Wednesday, April 30, 2008

What Kind of Cereal Are You?



You Are Cheerios



Like other Cheerios eaters, you want to be a responsible adult.

But you can't help but still be a kid at heart!

You try to make good decisions. You're a clean cut, conscientious person.

You're the type of person who would never skip breakfast.

Part of you thinks that breakfast is too important to miss...

But a bigger part of you knows it's too fun to miss!

Ron Paul: The Revolution

Monday, April 28, 2008

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Book Review: Southern in The City

Rating: 5 (out of 5)

I read Southern in The City by Janna Fite Herbison this past week. I've been familiar with Janna's work as a TV reporter in Knoxville during the mid 1990's (in my opinion, one of the best locally at that time), so it was only a matter of time before I did order her book.

The thing I like most about this little book is that it is well, little, so you can easily carry it around with you on lunch break or put it in your purse. At 90 pages in length, you can read it over the course of a day or two.

Janna tells of her experiences from her first trip to the Big Apple at age 14 when she met John Travolta to her thoughts on why New Yorkers should in turn visit the South. I also like the practical travel tips, her taking the time to address the stereotypes that Southerners and people of other regions have of New Yorkers and vice versa not to mention numerous places you can go to while there like the Plaza Hotel, Gotham Bar and Grill to name a few.

(On a personal note, I've long been intrigued to try out Lombardi's when I do eventually take that long-awaited trip to NYC.

All in all, it is well worth the read.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Where Shall You Live?




You Should Live in a Small Town



You prefer a close knit community to the bustle of the city.

You like locally owned businesses, local flavor, and friendly neighbors.

There's nothing boring about a small town!

Cool Ron Paul Video

National Crime Victims Rights Week

On Sunday, April 13 to kick off National Crime Victims Rights Week 2008, I attended a ceremony for victims and their families at Volunteer Landing in downtown Knoxville.
Several people spoke including Joan and Mike Berry, Johnia Berry's parents, state senator Tim Burchett, and TBI Director Mark Gwyn.

I am deeply disturbed by the pendulum of injustice whether it is people wrongfully convicted of crimes, crimes going unsolved or criminals going unpunished due to lack of resources, lack of sensitivity toward victims and their families, and/or lack of dedication from attorney generals and their staff to see that justice is being served not to mention more than enough defense attorneys who instead of seeing that justice is also being served seem to serve more at the discretion of their own egos. Eventually, we need to not only say enough is enough, but start taking action. The Berry family is doing that. Let's make sure they aren't the only one.

Monday, April 21, 2008

Sunday, April 20, 2008

When TV People Had Bad Hair

LOL. I'll let the images speak for themselves.






This Song Brings Back Memories!!!

At this time ten years ago, I was turning 22 in about another month, was finishing up my documentary for a college video production project, preparing to do my internship at Volunteer TV and this song was rocking in my car and CD player.

Friday, April 18, 2008

Which Personality Are You?

I got this off of Thabang's blog.

Which personality are you? Please reply. Come on! Don't be shy!

Truly as it is, people are more complicated than a simple label will suggest. I'm probably a crossover between the Guy's Guy, The Thinker and Mr. Field and Stream. But I can get into investments and business news, want to learn to play golf, pretty up to date on technology although I don't have IPod or Blackberry, and yearn for a trip to a far away place every now and then, be it London or an African safari.

Is There Any Team That Would Take A Chance on Me?

As some of you may already know, I'm in the need of a career change.
I figure it is going to happen this year or it isn't going to happen.

I know what my true love is and that is being involved in some capacity in football ideally with an NFL team in scouting. But I will be willing to keep the balls dry if that means getting my foot in the door. I did play some in high school mostly on special teams. Thus I believe I have a greater appreciation for this aspect of the game than most. So I'm open to serving as a Special Teams assistant.

I mostly ran track and cross country in high school. As you know, I'm not a big man and what I did accomplish athletic-wise was done on pure heart and determination, not ability. Of course, I didn't have a realistic chance of ever beating Tony Cosey. Why God didn't bless me with more size and talent, I'll never know.

What I don't have to offer is a wealth of experience and coaching tenures out the door. I do offer a love for the game itself along with the passion to win and to win the biggest one, the Super Bowl. I've been a draftnik for 20 years now and I honestly feel this is the area where I would serve a team the best. I can start out as a scout scouring the Southeast for those diamond in the rough types at the small colleges. All I ask for is an opportunity. From there, the heavens are the limits as to what I dream about accomplishing. General Manager, governor, maybe president one day? If this career change does work out, then thank the Lord. But if it doesn't, while I know I will be very disappointed, at least I gave it my best shot. Sometimes in life, that is all a person can do.

Aloe After Sun: Great Stuff


I laid by the pool on my day off Wednesday for about an hour. I didn't think it would happen, but I was sunburnt afterwards. Well, last night, it burned and irritated me half to death. So, I bought me Aloe After Sun made under the Banana Boat brand. Great stuff. It relieved the burning and itching and I also felt about 10 degrees cooler. So, if you get a bad case of sunburn, consider using it sometime. Not to mention, there is no mess and no smell either unlike a certain other lubricated activity.


Thursday, April 17, 2008

I-40: Tales of Horror Thru Knoxville

Believe it or not, there is yet another road construction project going on which has been the case ever since I've been on Earth (almost 32 years). This time, it is called "SmartFix40".
They are so desperate to put a positive spin on this that they enrolled Dolly Parton to help. Sigh!

This will make Malfunction Junction look and feel as if Heaven Is A Place On Earth.

Great post found on a blog

Congratulations on your decision to strike out on your own. Your comments are entirely accurate when it comes to the benefits of operating on ones own terms.

Big corporations do tend to stifle individual creativity and limit the potential for personal growth. It is harder to think outside the box when the box you're in is resistant to letting you out.

Corporate culture has a specific self reinforcing quality which can be self defeating .

Even companies which were build on innovation and new ideas can and do become enmeshed in a protectionist corporate strategy which is contrary to nurturing and free spirited thinking which keeps them fresh.

All that being said there is of course the issue of the individuals needs to take off in directions which are not within the bounds of a corporate plan and, so comes a point in time when the "call of the wild" is stronger than ones need to stay in bounds.

Good luck in your new ventures.

Monkeeze Marketing

Scott Emge for Register Of Deeds













April 17, 2008

Dear Fellow Ron Paul Supporter:

I want you to know that I greatly appreciate your support in the February primary.

As you know, Knox County's General Election will be on August 7th. This election will fill the county offices are now held by appointees, many of whom are holdovers from the fiasco on Black Wednesday, January 31, 2007.

As a lifelong Knox County resident, I have never seen anything like the situation in our government. In the recent past, we have seen elected officials blatantly and with arrogance violate our term limits law, try to overthrow our charter in court, and "back room deal" to have their cronies or family members appointed to their positions (for example, my opponent was appointed on Black Wednesday, then immediately rehired her term limited boss as a secretary at a $70,000 per year salary).

We have seen our elected officials waste our money by overstaffing their offices, and by illegally using our tax dollars for extravagant meals, alcohol, trips, etc…

These officials have squandered our tax dollars and our trust, then have the gall to tell us they are justified in whatever they feel like doing and we should forget about their misconduct and "move forward". Our elected officials, including my opponent the appointed register of deeds, have proven that they are not public servants…they are serving themselves.

I have to tell you, I am not a politician and have never held any elected office. I have no connections to any elected office holders or special interest groups.

My only goal is to be your Register of Deeds for a limited term and to work for you. If elected, the office will be run efficiently and economically.

I will streamline the Knox County Register of Deeds Office's staff and eliminate any staff positions that are not absolutely necessary. There will be no "ghost employees", there will be no nepotism, and no elected officials or term limited former elected officials will be hired.

I will also initiate an independent audit of the register of deeds office payroll to determine if monies have been wasted in the past to make sure they are not wasted in the future.

I cannot achieve these goals without your help though. I need campaign signs, literature, print and radio advertising and other tools to get my message to the voters of Knox County. As I mentioned previously, I am not a political insider like my opponent, and I do not solicit or accept money from special interest groups or PAC's. My funding comes from the voting citizens of Knox County.

In this presidential election season, I realize it's important to give to the presidential candidate of your choice (most of whom have tens of millions of dollars already in their campaign accounts), but please remember that your local candidates also need your financial support. As you may know, local office holders directly impact the taxes and fees all Knox County Citizens pay.

I would greatly appreciate your help now. Can you make an investment in my campaign today by sending $500, $250, $100, or even $75? Every single penny you send will be put to very good use.

With your help, I can win this race.

Please also encourage everyone you know who wants honest government in Knox County to vote for me. You can get more info on my campaign at my web site, Scott Emge For Knox County Register of Deeds.

Thanks, in advance, for all your help.

Sincerely,

Scott Emge

Copy and paste if necessary

Immediate Contribution Reply

To Scott Emge for Knox County Register of Deeds

Subject: Knox County Register of Deeds Campaign.

From: ___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

Dear Scott,

You can count on me to do my part to help raise $15,000 to purchase campaign materials, radio and print ads, and fund phone bank campaigns. I am rushing you my best contribution in the amount of:

c $75 c $100 c $250

c $500 c $1,000 c Other amount $_______

Please write your contribution check to: Scott Emge for Register of Deeds.

Your e-mail address ___________________________________________

*Please include this form with your contribution

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Dare To Dream

Dare To Dream by Jo Dee Messina

I Love This Song

It's addictive to listen to!

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Everyone else is doing it, so I guess I should, too.

1. I was born in Knoxville, Tennessee.

2. I wear a 11 shoe


3. I’ve been a Cincinnati Bengals fan since 1985


4. I used to be a Mets fan way back in the 1980’s (I miss those days)

5. My favorite TV show of all-time is the Dukes of Hazzard

6. I’ve had or still do have a crush on the following TV women: Daisy Duke, Kelly Garrett, Dana Scully, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, Bonnie Clark (ChiPs)


7. I wore braces all through high school. It may also explain in part why I was shy around girls.

8. I’m a fan of female mud and oil wrestling.

9. My birthday is May 19. I’m turning 32 this year.

10. I am still a virgin, but one of these days,…

11. I wish I was at least 6’ tall, but I will have to be content with my current height of 5’9”. One day, they will find a way to help vertically challenged people like me.

12. I voted for Ron Paul this year.

13. I’ve had over 50 editorials published in various publications.


14. I wouldn’t mind looking like Fox Mulder.


15. If dreams do come true, then I will be living in Cincinnati before too long.

16. I got my first credit card when I was 17.

17. One time in college, a classmate told me I would make a good drag queen since I had a very feminine face. Whatever!

18. I used to hunt when I was a kid.

19. I am right-handed.

20. I have a thing for women in boots.

21. I wore glasses until I was 2.

22. I need a compass and map to get through shopping malls, but can get from Tennessee to California on pure instincts.

23. I have never paid a penny of interest on a credit card, pay bills early or on time, save (hard to do these days), read about investments, fractional reserve banking, etc…

24. I love the Liberty Dollar http://www.libertydollar.org/index.php?REFERER=NRC83513

25. I hate mushrooms

26. I almost got my nose broken by a woman’s breast implants while she was giving me a lap dance as I supported her whole body on my knees.

27. I have put on about 40 pounds since high school, but actually look smaller!

28. I wish I could sleep more

29. I wish I was born early enough to have served alongside George Washington

30. I ran track and cross country in high school.

31. I saw Dolly Parton on TV the other day. She is the only woman in this whole world who can keep up with me.

32. I knew a girl in high school once whose name is Mary. She was a Boomer Esiason fan. I repeat a Boomer Esiason fan (one of many I'm sure), not a Cincinnati Bengals fan per se.

33. One day, after I become the Bengals General Manager, I will arrange for Boomer and Mary to met over coffee. Now if only Marvin Lewis will give me call.

