Enjoy all the quality time with your family ya'll... anyone seen the movie Pieces of April?
No, kidding. Really the hardest part of going home is making sure everyone sees enough of me. Who knew I was so likeable?
A little bird told me that it's snowing in Utah and all the lifts at Powder Mt. are open! So, apparently, I was a good girl this year and Santa brought me some snow (and some really kick ass new bindings for my board).
So, have some eggnog - leaded or not - and I'll be posting my snowboarding pictures soon enough.
P.S. Do something nice for someone else, (someone that you don't know, and will not be giving you anything in return) that is, after all, what Christmas is all about.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Q & A w/ Rep-Elect Keith Ellison
New York Times
December 21, 2006
Lone Muslim Congressman Speaks Out
In an interview late this afternoon in CNN’s Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, the incoming Congressman Keith Ellison of Minnesota, the first Muslim elected to the House of Representatives, talked about his reaction to the objections by Representative Virgil Goode, Republican of Virginia, to his election and decision to take his oath of office by swearing on the Koran.
Mr. Ellison: Well, what I’d tell him is that, you know, there might be a few things about Muslims that he might want to know. He might want to know that Muslims, there are about five million in the country, that they’re here to support and strengthen America, that they are nurses, doctors, husbands, wives, kids who just want to live and prosper in the American way, and that there’s really nothing to fear, and that all of us are steadfastly opposed to the same people he’s opposed to, which is the terrorists. And so there’s nothing for him to be afraid of, and that what we should do is to tell our constituents that we should reach to each other, not be against each other, and we should find ways for common ground. I would urge Congressman Goode to have his congregation reach out to a synagogue or a mosque and start some interfaith dialogue so that we can increase understanding among each other, as Americans of different faiths. That’s what I’d tell him.
Mr. Blitzer: Do you think he’s a bigot?
Mr. Ellison: You know what? I don’t know the fellow. And, you know, I’d rather just say that he has a lot to learn about Islam. And, you know, we all have a lot to learn. I don’t know him. I look forward to meeting him. I’m not afraid of being frank about my views about him, but I simply haven’t gotten a chance to get to meet him so I don’t want to start any name calling.
Asked by Mr. Blitzer what he thought of the reaction to his election, and to his swearing-in preference,
Mr. Ellison said: Well, Wolf, I’m glad you made that distinction because when I’m officially sworn in, I will do it the same, exact way as every Congressperson-elect who is sworn in. We will all stand up and, in unison, lift our hand and swear to uphold that Constitution. And then later, in a private ceremony, of course, I’ll put my hand on a book that is the basis of my faith, which is Islam... But I think that we need to not focus on what religious text any Congress member might want to use. Let’s focus on the text that binds us together. That’s the Constitution. That’s a great document, and I’m looking forward very much to raising my hand and swear to uphold that Constitution.
Mr. Blitzer: So when you hear comments like Virgil Goode’s, I suppose — you’ve reacted in all of your public statements, as well as here, really taking the high road, but I assume inside, it’s really irritating you.
Mr. Ellison: Well, Wolf, you know, my reaction, externally and internally is the same. I can honestly say that I’m not angered by Representative Goode’s comments. I just think it’s a learning gap we have to close.
And he and Mr. Blitzer reminded everyone that Mr. Ellison was born in Michigan, converted to Islam in the 1970s while in college, and traced his ancestors back to Louisiana, from 1742. “I’m about as American as they come,” Mr. Ellison said.
December 21, 2006
Lone Muslim Congressman Speaks Out
In an interview late this afternoon in CNN’s Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, the incoming Congressman Keith Ellison of Minnesota, the first Muslim elected to the House of Representatives, talked about his reaction to the objections by Representative Virgil Goode, Republican of Virginia, to his election and decision to take his oath of office by swearing on the Koran.
