Title: Christmas Card 2002

Christmas card 2002
Originally uploaded by Brooks Ayola.

Huh?

Exclusive Footage. . .

. . . from the Messenger's office party. (Video - warning: explicit language rating would be slapped on this thing)

Tidbits From The Morning News

School superintendent salaries: Dallas ISD: $300,000 (with 160,000 students) Highland Park ISD: $225,000 (with 6,100 students)

For Political Junkies

Here's a complilation of this years most "mind numbing" political quotes. Here's my favorite: (15) "I question it based on a review of the video footage which I spent an hour or so looking at last night in my office. She certainly seems to respond to visual stimuli." --Sen. Bill Frist, diagnosing Terri Schiavo's condition during a speech on the Senate floor, March 17, 2005 [The autopsy later revealed she was blind.] (Source) And Bill Frist is planning a run for President. It may the first time I ever join a protest march in my life.

Is It Christmas Yet?

Ikea Christmas baubles
Originally uploaded by Beezy..

Dead at Age 58

From Presumed Innocent to LA Law to the The West Wing. John Spencer died of a heart attack today.

Worst . . .

. . . Yahoo News Story title in the history of ever.

Jack County

The 271st Judicial District includes Wise and Jack Counties. It's been a Jack County kind of day. (Nothing like the handing down of a sentence and many "victim impact statements" to start a day). Although I will give a shout out to the ladies in the District Clerk's office in Jacksboro.

Triple Sheesh

"WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 ­- Months after the Sept. 11 attacks, President Bush secretly authorized the National Security Agency to eavesdrop on Americans and others inside the United States to search for evidence of terrorist activity without the court-approved warrants ordinarily required for domestic spying, according to government officials. " Condi Rice was on the Today Show this morning and was onfronted about the story. She only said she "couldn't comment" on it (why not?) and wanted to "assure" the American people that anything Bush did was "legal". I guess it all depends on what the meaning of "legal" is.

We Are Famous

From an Internet site that lists speed traps across the nation: Bridgeport Boyd Runaway Bay Decatur and, amazingly, Rhome did not make the list. Although Rhome is nothing like it used to be.

Dad, Can I Have $120?

Players on the Southlake Carroll football team can purchase their helmet at the end of the season for $120 a piece. (DMN p. 11C).

3A Football Honors

The AP has released its All State team for the 3A Division. First teamers: Taylor Sanchez (WR) and Colin Jones (RB) of Bridgeport as well as Ryan Spence (K) of Decatur. Honorable Mention: QBs Brandon Cobb of Decatur and Ryan Durban of Bridgeport. There may be more, I'm still scanning the small print.

Future Mrs. Greens . . .

. . . are popping up all over the place. Here are two more.

Prohibition Would Work, Too, Wouldn't It?

After years of neutrality, members of the Texas Transportation Commission are now choosing to advocate passage of laws that would authorize Sobriety Checkpoints. Texas is only one of 11 states which, until now, still cared about civil rights.

Ken Jennings...

....is the greatest Jeopardy player of all time. However, this video clip is circulating as a "blooper" answer he gave on one show. I've watched it a couple of times, and his answer makes more sense than the correct answer. A "rake"?

Those Odd Photos Just Don't Stop

I've Found...

the future Mrs. Green but I'm worried she might have a tendency towards violence.

He Wouldn't, Would He?

That kid is holding a mouse trap up to his nose. He wouldn't.......(video).

I Just Saw . . .

. . . a mechanical street sweeper go by my office. I think those things are a waste of time.

Cool

It's still in the planning phase, but there's a pretty good chance downtown Fort Worth could get a new 60 story skyscraper. It would be the first one in over twenty years. Here's a drawing of the design.

No Caption

From The List Of . . .

. . . top publishing errors made in 2005:

Mavs Owner Mark Cuban

Is investing in a better toilet seat. For $429, you can get one now.

Cowboy Up Part 2

As a followup to my Gay Cowboy Movie Post a couple of months ago, I note that Brokeback Mountian opens this weekend and that it just received seven Golden Globe nominations. I just wish I could watch the expression on the face of an average Wise County guy who walks into the Fossil Creek Theater with his wife, looks at the movie poster for the first time, and says, "Hmmm, a western. Let's see that one." Giddy up.

Artistic Decatur Courthouse

I've Found A New . . .

. . . dance that I'm going to break out at this year's office party. (Video).

I've Gone Weird Picture Crazy

Boyd Church Fire

The lead story tonight on Fox 4 News was the burning of the church of the 30 member Church of God in Boyd. Welders were doing construction on the church as a new roof was being added. The source of the fire, however, is still under investigation. Pastor Steven Bernard spoke on the news as did Fire Chief Kent Spencer.

They Changed The System But Not Soon Enough

As a young insurance defense attorney in the mid-1980s, one of my first jobs involved taking the depositions of 60 to 70 year old men who were suing asbestos manufacturers. Trust me, these guys weren't the hard core victims of asbestosis of the 1960s and 1970s, these were guys whose only complaints were "I suffer shortness of breath." I would ask "When?" and they would often reply "After climbing a flight of stairs." So, as I had been taught, I would ask, "Do you smoke?" "Yes, about a pack a day," I would often hear. And my skepticism was born. So why do I bring this up? Because I had to travel to the Dallas law offices of Baron & Budd to take the depositions. That firm had an incredible array of asbestos clients. And those lawyers got rich off of the asbestos industry. So, again, why do I bring this up? Because I just read this in the Dallas Morning News about Fred Baron of the above referenced Baron & Budd law firm. "So for Friday's Christmas party at Fred's Preston Hollow mega-estate, the couple [he and his wife] flew in the horn heavy band Chicago." Merry Christmas, indeed.

I Love Odd Pictures

Tookie Is Toast

It looks like former gang leader Stanley Tookie will be executed tonight in California. And it looks like officials are a little nervous about potential rioting.

Elton John

You know, as I watched a bit of his NBC special tonight from Las Vegas, it dawned on me that this guy has been around forever. And I still stop down for "Rocket Man" every time.

Random Baby

What A Stunner

"FORT WORTH — The wife of a slain Fort Worth police officer spoke directly to news reporters for the first time on Monday, saying her husband was a wonderful father who had a passion for police work. In an hour-long interview, Teresa Nava, wife of officer Henry “Hank” Nava, said she believes the man who shot her husband deserves the death penalty." I'm not sure that's newsworthy. Edit: Sheesh, people. I was just saying that it comes as no surprise that the wife would want the guy killed.

Just 47 years in 1900?

I'm Just Surprised He Didn't Sell Tickets

Country music stars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood said "I do" on Saturday in a private ceremony at their Oklahoma home.