gbbassist

A friend invited me to a group on facebook that brought to my attention that fact that our fabulous Governor Corzine is at it again - cutting the budget in ways that New Jersey residents will suffer.  I understand we're in debt, but there has to be a better way to fix things.  I know, I hate it when people make such a general argument without specifics to back it up, however that is not the focus of this entry.  My focus is that those of us who love NJ State Parks need to contact our NJ State Legislators (you can google them, it's quite easy) and let them know how you feel.  Here is a letter I sent to my district's assemblypeople as well as our Senators and Representative:

Dear Senator Lautenberg,

It has come to my attention that a number of State Parks in New Jersey may be closing shortly.  I think that this is a terrible idea and I oppose it full heartedly.  State Parks are an incredible asset to each state.

First of all, state parks offer employment to residents.  With the economy as wobbly as it is today, we all know that employment is wobbly as well.  Closing State Parks would only serve to make national unemployment levels reach a new all time high for this decade.  Why would New Jersey want to heighten it's level of unemployment?  This will only serve to weaken the economy as a whole.

Second, state parks serve as an example of how to respect nature to children and adults statewide.  Class trips are made to state parks for school children to learn about the environment.  Parents bring their children to state parks so that they can hike, swim, and play among nature and to teach them how to respect the environment as a whole.  If we close even some of the State Parks in New Jersey, where will children learn first hand about the environment and environmental issues?

Lastly, state parks help to make New Jersey beautiful.  I am unclear as to what will happen to the acreage in state parks if they are closed.  The plants in state parks help keep our CO2 levels low.  If these areas are developed, how much worse will our gas emissions in New Jersey be?  What will entice out of state residents to visit New Jersey?  We truly will only have a reputation for cities like Camden and Trenton if some state parks are closed.  Is that a reputation you want New Jersey as a state to uphold?

I implore you Senator, oppose any actions that will be taken to close any of New Jersey state parks.  What good could ever come of such a legislation?

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Rebbecca Chew

This is taken from sxephil on youtube:

If you have not already heard, Walmart has decided to take $470,000 from Debbie Shank, a 52 year old mother of three (One of her sons recently died in Iraq), who was involved in a terrible car accident crippling her short term memory, leaving her in a wheelchair, and in a nursing home.

Because of the fine print of Walmarts health insurance plan, since Debbie was involved in a car accident and was awarded the money to take care of the tragic aftermath, they are entitled to take all the money that was supposed to go to taking care of Debbie.

THEY ACTUALLY WANT $470,000 from this handicapped woman in a wheelchair, who needs it to be taken care of in the future. This coming from a company that made $90 billion last quarter...

Here is the link to the full story:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/03/25/walm...

I'm asking for you to stop buying from Walmart, and to pass on this story and link to everyone you know.

I dunno about you guys, but I'm with Phil.  (At least for the next couple days.)

I looked up Mehtar Lam on Google Earth today.  That's where Keith is stationed until November.  The picture only showed mountains.  No town, no roads, just mountains, and a river to the east.  I suppose that's either because Google lacks information on that part of the world or for military security.  It's most likely a combination of both.  I was glad to at least kind of see where he is.  I wonder if the mountain ranges are beautiful in Afghanistan the way they are in America.  I've gotten to see the Grand Tetons in Wyoming and the mountains in Glacier Park in Montana.  I remember they were astounding.

For my lit class this semester I had to write a paragraph about my name.  I felt like posting it here, so, enjoy!

My name is spelled incorrectly according to most people.  My mother didn’t know that Rebbecca was normally spelt with one “b,” and so she unknowingly destined me to have a life long struggle with just exactly how my first name is spelt.  The name itself has no real significance; my parents picked it because it is a Biblical name and they are both devout Christians.  My middle name is what has the most character about it.  Jean.  My mother told me she gave me Jean as a middle name after my Great Aunt Jean.  I always figured this meant my mother thought fondly of Aunt Jean, but I have learned in recent years that she sees our aunt as somewhat stubborn and selfish.  Aunt Jean must have enjoyed having her name given to me.  My father told me that when I was young I too was quite stubborn and selfish.  Aunt Jean used to watch me with a special gleam in her eye and delightedly refer to me as “that wicked, wicked child.”  Apparently Aunt Jean was never very fond of children, but she loved telling my parents to control “that wicked, wicked child.”