Mr. Ellison: Well, what I’d tell him is that, you know, there might be a few things about Muslims that he might want to know. He might want to know that Muslims, there are about five million in the country, that they’re here to support and strengthen America, that they are nurses, doctors, husbands, wives, kids who just want to live and prosper in the American way, and that there’s really nothing to fear, and that all of us are steadfastly opposed to the same people he’s opposed to, which is the terrorists. And so there’s nothing for him to be afraid of, and that what we should do is to tell our constituents that we should reach to each other, not be against each other, and we should find ways for common ground. I would urge Congressman Goode to have his congregation reach out to a synagogue or a mosque and start some interfaith dialogue so that we can increase understanding among each other, as Americans of different faiths. That’s what I’d tell him.
Mr. Blitzer: Do you think he’s a bigot?
Mr. Ellison: You know what? I don’t know the fellow. And, you know, I’d rather just say that he has a lot to learn about Islam. And, you know, we all have a lot to learn. I don’t know him. I look forward to meeting him. I’m not afraid of being frank about my views about him, but I simply haven’t gotten a chance to get to meet him so I don’t want to start any name calling.
Asked by Mr. Blitzer what he thought of the reaction to his election, and to his swearing-in preference,
Mr. Ellison said: Well, Wolf, I’m glad you made that distinction because when I’m officially sworn in, I will do it the same, exact way as every Congressperson-elect who is sworn in. We will all stand up and, in unison, lift our hand and swear to uphold that Constitution. And then later, in a private ceremony, of course, I’ll put my hand on a book that is the basis of my faith, which is Islam... But I think that we need to not focus on what religious text any Congress member might want to use. Let’s focus on the text that binds us together. That’s the Constitution. That’s a great document, and I’m looking forward very much to raising my hand and swear to uphold that Constitution.
Mr. Blitzer: So when you hear comments like Virgil Goode’s, I suppose — you’ve reacted in all of your public statements, as well as here, really taking the high road, but I assume inside, it’s really irritating you.
Mr. Ellison: Well, Wolf, you know, my reaction, externally and internally is the same. I can honestly say that I’m not angered by Representative Goode’s comments. I just think it’s a learning gap we have to close.
And he and Mr. Blitzer reminded everyone that Mr. Ellison was born in Michigan, converted to Islam in the 1970s while in college, and traced his ancestors back to Louisiana, from 1742. “I’m about as American as they come,” Mr. Ellison said.
Goode Makes Complete Ass of Self
Anti-Muslim letter goes out to hundreds - not all are amused
BY ERIKA HOWSARE
Our congressman, Virgil Goode, stands by his anti-Islamic rhetoric: "...If American citizens don't wake up and adopt the Virgil Goode position on immigration there will likely be many more Muslims elected to office and demanding the use of the Koran."
Brace yourself for the following letter, shared with C-VILLE by John Cruickshank, chair of the local Sierra Club chapter. Representative Virgil Goode (www.house.gov/goode) told us, through his press secretary, “I wrote the letter. I think it speaks for itself.”
Dear Mr. Cruickshank:
Thank you for your recent communication. When I raise my hand to take the oath on Swearing In Day, I will have the Bible in my other hand. I do not subscribe to using the Koran in any way. The Muslim Representative from Minnesota was elected by the voters of that district and if American citizens don’t wake up and adopt the Virgil Goode position on immigration there will likely be many more Muslims elected to office and demanding the use of the Koran. We need to stop illegal immigration totally and reduce legal immigration and end the diversity visas policy pushed hard by President Clinton and allowing many persons from the Middle East to come to this country.
I fear that in the next century we will have many more Muslims in the United States if we do not adopt the strict immigration policies that I believe are necessary to preserve the values and beliefs traditional to the United States of America and to prevent our resources from being swamped.The Ten Commandments and “In God We Trust” are on the wall in my office. A Muslim student came by the office and asked why I did not have anything on my wall about the Koran. My response was clear, “As long as I have the honor of representing the citizens of the 5th District of Virginia in the United States House of Representatives, The Koran is not going to be on the wall of my office.”
Thank you again for your email and thoughts.
Sincerely yours,
Virgil H. Goode, Jr.
70 East Court Street
Suite 215
Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151
BY ERIKA HOWSARE
Our congressman, Virgil Goode, stands by his anti-Islamic rhetoric: "...If American citizens don't wake up and adopt the Virgil Goode position on immigration there will likely be many more Muslims elected to office and demanding the use of the Koran."
