Extremely Hampton Roads...

A cool thing happened in Virginia Beach (about 10 miles from us) yesterday. A local family was ambushed at church by the team from "Extreme Makeover Home Edition". We have known for weeks that the ABC show was coming to the area, but the family and the home to be made-over has been kept a closely guarded secret.

Today is the demolition, and the reveal is to be Saturday 2/5/2011, after the Hill-Burdette family returns from a week-long vacation at Disneyland in California. The whole area has been involved in the "Extreme Food Drive" and it's not too late for any locals to get involved (as we have) by checking out the Official Build Website...

Over, "Out", and Extremely proud, from Portsmouth, VA

Blasting from My Past...

This morning, while watching (listening to actually) the Sunday morning news shows, a familiar melody caught the attention of my ears and memory...

For many of us, the "Captain" was a regular icon on our then black & white (and later color) TV's... It has been so long, for me anyway, to hear that familiar jingle... I am happy to see that "The Travelers" has used it to remind me (and probably a few others) of those many hours spent glued to this show.

RIP Bob Keeshan (1927 - 2004)...

Over and "Out" from a day off in Portsmouth, VA

Told You So!

Just some fun on my Friday!

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA

Mother and Daughter...

My daughter posted this picture on her Facebook page a couple days ago. Her Mom is Diana Elizabeth Rimington (whom I have posted about on several occasions)... My daughter was probably 18 months old at the time (She will be 23 in February). I love the picture of the two of them, so much alike in their own ways...

Over and "Out" from another chilly evening in Portsmouth, VA

Disney Dream... The Newest...

I can't believe this...  I think we have all forgotten the gulf...  The place where we get our 4 shrimp per day...

It "ain't over yet", first Katrina, and then this?  I am waiting for my hero Robin Roberts to step in and get the Disney guys to lend a helping hand...  GMA needs to refocus on the Gulf, and stop focusing on the Disney Dream...

Over and shamefully "Out", from Portsmouth, VA

Perfect!!!

Pink gets it!

The official video is great, this is all I could download without a "Sony" block...

Over, "Out" and Fucking Perfect, from Portsmouth, VA

Remembering... October 13, 1951: January 21, 2009...

This is copied (with revisions) from my post dated January 23, 2009:

"My wife, of almost 20 years, and friend of more than 25, passed away Wednesday (January 21, 2009). Her battle with breast cancer was finally lost after the cancer metastasized into her bones and slowly took over...

Diana (Di to most) was one of the strongest, most kind hearted, and loving people I have ever known. She was the mother of three children and my best friend... I know I am not the only to make that claim, not only did Di have lifelong friends of her own, she was the best friend of more women than I can count. Something about her style, personality, and caring heart, attracted people to flock and stick with her for good and bad.

I have not seen her in a number of years, so I am blessed with memories of her as the healthy vibrant woman I always knew. For those of you that have been around her, helped her, cared for her, and loved her:

Thank you for being there!"

Over, "Out" and missing my best friend, from Portsmouth, VA

OWYP January 2011

This is an interview with my niece Jessica about her non-profit "One World Youth Project".  Watch the slideshow and listen to her answer the questions...  Making her parents more proud every day I'm sure... 

She makes me proud to be her Uncle...  You go Jess!

This is a video of the "Bioneers" Summit in October of this past year. While I know I have some overly exuberant pride here, watch as the MC introduces my niece, then watch Jessica deliver!


Bioneers 2010: Jess Rimington, of One World Youth Project, presents: "Mobilizing the World's Youth" from owyp on Vimeo.

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA (just another place where HIV/AIDS exists) and a neighbor to ODU (Old Dominion University), CNU (Christopher Newport University), NSU (Norfolk State University), and TCC (Tidewater Community College)... Hopefully one or more of the local colleges/universities will engage in the challenge to make the next generation smarter, and more aware of all global issues...

updated 1/20 to include the whole names of referenced schools...

