Lost in Austen

If you have followed my blog for a while, you may remember that I am a big Jane Austen fan.
It started back in 7th and 8th grade when I discovered Gothic fiction and started reading books by the Bronte sisters.
One day when I was checking out books from the library , the librarian suggested I try Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.
It led to a very busy summer of reading .
I am also a fan of Masterpiece Classic and have been watching Charles Dickens "Little Dorrit" which concludes tonight on PBS.
Following it has been a series called Lost in Austen, kind of a
"Through the Looking Glass story" .
Elizabeth Bennett main character from Pride and Prejudice changes places with a reluctant Amanda Price who has been using Jane Austen's books as a
form of tranquilizer to juice up her boring love life.
What has really grabbed my attention in this series, is the actor who plays Mr. Darcy and the incredible resemblance he has to Heath Ledger.
I don't know how long this series is going to be on but I am definitely enjoying a new look at the story.
The scene below doesn't really show the humor of this series just a good look at
Eliot Cowan as Mr. Darcy..what do you think?

Good Pay TV !

I wish I had known Charles Grodin was going to be on Sean Hannity's show.
I love that guy and use to watch his late night talk show.
Good for Keith Olberman for jumping on this challenge.
I hope more decide to add to the bounty.
I would pay to watch Sean Hannity and any of the other defenders of torture being water boarded.
I would pay double if one of them was Ann Coulter.

Will Susan get to sing for the Queen?

Last week on Britain's got Talent, a frumpy 47 year old lady from Scotland walked out on to the stage and caused eyes to roll
because of her appearance and and obvious confidence in her talent.
Within seconds when she began to sing "I dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserable, those eyes got wide and giant smiles were on their faces.
The audience's snickers also turned to cheers.
It was the perfect song choice for Simon Cowell, and the smile on his face and the rest of the judges was exhilarating.
Techy Flash was the first one to bring Susan Boyle's performance to my attention,
but it wasn't long before everyone was sending me the you tube video.
I love this woman I can't get enough of her and she is one of the reasons I love these type of shows.
Susan lives alone with her cat Mitzi, says she has never had a boyfriend or never been kissed.
Friday night she was on Larry King and Oprah has invited her to be on her show
Her whole life is about to change,
I just hope it doesn't change her.
Just in case you have been in a bubble and haven't seen this performance, go to youtube and check it out before it is removed.
Most of the video's have have had their embedding disabled but here is an interview from Scottish TV.

Play for Change

Playing for Change Community is a group of artists and people who have come together to
connect the world through music.
When I first saw this all I wanted to do was hop a plane and head for New Orleans.
I love this music it makes me feel good,
enjoy!

Top Political Blogs according to Chris

You may have seen Chris Cillizza, who writes "The Fix" for the Washington Post, on Keith Olberman's Countdown MSNBC.

Recently he released his list of top Political Blogs in each state. Techy Flash who writes Centrisity made it this year. Dusty Trice is also a friend of mine and his blog is kind of an answer to Minnesota Democrats exposed.

If you like politics check out your state by going to The Fix

Minnesota
MNPublius
Minnesota Democrats Exposed
Minnesota Progressive Project
Centrisity
Dusty Trice
True North
Politics in Minnesota
The Uptake

No Shock just Awe !

While everyone has been criticizing Obama for not doing anything to rescue
Captain Richard Philips.
Quietly behind the scenes things were in process.

Chris Cillzza "The Fix" from the Washington Post
says it best,

"On the surface, Obama and his senior aides were only monitoring the situation but, according to a White House official, the administration was far more engaged behind closed doors.

Obama received his first briefing on the incident just hours after returning from his eight day trip abroad on Wednesday, and over the next 48 hours received further briefings to keep him apprised of the situation. By late Friday the president had authorized "potential emergency actions" to free the ship's captain and he did so again on Saturday. By Sunday at 4 p.m., Obama was on the phone with the rescued captain congratulating him on his new-won freedom."

I think the message sent here is, don't mess with

"The Man"!

Yesterday at our family Easter celebration one family member suggested they just blow up the raft with the Captain on it.
I suggested that all they needed to do was put our Navy Seals in the water and he would be free.

I had faith in our Navy.

Maybe they will think twice before they go after another American ship, and maybe now other countries will join us in
making these waters safe.

I don't expect Obama to take any credit, I expect him to give it all to the rescuers.
But remember Leadership is necessary here and I think right now this proves we have the right Person in charge.

May I add, I think John Bolton is a Giant A hole.

Bracket of Evil Champion"

Drum roll please...

" Karl Rove "

Hopefully his prize will be awarded soon.

That crazy Lady strikes again....

You need to read the latest drama going on in Alaskan politics.

Instead of writing it all here I suggest you get the whole story from Mudflats!

This has an unpleasant odor !

The paper this morning was full of some sad stories but this one grabbed me.

