The College of William and Mary and It Gets Better!

I had a friend of mine send me the above (thank you Allison)... After watching it and going to the College's website, I thought I'd offer some fun facts about the College of William and Mary. I Know it's a long video for my blog, but it's worth watching these kids and the faculty:

The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA

Home » About 

Not many colleges can say they've canceled classes because 'the British invaded'.

The College of William & Mary is the second-oldest college in America. The original plans for the College date back to 1618—decades before Harvard—but were derailed by an “Indian uprising.” We couldn’t make this stuff up.

On February 8, 1693, King William III and Queen Mary II of England signed the charter for a “perpetual College of Divinity, Philosophy, Languages, and other good Arts and Sciences” to be founded in the Virginia Colony. And William & Mary was born.

Workers began construction on the Sir Christopher Wren Building, then known simply as the College Building in 1695, before the town of Williamsburg even existed. Over the next two centuries, the Wren Building would burn on three separate occasions, each time being re-built inside the original walls. That makes the Wren the oldest college building in America, and possibly the most flammable.

The College has been called “the Alma Mater of a Nation” because of its close ties to America’s founding fathers. A 17-year-old George Washington received his surveyor's license through the College and would return as its first American chancellor. Thomas Jefferson received his undergraduate education here, as did presidents John Tyler and James Monroe.

William & Mary is famous for its firsts: the first U.S. institution with a Royal Charter, the first Greek-letter society (Phi Beta Kappa, founded in 1776), the first student honor code and the first law school in America.

The College became a state-supported school in 1906 and went coed in 1918. In 1928, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. chose the Wren as the first building to be returned to its 18th-century appearance as part of the iconic Colonial Williamsburg restoration.

Traditions

Chronology

Our Historic Campus

Jeffersonia

Over, "Out" and wiping a couple tears from my face, here in Portsmouth, VA USA

Is this the Congress We all Want?...

No one has been able to explain to me why young men... and women serve in the U.S. Military for 20 years, risking their lives protecting freedom, and only get 50% of their pay. While Politicians hold their political positions in the safe confines of the capital, protected by these same men and women, and receive full pay retirement after serving one term. It just does not make any sense. 

On Fox news they learned that the staffers of Congress family members are exempt from having to pay back student loans. This will get national attention if other news networks will broadcast it. When you add this to the below, just where will all of it stop? 

35 States file lawsuit against the Federal Government

Governors of 35 states have filed suit against the Federal Government for imposing unlawful burdens upon them. It only takes 38 (of the 50) States to convene a Constitutional Convention.

This will take less than thirty seconds to read. If you agree, please pass it on.

This is an idea that we should address.

For too long we have been too complacent about the workings of Congress. Many citizens had no idea that members of Congress could retire with the same pay after only one term, that they specifically exempted themselves from many of the laws they have passed (such as being exempt from any fear of prosecution for sexual harassment) while ordinary citizens must live under those laws. The latest is to exempt themselves from the Healthcare Reform... in all of its forms. Somehow, that doesn't seem logical. We do not have an elite that is above the law. I truly don't care if they are Democrat, Republican, Independent or whatever. The self-serving must stop.

If each person that receives this will post it on their wall, in three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message.. This is one proposal that really should be passed around.

Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution: "Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and/or Representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and/or Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States .."

Now, what are you going to do about it? Read and delete, or work for reform? Share on the wall of EVERY congressman, representative, governor, the white house!!!!! Pass it around!!! Make calls, send fax's and email's...

Just an FYI, I sent this to Pres. Obama, Mrs. Obama, Sen Warner, Sen Webb and VP Biden with my name on it, even though I didn't pen it...

Over, "Out", and still waiting from Portsmouth, VA USA

American Idol... One more Season...

One of the reasons I will watch American Idol again this season. Maybe JLo will come out with another one of these by the end of the year..  Randy? Steven? I don't see anything by you guys. Maybe Pitbull needs to be the next judge?

Over, "Out" and "On the Floor" here in Portsmouth, VA USA

ps: Loved the comments from yesterdays' post. My response would be the same as my newest favorite commenter "anne marie"...

I Dare You to leave a comment...

Over and "Out" on a very rainy day here in Portsmouth, VA USA

Friend of Dorothy? Or Friend of Betty?

As you can see by the above, I choose the latter...

Happy 90th Birthday Betty White... I always had a thing for Mary Tyler Moore, then when you came along as the Happy Homemaker (aka the happy home-breaker) as Sue Ann Nivens you caught and earned my allegiance as to what a snarky, funny, quipy woman can be...

And then came the Golden Girls... What can I say?

Bless you as a "Friend of Betty"...

Over and "Out" from another day in Portsmouth, VA USA

Does Mitt use lesbian quotes often?