So anyone tuned into lonelygirl15 will know what I'm talking about.  Anyone not tuned in and would like to know can go to LG15.com, but you're wayyy behind.  It will take you days to catch up.  This dream also mixed elements of Jennifer Lopez's movie Enough.

So last night I had a nightmare that I was a trait positive girl.  The Order was totally after me and I didn't know what to do, so I decided to fight.  It was totally weird, cuz at one point in the dream 4 thugs from The Order broke into my house and I beat the crap outta them.  But then I realized that they were one my side cuz Sarah from LG15 was with them.  And apparently Daniel from LG15 was in my house with me (just chillin), and we had a good laugh about how I kicked their asses.

So then jump forward to I don't know when.  There's me and another trait positive girl.  The Order has infiltrated my house and we are waiting to be carted off to the ceremony.  The other girl hands me a bouquet of flowers which I realize is from the LG15 gang, (aka TAAG, Teen Angst Adventure Gang).  In the bouquet is a car key.

For some reason I was allowed outside onto the backyard by myself.  The Order wasn't watching close enough cuz Daniel, Jonas, Sarah, and Taylor drive a car right into the backyard.  I realize my key is for that car.  They pull papers out of the glove box complete with two new identities, one for me and one for the other girl.  "What about Tom?" I ask.  Their faces all fell as we realized simultaneously that I would have to run away without him.

All of a sudden Tom was there with me and didn't really know what was going on.  I began to sob, "You can't come with me," I told him quickly.  I kissed him, got in the car, and drove off.  (Completely leaving the other girl in the dust).

Here's where it gets dumb: The car turns into this mega-tiny VW Beetle that I'm riding on top of.  It has trouble with the exhaust system because I was driving on grass, so The Order catches up to me no problem.  I drove into a garage and hid under a box.  After being found by a thug I realized it was all a dream and forced myself awake.

This isn't even all the details, there's too many to put down in writing.  I just wanted to show everyone how crazy my dreams can get.  Wild imagination much?

Anyone know of any decent cars for sale?  My motor just died, (the timing belt slipped), and my car is not worth a new motor.

My budget is about 3K.  If you know of anything in my area give me a ring.

Thanks!!!

If I went back in time and told my 16 year old self that it was possible to spend $500 in less than hour, I'm not sure if I would have believed me.  Ok, maybe at 16, but probably not 13, and definitely not 10 or under.  But the truth is just that - I spent $500 in less than 1 hour, and I didn't even get anything frivolous or materialistic!  A total of $300 went towards two different student loans to pay off the interest already accrued, (I'm trying to stay ahead of the game), and the last $200 went from my checking into savings because I owed it to myself.  (Literally, I still owe my savings account $300 more to pay off my personal loan.)

However, when I step back and think about it, $500 isn't that unfathomable of an amount.  My student loans, for instance, total thousands of dollars, and that's money I don't even have to spend!  The new transmission that went into my dear Chevy, (which I totaled less than a year later), was $2500.  A house can cost anywhere from $100,000 to $1,000,000,000 depending on all kinds of factors.  This whole concept of money is almost untouchable.

In fact, when you get into those big figures, money is literally untouchable.  Think about how many transactions are done online, through credit or debit cards, or by written check.  The money that we spend on these transactions isn't physically there!  Heck, it's not even in the bank that's backing our transactions because it has been loaned to borrowers.  I mean, think about how much "money" is spent, because most of the time it's just the concept of money.  It's crazy how some scribbling on a piece of paper can make a check worth hundreds if so desired.  The whole concept is just so intangible that I can barely put it into words to write down on paper.  Paper that isn't even here because I'm posting on a website that exists electronically somewhere but physically nowhere!

Oh gosh, this whole thing just gets me going.  I could sit here and ponder all night, but I'm sure no one wants that.

