The joy of writing

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPKvCXSxZTmGmisNEd5CAlfGmhjo9L8ig0uFHDveqnMO1a1M0r7e-62IouVXanTpDAUCTWW8IdsV_eaubuByooDShAaNsQ-ZO70xp3Qg8a4Az2kTJBZ3YibVuQ29B059UHt6ANNsYKRDU/s1024/Photo%252520Feb%2525209%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525208%25253A25%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; "><img alt="" class="alignright" height="667" id="blogsy-1360459832049.2124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPKvCXSxZTmGmisNEd5CAlfGmhjo9L8ig0uFHDveqnMO1a1M0r7e-62IouVXanTpDAUCTWW8IdsV_eaubuByooDShAaNsQ-ZO70xp3Qg8a4Az2kTJBZ3YibVuQ29B059UHt6ANNsYKRDU/s500/Photo%252520Feb%2525209%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525208%25253A25%252520PM.jpg" width="500"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Books are beautiful gifts... but you can write words to improve other's lives too.</td></tr></tbody></table> <blockquote><p> "No man is an island..."</p></blockquote> <p>These words were penned by John Donne as he thought he lay dying from the plague. Masterful words as he pondered the meaning of life and death 'for whom the bell tolls."</p> <p>Truly, some of the most heart wrenching, agonizing circumstances, squeeze from the pen of great authors words full of meaning that distill rich drops of life onto the pages of history.</p> <blockquote><p>"Never, never, never give up."</p></blockquote> <p>said Winston Churchill to a people who were pondering just that. The words meant so much because the nights were, quite literally, so black, punctuated by fiery death dropped from the sky and sirens that kept sleep at bay. Who could understand a sleep deprived people with tear encrusted eyes working through the day to live to face another unfaced foe again that night?</p> <p>Yet, the words became immortal when uttered at the darkest moment. They gave hope and stay written because they are repeated - this one is even on the magnet on my fridge as I teach my children to face the giants of their lives with pitiful stones and slings and a God who sees.</p> <p>But as I ponder the words of so many great authors. The things written that we remember... and I wonder if all such words must be penned in some sort of prison - a prison of circumstance or solitude. If one hopes to write well, are we also wishing upon ourselves such a prison? Are the walls we erect around ourselves in order to observe the world, also separating us from the mankind upon which we ponder and reflect.</p> <p>Writing is a gift and yet, there are times when I am deprived of her sweet release - stuck checking email or grading papers - I feel like my love of writing is a curse just because I can't do it. There are other times that things are so personal, that they are only suitable for journal -- indeed, that is what John Donne was writing. </p> <p>Yet, his words and conclusions as he traveled through the darkest days of his life have taught me so much. He eventually concluded that one must either fear God or everything else. Such a conclusion, perhaps, could only happen from days of torment, although as one who aspires to write, I wish it wasn't so.</p> <p>My own mortality raises her head at me as my body ages and small things happen... the little pop in my knee. The need to get progressive lenses and write everything down are reminders that I am at least changing in some way. </p> <p>Yet, the passion I feel for my students as they walk in my room is stronger than ever. The thing is, I am also a writer too. And I feel passion for anyone who chooses to read my meager words upon the cybersphere. I am not a John Donne lifting my head to write upon a creased page as I sweat and am bled of my life's marrow by physicians ill informed and even unable to properly diagnose my malady. No GK Chesterton writing tomes of ponderings for newspapers and ready to debate and captivate audiences or Winston Churchill laying out words late into the night to secretaries who will type and return the first draft the next day as he travels to state events and insults Lady Astor. I'm no Emily Browning writing her words alone or one of the Bronte geniuses writing of love and insanity. I'm no Hemingway, getting up at 3 am to write until heading out to fish around noon - although I have to admit that his existence is one that makes me most envious. I love to fish...and write.</p> <p>And yet, I realize, that the new form of writing - one which allows me to write and ponder in near real-time allows certain opportunities. While not truly a journal - surely my inner thoughts are not worthy of anyone but me and my Maker -- it is still somewhat a pondering of the current state of my life.</p> <p>I write as I am living through a turmoil and lava hot level of stress that no one could truly understand as I seek to be and remain a teacher. I type as I try to balance and keep those Baskerville Hounds that seek to voraciously gobble up my positive attitude so that the marrow of my being is consumed. I scribble down thoughts I attempt to stave off the pendulum that sometimes swings overhead as I alone detect its subtle lowering of the blade upon my ability to thrive amidst the chaos. </p> <p>As these struggles surround me - the network of cables tentacling through the campus like the demon beast in 20,000 leagues under the sea - or the extra curricular activities that scream into my brain like the locked up bride of Heathcliff when I'm trying to sleep. Or the precious children that I ponder daily as I plan lessons, teach, and assess and try to provide feedback that not only teaches my subject but will shape their lives.</p> <p> As I work to parent the three beautiful children in my care and feed them good, healthy food. As I climb Mt. Laundry feeling as lost as the passengers in "Alive" -a book that I read as a child and made me afraid to fly over snow capped mountains. As I work to juggle an online life that would easily choke me like the tentacles of the sea that wrapped around Jonah's throat when he was thrown overboard by a crew anxious to stave off an angry God. </p> <p>I watch for the threats to my peace of mind like the family in Swiss Family Robinson watched for the pirates they knew would come, and invariably, like them, those pirates come when I'm not looking.</p> <p>So, while I'm not all those other masterful authors - those men and women I admire. It is easy to forget that they were flesh and blood, just like me and you, writing admist the struggles and pressures of life. They didn't always want to write, but like the prophet Jeremiah perhaps the words were "shut up like fire in my bones, I tried to hold them back but I could not." I think of Peter Marshall, the amazing Irish pastor who settled in DC, perfectly formatting sermons that would live long after him, and his grieving young widow, Catherine, who would first write "A Man Called Peter" but proceed to have a career of her own writing such novels as "Christy." I think of Philip Yancey's long struggle with God and pain and penning the book "Soul Survivor" about how he reconciled his faith in God amidst a church that falls short that has helped me with my own heartache over my childhood church's departing from the Truth.</p> <p>As I ponder these great authors who have punctuated my own life with their beautiful words and prose. These people who reach through time and space like Dale Carnegie did for me as a child reading his book in the bathtub trying to figure out how to win that student government election in high school. </p> <p>These authors were great because they wrote from experience and had a somewhat creative genius of seeing the world. Indeed some of them got along better with the characters in their writing than with the humans in their lives (i.e. Tolstoy). </p> <p>Truthfully, my heroes have most often been speakers and authors - with a focus on the latter. From the author and finisher of my faith to the great authors of the ages - I just don't think there's enough time to read all of them. I'm so thankful that so many of the great works of the ages are converted and put on the amazon store for free so I can absorb their words as I absorb my hot bubble bath every night. Oh such mastery! Oh such beauty and such heartwrenching sadness. </p> <p>This has truly been a meandering piece and one I'm not sure I'll ever publish but one I write as I grapple with my small tiny place in this scene. For writers can write, but they truly become alive when readers read. While I write nonfiction, I'm no less tenacious about the words I choose and the stories I tell. I read the manuscripts I draft for publishers and when I tire, I mark red through the page and write "boring" in the margin and rework the page. </p> <p>I dream of writing and yet I write now. Even this, these are words. They are here for you to read or for you to ignore. For me, writing is a joy. As I sit here and type on my ipad and watch these letters appear upon my Blogsy app, I'm spellbound and captivated by the joy of expressing something to another person in the hopes that one person will read it.</p> <p>It makes it worth it to endure the criticism of the typos and run on sentences and fragments that I intentionally allow in blog posts. This blog is a conversation of types - albeit somewhat onesided, until I get the kind comment or email - or sometimes the irate comment or email -- who do I think I am, after all - a normal, average teacher in a very small town in a very tiny school on a very large globe? Really, who am I?</p> <p>It matters not who I am, but rather, what I do with what I have. My words are a love affair with other teachers who need encouragement and perhaps this post is a love affair with other writers -- anyone who writes a paragraph online in the hope that another will like, retweet, comment, or be inspired by. As for me, I live for those who send me messages that their lives are changed.</p> <p>A while back a woman wrote me a note that it had been since 2011 that she had been to school without being kicked or hit or bit by her special needs students. Struggling with an unsupportive admin, she came across a blog post that I wrote one day and saw the words "All you have is enough." She wrote it in sharpie and put it on her desk -- then soon replaced it with a paraphrase of "the Lord is my shepherd..." that related to the same thought. She said it got her through November and December.</p> <p>I want people to write things to help me get through February, March, April, and May this year. So, if that is what I want, that is what I'll try to be for you. You might need that encouragement too. You might need that glimmer of hope. </p> <p>Writing is such a powerful medium. The pen may be mightier than the sword but enough keyboards can defeat an army. We now have the ability to escalate and elevate the great writing among us faster than ever in the history of mankind. It is a dream that we will escalate good writing, I'm not sure that it is the case, but we can dream such a dream. And right now, with the embattled educators whose hearts and minds are cast aside by a society that has lost the art of respecting educators, we need keyboards to write the encouraging words that can transform this generation. </p> <p>Writing is a beautiful thing, but good writing is surreal. It lifts us from our struggles and helps us rise above the trials of life. I'm so grateful to live in an age when books are so accessible and little people like me can write and share with the world our thoughts, until, eventually, perhaps, we can become better writers worthy of a larger audience. Yet, just one improved and helped person is enough of an audience for any person. The first three months of my blog I had 7 readers, I loved those readers - they meant so much to me. I still think of them and wonder who they were. </p> <p>While the authors mentioned here are truly some of the greats, it is great to be an author of any kind in any place.</p> <p>Remember your noble calling, writer. I'm glad to be among you. Your words are very important and make a difference. Be the writer you want to see in the world, you live in a day where you can do that.</p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" />Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad</a></div>

