Goody...a death map.

Like I don't have enough to worry about.
Thanks FoxNews. You suck.



A new map plotting deaths resulting from forces of nature reveals where Mother Nature is most likely to kill you.

People living in the South along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts have a higher likelihood of dying from a natural hazard compared to residents of the Great Lakes area and urbanized Northeast.

And while intense hurricanes and tornadoes steal headlines for their intense winds and overall destruction, the new map shows what other previous studies have found, that everyday hazards, such as severe winter and summer weather, and heat account for the majority of natural hazard deaths in the United States.

In addition to the South having high mortality from natural hazards, other risky areas included the northern Great Plains region where heat and drought were the biggest killers and the Rocky Mountain region (Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico) with winter weather and floods as top killers.

The south-central United States is also a dangerous area, with floods and tornadoes posing the greatest threats.

My take on the shoe throwing incident...

I've thought long and hard before writing this particular post.

You've heard about the guy that threw his shoes at President Bush during a press conference.

Of course you have, the entire world has heard about him by now. In fact, some are hailing Muntathar al-Zaidi as a hero, he's become an instant celebrity to Iraqis and Bush haters across the globe.

As someone who's covered too many press conferences to count, many of them with GWB, I've wanted to scream and throw things at the heads of numerous politicians time and time again. But I didn't.

Because I'm a journalist. And in my opinion, journalists are far too important a part of our democratic process to allow themselves to squander a chance to provide the public with information.

My emotional outburst, whether it's a display of joy or digust, shouldn't be the news.

I understand why al-Zaidi was so angry. He's watched for six years as his country has been torn apart, thousands of young Iraqis are left without limbs, and in many cases, families. And then he's told by Bush to celebrate the "hope in the eyes" of the nation's young people? No wonder he snapped.

But what if he had asked Bush the questions he'd had in his mind and heart for all this time? Put his feet to the fire, so to speak? That's what we'd be talking about, not that Bush has great reflexes, and made a few shoe jokes.

A journalist's job is to educate, not pontificate. And I'll never scuff my heels on anyone's forehead.

Unless they ask me to.

The number of dummies in this world just grew by one.

I like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I really do.

But second year DE Greg White is a numbskull, seriously.

This player (who's been pretty crappy on the field lately, BTW) decided to change his name.

He's no longer Greg White, ya'll.

Call him Styles. Styles G. White.

White said he picked his new name from a character in the 1985 movie “Teen Wolf,’’ starring Michael J. Fox.

In the movie, Fox’s friend is named Rupert “Stiles’’ Stilinski. White changed the spelling and adopted the name as his own.

Dear Lord.

Let's think about this for a moment...

A 6-3 260 pound black NFL player - idolizes a 150 pound fictional white guy from the 80's.


Oh yeah, that makes perfect sense. Not.

I love happy endings...

This story is out of Dallas...maybe there's some Chritmas spirit left in the world after all.

Stolen Camera Returned to Dying Mother After TV Appeal

A thief who stole a camera from a terminally ill Oklahoma mother had a change of heart after seeing the distraught woman's story on the news.

Jami McElrath's camera, which was loaded with photos of a family trip to a Six Flags park in Texas, was stolen after the thief broke into their car while they were eating in a restaurant on Dec. 1.

McElrath, who has inoperable cancer, was collecting photos to place in a scrapbook for her children so they could remember her after she was gone. The camera had belonged to her father, who died of a heart attack two years ago.

The woman told her heart-wrenching story to Dallas-area news station WFAA TV, appealing to the burglar to return the camera.

"I just want my camera back," she told WFAA reporter Jim Douglas. "I just want those memories back."

Then something remarkable happened. A few days after the story aired, Douglas got a call from a man who told him to look behind a red car in the station's parking lot. The caller didn't leave his name; he said only that he felt bad about the incident and wanted to return the camera.

When Douglas presented McElrath with the camera in person, tears filled her eyes.

Cry me a river...

So I wanted to make sure my nephew gets to play with toddlers his own age (although I am probably the best playmate he's ever had, lol!).
So I enrolled him in a local daycare near where I work.

It's a good place, I went and checked it out, asked the director hundreds of questions, researched the center's licencing on the 'net, and interviewed other parents who have their kids there.
The KOTW and I even went and visited so he'd be a little more familiar with the teacher and the other kids.

Today was his first day...I'd talked non-stop about how he's going to his "school" for days, and did the same thing this morning as we headed out, telling him how much fun he'd have, blah blah blah.

The moment we walked through the front door-- the screaming began.

Heart-wrenching wails of dismay issued from his little mouth like a siren. His sweet chubby face looked like a angry thundercloud.

But I managed to peel him off me, and got down with him and told him that I'd be back soon. And then I left him there.

I stood outside listening to him bang his little fists on the door and cry for me to come back -- and I teared up too.

I love this kid, but I'm scared I'm getting too attached...what happens when he has to go leave and home? My heart doesn't even want to consider that right now.

Just a few more hours until I pick him up...I hope he's having a good day.

What. In. The. Hell.

is going on with politicians these days? Is everyone doing deals on the downlow or something? Is it even possible to sell a state senate seat?

And Governor Blagojevish says he won't resign.

Yeesh. In my mind's eye all I can see is Richard Nixon, jowls flapping as he declares "I am not a crook!"
This guy looks so crooked he probably can't even walk straight.



CHICAGO – Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested Tuesday on charges he brazenly conspired to sell or trade President-elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat to the highest bidder as part of what federal prosecutors called a "political corruption crime spree."

Prosecutors did not accuse Obama himself of any wrongdoing. Obama said he had no contact with the governor or his office on the matter.

