MC Hammer is blogging on Blogger!

You can find him here: MC Hammer Blog. I did notice he has a disclaimer in one of his columns about commenting. I get the impression that he doesn't want random raves from fans. Interesting all the same. :)

Two Notes: Beautiful People & Engagement Length vs. Marriage Length

So Matt LeBlanc, better known as Joey from Friends, is seeking divorce from his wife, Melissa. According to the article, the divorce is requested due to "irreconcilable differences," and they have a 2 year old child.

Point One:

Is it impossible to remain married if you're beautiful? Or, if you think you're beautiful? I understand that celebrities live a "special" life with "special" requirements and responsibilities but seriously?!?!?!? Who doesn't have situations that are difficult, straining, hard work, ect? Name a marriage that was easy, and I'll show you a marriage of convenience - both people probably have/had ulterior motives to get them through each day!

It's called a commitment, Hollywood! Correlate it to your movies...if you commit to playing a character, you can't leave until you're done filming. Consider death being when you're done filming. Now stay in character, wife or husband (and Lord help those that are mother and father too!), and work out this commitment!

Point Two:

Why would an engagement last 5 years but a marriage only 3? What purpose did the long engagement serve? Did you not figure out if you loved each other? Did you not get to know one another? Why would you date for some undetermined amount of time, then be engaged for 5 years, get married, and figure out 3 years in that there are "irreconcilable differences?"

Summary:

At this point I will admit, I've never been married. I've been raised by two parents who have been married my whole life. They were both raised by parents who have been married their whole lives. All experiences with "broken" families have been through friends and extended family. But, I'd also like to say despite my (as some might say) limited experience, I stand by my statements and questions. Please tell me the answers because I just don't understand!

Learning HTML

Well, today's post is short and sweet. I'm trying desperately to learn as much as a can as fast as I can about html. I want to be able to personalize my page beyond the restrictions of a preconcieved template. I want to be able to break free...dare I say...create my own template.

Thanks to http://bloggerfordummies.blogspot.com/ I've been working my way through the tutorials at http://www.w3schools.com/html/default.asp. This site is MUCH better than anything I was finding just by searching Google.

Hopefully, I learn enough to also help Susan personalize her MySpace without having to rely totally on the different template creators online. We shall see with time. Thanks for everyone's patience regarding a lack of new or exciting posts. :)

Susan's Birthday Weekend - The Extended Version

Apparently, some people are curious about what happened this past weekend and my previous entry "Susan's Birthday Weekend" was a bit lacking in details. So, to satisfy my readers' appetite, here is a more detailed account of painting the town red...

The weekend, as also previously noted in a posting, actually started on a Friday for me. As soon as I was out of work, it was all about Susan! By the time the activities ended late Sunday night, we were all tired, sore, and quite satisfied with ourselves. The weekend originally was to take place in Nashville, but due to Michelle's innate desire to be helpful and responsible (despite the situation, this is not a flaw in Michelle but an appreciated quality), we had to "reinvent" Susan's birthday a little closer to home to accomodate. As Susan so aptly put it, "we don't have to go to fun---the fun comes to us!"

Friday night Susan and I went to see "the band," Paradigm Shift, in Grayslake, IL. It was great to see everyone in the band and the rest of the "groupies!" It's been a long time since we hung out with all of them. Another nice touch was how I never let Susan go without a drink in her hands! She didn't care for the Whiskey Sours, so we switched to Long Island Iced Teas. Needless to say, the night did include a bit of drunk dialing while I drove us home (sorry Christine, she wanted to call my Regional Manager and his boss too). I also want to thank Paradigm Shift for recognizing Susan's birthday by having Jason sing that lovely Puddle of Mudd song!

Saturday started off with Starbucks coffee. We would have preferred Caribou, but MJ's offer to buy using her discount persuaded the birthday girl and I. Then, we went to the outlet stores in Huntley where we properly disposed of any and all money possible. I believe between the three of us it was a successful venture; we left with leather coats, shirts, pants, a wallet, a 5 qt saucepan, a purse, flasks, a baby outfit for Isabella, and more! Then, it was time to rush MJ home so she could get to work and make money to pay the bills we had disregarded for 3 or 4 hours!

