So after Senator Obama became President Elect Obama in November, I went ahead and made reservations using one of the tickets that I had won from the airline earlier in the drawing to use for the flight to Washington D.C./Virgina or Baltimore, not being sure what accommodations I would find, as you probably know, people began booking hotels like the night of the election results like it was the last place on earth to be. I was not sure what to do as I did not know if I would be going with friends or family at the time, but eventually I made reservations at a nice enough hotel that is close to the capital at the Doubletree Hotel on Dupont Circle in Washington, DC at 165.00 per night. I reserved with CC with a minimum stay of 3 nights and a upfront deposit of $150.00 against the credit card, so with that I was all set except for food and incidentals. Well as luck would have it, I won some money from the Texas Lottery, (thanks Texas) so that solved that problem and was told by others that there is no need to rent a car as it will be way to congested to drive so I didn't. Well today, to top of my journey to the "Chocolate City" . I received a letter in the mail from the Texas Democratic National Party indicating that the 225 delegates that were State of Texas Delegates to Denver, our names were put into a lottery, and some Senate and Congressional Representative, indicated that a share of their tickets should go to these delegates, wow how cool is that!!!! Thanks Senator Johnson, Hutchinson and Cornyn, the catch was that only 75 would get the opportunity for a ticket closer than the miles I was going to be away, a free flight on American Airlines, room accommodations at the Hilton Baltimore Conrad/Capital Hill, and a parade ticket. State Delegates interested in the opportunity and could get the days away had until 5pm today to respond and call a number to see if the lottery number assigned was a winner or not, I CANT BELIEVE IT!!!!!! I WON!!!!!! MY WHOLE TRIP WILL BE PAID FOR !!!!!! Aside from food a souvenirs of course and transportation, now I can put my ticket back into the safety deposit box, the hotel agreed to refund the money minus deposit return of 75.00 (yeah) !!! and if I decide to go to one of the public balls , that ticket would be my responsibility which will run me about $150.00 and a tux rental (here in Dallas of course, Im sure their all gone up there) which I think is very little to pay after all of this luck. I AM OBAMA BOUND AND SO HAPPY TO WITNESS THIS MOMENT. I know it will be cold so a new coat is in order too !!!!! SEE YOU SOON D.C. AND MR PRESIDENT AND FIRST LADY ND VICE PRESIDENT AND SECOND LADY!!!!!!!!!!!!! off to plan ;)
In the past year I have discovered that I like a nice cup of Gourmet Tea or Chai Tea best, more so that a cup of coffee, I have learned that the antioxidants in Tea have better properties than coffee, while both have some caffeine in them, I still lean toward tea as I get older. I thought I would share with you all a great place where I have begun ordering my teas from and some coffees that have a great variety, richness and texture. What do you like best?
Tea is arguably the single most consumed beverage in the history of the world. Tea in all its varieties has been a part of human culture throughout recorded history. Originating in Asia, tea can be found today in virtually every location imaginable. Tea's migration around the world is an interesting study, and scholars can trace the rise and prosperity of nations with the path of tea's world wide diaspora.
Chai tea is one of the finest gourmet Indian teas. It is naturally flavorful and for a different twist, you can add a little milk and sugar for a real treat. From India, tea was brought to Europe by colonial powers and then to the American colonies. Tea plays an important role in American history as demonstrated by the Boston Tea Party.
Drinking tea is not only a cultural and social activity shared by people in diverse cultures, it is actually quite healthy too. Regular consumption of tea is shown to have many positive health benefits. Each type of tea has its own particular benefits. Tea has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of year and is still widely used to combat common health problems.