Blagojevich also was charged with illegally threatening to withhold state assistance to Tribune Co., the owner of the Chicago Tribune, in an attempt to strong-arm the newspaper into firing editorial writers who had criticized him.

The 51-year-old Democrat was also accused of engaging in pay-to-play politics — that is, doling out jobs, contracts and appointments in return for campaign contributions.

"We were in the middle of a corruption crime spree, and we wanted to stop it," U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said, calling the charges against Blagojevich "a truly new low." He added: "The conduct would make Lincoln roll over in his grave."

Cuts cuts and more cuts...

The smaller news corporations have alredy laid off or shut down entire tv news operations -- now the big boys are getting into the act on a major scale.

And let's not even look at the newspaper debacle...my gosh, the Tribune Company, which owns the Los Angels Times and the Chicago Tribune, may have to file for bankrupcy.

ETA: they gone and done it! Tribune files Chapter 11...whoda thought they'd see the day?!



Sorry Sam Zell...you go from a fistful of dollars to a frightningly large debt.
Zell and the other muckity-mucks at Tribune are telling all the employees that things will go on as usual, everyone will keep their jobs...I wonder for how long.

Things are really getting tough out there for us newsies. :(

From Shoptalk:

ABC executives are considering cuts to the news division. The focus would be on a slimming down of political units the network bulked up during the presidential campaign.

Rumors about the cuts have been circulating for weeks now around the ABC News offices, but the rumors have numbers: The cuts could affect as many as 35 staffers and would take effect in the new year.

In recent days, a number of other media companies with large television divisions have moved to reduce their staffing costs. On Dec. 4, Viacom announced that it was cutting more than 850 jobs or roughly 7 percent of its workforce. The same day, TV Newser first reported that NBC Universal will be slashing some 500 jobs across various divisions of the company, amounting to 3 percent of the work force."

Chris Matthews advised to quite MSNBC...

So you've probably all heard Chris Matthews, one of my favorite talk show bulldogs,is seriously debating whether to run to become a Pennsylvania senator.

Matthews' advisors have told him if he truly intends to announce his candidacy, he'd better step down from his talk show post as soon as possible.

I don't mind watching Chris on Hardball,he's bombastic, abrasive (which I sometimes find amusing) and gets to the point. I don't think he's a wishy-washy kind of guy.
And the massive, self-stroking ego of talk show hosts, especially those making millions of dollars, isn't a very different animal from that of a politician. Both think themselves the center of the universe.
But I don't know if he can he really do much good with his butt languishing in a Senate seat.

Then again, this whole thing could be a ploy to jack up his contract, which expires in June.
I think if the network offers enough money, he'll keep his MSNBC seat for the time being.

Ha! I knew it!

*dancing around*

I just knew dogs could feel emotions like jealousy and pride, my dog certainly did, and so does every other doggy I know.
But nooooo, my brothers and parents said I was crazy.

Now who's crazy, huh? HUH?! ;)

From England's The Telegraph:

Canines do not like seeing their owners offering affection to other creatures, especially other dogs, and react negatively when their owners bring home new partners, the research found.

Psychologists previously believed most animals lack the "sense of self" needed to experience so-called secondary emotions such as jealousy, embarrassment, empathy or guilt. These emotions are more complex than feelings associated with instant reaction – such as anger, lust or joy.

Dr Friederike Range, of the University of Vienna's neurobiology department, has shown that dogs feel intense jealously when they spot that they are unfairly treated compared with other dogs. "Dogs show a strong aversion to inequity," she said.

The dog study is the latest into several species, including cows, horses, cats and sheep, which have shown that animals are far more self-aware than was thought.

Have you ever been so tired...

you can barely see straight?

I'm talking tired like you've been draggin' rocks to build the pyramids tired.
Ditch-digging tired.
Just TIRED. To the bone.

I can feel my head wobbling around on my neck as I clickity-clack away at my keyboard, my red-rimmed eyes feverishly staring at the screen.
I only pause to grab my Dr. Pepper and take a huge gulp before once again diving into this great big wonderful computer world we all know and love.

I already know what you're asking: "Why don't you get off the computer and go get some sleep"?
No can do boo, I'm working. Yeah, it seems like I'm always working.
And I've got an hour to go before I can leave this unholy place and sink into my comfy bed.

The nephew (KOTW) is with his grandparents today -- he screamed bloody murder when I had to leave him this morning. I think he wants his mom. We spoke to her on the phone yesterday and ever since then he's been going around the house calling out "Ma-ma! Ma-ma!"
God, it breaks my heart.
But he'll be fine, I'll be fine, we'll all be just fine.

This just in:

Men can be so f-in' stupid sometimes.

O.k.,that's a blanket statement, which I know is wrong.
Let me rephrase this breaking news bulletin --

MY MAN is stupid sometimes.
Got me all enraged and stuff.

This is why you don't need to talk to folks when they've been drinking.

Alcohol makes some people lose their damn minds, and accuse others of not taking them seriously, and they're sick of it, and blahblahblahblah. (that's when my head exploded and I officially had to stop listening or I'd say something I would have regretted.)

I have loved this man for so long, we've shared great experiences and planned on a life together, adopting some little kids if we can't make our own sweet hellion babies, hell, our futures and hearts are so intertwined it's ridiculous.

And yet he still feels this way. And wants to argue and fight with me about how I never say he's right. When I do 99.9% of the time.

And then, in a moment of weakness, when I send our usual I love you text (yeah, we're dumb like that), he says, "back at 'cha". WTF? Fine mofo, you don't have to say you love me.
That's less for me to feel guilty about or worry about.

This self-righteous,drinking, acting a fool man of mine has officially worked my last nerve. And buddy, I know myself. Don't rub me the wrong way too many times, or I will be more than happy to stand up and leave your ass.