Part Two of Saturday now included Michelle. We chilled until she was able to meet up with us at the house, and we were off to Susan's favorite place...Olive Garden! We downed a pitcher of Sangria and a bottle of Chateau Ste Michelle's Riesling. Oh! And, three dinners with soup, salad, and breadsticks. The night wrapped up with us clinging to our childhood by shoving all of the furniture in the livingroom to the sides, gathering and piling all of the blankets and pillows in the house on the floor, and a movie playing until we all fell asleep.

Sunday was when we moved from painting the suburbs to painting the city. It started with our morning caffeine deposit (Starbucks again, because Michelle is a putz). We drove into the city and started with a casual walk through Grant Park to the museums and then back up along the lakeshore to almost Navy Pier. After enjoying the INCREDIBLE weather, we decided to move it indoors. We cabbed it to Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry. We had hoped to see one of the two special exhibits, but we had taken to long strolling through the parks on Lake Michigan. We did enjoy viewing exhibits on robots, imagery, sound, trains, ships, the Whispering Gallery, and an amazing presentation of the submarine, U-505, and it's capture by the US Navy in WWII.

Next, we hit Michigan and State St for a bit more shopping. Although Susan rightly deserves a Coach purse, we talked her out of it until she finds one she really loves. We decided that if this trip was going to count towards "Susan's Birthday Weekend" it needed a bit of alcohol with class. So, we found our way to the Signature Room inside the Hancock building. We each had amazing drinks with a gorgeous view! Susan enjoyed another Long Island Iced Tea, which again kicked her butt, Michelle had a rasberry drink with champagne, and I sipped on a conconction involving Kahlua, Amerretto, Frangelico, and cream.

As icing on the Chicago cake, we went to Morton's Steakhouse. Although it was very nice and tasty, I can't say I'd ever go back. The service was mediocre and the food wasn't exactly special considering what we paid. BUT, it was fun and exactly what we were looking for to end the night with class.

We walked back to the car, whining about our aching backs, feet, and legs the whole way, and then headed home. We met up with MJ at home, but we were all too tired to do anything but collapse. It was then that we decided the weekend had to end if we were going to live to see Susan's next birthday. Everyone crashed!

Monday greeted Michelle and Susan with a slap in the face as they were both out the door by 7:15. Michelle didn't have to work, but she did have to get home. MJ and I slept in and recovered a bit more than the other two had been able.

Overall, I think it was quite successful as we all were a bit lighter in the bank account and heavier in the eyelids! Susan was pleased, and in the end, that's all any of us really wanted.

Happy Birthday one more time, Susan!

Asylum for Christian Convert

Recently Abdul Rahman was charged with converting to Christianity from Islam, a crime punishable to the death in the Muslim society. Since the uproar around the world, his charges have been dropped, and he has been released from prison. Many Muslims are outraged; his life is still endangered.

Now, the United Nations are looking to find a country to provide asylum. One would think that this would be an easy task. No, not a single country has stepped up to provide this man safety, a man who was willing to face death than turn his back on his chosen religion. In addition to there being no countries stepping up to this opportunity, but when questioned as to whether Canada (a country second only to Switzerland for never having an opposing opinion) would consider providing Rahman asylum, Canada responded with 'he'd probably prefer Germany*!'

What a cop-out!

Feel free to share your opinion in the comments.

*According to Canada.com, "Italy may grant asylum to Afghan who converted to Christianity", Prime Minister Stephen Harper's exact wording was "I think I understand Mr. Rahman has some connection with Germany and that would be the likely country he would go to should he choose to leave Afghanistan."

Susan's Birthday Weekend

Well, this was to be Nashville. That didn't happen thanks to Michelle Stilling and her deep desire to be helpful and volunteer to work on Saturdays! Who does that?

Instead my weekend was filled with shopping, going out, eating, shopping, walking, the Chicago Science and Industry Museum, walking, eating, laughing, a slumber party on the livingroom floor with all of our blankets and pillows from throughout the house, and more all in Chicago and suburbs. It was exhausting physically, mentally, and downright painful. Some of us are still recovering from the slumber party and all of the walking.

All in all, it was one grand weekend that ended up being Susan, Elizabeth, and Michelle's Birthday weekend!

My Friday is actually a Friday!!!