High quality gourmet teas not only taste great, but will make drinkers healthier and happier. Gourmet loose green tea, for example, is high in Vitamin C and other vitamins and minerals, as well as being a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin C strengthens the immune system to help the body fight off sickness. It also provides a boost of energy and vitality. Green tea is Asia's most consumed tea.
http://www.coffeeteastore.com
This year has been hell, I am glad to see it go for a number of reasons. However with that said, I am greatful for a few thing that happened in the year and that I discovered about myself
1. My Sister survived Breast Cancer, the chemotherapy and the radiation.
2. Barack Obama became the 43rd and first African American of the United States and Michelle the first African American First Lady of the United States with the children
3. I was a delegate to the the State of Texas and the National Democratic Convention
4.Went to see one of my best friends and rekindled relationships with others and let some go
5.Traveled a bit (love traveling) within the U.S though
6.I have a Job
7. My faith is still strong
8. A featured soloist on a opera recording that came out and sang with a world renowned group
9. My health has been reasonably good
10. Antiques to Roadshow participant
11. I met a great guy
12. I won the lottery
There are negatives as well but I'm not going to dwell, looking back to much could turn me in to a pilar of salt. I will look forward...YEA 2009 COME ON IN !!!!!!!!!!!! MAY ALL OF YOU HAVE GREAT HEALTH, HAPPINESS AND PROSPERITY TO YOU AND YOURS!!!! SEE YOU MY VOX FAMILY !!!
In the words of T-Pain "I Cant Believe It....uuuhhhh oooh, they all on it" LMAO! I am NOT a lottery player by choice, just something about giving away money on something useless to me when it can be put toward lunch or something important "the jar", but every now and then I get a nudge to buy some. I played my moms favorite numbers when she was down here with me on earth. The first set won nothing, the second set won nothing, the third nothing...Im thinking, "what a damn waste," "I could have went and treated myself to dinner or something." fourth time I lucked the HELL OUT!!! I am so greatful to the Lord first. Mom, I know this was a Christmas gift from you!!! I miss you and love you...MMM what to do with it...savings for some, bills for some, vacation getaway for some along with my free airline tickets already locked away ...2009 will be good, my Christmas with a little and the rest toward something I need when the time is right! What a great holiday!!! How much you ask? lets just say greater than 1K....lol
Now How U DURRRINNN ???!!!!!!
Went to see "Seven Pounds", starring Will Smith,Rosario Dawson and Woody Harrelson in lead roles. The movie is a good movie as long as you can bare to sit there for the almost 2 hours and be focused. It all seems to tie together at the end as to what the "seven Pounds" actually are about. Very slow beginning and a bit confusing and you have to realize which of the three worlds is he really living in at any given moment.
OK, I get what they were trying to do in Will Smith’s latest film Seven Pounds… I really do. And it’s not a bad concept at all - in fact I thought it was very interesting. The big thing with this movie is that no one knows what it’s a about - the trailer is intentionally vague and there’s a reason for that. It’s a sort of mystery, where you spend most of the movie wondering:
I’ll only go over the plot very vaguely since I don’t want to spoil any of the mystery. The film opens up with Ben Thomas (Will Smith) on the phone to 911. He is in a state of high anxiety, and at this point we don’t know where we are in the film as far as the plot (Is it a flashback? Is it taking place in real time, with the entire film’s story to follow?).
Seven Pounds is all about the relationships between Ben and these people, especially Emily. Now it will depend on your outlook as to whether this is an emotionally powerful film or sappy and manipulative. The problem with this movie regardless of which of those points of view you ascribe to is that it’s just too damned long. It clocks in at two hours and the whole point of the film is the mystery, the reveal and the denouncment. The thing is if you have half a brain you’ll figure out the “what he’s doing” part of the mystery VERY early on - and from there it will seem like it’s being dragged out for who the director must assume are the less bright members of the audience.
All in all, it is worth seeing, it did make me cry at the end but you need a sympathetic heart to get it in depth.
I hope this will not be a trend into the new year of unexpected deaths or its going to be a sad one.
Eartha Kitt, a sultry singer, dancer and actress who rose from South Carolina cotton fields to become an international symbol of elegance and sensuality, has died. She was 81.