Writing The joy of writing

Books are beautiful gifts... but you can write words to improve other's lives too. "No man is an island..." These words wer...

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Can Do Kid review

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Deborah Luster founder of <a href="http://www.iamacandokid.com/">Can Do Kid's</a> noticed that there was a lack of products for young children that were focused on positive self esteem.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She set out for that void and wrote a book to inspire children called I Can Do Anything!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The book became the start of the company and called it Can Do Kid Inc.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We all know being a kid can be tough especially with self esteem issues.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think the books are a great way for dealing with these issues because of their motivating titles.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second book is titles "I am Happy Just The Way I am." is especially a great title because sometimes kids are made fun of early on in life and start to think of themselves badly.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They are for children of all ages and not only do they have books they have protein bars as well!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was sent their books and the bars for a review!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yPPiHfXLnrs/URjVCGudN9I/AAAAAAAAGQI/ErpoiRslKW8/s1600/Can+Do+Kid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yPPiHfXLnrs/URjVCGudN9I/AAAAAAAAGQI/ErpoiRslKW8/s320/Can+Do+Kid.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The protein bars were made by busy moms and their active kids!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Going to soccer practice, girl scouts or a  swim meet?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't forget to pack your Can Do Kid bars !</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Created with the help of hundreds of kids and their moms.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sold at:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whole Foods</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">natural stores</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Independent stores</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Facts:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gluten free</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All natural</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I loved each flavor of these bars!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They were delicious, fixed my sweet tooth craving and they were in bite sized squares!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yum!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Chocolate Crunch:</u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A rice crispy like center coated in milk chocolate, makes a sweet and delicious treat and not to mention healthy!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Cookies & Cream:</u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a creamy center with chocolate chips bathed in milk chocolate.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Very delicious and if you have a craving for a cookies and cream candy bar this sweet healthy treat sure does the trick!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Can Illa Vanilla:</u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A creamy delicious velvety white chocolate coated over a graham cracker like crust!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So good!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mom's I know you have got to be sneaking these for yourself!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shame on you.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They have bars for adults as well !</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">formulated with 11 grams of protein and all natural, gluten free and so delicious!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The best thing of all is that your children's school can hold a fundraiser offering these bars!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How great is that?!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Want to learn more about them?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check them out at the sites below. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Can-Do-Kid-Inc/127394940509?fref=ts">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Can-Do-Kid-Inc/127394940509?fref=ts</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.iamacandokid.com/">http://www.iamacandokid.com/</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Can Do Kid review

Deborah Luster founder of  Can Do Kid's  noticed that there was a lack of products for young children that were focused on positive self...