I was going to post one of the many "Mormon Tabernacle Choir" performances available on you-tube of this since the "Mittster" likes to quote the beautiful verses from the original poem written by Katharine Lee Bates. I just find it a little odd that Mr. Romney would use a poem written by an "alleged" Lesbian to try to make any points? That and who can resist a little "Babs in the morning"?

I have included the lyrics below, as I for one, never knew there were so many verses:

O beautiful for spacious skies,

For amber waves of grain,

For purple mountain majesties

Above the fruited plain!

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet

Whose stern impassioned stress

A thoroughfare of freedom beat

Across the wilderness!

America! America!

God mend thine every flaw,

Confirm thy soul in self-control,

Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved

In liberating strife.

Who more than self their country loved

And mercy more than life!

America! America!

May God thy gold refine

Till all success be nobleness

And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream

That sees beyond the years

Thine alabaster cities gleam

Undimmed by human tears!

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for halcyon skies,

For amber waves of grain,

For purple mountain majesties

Above the enameled plain!

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee

Till souls wax fair as earth and air

And music-hearted sea!

O beautiful for pilgrims feet,

Whose stem impassioned stress

A thoroughfare for freedom beat

Across the wilderness!

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee

Till paths be wrought through

wilds of thought

By pilgrim foot and knee!

O beautiful for glory-tale

Of liberating strife

When once and twice,

for man's avail

Men lavished precious life!

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee

Till selfish gain no longer stain

The banner of the free!

O beautiful for patriot dream

That sees beyond the years

Thine alabaster cities gleam

Undimmed by human tears!

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee

Till nobler men keep once again

Thy whiter jubilee!

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA USA

Republicans can play nice too...

This is a video going around right now that many of you have probably already seen. The brother story is a phenomenal one that can't be beat... 

The underlying story (that I see) is that the Republican Party is not all that bad. It's their alliance with the religious fundamentalists that has messed them up... 

Remember my republican friends: Separation of Church and State... No candidate for any office in any state or federal office should be supported financially by any religious organization, unless that group would prefer not to receive all those (local, state, and federal) tax breaks they so enjoy.

Republicans are not all affiliated with the Christian Right, just like many Democrats are not supportive of gay rights and are not supportive of a woman's right to choose...

Golly, I need to use this soapbox to fill the holes under the fence that Ubu has been digging to play with the dog behind us...

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth VA, USA

On Marriage and Divorce...

One again I stood up and gave the ladies of the "View" (all of them including Elisabeth) an ovation of my own, after I saw this yesterday...

Marriage is Marriage, there is no law that says it has to be "performed" in a church or in any religious ceremony. I agree with the statement that divorce should be much higher on the priority list of what struggles any church or family has to contend with... I say "Give all Humans the right to marry whatever other Human they want to, but make divorce more difficult"...

Kicking my little soapbox back into the closet...

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA USA 

Who needs New Hampshire, When we have the Pope!!!

Pope Benedict XVI denounced gay marriage in his annual “State of the World” address Monday, going so far as to say the same-sex nuptials threaten the future of humanity.

In the speech, the pope, 84, unleashed what some consider being his strongest tirade against gay marriage, saying it is among conventions that “undermine the family” and “threaten human dignity and the future of humanity itself,” Reuters reported.

“Pride of place goes to the family, based on the marriage of a man and woman,” the pontiff said.

“This is not a simple convention, but rather the fundamental cell of every society,” he continued. “Consequently, policies which undermine the family threaten human dignity and the future of humanity itself.”

The pope also condemned laws that “not only permit but at times even promote abortion for reasons of convenience or for questionable medical motives.”

The annual address was delivered to an audience of Vatican diplomats from nearly 180 countries.

The Catholic Church, which teaches that homosexual acts are sins, and that marriage should be between a man and woman, is a notorious adversary of same-sex unions.

Next month, the pope will elevate New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan to cardinal. Dolan, a leading opponent of gay marriage, once sent a letter to President Obama, blasting the administration for not supporting a federal ban on gay marriage.

Dolan said Obama’s decision could “precipitate a national conflict between church and state of enormous proportions.”

The pope touched on a wide range of topics in the new year address, including world violence and fiscal crisis.

Read the entire “State of the World” speech at Vatican Radio’s website:

As a cousin of mine said on her FB page: "The Pope's degrading and ignorant comments about gay marriage that he made in his state of the world address is a prime example of one of the many reasons I no longer consider myself a Catholic."

Thank you "M", I would have overlooked this ridiculous piece of oral-manure without you...

Over and "Out" from the side of my little soapbox, here in Portsmouth, VA USA

A Potential Bully... Your Own Father...

You never know where some bullying stems from. Here is an interesting perspective from a store clerk that has some insight about potential threats from inside your own home...