34. When I have time and the desire to cook, I can whip something killer like my special two pound burgers or sausage and shrimp gumbo.

35. My favorite actor is James Stewart

36. I’ve been turned down by six women in the past four months. That’s an improvement. I didn’t even bother to ask any girls out (much to my regret now) in high school. I was the shy one then.


37. I wish I could be a quarterback for the Bengals or linebacker for the Packers.


38. I wouldn’t mind being married to Leeza Gibbons.

39. If dreams do come true, then I will be living in Cincinnati before too long. The Man should be calling me this week. I wish!

40. I have a fantasy of seeing two former high school classmates oil wrestle, but I’m not going to say who they are.

41. I get in more trouble now that I ever did in high school or college.

42. I’ve met several presidential candidates in my lifetime.

43. My legal name is Christopher, but I go by Chris.

44. I used to watch the Reds play on TV all the time. For some reason, baseball just isn’t what it used to be.

45. I use baking soda instead of toothpaste.

46. Robin Meade is awesome.

47. I started driving when I was 18.

48. I keep having the same dream where I have twin daughters named Grace Kelly and Adia Marilyn. Maybe a sign of things to come. BTW, the meaning of Adia is Gift.

49. I wouldn’t mind being Carson Palmer or Peyton Manning, but I guess it wasn’t in God’s plans. Bummer. Some guys have all the luck.

50. My online persona is chrisforliberty

Friday, April 11, 2008

Living On A Prayer

I've done a lot of praying this year, a lot of praying for people I know better than others and some whom I've never met. To name a few:

Joan Fontaine, the 9th Wonder of the World, may she maintain good health and live to be 100 years young and beyond;

The candidates who are running for President, that they are safe and sound especially considering the tasking and at times brutal campaign season that is upon us and in spite of my own political opinions or personal feelings towards them;

Denae D'Arcy, that she restarts her journalism career and that her relationship will stay together and grow in spite of the distance;

Kate The Great; Denae's good friend who is making a career transition from the world of news broadcasting to handling marketing for a non-profit organization;

Lisa Cornwell (and others who move to the area) that they are welcomed with Southern hospitality and that they enjoy the area as well as their work;

Christie Sanders, that she makes the successful transition from high school to college and does well at her new work at the Grand Ole Opry which she begins this summer;

Mindy McCready, who seems to be putting her life back together and that her upcoming album that has yet to be produced will become her best one yet;

Angela, my cousin (although she is more like a sister) who is gradually putting her life back together after a bitter two-year divorce battle and near financial ruin, that she grows professionally in her law firm position, continues to grow as a mother, sister, cousin, and that she still has it in her heart that love does overcome and win in spite of what has happened in the past;

Most of these things have come true or are on their way towards becoming true.

I rarely pray for myself because I don't think that is proper. But in this case, I really do need a prayer and lots of em' I've been writing to NFL teams (actually off and on for nearly a decade now) inquiring about openings particularly in scouting.

At least now, I've started to get some feedback although no offers yet. However, call it intuition, a sign or what have you, I am cautiously optimistic that a breakthrough will come somewhere if there is a God.
I also wrote to Bengals coach Marvin Lewis and included an article on James Banks who played last year at Carson Newman college. He is hoping and praying for a shot just as much as I am.

So your prayers on a new career change would be great. Especially given the dead end jobs I've worked, the layoffs, the misdirections, the lack of hope, not to mention my dream of playing football was taken from me because of a lack of height and not having enough talent to play although the desire remains as strong today as it did then, actually even stronger. I need a breakthrough (and a break for once!), I'm long overdue for a prayer to be granted.

Rep Ron Paul: Gen Petraeus Iraq Surge Hearing

Best Mardi Gras Float Ever!

What Is Wrong With The Bengals?


If you are not in tune with the Cincinnati Bengals and their most recent events, Chris Henry has been released.

Here is another sampling from last year
.

So what is up with this team? In large part due to them and others like Adam (think of the old video game) Jones, Joey Porter to name a few, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell last year instituted a new conduct policy to help control off-field behavior by its players and preserve the league's public image. As if! But while I agree in general about the need to get tough on players who get out of line, Goodell has been very inconsistent to say the least.