Kitt, whose saucy rendition of "Santa Baby" became a holiday pop music classic, died in Connecticut on Christmas Day. Family spokesman Andrew Freedman said Kitt was recently treated at New York's Columbia Presbyterian Hospital for colon cancer.Her career spanned six decades, from her start as a dancer with the famed Katherine Dunham troupe to cabarets and acting and singing on stage, in movies and on television. She persevered through an unhappy childhood as a mixed-race daughter of the South and made headlines in the 1960s for denouncing the Vietnam War during a visit to the White House.
Once dubbed the "most exciting woman in the world" by Orson Welles, she spent much of her life single, though brief romances with the rich and famous peppered her younger years.
On television, she was the sexy Catwoman on the popular "Batman" series in 1967-68, replacing Julie Newmar, who originated the role. A guest appearance on an episode of "I Spy" brought Kitt an Emmy nomination in 1966.For years, Kitt was unsure of her birthplace or birth date. In 1997, a group of students at historically black Benedict College in Columbia, S.C., located her birth certificate, which showed she was born Jan. 17, 1927, in North, S.C.
By chance, she dropped by an audition for the dance group run by Dunham, a pioneering African American dancer. In 1946, Kitt was one of the Sans-Souci Singers in Dunham's Broadway production "Bal Negre."While on stage, Kitt was daringly sexy and always flirtatious. Offstage, however, she described herself as shy and almost reclusive, remnants of feeling unwanted and unloved as a child. She referred to herself as "that little urchin cotton-picker from the South, Eartha Mae."
The Light has been dimmed in another magical person life...Rest in Peace Ms. Kitt
Into Springs!!! Its Snowing in Dallas and Im loving It. I wish it would stick until Christmas. Reared in Colorado Springs for awhile, I grew to love it !
I am in my 40's. I only mention this so that readers will be able to gauge my review of this classic based on my age. While I was growing up, prior vcr tapes and dvd players, I and my friends would wait all year to view the various Christmas specials that aired each year. I remember sitting glued to the tv taking in every second of the shows. Back then if you missed part of the show or even the whole show you were border line depressed because you knew you couldn't see it again for a whole year. In some ways anticipation made the viewing of Christmas specials that much better.
SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN( is in my top five Rankin/Bass specials. Right along with RUDOLPH, FROSTY and The Year WITHOUT SANTA CLAUS. . I can only imagine what a modern version of this show would sound like with its boy band sounding songs and electric toys and video games. This was a scary classic. The Winter Warlock was very scary when I viewed this as a kid. No matter how many times I saw this as a kid I would always wonder if Kris would make it past the warlock. Happy Holidays !!!
Ok! I have been on a "puppy hunt" lately and have been to several of the shelter and "no kill" centers here in Dallas. None of them have the kind of dog that I want and I have given this about a 6 month turn around. I want a little dog as the place is not huge, but it would be big enough for "little man" or "little woman" and there is no one here but me,I'm single, studies show a pet helps you live longer, not many come to visit so I would not be worried there, but I want a breed that is small and trainable because if I come in and the house is torn down! it want be happy place, and I don't do doggy odor! and really don't want to kennel them when I'm away, but certainly I would have a huge kennel, and the other thing is that I might have to move if the place want allow it. Oh and who can forget sinus and allergies. With that said. I have narrowed my choice to the 4 below. Mr President-elect your not the only one on a pet search ;) Be great to hear opinions. Oh the "cast" in order of appearance (1) Maltese (2) Toy Poodle (3) Bishon Frise (4) Jack Russell Terrier.
I have a little something for you from the Disney people, check below and let em know what you think my friends
Disney Parks | What Will You Celebrate?
2009 Promotion at Disney will provide a free one-day theme park ticket.
Here's the scoop so far~stay tuned for more info from Disney!:
Just received an email blast from Disney announcing this officially
today - here's the new link, you must register in advance of your
birthday trip here and get a print-out to bring to Disney Will Call:
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