I was just completely enthralled by a commercial for a Betty Crocker 100 Piece cake decorating kit.  I thought to myself, "Wow!  I wish I could make a cake look like that!  When I'm a housewife, I totally want that set."

RUN AWAY!!!!

My brother, Keith, will be needing everyone's prayers over the course of the next 12 months.  He shipped out for training yesterday to be followed by a 9 month tour in Afghanistan.

http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071205/NEWS/712050331/-1/rss01

http://pahomepage.com/content/fulltext/?cid=22335

He's in both videos at the web addresses listed above.

This post is meant to raise awareness about the S.1959
or, the "Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007" which has been PASSED BY THE HOUSE OF REPS 400 to 6!!! This act is a DIRECT THREAT to our civil liberties, and will make the United States a place where you WILL GO TO JAIL (or worse) FOR SPEAKING OUT AGAINST THE ESTABLISHMENT. No place, especially the internet, will be safe for you to express your thoughts. The videos I have attached do a better job of explaining the situation.

It is important for us to do everything we can to stop this bill. Call your senators now! THIS IS URGENT!

Oh yeah, and if you think this is all B.S., then you can read the bill here:
http://tinyurl.com/3a3y2z

Important Videos:

An Urgent Message:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IRl-U1akkA&feature=bz301

An Independent News Broadcast (Parts 1 and 2):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GylkGRh6_DQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9fyZ62U8fc&feature=related

and Here is Ron Paul with what he has to say about it (25mins):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLn0tMdXd_Q&feature=related

CALL your senator please! It is quick and easy. I called 4 of them (2 from NJ and 2 from NY) in less than 10 mins. Simply ask them to "vote NO on S.1959" Here are the Numbers you have to call:

New York:
Clinton: (202) 224-4451
Schumer: (202) 224-6542

New Jersey:
Lautenberg: (202) 224-3224
Menendez: (202) 224-4744

If you want to call a senator from another state simply go to www.senate.gov and search for your senator.

*Taken from a group started by Glen Karnas on facebook.

FIGHT THIS BILL!  WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO AMERICA IF THIS GETS PASSED???

I forgot to feed Icky, (my fish).  I was supposed to feed him Friday.  He only eats every other day, so he hasn't eaten since Wednesday.  I went to feed him tonight and found out that he's dead.

Now I can't concentrate on the tons of work I have to do.

I saw "Transformers" in Imax on Saturday and it was totally awesome.  I would recommend it to EVERYONE.  There's one scene, however, that made me think.

Near the end, Sam (Shia Lebouf) has the cube in his possession and an army captain tells him he must leave the protection he had been provided, climb to the top of a building, and light a flair so that he can be picked up by a helicopter.  In that instant, Sam does what anyone else would do, he falters.  "No, I can't do it!" He exclaims as gun shots are fired and shrapnel explodes in the air.

The captain grabs Sam by the cuff of his shirt and responds, "You have to!  You're a soldier now."

Of course, in that instant, Sam musters up the courage to do what must be done and in the end saves the world.  But when he faltered, it made me think, would I save the world if I was the only one who could?  Would I brave untold danger so that others could prosper?  Or would I chicken out, cry, and wish I could disappear?

What about you?  Would you save the world?  Or simply save yourself?

I just checked out my syllabi and realized that out of 5 classes, only 1 is giving a midterm and a final!  Plus, they're both take home!!!

However, I'm writing 5 research papers this semester, but I'd rather do that than take an exam any day.

I move back into my apartment on Monday and I had yet another dream about it.  This was pretty cool while the others have been frustrating.

First off, my room was wayyy bigger than I remembered, as well as the living room.  Secondly, it turned out that rather than living with Melissa, Amber, and Casey, I was roomed with Tom and some random dude who apparently was a mutual friend of Tom & mine.  I don't remember who the 4th roommate was, but it was one of the aformentioned girls who in real life will be my roommates this year.  Lastly, my room had it's own sliding glass door that opened out onto a small porch which had steps to the ground.

