New money?

According to the Dollar Rede$ign Project...they think we need new money. A more updated look...they say "It seems so obvious to us that the 'only' realistic way for a swift economic recovery is through a thorough, in-depth, re-branding scheme – starting with the redesign of the iconic US Dollar."

Uhmmm...so is this more of the "let's-spend-more-money-to-make-money" idea? It's never made much sense to me!

So what do you think of some of the ideas below??

I tell ya what I don't like already...many and I mean many (including the other designs on the site) are missing one crucial aspect to OUR US Currency...

"In God we Trust."

I'll never be ok with leaving that out. No matter HOW good it looks!

This one looks alright...but it's missing the "In God we Trust."

Uhm. No. Call me old fashioned, but I like the idea of just using Presdients on the currency. I mean, I guess I would be open to using people who have made a difference in our Country...but that could get a little hairy I think.

Boooorrrriinnnggg....

Nah. Don't like it.

I don't get the picture? Is that supposed to represent the "hills and plains?"

Ok, first off...this looks like play money. And two...if we DO use Presidents...I kinda prefer to use ones that have gone before us, so to say. Not current ones...it's like wearing a bedazzled shirt with Obama's face on it. No thank you.

This really looks like foreign currency to me. I won't wanna be the norm. I kinda like our GREEN money...

This looks like a History textbook page...nahhhhh. Although I do like the addition of some of the Amendments...a healthy reminder maybe?!

No. What is this holographic money?

Ehhhh....no.

Uhm...def. a NO. A TRUCK on money? What is this Bob the Builder money?!

Uh #1...the dollar sign comes first. And #2...uh no on including Hollywood on our money.

This one isn't bad...but where is the "In God we Trust?"

Interesting idea of using Our history, but no.

This one isn't bad...it's kind of the same idea and color of our current money...but again...the "In God we Trust" to me, it's THAT important.

So what are your thoughts? Do we need to update our money??

Hold the phone!!

April writing...

Did ya'll know it's WORLD SLEEP DAY today? Yep, the third annual World Sleep Day is March 19th, 2010. Who knew.

Where's ma pillow!?!?







Here are some links...
World Sleep Day - Advancing Sleep Health Worldwide
Third Annual Sleep Day

What the ???

April writing...

I just...I'm...floored.

Really?

WARREN, Mich. (WXYZ) - Parents of a three-year-old could face charges after their son was left at Caesarland Restaurant in Warren.

Officers say they were contacted by the restaurant's manager Saturday at about 9:00 p.m. They were told that employees had found the boy and that none of the customers knew who he was.

The boy was taken to police headquarters, were he was placed in the custody of Child Protective Services. He was then placed into foster care temporarily.

Then, at around 1:00 p.m. on Monday, Caesarland's Corporate Security Department contacted police to report that a man was at the restaurant asking about his missing 3-year-old son. He was taken to police headquarters for questioning.

Officers say, when questioned, the man and the boy's mother told them that they both thought the other had taken the boy home. The couple does not live together.

However, officers also say they discovered the boy was missing Sunday, and did not do anything to locate him until Monday. They could face charges. They had taken the boy to the restaurant for his birthday.


Watch the VIDEO here.


Ok, let's think for a second that I could actually see it happen, one thinks the other has the boy, etc. Heck, I think my parents even left my younger sister at a Pizza Hut after dinner with some friends from church years ago...but they came RIGHT back!!! They didn't WAIT A DAY!!!??

That's what floors me.

Thoughts?

...this is entertainment?

April writing...

I have been researching what I am going to post about for about 45 minutes now, after reading about it on PerezHilton.com (as he isn't the most notable source online.) I have many emotions running through me about this subject and I want to keep as clear a head and have all my information in line...I am blogging about a new web series called "Bump+."

“Bump+,” which is a faux “reality show” about three women out of about 300 who were chosen to participate in a show that will follow them for four weeks, chronicling their struggle to decide whether to have their unplanned babies or abort them. In addition to following their stories, viewers will “decide how our characters’ stories will end,” says executive producer Dominic Iocco. “We’ve opened the official website to comments and our team will craft the final episodes based on audience feedback. The choice is really up to you.” Viewers are encouraged to submit their own stories and comments."

