To Serve and Protect - Officer Randall Simmons
Posted on February 16, 2008 - Filed Under acts of valor, american idols, my opinions, tribute
He was a giant, both physically and spiritually - perhaps moreso spiritually. His name was Randal Simmons, he was a 27 year veteran of the Los Angeles SWAT team and the first member in its 40 year history to ever be killed. Ten thousand people attended his funeral yesterday, officers from as far away as Australia attended. Gang members, old classmate, politicians, strangers - they all went to honor this man. Why?
Because not only was he excellent at his job he was an excellent human being. He gave to the community, not just as a police officer, sworn to serve and protect - but as a youth minister. He affected hundreds of lives and helped countless youths to get off the fast track to hell and ruination and onto the path of a better life. The day of his death, and for days afterward, there were countless radio broadcasts on talk radio where people who knew him and especially young people whom he had helped called in. The calls would have broken your heart. This was a man who quietly went about his life. He put on his uniform and gun every day and headed out to the mean streets of L.A. but he went out there with an open heart and hand. His goal was to help. And he did.
I know that we all like to complain about cops. When we see them behind us in traffic, our paranoia kicks in and we drive extra careful. When they catch us not quite stopping at the stop sign, we curse under our breath and smile as we sign the copy of the ticket. Then go home and bitch and moan about it to our friends, spouse, family. And we never stop to think about the fact that these men and women literally take their lives in their hands every day for our benefit. To protect us. To keep us safe. We never stop to thank them or wish them a good day. We just take for granted that when something terrible happens they will come to our rescue.
And on that day, Randal Simmons did. A man was holding his family hostage - he had literally lost his mind and had already killed three members of his family. But Officer Simmons and his comrades went anyway. They went to help anyone who might still be alive, they went so that the man wouldn’t kill another human being. Unfortunately, he did kill one more - Randall Simmons. A man who so deserved to live moreso than many others still walking around and enjoying their lives. A man who truly did good in the world. Who cared about the world he lived in and tried to make it a better place, one person at a time.
Angels open arms
rise to their holy welcome
your spirit is home
Rest in peace, Officer Simmons. Thank you for being here and for all that you did for your fellow man. Bless your family.
If you would like to help his family, click here. To read more about this incredible man, click here.
Fire
Posted on October 22, 2007 - Filed Under Dear Readers..., acts of valor, bad hair day, heads up
Hi guys,
As you may have heard on the news, there are approximately 12 forest fires going strong here in Southern California. Unfortunately, several of them are rather nearby. The Governor has proclaimed a state of emergency and hopefully, we will have the National Guard and any other help we need to get the fires under control.
A few pictures:
The first one is a map that gives you the general locations of the fires. The others show various views from the fires. So far, 250,000 have been evacuated just from the San Diego area alone. Thousands of acres have been burned and our firefighters fight not just fire but up to 105 mile an hour Santa Ana winds, 0% humidity and dry brush. Hundreds of homes have been lost.
Say a little prayer for us, if you would. I’ll check back soon. I’m hoping against hope that we won’t be evacuated too.
Annie
Addendum:
If anyone is interested in helping here are a few links that you can follow:
http://www.directrelief.org/SupportUs/WaysToGive/WaysToGive.aspx
http://wcbstv.com/topstories/california.wildfire.donations.2.411576.html
http://networkforgood.blogspot.com/2007/10/southern-california-fires.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21444274/
USS New York
Posted on July 8, 2007 - Filed Under Heroes, acts of valor, country, never forget, our troops, support our troops
A friend sent me this in an email and I wanted to share it.
It was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center.
It is the fifth in a new class of warship - designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft.
Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite, LA to cast the ship’s bow section. When it was poured into the molds on Sept 9, 2003, “those big rough steelworkers treated it with total reverence,” recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensing, who was there. “It was a spiritual moment for everybody there.”
Junior Chavers, foundry operations manager, said that when the trade center steel first arrived, he touched it with his hand and the “hair on my neck stood up.” “It had a big meaning to it for all of us,” he said. “They knocked us down. They can’t keep us down. We’re going to be back.”
