Typical Thanksgiving Day, Not!!
Well for starters I was a bum on Thanksgiving Thursday. I did not wake up until noon! It's all because of this damn law school, students of the world unite, protest and petition our professors for giving us smaller workloads! :-)
Well my first stop was the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. This was a great day for many reasons. First and foremost my paternal grandfather was a patient of this hospital and I believe this is where he died the summer of 2004. My grandfather always supported my ROTC endeavors and spoke fondly of his military service. Second, I was present when the facility was renamed Jesse Brown. (I shall include a link for those who need more information about the great man, Jesse Brown,
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/jesse-brown.htm.) My former employer could not attend the ceremony and I stood proxy for him. It was a great day, the speeches were magnificent and Sec. Brown's legacy was reverenced by all.
So, I go to the VA Hospital because Ms. Allmon, President, 49th Ward Young Democrats is hosting an event. During my 2 hours at the hospital we passed out treats to Vets and they really liked it! I met some wonderful men whose bodies are deteoriating but not their spirits. I loved the experience and vow to do it some more.
Once I got back home, dinner was still in progress! I got a high metabolism (as my photos shall show), I needs to eat! So dinner is served at 6:30 pm. I will include the full menu at the bottom.
After we (my immediate family and other members of my extended family) concluded dinner I was joined by two former classmates, Ms. J. Alexander and Ms. J. Poole, both may be seen on my website, they are the two young ladies over my left shoulder. I enjoyed their company, my mother inquired about Ms. L. Blue but she told me earlier in the week that she had duties with her family. That is understandable.
Also, my younger cousin Julie stopped by. Julie is the rock star of the family, she graces our presence for a few minutes each holiday. I found out my younger cousin is dating a professional football player who attended my great alma mater, he must be a fine young man! So, that was the project for the next twenty minutes to find out as much as possible about him via the web. My uncle, Julie's father approves of no man dating either of his daughters but this guy may be able to help him get a new roof for his home, so he may soften up to him.
The last highlight of the evening is actually something I am shamed of. If I were describing any other setting you'd think I was talking about a bunch of teenagers smoking weed but NO I am talking about my family. Everyone gathered around the TV and watched a DVD of Soul Train greatest moments, with....
Chinese subtitles! Who does that? And they were really into it! They were singing along with Little Michael and referring to how cool Don Cornelius' afro was, I was thoroughly embarressed.
Full menu as I remember
Turkey
Leg of lamb with a warm whole cranberry sauce
Roast
Brussel sprouts, you know how I feel about theses
Dressing
Relsih tray (with pickles, beets, both green and black olives and fresh apricots)
Greens
Rice and beef
Ceasar salad
Hawaiian bread and regular rolls
I may be forgetting something.
Young Democrats of Cook County Meeting
For those of you interested.
YDCC General Meeting
Wed., Nov. 23
5:30 pm
Jak's Tap
901 W. Jackson
www.cookcountyyd.com
It's been a wild 24 hours!
I posted the response e-mails relatively fast, I must do the same for the retraction e-mail. Mr. Waller actually wants to do a joint project together regarding the issue of child abuse. I will comply, "Kris love the kids". So, here is Mr. Waller's message posted at 5:02 pm.
Also, some of the responses from the more than 30 people who did so are appreciated, even though they all were not complimentary to me most were thought provoking. I will post a few in chronological order. Mr. Waller and I both learned the pen is mightier than the sword and the keyboard is damning to those who do not carefully choose their audience and message.
I'd been waiting for a chance to dialogue specifically with Kris on the issue, but understand that my diatribe may not deserve a response. I let a moment's hurt and anger cloud my judgment and wrote a terrible, insulting, hateful email. Worse, I did this publicly, without giving Kris an opportunity to explain himself either privately or publicly. I won't waste anybody's time explaining my reasons for responding this way because I understand that taken all together they do not excuse my actions.
After learning more about Kris, he appears to be a decent guy and has the admiration of people I respect. I was wrong to let one (however misguided) email lead me to attack him in such a manner. It was uncalled for and I'm sorry that I did it.
James H. Waller
Life and the stress of Finals
I am serious person, I want people to take me seriously, but being serious all the time is sure to give the strongest of us a heart attack. In that spirit I share this with you all. It is from a beautiful young lady in law school, she recently returned from a national trial advocacy competition, did well and she is waiting to graduate to go and make a lot of money!
*Warning: Not offensive, but it has sound.