This piece was originally published on Kristen's blog


You thought I didn't really notice. But I did. I wanted to high-five you.

Yesterday I had a pair of brothers in my store. One was maybe between 15 and 17. He was a wrestler at the local high school. Kind of tall, stocky and handsome. He had a younger brother, who was maybe about 10 to 12 years old. The only way to describe him was scrawny, neat, and very clean for a boy his age. They were talking about finding a game for the younger one, and he was absolutely insisting it be one with a female character. I don't know how many of y'all play games, but that isn't exactly easy. Eventually, I helped the brothers pick a game called "Mirror's Edge." The youngest was pretty excited about the game, and then he specifically asked me, "Do you have any girl color controllers?" I directed him to the only colored controllers we have, which include pink and purple ones. He grabbed the purple one, and informed me purple was his FAVORITE.

The boys had been taking awhile, so their father eventually came in. He saw the game, and the controller, and started in on the youngest about how he needs to pick something different. Something more manly. Something with guns and fighting, and certainly not a purple controller. He tried to convince him to get the new Zombie game "Dead Island" and the little boy just stood there repeating, "Dad, this is what I want, OK?" Eventually it turned into a full-blown argument complete with Dad threatening to whoop his son if he didn't choose different items.

That's when big brother stepped in. He said to his dad, "It's my money, it's my gift to him. If it's what he wants, I'm getting it for him, and if you're going to hit anyone for it, it's going to be me." Dad just gave his oldest son a strong stern stare-down, and then left the store. Little brother was crying quietly. I walked over and ruffled his hair (yes, this happened all in front of me). I said, "I'm a girl, and I like the color blue, and I like shooting games. There's nothing wrong with what you like. Even if it's different than what people think you should." I smiled, he smiled back (my heart melted!). Big brother then leaned down, kissed little brother on the head, and said, "Don't worry, dude."

They checked out and left, and all I can think is how awesome big brother is, how sweet little brother is, and how Dad ought to be ashamed for trying to make his son any other way.

I'm not sure that my Dad was a bully, but it sure felt like it sometimes...

More to come someday...

Over and comfortably "Out" from Portsmouth, VA USA

And... Finally This Week... Your Call...

(Click to embiggen)

I have only used a couple of the photo's from George Takei's posts on facebook, here on my blog, but I found this one so appropriate considering today's political atmosphere... Please check out his blog as well...

Please excuse us if we are only a lighthouse... Your Call...

Over and "Out" from Portsmouth, VA USA

A post script from: George Takei

Apologies to the fans for not checking first on the veracity of the naval incident. But honestly, lots of things that never happened are quite hilarious. Case and point: Michelle Bachman's bid for the whitehouse. Or her husband's conversion to heterosexuality.

Six on the Sixth - January 2012

Once again, it's that time of the month, time for Six on the Sixth...

1.   Employment numbers are Up, yet I remain unemployed.

2.   Monday (this week) high temp was 33, yesterday was 65

      (can you spell climate change?).

3.   I have been having fun with "Archives.com" preparing a family tree

      (with my family it's more like a forest though).

4.   My paternal/biological Grandfather wrote at least two books,

      Both are sitting on my coffee table and to my surprise, one is

      actually autographed by him (I never knew the man) but ordered

      his books through Amazon for $10 each.

5.   It looks like Ubu's previous owners just abandoned him, welcome

      to our family (he is so sweet and loyal).

6.   I am writing this last night, and it's Beer-thirty... Cheers!

I need to jot down ideas for this series during the month rather than waiting for the last minute to come up with my Six... What about you (that we may not know) would you like to share? Give it a try!

Over and "Out" on another 6th day of the month, from Portsmouth, VA USA

Wash, Rinse and Repeat, Repeat, Repeat...

For those of you that have followed this blog for awhile, you may remember (back in June 2008) I attempted to ween myself off of EFFEXOR, the anti-anxiety/anti-depressant that many people take in varying doses. My attempt failed on that round (even with my doctor's help)...

Here I am over three years later trying to deal with the withdrawal symptoms once again. All I can say is YUCK! I had forgotten how this medication works. It kinda numbs your senses, not just some of them, but alot of them... I have never teared up (watching movies, videos, and/or reading stories) so much as I have in the past few weeks. Between those events and the "buzzy-headed" feeling, the upset stomach and a multitude of other side effects (see the photo above for some of them) I have felt like crap...

Hopefully I will make it all the way through this time, to never again be tricked into the "possible" benefits from medications like these... On the upside, I am sleeping better, have regained short and long term memories, and...  wait for it... wait for it... I actually had dreams (of a sexual nature last night) and they were awesome...

Wish me luck, and please understand why my posts may be just a little sporadic...

Over and "Out" on the first week of 2012, from Portsmouth, VA USA