Sunday Brunch at Nations

Almost five years ago I posted (often) about a great club in Richmond called Z2... After some time and the passing of one of it's owners, Z2 closed it doors ending the short life of another Richmond Gay Club... Fast forward a year or two and the same building reopens as Nations.  While Z2 was (to me) a great neighborhood bar and a definite stop on the the gay boy's Friday and Saturday night schedule, Nations opened with some panache and was redecorated by it's (also) gay owners that have a great sense of style. Michael and I have been there 3-4 times in our two years together and each time there is a more upscale ambiance and as always the bathrooms are clean (side note: why are are the bathrooms in gay/lesbian clubs always so nasty?).

I'm not sure I would have ever invited my daughter to Z2 for any function, but today we had a great outing at Nations Sunday Brunch. Yesterday Michael and I realized we would be up in Richmond today to take Michael's son to a friend's house. The text then went out to my daughter to join us for brunch, after choosing Nations I messaged Kelly over at Rambling along in life... to see if he wanted to join us (his husband is out of town and I thought he might like the distraction)...

This is my daughter and me

I text'd Kelly after we got home to let him know we were safe, he said he really enjoyed my "girl". We will have to drag her out again when Kelly's husband is home... She is quite vocal and "sassy" (which was also her nickname when she was younger)...

This is Kelly and me (we likes our blogging friends)

After a slight problem with the biscuits in the biscuits and gravy (which was promply resolved) the meal, accompanying beverages of choice, and great conversation went like a well laid plan (albeit unplanned).  Anyone considering Nations as a potential "pit stop" in Richmond should check it out, you won't be disappointed.

Getting ready for the Golden Globes and snuggling with my man...

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA

We the People...

While at work yesterday, I noticed the Virginian Pilot (one of our local papers) on the table in the break room... These days I get most of my news from TV or the internet, but something caught my eye as I flipped through the front section of the paper....  "We the People..." was the header on the the top of this full page article. Upon further inspection, I realized it was not an article at all. It was a printed version of the original  Constitution of the United States of America.

The footnote referred to the first day of business for the 112th Congress; A reading of the Constitution from the floor of the House Chamber by members of the US House of Representatives including Arizona Representative Gabrielle Giffords.

I took thirty minutes off the sales floor to re-read the words and I suggest to anyone that hasn't read it since elementary school to do the same. While the paper only published the original version (prior to any amendments) the link above has sub-links to all...

Take the time when you have it, to read it once again (the way I read it there is no reference to "We the -straight- People")...

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA

My Half-Thousandth Post

Almost five years and this is my 500th post.  I was digging for something deep and meaningful to post on this auspicious occasion, but I hit bedrock in my brain...

My New Life has evolved over the (sometimes sporadic) posts, as has my new life in general.  While I don't have everything I want, I do have everything I need and more. This includes many new friends in the blogosphere, some I have met, some I have not, but all are people I cherish...   Thank you all for including me and My New Life in your lists of cyber friends...

I will be re-thinking my work situation this year as a primary objective. I like what I do, but I don't "love" it. At 55 years old (and yes I have my AARP membership and take advantage of "senior discounts" when I can), I need to be doing something that I look forward to doing every day to keep me engaged.  Not unlike the encouragement I have received from my blogging friends in here (to keep posting)...

Thank you all for returning (how ever frequently) and sharing your comments, thoughts, and feedback. I love doing this and you all make it easier with every post!

Over, "Out" and preparing for the the next winter storm, from Portsmouth, VA 

I'm an INTP on the MBTI... Just an FYI...

I saw a reference to the MBTI (Myers Briggs Type Indicator) over at Rob's blog Below the Radar and had to try an informal version of it on myself. This is what I got:

You are an INTP...

For INTPs the driving force in their lives is to understand whatever phenomenon is the focus of their attention. They want to make sense of the world -- as a concept -- and they often enjoy opportunities to be creative.

INTPs are logical, analytical, and detached in their approach to the world; they naturally question and critique ideas and events as they strive for understanding.

INTPs usually have little need to control the outer world, or to bring order to it, and they often appear very flexible and adaptable in their lifestyle.

Want to try it? There are several places you can go on the web to take the real test (and pay for it) or take this free version (a self test) that mimics the MBTI. Make sure you follow the links after completing it.  It's interesting that it came very close to hitting the mark with me...

Over and "Out" from a day off in Portsmouth, VA

2010 to 2011...

Charlie in 2010

One Week later in 2011

Charlie is not feeling like he once did...  Poor Charlie...

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA