Giving Thanks.
It's been a rough year for most folks.  Sometimes, when it's been a rough year, it's difficult to find stuff to be thankful for.  No one knows that better than I, who is coming out of a fairly rough two year cycle, emotionally, and now, financially. But here's what I'm thankful for. I'm thankful that my family is healthy and happy.  I'm thankful that I'm going to be a grandmother next summer.

The LAPD Wants You To Think About That.
The Los Angeles Police Department is encouraging the use of an iPhone app called iWatch, which it's marketing as a "neighborhood watch for the whole city."  Supposedly, good, upstanding citizens like you and me are being asked to get on iWatch and report any terrorist activity that might be happening in the city, so the LAPD can jump on that and get those dirty terrorist bastards, and we can all

YooHoooo... Mr. CIA Spyman... Over Here! Pick Me!
No need to be coy, fellas. If you're interested in what I'm typing on my blog, then just follow me on Twitter, and I'll let you know when I update. CIA Invests in Software Firm Monitoring Blogs, Twitter So shy, these Black Ops guys.  I find it a little alluring. ~C~

Senator Harry Reid, Are You Listening?
Your state, your constituents and your country are telling you that they want a strong public insurance option. Not later, but now. The clock is ticking, Senator Reid. You have to decide whether you want to continue representing people who are telling you what they want. 2010 is just around the corner. Back a strong public option in the Senate health care reform legislation. ~Amanda~

Schoolhouse Rock
It is the blog for the BEST kid's chorus on the planet.  And I say that with absolutely no equivocation. Staten Island's PS22 Chorus consists of 60 or so fifth-graders who, under the direction of music teacher Gregg Breinberg, have jumped to prominence, thanks to their videos on YouTube, and mentions by Perez Hilton on his blog, and Ashton Kutcher, on Twitter.  Most of the kids in this chorus