The ship’s motto? “Never Forget”
Now, that’s a motto I can relate to - I will never forget. WC
Independence Day
Posted on July 4, 2007 - Filed Under History, Holiday, Inspirational Words, acts of valor, american idol, free speech, honor, musical favorites, my opinions
The 4th of July is a significant day to most Americans and is certainly to me. It reminds me of how much I love my country and what sacrifices were made that I might live in a place so wonderful as America. I love the picnics and parades and fireworks to be sure, but mostly I love my country. I wanted to share our national anthem with everyone in its entirety. For more info on the 4th of July go here. Happy 4th everyone - and especially to our troops who continue to stand the watch, ever vigilant. Respectfully, WC
“The Star Spangled Banner”
The Defense of Fort McHenry
by Francis Scott Key
20 September 1814
Oh, say can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream:
‘Tis the star-spangled banner! O long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wiped out their foul footstep’s pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner forever shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Is Blogging Meant to be Therapy?
Posted on March 29, 2007 - Filed Under Blogging, Dear Readers..., Deep thoughts, Feedback, Humor, Life, Opinions, Random Thoughts, WTF?, What If?, Writers, acts of idiocy, acts of valor, adventure, blog gods, brain farts, breathe, clueless, cubicle universe, double yoiks, empty head, funny bone, i dunno, imagination, in my head, meme, motivation, my opinions, possibilities, really stupid shit, voices in my head, writing
You know I haven’t been at this blogging stuff for very long - a few months - though it seems more like years. Or really it seems like something I’ve always done. Perhaps it is, in a way, as a writer I’ve always had these sort of running dialogues ripping through my mind and occasionally they ended up on paper or computer screen.
They are often seem endless. Non-stop, going at the speed of light thoughts that are questions, ponderings, annoyances, wonder, shock, stupor…you name it - it’s in there. Then suddenly…nothing. Yep, it all stops and I feel a kind of statis. As though my mind simply went on vacation and really I’ve said or thought every thing there is to say or think and well stick a fork in me cuz I’m done.
Still, even when I’m in that empty-headed state I still feel the urge to express thoughts, ideas, points of view. Is it arrogance on my part? That I believe that my thoughts are so important that I must commit them to paper and publish them on the Internet, or (so the dream goes) in books and magazines, newspapers? I mean, really, what is so special about me that I have the irrepressible(sp) urge to force my views on others? Am I forcing or am I simply looking for a meeting of the minds across the great spatial divide of cyberspace? Am I looking for understanding, agreement or just a safe, warm place to rest my weary head? Could be all of the above or none of the above.
Are bloggers really just writers who have turned to technology to get their message out? Or are we all just a bunch of losers who need to air our problems, concerns, insecurities and little life tragedies just to feel okay about ourselves?
I wonder, I really do wonder about this stuff. Particularly on days when I don’t feel especially funny or witty. See, in case you missed it that is my thing. Don’t know why but really I live to make people laugh. I would go through just about anything to put somebody in hysterics. Do you think that is a sterling quality or a character flaw? I don’t know. Do you?
During my short adventure as a blogger I have read and visited many blogs. Many more than I ever would have thought I could or would want to. Initially I think it was curiosity. Like, gee there are bagillions of blogs out there and there must be something to this stuff, you know? I mean jeez everybody seems to be doing it - maybe if I read enough of them, I’ll know why.
But despite my research and reading and following and discovering of the many blogs I’ve found and stumbled upon, I still am no closer to answering that curiosity than I was the day I started.
When it comes to blogging it seems there is something for everyone - knitters, political junkies, writers, poets, dancers, artists, musicians, geniuses and idiots alike. But in the greater scheme of things does it really contribute to the oneness of the allness of the human community? Or are we all just trying to vent enough to get through the day without committing murder and mayhem? Trying to get by the things in our lives that disappoint and baffle?
I know in my case sometimes the only thing I had to look forward to was blogging later in the day. Or at least responding to comments from readers. That little burst of joy I felt whenever I saw I had a comment on something I’d written. But why? Do I need that validation from readers? Is it important? Is it silly?
If I pulled the plug tomorrow on my blogs would it matter? I mean truly - would it change a thing other than for me? LOL - I’m just totally lost on this topic. Cuz I really don’t know.
And honestly, I don’t have a big bang up ending for this entry - so I guess I’ll just leave you guys with the questions for now. Hopefully somebody has some insight or at least a couple of funny come-backs.
Later kids.
WC
If You Could Be Any…
Posted on March 23, 2007 - Filed Under Heroes, I gots to have it, I love movies!, Just For Fun, Life, Movies, Random Thoughts, What If?, ab fab costumes, acts of valor, classics, double yoiks, fangirly, favorites, imagination, my opinions, possibilities, wishes, works of art
literary or movie character, from any time period, who would you be? Being a lover of books and movies I find this question intriguing and appealing, so I’ll answer it.
