Well played John McCain!

well played!!!

Tropic Blunder - Take Two

Here is a list of some pertinent snail and email addresses, phone numbers and some fax numbers. Fire away!!!! I did borrow this from a post on Trisomy 21 board (thanks Emily) so give her a shout out for finding these!

Ok - here is what I have found. Robert Downey Jr. is managed by Creative Artists Agency, Ben Stiller is managed by Shepard & Associates and has a production company called Red Hour Films; Jack Black's agency is the Endeavor Agency and has a production company called Electric Dynamite Productions. Dream Works is owned by Viacom which also owns MTV and Nickelodeon and everyone else. This is Viacom's corporate statement:

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
UNRIVALED ABILITY TO EDUCATE, ENGAGE AND EMPOWER

Viacom's social commitment leverages the power of its brand and the strength of its audience relationship to encourage action on a variety of pro-social issues that are important to our partners, employees, audience, shareholders and communities alike.

Click on Our Initiatives to learn more about our programs.

Viacom's Corporate Responsibility Council Mission Statement
The Viacom Corporate Responsibility Council seeks to provide company-wide guidance and support to pro-social programs governed by our brands. While nurturing each business unit's distinctive identity, the Council collaborates on Company-wide pro-social efforts, as well as, projects at the business unit level. The Council educates employees and audiences about key pro-social issues to inspire, enlighten and ignite action in both the public arena and within our own employee family.

Also here is a press release regarding Jack Black's project "Acceptable TV" for VH1:

http://www.vh1.com/press/press_releases/2006_release/acceptable_tv_01112007.jhtml

PASADENA, CA, January 11, 2007 - VH1, Jack Black and the team from Channel101.com have announced the first step in reforming the runaway user-generated content movement with the newly formed "Acceptable TV." The "Department" will be responsible for a website that will launch in February 2007 followed by a weekly TV series premiering on VH1 Friday, March 23 at 10 PM*.

Jack Black, Dan Harmon and Rob Schrab became pioneers of the do-it-yourself TV movement with Channel 101, a competitive forum for digital shorts founded in 2003, anticipating the YouTube revolution by a several years. Realizing they could not stand by while the tidal wave of user-generated content threatened to overwhelm the internet, "Acceptable TV" on the principle that, in Black's words, "some stuff is just not acceptable."

Fax Numbers:
Dream Works Studio 818-695-9944
Viacom Public Relations 212-258-6464
Ben Stiller and Representation c/o
Red Hour Films, Inc. ((310) 289-5988
Shephard & Associates (310) 858-3947
Jack Black and Representation c/o
Electric Dynamite Productions, Inc. (818) 733-2651
Endeavor Agency (310) 248-2020
Robert Downey Jr. and Representation c/o
Creative Artists Agency (424)288-2900 212.277.9099

Viacom's Companies:
MEDIA NETWORKS
BET NETWORKS
BET
BET J
MTV NETWORKS
ATOMFILMS
ADDICTINGGAMES
CMT
COMEDY CENTRAL
GAMETRAILERS
HARMONIX
LOGO
MTV
MTV2
MTVN INTERNATIONAL
MTVU
MTV TR3S
NEOPETS
NICKELODEON - NICK JR.
NICK AT NITE
NOGGIN
PARENTSCONNECT
QUIZILLA
RHAPSODY
SHOCKWAVE
SPIKE TV
THE N
TV LAND
VH1
VH1 CLASSIC
VH1 SOUL
VIRTUAL WORLDS
XFIRE
PARAMOUNT PICTURES CORP
PARAMOUNT PICTURES
DREAMWORKS STUDIOS
PARAMOUNT VANTAGE
MTV FILMS
NICKELODEON MOVIES
HOME ENTERTAINMENT

Creative Artists Agency(Robert Downey Jr)
Los Angeles
2000 Avenue of the Stars
Los Angeles, CA 90067
phone: 424.288.2000 fax: 424.288.2900

New York
162 5th Avenue, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10010
phone: 212.277.9000 fax: 212.277.9099


Richard Lovett, President
rlovett@caa.com

Rick Nicita, Co-Chairman
rnicita@caa.com

Lee Gabler, Co-Chairman
lgabler@caa.com

Kevin Huvane, EVP
khuvane@caa.com

Summer Photo Contest

This picture was taken at Give Kids the World in Orlando FL. Nothing says summer like a drippy ice cream cone!

You can enter the contest here, but it's over today so hurry!

