This just in:

Manilow Shuns “View” Over Hasselbeck

An Ecstatic Imelda Marcos Needs New Shoes

Shocking Video of Student Being Tasered

When Plutos Attack

And finally, Belgium For Sale on ebay

The news just keeps getting weirder and weirder!

 

Apparently my birthday messages to all of my far flung friends have not gone unnoticed,  because when I woke up this morning I had been sent this wonderful PowerPoint presentation, that touched me like no other birthday gift I’ve ever received.  Marcelo even recorded himself playing the guitar and singing!  You’ll have to hear it to know how beautiful it is.  Thank you to my fabulous friends and thanks to all of you who sent such nice birthday wishes.  I’m truly touched.  Thanks also to my family for such a nice time tonight and to my parents and everyone who called today.  42 isn’t bad at all!  Thanks again.  –Carey

GLY,  friend!!!

May this day be even kinder to you…

Here is a techno-humble gift from us.  Forgive my incompetence in packaging the power point slide show with the audio file I made to go along with it.  Daringly, I am asking you to download the music file so you can play it in the background as you watch the slide show.

Some of us are tech-challenged.  Some of us aren’t but can’t be bothered with it.  But together we have the warmth of a mother’s hug…

Marcelo

 

This is Marcelo, playing the guitar and singing “I Will Survive”  Gloria Gaynor’s got nothing on Marcelo!  Sorry girls (and boys),  I know his accent is dreamy, but he’s happily married.

The “gang” in Brazil on New Year’s Eve

And here are a few photos from dinner with my family tonight:

Andy & Tressa

Where’s Andy?

 

Guess who climbed into the basketball machine??

Tommy’s toothless smile

Cole & Dar

Andy & Lisa

Jenn & Dar

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ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
“After a B-52 pilot flew over several U.S. states carrying nuclear warheads, the Air Force said that it would discontinue its use of MapQuest.” — Newsweek satire columnist Andy Borowitz

 

Well, after a month of endless hype, Christ has returned in the form of David Beckham.  I bet every star in Hollywood wishes they had Posh & Beck’s publicist, because they have been absolutely everywhere.  No one’s sure if it will work though.  We had “good seats” for the game and my cousin Joel kept grumbling the whole time how boring it was and that Americans will never like soccer.  He may be right, but if Beckham doesn’t turn America on to soccer, it won’t be for lack of trying.  If it doesn’t succeed however, it never will.  This is soccer’s last chance in this country.  Just to have my entire family watching a soccer game was a major coup.  None of them had even seen a whole game before.  I can’t brag though.  Even though I went to the World Cup last year in Germany, I can barely tell a goal from a home run.    And come on, let’s face it, if he didn’t look like this, would there even be any hype at all?

Tonight’s weekly family dinner was more somber than most, but as you can see, we tried to not let that show to the kids.  Dave is still in intensive care on life support.  The doctors don’t all seem to be on the same page about his treatment, which is rather annoying.  As of last night we were preparing for the worst but this morning there was a glimmer of hope in the form of a tracheotomy.  As it is, he’s one of the oldest Cystic Fibrosis patients on record.  Please keep him in your thoughts.

My favorite picture of the evening….look how happy the little goober looks with his toothbrush.  LOL

Song of the day

 

Chris and Marc in Xanga Support worked for 2 days trying to figure out why my site wasn’t able to be viewed in Internet Explorer 6 and lower.  They really stepped up to the plate (as usual) and the problem was solved.  Thanks guys!!

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From Marc & Chris @Xanga, To Carey:

Hi Carey! Took a while to figure this one out, but I think we may have nailed the bug… We just rolled a fix – I’m looking at your site in IE6 right now, and it seems ok!  Sorry for any frustrations – and thanks for all your effort (and persistence!) on this theme. Hope it’s working for all your visitors now. Cheers, Marc

From Carey, To Marc & Chris & Xanga:

You guys are the BEST!!!  I take back every bad thing I ever said about you   LOL.  But seriously, as usual, the Xanga staff went above and beyond the call of duty.  I think I might just get “Xanga For Life” because of this.  Of course, I still have Chris’s cell phone number, which is my ace in the hole.  Ha Ha.  I just got off of Skype with a friend in the Philippines and after he pressed Ctrl F5 it worked likea charm in IE 6.  Thanks again for your patience with my persistence.  Have a great weekend!  –Carey

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I saw Tommy today for the first time since he broke his arm.  He was in incredibly good spirits and we had a great dinner at B.J.’s topped off with Pizookies (like I need them!).  Anyway, Tommy proudly showed off his cast, and as you can see, Andy really enjoyed the Mozzarella sticks!!  LOL

Notice me gingerly holding Tommy’s cast up for the camera, LOL, and notice that Andy is only into his mozzarella sticks and not the picture! 