And so help me, I am about to step over that line.

I guess sometimes love really isn't enough. When it makes you feel sad and bad and you want to weep for what you thought you had, I guess it's not.

Toddlers are hard work.

I'm starting to settle into the groove with my nephew...I'll just call him "King of the World."

Well, little Mr. KOTW fell asleep at 9 last night...and woke up at 11, 3, 5, and finally bounced out of bed bright-eyed and bushytailed at 7 am.
I, on the other hand, was not so full of energy...in fact, I'm downright exhausted.
But I'm at work, plugging away, watching the minutes float by until I can leave.

The weird thing is...I can't wait to get home and see him.
And he'll play his musical toy.
And make me dance.

KOTW thinks it's hilarious.
I just love to make him laugh and smile.

Someone help me, I'm his puppet.

How's your state doing in tough economic times?

Good question...here in Texas, everything's coming up roses!

Just kidding.

But Governor Rick Perry did have a special meeting with the state's key industry leaders today. And honestly, Texas doesn't seem to be doing to badly, as other states scream for mercy.

Texas is 1 of 9 states with a budget surplus (granted the people won't see a damn dime of that money, but I digress), sales aren't as slow in the retail sector as they are in other states, and we're still creating jobs, mroe than a thousand people and their families move to the Lone Star State every month.

Not bad. Not bad at all.

But I still can't afford to buy crap.

I'm freaking out.

My word of the day -- STRESS.

Today is the day my nephew comes to stay with me. Full time. For at least a month or so.
I try to spend quality time with the little man when I can, but I don't have a clue what the hell 18 month olds think about. Do they even think coherently? Or is it just a big bunch of "yes, no mine, gimme", blaaahhhhhh, screaming gurgling sounds inside their tiny minds?

Here's the checklist:

Home babyproofed? Check.
Toddler gates in place? Check.
Enough pampers to wrap up a small army? Double check.
Wipes for his cute baby bottom? Check!

My older brother is laughing his head off at me right now for taking this on.
He was amazed when he came over to see me earlier --'cause I've been cooking. Think
Betty Crocker on crack, I'm going like a damn steam train and I can't slow down.
It's what I do when I feel stressed out.

So far there's caramel brownies, my little bro's favorite double chocolate layer cake, garlic mushroom spaghetti, fresh beer bread, cucumber tomato and mozarella salad, and sloppy joes. For the kid. I know he'll eat that.
Even toddlers like sloppy joes, right?
Oh God, what if he doesn't eat that?

Breathe, remember to breathe.

I love this kid more than my life. I hope he doesn't end up hating me. Or that I warp his mind with my Duran Duran or Daft Punk cd's. Time to change to something more soothing...Marvin Gaye perhaps? Or a nice restful Nat King Cole.
You know, he'd always go to sleep when I rocked him and put on some big band music. Yes, I like big band music, I know I'm freak, thank you very little.


All I know is, I have to stop stressing about this. Or his super funtime cool auntie will turn into "rushed to the ER" auntie in a minute.

I really don't see how you moms do it. I really don't. You guys rock.

Recognize this profile?

This is a photo from the Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Give it up for the Bethune-Cookman Marching Wildcats band!
It formed the image of President-elect Barack Obama during the halftime show Saturday at the Florida Classic in Orlando.
Very cool!

Sitting here resting my bones...

and this loneliness won't leave me alone...

Great song. And for some reason it's been playing in my head all day.

I'm alone this thanksgiving. My family is off celebrating the holiday with dozens of our relatives thousands of miles away. I couldn't go this year because...well, just because. My life is wrapped around my work. It would have cost too much to get a flight out tonight anyway.

At first the bravado kicked in...I don't care, I'm a big girl, I don't need nobody to celebrate a holiday created on the backs of my red brothers and sisters who got slaughtered! Yep, I was soooo deep in denial.

Now I'm at work, cooling my heels, waiting for the time to pass so I can get the hell out of the noisy newsroom and go...where? Good question. My condo is dark and cold, I didn't turn the heater on today at all.
Maybe I'll just crash at mom and dad's place, they're gone anyway and they have food in the fridge.

A quick trip to Blockbuster and my favorite store, Specs, and I'll have my entertainment and delish treats and liquor for the evening.

I wish I was with my family. I think I need a hug.

Ha ha, very funny mofo...

This comes to us via The Mirror, from merry old England.
Then again, this guy doesn't sound merry, he's downright pissed off. And I would be too, if my phone joke service sent me stuff like this.

Read on:


A Muslim student has been left shocked after receiving two racist ‘jokes’ by a text service operated by 118 118.

Kameron Abbas, 21, used the new joke service run by the directory inquiries company after seeing it advertised on TV.

He was horrified when he got sent a message saying: “What’s the difference between ET and an Asian? ET got the message and went home.”
Stunned he then requested another, using his friend Imran Shah’s phone, and received: “How do you save a drowning Pakistani? Take your foot off his head.”
The student from the University of Central Lancashire is now considering legal action against the firm, which admitted a ‘breach of standards’.

I don't know about this commercial...

On one hand, it's funny as hell that McDonalds would take it this far...but then again, when are they gonna come out with the country/rock/polka version of this ad?
Hmmm, is it racist, or just trying to target your primary consumer? (and black folks need to stop eating so much crap, but that's another post for another time).

Please don't be stin-gyyyyy...lol!

When she says no child left behind...

this teacher really means it!
Gotta admit, the kid is kinda hot, he looks older...but since when don't you ask someone their age? Just strange business all around.

Do you think this teacher deserves her job back?

From WPIX-TV in NYC...