If I could be any literary character I would be Dagney Taggert who is the hero in Atlas Shrugged. I know that some might think that John Galt is the hero but I’d disagree with them. Dagney is the epitome of guts, glory and rugged individualism. She is beautiful, smart, strong, innovative, self-sufficient and lives life on her own terms. But she is also all woman and when she finds the man of her heart she gives herself completely to him. Amazing. Amazing journey too. This 1,000 page plus book is a story of mamoth proportions but I loved being in that world for its entirety. How I wish I had two weeks to do nothing but read - I would go there again in a heartbeat.
If I could be any movie character, I would be Margo in All About Eve - played flawlessly by Bette Davis. She is brilliant, spoiled, talented, insecure, sexy as hell in a broken glass kind of way - and whips the hell out of the little schemer in the end. Ah…the pause that refreshes.
So, what about y’all? Who would you want to be and why, if you care to tell us.
WC
An Irish Wish…
Posted on March 17, 2007 - Filed Under Birthdays, Deep thoughts, Humor, Just For Fun, WTF?, ab fab costumes, acts of valor, adventure, beautiful photos, brain farts, classics, funny bone, laughs, satire, saturdays, voices in my head
And in the meantime, check out some of these Irish dance moves.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/v/USMKJUr8SaA]
Happy St. Paddy’s Day everybody! 
WC
We Interupt Our Normal Programming to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY BILLIE!
Posted on March 6, 2007 - Filed Under Birthdays, Humor, acts of valor, adventure, american idol, cool cats, fangirly, favorites, friends, funny bone, good wishes, kindred, my opinions, tay-tay, voices in my head
Hey, I don’t care - it’s my blog and really if I can’t use the worldwide web to wish a good friend happy birthday then what good is it?
Billie I love ya and want you to have a great birthday. You are and always will be my first real Taylor Hicks buddy. We shared a very special obsession and truly without you it wouldn’t have been nearly as much fun as it was.
I wish to hell that someday we will go see TayTay together in concert and complete the making of total fools of ourselves in utter splendor and abandon - cuz honey if I’m a gonna do that - then you’re the one who I want to do that with.
I thank you for your cheer, your caring, your humor and even your bitching. Love ya doll. Happy Birthday!!
Hugs & Kisses,
Annie
PS: We all pitched in and got you a stripper.
You like?
Snappy Office Come-backs!
Posted on March 6, 2007 - Filed Under Deep thoughts, Humor, Inspirational Words, Just For Fun, Life, acts of valor, adventure, bad hair day, classics, cubicle universe, empty head, favorites, funny bone, head exploding, in my head, laughs, loving it!, that's class, tips, tricks and advice, working stiff
Hey - ever get a little tongue-tied at work? You know, somebody chaps your hide and you just sit there like a kid with an IQ of 30 or something? Then about 15 minutes later your mind kicks in again and you think of all manner of things you should have said? Well here’s a little list you can keep under your keyboard for those very occasions - you can even laminate it so coffee spills won’t hurt it. Good luck and hope it helps.
1. Never give me work in the morning. Always wait until 4:00 and then bring
it to me. The challenge of a deadline is refreshing.
2. If it’s really a rush job, run in and interrupt me every 10 minutes to inquire how it’s going. That helps. Even better, hover behind me, and advise me at every keystroke.
3. Always leave without telling anyone where you’re going. It gives me a chance to be creative when someone asks where you are.
4. If my arms are full of papers, boxes, books, or supplies, don’t open the door for me. I need to learn how to function as a paraplegic and opening doors with no arms is good training in case I should ever be injured and lose all use of my limbs.
5. If you give me more than one job to do, don’t tell me which is priority. I am psychic.
6. Do your best to keep me late. I adore this office and really have nowhere to go or anything to do. I have no life beyond work.
7. If a job I do pleases you, keep it a secret. If that gets out,it could mean a promotion.
8. If you don’t like my work, tell everyone. I like my name to be popular in conversations. I was born to be whipped.
9. If you have special instructions for a job, don’t write them down. In fact, save them until the job is almost done. No use confusing me with useful information.
10. Never introduce me to the people you’re with. I have no right to know anything. In the corporate food chain, I am plankton. When you refer to them later, my shrewd deductions will identify them.
11. Be nice to me only when the job I’m doing for you could really change
your life and send you straight to manager’s hell
12. Tell me all your little problems. No one else has any and it’s nice to know someone is less fortunate. I especially like the story about having to pay so many taxes on the bonus check you received for being such a good manager.