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pom pom heart art

It was pointed out to me by Amelia (my 5 year old) that we don't have any Valentine's Day decorations. Now unless it is Christmas I've never really gotten into many decorations, but I'm not one to ever deny the wee ones some beauty. And what better excuse for afternoon crafts with the girls than Valentine's Day prep.<br /><br />I loved the <a href="http://blog.effortless-style.com/2012/12/diy-pom-pom-heart-pillow/" target="_blank">pom pom pillow that Camila</a> created (inspired by the always wonderful Anna Spiro) and thought it would be a great chance to use up the left over <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2012/12/childs-play-christmas-mantel.html" target="_blank">pom poms I had from Christmas</a>. But to involve the girls in the project I decided to include some finger painting.<br /><br />This canvas has been in the basement for quite some time. I can't remember what this project was for but obviously it didn't turn out very well. No sense in letting it go to waste.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rwWVs3xb7pYfnW5a9O2_T4w_yc5koLqjs7f0k2ozIGX5tuChzl0RvPIhHDf8dMeBK1AezZXsxbs-PGXdXP9Y1Ikh089XhN2L_GphVAJqVs8r9JrHMk0hLgpVuq1W5VYgLOJR9slrlsIG/s1600/HeartArtbefore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="523" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rwWVs3xb7pYfnW5a9O2_T4w_yc5koLqjs7f0k2ozIGX5tuChzl0RvPIhHDf8dMeBK1AezZXsxbs-PGXdXP9Y1Ikh089XhN2L_GphVAJqVs8r9JrHMk0hLgpVuq1W5VYgLOJR9slrlsIG/s640/HeartArtbefore.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The girls were given a choice between blue, pink or yellow.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94_rxv1QKTk6wMEycno-25Uk3Gq8orK6gjx9lcDy3WJ9VB_XxuYD_zQaQlvqmM2gVcS37zjRRcqwC0UXvBcY39MY7RHmgNAv8X8eNib5LCk2wpd0QCqPZd15WGzaNgJR9NjAmipYMj66r/s1600/HeartArtToddler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="614" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94_rxv1QKTk6wMEycno-25Uk3Gq8orK6gjx9lcDy3WJ9VB_XxuYD_zQaQlvqmM2gVcS37zjRRcqwC0UXvBcY39MY7RHmgNAv8X8eNib5LCk2wpd0QCqPZd15WGzaNgJR9NjAmipYMj66r/s640/HeartArtToddler.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />They chose blue.<br /><br />As with any good finger painting project, it didn't take long at all to get the canvas covered. My little artists did quite a fine job of creating layers and depth of color I think.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjxOtIp-tOiXfJ3RjsVZQEpqo9EADaDuwC_gOqtwIz-sVvJZQipt9VjqsxoP0eX367W1J_GVSYmJUKequCmIV0RDY194Ob-qpJDK0Pzs4scNdZbOXnEjEmCjsxyOlk3tuyNbRtcZxbizP/s1600/HeartArtFirst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjxOtIp-tOiXfJ3RjsVZQEpqo9EADaDuwC_gOqtwIz-sVvJZQipt9VjqsxoP0eX367W1J_GVSYmJUKequCmIV0RDY194Ob-qpJDK0Pzs4scNdZbOXnEjEmCjsxyOlk3tuyNbRtcZxbizP/s640/HeartArtFirst.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Next we created a heart to cut out<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThs2ASALvXj7Ay3WdrnOlQgKP6HzHg1k5E2ZdPeor-wcaDRZmhyphenhyphenmO-sTADoo4oSOddgn4WSVVRX79qRI3dYoADllT9EN0kW7GE_NbWTXCVaAl_s-hckqX330F8jSGopqnyEO9BeqrsbwF/s1600/HeartArtTemplate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThs2ASALvXj7Ay3WdrnOlQgKP6HzHg1k5E2ZdPeor-wcaDRZmhyphenhyphenmO-sTADoo4oSOddgn4WSVVRX79qRI3dYoADllT9EN0kW7GE_NbWTXCVaAl_s-hckqX330F8jSGopqnyEO9BeqrsbwF/s640/HeartArtTemplate.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />and positioned it on the canvas. I traced the heart with a blue pen so we would have a line to follow<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUvTvFLXxvtj_fXABfRqLTAiEClwCJTqxAs2lRp_1xpfLGGVaU2msLfe9sldRNeb_h4s1eRAegnaJTCeh4qeSpnGA2xGiL-uf-yvy717VhOrrxjZq340pmXkrxpcCAmJABlSIprV2aZ_P/s1600/HeartArttemplate2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUvTvFLXxvtj_fXABfRqLTAiEClwCJTqxAs2lRp_1xpfLGGVaU2msLfe9sldRNeb_h4s1eRAegnaJTCeh4qeSpnGA2xGiL-uf-yvy717VhOrrxjZq340pmXkrxpcCAmJABlSIprV2aZ_P/s640/HeartArttemplate2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />while Amelia laid out the colors in a pattern. (which isn't really a pattern at all but a word she loves to use)<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUGUByqV-tu3m74Emsws4BcxD3JCaTnpBOOcLIp_u3dbAYpiIKMVdoqXeZcUN7WI1qd2yuCHr73qZjTsKsEb6g2NeNljcu_HoR2iXeyxFR54DdspEPx4cjniJKMfgMZA9yyUXxfKt_ufY/s1600/HeartArtLayout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUGUByqV-tu3m74Emsws4BcxD3JCaTnpBOOcLIp_u3dbAYpiIKMVdoqXeZcUN7WI1qd2yuCHr73qZjTsKsEb6g2NeNljcu_HoR2iXeyxFR54DdspEPx4cjniJKMfgMZA9yyUXxfKt_ufY/s640/HeartArtLayout.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the can kept the paper from moving</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Making sure to follow the outline, we put the glue gun to work.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFVvqOqQ-3zTAloHLc-ldaExVGe9dVPlC3Bx5SWZ9je4N2negwdyOC0uGphmdl4s6PPagw29YVhC3X24urhVkVvizzUH4aoMe6cwV7Vt6zX5ar_jHzg066WfbRv6m7EPC1jcSHxcqymKp/s1600/HeartArtinaction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFVvqOqQ-3zTAloHLc-ldaExVGe9dVPlC3Bx5SWZ9je4N2negwdyOC0uGphmdl4s6PPagw29YVhC3X24urhVkVvizzUH4aoMe6cwV7Vt6zX5ar_jHzg066WfbRv6m7EPC1jcSHxcqymKp/s640/HeartArtinaction.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />We made ourselves a fine little heart and the girls LOVED <strike>bossing</strike> telling me which pom pom to put where.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA396va-c496Pefs2dWsbeLPEl7pomPnOSy16c9MpTAXqQDvlaTNXFxrgWAsjIiR02ROuyCuGANennloB2ksmVrqAILTpktpGTPwbd9Qry3jjmiLEbTeTRr43QO9MUm_FI477hXtgapCUm/s1600/HeartArt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA396va-c496Pefs2dWsbeLPEl7pomPnOSy16c9MpTAXqQDvlaTNXFxrgWAsjIiR02ROuyCuGANennloB2ksmVrqAILTpktpGTPwbd9Qry3jjmiLEbTeTRr43QO9MUm_FI477hXtgapCUm/s640/HeartArt.jpg" width="570" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrp65AEMkwtbDRFsE5pkR0FuNEX22lccpYHAxlT5K2-P3tMGjs-kgU3LAIinsyftaEoDM-cUP8Y50mMqj_mqFA_Ovt8xrxlL2JjvifpYlmuo78qox-A9HiKaNWDZ6j6SA00CeHyfTRpTq/s1600/HeartArtCloseup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrp65AEMkwtbDRFsE5pkR0FuNEX22lccpYHAxlT5K2-P3tMGjs-kgU3LAIinsyftaEoDM-cUP8Y50mMqj_mqFA_Ovt8xrxlL2JjvifpYlmuo78qox-A9HiKaNWDZ6j6SA00CeHyfTRpTq/s640/HeartArtCloseup.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJaDyYLhjuRXdW8l_r_N0_OhiV-PhZYyswkpoYaNvZvI_8E56WDl9RoLFP6q4cdG-vlFvsFdSqVinByOkekAsLwAigD9uaFiY3FPPZBUJtaEWBRWGMxYM6joElW1NnDekyn26aZDyZqn8/s1600/HeartArt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJaDyYLhjuRXdW8l_r_N0_OhiV-PhZYyswkpoYaNvZvI_8E56WDl9RoLFP6q4cdG-vlFvsFdSqVinByOkekAsLwAigD9uaFiY3FPPZBUJtaEWBRWGMxYM6joElW1NnDekyn26aZDyZqn8/s640/HeartArt2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />There was the last minute addition of a pink border around the frame after it was decided that there wasn't enough pink. And really, when is there ever enough pink, right?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3upJeuvXxcVVH2Jez5VOIqeUOhxIBvk6oiOB6q_j19SlYNI2dXaim9YfdsmojZ0awycg3MiDPZIzWaEydm0iSZQzEuqvfV1rLF071Ncl6sOR6CXaShwk8MxVgFVV4AI1sYAhDHRDEhfAj/s1600/HeartArtBorder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3upJeuvXxcVVH2Jez5VOIqeUOhxIBvk6oiOB6q_j19SlYNI2dXaim9YfdsmojZ0awycg3MiDPZIzWaEydm0iSZQzEuqvfV1rLF071Ncl6sOR6CXaShwk8MxVgFVV4AI1sYAhDHRDEhfAj/s640/HeartArtBorder.jpg" width="562" /></a></div><br />It is a hit with the girls and has been featured in about every room in the house. I might not be able to limit it to Valentine's Day.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSawgGVKwspbMNn8XwrICrf1jXYqbJ1M_o-UeqxShxYXR5kGhHBSHOhnWNKAVI3wtfdQtfORkCxWPGmyiQmIZ0SYHsGTVl5nd1jMqXAZ86VVwlRr2Zdv8NlZ3m-EIkLDC_kgkKLPPhRBVw/s1600/HeartArtDIY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSawgGVKwspbMNn8XwrICrf1jXYqbJ1M_o-UeqxShxYXR5kGhHBSHOhnWNKAVI3wtfdQtfORkCxWPGmyiQmIZ0SYHsGTVl5nd1jMqXAZ86VVwlRr2Zdv8NlZ3m-EIkLDC_kgkKLPPhRBVw/s640/HeartArtDIY.jpg" width="580" /></a></div><br />Do you do much decorating for Valentine's Day? Do you even celebrate Valentine's Day? Do you have a babysitter you can send over on Thursday?<br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuoehywK9gNFAkJA5Y1f5PlH6RV-83gR07UJEcqpOe2wKaGY4IokmwyqIT_ul_UAYc-kkW6HKxsj3gvqPh67ndxJe1PUDrEeEV9PRv_JDRJI8v4x8vtxmv4Bxqg6s37M3LGL-if_0L7bCj/s1600/lovelycraftslinkysquare_zpsdbd1f974.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuoehywK9gNFAkJA5Y1f5PlH6RV-83gR07UJEcqpOe2wKaGY4IokmwyqIT_ul_UAYc-kkW6HKxsj3gvqPh67ndxJe1PUDrEeEV9PRv_JDRJI8v4x8vtxmv4Bxqg6s37M3LGL-if_0L7bCj/s200/lovelycraftslinkysquare_zpsdbd1f974.jpeg" width="195" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bowerpowerblog.com/2013/02/lovely-wreath-linky-party/" target="_blank">Bower Power</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />

pom pom heart art

It was pointed out to me by Amelia (my 5 year old) that we don't have any Valentine's Day decorations. Now unless it is Christmas I&...

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It's SotU Time, Let's Party!

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Hola y’all! It’s time for the State of the Union again and I know you are as excited as I am. Don’t worry about the actual state of the union (Spoiler Alert: It’s shitty) or even if Obama thinks unemployment near 8% for the remainder of his presidency is just fine (Spoiler Alert: He does.).  That’s not what the SotU is about. It’s about getting together with friends and family and having a good time! What? You aren’t planning a SotU Soiree? Well you should be. And I’m here to help!<br /><br />Anyway, here are some ideas to help you enjoy State of the Union …<br /><br /><b>Take one drink every time …</b><br /><br />1. Obama gets a standing ovation from the democrats, but the republicans just sit there. <br />2. They show John McCain and he looks all pissed off.<br />3. John Boehner tears up.<br />4. Joe Biden appears to be nodding off. <br />5. They show Michelle Obama<br />6. Obama mentions jobs<br />7. Someone yells “YOU LIE” at Obama<br />8. They show Justice Scalia looking incredibly bored.<br />9. Obama uses some fake person in a small Midwestern town’s ordeal as an example of how we can do better.<br />10. Obama points out that the most challenging and important job he has is that of “Commander in Chief.”<br />11. He references God or Jesus.<br />12. Obama makes some vague reference to climate change<br />13. Affordable Care Act!<br />14. They show a celebrity sitting in the balcony<br />15. They show someone in uniform<br /><br /><b>Chug an entire beer if …</b><br /><br />1. Any of the Republicans or Supreme Court members flip Obama off.<br />2. Obama points at a black guy and calls him “Mah Nigga!”<br />3. Obama actually makes a specific proposal that might work!<br />4. The camera catching Joe Biden scratching his balls.<br /><br />Best snack food options for the SotU are gonna be a bit different from what you’d get at a Super Bowl party mostly because it starts a lot later. Just stick with some chips, cookies, candy of some kind, cupcakes, pie and maybe even ice cream. Be sure that it’s something that you can throw at the TV or spike on the floor in a fit of anger without doing any real damage though.<br /><br />If they happen to show American’s first OPENLY bi-sexual and atheist congresswoman Krysten Sinema of Arizona, say “how YOU doin’?” and then take a bite of both your burrito AND fish taco at the same time.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaO9lkM7lH0MQvN3B1pJ5TV1nGUJ9qgCO0AoQCmqhoGSgTrKmEAa8kuvNzDCTfxwMY_3Jaar7IerWAPZNRTFz3Ne0KanAZ0khiXnwhBotIXYAF6JVYXo1yVEQGIg9IgRjuNn6G-rHrLzk/s1600/Krysten-Sinema-Boobs-Hot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaO9lkM7lH0MQvN3B1pJ5TV1nGUJ9qgCO0AoQCmqhoGSgTrKmEAa8kuvNzDCTfxwMY_3Jaar7IerWAPZNRTFz3Ne0KanAZ0khiXnwhBotIXYAF6JVYXo1yVEQGIg9IgRjuNn6G-rHrLzk/s1600/Krysten-Sinema-Boobs-Hot.jpg" /></a></div><br />If <strike>you’re a RACIST</strike> you don’t really care about the SotU you can always watch a movie!<br /><br />How ‘bout “The Untouchables” set in Obama’s Chicago? (Editor’s note: Now that there are 8,491 murders being committed every single day in Chicago, the city’s correct full name is “Obama’s Chicago.”<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvobZAsiPz2vLq4sTRY4fMEfumkDTgRDHaOfOBnb-nIzRU0oTgdY2sNU23UDK8xwD8Gm238BiyEsEQYt-yEN7OJeel1_0pYkFlGSL9CCf5nu1OKUuRjuIIoH5ErDY9L2HBIvXBoMZEAhQ/s1600/The+Untouchables.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvobZAsiPz2vLq4sTRY4fMEfumkDTgRDHaOfOBnb-nIzRU0oTgdY2sNU23UDK8xwD8Gm238BiyEsEQYt-yEN7OJeel1_0pYkFlGSL9CCf5nu1OKUuRjuIIoH5ErDY9L2HBIvXBoMZEAhQ/s320/The+Untouchables.jpg" width="218" /></a></div><br />Or maybe “The Cincinnati Kid” for Speaker John Boehner’s hometown.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhGM7aiKSkOT6-LkiylxJ9S6qxXUtFzzcFD1e-kejrlDwKlYnTLeqf0iE4ouzSzoGnsxUdWrFrCANDbdlDZ8mkXyA9qyVHUpUSbcwTMlef9rnK5wUQKujsMG7nMbuq-bxQWC_kmRo_g0/s1600/The-Cincinnati-Kid.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhGM7aiKSkOT6-LkiylxJ9S6qxXUtFzzcFD1e-kejrlDwKlYnTLeqf0iE4ouzSzoGnsxUdWrFrCANDbdlDZ8mkXyA9qyVHUpUSbcwTMlef9rnK5wUQKujsMG7nMbuq-bxQWC_kmRo_g0/s320/The-Cincinnati-Kid.jpeg" width="229" /></a></div><br />If you prefer TV you can watch “The Bob Newhart Show” set in Obama’s Chicago<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherHWO6eJ4wim82I9LU5vIzVxYVRgIbkFB_UztbaPMH0ovTcgAXN5NDsMlLh_p_FM1J6zYTzknkxjOt78iFYYG1UQOKjCUJnYehvl9gobJJUK9D1ylSnoctPDngnN0BS9VnIJB2ko1ClA/s1600/the_bob_newhart_show-show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherHWO6eJ4wim82I9LU5vIzVxYVRgIbkFB_UztbaPMH0ovTcgAXN5NDsMlLh_p_FM1J6zYTzknkxjOt78iFYYG1UQOKjCUJnYehvl9gobJJUK9D1ylSnoctPDngnN0BS9VnIJB2ko1ClA/s320/the_bob_newhart_show-show.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Or of course, “WKRP in Cincinnati” for the Speaker who is a big Les Nessman fan.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid988vhJJjc8cKFQYp8Ru9kHa1S_6_hZ_XrOvq0vzaAl6UX0xNaSZt1inS2aKz4aOFWb8fO11vdFxLZWILaM9FSQsBC5ENNQWbI65yiwpPPX3s6Zh9_y2diIHg3J3H68dfE47fD0l3Iik/s1600/wkrp_in_cincinnati.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid988vhJJjc8cKFQYp8Ru9kHa1S_6_hZ_XrOvq0vzaAl6UX0xNaSZt1inS2aKz4aOFWb8fO11vdFxLZWILaM9FSQsBC5ENNQWbI65yiwpPPX3s6Zh9_y2diIHg3J3H68dfE47fD0l3Iik/s1600/wkrp_in_cincinnati.jpg" /></a></div><br />Or, crazy as it sounds you could just entertain yourself listening to Matt-Man and me talk about writing on I’m With Stupid! Hells yeah! We talk about our writing process, inspirations, tips and all kinds of funny and other charming stuff. You should totally check it out.<br /><br /><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.adobe.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" height="105" id="143577" name="143577" width="210"><param name="movie" value="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/btrplayer.swf?file=http://www.blogtalkradio.com%2Fplaylist.aspx%3Fshow_id%3D4387595&autostart=false&bufferlength=5&volume=80&corner=rounded&callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/flashplayercallback.aspx" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/btrplayer.swf" flashvars="file=http://www.blogtalkradio.com%2Fplaylist.aspx%3Fshow_id%3D4387595&autostart=false&shuffle=false&callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FlashPlayerCallback.aspx&width=210&height=105&volume=80&corner=rounded" width="210" height="105" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" quality="high" wmode="transparent" menu="false" name="143577" id="143577" allowScriptAccess="always"></embed></object><br /><div style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center; width: 220px;">Listen to <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/">internet radio</a> with <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/im-with-stupid">Im With Stupid</a> on Blog Talk Radio </div><div></div><br /><br />Jayman<br /><a href="mailto:Jayman3768@gmail.com">Jayman3768@gmail.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/jayman_iws" target="_blank">@Jayman_IWS</a><br /><br /><br /></div>

