...on Googling

Google, in its search for the almighty dollar, has egregiously erred in its decision to prohibit Internet searches in its China market. Chinese will only see government sponsored sights when searching Internet databases. Google succumbed to Chinese government pressure and decided to limit freedom. However, at the same time, Google refuses to submit to a United States government subpoena of its records on searches for child pornography. In other words, it is certainly OK by Google administrators to allow creeps to view and download child porno (clearly against US law) but it will not let Chinese citizens the freedom to search for the truth. It’s OK to promote stalking and exploiting children, but not OK for a Chinese citizen to search the truth in current events or history. It is OK for someone to get their rocks off while viewing a child in a compromising (and never consensual) position, but not OK for a Chinese citizen to learn about democracy. Google is pathetic and a disgrace to this county’s long fight for human rights. Maybe they need to do a search on "freedom" or "war" or "human rights" or "capitalism". New World Order, here we come.

There are hundreds of search engines on the Internet, many of them better than Google. www.dogpile.com, www.ixquick.com are two good ones. I suggest you BOYCOT Google, I am….I won’t be Googling anything.

...my daughter the star

Well, Lisa's television debut went very well and she looked beautiful in her green sweater. She didn't stutter, hesitate, talk to long (like someone we won't mention), didn't throw up, or go blank. She's a star!

We had a great time watching her, although it was hard to hear sometimes with the family yelling! I had to watch it several times on tape, just to see how it went. The camera on the audience focused on Mom, Mike, and Vic (they hogged the audience shots completely!) Little Isabella is only on for a couple of shots and they had to get her, of course, when she was hot and tired.

Jodi called Lisa right after the airing, and unfortunately, Lisa's mother-in-law answered the phone to all of us yelling "loser"! So much for family support! I'm sure Betty think's we're way out there somewhere! Vic was impressed with Betty's southern accent and called it "lovely"...I'm not sure I ever heard that word from him...but then, she is a lovely person all around.

I think I've been blessed many times over having such good children, family and friends (bizarre as some of them are....won't mention any names!)

Good going, Number One Daughter!

...clash of the Titans

The match-up for today's clash is St. Thomas Aquinas vs. Ironton at the Pizza Oven Classic today at 1:30 pm in North Canton. Will keep you posted.

...catching up

The rush is finally over. Like my daughter, I feel the past few weeks have been a hazy visual of celebrations (holiday), sadness (UncleBob's funeral), food, visits (love that Isabella), decorations, no decorations, food, retirement preparation, tax stuff, getting picked for Cash Explosion, shopping, food, three visits from the Sheriff's Department, food and food. I can't even relate to getting back to work this new year, since I don't plan on finishing it working. I have innumerable tasks to complete before my final day. The work days fly by so quickly, it seems I get little done toward that end.

I told Jim last night that I was getting excited about our retirement years. We have both worked sincewe were sixteen and it is time. I have rules, however. We must both bathe, comb our hair (well, I'll comb mine) and brush our teeth daily. (Little goals.). Big goals include FINALLY getting the basement, attic, and garage in order, a real garden again, walking every day, and forcing myself to throw all my lipsticks away. (That will be the hardest.)

May this year be one of peace for all.