On July 22, 2006 a Minneapolis Police officer shot 19 year old Fong Lee eight times killing him,
after seeing what he thought was an exchange of drugs outside of Cityview elementary school on the north side of Minneapolis, .
Two days later at a news conference the police displayed a pistol they say was found next to Fong Lee's body.
This week the debate over Fong Lee's death resumed when a law suit was filed by the family alleging that the gun was planted.
It turns out the gun had been stolen in a 2004 burglary and recovered shortly afterwards and was held in a police property room until it was found by Fong Lees body.

Was it planted?

The police say no, they say the gun was mistakenly identified when it was recovered the first time.
I want to give the police the benefit of the doubt but I find it hard to understand why a 19 year old running from a police officer would need to be shot in the back eight times,twice while he was already on the ground.

Rest In Peace Gene,,

I have spent most of this week organizing a funeral luncheon for a friend and neighbor.
Gene died suddenly last Thursday and since some of his family has to come from other states the funeral is on Saturday.

Getting the food together isn't the hard part, it is not knowing how many people will be there. You know you don't have RSVP's for a funeral. These are very active people so I expect a crowd, and I do enjoy a challenge.

Meanwhile Hubba has lost a buddy and my friend Rita has joined his widow network.
It is a group that Hubba helps out with their finances. It is growing way to fast.

Update April 4,2009..Saturday
Today we said goodbye to our friend Gene, we had planned for about 200 people at the luncheon and I had enough people bringing food to cover it.
Obviously Gene was looking down and grinning with his big smile!
There was well over 350 people at the service, we served about 320 of them.
People who hadn't been called were coming in with hot dishes and salads and platters of meat and cheese or we wouldn't have had enough.
It reminded me of the Loaves and the fishes, no one went hungry.

Can you spell HYPOCRITES ?

Adios to Michael !!

Wednesday night on American Idol the theme was Motown and guest Smokey Robinson coached the contestants.
Best performance of the night was Adam Lambert's soulful rendition of Smokey's, Track of Tears, it brought him and Barry Gordey to their feet.
Last week I was not thrilled with Adam's performance of Ring of Fire.
I really found it a little strange but then that could have something to do with my lack of enthusiasm for that type of rock music.
He proved Wednesday that he is on his way to the final two.
I am hoping the other contestant will be Danny Gokey, who has brought it every week with each song choice.

Besides these two guys Allison Iraheta was right on with her performance of Papa was a Rolling Stone.
It is hard to believe she is only 16 years old.
I expected Megan to be in the bottom three and maybe even go home after her poor performance, but I am guessing since she is only one of three females left on the show, it saved her.
Going home last night was Michael Sarver.
It will be getting harder very week, some really good talent this year.
Now let Adam WOW you !!

Bracket of Evil

Have you ever wondered who would win in a face-off between Karl Rove and Rush Limbaugh? Sarah Palin and FOX News? Newt Gingrich and Exxon?

Now, you can do more than wonder. You can help decide who wins - in a Bracket of Evil.

CREDO is trying to figure out who is the most evil person (or organization) in American politics. I just voted for my picks in categories like Media, Government, and Maverick, and you should too! Just head to:

Bracket of Evil

Hard to pick from a group like this . . . Good luck

Is Anybody Listening?

President Obama watched this video and tonight on 20/20 they showed his answer to it.
The pain this country is going through is carrying over to our children.
I wish the Republicans in this country would join in to find solutions instead
of just being obstructionists.
Give us their plan, not just their criticism.

Good by Alexis.

Hubba is not a happy camper today and neither is Flash.
American Idol's results show sent home their favorite last night.
Little Alexis Grace ( mini me Dolly Parton with out the extra chest accouterments)
and more of a blues singer.

I thought her rendition of Jolene was a little copy cat and may have been her downfall.
It shows the importance on this show of song choices.
Unfortunately the teeny boppers who are willing to redial over and over to vote for their
favorite's weren't dialing her number.
I wasn't surprised and told Hubba to be prepared to see either Alexis or Megan go home.
Personally I was hoping it would be Michael Sarver a country singer want a be
who I didn't think did all that great in comparison.
Hubba was convinced that Adam Lambert (the Broadway here I come, Rocker)
who had destroyed his idol Johnny Cash''s song Ring of Fire, was going to be on the chopping block.
I knew that wasn't gonna happen, he forgets who does the voting and anyway the judges would never let Adam leave this early.
Adam will be in the finals with Danny Gokey my soul man.

Adam was taught a wee lesson last night when Ryan made him stand with Alexis and sweat a little.
Maybe he will rethink his persona, remembering this is for a recording contract and not some Las Vegas
stage show.
The final ten will be going on tour and it will be one of the best groups they ever had.
I don't think Alexis is going to have to worry, with that powerful voice she has a career waiting for her, but I do wish the
Idol makers would add her to their tour.

This video shows a lot of what she is capable of, but no way how good she actually is.

Natasha Richardson

I have a very close friend whose son was in a serious pole vaulting accident when he was a sophomore in high school.
It put him in a coma for 3 weeks but
remarkably with much therapy
he did recover.
He does suffer from some brain damage and has to use seizure medication but is able to work and lead a productive life.
Years later another friend fell backwards down some steps, hit his head causing a bleed on the brain and spent 1 year in a nursing home
recovering.
He is now home and finally back to a somewhat normal life.
I also have a nephew who was in a car accident that caused a severe concussion and a blood clot on the brain
he almost died.
He also suffered some learning disability from the injury.
But all of them lived.

