The Lou Gramm Concert and How I Got to be There

The strangest set of events occurred last week which led to me being in a place I wouldn't have normally found myself. I'll try to explain the best I can and you tell me if this was just a bizarre set of coincidences. Two Wednesdays ago, I was dining with a friend. During this dinner, this friend handed me a copy of a local publication called Good Times Magazine. It's a magazine that features local artists and headline concerts coming to town.
I started flipping through the magazine and briefly scanned an article about Lou Gramm. I didn't recognize the name, but as I continued reading discovered that Lou Gramm had been the vocalist for the band Foreigner. Again, I was familiar with Foreigner, but couldn't quite remember their songs...that is until I continued reading the article. "Juke Box Hero," "Double Vision," "I Want to Know What Love is" and "Cold as Ice" were a few named in the piece and that I could say..."Yeah, I remember those songs."
Then on Sunday, my friend Jesse came by to pick up his puppy. We were sitting at the kitchen table where he informed me that his cousin had acquired tickets to Lou Gramm. I related to him that I had just read an article about that concert and then showed him the magazine. He then informed me that his cousin couldn't go to the concert and wanted to know if I wanted the tickets. Weird, huh? Since I had a kid free weekend, I said sure why not.
Susan and I went to the concert at the Horseshoe Arena in Midland. We listened to the opening band, Seventh Rize. They are a local band from Odessa and performed songs of the classic rock genre. I really stopped listening to classic rock before it came to be known as classic rock. I tend to keep current with music and not stay stuck in the past, but there are quite a few people who still enjoy that genre of music and believe me...all of them were present at this concert.
Finally, after Seventh Rize, Lou Gramm and band took the stage. Hearing the old classics did bring back some memories and it was a feel good moment. Susan and I walked out onto the floor and stood behind a pair of lively ladies. These ladies were hard core Foreigner fans. They played air guitar, sang the songs to one another, head banged (if that's possible) and really enjoyed themselves. I wish I could have video taped these ladies' performance because they were a sight to see!
I would have to say that the highlight of the evening was seeing Don Mancuso, the lead guitarist, play. For an older musician, he still rocked and rocked hard. Perfect playing, with such energy and fluid of motion...he was truly incredible up there on stage and commanded a presence that I truly admired.
Now here comes the really weird part. Saturday night I attended a show in Midland to hear a band called Outlash. Of course, if you read my blog, you'll know that this is the same band that performed the charity benefit for my friend, Erika. While in attendance, I found out that a journalist from Good Times Magazine was also in attendance...to write an article about Outlash! Isn't that crazy?!? We do live in a small world after all.

BP Needs A Good Ole American Revolution Butt Kicking

I am very familiar with the antics of BP Oil. There's a long list of travesties committed by this severely deficient oil company. The one closest to home for me is the Texas City Refinery explosion. Just five years ago, the BP Oil Refinery explosion claimed fifteen lives. These lives could have been saved if BP had implemented safety improvements and used proper equipment. Even after the explosion...after the investigations...after a court order to make these improvements in equipment, risk management, work culture, maintenance and inspection, and general safety...BP refused to do so. Why do you think that is?

We as a society, have created an environment, where Big Oil & Gas companies feel that they are above the law. Oh, you say..."We would never allow such a thing." Oh, but we have. By not speaking up, by not acting out, by continuing to elect the same old tired faces into congress, whose pockets are being lined by special interests groups and lobbyists...we have allowed this.

Then we have governors of certain states who also feel they are above the law. Why is it that Perry wants to sue the EPA? Have you really wondered and pondered the question? Don't you think that our leader...the one man that's supposed to be looking out for our best interests would welcome tougher regulations against an industry that's been allowed to run amuck? One would think.

What happened to BP after they decided not to implement the court ordered safety improvements? BP was fined 87 million dollars by OSHA. Have they learned their lesson? Apparently not. I briefly watched the CEO of BP spewing out all kinds of double talk. A press release had been issued that stated there was no significant difference in 1000 barrels of oil and 5000 barrels of oil spewing like toxic poo into the ocean. When he was questioned he offered this explanation: "Well, what we meant was that under the water...it physically didn't look different."

I know, incredulous.

Needing A Rescue Beacon For The BP Spill

With her velvet hair and violet eyes she scans the room like a beacon from a lighthouse piercing the blackness. Is the signal for wayward sailors meant for a lost love? She can't place her finger on exactly what she's searching for, but only acknowledges that something, someone is strangely out of place as a missing puzzle piece that would complete the so longed for image.