A tenured Queens school teacher fired for having a sexual relationship with a student, is suing the city to get her job back.
According to the New York Daily News, Gina Salamino, 37, a second grade teacher at Public School 121 claims Joshua Walter, then 17, was not a student when they sparked up their romance.

Salamino told the News she didn't know her young lover, who worked as a model for Hugo Boss, was enrolled in high school during their rendezvous.

According to documents filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, Salamino calls the allegations "complete fiction" and ludicrious," stressing the Department of Education shouldn't penalize her since Walter didn't attend class during the 2006-07 school year because of his modeling career.
"They have no case," Salamino told the Daily News. "There is no improper relationship."

Walter, now 19, has appeared in a number of ad campaigns, including Hugo Boss and H&M.
It appears their fling is still going strong too, the couple reportedly lives together in Queens with their child.

Hmmmmmm.

This reminds me...I need to go see Transporter 3.

I sat and watched the first and 2nd installments of the movie series a couple of nights ago, and I have to admit, Jason Statham is one of the best action stars I've seen in a long time.

One of my fave movies is Crank (which he starred in) and I'm happy to report Crank 2 High Voltage is in post production, and should be released sometime next year.

And the man is easy on the eyes. Dayum.

I'm just sayin'.

That's no tumor...

O.k., this story from the Fox Station in Phoenix sent shivers up my spine.

You go ahead and watch, I need to go wash my hands. Repeatedly.

This is the rap I grew to love.

Ain't No Future In Yo' Frontin'.
Man, I used to love this song.

My friends and I would have it pumping through the speakers when we went out on Friday nights. Damn, the good old days.

"Eric Breed died Saturday at a friend's home in Ypsilanti, about 30 miles southwest of Detroit, a Washtenaw County medical examiner's spokesman said Monday.
Toxicology reports were pending, but no foul play was suspected in the 37-year-old's death.
Breed had suffered from kidney failure, according to The Detroit News and The Flint Journal."

RIP MC Breed.

This is pure foolishness!!!!

And I can't stop laughing...I really hope ol' boy wasn't serious.
But I'm gonna draw a picture of a spider and try to pay my cable bill with it next month.

Read the e-mail exchange for yourself, it's hilarious!

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=665847

Sometimes prayers really ARE answered.

Ann Coulter, that blond political commentator we all love to hate,won't be saying anything stupid for a while.
Actually she won't be able to say anything at all.

According to Page Six of the New York Post: "although we didn't think it would be possible to silence Ann Coulter, the leggy reaction-ary broke her jaw and the mouth that roared has been wired shut."

*looks towards the heavens*
Two words: Thank you.

Do you really want to hurt me?

Owwww...I guess he did.
Bhahahahahahaha!

I do have to admit, Boy George was such a beautiful guy back in the 80's. So sweet, so feminine.
Now apparently he's a big butch burley man, into shackles and whips and chains.
And I think he's got some anger issues. Scary....

LONDON – A Norwegian escort told a court Monday that Boy George manacled him to a bedroom wall and beat him with a metal chain after accusing him of hacking into his computer.

The former Culture Club singer is on trial for the false imprisonment of 29-year-old Audun Carlsen.

The 47-year-old singer, who is standing trial under his real name, George O'Dowd, denies the charge.

Carlsen told London's Snaresbrook Crown Court that he met the singer through a Web site and went to his London home for a naked photo shoot. After the encounter Boy George sent a series e-mails accusing Carlsen of hacking into his computer, but Carlsen nonetheless agreed to return for a second photo session several weeks later in April 2007.

Carlsen told the jury that when he arrived Boy George and another man held him down and beat him before the singer handcuffed him to a hook in the bedroom wall.

"George was slapping me and beating me and punching me and screaming things," Carlsen said.

Carlsen said he was able to escape by unscrewing the hook and running for the door.

"I took a bit of time getting the door open and he had a metal chain that he was hitting me with," Carlsen said.

Carlsen said he ran into the street clad only in his underwear. The court was shown photographs of red welts on Carlsen's head and injuries to his arm which he said had been inflicted during the attack.

So what's in a name?

Quite a lot, I think.

For example, here's the newest Hollywood moniker, courtesy of Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz - their baby boy is named Bronx Mowgli.

Poor kid.

While I'm not against unique and cool names (mine, for example is unforgettable!), there's just some parents that go too far.

Today I met a sweet high school student named I'Eshila. Pronounced I-Yeesh-eee-la.
She had a friend with her...named Prettie. Prettie River.

Sigh.

I can only imagine the teasing that young lady suffers at school.

It's funny...I don't have kids, may never be able to have 'em, according to some stupid doctor, but when I think of names, I automatically go over the "tease factor"...does it rhyme with any bad words, or can be used against my child in any way?

LOL, I know it's way too anal.
But at least I'm thinking about it.

ABC -- You SUCK.

Yes, American Broadcasting Company...the network I've come to love and treat as a friend. I'm talking to you.

Why must you cancel shows I've come to enjoy? Why? Was it something I said, something I did?

I tried to watch them whenever they were on, but sometimes, life got in the way...that's what tivo is for, dammit!

Now how will I know if Eli Stone can really overcome the weird thing happening in his head? What happens on Pushing Up Daisies to the piemaker with the magic touch that brings the dead back to life?
And for God's sakes,no more Dirty Sexy Money?! How could you do this to me, you bastard?!

*chokes back sobs*

I'll never watch you again.

Wait, when does Ugly Betty and that McDreamy hospital show come on? I may stick around for that. Just please, don't disappoint me again.

This just in:

Looks like we have a new Secretary of State on the team...Hillary apparently has jumped off the fence and accepted President-Elect Barack Obama's offer.

I am still sorting out how I feel about this appointment.
After the craziness of the election, and what I feel were low down tactics by Hil and company...it'll take me a while to stop giving her the side eye.

One thing I am sure of: I'll never trust Bill again, not as far as I can throw him.


WASHINGTON (Reuters) – New York Sen. Hillary Clinton has accepted an offer from President-elect Barack Obama to become U.S. secretary of state, the New York Times said on Friday, quoting two Clinton associates.

"She's ready," one of the sources told the newspaper, which said Clinton came to her decision after additional discussions with Obama about the nature of her role as the top U.S. diplomat and his plans for foreign policy.

Democratic Party sources have said Clinton was on track to be nominated, with an official announcement expected after the November 27 Thanksgiving holiday.

Those interns'll cut cha!

ETA: here's a pic of the intern in question. Why why why she gotta be black?!


I don't think this young lady has the right, shall we say, temperment to be in t-v news.
What a nutbag, lol!
These kiddies are gettin' hardcore..."you don't know where I'm from, I'll mess you up!"
Sorry, brat, you're the one who's messed up now. Have fun in court!


Former KSTP-TV intern charged after newsroom altercation

By PAT PHEIFER, Star Tribune

November 19, 2008

Jennifer Anato-Mensah's alleged antics probably would have been a better fit on MTV's "Punk'd!" than they turned out to be in a TV station's newsroom.

The 21-year-old University of Minnesota student is allegedly to have chased after an executive producer at KSTP-TV, screaming obscenities after she was fired as an intern at Channel 5 and later kicking out and shattering a window in a conference room door in her quest to get at the woman she believed had scorned her.

According to the criminal complaint, St. Paul police were called to the station at 3415 University Av. on a report of an out-of-control employee.

Danielle Prenevost, an executive producer of KSTP's newscasts, said Anato-Mensah had started yelling threats and obscenities at Prenevost when she told the intern she was fired.

Anato-Mensah told Prenevost, "You don't know where I'm from, I'll mess you up . . .," the complaint said.

Prenevost tried to walk away, but Anato-Mensah followed her. A male employee stepped between the two, and Prenevost went into a nearby conference room while the male tried to get Anato-Mensah to calm down and clean out her desk.

But Anato-Mensah ran to the conference room and kicked at the glass door, breaking it. She had to be restrained to keep her from entering the conference room, the complaint said. The cost of repairing the window was $150, the document said.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

Well, this is new...honestly, I didn't expect this crowd to start in with the racial mess.
But hey, why not? It's always been open season on negros! Who cares if the terrorists pile on too?!

From the AP:

CAIRO, Egypt (AP) -- Al-Qaida's No. 2 leader used a racial epithet to insult Barack Obama in a message posted Wednesday, describing the president-elect in demeaning terms that imply he does the bidding of whites. The message appeared chiefly aimed at persuading Muslims and Arabs that Obama does not represent a change in U.S. policies.

Ayman al-Zawahri said in the message, which appeared on militant Web sites, that Obama is "the direct opposite of honorable black Americans" like Malcolm X, the 1960s African-American rights leader.

In al-Qaida's first response to Obama's victory, al-Zawahri also called the president-elect - along with secretaries of state Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice - "house Negroes."

Speaking in Arabic, al-Zawahri uses the term "abeed al-beit," which literally translates as "house slaves." But al-Qaida supplied English subtitles of his speech that included the translation as "house Negroes."

The message also includes old footage of speeches by Malcolm X in which he explains the term, saying black slaves who worked in their white masters' house were more servile than those who worked in the fields. Malcolm X used the term to criticize black leaders he accused of not standing up to whites.

In Washington, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the latest message was just "more despicable comments from a terrorist."

This clip was immortalized on Family Guy last night...I just had to look it up and watch it again.
I feel so sorry for the reporter...she'll never live this down. Ever.
Howard Stern even put her groans to music one year.
Yes, I laughed.

I hate being sick.

Sour stomach, queasy, dizziness...blah.

This workaholic actually had to take a sick day.

I hate that.

But I also don't want to infect the rest of the free world with whatever it is I'm fighting off.

Let's see, over the past two days, I've eaten:

saltine crackers

ginger ale

water

scrambled eggs

hot tea

and hyacinth ice cream. Delish.

And some dummy has been coming by knocking on my door for the past 20 minutes.

Hello, stupid person trying to sell me some crap I don't want or need, if I didn't get up and answer the door the first time, I'm sure not gonna do it the third, fourth or fifth time, uuummmkay?

If they come by again, I'm going to throw open the door, let them get an eyeful of me in my makeup-less, wild-haired, footie-pajamaed glory and scream in their face, hopefully passing on this monster of a sickness.

I'm going back to bed.

Dang...how many Dr. Doolittle movies did they make?!

I am currently suffering through the one entitled "Dr. Doolittle-- Tail to the Chief."

Oh come on!

This franchise got tired after the second one came out. Eddie Murphy isn't even in the last two, it's that Kyla Pratt Chick from the Proud Family cartoons.

Who paid to make this? That money could have gone to help poor kids in another country.

'Cause this movie ain't helping me one bit. Time to change the channel.

A jammy dodger?

Huh?

Immawhutnow?

A British friend of mine called me a jammy dodger tonight...WTH is that, ya git?

I was too stubborn to admit I didn't know what it means, lol!

So I decided to look it up. Word of the day folks, thanks to the Urban Dictionary:

-- A small round biscuit with Jam inside it (always best 2 eat a whole pack at a time!)

-- A nickname for someone with the name Jasmine, James, Jamie, Jason or any other similar in nature.

-- Someone who has great fortune in avoiding bad things, often to the dismay and envy of others. Often replaced for 'Jammy Git'

-- Someone born with ridiculously good looks and personality, and who is TOTALLY mittens and doesn't realise it!!

Now I was pretty happy about the one that says I'm good-looking, and totally mittens...until I looked up what "mittens" meant.

That first definition...dear God. That does not sound like fun.

Needless to say, my dear dear friend will get a royal beating next time he crosses my path.
Just because.

Pete, you have been warned.

Reverse racism? Whatever kiddo...

There's really nothing I can say about this one. I just have to shake my head.

Guess he's looking for any excuse that will keep his butt from being prime rib for Tyrone an' dem in prison.

From AP:

MEMPHIS, Tennessee - A white supremacist charged with plotting to kill President-elect Barack Obama wants his indictment dismissed, arguing the federal grand jury that charged him had too many black members.

Daniel Cowart, 20, of rural West Tennessee and Paul Schlesselman, 18, of Arkansas, face charges including threatening a presidential candidate and taking firearms across state lines to commit crimes.

Authorities say the pair plotted a killing spree where they would murder dozens of black people, including Obama.

It argues the 23-member grand jury that returned the indictment had just two white members and could not have been fair and impartial.

All together now: AWWWWWW!

A lovely young woman on one of my favorite boards posted this link to a live video feed of a litter of Shiba Inu puppies...they are so cute!

You'll find yourself going to watch them again and again...

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/shiba-inu-puppy-cam

I love puppies...besides champagne and chittlins, they are some of the best things in the world.
;)

When your friends become your enemies...

Ouch.
I see jealousy is starting to rear its ugly head at the Republican Governor's meeting in Miami, lol!

Rick Perry is reported to have ended Palin's press conference rather abruptly...seems she was really sucking all the air out of the room.

And where the hell was Bobby Jindal? He didn't even show up!

Here's this report from CNN:

MIAMI (CNN) — Some Republican governors tell CNN they were not particularly happy with the way the Republican Governors Association press conference was executed Thursday, saying that they agreed to go as a show of GOP governors’ unity — but they ended up feeling like silent Palin supporters, since it was clearly a press conference called for her.

The GOP governors spoke to CNN on condition of anonymity.

One called it awkward: “I’m sure you could see it on some of our faces.”

Another Republican governor eyeing a presidential run in 2012 told CNN the event was “odd” and “weird,” and said it “unfortunately sent a message that she was the de facto leader of the party."

There has been palpable tension among some GOP governors gathered in Miami that Palin has been sucking up all the media oxygen.

In an interview with CNN, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour shrugged off that suggestion.

"That's just somebody running down a rabbit trail. There's plenty of oxygen here,” he said.

Television news is dying.

After seeing this report, I'm now sure my industry is on life support..and a priest is about to give it last rites.



"Hot pink, and in the shape of a bow".
I'm sure your parents are so proud.

And here comes the rant:

Whatever happened to the days of real investigative journalism, when time and care were taken to craft a compelling story which would actually inform the masses, possibly making a real concrete difference to their lives?!
Instead, viewers are served piles of hot steaming crap like this...and many are too far gone to know it can be BETTER, it should be BETTER, for God's sake, demand BETTER! I bet this sweeps idea came from some pompous news director who doesn't have a clue about some of the real issues happening in his community.

Rant over.

Ewwwww...Sarah Palin -- the XXX version!

Does this lady (and I use the term loosely) look like Sarah Palin to you?

Her name is Lisa Ann, she's a 36-year-old adult movie actress from Huntington Beach. She plays Alaska Governor Sarah Palin in a video from porn mogul Larry Flynt’s Hustler Video.

The movie was released on of all days, Election Day...what timing!
A male friend actually watched it...ugh.

“It’s definitely disturbing, but that’s exciting,” Lisa Ann said of the concept of the film. “This could be the most fun I’ve ever had on set, and I know for me, this will be kind of a little history moment for my career.”

Ummmmmmmmkay. I don't think she'll win an Academy award for this piece of work.

This movie will definately go down into the anals of history. (that joke's for you Dave. You sick freak.)

Sometimes I don't understand people.

I live my life in the public eye.

Five days a week, people watch me on their boob tubes, giving my "serious news person" face when talking about the crappy economy, or putting that cheerful lilt in my voice when reading the kicker story about a water skiing squirrel.

*sigh*

I honestly try to be a good person, and I work hard to be fair when covering a story,I strive to be the best journalist I can be.

I guess that's why the viewers like me, sometimes I get mobbed when I go to the grocery store, to a bar with friends, or in the park with my nephew. It can be a little disconcerting at times to introduce myself to someone, and they say, I know you, I LOVE you!

My photogs like to tease me about how everyone thinks I'm the best thing since sliced bread. But today's experience took the cake.

I had to cover the funeral of a kid...it was heartbreaking. Everyone in the packed church was in tears, including me.

So the funeral is over, we all head outside, when I hear someone literally screaming my name. I mean it was a LOUD SHRILL SCREECH!

This woman runs over, dragging her kids with her...and asks me for my autograph and if she can snap some pictures.

Damn woman, the hearse hasn't left the church and you wanna take a PICTURE WITH ME?!

All eyes were on us, and I was so embarrassed. In a way, I actually felt like the disruption was my fault. And I hate that the grieving family may have heard or seen it, and had a WTF are they doing moment as they said goodbye to a life that ended much too soon.

And my friends wonder why I don't go out much.

What do Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Sarah Palin have in common?

The answer: a GREAT head of hair.

Look at those lusterous manes, perfectly coiffed at all times.

It's like superhero hair.

I've never seen Rick Perry's hair move. Never ever. He's a good ol' boy, a real man's man, but I think he owns stock in Aquanet, because his hair would look perfect through a Texas tornado.

