Whew. Glad they spelled that out.

I could've done without that image. Especially while eating dinner. :(

I live in the state that is Cobain's birthplace and therefore not a year passes without mention of his death in April. This year featured something new; I'll let the article speak for itself: A statue tribute to Kurt Cobain was unveiled in his hometown last Tuesday (04-05-11). The tribute to the Nirvana frontman was unveiled in Aberdeen, Washington, 17 years to the day he took his own life in 1994. The statue depicts a 2.5 meter Fender Jag-Stang guitar, the model Kurt developed, and was constructed from stone based on a design by local artists Kim and Lora Malakoff. Lora told Seattle's Q 13 Fox news: "I first moved to Aberdeen right after Kurt Cobain died. And I was always surprised there was nothing here to memorialize him. "I had always hoped there would be. As one generation goes and another takes over, things change. That's what happened here with Kurt Cobain." *** An inscription on the statue bears lyrics from the Nirvana song 'On a Plain', reading: "One more special message to go / and then I'm done and I can go home." The sculpture is placed in a park near the Young Street bridge where Cobain spent time growing up, and is popular among visiting fans as it is described in the song 'Something in the Way'. As well as the statue, in 2005 a fan led organization, the Kurt Cobain Memorial Foundation, raised enough money to install a new sign reading 'Come as You Are' below the 'Welcome to Aberdeen' sign on the way into the town. The phrase is the title of a 1992 single by the band. article here:http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_272639144.shtml

Tooooouuche to the Onion's parody. And, as usual, you're right. In life in general and particularly after disasters, it's helpful to remember that the cream (sh*t) always rises to the top. Stupidity will prevail over intelligence, panic over reason and ignorant know-it-alls will always drown out those who do know. It's the sorry state of the world ...

I had the same urge. The urge to act out of compassion is a beautiful thing. The oft-overlooked truth is that there's a downside to volunteers, particularly in abundance. They burden and drain the very valuable resources needed for the victims. It's critical that there be an intelligent and self-supporting infrastructure and system be in place for effective volunteer efforts. this case the military can serve in that capacity better than so many other organizations with good intent but lack of understanding or structure. Them's my 2 cents.

"I'm not going to devote too much time to writing about it because I've already wasted 90 minutes of my life watching it." - lol, there's an indictment in brief if ever there were one!

The first bursts of yellow crocuses is always uplifting. BTW, knowing your love of film, I too wondered whether you'd be watching the awards tonight. The only big surprise I reckon was Melissa Leo for best supporting -- the surprise being on her part!!

Nice to hear/read a catch-up. Sounds like a lot's going on and yeah, prioritizing and focus will help you move forward and take care of that which needs your attention. I've often regretted not going into the military (while at the same time understanding why I chose not to). Do you know where you're going and when?

Sometimes ya just gotta lie down and be sick! Glad you're on the mend.

I couldn't agree more. Unfortunately (and it pains me to say this as a graduate of journalism who embraces and models the old-school journalism ethics, fairness and objectivity), the state-run media has skewed so far left that, with a few exceptions, the news is throwaway crap. And exacerbated by the Internet and fast-food communications enabling every Tom, Dick and Harry to pipe in. There's a reason I lie low or stay off the grid entirely: People are stupid! And the media leads that parade!

{applause} Helpful insights and pointers and I enjoyed reading your experience as one who has walked the Nano path. Myself, I know better than to try to walk it -- not that I couldn't, I willfully opt not to against my better and higher good! --and thus suffer no disappointment in failing to achieve the goal. :) Twisted and counterproductive, sure, but it works for me. :(

lol. but to me, you'll always be QueenRev. :p

{on bended knees bowing repeatedly} We are not worthy, we are not worthy. {scene from "Wayne's World" comedy film} I've seen box seats. In TV and films. Too cool and thanks for the descript. Shall we be referring to you henceforth as Queen Revstan?

First, good on ya for NanoWriMo! That's impressive, from where I sit, and and commendable. Second, I totally hear ya on the forums and not being a group writer and all that. I'm not a group writer either ... I'm not a group anything! ... though I will admit to a passion for small writing circles of women (caveat: mitigated by their personalities/characters). I'm greatly distressed by people who claim they're writers and they're not and I can just imagine the many of that ilk populating NaNoWriMo. And the world!

excellent! grand when that happens, eh?

Patton is a great man, I'd be interested in his story. NaNoWriMo -- your post got me pondering whether to attempt it. I dunno ......

lol, very true!

I know I'd fail in achieving the goal so I choose not to try! :)

Dating myself here but I remember with undying fondness those clickety-clackety typewriters from my days on the high school newspaper. Not sure I could actually make myself use the modernized version!

It's "lets" not "let's" in the first sentence. :) Have a good time at the game!

were that I had half your motivation for writing ...... {sigh}

I'm a hardcore Mac-er from day 1 and hope I never need put fingertips to "that other system." :)

And, oh yes, Happy Birthday!

Wow. Two tomes already? I'm older than you (by an undisclosed number of years :) ) and I'm still draggin' my sorry ass gettin' one written. What should you do before 40? Why, salute the 30's with a cocktail of course!

Did I call them louts? Sorry, I mean jerks, a**holes and imbeciles thinking of no one but themselves. ;)