It's SotU Time, Let's Party!

Hola y’all! It’s time for the State of the Union again and I know you are as excited as I am. Don’t worry about the actual state of the unio...

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Unexpected Letter From ER Doctor May Make You Tear Up

<base href="data:"><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; "><div class="articleBody" itemprop="articleBody" style="list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; text-indent: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); position: static; z-index: auto; "><p style="list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-indent: 1.5em; font-size: 15px; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; text-align: justify; line-height: 21px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; ">True love and compassion aren't easy to ignore.</p><p style="list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-indent: 1.5em; font-size: 15px; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; text-align: justify; line-height: 21px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; ">This week, a 24-year-old Redditor <a href="http://imgur.com/gallery/pekfXzk" target="_hplink" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: none; text-decoration: underline; overflow: visible; color: rgb(0, 136, 195) !important; text-indent: 0px !important; outline: none; cursor: pointer; ">shared a letter</a> received just after the death of his mother. The event, despite being difficult, brought an unexpected source of condolence -- a personal note from a physician who had never contacted a patient's family before.</p><p style="list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-indent: 1.5em; font-size: 15px; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; text-align: justify; line-height: 21px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; ">"The letter was written for my father," he told The Huffington Post on Friday. "He stayed by her side until the very end."</p><p style="list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; text-indent: 1.5em; font-size: 15px; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; text-align: justify; line-height: 21px; font-variant: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); ">The letter reads:</span></p><blockquote style="list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; margin-top: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 15px; padding-right: 15px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 15px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); text-decoration: none; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); text-indent: 0px !important; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; background-color: rgb(245, 240, 227) !important; position: static; z-index: auto; ">Dear Mr. (removed),<p style="list-style: none; margin: 8px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; border: none; text-decoration: none; overflow: visible; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); text-indent: 1.5em; font-size: 15px; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; text-align: justify; line-height: 21px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; ">I am the Emergency Medicine physician who treated your wife Mrs (removed) last Sunday in the Emergency Department at (hospital). I learned only yesterday about her passing away and wanted to write to you to express my sadness. <strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: none; text-decoration: none; overflow: visible; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-indent: 0px !important; ">In my twenty years as a doctor in the Emergency Room, I have never written to a patient</strong> or a family member, as our encounters are typically hurried and do not always allow for more personal interaction.</p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 8px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; border: none; text-decoration: none; overflow: visible; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); text-indent: 1.5em; font-size: 15px; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; text-align: justify; line-height: 21px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; ">However, in your case, <strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: none; text-decoration: none; overflow: visible; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-indent: 0px !important; ">I felt a special connection to your wife</strong> (removed), who was so engaging and cheerful in spite of her illness and trouble breathing. I was also touched by the fact that you seemed to be a very loving couple. You were highly supportive of her, asking the right questions with calm, care and concern. From my experience as a physician, I find that the love and support of a spouse or a family member is the most soothing gift, bringing peace and serenity to those critically ill.</p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 8px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; border: none; text-decoration: none; overflow: visible; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); text-indent: 1.5em; font-size: 15px; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; text-align: justify; line-height: 21px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; ">I am sorry for your loss and I hope you can find comfort in the memory of your wife's great spirit and of your loving bond. My heartfelt condolences go out to you and your family.</p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 8px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; border: none; text-decoration: none; overflow: visible; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); text-indent: 1.5em; font-size: 15px; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; text-align: justify; line-height: 21px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; ">(removed), MD</p></blockquote><p style="list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-indent: 1.5em; font-size: 15px; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; text-align: justify; line-height: 21px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; ">According to the Redditor, his mother had breast cancer. A month ago, breathing difficulties landed her in the hospital, and 16 hours later, she passed away.</p><p style="list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-indent: 1.5em; font-size: 15px; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; text-align: justify; line-height: 21px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; ">Surprisingly, the doctor who wrote the letter had never met or treated his mother until that day.</p><p style="list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-indent: 1.5em; font-size: 15px; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; text-align: justify; line-height: 21px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; ">"If my mother were alive to see this, she would want readers to reflect on the power of showing compassion towards a total stranger," he told HuffPost.</p><p style="list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-indent: 1.5em; font-size: 15px; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; text-align: justify; line-height: 21px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; ">"The support I got from Reddit was amazing -- doctors, nurses and other Redditors who have lost their mothers to cancer were all shocked and amazed that the doctor took the time to write such a heartfelt, meaningful letter," he added.</p></div><div style="list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-indent: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "></div><div style="list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-indent: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "></div></div><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/09/letter-from-er-doctor-sho_n_2649578.html?">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/09/letter-from-er-doctor-sho_n_2649578.html?</a><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; color: black; text-align: left; "><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div>

Unexpected Letter From ER Doctor May Make You Tear Up

True love and compassion aren't easy to ignore. This week, a 24-year-old Redditor  shared a letter  received just after the death of his...

