Ready to rumble...



CBS has decided that it won't show an ad paid for by the voter fund MoveOn.org. CBS's refusal to show the campaign comes at the same time CBS is airing ads paid for by Bush devotees, and also at the same time Bush is about to sign into law legislation that will allow CBS's parent company, Viacom, to grow much larger. It is important for us all to remember that, as a "public service," which CBS is deemed, has to follow strict guidelines set forth by the FCC since it users public airwaves. Among these guidelines is the requirement to give equal time to opposing views on political issues. The network can choose to turn down both sides altogether, but if it accepts one, it has to offer equal time to the other. Above is a link to see the ad CBS won't air. I urge you to watch it, sign the petition and call CBS. It is good to know the FCC is looking into the matter. But for now, we need to do our part.

Last night's puppet show was, well, entertaining at best. Like any good marionette, the republicans rejoiced and guffawed at every word Georgy said, while the democrats sat silent. Kennedy's blank stares at the ceiling were a riot!

My favorite moment from last night? Preisdent George Bush, "The Patriot Act is about to expire (pause)." The democrats, as if on que, took the nicely timed paused to clap, clearly showing their disdane for the Patriot Act and their happiness that it will soon end. You know Georgy were wishing we hadn't paused, and even snickered a bit as he new he had been had. Later in the evening, he said something else that got the democrats going but he wisened up and plowed on through the cheers.

Bethany and I have decided, that for the first time ever, we are going to take part in our state's cauces, to be held February 14th. I never knew our state was a cauces state, and neither did my parents. It makes me wonder if this is a new thing or not. But nonetheless, Beth and I will join the crowd to cast our vote for the democrat of our choice, Howard Dean.

Beth, her Grandma and I went and saw Cold Mountain Monday night at Neonopolis here in Vegas. I'm not much of one for war movies, but really enjoyed this one. It didn't have the happy ending you'd expect, making it all the more real. The movie was more centered on the love story and life during the war, than the war itself, and Nicole Kidman and Renee Zellweger gave memorable performances as their characters leaned on oneanother to make it through. Although long, it was enjoyable.

Way past due...

I don't have the excuse of being busy this time, there just hasn't been a whole lot to say. School has started again after a brief recess, and things are in full swing. I even have a test coming up in two weeks. This semester I am enrolled mostly in general ed courses. Most of the gen ed courses I took at UNR and TMCC counted for my degree at UVSC, but a couple didn't. I am taking History 1700: A Brief American Pageant and Ethics and Values 2050. I am also enrolled in my final math class, Math 1050. I was in it last semester but dropped the class. The only aviation course I am in this semester is Corporate Aviation Management. I am looking forward to this class. I hope it helps me gain a better understanding of why some things are the way they are. Should be interesting. I have two science classes remaining, Meteorology and one other, like Physics or Chemistry and then I am done with gen ed.

Work this month is nice and simple. My schedule is three days on, three days off and I make a Boston run each of the three days I am working. I can commute to St. Louis and back at the beginning and end of the three days, allowing me to be home all of three days I am off. That's nice. Next month I will be sitting reserve so I be spending more time than usual away. Fortunately, that only happens once every four months (or three times/year.)

A sad note. A neighbor of Beth's parents died last Thursday, and we attended his funeral yesterday morning. Beth and I got to know Clem, and his wife, Bernie, when we lived with Dale and Carter. They are wonderful people. Clem was only 64. It's so sad. He was an accomplished man having served in the Marine Corp and as police chief for King of Prussia, PA for 22 years before retiring and moving with Bernie to Las Vegas in 1996. His daughter, Lisa, and her husband Bob and their three kids also moved to Vegas. Both families bought homes side by side across the street from Dale and Carter. A couple of years later, Clem and Bernie's son Jeff joined the compound and bought a house next to Bob and Lisa, moving in with his wife, Chris, and their four kids. The entire family is spectacular, very close knit and loving. It was a big loss for the community when Clem died. Fortunately for Bernie, her entire family is right there to support her. The service yesterday was beautiful, with two Marine Corp cadets, thirteen Las Vegas Metro Police officers and an officer from King of Prussia present to offer their respect. It was very moving. Clem's son-in-law, Bob, is a police officer with Metro.

Jenn... now would be a good time to come to Vegas, and you, too, Sean. Our high yesterday was in the upper 60s and is expected to get there again today. Although the temp will drop slightly over the next few days, the high is still to remain above 60. After your record snowfall and nasty temps, the two of you could probably use a little thawing out. Door's open!

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a fun and safe celebration. Beth and I went to a friends house to celebrate where we met up with some old college friends of ours, and even someone I knew in high school. We all had a great time and rang in the new year with some Martinellis sparking cider. We had intended on using the real thing, but the champagne was put in the freezer and froze. That's ok. I enjoyed the Martinelli's. About 15 minutes before midnight, the whole gang headed out to a park near where we were that had a view of The Strip. From there, we enjoyed the fireworks. Before and after the celebration, we all had a great time playing Mario Kart on the Game Cube and two board games I hadn't heard of: "In 25 Words or Less" and "Squint." They both were a lot of fun.

Beth and I made it home from Gardnerville without any problems. We arrived home Tuesday night about 5pm, and later Dan and Rene made it in from Arizona. We've been hanging out all week and really enjoying ourselves. Sadly they're leaving tomorrow. The past two weeks have been a lot of fun. Very leisure and full of activities we wanted to do. Work starts Monday for both Beth and I, and although it'll be nice to get back into a normal routine, we'll be sad to settle down again.

I have finally updated the website. In the Cooking 101 section there are the Fon-dos and Fon-don'ts of Fondues. I've always loved them. There you can learn tips on how to make them as well as several recipes. There is also a recipe for Butternut Squash, Goat Cheese and Walnut spread from Cooking Light. Rene made this for us when we were in Sacramento and we all really enjoyed it.

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a fun and safe celebration. Beth and I went to a friends house to celebrate where we met up with some old college friends of ours, and even someone I knew in high school. We all had a great time and rang in the new year with some Martinellis sparking cider. We had intended on using the real thing, but the champagne was put in the freezer and froze. That's ok. I enjoyed the Martinelli's. About 15 minutes before midnight, the whole gang headed out to a park near where we were that had a view of The Strip. From there, we enjoyed the fireworks. Before and after the celebration, we all had a great time playing Mario Kart on the Game Cube and two board games I hadn't heard of: "In 25 Words or Less" and "Squint." They both were a lot of fun.

Beth and I made it home from Gardnerville without any problems. We arrived home Tuesday night about 5pm, and later Dan and Rene made it in from Arizona. We've been hanging out all week and really enjoying ourselves. Sadly they're leaving tomorrow. The past two weeks have been a lot of fun. Very leisure and full of activities we wanted to do. Work starts Monday for both Beth and I, and although it'll be nice to get back into a normal routine, we'll be sad to settle down again.

I have finally updated the website. In the Cooking 101 section there are the Fon-dos and Fon-don'ts of Fondues. I've always loved them. There you can learn tips on how to make them as well as several recipes. There is also a recipe for Butternut Squash, Goat Cheese and Walnut spread from Cooking Light. Rene made this for us when we were in Sacramento and we all really enjoyed it.