Brace yourself for the following letter, shared with C-VILLE by John Cruickshank, chair of the local Sierra Club chapter. Representative Virgil Goode (www.house.gov/goode) told us, through his press secretary, “I wrote the letter. I think it speaks for itself.”
Dear Mr. Cruickshank:
Thank you for your recent communication. When I raise my hand to take the oath on Swearing In Day, I will have the Bible in my other hand. I do not subscribe to using the Koran in any way. The Muslim Representative from Minnesota was elected by the voters of that district and if American citizens don’t wake up and adopt the Virgil Goode position on immigration there will likely be many more Muslims elected to office and demanding the use of the Koran. We need to stop illegal immigration totally and reduce legal immigration and end the diversity visas policy pushed hard by President Clinton and allowing many persons from the Middle East to come to this country.
I fear that in the next century we will have many more Muslims in the United States if we do not adopt the strict immigration policies that I believe are necessary to preserve the values and beliefs traditional to the United States of America and to prevent our resources from being swamped.The Ten Commandments and “In God We Trust” are on the wall in my office. A Muslim student came by the office and asked why I did not have anything on my wall about the Koran. My response was clear, “As long as I have the honor of representing the citizens of the 5th District of Virginia in the United States House of Representatives, The Koran is not going to be on the wall of my office.”
Thank you again for your email and thoughts.
Sincerely yours,
Virgil H. Goode, Jr.
70 East Court Street
Suite 215
Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151
America: The Melting Pot - GET USED TO IT!
So... we in Congress, in the 110th Session, will increase our diversity. (Or rather, THEIR diversity as I am clearly NOT a Member of Congress.) Instead of a bunch of white men, a handful of women and a couple of non-Caucasians, Congress will be a bunch of white men, a slightly larger handful of women, a couple of non-Caucasians, a Buddhist and a Muslim. (Note, the use of the singular.)
There has been somewhat of an uproar on what exactly the new Members of Congress will hold as they are sworn in. Virginia Representative Virgil Goode took it upon himself to say some really stupid, and in my opinion, pretty bigoted things. (See post above.) He has said that he stands by his words. We’ll see how long that lasts…
Truthfully, they don’t hold anything; they raise their right hand and pledge to uphold the Constitution. Then in a private, and I believe optional ceremony, they can hold a book – or whatever they want actually – and swear to be clean, truthful, prepared, and help old ladies across the horseshoe.
Truth be told, John Quincy Adams held a law book, Teddy Roosevelt didn’t use any book. In modern days, Ms. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz from Florida held the Torah, and I know that at least one Member held the Book of Mormon. Furthermore… founding father, Thomas Jefferson was a freakin’ DEIST. Now really, Mr. Goode is concerned about some guy who was born in Michigan, converted to Islam after college, whose family tree dates back to pre-Antebellum Louisiana?
There has been somewhat of an uproar on what exactly the new Members of Congress will hold as they are sworn in. Virginia Representative Virgil Goode took it upon himself to say some really stupid, and in my opinion, pretty bigoted things. (See post above.) He has said that he stands by his words. We’ll see how long that lasts…
Truthfully, they don’t hold anything; they raise their right hand and pledge to uphold the Constitution. Then in a private, and I believe optional ceremony, they can hold a book – or whatever they want actually – and swear to be clean, truthful, prepared, and help old ladies across the horseshoe.
Truth be told, John Quincy Adams held a law book, Teddy Roosevelt didn’t use any book. In modern days, Ms. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz from Florida held the Torah, and I know that at least one Member held the Book of Mormon. Furthermore… founding father, Thomas Jefferson was a freakin’ DEIST. Now really, Mr. Goode is concerned about some guy who was born in Michigan, converted to Islam after college, whose family tree dates back to pre-Antebellum Louisiana?