To be honest, this is the part that got me..."the viewers will decide how our characters stories will end? So you mean to tell me, viewers of this web series decide whether this "faux" pregnant girl keeps her baby or not? Disgusting.

According to the show’s co-producer Christopher Riley, the show is “an experiment to see if a story [can succeed] where nearly four decades of angry rhetoric and political posturing have failed. We’re not making a moral or political statement; hopefully, we’re starting a conversation with the audience.”

I suppose they say that is their goal...but I can't see the benefit of us deciding. I could understand it if they did a reality show that followed the stories of pregnany women with "unwanted" pregnancies...but not the part that America decides that babies fate. Some have argued for this show stating, that because of how America votes, in a sense we are deciding the fate of unwanted pregnancies; but to put it in a reality show format, almost game show style...who gets the prize at the end? What is the prize? Is the baby the prize, or being baby-free?

The creators say that this project is designed to "our single goal is to engage people in an honest conversation, people in both sides of this issue, we want to bring into a conversation that is not name calling, not what we typical hear; An honest conversation where listening is the first step in the conversation."

Other statements from the Creators...

"We chose the reality show medium because of the attraction to young people."

"We want an honest, frank discussion. Only about two thirds of the conversation is scripted."

"The females are casted. They are actresses. We looked for the best match between the performer and the role."

So, you aren't even watching real stories...but scripted stories. Is that not by design intended to lean us towards feeling or thinking certain thoughts about that woman's story??

I just don't get how we have come down to the decision to carry or not to carry a baby has been labeled in any way "entertainment." Which is what they have done. If not they would have done a documentary where there is unbiased filming and the decisions are purely left up to the REAL characters...not the writers and America!!

One commenter on a site I ran across said this, "Yes, let's "start a conversation with the audience" by filling a situation with so many ifs and buts, it becomes extremely unlikely if not completely unrealistic. When difficult if not extreme cases are used to promote the sweeping legalization of what remains murder, the very premise becomes dishonest. In that way, it's no different than parading poor uninsured people to promote stabilized health care, or pointing out rare and unlikely case of self-defense failures to abolish private gun ownership."

As I did, please form your own opinions. Feel free to go by the Official Site of Bump+ and read about it yourself. Maybe even follow along and have your opinions heard, along with the, I am sure to me thousands of other opinions as this show continues.

As for me...I am against it, and I will be doing my best to share my opinion on the matter.

To get you started, here are the characters and the storylines, laid out in the first episode...*the following is taken from another blogger.

“Denise”

The first episode is less than nine-minutes long, and in it we are introduced to the three women at the office of Dr. Patterson (Andray Johnson). Denise (Isabelle Giroux) is the mother of two who is “addicted” to red candies; she helps herself to all of the red Starbursts in the bowl at the receptionist’s desk despite being told they are intended for children. Denise seems a bit like a space cadet; like she’s on something. She’s the mother of two children and we learn that her spouse (boyfriend?) is abusive. She asks for codeine, then tells Dr. Patterson that when Buzz is nice, he helps her with the children and “he’s a real godsend.” The doctor sees terrible bruises on her neck, which he finds hidden under her turtleneck sweater.

Is this why Denise is considering the abortion of her third child? Does she not want to bring another life into an abusive home? Or is it that she is simply overwhelmed by her life’s circumstances and doesn’t want an additional complication?

“Jason” and “Hailey”

We then meet Hailey (Lyndsey Doolen), who is accompanied by her boyfriend Jason (Angelo Restaino). Out of all three of the women, Hailey seems the least concerned about the difficult decision ahead of her and more excited about being on a reality show. Her answers to questions by the off-camera producer seem too much like an audition for a part in a commercial. Jason seems just as eager for fame, saying after the nurse escorts them into the examining room, “We did it, we did it!” and rubbing his hands with glee as he looks for things to “play with” as they wait. Sadly, in real life, I can imagine that exploiting one’s pregnancy would appeal to someone who is dying to become the next Kate Gosselin, Heidi Montag or other reality show star.