As it relates to the Bengals, they have appropriately earned their stripes. If the Bengals have invested in a professional scouting department instead of the bare bones amateur operation that they have now, a lot of this would have been avoided.

Paying a scout $30,000-$50,000 or whatever they pay these guys is well worth the investment when you consider the players make six figure and seven figure salaries with big signing bonuses. It doesn't do any good to have to pay a player for sitting in jail, suspended or what have you not to mention the headaches and distractions associated with it.

These coaches spend 90+ hours a week (yes you read that right!) preparing for the next week's game. They don't have time to go to college games on Saturday and evaluate, watch film, interview their coaches, watch more film and all the other numerous tasks a scout does. A scout can do background checks, dig deeper about a players work ethic, academics, how they act around coaches and players, respond to criticism, etc...

Until the Bengals invest in scouts and a General Manager (not Pete Brown or Jim Lippincott sigh!) who knows what he or she is doing, they will be constantly doing the Texas two-step
instead of moving forward to bigger things like division championships and Super Bowls. So, Mr. Lewis or Mr. Brown, if you are reading this, please contact me. I'm willing and able and looking for an opportunity. Why not do it with a team that I've been a fan of most of my life? That would be a dream come true.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Congrats Lady Vols!












Image Courtesy: WBIR.com



I went to the Lady Vols National Championship rally yesterday. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a charger for my camera, so I was out of luck with pictures.

It was pretty loud. The coaches got new cars and Candace Parker and Alexis Hornbuckle were No.1 picks in the WNBA draft with Candace going 1 overall to the L.A. Sparks. This woman scored 26 points last week while separating her shoulder twice. Tough daughter of a gun.

I sat in the third row about 30 feet from the podium. I thought to myself "This is what I want to do more of". Now if only Marvin Lewis will give me a call when he gets the chance. I'm willing and able, I just need an opportunity. I can only pray and let God take care of things from here.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

U.S. Congressman Lincoln Davis


Check out my interview I did with Lincoln Davis from 2006.

If More People Thought Like Me,...

the world would be a better place. LOL. I know! I have a high opinion of myself these days. You have to in order to get by the stuff we are going through such as high gas prices, Iraq, recession or talk of it, etc...

I want to talk about something very important, not necessarily end of the world type of stuff, but still important. I first registered to vote as Republican way back in 1994. If you were old enough to have been around in 1994, you would have understood its significance. Does Newt Gingrich or Contract With America ring a bell? It started out with high hopes which is why I voted a straight GOP ticket that year. But by 2000, I had become disillusioned with them and it continues to this day.

This year, I'm supporting, rooting for or working on the campaigns of the following:

Two democrats, two republicans. I've known the Padgett family for almost 20 years. I went to school with Matt and Mark. I took the groceries out many times for Patty. They have a gorgeous daughter named Sara Beth.

Scott Emge is a fellow Halls High graduate (1981). Even though I no longer live in Knox County, I still sympathize with them and I just wish they would throw the bums out. Nuff said!

I know Tona Monroe-Ball from working with her on the Ron Paul for President campaign (yes he is still running). Tona is running for state rep in Blount County. Of course, there is Ron Paul.

I vote for the person, not the party. Both parties are a mess, so we are screwed either way. I instead just hope there are at least a few individuals regardless of party who are decent enough to put civic duty over personal power, public service over graft, integrity before politics along with some intelligence, modesty and passion.

Check these candidates out and consider them when you vote or you can always write in None Of The Above.

Monday, April 7, 2008

What I'm Looking For In A Woman

Let's face it, I will never look like a supermodel. I will never have Bill Clinton's natural charisma. I am flawed just like every other human being, so a woman is going to have to overlook that for the man he is just as I won't hold it against a woman for being 50 pounds overweight or having breasts that are too small.

I've come across some women who are so insecure that they would rather you call them a slut. For some reason, it makes them feel better. If you can't take a compliment from me or forgive me for making small mistakes, then what would ever come of marriage? A divorce!