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/flash/peanutbutter.html
Turning up the fire in the kitchen!
Well if you read the post prior to this (I need your opinion) you will see that I sent a joke which was forward to me to the entire College of Law Mailing List. This evening I received another e-mail stating my "forwarded" joke was tasteless. This person did so in a colorful manner, some may even say his reply was even more tasteless than my joke. I'll let you decide.
Yeah. Child abuse is f'ing hilarious. Congratulations, dirtbag. You
just joined the small but exclusive list of people that I wish had been
beaten your whole life. I'm going to make Career Services my second
home and do everything I can to find out which employers you are
applying to, and then I'm going to forward this email to the hiring
committee at each one. Scumbag. Waste of life. Shame on you. I'm
also going to be forwarding this to the Illinois Bar Association...I
doubt it will do any good, but if I have a chance of burning you over
this, I'm taking it. You want to tell this in the locker room, go
ahead, although from your picture, I'm guessing you don't see the inside
of one often. But you have the COMPLETE lack of intelligence to send
this to the whole mailing list? How did you get into this school?
I've said some offensive things on the mailing list, but you take the
cake, you moron.
I need your opinion
The following is a story forwarded to me by my good friend Officer Lou. I forwarded it to my Law School list serve. I received several replies that it was hillarious. However, I received one, stating it was offensive. I shall post the story and post the reply. I am a man of the people, tell me what I should do?
Entire Family Beats Child
Urbana, Illinois - A seven-year-old boy was at the center of a
Champaign County courtroom drama yesterday when he challenged a court ruling over who should have custody of him. The boy has a history of
being beaten by his parents and the judge initially awarded custody to
his aunt, in keeping with child custody law and regulations requiring
that family unity be maintained to the degree possible.
The boy surprised the court when he proclaimed that his aunt beat him
more than his parents and he adamantly refused to live with her. When
the judge then suggested that he live with his grandparents, the boy
cried out that they also beat him.
After considering the remainder of the immediate family and learning
that domestic violence was apparently a way of life among them, the
judge took the unprecedented step of allowing the boy to propose who
should have custody of him. After two recesses to check legal references
and confer with child welfare officials, the judge granted temporary
custody to the University of Illinois Football Team, whom the boy
firmly believes are not currently capable of beating anyone.
My undergrad
************************
Child abuse humor really isn't very funny. Especially not the type of joke to send to a wide and diverse group.
However worthy the U of I football team is of mockery, there are many parents and advocates of juvenile justice in this mailing group - as well, statistics would say, as many students and faculty who may have been beaten as children themselves.
I respectfully ask that you retract having found this to be funny, and an apology would be welcomed.
Thank you.
What should I do?
Thanksgiving Break.
I remember when I was an undergrad, during Thanksgiving Break I'd be in Chicago causing havoc. Now look at me? I am still on campus, working and studying; law school stinks. Additionally, no matter how much I complete, I still feel like I am behind! Everything culminates 2 weeks from tomorrow; our first exam! As, I have told others I have called too many people stupid over the years to come down here and mess up, boy I have put alot of pressure on myself!
Looking for volunteers!
Soon, I will begin a profile of the month. Hey, if I get a lot of interest maybe there will be a profile of the week. However, allow me not to digress. If you are interested in being the profile of the week, reply or send me an e-mail. I will use our relationship to think of 10 thoughtful and provocative questions that you may answer and reply to via e-mail. If you have a photo we may attach that too.
Candidates need not be professional football players, Gulf War heros or elected officials. However, those persons are not barred either. I just want this to be a good way for friends and associates to be known in a larger capacity.
I look forward to submissions.
Law School
In the interest of being competitive, I will intermitently post comments about school. As discussed on the Blog earlier, some of my classmates have Blogs and websites devoted to their law school experience. I will use this forum to talk about my law school highs and low, however, there are more of the latter and not the former. :-(
Get to know me a little better.
I am in class and I can not foucs, so I will use this time to tell you more about me, just random thoughts to get you familiar with who I am.
Favorite movie that most people are unfamiliar with?
True Romance with Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette
Favorite mainstream movies?
The Godfather, Dave, Gladiator, Heat, The Long Kiss Goodnight and (I'll list a few more later).
Favorite Books?
Anything Tom Clancy, The Long Gray Line, Silence of the Lambs, also as a young man I was an avid reader of the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew.
