Our choice for President - Dave Grohl

Seattle Weekly article

Lost - Episode 5, The Constant

If you don’t have an anchor, someone to hold on to, care for and love, you are destined to travel through time LOST.

So, tonight’s episode was titled, The Constant. If one thing has been consistent about Lost, it has been the complexity of the plot. Every episode posed new questions, making you think something deep and tremendous was right around the corner. After seeing tonight’s episode though, I am beginning to think the overall message is much simpler.

As we learned in previous episodes, Desmond became lost in his life. He met the love of his life, Penelope Widmore, a woman whose father clearly has a strong reach financially and a strong contempt for Desmond’s love for Penny. After all, he spent nearly a quarter of a million dollars on the journal from a surviving member from the crew of the Black Rock. He seemed to know the significance of that book.

Here are some quick theories about the book. Are the side effects of not going off the island on the exact courses dictated by Ben to Michael and Stanley to the pilot to travel inadvertently through time and not back to the present day? That could explain how a polar bear lands in the Saharan desert fossilized with a Dharma tag around its bones. It could also explain how the journal of the first mate is found thousands of miles from the island in the Pacific in Madagascar in pristine condition for being hundreds of years old. Of course, the book was donated by Alvar Hanso. Did Alvar need to do some quick fundraising for some reason in the mid-90s? Would that not have been about the time of The Purge?

But we are veering off course.

So, Desmond left Penny. Charles Widmore intimidated Des enough for him to believe he was not good enough for Penny, to believe money and status mattered more than love and devotion. Des had to do something to demonstrate his abilities, to prove that he mattered. He got a boat, raised anchor, and set off for a sail around the world. But, when you are alone, with no anchor, how far can you really get?

A mysterious island in the Pacific Ocean, that’s how far. We’ve all become familiar with Desmond’s story on the island. But, after watching tonight’s episode, it is becoming clear how important Desmond is to the Losties. He has helped to open the door to the outside world twice, after working to keep it closed for his first few years on the island. The door he opened tonight was probably the most important of all.

After spending so long running, wandering aimlessly, traveling through time lost, Desmond found the anchor he needed to find stability in his world, love. So, will the determining factor of who remains lost on and after the island be, who can find love? Perhaps.

After all, we have seen the results, so far, of what a lack of love can do to the revealed members of the Oceanic Six. Jack has become a drugged out drunk who’s mental turmoil about what they did to get off the island drove him to nearly commit suicide. Kate, who now mysteriously has Claire’s baby Aaron, is a free woman, but locked in a solitary world. Hurley and Sayid are back in the world’s they knew before going to the island.

Well, time to drop anchor and leave the island until next week. I know the rest of the journey through the time we will have with the Losties will be interesting and fun-filled. Remember, though, once the hour is done, don’t forget about your anchor, lest you become Lost.

Congressional Response Regarding Net Neutrality

We signed the petition sent to our local Congressman regarding Net Neutrality & here is what we have heard back. It's just a form letter, yet it's nice to know his stance on this issue.
The GREAT Jim McDermott will always have our vote!




Dear ******:

Congress must effectively address the preservation of network neutrality. The Internet is an unparalleled vehicle for open communications among citizens and businesses, and it quickly is becoming the modern equivalent of the public square; our First Amendment freedoms demand equality and protection in this arena as well.

Representative Ed Markey, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, has consistently advocated for strong net neutrality laws. After a series of hearings on the issue, he has introduced HR 5353, the Internet Freedom Preservation Act. I am a proud cosponsor of this bill which would prevent broadband service providers from managing the flow on information on the Internet, and ensure that anyone and everyone has the ability to innovate and experiment through this remarkable medium. Specifically, HR 5353, if passed, will amend the Communications Act of 1934 to incorporate net neutrality principles and guarantee that the freedom of broadband service is made U.S. policy.

If you are interested in following this particular piece of legislation through the legislative process, the website hosted by the Library of Congress at http://thomas.loc.gov is extremely helpful. It provides a wealth of information about legislation under consideration in the current Congress as well as bills introduced in earlier sessions. The site is called Thomas to honor President Thomas Jefferson and his belief in public access to the workings of government.

Again, thank you for contacting me. As your Representative in Congress, it is critical that I understand the views of my constituents. I look forward to hearing from you in the future.

Sincerely,

Jim McDermott

Member of Congress

WTF!

No I don't follow the "Britney Scandal"
No I didn't vote my fav on American Idol last night
No I don't have a guess on the birthdate of Nicole Kidman's baby.
No I didn't freak out when Starbuck's was closed for one whole night.