Do you find yourself sometimes fantasizing about being a character in a story? Where the end is destined and there is always a middle and a beginning. How simple our lives would translate and operate if we had our very own authors prethinking and penning our every word and deed.

There are times I've wished to have never began a story or subplot, choosing to skip a chapter. Of course, you never know you should of omitted that part of the story until after you've read it, well, and then...it's too late.

Because it's there...already engraved onto your memory, never to be forgotten. What then? You can't forget it so you must find a way to live with it. You also can not erase or change the past. There isn't a device which freely allows you to travel to a previous time in history.

I adore people who embrace tragedy with open arms instead of wallowing in the toxic waste of self pity. Strength and courage of mind and heart bottled into a course of action that flows freely like a river, just like the oil that flows freely beneath the life spring of waters in the Gulf of Mexico. I'm not quite sure where my course of action will take me, but be certain...my river will flow and you will soon know.

Thinking About The HCG Diet

I haven't blogged much lately about the HCG Diet, but just recently a few people inquired about what I did to lose those thirty pounds. I came across the HCG Diet at the Body Focus Clinic in Midland. The crux of HCG is that it mimics the hormone produced during pregnancy. Supposedly, this hormone assists the body in using stored fat reserves...up to 1500 calories a day. The very strict rigid diet while taking the injections or drops, only allows you to consume 500 calories per day. I know...that's not very much. I'll have to say that I stuck with the food list, but not necessarily the amount of calories. See, while I was doing the HCG Diet which only lasts about thirty days, I continued to lift weights and do cardio. I didn't want to not continue with muscle toning and since I was participating in quite a bit of physical activity I ate more.
Of course, I've read plenty of other blogs and articles and opinions about the HCG Diet...most of them negative. There's just one problem with these blogs and articles and opinions...none of the goombahs even tried the diet and yet...bashed and trashed it. I'm not one to jump on a miracle cure, or try the greatest and newest anything. I did my research for several months before even attempting it. I read the original Diet by Dr. Simeons that was released in the 1940s. This isn't a new fad or the latest diet pill. HCG has been around for a LONG time.
The Diet requires a lot of work and watching and careful planning. In previous posts about the Diet, I've referred people to different books, one being the Sugar Busters Diet. This book is fabulous at explaining the glycemic index of foods, which I believe every person should be aware of. If you're diabetic or hypoglycemic (like myself) then this a must read. After altering the type of foods I ingested, I've only experienced five episodes of low blood sugar over the past six years.
Recently, a friend's husband, had his cholesterol tested. It identified him as having the cholesterol levels of a 300 pound man...he is very thin and possibly not even weighing in over 160 pounds...maybe. Thin doesn't necessarily mean healthy. Be careful...listen and know what your body needs.

The Mysterious Case Of Free College Tuition For All Texas Kids

I've yet again come across a mysterious case. I'm not real clear about how this all came to be. I received an email telling me how lucky my kids were because they live in Texas. Oh, sure...this state is pretty amazing. I'm forever scratching my head and thinking...they did what? Anyway, I digress. I kept reading the email wondering what in the world was this person referring to? As I read, I discovered that people from around our great nation have come to the conclusion based on one little town in Texas, DISH, Texas, that is...that because of our generous gas and oil buddies...all of our children go to state college for FREE! Uh...not.
I don't know how anyone could think this? Maybe DISH has some sort of deal worked out and honestly I'm thinking that since the residents of DISH have been so used and abused and filled with toxic chemicals that the FREE TUITION is more of a payoff to keep quiet. I do know that our oil and gas buddies have made big settlement payments to keep people quiet. I bet the FREE TUITION deal over in DISH is just that...a big payoff to keep those people quiet. I guess it didn't work.

One Is Enough

This school year is coming to an end in just a couple of weeks. There's a bit of difference about leaving school for summer vacation this year...I won't be returning. Oh, it's not because I haven't loved my job and want to continue teaching here, but it's because TYC of Pyote will be closing it's doors forever.

Some people have asked how I could work in such an environment and all I can say is that a kid is a kid is a kid...and I adore kids. Instilling that little spark for the desire for more learning has been something I've enjoyed for the past six years, and the past two years have been no different.

Will all these boys change their ways and lead a productive and successful life? Probably not. Will just one? Probably so. Then that has been enough...just one. Think that's crazy? Remember the story from the bible about the shepherd who had 100 sheep and all were accounted for except for one? Do you remember what he did? He searched for that one lost sheep. Yes, even one is enough.