Friday, December 22, 2006
Thursday, December 21, 2006
BirthMass
A word about birthday gifts for people whose birthday falls between December 1st and January 31st. As tempted as you, the gift giver, may be, to give the birthday lad or lassie a gift wrapped in holiday paper (after all, you have SO much of it just lying around the house) here are some suggestions on alternative wrapping options. For all you people who are lucky enough to have been born in the other 10 months (aka: not December or January) you have never received a birthday present wrapped in Santa paper, have you? No, you have not.
So… the top 10 alternatives to Christmas wrap or Christmas themed gifts for December and January birthdays.
10. Newspaper: you can tailor the paper to your giftie - the Washington Post for the D’s and the Washington Times for the R’s, or the USA Today for those folks who aren’t affiliated – see how nicely that works?!
9. Tissue paper: often times there is white [never green or red] tissue paper lying around from the holiday gifts – this is acceptable to use.
8. Pages 62-74 of the Quadrennial Defense Review: No one will miss a few pages.
7. Order online: then presents come in unassuming brown boxes.
6. Blank cards: right next to the expansive Christmas section and just beyond the Hanukkah portion of the card shop is the tasteful ‘blank card’ section. We Holiday birthdays don’t really care what is on the card as long as it isn’t a picture of a cat in a Santa hat.
5. Phone calls: always a good option, quick, easy, and no holly or mistletoe involved.
4. Flowers: I hear they import all sorts of flowers, plants, small shrubbery from exotic places (like Ohio) none of which have needles, sap or berries. I suggest a daisy or tulip.
But back to wrapping…
3. Bows and Ribbons: just tie a bow around whatever it is you are giving. Again, never green or red, but white is a nice option and can generally be found on those holiday ribbon combinations. You know the ones I’m talking about… they come on one roll with green and white and red and you use your scissors to make the ends all curly in Martha Stewart-esque fashion.
2. Cellophane or clear plastic bags: (No, not the zip locks) Simply put the gift in the bag and tie some of that aforementioned white ribbon around the top and wha-la.
1. ACTUAL BIRTHDAY WRAPPING PAPER: novel concept I realize. Try it, you may like it (like green eggs and ham) and it will make your birthday person very happy indeed. Trust me on this one. We have to deal with all of the Birthday/Christmas combined presents (or as I like to call them BirthMass) that a little clear cellophane, news print and a white ribbon or two will go a long, long way.
So… the top 10 alternatives to Christmas wrap or Christmas themed gifts for December and January birthdays.
10. Newspaper: you can tailor the paper to your giftie - the Washington Post for the D’s and the Washington Times for the R’s, or the USA Today for those folks who aren’t affiliated – see how nicely that works?!
9. Tissue paper: often times there is white [never green or red] tissue paper lying around from the holiday gifts – this is acceptable to use.
8. Pages 62-74 of the Quadrennial Defense Review: No one will miss a few pages.
7. Order online: then presents come in unassuming brown boxes.
6. Blank cards: right next to the expansive Christmas section and just beyond the Hanukkah portion of the card shop is the tasteful ‘blank card’ section. We Holiday birthdays don’t really care what is on the card as long as it isn’t a picture of a cat in a Santa hat.
5. Phone calls: always a good option, quick, easy, and no holly or mistletoe involved.
4. Flowers: I hear they import all sorts of flowers, plants, small shrubbery from exotic places (like Ohio) none of which have needles, sap or berries. I suggest a daisy or tulip.
But back to wrapping…
3. Bows and Ribbons: just tie a bow around whatever it is you are giving. Again, never green or red, but white is a nice option and can generally be found on those holiday ribbon combinations. You know the ones I’m talking about… they come on one roll with green and white and red and you use your scissors to make the ends all curly in Martha Stewart-esque fashion.
2. Cellophane or clear plastic bags: (No, not the zip locks) Simply put the gift in the bag and tie some of that aforementioned white ribbon around the top and wha-la.
1. ACTUAL BIRTHDAY WRAPPING PAPER: novel concept I realize. Try it, you may like it (like green eggs and ham) and it will make your birthday person very happy indeed. Trust me on this one. We have to deal with all of the Birthday/Christmas combined presents (or as I like to call them BirthMass) that a little clear cellophane, news print and a white ribbon or two will go a long, long way.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Thursday, December 14, 2006
There is a Santa!!!