Well, I work odd hours because my job is in a mall environment. So, my weekends can be a Tuesday-Wednesday or someother two day combination. I always joke with my roommates about what "my day" is versus the real day of the week. For example, if my days off were Tuesday and Wednesday, then Monday would be my Friday; and Thursday would be my Monday.

Thanks to earned comp days from holidays worked this past November through January, today is my Friday and actually Friday! I'm so excited. I'm spending my weekend celebrating Susan's birthday. Us girls are going to paint Chicago and the surrounding suburbs red for the next two and a half days!

If you don't hear from me, don't worry. Tuesday next week is my Monday; I'll catch you up then.

Terrible Twos - Special Thanks to Christine

Two Names You Go By:
1. Elizabeth
2. Wiz

(Note: we've eliminated that lovely nickname from that glorious high school part of my lift)

Two Parts of Your Heritage:
1. Slovak
2. English

(Note: who'd have thunk with my facial features)

Two Things That Scare You:
1. losing my family
2. making wrong decisions

(Note: when was the last time someone feared making the right decision?)

Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now:
1. Nokia fleece
2. Nokia polo

(Note: see a pattern?)

Two of Your Favorite Bands or Musical Artist:
1. Nickelback
2. Tim McGraw

(Note: kinda different ends of the spectrum, huh?)

Two Things You Want in a Relationship:
1. communication
2. spontaneity

(Note: it is key to use communication when being spontaneous)

Two Physical Things that Appeal to You About the Opposite Sex:
1. hair
2. height

(Note: not height of hair)

Two of Your Favorite Hobbies:
1. sleeping
2. driving

(Note: not at the same time)

Two Things You Want Really Badly:
1. every mustang model ever manufactured
2. to travel to every square inch of this earth

(Note: most likely I'll have to compromise on these goals to make them more realistic)

Two pets you had/have:
1. Smokey (the bear)
2. Velvet

(Note: Smokey was a cat not a bear, and Velvet was slimy not soft)

Two Favorite Sports:
1. Football (American)
2. Snowboarding

(Note: Although I love to watch both, man I want to be a snowboarder)

Two people who will fill this out:
1. Christine
2. Me

(Note: sometimes I think us Jackson girls are a bit too much alike)

Two things you did last night:
1. ate way too much food
2. talked to Darrick

(Note: did I mention eating too much?)

Two shows you like to watch currently:
1. Gilmore Girls
2. The Closer

(Note: these too are very different ends of the spectrum)

Two Favorite Subjects in School:
1. Band
2. Biology

(Note: I think we should be able to go back to school whenever we want!...Wait, we can do that...I think we should be able to go back to public/free schools whenever we want!...Now I sound like I'm whining)

Two Favorite Alcoholic Drinks:
1. Blue Moon
2. Margaritas

(Note: yum, blue moon...yum, margaritas...this isn't good while I'm at work)

Two Favorite Places to eat:
1. Buffalo Wild Wings
2. On the Border

(Note: I like Blue Moon at BWW and margaritas at On the Border, do you think there's a correlation?)

Two People that live in your house:
1. Michelle
2. Susan

(Note: How else would someone afford to live in Chicago? Do you think we're together for the company?!?!? - we are)

Two things you like about yourself:
1. height
2. eyes

(Note: I don't like that question)

Two things you ate today:
1. strawberry NutriGrain bar
2.

(Note: it's still early, and I'm hungry now after all of those food questions)

Two people you last talked to:
1. Susan
2. Mom

(Note: that's so typical)

Two Things You're doing tomorrow:
1. work
2. Paradigm Shift gig

(Note: one I can't drink at and one I'm encouraged to drink at, that's an even balance, right?)

Two things you don't like:
1. psycho drivers
2. arrogance

(Note: usually those go hand in hand)

Two things that make you laugh:
1. my family
2. my friends

(Note: thus why I allow you all to remain my family and my friends)

Two people close to your heart:
1.
2.

(Note: see page footer)

Two Longest car rides:
1. December 8, 2006 Chicago, IL to Midland, MI in a blizzard - 12.5 hours!
2. February 2006 Las Vegas, NV to Midland, MI moving the family - ? hours

(Note: there is nothing wrong with driving to Midland, MI; it's just at the end of the world)

Corporate Responsibility (Or the lack there of)

Why is there no commitment by Corporate America? Where is there honesty and integrity. Why do so many people, companies, departments refuse to "remember" when they make a commitment?