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28 in 28 #10: From the Ground Up

<a href="http://www.papress.com/html/book.details.page.tpl?isbn=9781616890926"><b><i>From the Ground Up: Innovative Green Homes </i></b></a> edited by Peggy Tully<br />Princeton Architectural Press, 2012<br />Hardcover, 160 pages<br /><br /><img alt="28-28_ground-up.jpg" src="http://www.archidose.org/Blog/28-28_ground-up.jpg" title="Book cover" /><br /><br />In 2008 the Syracuse University School of Architecture held the <a href="http://soa.syr.edu/events/2008/greenhomes/">From the Ground Up</a> design competition, asking participants to "provide a new model for formerly vital, urban residential neighborhoods throughout the United States through the creation of sustainable, affordable housing." Seven finalists were chosen from the more than 50 entries, and three of them were built—the R-House designed by ARO and Della Valle Bernheimer, COOKFOX's Live/Work/Home, and the TED House designed by Onion Flats. This book primarily serves to present the three houses as completed and now occupied, while also sharing the other four finalists, getting input on the process from then dean Mark Robbins and hearing some big-picture thoughts from Michael Sorkin and architectural historian Susan Henderson.<br /><br />The title is part of the handsomely made New City Books series from Syracuse SOA and Princeton Architectural Press. Each title examines conditions in Syracuse and other cities, seeing how architecture responds to urban areas and can improve them through landscapes, infill, green building, and other means. The bulk of <i>From the Ground Up</i> may be three houses totaling less than 4,000 square feet, but they are part of this larger goal, both in terms of infilling a disinvested part of Syracuse and in the creation of houses that use less energy and offer smaller footprints than the average (oversized) American house. The book is thorough and tracks each project from the competition drawings to snapshots of the house's owners, a fairly uncommon documentation for some uncommon houses.<br /><br /><b>US: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1616890924/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1616890924&linkCode=as2&tag=aweeklydoseof-20" target="_blank"><img alt="Buy from Amazon.com" border="0" src="http://www.archidose.org/books/buy-from-tan.gif" /></a> CA: <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1616890924/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1616890924&linkCode=as2&tag=aweeklydoseof-20" target="_blank"><img alt="Buy from Amazon.ca" border="0" height="28" src="http://www.archidose.org/books/buy-from-tan-ca.gif" width="90" /></a> UK: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1616890924/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1616890924&linkCode=as2&tag=aweeklydoseof-20" target="_blank"><img alt="Buy from Amazon.co.uk" border="0" height="28" src="http://www.archidose.org/books/buy-from-tan-uk.gif" width="90" /></a></b>

28 in 28 #10: From the Ground Up

From the Ground Up: Innovative Green Homes edited by Peggy Tully Princeton Architectural Press, 2012 Hardcover, 160 pages In 2008 the Syrac...

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Blizzard 2013

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am back!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Had the power off for a few days because of the huge snow storm we got.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hope everyone is doing well!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Missed you all! </span></div>

Blizzard 2013

I am back! Had the power off for a few days because of the huge snow storm we got. Hope everyone is doing well! Missed you all! 

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Bob Marley Birthday: Reggae Singer Would Have Turned 68 Today (PHOTOS)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><b style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #999999; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Huffington Post</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">  |  By </span><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leigh-blickley" rel="author" style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #999999; cursor: pointer; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Leigh Blickley</a><br />From: http://www.huffingtonpost.com<br /><br /><div style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">Feb. 6, 2013, would have been Bob Marley's 68th birthday.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"><img src="http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/279067/slide_279067_2069320_free.jpg?1360159499325" /></div><div style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">The beloved Jamaican singer died of cancer in 1981 at the age of 36, but <a href="http://www.bobmarley.com/" style="border: none; color: #7c1417; cursor: pointer; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">his legacy lives on through his music</a>. Marley is credited with helping spread both reggae sounds and the Rastafari movement to a worldwide audience throughout his 18 years in the business.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">According to Urban Islandz, "Legend: The Best of Bob Marley and the Wailers," which was released three years after his death, <a href="http://urbanislandz.com/2013/02/06/birthday-dopeness-bob-marley-would-be-68-today/" style="border: none; color: #7c1417; cursor: pointer; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">is reggae's biggest selling album to date</a>, with more than 10 million copies sold in the United States and an estimated 25 million worldwide. And that's no surprise.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">Despite his absence, Marley has continued to garner success, being honored with such awards as <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/yawns-greet-bbc-millennium-lineup-738983.html" style="border: none; color: #7c1417; cursor: pointer; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">BBC’s song of the millenium</a> for "One Love" and getting inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Also in 1999, Time Magazine named Bob Marley & The Wailers' "Exodus" as <a href="http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20070729/news/news6.html" style="border: none; color: #7c1417; cursor: pointer; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">the greatest album of the 20th century</a>.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">Last year, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/20/ziggy-marley-bob-marley-documentary-extramarital-affairs_n_1440997.html" style="border: none; color: #7c1417; cursor: pointer; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">Ziggy Marley talked to The Huffington Post</a> about the first-ever family authorized documentary, "Marley," chronicling the life and times of his legendary father. Ziggy explained another date that is associated with the global icon, saying, "I think 4/20 is a special day. Of course, with our culture we use herb for so many different things, not just for smoking. I think it’s something that we’re not going to hide from, and I think it’s appropriate because it’s a part of our culture and a part of Bob’s music. If you love Bob’s music, well guess what, herb is a part of Bob’s music."</div><div style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">Marley is survived by Ziggy and his 10 other children, Sharon, Cedella, Stephen, Robbie, Rohan, Karen, Stephanie, Julian, Ky-Mani and Damian.</div></div>

Bob Marley Birthday: Reggae Singer Would Have Turned 68 Today (PHOTOS)

The Huffington Post   |  By  Leigh Blickley From: http://www.huffingtonpost.com Feb. 6, 2013, would have been Bob Marley's 68th birthday...

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Villaraigosa backs half-cent hike in sales tax