13. Wait until my yearly review and THEN tell me what my goals SHOULD have been. Give me a mediocre performance rating with a cost of living increase. I’m not here for the money anyway
Feel free to add any to the list that I’ve overlooked. WC
(PS: HT to A-Mum for the list - come back soon Moe)
I Love Me Some Thin Mints! Don’t You?
Posted on March 3, 2007 - Filed Under Current Events, Dear Readers..., Deep thoughts, Diet, Family, Fat Ass, Food, I gots to have it, ab fab costumes, acts of valor, adventure, american idol, classics, dining experience, favorites, friends, good wishes, honor, joy of creating, kindred, loving it!, my opinions, our troops, really cool shit, support our troops, that's class, time to eat!, tribute
I don’t know about you but every year right about this time I start to get a little excited. Not because Spring is right around the corner or because a cute guy has moved in to the house across the street but because the cookies of all cookies are about to go on sale.
Yep - I am a girl scout cookie junkie. I just can’t help myself. If there is even one thin mint within a 20 mile radius I can smell it, hunt it down and take it for my own. Since I don’t even smoke any more I figure I am entitled to just this one little obsession.
Also too there is just something sweet and nostailgic about them. They have been around since I can remember and I can remember pretty far back. Always somewhere around spring break you would start to see little cardboard table and folding chair sales stands cropping up - in front of super markets, laundramats, banks and even street corners in some suburban neighborhoods. Naturally when I was a kid I knew many of the salesgirls now, not so much.
However, I do have one little friend who is probably one of my favorite cookie sellers: 
Let’s call her Cookie-Girl - she does a bang up job, according to her mom and troop mama. But I mean who has to be told, check out that stand, nice display, clean, neat with lots of variety but no clutter. Poifect.
What many of you may not know is that there is a whole lot more to selling girl scout cookies than meets the eye. In the words of my favorite Girl Scout Mama:
Cookie sales gets so much negative crap that people don’t see the good it does. On the money side, it funds the whole Girl Scout program and it helps troops earn money for their activities. (camping, horseback riding, community service projects [one troop paid their way to Build A Bear to stuff and dress bears then donated them to the Fire Department to give to kids that needed them])
On the “Where Girls Grow Strong” side of it (a Girl Scout saying) cookie sales gives girls a chance to learn so much in a safe environment. Sales, money handling, responsibility, people skills, persistence, goal setting, etc. When it’s all over, they have such a sense of achievement! You can see the change in them. They’ve grown!
Also, especially in recent years, there are many troops who are selling cookies in order to send them to the troops. The way it works is this: you buy a box of cookies and instead of taking them home and eating them and making your thighs and butt even bigger, you tell the troop to go ahead and send them to the troops overseas. In addition to this, the kids take a lot of the money they make and send additional cookies to the troops. For example there is a relatively well known program called Operation Cookie Drop, which is a program started by Girls Scouts who managed to send bagillions of cookies to our young men and women in Iraq and gave them a taste of home.
If you see a local troop selling in your area, ask them what their ’cause’ or program is that they are selling for - I’m sure you’ll discover that they are not in it for a beach chair or so they can all go to Chuck E. Cheeese for a weekend. They are going to do something special with the money for someone who needs it, senior citizen homes, the troops overseas, underprivilidged children and so forth.
So the next time you see that little cardboard table and chairs set up, don’t hide your face and mumble something about being on a diet. Chat with the girls and find out what they intend to do with their proceeds. And don’t be so darn stingy, give them a five-spot and tell them to give a box of cookies to their favorite shut in, kid stuck in a hospital, or a kid in a uniform overseas and far far away from home.
If you want to know when the cookies are going on sale in your area you can go here - type in your zip code and councils in your area should come up, with their schedules of sales.
Heck there is even a myspace girlscout page here.
So for pete’s sake, get some Thin Mints, Tagalongs, Samoas, Trefoils or even som DoSiDos and know that you are likely contributing to something worthy and worthwhile. Heck if you are really worried about your diet they even sell some fudgy sugar free numbers AND all the cookies have Zero trans fats. So let’s not sweat the small stuff, otay.
For pictures, descriptions and nutritional information about the cookies go here
Also, if you just want to help and contribute to a troop who is sending cookies to the troops, I personally know of such a troop and I’d be happy to hook you up with them. If so, feel free to email me.
Okay, let’s get our fat asses down there and be loading up on the damn finest cookies ever made in America. Sound good?
WC