Of all the Founding Fathers and of all the Presidents, the one I relate to the most is James Madison. His wife was Dolly Madison. If she were alive today, she would be...

So there you go!

The Eternal Pessimist, The Eternal Optimist


The Eternal Optimist!






To understand where I'm coming from, read this!

I try my best nowadays to see the humor in situations and the good in people even when things do get bad or ugly. You have to these days. Sub prime mortgage crisis, Iraq, gas going for $3.30 a gallon or so, etc…

My dad has a blue collar worth ethic, but could be more out-going. My mom is passionate, but more of a pessimist with people. If I were Peyton Manning, she would say I didn’t throw the ball far enough down the field. Carson Palmer throws it further, but he isn’t in Manning’s league…yet!

So, after almost 32 years, I’m finally at the point where I’ve been able to merge one’s work ethic and sunnier disposition with another’s passion and honesty, but not necessarily her pessimistic tone.

I would prefer to measure up to a Ronald Reagan or even George Washington (although I never will) than Richard Nixon or Bill Clinton.

Some people have the idea that I'm going to be a paper-pusher for the rest of my life (hint, hint). I have bigger aspirations like getting married one day, having twins, helping the Bengals get a Super Bowl trophy (or two or three), and then running for governor someplace before becoming President of the USA. The road to the White House goes through Cincinnati. I wrote Marvin Lewis a letter last week. I just hope he gets around to calling me, God willing. If I'm good enough for Tom Osborne to reply to me within a week, then I'm good enough to work for the Bengals.


Now If I Could Only Dance Like Him

I would be happy!

Now if only I could get some dancing lessons and I know who I want to be teaching me.

I used to play some piano, guitars and drums when I was a kid (tore most of it up along with Star Wars, GI Joe, Transformer action figures, and comic books, lots of them. grrr!). If only I had known then that eBay would exist some day. Sigh!

At least nowadays, I'm much more gentle with my hands.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

You know what is funny?

An online buddy of mine whom I got to know through an old Jane Seymour BBS list wrote me an email this past Friday saying she was "shocked" at what I had wrote her and that if I were going to contact her again, that she wouldn't be responding. Over what you ask? For telling her that I would like to kiss her and run my hand through her long hair (we've not seen each other in person since late 2001). I had become attached to her as a friend and that is where I was writing from.

Then I'm thinking: after 10 some odd years, you don't want anything to do with me anymore just for saying that? She then commented that she was already in a relationship and may be getting married soon. Well, that is great, but where did I say I was going to marry you at least now anyways? Hard to get married over what is basically an online friendship, but a friendship nonetheless.

She tells me about her having to deal with fibromyalgia, a younger sister who has gotten into trouble (hint: wedlock), uncertainty about her future (like I was at one time), lack of self-confidence (like I had once), self-image (I told her once she had nice legs, but who knows what she thinks), but now wants to break off a friendship. I'm not going to kick her out (I did nothing wrong), but I am going to move on with my life to bigger and better things.

Basically between late 2001 (notice the eeriness of it?) up to late last year, my life was lacking direction and purpose. I had dealt with everything from being laid off, suicidal thoughts (it is no fun, believe me) and working job after job trying to find out what I may like to do now that my TV career that I had bright hopes for wasn't coming back anytime soon. Now I dream about being President and marrying Chelsea Clinton!!! I dreamed about inviting 50 women to the White House to dance with me. I would be hard pressed to find even 10 or 20 men even if I was a woman. For most of my life, I had my dad's laid back attitude and blue collar work ethic. He had the ethic, but he was too laid back at times. So about age 25 or so right around the time I got involved in politics, I started finally tapping into my mom's side which was her fiery disposition. My dad wouldn't notice a bull in the living room; my mom would kick it out of the house.

Because of that, we've had many passionate debates and at times angry arguments over a number of matters. We never hated each other, but we did stand our ground. And if you can stand your ground with your own mother, then you can stand your ground against the whole world.