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><div class="mod-articlesubtitle" id="mod-article-subtitle" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><h2 style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The mayor plans to make a statement next week explaining support for the measure, aimed at preventing cuts at the LAPD and other agencies.</h2></div><div class="mod-latarticlesarticlebyline mod-articlebyline" id="mod-article-byline" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin: 5px 0px 4px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px;"><span class="pubdate" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2013/feb/08" style="border: 0px; color: black; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">February 08, 2013</a></span><span class="separator" style="border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 5px;">|</span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">By David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times</span></div><div class="mod-latarticlesarticlebyline mod-articlebyline" id="mod-article-byline" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin: 5px 0px 4px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="If%20Proposition%20A%20passes%2C%20Mayor%20Antonio%20Villaraigosa%20will%20conclude%20his%20time%20in%20office%20with%20a%20sales%20tax%20increase%20focused%20on%20public%20safety%20%u2014%20an%20idea%20he%20fiercely%20denounced%20the%20year%20he%20became%20mayor.%20%28Irfan%20Khan%20/%20Los%20Angeles%20Times%29" src="http://www.trbimg.com/img-5115d0ec/turbine/la-174333.me.0919.aeg-sale.003.ik.jpg-20130208/600/600x400" /></span></div><div class="mod-latarticlesarticlebyline mod-articlebyline" id="mod-article-byline" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin: 5px 0px 4px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 14px;">If Proposition A passes, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will conclude his time in office with a sales tax increase focused on public safety — an idea he fiercely denounced the year he became mayor. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)</span></span></div><div class="mod-latarticlesarticlebyline mod-articlebyline" id="mod-article-byline" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin: 5px 0px 4px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="area" id="area-article-first-block" style="border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 25px 0px 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px;"><div class="mod-latarticlesarticletext mod-articletext" id="mod-a-body-first-para" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px 280px 10px 0px; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Friday backed the half-cent sales tax hike on the March 5 ballot, which is being pushed as a way to shield the Police Department and other public safety agencies from employee cuts.</div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">The increase, which is backed by some key business leaders and labor leaders as a means to preserve public services, would push the city's sales tax rate to 9.5%, among the highest in the state.</div><div><div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">Villaraigosa did not give his reasons for backing Proposition A, saying through a spokesman that he would make a statement next week. A day earlier, the city's top budget analyst warned that a defeat of the measure, which would generate nearly enough to erase a $216-million budget shortfall, could require cutting at least 500 police officers.</div><div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">That would largely undo one of Villaraigosa's signature accomplishments during his two terms in office: adding 800 officers to the LAPD, despite a major recession.</div><div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">Mayoral candidate Kevin James, who opposes the tax increase, said it would hurt the city's economy. He also questioned Villaraigosa's insistence on keeping LAPD staffing at 10,000 officers.</div><div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">"It's not about any magic number. It's about the number of officers out in the community. And when we have so many officers behind the desk because of outdated technology and outdated policies, that's where the failed leadership is," he said.</div><div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">Villaraigosa spokesman Peter Sanders declined to respond, but noted in an email that the city's crime rates are "at their lowest since the 1950s."</div><div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">If Proposition A passes, Villaraigosa will conclude his time in office with a sales tax increase focused on public safety — an idea he fiercely denounced the year he became mayor.</div><div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">In 2005, Villaraigosa — then seeking to unseat Mayor James Hahn — blocked Hahn's effort to place a sales tax increase on the ballot to pay for 1,000 more officers. That vote came at a time of intense debate over how to pay for an expansion of the LAPD.</div><div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">Villaraigosa promised to find another way to pay for 1,000 additional officers and succeed where Hahn failed.</div><div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">As mayor, Villaraigosa convinced the City Council to triple the trash fee for homeowners from $11 to $36.32 per month, saying that the proceeds would pay for more police. Once the budget crisis hit, however, the city found that it did not have enough money for both the police buildup and other programs.</div><div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">Thousands of positions in other departments were reduced as the hiring of additional officers continued.</div><div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">Villaraigosa previously said he would not support the tax unless the City Council took steps to ensure that the number of police officers would not be reduced. He also demanded that the council eliminate 209 civilian positions, a majority of them in the LAPD.</div><div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">City Administrative Officer Miguel Santana said Friday that those positions no longer exist.</div></div></div></div></span></div></div>

Villaraigosa Villaraigosa backs half-cent hike in sales tax

The mayor plans to make a statement next week explaining support for the measure, aimed at preventing cuts at the LAPD and other agencies. F...

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Review: Soderbergh’s Side Effects Will Make You Question Your Sanity — In a Good Way (Probably)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><img src="http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/underwire/2013/02/Side-Effects-Rooney-Mara.jpg" /><br /><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #dddddd; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">In </span><em style="color: #dddddd; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Side Effects</em><span style="color: #dddddd; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">, Rooney Mara plays a young woman who is treated for depression with the fictional drug Ablixa. </span><br style="color: #dddddd; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><em style="color: #dddddd; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Photo: Barry Wetcher/Open Road Films</em></span><br /><span style="background-color: black;"><em style="color: #dddddd; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></em></span><br /><ul style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px;"><li class="author" style="display: inline; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">BY <a href="http://www.wired.com/underwire/author/awatercutter/" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">ANGELA WATERCUTTER</a></li><li class="entryDate" style="display: inline; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 20px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">02.08.13</li><li class="entryTime" style="display: inline; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 20px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">12:30 PM From: </li></ul>http://www.wired.com<br /><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">Much like commercials for actual drugs, the ads for director Steven Soderbergh’s <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Side Effects</em> show you something less than the whole picture, leaving out the more nefarious details about exactly what’s going to happen when you consume it.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">That’s because sharing too much information about <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Side Effects</em>, opening in theaters today, can spoil the entire tale — so this review should be fun. But without revealing too much: The film is a psychological thriller that thrills by making audiences question the sanity of nearly every character, even the psychologists, and ultimately themselves.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">A non-spoilery synopsis of <a href="http://www.sideeffectsmayvary.com/" style="color: #007ca5; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Side Effects</em></a> goes something like this: Emily Taylor (Rooney Mara) is a young woman whose husband Martin (Channing Tatum) was recently released from prison after completing a four-year sentence for insider trading. She’s happy to have him back, but she struggles with depression and anxiety about her future.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">Enter Dr. Jonathan Banks (Jude Law): A compassionate — perhaps too compassionate — psychiatrist who treats Emily’s condition with a new (fictional) drug called Ablixa that brings her back to life, but has potentially dangerous side effects (dun-dun-DUN!) that could affect her marriage. But the full implication of the drug’s effects don’t become apparent until almost the second act, and the true motivations (and mental states) of everyone involved don’t really come to light until the closing credits.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">Thank <a href="http://www.wired.com/underwire/2013/02/side-effects-soderbergh/" style="color: #007ca5; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">writer Scott Z. Burns</a> for this bit of trickery, he’s crafted a script where every character on the screen reveals something new with every beat, but yet never quite enough. And credit Soderbergh for coaxing very nuanced performances out of his cast, particularly Mara, who can turn from sweet ingénue to shades of something much darker on a dime.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;"><span id="more-134963" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">(<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Spoiler alert:</strong> Minor plot points to follow.)</em></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">At its core, <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Side Effects</em> is a movie about how mental health is treated in the U.S., both by doctors and how it’s dealt with in society. Burns wrote <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Side Effects</em> with the <a href="http://www.wired.com/underwire/2013/02/side-effects-soderbergh/" style="color: #007ca5; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">medical advice of forensic psychologist Sasha Bardey</a> and it shows: The doctors and patients on screen address real issues of boundaries, ethics, and quandaries of treatment, including what happens when doctors make mistakes and things go wrong.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">There’s a moment when Dr. Banks’ partners fret about the negative attention brought to their practice after an incident relating to Emily’s medication — psychiatry is, after all, a profession and the appearance of malpractice is bad for business — and he responds that he can’t be responsible for an unforeseen effect of a new drug. ”That may be how rational people see it,” his partner retorts. “But we don’t see a great many rational people here.”</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">If <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Side Effects</em> falters anywhere, it’s by focusing more deeply on psychology and psychiatry than the story requires. For all of the smart observations and the fascinating questions the film poses about the ethical minefield involved with treating mental health and prescribing happy pills, and ethics, many of those issues are left hanging, or answered in ways that are entertaining — but not necessarily intellectually satisfying.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;">However, these gripes are cerebral, not cinematic, and as a movie <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Side Effects</em> delivers. Weaving marital problems and insider trading into a crime thriller about mental health and the pharmaceutical industry isn’t exactly easy, but nothing in the film feels forced into place. Driven by some smart performances — Bardey, who also co-produced the film, advised the actors as well as the script — the actions of every player feel believable, even if they seem completely, well, crazy.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Side Effects</em> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/10/movies/antidepressants-give-soderbergh-a-thrillers-plot.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0" style="color: #007ca5; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">will reportedly be Soderbergh’s last</a> cinematic feature, so long as he doesn’t pull a Jay-Z and change his mind about stepping away from film. That makes <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Side Effects</em> an interesting note for him to end on. In a career that’s spanned fantastic thought-provoking flicks like <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Traffic</em> and <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Erin Brockovich</em> and fun, flashy fare like the <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Ocean’s</em> movies and last summer’s <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Magic Mike</em>, it seems as though he wanted to leave audiences with one to grow on. (Though, technically, he’ll be leaving them with his Liberace film <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Behind the Candelabra</em>, which will be airing on HBO after studios reportedly rejected it for being “<a href="http://www.thewrap.com/tv/column-post/steven-soderbergh-every-studio-rejected-liberace-film-too-gay-71506" style="color: #007ca5; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">too gay</a>.”)</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Side Effects</em> mostly fits that bill — it’s intriguing, full of good performances, and rife with the lush shots the director is known for — but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a little lacking. It’s a great psychological thriller that spends a little too much time on psychology and not enough on thrills.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">WIRED</strong> Deft performances by Rooney Mara, Jude Law, and Catherine Zeta-Jones; smart plot twists; Soderbergh’s fantastic eye for detail in any given shot.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">TIRED</strong> A lot of psychology, not enough thriller.</div></div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5jQq6BiT-eI?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe></div>