I started the dream moving all of my things into my room.  I had boxes piled all around my bed.  As I was straightening up I noticed that outside people were snow sledding.  I recognized a few voices and glanced out the glass door.  I saw Melissa on one of the sleds.  I was excited to see one of my friends, so I rushed to put my sneakers on and ran down the steps.  Not only was Melissa there, but so was Zach!  I was amazed, considering Zach transferred to an art school in Phili this year.  It was really cool, and we all started chatting and goofing off until my alarm went off.  It was a good dream.

I can't wait to move back in on Monday.

Tom turned to me the other night and asked, "What's my hobby?"

I thought for a moment and responded, "I'd say CB Radios."

He nodded, "Yeah, I think you're right.  What's your hobby?"

"Mine?" I had no idea.  My mind went blank.  A hobby is supposed to be something you do in your free time.  Hah, free time.  I haven't had that since I was 16.  Or at least, it feels that way.  "I dunno, the internet?"

"That's a terrible hobby."

Too bad it's true.

Hah, I just spoke with an Officer Nottingham at Northern State Prison! (Remember, I work for a guy who sells police badges.) I asked her to spell her name for me because I wasn't sure if I had heard her correctly. That's exactly how it's spelt! Now it would be really awesome if she made Sheriff one day, but I don't think prisons have sheriffs. Who knows, maybe for her they'll make an exception.

So I go to get an oil change yesterday and tell my mechanic, (who just happens to be one of my best friends from HS, Jeff Gannon), about how on the way to OATS this loud bang came from the rear end. I was pretty sure it had to do with the suspension or something. Jeff said he has to do a safety inspection as part of the oil change process, so the problem might present itself during that. Well, all he had to do was take on look at my wheel well. "You see this spring?" he asked. "It should not be collapsed on itself like that."

"Oh. Sooo, how soon should I get that fixed?" I responded.

Jeff and his boss, Jim, both proceeded to crack up. "Why does everyone ask that?" they exclaimed.

So I thought about it and told Jeff I could probably car pool with my dad to work on Thursday, (we work about 10 minutes from each other), and he could fix it for me then. We went and he called his parts supplier and then asked me how much driving I'd be doing between then and Thursday. (Remember, this was Tuesday morning.) I told him I had to drive to work about half an hour away down 80, then up to Tom's that night, (another hour), then home on Wednesday morning, (one more hour), and then just 15 minutes to the shop Thursday.

Jeff decided that was far too much driving on a collapsed rear spring coil. I told him I had to at least go to work, I had already played hookie the day before. "Listen, I understand you need to get to work, so why don't you take my car."

My jaw dropped. He let me borrow his car so he could fix mine? This was either a serious situation or Jeff is just an amazing friend, or both. So I borrowed his car, which turned out to be a beater car he bought for when he "didn't feel like driving the jeep." It was an '87 Mercury Grand Marquis. I was cracking up at myself driving it. The front end was twice the length of mine and this thing really went when you touched the acceleration. It was totally a grandma car. Jeff was laughing at me and calling me grandma as I drove out in it.

It was quite an experience that I definitely got more than one laugh out of.

And now, my FANTABULOUS grammar score:

I have been on the phone/hold for 2 hours now, all because Outlook took crap and I have no idea how to fix it. Plus, my boss has no idea what goes on outside ordering badges. He doesn't know who our domain provider is, (which our tech guy found out yesterday, thankfully), or which credit card is attached to the account. Heck, he even paid for an online company to build us a website, printed out the bill and all the applicable information on the company, handed it to me the next day and asked me to figure it out. I was floored. He paid for something and did not know what it was? I found out that there were three possible packages, but the bill did not reflect which one he bought, and he had no idea. I don't get it, how do people live?

Your Birthdate: March 28

You have a Type A personality so big it makes other Type A's shrink away in shame. You never shy away from adversity - and you love to tackle impossible problems. Failure is not an option for you, and more than a few people are put off by your ego. You tend to be controlling, and you hate leaving anything up to chance. Your strength: Your bold approach to life Your weakness: You don't accept help Your power color: Bronze Your power symbol: Pyramid Your power month: October