I have met Ron Paul, John Schneider, Paul Tibbets (Enola Gay Pilot RIP), Dolly Parton, Kane, the Dixie Chicks, former Titans offensive tackle Brad Hopkins and Chad Pennington. I would like to meet Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer, Marvin Lewis, Brett Favre, David Duchonvy, Gillian Anderson, Leeza Gibbons, Richard Marx, Michele Silva, Lisa Cornwell, Denae D'Arcy, quite frankly too many to list.


I relate more to women because it has always been women for the most part who have stood up for me. I will never be like John Wayne, Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra, or Clint Eastwood. But I do relate to Gary Cooper (because he played a certain Tennessee farmboy) and James Stewart.
I want to show you this clip from Mr. Smith Goes To Washington.

I've been doing this my whole life. Now imagine what the world will be like one day when Mr. Fortner goes to Washington.

It is only a dream, but a nice dream nonetheless.

My email address is chrisforliberty@yahoo.com

I had a funny thought last night after work: Who doesn't get excited about liberty?

ChrisForLiberty

About That Presidential Dream

How's this for a dream: After becoming the 50th president in 2036 or so, we hold a ball and dance at the White House. I invite the 50 most influential women in my life and invite those women from high school not to mention others. LOL. Of course it is only a dream, but a nice one. I will certainly sleep well tonight.

Saturday, April 5, 2008

I Had The Most Wonderful Dream


What was this dream? Well, to make a long story short, it is the year 2037 (or so), a few months after winning the election for the President of the United States and becoming the 50th President of the United States. After all the formal ceremonies, we have a big dance at the White House. The finale was me dancing with the First Lady to the music of Michael Bugle!

The First Lady is none other than...


Chelsea Clinton in a red dress!

I get this sense that most boys are just interested in her because of who her parents are (or reject her for the same reason) just as much as I sense Hillary (and maybe Bill) have this idea that she is only going to marry some rich spoiled kid, not some working man who has had to fight for everything he has ever had. And I thought the Democrat party was supposed to be for the working people. Right!
But what do I know?

But the thought of a Ron Paul supporter marrying a Hillary Clinton supporter
is funny even though I think Chelsea would like to breakaway.
I can sympathize with her on this point.


Let's not knock her for being a Clinton though. She can't control who her parents are anymore than you can or I can. She has changed dramatically from her days as an awkward teenage first daughter. I remember watching TV during the Inauguration ceremonies way back in 1992 and thinking that she looked uncomfortable.



Clearly, she has had to grow up a little faster than most of us would at that age. But she did the best she could considering the circumstances.

I don't care if Chelsea's last name is Clinton, Summers, Fortner, or anything else. I would accept her for who is and what she can become, not because of circumstances of which she has no control over.

If you were to write a book about your life, what would be the title? If this dream were to ever come true, I would title it "From Dandridge to Washington: How An Underdog Became President (And Found Love) with a foreword written by Mary Matalin who is married to James Carville in case you didn't know. I think their marriage should serve as a valuable lesson to us all: if you meet someone in politics whom you agree with 80% of the time, then that is as good as it is going to ever get. It is still not a reason to withdraw from a friend in need.

Ronald Reagan delivered a rousing speech in support of Barry Goldwater's presidential candidacy in 1964 Goldwater didn't win, but 16 years later, Reagan would become president.

I'm working on Ron Paul's presidential campaign. Imagine one day, I repeat the pattern.

The cover of the book had a split image of two photographs: on the left was a picture of Chelsea and me meeting on the steps of the courthouse in Dandridge, Tennessee for the first time and on the right was a picture of us posing in front of the White House.

Then again, it was just a dream. But if it is going to happen anywhere in the world, it might as well be the United States of America.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

My Favorite Actresses: Joan Fontaine


The Grace of God
The magnificence of Marilyn
Could God have given us Cary Grant?