Hailey has been pregnant before, giggling as she tells Dr. Patterson, “I get pregnant really easily.” So is this really a “difficult decision” for Hailey? And one wonders if she has not heard of birth control, especially as we learn she is hoping to enter a nursing program. Dr. Patterson asks her how having a newborn will affect her ability to carry out her studies. She seems confused, at which point Dr. Patterson asks if she has already come to a conclusion. Jason jumps in and says no real decision has been made, but “we’re good to go on the show.” Ugh. Slimy boyfriend? Yep, they’re really out there too.

“Dr. Patterson” and “Katie”

After Hailey, we meet Katie (Tina Schlapprizzi). She is obviously the one who seems most affected by the choice she must make. “Once I make it,” she says, “I can’t go back.” She stopped taking prescribed hormone therapy because it didn’t seem to be working, her husband is a soldier who has been sent to Iraq, and she says there is no one in her life she can go to about her pregnancy. She begs Dr. Patterson for his personal views and advice on abortion, but he won’t say anything other than that he is there to “support you to make the best decision that you can.” When he asks her how long her husband has been deployed overseas, she doesn’t answer him – which would explain why she feels she cannot go to anyone she knows about her problem.

I am sure I will watch, in hopes of not showing support, but rather gleaning the knowledge I need to share my opinions on the nature of an "experiment" like this, and I challenge you to make your opinions heard on their site as well!

What are your thoughts??

*Please know that this is a safe-zone for comments, there will be no bashing of other's beliefs, name-calling or the like. Just like I did in regards to this show, gather your information and make your sound, voice and opinions heard if you wish; but let it be done in a considerable manner. If not, your comments will be deleted.*

It's game time...or is it?

"Hasbro will be launching a circular version of the board game Monopoly to celebrate the 75th anniversary of its creation the company has announced at this year's Ty Fair.

The game, which stays the same when it comes to gameplay, will involve players moving around the board as if it were a roundabout rather than the traditional square set we've all come to know and love.

But it's not just a random move to give die-hard fans a reason to buy yet another version, it turns out one of the first concepts for the board game was circular according to Hasbro.

Not to be out done by the latest video games, however, the Monopoly board will do away with cash and the chance to raid the bank when no-one is looking. Players instead will be issued with a chip and pin credit card and a central console that plays banker. No fair right?

Expect the new version to be in the shops later this year."

Here are some photos of the game:

What do you think of the new Monopoly game?

TWD

April writing...

It's pretty much official. Texting while driving in Maryland is a ticketed offense. With a maximum fine of up to $500 and one point on your driver's license.

I have to admit...I have sent texts while driving.
So yeah...I better nix that.

Read more about it here.
Snippet from the article:

"Meanwhile, Maryland will join 12 other states that have banned texting while driving; six additional states will prohibit the practice by January. It will be a primary offense, meaning officers can pull over anyone they suspect is using a wireless device to send a text message. Offenders face a maximum fine of $500 and one point on their driving records.

Over the last five years, an average of more than 30,000 crashes has occurred annually on Maryland roads as a result of inattentive driving, according to data from the Maryland Highway Safety Office. During the same period, nearly 20,000 people are injured annually in Maryland because of distracted driving, which includes cellular phone use, texting, changing radio stations, eating and more.

"We feel it's a great first step towards addressing the issue of distracted driving," said Jeremy Gunderson, the office's spokesman. "Nobody out there is claiming it to be the panacea, but with the rapid increase of cellular device ownership, it's a great first step and we look forward to seeing some great results arise from this."

Remembering...

April writing...

It seems a waste to re-write the whole flashback. So if you feel inclined, you can read the original post this flashback came from here.

As a recap....Here's where I was...

