non-professional digital camera we took with us. Talk about photo opportunity loses I felt so bad :-( not having my camera with me! With 1/2 of the kids still snoozing I took the opportunity to venture around the hotel and explore all there was to see. I admired the structure inside and out and searched out all of the animal lookout points for future reference!


I was really determined to be up close and personal with the wildlife, but I was exhausted. We finally left the hotel at 12ish heading to Epcot. I have never been to Epcot and it appears I have not missed anything either. The first ride we got on was, I forget the name, but it is the one that goes in side the golf ball. I liked the concept (evolution of intelligence/innovation of man kind) of the ride however, the information was not exactly accurate. For instance, the Egyptians were not the first people to create writing and maintain record, it was the ancient Mesopotamians. There was another point they made incorrectly, but I cannot recall it at this moment. Regardless, it wasn't that bad just needed some tweaking. The next ride, Mission Space, the line was kind of long and the warnings were everywhere, but did I stop...no! Should I have stopped...definitely. I felt so sick after getting off that ride that I refused to ride anything else for the day. I was the designated bag holder for the remainder of the time at Epcot. It seems that everyone at Disney is extra friendly...I was sitting next to this lady during one of my bag holdings and I inquired about my true intentions, searching out a giant tigger. She told me about this ginormous store in Downtown Disney that has everything. After that conversation it didn't matter to me any longer what the children wanted to do because I knew where I was headed...(sing along) Downtown, things'll be great when your Downtown...I informed them when they got off the ride. The next place they were going was to Hollywood Studios. I rode the shuttle with them and then it was off to Downtown!!!!!!!!! No one told me how long the ride was, I felt like it went on forever, but nevertheless we arrived. My first stop of course was the Christmas store (you know I sing jingle bells all year round!) Everything was FAB, I loved it! Spotted, Pooh and Friends so I zipped on over, got my tigger, and was on my way. I went down a little further and ventured into the World of Disney store. When I say overwhelming...that doesn't even begin to describe what I felt as I walked in the door. I quickly exited that place, I just couldn't take it. I brought the kids back to Downtown for a few hours when they returned from the Hollywood Studios venture. All in all day two was wonderful and relaxing!

The finale...Day Three--Well since we had to be on the way to the airport by 10am this was an early rising morning. After getting dressed and packing it was time to see the wildlife. I didn't make it out exactly at 6am more like a little closer to 8am. There were some good views and the animals we definitely closer than the day before. We took some shots ate breakfast, an awesome breakfast might I add, and it was time to say adios. All in all it was a lovely trip, my best visit to Disney thus far and we will surely go again and definitely stay for a week or two so that we can go to Sea World, Busch Gardens and visit relatives.

Plant a tree native to your region, use eco friendly pesticides, put a bird house in your backyard, use energy efficient light bulbs and appliances, take mass transit to get to work or carpool, recycle all recyclable materials, dispose of all toxic materials properly

Use this day to educate yourself and the ones around you. Did you know if everyone in America alone recycled their newspaper everyday we would save 287,000 trees?? Get in the know!

Welcome to the world Jack!! My Canadian friends have a new addition weighing in at 6lbs 5oz. Congratulations B, T and A!

So the Pope is coming to town. I do not practice Catholicism so I will not be participating in any of the comings and goings, but if you are planning to attend I wish you luck with the crowds and hope you get a good seat!

Interesting:

In the paper today was an article addressing the lack of money padding the pockets of DC residents in light of the new economic boom. DC has so many new employment opportunities which unfortunately the residents are getting next to none of because business owners stated a lack of "qualified individuals" to fill the positions. Funny how a new stadium is built, new shopping centers galore, all with the promise of increasing employment opportunities for the residents, but they have yet to fulfill that end of the bargain. Now talks are about creating a community college system for the District, something that probably should have been in place years and years ago. I wonder when the light switch came on!

Low and behold here we are with the tried and true battle of good vs evil, or should I say politics vs public correctness. I am in no way a political hater nor do I believe all political actions are for the good of a few rather than many, but I somehow in someway figured a while ago that when "real" issues came about, (e.g, schools, kids, the homeless battle, working poor, etc) the District would cry foul and "oh we're doing all we can" and yet here we are after a new stadium is built and multiple retail ventures have popped up and we see the District, people wise, no further along than it was before. It always amazes me how common sense eludes the masses, but here it is. A perfect example: we have our "wonderful" Pres. who preached no child left behind yet a study conducted in the very part of the nation in which he resides has a very high dropout rate for high school aged children and of course who could forget him throwing out the first pitch at a Nationals game in the newly built stadium that cost $611 million (and rising) yet some public schools lack heat, books and need major repairs. I suppose this is just another showing of the lack of follow through from people entrusted to support the views, ideaology and goals of the voting public.

