News of the World

Only In Canada! Now...Who Actually Has To Pay??

nobody@vox.com(Strive2Be) — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 08:01:49 -0800

Icy Road Car Pinball

You may have seen this video on Yahoo Canada already, but isn't it amazing? We got dumped on last night, and it is freezing rain now and for most of the day...plus gusts and blowing snow. Yeehaw. Okay, now Winter can go away. That was fun for one day. Lol.

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Official Mug Shot Friday

nobody@vox.com(Strive2Be) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 15:13:55 -0800

Charlie Sheen

Charlie Sheen Mug Shot

Carlos Irwin Estevez , also known as Charlie Sheen. Mugshot from Aspen, CO after he was arrested for a domestic violence incident 12/26/09.

He appeared before a district court judge and posted an $8500 bond.

Bad boy Charlie Sheen spent his Christmas in an Aspen, Co., pokey. Cops arrested the "Two and a Half Men" actor on domestic violence charges at about 8:30 a.m., Aspen Police Department officials said. He was charged with second-degree assault, menacing and criminal mischief and housed in Pitkin County jail, cops said.

Sheen had a scuffle with his wife, Brooke Mueller, who was renting an Aspen home. Sheen flew to be with his wife on Christmas, but immediately they began arguing. Mueller called police after Sheen pushed her.

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Photography of the Human Condition

nobody@vox.com(Strive2Be) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:15:25 -0800

Older Woman Smiling (New Group Info)

I come across so many photos of people dealing with their daily lives, and I love the authentic image you achieve when the person is not "posing". I don't know if I should waste them in just my Blog, or if I should start a new Photography Group that deals with the expressions conveyed through the human condition. What do you think? You can have taken the photos yourself, or just found some touching ones on the internet. It would almost be like "Street Photography", where the person doesn't know they are being shot. I LOVE the expressiveness of the human face. Just for example, when Swissair Flight 111 crashed here in 1998 and the loved ones began to arrive, I couldn't believe the multitude of expressions. Some I didn't even know the face could make. An honor to have worked on that disaster for 4 months in the morgue, and I am humbled and not the same person I was before those 229 people "evaporated". Expressions are very important to me, and that's why I wanted a good digital camera with a zoom that would stay steady. You only have a fleeting moment to catch an expression....rather like chasing after butterflies...and I think it would make for a very interesting new photography Group. What do you all think? Would you take part in it?

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The Little Squirrel That Would!! Cheers!

nobody@vox.com(Strive2Be) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:49:47 -0800

Giving A Baby Squirrel A Helping Hand

A baby squirrel is having some difficulties, even with mama trying to help. Then humans step in to help. It's a touching video, and there is a song by the group Chairlift played throughout.

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Miracle the Cat Survives Frigid Ordeal

nobody@vox.com(Strive2Be) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 21:52:06 -0800

Kitty Cast

By THE CANADIAN PRESS

TRURO — A cat named Miracle is spending the Christmas holidays with her saviour.

Truro resident Jenn Fraser is taking care of the young cat that recently survived a frightening and frigid experience.

The student veterinary technician was working at the Central Nova Animal Hospital recently when a Good Samaritan brought in the cat that was found emaciated and frozen to the ground.

"She couldn’t lift her head or do anything," said Fraser. "It was so sad. She was in pretty rough shape."

The feline, about one year old, was found on its side, fur frozen in ice, and was gently pried from the spot where it had collapsed from exhaustion. When the tiny cat was brought to the clinic its temperature was only 32 C, about 5 1/2 degrees below normal.

"With a little bit of heating pads and a bit of food she began to come around," said Fraser.

She named the tiny stray cat Miracle because of its ability to survive the ordeal.

Fraser said Miracle had a few external wounds, mostly bite marks from other animal attacks.

"It appears she has been running from trouble for quite some time," said the technician.

A foster family has been found for the tortoise-shell cat, but Fraser calls Miracle her Christmas present and will care for her until she moves to her new home Jan. 7.