That is why I was shocked when I heard
the tragic news of Natasha Ricardson's death and found it so hard to believe.

A skiing accident on a beginners hill?
At the time it sounded so minor.
I think there had to be pre-existing condition of some kind,
to cause such damage, maybe a weakness in the blood vessels around the brain.

I guess we won't know until the autopsy is completed.

Another lesson showing us how fragile life is.

My sympathy goes out to her family.

Just a pretty face in an empty shell !

This is Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) on Fox Business railing against earmarks, she is just one of many Republicans who are speaking out on one side of their mouth while requesting their own Pork.
But Bachmann took her hypocrisy a step further, claiming that she has signed an anti-pork pledge.

In actuality:

"according to Legistorm, Bachmann has requested 7 earmarks in Fiscal Year 2008 costing tax payers a total of $3,767,600. Some examples:

- $94,000 for Sheriffs Youth Program of MN
- $335,000 for Equipment Acquisition for Northland Medical Center
- $803,000 for Replacement Small Buses, St. Cloud Metro Bus

As MSNBC’s David Shuster noted, Bachmann indeed signed the Club for Growth’s ‘No Earmark’ pledge back in 2008. While she clearly broke this pledge, Bachmann’s name is curiously absent from the list of lawmakers making the same pledge for 2009."

This woman has no shame and I wish that the media would start reporting
all of her lies.
Keith Olberman did a good job Friday night including her again as one of his "Worst Persons" in the world
Now watch this pretty little things as the lie oozes out of her mouth.

Thanks to thinkprogress.org and Keith Olberman for this information.

Hope we can believe in !

Maybe there is hope for this country.
I saw this on the DL Hugley show, I know many religious
people who feel this way and voted for Obama.
They are the real Christians, not the ones who claim to be born again and then
preach hate speech against the Gay Community.

I am so proud that today President Obama signed an executive order restoring funding for research on all lines of available stem cells.
Now the research can begin and maybe lives can be changed.

8 things about the Minnesota Senate recount

I am doing this "meme" for Riot Kitty,
only because I don't have to tag anyone.

Here are the rules.

1. You’ve got to post a link from the person who tagged you.
2. List 8 things that you know about on your chosen subject. You get to choose the subject.
3. You don’t have to tag anyone but you can if you want. If you do, let them know on their blog that they’ve been tagged.
4. List the rules.

I have chosen to update the Senate recount in Minnesota.
Currently we only have one Senator representing us and Amy Klobuchar is doing an excellent job, but I wonder when she sleeps.

Up the roller coaster everyone. then down.

1.On November 4th, 2008 Norm Coleman thought he won the Senate race by 215 votes, he said if he was behind he would have conceded.

2. Minnesota law said Nay, automatic recount followed.

3.Coleman challenged thousands of Franken ballots, the court ruled against him on most of them.

4.Jan. 5th the Election board certifies the recount results that show Franken leading by 225 votes..

5. Remember # 1?
Coleman did not step aside he filed a law suit instead.

6. Republican leaders urge Coleman to continue his fight and delay Franken's seating as long as he can. They make a commercial urging supporters to send money to help with Coleman's court case.

7. March 6th the Minnesota Supreme Court denies Al Frankens petition for a certificate of election. They said a certificate can't be issued until the legal case is over. Al Franken's case is now being presented to the court.

8. Norm Coleman has a press conference and suggests another election should be held and hints he may take case to US Supreme Court

Remember # 1

Final 13 !

I was disappointed last night, that the judges chose to balance out their final 12 by choosing Jasmine Murray over a couple superior male singers.
If they were going to add another female I think they should have gone with Jessie Langseth or
Tatiana who is a far superior singer compared to a couple female choices.
I think it was her quirky personality that
kept her out.
Jessie again made a poor song choice, I would have thought she had learned her lesson.
But her vocals are better then 16 year old Jasmine.
I wasn't surprised when they added Anoop at the end to make it a final 13.
He is a teeny boppers dream, and they vote.

Without seeing the 13 finalist's perform together, I am going out on a limb and predicting the final 6.

Scott MacIntire will be there, not because he is a better singer then the rest, but his cute factor and blindness is appealing to those that do the voting.
The same goes for Jorge Nunez and Anoop Desai

Topping my list and maybe in the final 3 are

Lil Rounds, the best female singer since Fantazia and Jennifer Hudson.
Adam Lambert, he has personality to go along with his Broadway voice.
I hope to hear him sing an Elvis song before this competition is over.
Last but not least, David Gokey who is so appealing and has the sound I would pay to hear.
Anyone of these 3 can win it all if they make the right song choices, and all 3 of them have a career no matter what.

Now I have to point out, last year a couple of my favorites were long gone in the early shows, they kept making bad song choices.

Then all of a sudden David Cook came out of no where.

Right now he is my favorite all time American Idol so anything can happen.

This was my favorite performance Tuesday night.