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If any of you live in the Los Angeles area and want some amazing photos taken of your kids, check out Trish Reda.  She’s a local photographer with a truly stunning body of work.  She did a portfolio recently for a friend of the family, and the photos took my breath away.  I contacted her about something on her website and told her I would try to throw some business her way, as I know many of you have babies.    Check out her website and give her a call!

©Trish Reda, all rights reserved. 

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The Cost of the War along with the Deficit, continues to climb 

When I was driving to work this morning I heard that the operational commander of American troops in Iraq is seeking ceasefire deals with insurgents and that he believed most would agree to the proposals.  My first reaction was, “Great, that means they think we’ve gained the upper hand in this bloody war and they want us out too”.  Then I turned from NPR to Rush Limbaugh…just because I like to keep tabs on the enemy so I know their weaknesses.  (Keep your friends close…)  Anyway, apart from him insisting he’s been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, he said this:

RUSH: Folks, there is another possibility for this cease-fire, a little float that the terrorists are engaging in here in Iraq, and it could simply be this.  It could be something totally unrelated to our analysis up to this point.  The terrorists suggesting that they’re interested in talking cease-fire could simply be their way of telling the Democrats in this country that they’re unhappy with the Democrats providing more funding without a withdrawal timetable.  The terrorists might have looked at the latest vote in the House where the Democrats retreated from retreat and surrendered from surrender and said, “Well, my gosh, we’ve lost our allies in Washington.  As long as we’re going to support ‘em, we’re going to hang tough over here. We’re going to try to beat Bush for them,” and so forth, as long as they come up with a definite withdrawal date to get the army outta here.  But now the Democrats have caved, and so the terrorists are saying, “Well, we don’t know where bin Laden is. Zawahiri is a nonfactor. We’re all over the place in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Jihad is not the organized thing it used to be. Now we’ve lost our big allies, the Democrats, what are we going to do?”  It could be that, ladies and gentlemen.

I had to turn off the radio when I heard that (just like I almost crashed my car a few weeks ago when he said the Virginia Tech. shootings could actually be good for Iraq ????).  Go take some more OxyContin Rush, you pompous ass!

 

And finally, speaking of fat pigs….

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Do You Feel Lucky Pig?  Do You?

If I hadn’t seen this on the A.P. and Yahoo News, I’d swear it was Photoshopped.

“I want my baby back, baby back, baby back”

A few highlights:

• The “Monster Pig” was chased down and shot to death by an 11-year-old boy, Jamison Stone of “Pickensville”. Alabama.
• Officials also will review whether the hunt complied with the state’s “fair chase” law…
• The boy said he shot the huge animal eight times with a .50-caliber revolver and chased it for three hours through hilly woods before finishing it off with a point-blank shot.
• Andress said there is nothing illegal about a child hunting in Alabama.

The fact that this happened in Alabama is classic.  The fact that the town’s name was “Pickensville” is even better. Throw in an 11 year old boy with a .50 caliber revolver and it’s pretty easy to see why most people in the South voted for Bush!    Umm, and who knew that this kind monster hog/hippo lived in the U.S.?  Holy pork tenderloin!!

By the way, this is a .50 caliber revolver:

And these helpful tips from the “Shooting USA – Handgun Hunting” website:

Two tips to keep in mind: Look for a place to rest the handgun to steady your shot. Use a branch of a tree or a walking stick-rest. Find something to help you achieve the shot you want to bring home that trophy.

And bring enough gun to do the job. What you need for light skinned game, like white tail or mule deer, is not the same as for elk, which requires more caliber and more energy.

I find it unfathomable that there are still parts of the United States of America that find this kind of thing normal.