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Grand Theft Auto By 7-Year Old Boy

nobody@vox.com(Strive2Be) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 03:01:06 -0800

Born To Be WILD

This could have been a cute little story, where nobody got hurt, if the boy hadn't acted in such a gang-style manner. Better watch out. He's NOT just all talk.

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Not Your Traditional Christmas Meal, But What Does That Matter?

nobody@vox.com(Strive2Be) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 14:15:12 -0800

Swiss Chalet

This year I did something a little different from the usual go-to-mum's-for Christmas-supper. I have a friend who was told by his brother that they would celebrate the meal together, just the two of them, and that he would be checking the newspapers for special meals being put on for travellers, etc. Well, his brother never once got back to him, and it was the day before Christmas Eve. So I asked him if he would like to have supper with me. It wouldn't be the traditional turkey fiesta(!), but who can argue with rotisserie chicken? He took me up on the offer, and we ordered this fantastic meal with all the works, including two thick slices of chocolate fudge cake. I asked for delivery, so we didn't even have to venture out onto the roads to pick it up. Needless to say, we were stuffed afterwards. We just sat on the sofa and talked, and then he left when a bit of snow started falling. The roads can get slippery FAST if there isn't any salt down yet.

So here's to good friends, good food, and good times!! No one should be alone on Christmas. And my tummy was very pleased with the treat! My friend also told me today that I turned his dismal day into something special. Yay!! I'm glad he wasn't left alone.

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"Another Very Short Story"

nobody@vox.com(Bycha (bi-chae)) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 19:48:11 -0800

…beep…beep…beep…I can never tell if I have crossed over into the after-life until my conscience

mind starts to hear the trace of the electrocardiograph machine and then I realize that I am still among the living lying here with tubes in every part of my body and I mean every orifice of my poor old body. “How are you feeling this morning?” The question of the day asked by the attending nurse on duty, “Will you turn on the television please?” I mumbled, still groggy from the previous night’s medication. “Here you go, the cable network news” the nurse quipped. We’ve been going through this routine for the past eight months while I’ve been waiting for a new heart from some unfortunate soul whose life has ended so that I may continue mine. I don’t know if it’s morbid or predatory or hopeful; but I watch the news for fatalities; accidental, homicidal, suicidal, whatever, hoping that someone’s tragedy will be my blessing. I’m not wishing for someone to die but I understand that it is part of living except if it’s preventable and in my case it is. I just need a healthy heart from a type “O” person to continue my journey here on earth.

“OH MY GOD!” The nurse shrieked as we both gazed at the image projected by the cathode-ray tube not believing what we were witnessing; a building was on fire, a very tall building was on fire, because it was in a collision, a collision with a large passenger jet-liner. Huh? I quickly glanced at the calendar on the wall to make a mental note of the day, Tuesday the 11^th. As we both were glued to the TV a second plane hit another building identical to the first. Buy now the entire hospital seemed to be in one synchronous state of shock as if this were more than just two mere accidents caused by human error. As the saga unfolded it was evident that the U.S. was under attack with numerous casualties of war. I couldn’t help but think of my condition and the prospect of a type “O” organ donor with a healthy heart, a victim of this attack, collateral damage as defined by the administrators of warfare.

(Three days later)…beep…beep…beep…”I’ve got good news for you!” My ears heard a shrill voice by the side of my bed as the thin framed doctor and the dutiful nurse slowly came into focus. “We have a heart for you!” she said with reserved enthusiasm. I’ve always dreamed of this day. I wanted more than anything to hear those words, the only thing I would not give was my first born even though he caused me so much pain at birth and in rearing; but because of his untimely death I had the will to live to see after his daughter my only grandchild and his brother my youngest son. I was determined not to leave before my time, even if just for the good of the kids. Alas God had answered my prayers His divine providence has shined on me once again despite the challenges of my own sins; but first I feel I must pray for the previous soul of my new heart.