Side Effects Review: Soderbergh’s Side Effects Will Make You Question Your Sanity — In a Good Way (Probably)

In  Side Effects , Rooney Mara plays a young woman who is treated for depression with the fictional drug Ablixa.  Photo: Barry Wetcher/Open ...

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LA Cops Dismiss Claims in Alleged Killer Chris Dorner's 'Self-Serving' Manifesto

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><iframe height="360" id="kaltura_player_1360536537" src="http://cdnapi.kaltura.com/index.php/kwidget/wid/0_adcysob8/uiconf_id/3775332/st_cache/40229?referer=http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/christopher-dorner-manhunt-cops-manifesto-posted-online-18438426&autoPlay=false&addThis.playerSize=392x221&freeWheel.siteSectionId=nws_offsite&closedCaptionActive=true&addThis.playerSize=640x360&closedCaptionsOverPlayer.fontsize=18" style="border: 0px solid #ffffff;" width="640">Unfortunately your browser does not support IFrames.</iframe> <br /><div style="font-size: x-small; margin-top: 0; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;">Christopher Dorner Manifesto Posted Online</span><br /><br /><div id="date_partner" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; height: 32px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 150px; min-height: 30px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 490px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div id="date_partner" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; height: 32px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 150px; min-height: 30px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 490px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">By</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"> </span>COLLEEN CURRY <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">Feb. 7, 2013</span></div><div id="date_partner" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; height: 32px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 150px; min-height: 30px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 490px;">The rage-filled "manifesto" written by former police officer Christopher Dorner before he went on an alleged cop killing spree around the Los he ."</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 22px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 150px;">Dorner is believed to have killed one police officer and injured two others early this morning, in addition to killing two civilians, on a spree that he threatened would have a "high action of violence" in an angry missive posted to his Facebook wall earlier this week.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 22px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 150px;">Police throughout the Los Angeles and Southern California region were working to apprehend Dorner.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 22px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 150px;">In the letter, Dorner detailed his grievances with his former employer, the Los Angeles Police Department, including his struggles with the department's internal affairs department, which ultimately ended in his getting fired, according to the manifesto. He blamed the problems with the LAPD for inspiring his killing spree.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 22px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 150px;">Dorner accused the department of being racist and using excessive force.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 22px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 150px;">"The department has not changed since the Rampart and Rodney King days. It has gotten worse," Dorner wrote. "I know I will be vilified by the LAPD and the media. Unfortunately, this is a necessary evil that I do not enjoy but must partake and complete for substantial change to occur within the LAPD and reclaim my name."</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 22px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 150px;">Dorner named members of the LAPD whom he would target and said they would not be safe at home or at work.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 22px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 150px;">"I will bring unconventional and asymmetrical warfare to those in LAPD uniform whether on or off duty," he wrote. "You will now live the life of the prey."</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 22px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 150px;">Today, Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck curtly dismissed the letter.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 22px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 150px;">"This is a homicide suspect who has committed atrocious crimes. If you want to give any attribution to his ramblings on the Internet, go ahead, but I do not," he said.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 22px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 150px;">Much of the letter focused on an episode in which Dorner said he saw a fellow officer use excessive force to kick a suspect who was schizophrenic. He reported the incident to the department's internal affairs department, kicking off a lengthy investigation that ultimately led to his dismissal from the department for making false statements.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 22px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 150px;">"I had broken their supposed 'Blue Line,'" he wrote, referring to the notion that police officers protect one another. "It is clear as day that the department retaliated toward me for reporting [the officer]. ... The department stated that I had lied and made up the report."</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 22px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 150px;">Dorner said the incident cost him greatly at the department and in his personal life, fueling his killing spree.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 22px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 150px;">"The LAPD's actions have cost me my law enforcement career," he said. "They cost my naval career. ... I've lost my relationship with my mother and sister because of the LAPD. I've lost a relationship with close friends because of the LAPD. In essence, I've lost everything because the LAPD took my name and new (sic) I was INNOCENT!!!" he wrote.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 22px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 150px;">"This is my last resort. The LAPD has suppressed the truth and it has now lead to deadly consequences," the letter said.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 22px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 150px;">Beck, the current LAPD chief, said that the internal affairs case that Dorner spent much of the letter focusing on had been treated fairly through the police department's review board.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 22px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 150px;">"That case was thoroughly adjudicated. It went through several levels of review up to the point where even a civilian representative listened to the entirety of the case. You will find Dorner's statements to be self-serving and the statements of somebody who was extremely unhappy in his lot in life," Beck said.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 22px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 150px;">The police chief of nearby Riverside, Calif., also dismissed the writings after Dorner allegedly shot and killed a Riverside police officer in the early hours of Thursday morning. Dorner pulled up across from two Riverside officers stopped at a traffic light in their patrol car and used his rifle to shoot them, killing one and injuring the other, according to Chief Sergio Diaz of the Riverside Police Department.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 22px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 150px;">"The manifesto speaks for itself in terms of a depraved and cowardly mind and heart, and the way he ambushed your public servants speaks for itself," Diaz said.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 22px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 150px;">Dorner's letter ended with a violent warning to cops, however, and one that kept police heavily armed and on edge today despite their dismissal of the letter's content. He said he would use all of his tactical knowledge from his police and naval experiences to avoid being caught.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 22px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 150px;">"You are aware that I have always been the top shot, highest score, an expert in rifle qualifications in every unit I've been in," he wrote. "I will utilize every bit of small arms training, demolition ordnance, and survival training I've been given."</div></div></div>

Alleged Killer Chris Dorner Christopher Dorner LA Cops Dismiss Claims in Alleged Killer Chris Dorner's 'Self-Serving' Manifesto

Unfortunately your browser does not support IFrames. Christopher Dorner Manifesto Posted Online By   COLLEEN CURRY  Feb. 7, 2013 The rage-f...

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