I had just gotten home from a 12-hour shift in the ER. I said goodnight to my mom and went to bed, it was around 7:30 a.m.. I wasn't prepared for the terrible news that I would soon hear. I feel quickly asleep and quickly awoke as my cell phone rang. I incoherently picked up the phone and answered with a sleepy, "Hello?" It was Cory, we had been engaged now for a little over months.

Cory - "You need to wake up and go turn on the TV, something has happened."
Me- "What is it? What happened?" as I quickly get up out of bed.
Cory - "I can't explain it, just turn on the news. You'll see." Cory was eerily quiet but still noticeably disturbed. Normally Cory handled many things with a cool calm...so I knew something was wrong. I turned on the TV that was already set to a news channel and watched in horror as they played an replayed an amateur video of an airplane crashing into one of the Twin Towers in NY City.
Me - "Oh no Cory. What's happening?"
Cory - "I am not sure, they are calling it an accident."

At this point (if I remember correctly) both my Dad and Mom came out and we all watched for about 15 or so minutes as they just kept playing the video footage, speculating about what was happening. It was horrifying and confusing.

A little after 9 am reports came in that a 2nd airplane had hit the 2nd Twin Tower. It was at this point that I cried. I was worried. I was sad. I was angry. What has happening? What was next? My dad grabbed a tape and began taping the news, we all knew this was going to be something that would change our world drastically.

We continued watching as the minutes passed as slowly as hours. I hung up with Cory. I couldn't quite remember if he had work that day or what.

We watched TV for what seemed like forever. Experts coming and going talking about the mornings happenings. Then, it hit too close to home. Reports started coming in around 9:45 that the Pentagon had been hit. I remember looking at Dad and asking who from church worked there. We speculated as to who we thought did, I remember getting very sick to my stomach. The Pentagon is only about 45 minutes away, if that. We could tell by now that these were most likely terrorist attacks and major buildings were being hit...so for now, we were safe. But it didn't feel that way.

In the next 30 minutes it would get worse. What we didn't seem to realize was coming happened. The South and North Towers collapsed. The devastation and terror there was horrifying to watch. I just remember them playing it over and over again. It was at this point that I knew I couldn't watch any more. By now, Dad had left for work. (He works at the church and he knew he would be needed.)

I went to bed, but barely slept. I prayed. "What is happening? Keep us safe, protect and care for the families involved, the injured people..."

I woke up around 5:15, I remember this because I slept through more than 25 minutes of my alarm. I had to get up and get ready for work. I had another 12-hour shift at the hospital. I slowly got up, ate, got dressed and drove to work. The roads seemed quiet...the whole world seemed quiet. I spoke to Mom and she mentioned some friends from church who were impacted by the hit on the Pentagon. One family in particular. The wife showed up at church, completely lost and disoriented. Completely distraught. Her husband worked at the Pentagon, and she couldn't reach him. I can only imagine how this must have felt for her. He turned out to be ok, alive and safe. But how scary.

I listened to reports on the radio of another plane crashing in Pennsylvania...probably connected to the days events but not making it to it's destination, most likely Washington DC again...possibly the White House.

I pulled into the parking lot of the ER and it was packed. I knew it would be a long night. I slowly walked through the doors, seeing so many faces. I remember this more than anything...the quiet of the ER waiting room. It was packed with people, but the TV was on and it seemed as if no one could speak as they all watched what happened over and over, like they couldn't pull their eyes from the screen. The Chief of the ER had called in a friend, a harpist. She played for over 3 hours about 10 feet from my desk. It was such a weird night, the quiet in the ER backed with the soothing harp music. Then the day ended. How would we all start over again. What would tomorrow morning bring.

Even though we knew all flights had been grounded, we all still listened to the TV/radio all night long just expecting to hear more bad news. We heard about all the devastation in NY and at the Pentagon. The lives lost, the people missing. This day won't soon be forgotten.

That was it...8 years ago today. I purposefully set this post to go live at 8:45 am. The reported time for the first attack of that horrible day.

There aren't really any more words.
I just leave you with this challenge.