Ah, to be young and innocent!  (P.S. Thanks for input David )

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Song of the day

I loved the world when we were poor, when winter banged on summer’s door and pain was april rain upon my skin.  I sheltered as each friend was tamed and shackled by the wedding game, now life has left this stain upon my skin.

Soldier boy, soldier on
Your eyes are cold and the spark has gone.

My blackest days were bandaged white I prayed upon my darkest night,
and bible dreams the lives of former whores.
I slept beside this angry calm, kept faith alive and far from harm,
torn I’ve lived, I’ll die a boy stillborn.

Soldier boy, soldier on
Your eyes are cold and the spark has gone.
They’ve chosen you to bear the stain
But God has left this world bereft and the scars remain.

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The Hollywood Bowl

I went down to Laguna today for our weekly family dinner.  As always, little Andy was the center of attention.  Tommy could barely take his eyes off of his Gameboy to smile for a few pictures.  Aren’t they cute??  (They take after me!  LOL)

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It seems like every week I’m saying, “Now I’ve seen everything” when it comes to dogs and dog lovers (like me).  First their was the Doggie Treadmill, then the Doggie Cell Phone, and now, no kidding, Doggie Yoga.

In [sic] one class, the humans do traditional yoga poses — yes, including “downward facing dog” — while staying in contact physically with their pets.

Part of the class includes gentle stretching and dog massage, another specialty of Bryan’s, but most of the time the humans gently use the dogs like yoga props.

In downward facing dog, for example, the humans rest their heads on their companions, who are relaxing — napping? — on the mat.  Read More…

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Net Neutrality

I just sent a comment to the FCC about something really important: it’s called Net Neutrality. That’s the idea that we should be able to reach any websites, content, and services we want, without interference from the companies that provide our Internet access.

For a long time, there were Net Neutrality rules in place at the FCC. But last summer those rules expired, and now major telecom companies are lobbying to stop their renewal. These companies want to create a “two-lane” information highway, where their own content (and that of businesses that pay steep fees) would reach people quickly via a “fast lane,” and other content (like blogs and nonprofit or small business websites) would be stuck in a “slow lane.”

Before the FCC decides whether or not to renew Net Neutrality rules, it has to take public comments — but the comment period closes on June 15th! Can you take a moment to join me in speaking up?

Urge the FCC to protect the freedom of the Internet at http://www.commoncause.org/InternetFreedom.

Some of America’s wealthiest corporations are investing millions of dollars in their efforts to block Net Neutrality. People like you and I need to take this chance to tell the FCC that the Internet must be a democratic, open medium. That’s what it was always meant to be.

If the telecom companies get their way, it could spell the end of free expression and innovation on the Internet.

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Blood puddle pillows:  http://www.fromkeetra.com/posts.php?post=012

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“There is nothing ‘conservative’ or ‘tough on terrorism’ in selectively stripping people of their rights.”

– New York Times editorial

Tell your Representative to Restore our Constitutional rights to habeas corpus.

1 – The death of habeas corpus - MSNBC.com

2 – The Shame of Guantanamo – Washington Post Writers Group

3 – Challenging the Military Commissions Act – Jurist, October 04, 2006

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Fire Update:  They should have it contained by tomorrow night.  Over 817 acres have burned, many of them viewable from where I took these photos last year.  Thanks to those of you who emailed me.  Everything is OK. –Carey

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I’ve posted this video before, but I think it’s worth watching again.  It concerns why America is no longer #1, and I agree with all of it (except the Brazil & soccer parts LOL).  I’m heading out for the evening, so probably won’t be posting much more today.  I’ll give you guys a break from reading my rants tonight.

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TIME Magazine asked who you thought should be on the list of the 100 most influential people of the year. Over 200 candidates were given a rating of 1 to 100. And your #1 choice? Let it Rain! The Korean R&B phenom had almost half a million votes, over 100,000 more than runner-up Stephen Colbert. And just take a guess who was #3??  LOL

RAIN

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And finally, lovely Joelle, part of our NYE gang, has been sending regular, fascinating emails about her stint in Santiago, Chile as a diplomat.  I certainly think she enjoys it much better than her last 2 year stint in Uzbekistan!  So thanks for the updates Joelle.  GLY!