Don't get me wrong, I like the guy, he's funny as hell. We've had some good times. And he's gonna have a tough election season coming up in 2010. But we'll get into that another day.

Rick and Sarah will be spending some time together, sharing the stage with other GOPers this Thursday at the Republican Governor's Association Meeting in Miama Florida.

I'm sure they'll talk about how the Republican party is stronger than ever. They'll also probably address the future savior and shining star of the hour -- Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.

I'm happy that Sarah is no longer the flavour of the month. But Jindal sure has alot to carry on his shoulders. Hope he's been working out.

I'm just glad I wasn't assigned to go to Florida and do stories on all the shenanigans...although they will have a Day of Beauty, an afternoon of pampering to include manicures, pedicures, neck and shoulder massages, as well as lessons about new products and beauty secrets.

Man, representing the people of your state is hard work.

This is sick...picketing Obama's grandmother's funeral?!

I always knew the Rev. Fred Phelps was a son of a bitch.

This is the loser who pickets the funerals of soldiers to spread his message that soldiers' deaths in Iraq are God's punishment against America for tolerating homosexuality.

Any man that would do this to family of a fallen soldier, or tell a deceased gay man's relatives they're now burning in hell, deserves to be castrated and his head put on a pole.

Now this man and his crazy-ass followers are going to Hawaii...to picket at the funeral of Madelyn Dunham, President-Elect Barack Obama's grandmother.

Here's the flyer.

Bigots like this get my dander up. This is a damn disgrace and totally unacceptable to me. How dare this man try to contaminate the memory of saying goodbye to a loved one with his special brand of hatred and nastiness.

If someone dared picket one of my loved one's funerals, I could not be held responsible for my actions.

What, if anything can be done to stop these kind of protests? Or is it all about freedom of speech? What do you think?

These two are idiots.

For those of you who don't watch "The Hills" on MTV (which would probably be 99.9% of you), let me introduce you to Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag.

In my opinion, they are the poster children for selfish jerks who should never breed.

They love photo ops...in fact their lives seem to depend on them. Like this one involving birthday cakes. Ugh. My tummy is turning over.

Anyway, check out the grusome twosome in all their crazed republican inspired glory...creepy Spencer is even carrying a shot gun and a six pack...get it? They're supposed to be like JOE SIX PACK, haha, yawn, ha.

You two dumb asses need to get a real job. Now.

Code name -- TMI!

So the first family and the VP have been issued code names by the Secret Service.
I actually find the Obama's monikers pretty spot on:

Barack Obama - "Renegade" (how funny would it have been to call him "Maverick"?!)
Michelle Obama - "Renaissance"
Malia Obama - "Radiance"
Sasha Obama - "Rosebud"

Joe Biden - "Celtic"
Jill Biden - "Capri"

But my question is: do we really need to know their code names? I mean, I thought the purpose of having a code name was so that noone would know who you were talking about.

I've found my new love.

Welp, just stopped at the evil corporate giant Starbucks (usually I go local, but this was the closest choice).
I'm soooooo glad I did.

The store I went to is giving away free samples of their newest flavour: Salty Toffee Hot Chocolate with a shot of Espresso.

OMG.

I hve been transported to Nirvana.
They sprinkled sea salt on top...I promise, it's delish. And that espresso shot? KaZING!!!!!!
This is me:
"We need to get out and talk to more people because we don't have enough sound to do a full minute thirty story for the midday show and where are my shoes, oh they're on my feet o.k., let's run around the truck and stay awake for the next couple of hours hey look it's a veterans day parade! Hi drummers hi bands hi marchers hi kids hihihihihi..."

LOL! My photog Scott is about to KILL me!

I got to be someone's angel today.

I was finishing up a live report today down at one of the area parks...the story? Why dog owners aren't picking up the little presents their precious pooches leave behind. Yeah. Breaking news...dogs poop!

Anyway, my photographer and I wre winding up the cables and getting ready to go home for the day, when I saw this little boy riding aimlessly on a bike.
He looked to be around 10, with long brown hair and a Yankees cap, and some of the longest lashes I've ever seen. I looked at his absolutely angelic face...and saw he was about to panic.

"Mom? Mom!" He'd call out every so often.

He rode off down the park trail, and I thought to myself, he'll find her, he'll be alright, just go home, it's been a long day...but I couldn't let it go. I went off to find him.

He circled back around and came my way. I stopped him and asked if he'd found his mother...with tears in his eyes he shook his head.
"She said she was going to the bathroom...but she's not there, I can't find her".

"Does she have a cell phone?"

We dialed her number, and immediately a hysterical voice started screaming hello. This mother was desperate to find her child.

My photog and I waited with him while she rode her bike full tilt boogie to where we were...and watched as she squeezed him tight.

This sweet little boy was autistic. And she said without us talking to him and keeping him calm, he would not have been able to cope with being lost. She called me her angel.
I just like to think someone would do the same for my child, or nephew, or someone I love someday. Pass on the love, ya know?

Then the funniest thing happened...his face lit up and he asked, " Do you know about Barack Obama?"

I laughed and said I sure do!

He gave the biggest grin and said, " He won! I knew he would. And I'm so happy". Then he rode off.

I'm happy too kid. I'm happy too.

Holy, holy, holy...

Honestly, I don't know whether to laugh or cry.
What strange times we live in...I mean, really, monks throwing down, putting up dukes?
Wonder which side Jesus was rooting for? Just pathetic.



JERUSALEM – Israeli police rushed into one of Christianity's holiest churches Sunday and arrested two clergyman after an argument between monks erupted into a brawl next to the site of Jesus' tomb.

The clash between Armenian and Greek Orthodox monks broke out in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, revered as the site of Jesus' crucifixion, burial and resurrection.