Saying Goodbye To Mona

Wow! This has been an exhausting week both physically and emotionally. Some may remember my posts about Jesse. He's my best friend over here in Wink and the best workout partner I've ever had. Jesse remains a positive figure in my life and has time and time again helped me sort through the jumbled mess that's in my head.

Jesse's sister, Mona, passed away last Thursday from Cancer. Cancer is nothing new for Jesse and his family. He's lost his mother, father, a brother and now two sisters to the terrible disease. Mona's Mass was Monday night and in her honor a bunch of us decided to do the drag in Kermit and Wink as a final tribute. Mona was quite the dragster back in the day so it was only fitting that we take that trip in her honor.

The funeral was held Tuesday. At graveside, as the casket was lowered in the ground, we sent almost 200 hundred balloons skyward to escort Mona's soul to the angels. Mona collected angels and believed that they held special healing and protection.

As I take my final flight, I leave the pain and sadness of this physical world. Where I'm going I shall no longer cry tears of hurt, but only tears of joy...longing once again to be reunited with the ones I left behind. You can't go with me, I must take this trip alone. Don't forget to live...remember I lived once, as well.

You Can't Just Hope It Away

I recently read a book where the main character said this, "hope is a cruel god." It foreshadowed unknown to me at the time that the one person in her life that offered a sense of completely satisfying her desires would soon be gone...lost to her forever. Would he magically appear in the next book? I think not...he was cremated.

What diminishes hope? A lack of action. You can not hope things into existence. Only action brings about the things we are searching for in our lives. You want a closer relationship with your children? You just can't hope for that you have to do something.

A friend recently came to that conclusion, that they can no longer just hope for good things to transpire but that they have to create an environment in which the desired result occurs. I would say that this friend is on the right path.

Recently it's been in the news, this BP oil spill. A lot of my friends on the Gulf Coast haven't had to deal with the sour effects of Big Oil and Gas. They have not felt the effects of what we here in Texas have felt for decades. As that sickening spill creeps slowly to the coastline and they begin to inhale the noxious fumes and witness the devastation the realization of what has happened begins to settle in.

Questions have surfaced asking how can we have the technology to do all these great things and yet we don't have the ability to shut this down? For so long, we've been conned into thinking that Big Oil and Gas can't be touched. That's an incorrect assumption. Seeing as how they continually touch our lives by polluting our ground water, releasing toxins into the air, instilling a cancer that will literally tear our lives apart we have finally come to the awareness that this has to cease.

We can no longer just HOPE that it gets better. We can no longer just HOPE that the industry will take responsibility. We can no longer ACCEPT because it lines our pockets with good paychecks. It's time to hold the industry accountable.

I've Been Accused Of Being A Liberal By The Wink ISD

On my blog a couple of days ago I asked a simple question. Here's that question...why is it that the Kermit ISD school board and administration can hire me, but the Wink ISD school board and administration can not. I received a phone call today giving me the answer to that question. Are you ready? It's because I'm too liberal.

Hmmm...so, I had to ponder on what I had done over the past ten years that earned me the title of being too liberal. I suppose after some pondering I came up with a list of events that I think I'll gladly share with you and then you can decide if I'm too liberal. Okay, are you ready? Here goes.

When a concerned mother approached me seven years ago and asked me to be her advocate at a local DEIC meeting with the principal and several teachers, I gladly accepted. During that meeting I found out that the first grade teacher was tearing up children's papers in front of them during class and throwing them in the trash because they had failed to put their tiny little names on their papers. Not only was the paper ripped up a zero was also recorded in the grade book. I asked, "How is it that you can record a zero for that child and yet not allow the child to put his/her name on the paper and give that child credit for their work? What you're doing is humiliating and damaging to that child forever creating a hostile educational environment that instills an intrinsic dislike for learning. Are you prepared to create children that loathe coming to school?" This teacher's response?

"I'm preparing them for the future. Do you think they can fill out a job application and forget their name and get hired for the job? You're not even a teacher so what you think doesn't matter."

The principal allowed her to continue her demeaning practice, but in the meantime I quit my job and went back to college to become what? Yep, you guessed it...a teacher. Not only would I be qualified to state my opinion, but I would have the ammunition to abolish her unfair practices. And sure enough, when my little Annie finally got into her first grade class, I was there that afternoon on the first day of school meeting with her and the principal to inform her that I would not tolerate such a heinous act and now that I was a teacher...I knew what she was doing was wrong. You can not punish academically for behavior. End of story. So, I suppose putting an end to an antiquated horrible act of belittling children makes me a liberal.