Quick update: Pops is recovering from his operation...everything went well and he'll be home today!

A few things that irked me today...

~I was watching this documentary on immigration that a group of students in Silver Spring called the Gandhi Brigade produced. On there is this man stating that he doesn't want anyone coming to North America because he does not want their cultures mixing with the "one" here. So the interviewer asks him about his ancestors to which he replies They were from France. The interviewer then asks well since you don't believe in immigration, your family shouldn't be here either. This ignoramus replies that people with European background made this country sophisticated...and other such nonsense along those lines. I find a few issues with this: First, if you don't believe in immigration no one including your ancestors would be here. Secondly, America is a land of different cultures, some brought here against their will, so to say you don't want different cultures here...maybe you haven't looked outside your window. Finally, how ignorant and closed minded are you??? I hate to say this, but I am glad he was an older gentleman (I use that term loosely) and hopefully you haven't passed your judgemental views down to your kids, grandchildren, etc.

~~I'm trying to stay neutral, but the Olympic games being held in China while civil unrest is occuring in Tibet, not the wisest decision I'm sure. Pres. Bush stating that the Olympics is about games and not politics is, well, pretty much how he has ran the country for the past 7 1/3 years. Surprisingly his lack of regard for the Tibetan people does not shock me, but the fact that other countries are continuing to support the Beijing Olympic games does. This is just the torch carrying and it has been met with so much protesting that I can only imagine how this is going to progress. Guess we will all have to wait and see...

~~~My grown people....pay your bills!! Not taking responsibility of the debts that you owe, whether it is a credit card, the phone bill or the Washington Post delivery man, is simply unacceptable. Funny how when it's time for bills to be paid people cry broke, but you somehow miraculously have money to go out and party like no tomorrow. The Bible states clearly in 1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; When I became a man, I did away with childish things. Not taking care of responsibilities is a childish matter. I don't care how late, how old, how you "didn't get a bill", you know you owe, stop with the games. Bills don't go away they just gain interest and fees while causing you more headaches and heartaches. Set up a payment plan, send in $20 a month, a pay check or what have you just get it done. I can't believe I even had to go there with this. Get it in line.

It's quite peaceful outside today...no loud rambunctious kids running the streets, no noisy neighbors moving around, although there was a cute little chocolate brown puppy meandering about, it is, for the most part, a wonderfully rainy Sunday that I am thankful to witness. It's back to the routine tomorrow...

BTW my sister got accepted to her first choice for Culinary Arts School yesterday!!!!! Way to go Squirt!!! She was a little ticked with me for yelling outside when I read it, but hey if I didn't embarass her I wouldn't be a good big sister now would I...congratulations!!!

P.S. someone requested a comment section...wish granted.

I'm sure you all have heard of the 3rd grade class in Waycross, GA that conspired to handcuff then stab their teacher because she reprimanded one of their classmates. I was a little shocked yesterday when I was reading the paper because it seems that some child psychiatrist do not believe these children could have came up with this plan. I'm thinking maybe they are living under a rock or something. Kids are not like the used to be three and four decades ago. Scientist have even admitted that the brain is the only organ they do not fully understand the workings of. I do not find it so hard to believe that they devised a plan and everyone came prepared. Look at the over saturation of violence they get from video games and the media, not to mention the absence of positive parenting. I have to give them credit for being able to actually lay out a plan (regardless of how bad it is) and then be prepared to carry it out. To think all of that potential literally going to waste. I'm not going to play the blame game, but I'm not sure how your 8 year-old child makes it out of the house with a steak knife. Take some more time with your kids instead of letting them raise themselves.

Today is the 40th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. slaying at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. http://www.thekingcenter.org/index.asp

A brief side message: (yes, this is a rant)

Complaining

If you really have a legitimate complaint and you bring it to the attention of the people that could possibly fix it for you, but you fail to utilize the tools in place that solve your complaint, DON'T COMPLAIN ABOUT IT ANYMORE. I don't want to hear it and I'm sure no one else does either. That is comparable to you complaining about policies, but you didn't bother to go out and vote. Seriously, get over it!!!

So I got this "notice" in the mail from the Internal Revenue Service (ooh) which stated the ins and outs of the possibility for receiving the stimulus package for completing your 2007 income taxes. At first, like many, I was excited..."free money why complain?" However, I thought about it a little further...If I'm getting a minimum of $600 outside of the money that I received from my 2007 tax return...where's the catch. As we know nothing, NOTHING in life is free! A clause here, fine print there and you could be totally screwed! So to say the least I am somewhat excited, but a little more expectant of having to pay taxes on this "free gift" that is supposed to boost the economy.

Think I'll just put mine in the bank and see what develops...