The brawling began during a procession of Armenian clergymen commemorating the 4th-century discovery of the cross believed to have been used to crucify Jesus.

The Greeks objected to the march without one of their monks present, fearing that otherwise, the procession would subvert their own claim to the Edicule — the ancient structure built on what is believed to be the tomb of Jesus — and give the Armenians a claim to the site.

The Armenians refused, and when they tried to march the Greek Orthodox monks blocked their way, sparking the brawl.

I cannot BELIEVE...

they gave this beeyooch probation.

PROBATION? *SMH*

I mean come on, she went to Nigeria and left her kids alone...that's not like running around the corner to the store. Damn!

From Houston's KHOU:

HOUSTON -- A woman convicted of leaving her five children home alone while she traveled to Nigeria to marry a man she met on the Internet has been sentenced to five years probation.

Shanell Monique Mosley, 34, also must take parenting classes and complete 150 hours of community service. She could go to jail for up to two years if she violates probation. The probation plan requires Mosley to have a job and a home that is clean and safe before she can be reunited with her five children. She has until July to complete the plan, said CPS spokeswoman Gwen Carter.

“I’m happy about it,” Mosley’s attorney Vivian King said of the probation plan. “I think it’s the best resolution to a difficult situation.”

However, Mosley is appealing her convictions for child abandonment and endangerment, King said.
The children are in CPS custody, officials said.

Mosley was met by authorities earlier this year as she got off an Air France jet at George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

Her children were discovered alone in the home living in squalid conditions.

Mosley’s children were 1, 7, 8, 9, 15 and 16 at the time. The other two children found in the home were 3- and 4-year-olds the family cared for on behalf of a single father who worked, officials said.

Authorities learned of the children being left alone after the 15-year-old crashed the family’s van into the home’s garage.

During her trial, Mosley testified that she left food, including a cooked turkey and gumbo. Mosley left a Lone Star food card, but authorities said it had no monetary balance.
She had expected her sister to care for the children while she was gone. The sister told Mosley that she was coming to Houston, King said. However, her sister did not make the trip, prosecutors said

This guy gets the dumbass of the week award!

If ya haven't heard, the University of Texas Longhorns are missing a back up center. Why?
Because this fool Buck Burnette (yep, that's a good ol' Texas name by God!) was a sore loser in the President election. He decided, like any modern day idiot, to post some musings on his facebook page.

"all the hunters gather up, we have a #$%&er in the whitehouse".

Ah yes, the folly of youth.

Well, that racial rant got his butt kicked off the team. Ouch. Now you don't get to play with those *&#ers at all.

Although he did apologize before taking his facebook page down:

Here is Buck's apology:

"Clearly I have made a mistake and apologized for it and will pay for it. I received it as a text message from an acquaintance and immaturely put it up on facebook in the light of the election. Im not racist and apologize for offending you. I grew up on a ranch in a small town where that was a real thing and I need to grow up. I sincerely am sorry for being ignorant in thinking that it would be ok to write that publicly and apologize to you in particular. I have to be more mature than to put the reputation of my team at stake and to spread that kind of hate which I dont even believe in. Once again, I sincerely apologize."

Go Texas fight!

MTV -- it's finally bringing music back!!!

On the web, at least.

The corporation just launched http://www.mtvmusic.com/ .

From Britney to Asia, any and every video you'll ever want to find is here.

I am loving this site.

In fact, if you'll excuse me, I've got to go watch every Duran Duran video ever made.

Ohhhh yeah. Man, I miss the 80's.

Check out Change.gov

President-Elect Barack Obama and his team have launched http://www.change.gov/ .

Here is where you'll find details about his agenda and the transition...later theyll post all the info about the inauguration. :)

What do the Troops think?

And here's a great article from Stars and Stripes:

http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=58662

Who thought the transition would go smoothly?

Not I, said the fly.
Apparently some peole just can't accept the fact that things change.

Black church in Springfield burns - The Boston Globe

Hmmm...what kind of dog should the girls get?

“Sasha and Malia, I love you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us.” -Barack Obama at the start of his victory speech.

That Barney post got me thinking.

Purebred or pound puppy?
Fuzzy or not?

Which lucky as hell four legged friend will be moving their new doggybed and rubber chew toys into the White House?

I'm partial to terriers:





What do you think?

Dog bites man!

In the olden days of the news business, an editor would only say it's news if the headline could read "Man Bites Dog."

Not in this case. Barney Bush's bark is obviously not worse than his bite.

Elizabeth gives dap.

Someone help me. The "fist bumping" is just TOO MUCH. Funny how she just became Obama's biggest fan.
And I need a tissue after listening to Sherri...because I was thinking the same thing about my 1 year old nephew. If someday he says he wants to grow up to be President, I can tell him...yes he can.

Oh yeah, and by the way...

I thought this was one of the dumbest things I've ever had to see in tv news.

It's great CNN can afford to buy the newest media toys on the market (while I find out this afternoon the corporation that owns my station is planning layoffs).

This was just a waste.

Poor Jessica Yellin/Princess Leia looks like she's trapped in a bad Star Wars parody.

Next time they'll have Wolf Blitzer inside some total body monitor, showing us how his heart rate goes up and the blood really starts flowing when new numbers come in.

Ugh. Enough already.

I've seen alot of newpapers today...

and I think this one is my fav. ;)

Psssssst, NeNe...

I know you said you want to give Anderson Cooper some "brown sugar"...but ummm...he's really not that into you, lol!
http://http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/marc_malkin/b67359_attention_anderson_cooper_please_call.html

I guess I gotta start watching "The Real Housewives of Atlanta". If the grey fox watches it, it must be a hoot.