Pray.

For your Country, and it's leaders, laws and reforms. For your Family, Moms, Dads, Siblings, Aunts & Uncles, Grandparents and Cousins. For your job, and for those who have none. Pray for your neighborhood, their safety, their growth and stability. Pray for your church, the Pastor, the staff, the members and the surrounding community. Pray for the North, South, East and West.

There is never a shortage of people, issues, and requests to pray about...and it's always needed. Pray with strength and perseverance...we owe it to the many that sacrificed their lives that day and every day before and after, those that didn't get a chance to say that last prayer, to hug their families one more time, or to make a change that could have them living ETERNITY with our Father.

September 11, 2001...Never Forget...Always Pray.

Woah...

April writing...

...this one's for you Babe...even if your team was OUT in the end!

Pandemic.

April writing...

Worst case scenario..."2 million dead. Hospitals overwhelmed. Schools closed. Swaths of empty seats at baseball stadiums and houses of worship. An economic recovery snuffed out."

Nice.

That's what Government officials say will be if the Swine Flu gets "severely out of control." A 2006 report states that Maryland and Virginia hospitals would run out of beds in two weeks during a moderate outbreak. Awesome.

Now I am certainly not a glass-half-empty kind of gal...but that's downright scary and depressing. They say that the government got serious about worst-case planning after the 2005 Bird Flu scare and then again during Hurricane Katrina. So let's hope they have their act together.

My Mother-In-Law is IN Mexico...the very place that the US is urging us NOT to go if we don't have to. That is the birthplace of the Swine Flu. I haven't talked or texted with her yet, to see if she is having to wear a mask...hopefully her vacation isn't ruined. I imagine the resort is taking all all the necessary precautions. Still. Scary.

I have annoying allergies right now. All morning I have been sneezing and blowing my nose, sneezing and blowing my nose. The itchy-watery eyes have held off for now...*fingers crossed.* I walked out to find my car covered in the evil yellow dust that is Pollen this morning. I tried not to breath it in...but well...that remains hard as I need oxygen.

But I will take my little allergies over the piggy-flu symptoms anyday...like fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea...and I dunno...death!

Sigh.

Never Forget Columbine.

Cory Writing...

Today is the Ten Year anniversary of the Columbine High School Shooting.

The Columbine High School massacre occurred on Tuesday, April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School in Columbine in unincorporated Jefferson County, Colorado, United States, near Denver and Littleton. Two students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, embarked on a massacre, killing 12 students and a teacher, as well as wounding 23 others, before committing suicide. It is the fourth-deadliest school massacre in United States history, after the 1927 Bath School disaster, 2007 Virginia Tech massacre and the 1966 University of Texas massacre, and the deadliest for an American high school. (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

As we remember this horrible tragedy I wanted to provide you a link which catches you up on some of the surviving victims. Look where they are now......

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090419/ap_on_re_us/columbine_s_survivors

This was a horrible tragedy, but as a police department it has changed a lot of the things we do and what we are prepared for.

Dumb groundhog...

April writing...

He saw his shadow. Doesn't he see it every year? Isn't it about time to fire this groundhog and hire a younger, less fraidey-cat groundhog for the years to come?

We need one like this guy...he ain't scared of no shadow!

p.s. - and yes...I am very aware that this is a chipmunk or hamster or whatnot in the the video...not an actual groundhog. (or is it?!)

GOSH! 6 more weeks?!?! It better at least bring us some sledding weather!

I am hopeful...

April writing...

I am.

With a new Leader comes change, that's for sure. How those changes will impact Me, My Family, Our Country...only time will tell. But I am hopeful. It's scary and unsettling no matter what, no matter who...placing our HOME, our COUNTRY in the hands of ONE MAN. One Human.

So we pray, we stay hopeful and we continue on...yes, today made history...but simply put. It's just another day.

Welcome Mr. President and the First Lady.

And goodbye Mr. Bush and Laura. Thanks for your years...your changes, good or bad. In your own way, you shaped our Country.