Then there was the time that I again became an advocate for a mother whose child was being discriminated against. Seems that every child except for him was getting credit for their work. These worksheets had two sides and a place for the student's name on both sides. This child would forget to put his name on one side earning him a zero for the paper. (I guess she didn't get the memo that that practice had been abolished) After contacting several of the parents who had children in this teacher's class and getting copies of their children's worksheets, sure enough I came across many instances where these students had been given full credit for their work even though their name only appeared on one side, my child being one. After bringing it to the teacher's attention she refused to change the student's grades. I then went to the principal. With the teacher in the room, I pulled my copies of the child who had been discriminated against...and smugly this teacher smiled and said, "Yep, that's my policy. Name has to be on both sides to get credit." Then I asked, "And you are consistent with this policy? You enforce it with every child?" She responded, "Oh, I most certainly do." Then I quietly with purpose pulled a stack of no less than fifty papers...each one showed a child's name on one side, but not on the other and yet grades had been credited for both sides...no zeros recorded. "This child whom you have given zeros to is black, these children whom you have not given zeros to are white. What does this look like to you?" So, I suppose ending racial discrimination makes me a liberal.

Confronting the school librarian who called my daughter a liar by telling her that she indeed checked this book out that had not been returned and would now have to pay for it also qualifies me as a liberal. I had written the librarian several notes informing her that Annie had never checked out this book, that it had to have been a mistake...she ignored my letters. Until the end of the year school party when the day before my daughter was informed that she would have to spend the fun filled day alone in the secretaries' office because she had not paid for this book. My daughter, in the first grade, came home in tears. I was back that very afternoon in the principal's office with that librarian. Not only did I tell her who the child was that checked out that book, but that I had contacted an aide at the school that went to the shelf and found the book improperly placed. I told the librarian that she owed my daughter an apology. Her response, "I'm not apologizing to her. You don't apologize to kids. Your daughter is just overly sensitive." I then informed her that she was base and depraved and pure evil. (not one of my better days.) So, I suppose getting the prinicpal to write a letter stating that Annie never checked out the book and didn't owe the money makes me a liberal. By the way...I still have that letter.

There are many other events over the past 10 years that I could relate to you, but we'd be here for days recounting them all. I suppose the nail in the coffin event was when I was interviewed by the superintendant. He told me he was concerned that in the past I wasn't a team player. My response? "You're correct if not being a team player means protecting the right of every child to a fair and equitable education. You're also correct in identifying me as not a team player because I provide parents with accurate information and resources to help their struggling child. And you're definitely correct in assuming that if you want me to violate the teacher code of ethics by denying a child special education services that I wouldn't do it...yep, then I'm not a team player."

All ye of narrow minded thought processes listen closely...no one runs me out of town and no one puts baby in the corner.

Being a NRFU Agent

I completed my week of Census Training and now I am officially a NRFU Agent. I'll see if you can figure out what acronym NRFU is. There were TONS of acronyms in the NRFU training manual. HU, WHEHU, EQ and various other such tid bits of exciting information.

I'd love to be able to tell you that training was extremely fun and riveting, but alas...I can not. Since I had gone through the previous training most of the first couple of days was a recap of stuff I already knew. I really tried not to be a know it all, because I just can not tolerate know it alls. To pacify myself and keep my ADD from kicking in, I texted friends and read a book during the parts I already knew. I didn't think I had bothered anyone, but the next day our CL advised me about excessive texting, she didn't seem to mind the two ladies sitting at the end of my table that talked constantly. In response I limited my texting to breaks and lunch but continued to read my book, which I finished yesterday.

I guess you might be wondering how a teacher managed to take off time during TAKS testing. Normally, I wouldn't have been able to do that, but since the school I am employed by is shutting their doors for good on May 28th, and we haven't had a math teacher for over a month, I didn't think they would mind much. I'll see when I return to work on Monday.

Others have asked what I'll be doing for employment. Well, just yesterday I was informed by the Kermit ISD, a little district about seven miles from my abode, hired me. Yep, the school board met last night and voted to accept my application. Hmmm...that's something the Wink ISD school board could never do. I wonder why?

I was also delighted about the salary. It's good. The drive, a fourteen mile round trip, will be the shortest commute I've had since moving to Texas back in 2001. I've gone from one hundred four to ninety eight to thirty four and now just fourteen miles! I'm so very very excited!

Traveling HWY 18 everyday this week to Census Training had me passing something unusual. It involves wheels, carts, blue containers and a man. I think tomorrow I am gonna stop and take some pictures and figure out what this little man is up to. Should make for an interesting day.