New Snow 24hrs 4"
New Snow 48hrs 6"
7 Day Total 9"
Mid-Mtn. Base 34"
Today's Temps 29-33
New Snow 48hrs 6"
7 Day Total 9"
Mid-Mtn. Base 34"
Today's Temps 29-33
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Well, that's a little better... but still not enough to OPEN the freakin mountain!
Powder Report forMonday,December 11, 2006
New Powder: (last 24 hours) 6"
New Powder: (last 48 hours) 6"
Seven day total: 6"
Mid-mountain Base: 29"
Total snowfall this season: 60"
Surface Conditions: Powder/Groomed Powder
Today's Temps 20-24
Weather: Snowing!!!
New Powder: (last 24 hours) 6"
New Powder: (last 48 hours) 6"
Seven day total: 6"
Mid-mountain Base: 29"
Total snowfall this season: 60"
Surface Conditions: Powder/Groomed Powder
Today's Temps 20-24
Weather: Snowing!!!
Sunday, December 10, 2006
SNOW DAMIT!
POWDER MT. SNOW REPORT
New Snow 24hrs
0"
New Snow 48hrs
0"
7 Day Total
0"
Mid-Mtn. Base
29"
Today's Temps
6-33
This is really not enough snow people... let's get on it.
New Snow 24hrs
0"
New Snow 48hrs
0"
7 Day Total
0"
Mid-Mtn. Base
29"
Today's Temps
6-33
This is really not enough snow people... let's get on it.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
WAY TOO FUNNY - This never happened with Super Mario Bros.
December 8, 2006
Wii Have A Problem
By Tom Zeller Jr.
Nintendo is highlighting some tips for using its Wii gaming console and its special remote. One tip for those in the same room as a Wii user: duck. Seems customers are discovering that Nintendo’s new Wii gaming console, which debuted last month and has a signature game controller that responds to users’ body movements, may have an unintended side effect: game controllers flying around living rooms and smashing into lamps, windows, televisions and foreheads.
The wireless controller, called the Wii Remote, is designed to attach to the wrist with a strap, and permits users to emulate the motions of games they are playing — a bowling stroke, say, or a tennis serve. Many users, though, are apparently using the game with more enthusiasm, perhaps, than Nintendo’s testers anticipated, and they are apparently saying the strap breaks a bit too easily.
A user with sweaty palms claims the strap broke on her Wii Remote while playing a game of Tennis. The Remote ended up outdoors. She submitted her story to the Web site WiiHaveAProblem.comA Web site, WiiHaveAProblem.com, has been documenting users’ tragic tales.
In a statement yesterday, Satoru Iwata, the president of Nintendo, said “We are investigating. Some people are getting a lot more excited than we’d expected. We need to better communicate to people how to deal with Wii as a new form of entertainment.”
Toward that end, the company has highlighted some safety warnings on how to use the Wii remote on its Web site — showing the need for plenty of room and, perhaps more importantly, the need to take a break if you find yourself getting a bit too … excited:
Even while wearing the wrist strap, make sure you don’t let go of the Wii Remote during game play and do not use excessive motion. For example, in Wii Sports bowling, the proper way to let go of the ball while bowling is to release the “B” button on the Wii Remote — DO NOT LET GO OF THE Wii REMOTE ITSELF. If you are having so much fun that you start perspiring, take a moment to dry your hands. If you use excessive motion and let go of the Wii Remote, the wrist strap may break and you could lose control of the Wii Remote. This could injure people nearby or cause damage to other objects.
Snow in the City
They tell me it snowed last night. I didn't actually SEE anything resembling snow or frozen particles of ice or water or anything... but APPARENTLY it snowed for about ten minutes between 9:00 and 9:10 last evening. I can't believe that it snowed and I missed it! Grrrr....
With ten minutes of wicked snow like that, it's a wonder they didn't shut the entire city down.
With ten minutes of wicked snow like that, it's a wonder they didn't shut the entire city down.
FUTBOL!!!!!
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/scp_v3/viewer/index.php?pid=16891&rn=458044&ch=458046&lang=enf
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