Martin Luther King, Jr.

When King learned he would be the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, the FBI decided to take its harassment of King one step further, sending him an insulting and threatening note anonymously. A draft was found in the FBI files years later. In it the FBI wrote, "You are a colossal fraud and an evil, vicious one at that." The letter went on to say, "The American public ... will know you for what you are -- an evil, abnormal beast," and "Satan could not do more."

The letter's threat was ominous, if not specific: "King you are done." Some have theorized the intent of the letter was to drive King to commit suicide in order to avoid personal embarrassment. "King, there is only one thing left for you to do," the letter concluded. "You know what it is ... You better take it before your filthy, abnormal fraudulent self is bared to the nation."
-http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/03/31/mlk.fbi.conspiracy/

Happy New Year!

I can't believe that the year is half over and summer will be here any minute. We had a mellow New Years Eve with Gwen going to bed around 11pm while I stayed up and watched all of the happenings on Fremont St from the comfort of my living room. The following weekend I was fortunate to attend the San Diego Chargers v. Indianapolis Colts playoff game in San Diego. That was easily the greatest sporting event that I have ever attended. I also broke the curse that has been following me since 1988. 1988 was the last time that a pro-sports team that I was rooting for won a game. Sure, I've had petty victories here and there on tv, but the last time I saw my team win in person was 1988.

Last weekend was excellent as a few of us guys went to Primm, NV and watched the fights, played blackjack, and went to some outrageous burlesque show.

This week is exam week which means half days and lunch with adults. It also means free time. Last night I went to see Slumdog Millionaire which was outstanding. This weekend it's all horseshoes, beer, grilling, and a housewarming party.

Christmas

Traveling home to western Michigan is always an adventure. A great comic book idea would be that in their secret bunker beneath the Amway the city ghouls unleash pyramid schemes, Blackwater mercenaries, and general sorcery while plotting to keep West Michigan locked away like Skull Island. Flights are scarce, trains hardly run, and the roads are usually bad due to weather or neglect. This time home it was the weather that slowed us down. We spent twelve hours in the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport with a very tired and sick infant. Luckily, a friend had taken the same flight as us and was able to help throughout the day. We spent much of our time there walking around the airport mall, listening to ipods, people watching, and sleeping.

Being home was incredible. We were snowed in for the first few days, but still managed to get around enough. Thank you to everyone that made it out to visit. We love you and miss you.

Most of the people that I've talked to since I have been home (NV) always ask with a look of concern, "you were in Michigan? How was it?" I then put on my blue Civil War Union hat, grab my UAW wrench and scream, "Michigan will rise again, by God! Michigan-will-rise-a-gain!"

Snow

This Christmas season has gone by fast. It's nice to stay away from the malls and Walmarts as the holiday fun ruiners and joy thieves shop, shop, shop, themselves into an unyielding and unforgiving wilderness of credit card debt. Gwen and I spent last weekend at some community Christmas event. There were "sleigh rides," train rides, carolers, and free hot chocolate with cookies. It was good to see students working face painting and other service booths.

Today it snowed relentlessly from 8am until about 3:30pm. It made me homesick watching the chunky snow fall past my window. It was surreal watching it all collect on the palm trees. I also felt bad for all the vacationing Midwesterners that had attempted to flee the cold.

After school, I headed home and grabbed my camera, heavy coat , and some boots, and headed to Red Rock Canyon. I hiked about two miles and took too many photos.

The day ended for me at a Lowes, where a mid-1970s Elvis impersonator helped me buy the proper equipment for my shower.

It was a good day today.

Lola's 9 month check up

No shots at this appointment! Lola is now 18 lbs, 10 ounces and 29 inches long. She is a tall, skinny girl. She has cut her first two bottom front teeth and is handling it like a champ. She has her occasionally fussiness, but still sleeps through the night. She is still sweet, clam and happy. She learned to sit up by herself at 8 months and continues to roll everywhere. She is not attempting to crawl or pull herself up yet or walk. She still naps 3 times per day and eats really well. She wears clothes in all different sizes which makes it to buy her clothes. Her personality really started to come out around 8 months. She often laughs for no reason, simply talks to hear herself talk, and squeals in delight. She is a lot of fun to be with. I had no idea that a baby could be so much fun. Either I need to get out more or this is one of the joys of being a parent (I hope its the latter). We look forward to our visit home in a few weeks when everyone gets to see her again and some for the first time. We feel so blessed to have this precious girl in our life and so thankful that we can share her with our friends and family this Christmas.

Spring Mountain High

Today we drove into the mountains with Lola and took pictures in the snow. Gwen insisted that we listen to holiday music throughout the journey. Feliz Navidad has been blasted into our heads and the image of Gwen dancing in the front seat with a huge, toothy grin is now a permanent Christmas memory. It was a perfect 70 degree day with blue skies and beautiful scenery. We encountered deer, eagles, hikers, and snow. Once in the mountains, we had breakfast at a little lodge which consisted of bacon, waffles, potatoes, cheesy scrambled eggs, avocado omelets, and coffee. After a leisurely meal we got back into the car and went to higher altitudes. We found a short trail head near the ski slopes and took Lola for a short walk where we took more photos. For me, this was a perfect beginning to the holiday season and a family ritual that I look forward to continuing. Usually, Mr. Hanky, the Christmas Poo (South Park character) gets the two of us ready for the Christmas season. Mr. Hanky is a little turd that hosts a Christmas special.

A Movie with Real Bite

I just returned from seeing Let the Right One In and it is an incredible movie. I am too tired, uninspired, and lazy to write a quality review. Basically, the film is about a bullied twelve year old boy who unknowingly befriends a vampire that has been twelve for a long time. It is a horror movie and will keep you guessing and uncomfortable throughout. The relationship that develops between Eli (vampire) and Oskar (mortal) is touching. The cinematography is also beautiful as it is shot in some sleepy, wintry suburb in Sweden. This is a foreign film and these typically do not do well in American theaters and have a tendency to disappear after about a week. Go see this. I understand that many are thinking, "that's all good and well, but all of my vampire voids are filled with the Twilight machine (books, posters, dolls, candy, stickers, t-shirts, magazines, etc.)." Do yourself a favor and check this movie out.