What is wrong with society?
It seems that so many are wrapped up into strange ideals nowadays,
blended into the me-me-me rushed mentality.
No longer are compassion and well-being on the forefront.
Gaze blindly at the blurb on the news of famine, plight, and war
then gaze away with that 'it's not on my doorstep mentality'.
If it's not tabloid-sensationalized then the brain cells just wander away.
Tune into the boobtube and wash the sounds of the earth faltering around you.
When it effects people right in your own area,
in your very own families,
will you then wake up and realize what should be important in life?
It should not be that way.
A human being should be offered a safe home, safe food, and safe treatment.
Regardless if they live in suburbia USA,
or the Congo, or Darfur, or Iraq, or Southeast Asia.


Now and then I am mocked for my beliefs,
organizations that I belong to,
and my stances on earth-effecting causes.
It used to bother me,
make me wonder why they didn't also see the world on a downward spiral.
Why they weren't concerned how the world was becoming so angry,
and what was to be left for their own children.
Now I just shake my head at the stupidity some are so warped with,
their hypocritical judgment and eye-blinding naivety.
It makes me smile that I am doing my part.
It is what matters....it matters to ME.

Judgment should be left for those doing the world wrong,
should it not?

Lufthansa Map Game

This is a cool, gets your mind a going with the timed "where is it?!"
Score of 27241

Think this doesn't effect you? Think again!

There was a FCC hearing on Feb 26 to investigate Comcast's recent blocking of the Internet. To step around this damper they are trying to close upon our Free Speech and right to free and untainted information, they paid people to show up early to the hearing and thus filling all the seats so that the public could not be in the hearing to voice their opinions. Comcast has admitted to using seat fillers, but what will happen of it now?
Comcast FCC Hearing Strategy

Use your voice and let's make big business remember that they work for us, the public. Keep our right to Free Speech & our right to Internet Freedom!
savetheinternet.com--Fighting for Internet Freedom!

Clean Energy Tax Incentives

Write your Senator!
Passed in the House, now lets get on our Senators to vote this bill,
for a CLEAN Future!
HR 5351, the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008 that extends crucial incentives for emerging renewable energy industries such as wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass. Extending these important tax incentives early this year would create and retain thousands of green collar jobs, provide investment security for renewable energy technologies, and put America on the path toward a clean energy future.
Let's help bring CLEAN ENERGY to us, the American Consumers!

Here's to Spring Approaching!

If March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb.
If March comes in like a lamb, it will go out like a lion.--Old Weather Proverb


Is Spring upon us?
Today's Farmer's Almanac Newsletter was ever so sweet to remind me that not only is Spring approaching, but it seems the time-honored, (or should I say past-generations embedded), tradition of Spring Cleaning is upon me. Nothing better to welcome the approaching season with a good top to bottom scrubbing and airing-out!

Here are some of my favorites--

Furniture Polishing Cloths--I love Orange Oil! and its a great alternative from using spray furniture polishes. Put 1/4 cup Lemon Oil or Orange Oil into a large jar, mix in 2 cups HOT water, then add your clean dusting cloths. Let them soak up the fragrant oils and hang to dry, then clean that dust away! Once dirty, wash/soak and repeat the process!

Cleaning out the dryer filter. (They get coated with softeners and dryer sheet buildup, don't think so? Take the filter out to the sink and try running some water thru the screen!) Use an cleaning toothbrush and scrub it w/ vinegar & rinse! Of course, remember to let it dry before placing back in your dryer!

Carpet Freshener--
In a jar, mix up 3T Baking Soda, 2 C. dried lavender, rosemary or your favorite herb. Sprinkle over the carpet and allow to sit, then vacuum up! Great if you have pets or kids, no harsh chemicals to worry about in the powder!

A Fresh Air Explosion

Cool Mint

Sadly....This can be under your Christmas Tree this year

This new product speaks for itself....so here you go.....

Magnetic Support Ribbons

Caught this on the MySpace Bulletin Board, a great skit.
Shows the assinine thinking of the American Majority!
Our soldiers are off in Iraq and Afghanistan,
fighting for what President Bush is telling us to be
for creating freedom & fighting terrorism.
Yet they are without the proper protective equipment!
While most show their support by....
slapping their gass-guzzling vehicles with magnetic support ribbons.
Now we aren't harping at your method of support,
just feel more direct routes should be taken.
Yet, if you fail to see the irony in all of this,
then perhaps you should get back into your SUV and go buy another ribbon.
It's beyond explanation!