Thanksgiving dinner favorites
Turkey and dressing
Greens
Homemade rollsThanksgiving dislikes
Chitterlings
Brussel sproutsFavorite holiday dessert
Anything my little sisters make
Also, egg nog with wheat germ sprinkled on top
Favorite Champaign, IL pizza
Papa Dels
Favorite Chicago, IL pizza
Giordanos and Lou MalnatiChildhood memory that I dont remember but I hear all the time
As a toddler my uncle, who shall remain nameless took me to a James Bond movie. (Allow me to say I discount this story because he can not remember which James Bond movie it was, which to me lowers his credibility!) Anyway, he claims James Bond was hanging off a cliff and I dashed from my seat and was at the screen trying to push James Bond up and help him get back on the cliff. He claims he was thoroughly embaressed and everyone in the theater laughed. Now does that sound like something I would do? :-)
More random thoughts acoming.
Guess who has AIM?
I finally joined the 21st Century. I have an AOL Instant Messenger account. My screen name is esqwir1. Send me a note when time permits.
Don't hate the player, hate the game.
I can take a joke. Only the Lord knows I have dished out my share. So in that spirit I shall post a link to a blog. The author is a colleague who attends law school. It is thought that she used my likeness as a charachter. See if you can find me. I appreciate her perspective and the blog is a way for her to journal her thoughts and share with those misguided souls who think they want to attend law school.
http://cheese1114.blogspot.com/For a more scholarly blog see
http://blog.novusdiem.org/
Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To my friends in New Jersey and Virginia thank you for your hard work. This may be the beginning of the straw that will break the camel's back. My good friend from school claims Pres. Bush is a lame duck President. I think he is right.
Also, congratulations to other Democratic candidates and causes that succeeded Tuesday.
Who will be the new Treasurer?
What are the rumors on the street. Will any of the current (Republican) gubnetorial candidates rethink his plans and aim for the Treasurer spot? Who are the leading candidates for the Dems?
My prediction, Sen. Rauschenberger will seek the Treasurer's position. I'll get back to you about the Dem. I am thinking of a particular Chicago Alderman from the Southside of Chicago, but let me think it through.
Topinka v. Blago
Who wins?
Colvin makes press!
The Daily Illini, the official paper of the University of Illinois covered and reported on the visit of State Representative Marlow Colvin. I'll give you more of reason to look it up, yours truly is quoted.
http://www.dailyillini.com/ (The article should post online after noon.)
I will devote some cyberspace to comments on the article and those who attended.
Thank you St. Rep. for making time and everyone look for our next lecture. It will be held Spring Semester and our guest will be a member of the other chamber.
YDCC Hurricane Event
Hurricane Relief Fundraiser
Hosted by the Young Democrats of Cook County
Date: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2005
Time: 6pm -9.30pm
Location: Jak’s Tap
901 W. Jackson
Cost: Suggested Donation of $20
(Includes two free drink tickets)
All proceeds will be donated to the Tinley
Park Health Center that is currently housing
over 100 Hurricane Katrina survivors.
Do you want to invite me out?
As the Christmas season approaches there are plenty of parties and plenty of eggnog to drink. I will be on campus until Dec. 17 and I wont come home for Thanksgiving until the day before. However, if there are parties or events that I should attend please let me know. As hard as I try some events never make it on my radar.
State Rep. Marlow H. Colvin speaks at U of I
My mentor and good friend will address the College of Law community TODAY, Nov. 1 at 5pm. The lecture is titled "Leadership Lecture Series" and is sponsored by Black Law Student Association and Law School Democrats. I hope you can make it.
University of Illinois
College 0f Law
Rowe Auditorium, 5pm
Reception to follow
Did my fundraiser meet the standard?
Courtesy of my friends from
www.politicalwire.comIf an accomplished US Senator says this then I know what I must do, I hope you look forward to next summer's fundraiser. It won't be the Viking's boat but it should be nice.
Biden's Fundraising SecretsThe Hill overheard Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) talk about how "he figured out in his first Senate campaign, as a 29-year-old, how to turn people out for a fundraiser."“Find enough beautiful women and enough guys will show up,” he quipped.
Who wants a Christmas Card?
This year I will do a mass Christmas card effort. As a "junior" politician it is custom and this is a way I can communicate with all my friends and supporters. If you want a Christmas card hit me. I'll check to make sure I have your address and if I don't I'll contact you later. Please treasure the card that will hit your desk soon after Thanksgiving, it's definetly worth the postage that gets it to you.