“Oh lord I thank you for this opportunity at renewed life. I thank you for this gift that only you could see fit to provide. I pray that I continue to live a right life for you and the one who had this gift of life taken away. I pray that we can share in spirit your blessing”

“Ms. Wright…Ms. Wright…” as she broke me from my spiritual moment, “Ms. Wright I will need to have you sign these documents.” The doctor went on with her garish smile starting to wane. “You see there is a very special case with this particular heart.” But of course, I thought to myself. “This heart is from the recent accident on the 11^th" she continued, “Apparently another flight aimed at the White House was diverted and crashed into an open field in Stony Creek Township near Shanksville and a heart survived.” “Oh how terrible!” I remarked somewhat disingenuous.” I will honor the life of that person and would like if at all possible to send my condolences to their family.” I said with as much sincerity as I could muster. “Well, Ms. Wright none of the passengers survived with any usable organs or any of the flight crew or the pilots...” the doctor said with a strange tone. So my mind went racing, if all the passengers died with no usable organs and all the flight attendants and even the pilots too… who was left? Was this truly a miracle of biblical proportion? “Excuse me Ms. Wright…” as the doctor broke me from my dream state again, “I will need your signature here to accept the heart from the hijacker of United Airlines flight 93.”

Note from the Author: The title was inspired by one of my favorite authors Ernest Hemingway. The story was inspired by a report that Israel had been harvesting organs of captured dead Palestinians (without the families consent) for its own citizens. The report raises so many questions, not just ethical questions but also motive and legal queries too. Is Israel’s choice to remove organs and then send the deficient bodies back to Palestine the ultimate shame of war or is the “ultimate shame” to allow preventable deaths of a nation’s citizenry to take place?

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Official Mug Shot Friday

nobody@vox.com(Strive2Be) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 19:00:40 -0800

Johny Cash

Johny Cash Mug Shot

In October 1965, while en route from Juarez, Mexico, U. S. Customs agents at the El Paso International Airport seized hundreds of pep pills and tranquilizers found in Johnny Cash's luggage. The Man in Black overnighted in the county jail before pleading guilty to a misdemeanor count. He was fined $1,000 and received a 30-day suspended sentence.

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Should politics mix with sports?

nobody@vox.com(Cindy Tran) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 05:40:46 -0800

by Cindy Tran

Opinion piece

Many of us have been raised to think that sports and politics were the boundaries that would never be crossed. However, a unique football match held in Australia on November 28, 2007 between A-League team - Sydney FC and David Beckham's crucial team - LA Galaxy, has demonstrated how the two teams have inevitably grown to engage the same ground.

Australian Olympic athletes were forced to sign agreements to prevent themselves from making political statements without permission. I see the Olympics as more than just a sport. It is about international relations and friendship being formed. It was an excellent opportunity for the world to show China that an authoritarian government with a masking capitalist is not on.

Sport has been a huge impact on the lives of many Australians. I have noticed that politics is clearly evident in a lot of Australian football. For instance, in 2007, a crucial match between Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory changed a lot of things since. Both Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory fans were mixed together amongst the crowds of the stadium and a riot started. Premier of NSW, Morris Iemma, negotiated with the Football Federation Australia and new seating rules were assigned. Since the match, fans were divided up into their separate teams and allocated in different seating areas in different bays. Conflicts has been less evident and the changes have made an improvement.

Some people may say that politics do not mix with sports but I'd say that people should look through some cases before making their own judgement. For instance, sport gave a platform for applying political pressure and making political point. Jesse Owens at the 1936 Olympics and the black power salutes at the 1963 Olympics were both very powerful images, symbolising both sport and politics.

Sports and politics mix for a reason because they're inevitable. We will be exposed to it everywhere, anytime and everyday. The Beijing Olympics made a huge uproar to countries around the globe when our own Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd and our Australian athletes were questioning themselves on whether or not they should boycott the opening ceremony in 2008?

Sports should bring people together regardless of their political differences. Politics have taken a centre stage in our everyday lives. I guess that sports will always be forced to mix with politics, but seriously, what can you do? Ethnically, sport must mix with politics economically, on humanitarian grounds and culturally.

Cindy Tran ©

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