Twice in the last three months I've experienced an opportunity where I am courteous enough to clarify that something is possible before following through, both times it involved my company and another major corporation in the US, Sprint and Nokia. Both times I am told to yes and both times when I want to act on the arrangement I'm told no! Why? Why confirm something if you're just going to go back on it? And, why doesn't anyone support me?

Both times my "supervisor" could have stepped up to the plate to support the situation and both times he's in "a holding pattern." I'm to handle it on my own to prevent him from getting what he wants even though it's his job to go between me and our district manager.

Someone explain to me why the best way to handle things is to not ask questions, to not follow rules, to just do whatever the hell you want and then act ignorant when your actions are questioned, if Corporate America will take the time to question the peon?!?!?

Road Trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is official; we are going to Nashville for Susan's 25th! Now she wants me to look up hotels and attractions, while I find it a good idea to look this stuff over so we're not completely blind, I think we should wing it. Those of us turning a quarter century need to stretch our legs and throw maturity out of the window to keep ourselves feeling young. I don't know what Michelle's opinion is on the matter, but I am a firm believer that if we're going to pack 16 hours of driving, 7 meals, countless drinks and bathroom breaks, and the city of Nashville into one birthday weekend, then we should do it by the seat of our pants.

So, to scientifically examine the merits of plans versus no plans, I'm conducting a survey. All those that have an opinion, please feel free to leave a comment one way or the other (because we all know there are going to be hundreds of readers who'll have an opinion on the matter).

Nickelback & their best song to date!!!

This is "Far Away" by Nickelback found on their

latest album "All the Right Reasons."

Free Music Videos Provided by GOVideoCodes.com!

Friends & Family on the World Wide Web

So, I've added some links on the right hand side. Please feel free to check out everybody's different sites on the web. I know they drift by here once in a while; I might as well send people their way.

By the way, if you have a webpage, blog, or myspace account that you want posted here, just let me know. I'll be happy to add you to the list of links.

Men

It never fails...men always have to get in the last word, or in this case, the last eyebrow raise!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=601898222402457606

Isabella's Baptism

Here are the much awaited pictures from Isabella's baptism. For those of you who have been waiting for these, I apologize. For those of you confused by the "much awaited" in the first sentence, I wasn't talking to you.

Unlike the pictures from when Isabella was born, I have not included a caption with every photo. If this is cause for question or concern, feel free to post a comment or email me. I will do my best to clarify who is in the picture or what is going on in it. Note: I do not claim to actually know what is going on at any particular point.

Also, the posting from when Isabella was born needed to be removed to make room for these pictures. Let me know if you didn't get to see that posting and want to see it; I will find a way to get it to you.

Isabella June, her baptism, & the "party" that encompassed it:

The actual baptism at a point where us girls weren't moved by the spirit to the point of giggling.

Michelle, Elizabeth, Samantha, Christine, Tom Curtis (Uncle & Godfather), Julia, Michael, Isabella, and Rev. Carlson

These pictures are all from the church. Some are from the sanctuary while others are while we are in Fellowship Hall in the church basement having cake and celebrating with the congregation.

For those of you unaware of the logistics of the baptism, everyone traveled back to Sparta, WI to have the baptism at the Sparta United Methodist Church, the same church where Mike & Julie were married and all of the other kids were baptized. The congregation hadn't seen all of the Jacksons together since the move to Reno, NV.

Isabella did not go a moment without tons of loving from everyone starting with her Godfather, Uncle Tom, to her other family, and even her "friends" Susan and Darrick. It's highly unlikely that she actually spent any time on the floor, the couch, on a bed, pretty much anywhere other than somebody's arms or lap.

Did I mention there was cake?

Truth is, even those of us not still in diapers felt the love. I think at one point we had eight cameras being used to capture the moments. This is only a compilation of two camera's worth! Michelle was taking pictures but failed to recognize the importance of having film loaded properly for the camera to actually take the picture.

For those of you concerned, following Michelle's confusion and examining the pictures, a thorough investigation was conducted - although she did consume high levels of cake, it was all within the legal limits put forth by the State of Wisconsin. :)