 

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ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
“A judge in Los Angeles has sentenced Paris Hilton to 45 days in jail for violating her probation, but Paris is trying to get out of it. Legal experts say that if Paris Hilton wants to avoid going to jail in Los Angeles, she’ll have to murder someone.” — Conan O’Brien

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Tuesday, May 8th, 2007

Baby It’s Hot Outside, Love Crimes, Dog Condoms & Sleepwalking

How’s that for a blog title??  

It’s 95° here in LA today, and my baby cousin Andy got a new pool!!

And this weekend, Andy & Tommy got a new puppy!  Introducing:                                  

 

Tommy & Andy’s new dog Oreo and Darlene’s new dog Roxy

My original Oreo – circa 1985

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**BREAKING NEWS**

As previously mentioned, it was 95° F (35° Celsius) here in Los Angeles today.  The humidity was only about 5%, and some asshole decided to light another fire in the Hollywood Hills today.  This time the fire is burning by the famous Griffith Park Observatory (click for pictures from when I was there in November with my family).  The Observatory was featured in many of the scenes from the James Dean film, “Rebel Without a Cause”.  The LA Zoo has been evacuated, but the animals remain. They’re trying to figure out a rescue plan now, should they need one.

Currently they’re saying 200 acres have already burned.  The idiot who deliberately lit the fire is in the hospital being treated for burns.  I was supposed to go the Seth & Jessica’s house tonight for dinner.  They live about 3 miles from Griffith Park.  I’m not going, but Seth said he would try to send some photos.  Let’s hope the winds die down.  I live about 7 miles from the fire, but I don’t think the wind is blowing this way.  Los Angeles has not had any measurable rain since last July!  The whole city is a giant tinderbox.  Kudos to the brave firefighters on the front lines.  Read more…

 

 

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 ”Love Crime” Legislation

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Somebody had to say it:  “They should be in fucking jail!”

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 Courtesy of the U.S. Postal Service.  Vote for the worst??

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Pain in the Gas - Too bad this is an Urban Legend.  Of course we could all decide not to drive next week!

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This one’s apparently real though.  Just when you think you’ve seen everything: www.dogcondoms.com

And they’re meat scented!

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And finally, for those of you who waited to find out “Who slept walked with JR?”   I’ve updated yesterday’s post below, so now you know the rest of the story. 

Have a good night! –Carey

Ah, the innocence of children and puppy dogs!  Let the healing begin.

 

Andy & Roxy

Tommy & Roxy

Tressa & Roxy

 Welcome to the family Roxy!

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My last 100 visitors, yesterday and today. Thanks friends! Wake up Antarctica!

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Thanks to Lewis for reminding me what a good movie this was.  This actress is 15 and in the movie she’s singing to her parents who always tell her she’s too fat.  She should be on American Idol!

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ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
“In the recent Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, musher Deborah Bicknell was found on the wrong trail, 18 miles off course. Why can’t women just stop and ask for directions?” — Michael Hinkson, Cooperstown, Pa., writing to syndicated columnist Norman Chad. (The Washington Post)

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This is Jennifer’s son Justin.  I told you you’d be on the Internet Justin

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I finally installed my beta version of Joost.  They still don’t have a ton of content, but some of what they have is pretty cool.  The first thing I saw was the Christina Aguilera/P Diddy video and the quality was amazing. The other channels weren’t as impressive, but it has potential.  As a beta tester I have 5 invitations that I can give out.  I’ll make them first come first serve, for whoever wants them.  Take a look at the website and the hardware requirements before you decide.  If you want an invitation, send me an email at careygly@gmail.com Again, first come, first served

Tommy & Cole in the “Big City”

Dar and Lisa brought the boys up today to see Meet the Robinsons at the El Capitan.  Afterwards we went to the Kodak Theater, and had lunch.  It was a gorgeous sunny day and the kids had a blast.  Luckily the Hollywood sign was still standing and flame free.  All the smoke had cleared away too, though it was pretty smoggy when looking towards downtown LA.  Here are some photos of the kids and a few more of the fire.  I’m also including a coupe of videos I took of Tommy and Andy the other night.  I need to teach them a new joke

Finally, thanks to Seth for passing on this worthwhile website: http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/032907C.shtml