Deborah Kerr and Burt Lancaster
John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara
Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire

Dance On Air

They had style, they had grace
Ladies with an attitude
Fellows that were in the mood

Rudolph Valentino
Gary Cooper

Greta Garbo
Joan Leslie

Bessie Love
Colleen Moore

We love you

Did Elvis Really Live?
Did Superman Really Die?
Complex questions to a complex universe
But there is one lady in the whole universe
Who was simply Just Fontaine

Seymour would be my mother
Claudette would be my grandmother
Novak would be my girlfriend
Grace would be my wife
On the other hand Fontaine?

Just Family
Just Fantastic
Just Famous

Joan Fontaine

Just Fabulous
Just Friendly
Just Forgettable?

Oh no!

Joan Fontaine

The fragrant blooms begin with buds of soft flesh pink
open to a creamy white
with a touch of amber in the center


That would be Joan Fontaine




Wednesday, April 2, 2008

My Favorite Actresses: Grace Kelly

Of all the relationship archetypes throughout movie history, whether it was Scarlet O'Hara - Rhett Butler,
Humphrey Bogart - Lauren Bacall, Katherine Hepburn - Spencer Tracy and countless others fiction and non-fiction alike, the one that I relate to the most are the roles of L.B. Jefferies and Lisa Freemont played by James Stewart and Grace Kelly in Rear Window.







Jefferies: She wants me to marry her.
Stella: That's normal.
Jefferies: I don't want to.
Stella: That's abnormal.


Jefferies: She's too perfect, she's too talented, she's too beautiful, she's too sophisticated, she's too everything but what I want.
Stella: Is, um, what you want something you can discuss?

Like failing to respond to the call? Now that is embarrassing!

Stella: When I married Miles, we were both a couple of maladjusted misfits. We are still maladjusted misfits, and we have loved every minute of it.

Jefferies: Would you fix me a sandwich, please?
Stella: Yes, I will. And I'll spread a little common sense on the bread.

See where this is going? Read my article on Kim Novak to really understand it!

So, anyways, Grace had (or has) that sophisticated beauty and elegance that is difficult to put in words. She may not be here in person, but she is still very much so in spirit.

So the moral of the story is: The secret of life is to try not to hurry, but don't wait, don't wait.

Jefferies: She sure is the "eat, drink and be merry" girl.
Stella: Yeah, she'll wind up fat, alcoholic and miserable.


Jeffries: Maybe one day she'll find her happiness.
Stella: Yeah, some man'll lose his.


My Favorite Actresses: Kim Novak





Suppose a man came up to you and offered you a job. That particular job involved following his wife around town for a certain length of time, to see where she goes, what she does among other things. Plus this man is your friend (or so you thought). What are you supposed to think? What would you do?

I don't know about you, but if I received from this proposition from Kim Novak's husband, I would gladly accept it.

Alfred Hitchcock had fun repeating the scene in which Kim Novak jumps into the water over and over again, while James Stewart was following and watching her in the distance. The shoot was good a long time before, but Alfred Hitchcock insisted in repeating it many times after just for fun.

Scottie: What's this doohickey?
Midge: It's a brassiere! You know about those things, you're a big boy now.
Scottie: I've never run across one like that.
Midge: It's brand new. Revolutionary up-lift: No shoulder straps, no back straps, but it does everything a brassiere should do. Works on the principle of the cantilevered bridge.
Scottie: It does?
Midge: An aircraft engineer down the peninsula designed it; he worked it out in his spare time.
Scottie: Kind of a hobby, a do-it-yourself kind of thing!

Yep, I'm a big boy now. Back in the day, I was a cub. But now I'm a fully-grown Bengal Tiger whose looking for a mate. See! I told you women liked my eyes.

Madeleine: "Here I was born, and there I died. It was only a moment for you; you took no notice."

Scottie: "You shouldn't keep souvenirs of a killing. You shouldn't have been that sentimental."

I wish I had been that sentimental!

Scottie: Anyone could become obsessed with the past with a background like that!

He has a point!

Scottie: We stood there and I kissed her for the last time, and she said, 'If you lose me you'll know that I loved you and wanted to keep on loving you.' And I said, 'I won't lose you.' But I did.

I just might have loss her, but I won't give up hope...not yet anyways.

Scottie: One final thing I have to do... and then I'll be free of the past.