Petition Against Tropic Thunder

I wanted to draw your attention to this important petition that I recently signed:

"Boycott Dreamworks and &Tropic Thunder"

Sign Petition


I really think this is an important cause, and I'd like to encourage you to add your signature, too. It's free and takes less than a minute of your time.

Thanks!!!

Apology

for the outburst yesterday. I was pretty upset. They are making Alex move schools, even with a letter from his pediatrician, outlining the detriment to him. I really hate public schools and I would find a private school today if there was one here in town, but there isn't. The only alternative is for severe behavior and he's not at that point, although with the change, who knows he might end up there.

I have to find peace with this, but so far I haven't. I'm taking Alex up to school today to visit and meet the teacher. I will try not to be angry, but it will be hard. When I feel this emotional, I let it all hang out!!!

I was angry at God and still am. Trying to make my way back to "this was meant to be" but I'm going kicking and screaming! LOL

Thanks to those of you who kept us in your thoughts and prayers yesterday!!!

Ask me if I believe God

Cause right now I don't.

The End.

The Power of Prayer

We could use it this morning. We meet with Alex's IEP team to determine if he stays at his old school or not. We really want him to stay! So if you wouldn't mind a quick prayer, we'd appreciate it!

While you're praying, could you also pray for a sweet little boy ( 3 yrs old), Ryan, who has suffered some strokes and is continunig to seize. He is also blessed with an extra chromosome and he and his family could use the comfort of prayer. He really is more important than Alex's school.

Thank you all! God works miracles!

Hazel I Ain't!

Cleaning house today. Urgh. Not fun on a sunny summer's day. I would fail the Flylady white glove test that's for sure.... I'm ashamed at the number of cobwebs and dust bunnies I found.

Steve's brother, Richard, is coming (from Chicago) to visit on Wednesday. He's allergic to everything under the sun including cats and dust bunnies. I'm really trying to eliminate the amount of each, so he can at least spend some time at our house (ok I'd like to eliminate the cats permanently, but I mean I'm trying to get rid of the hairballs). He is doing the allergy shots, which he says helps tremendously. During his previous visits, we spent alot of time at the hotel, because he couldn't be in the house for more than 10 minutes and he couldn't be outside much either. Very frustrating! Plus he hasn't seen our new house, so we'd like for him to be able to hang out for a bit.

Alex loves Uncle Dick. He can hardly wait! Uncle Dick is one of those uncles who likes to make funny noises, play dinosaur and also teach the kids a little something, even though they don't realize their learning! Alex likes to call him on the phone, so they can make funny noises together!!! I think Uncle Dick is the only one who truly gets Alex's gibberish....or he at least pretends too!

Well off my duff and back to the filth. Where does it all come from? I hope the Flylady police aren't in my neighborhood today or I might need bail......

The Scent of a Woman

I brought some of my Grandma's things home today. She liked to crochet and sew, so I have some of her handmade items. I had some of her towels and tea towels to wrap the breakables in. They smell like her and her house. It's only been a month, but I miss her so much and still am striving to actually believe she's gone.

I wasn't allowed to help go thru her apartment and clean things out. The kind of goodbye you need. I didn't get to smell her clothes and hold her things one last time, to see her home as she left it. My aunts made sure we weren't allowed in. I am angry at them for that. Now her apartment is gone, rented to someone else and so are most of her things. I wanted to say goodbye in her home, where her essence was. It's time to let go. But I'm still not ready.

I am grateful for the few things I know have of hers. I truly am. They aren't worth money, but they're worth their weight in gold in memories. But I'd trade them all right now for one more good day with her, one more chance to say I love you, to have Alex climb up on her chair and give her a kiss, the big wet sloppy ones she loved so much. I'd trade everything I own for that one more day, one more hour, one more minute. I don't want her things, I want her.

While we were carrying her things to the car, I looked down and found the most peculiar feather. It was black with white dots. Not whites lines, but actual polka dots. I showed it my dad and my PhD in wildlife brother and they had no idea what kind of bird would have shed it. I wanted it back... but my dad ran off with it. I think Grandma left it for me to find. At least I'd like to believe so. I hope I find more feathers.... I need them!

And Life Marches On....

I haven't had the energy to post in the last few days, I managed to get the stomach flu. Fun times, but hey it upped my weight loss efforts! LOL

Gearing up for school, which starts August 13. We have Alex's IEP for placement sometime the week before. I am torn between getting him acclimated to his new school and not. Everyone seems to believe that he'll remain at his old school, but I never want to "assume" at least not with him. So I guess we'll go to two open houses on that night..... unless a decision is made before then.

I scored tickets to Disney on Ice in September. Alex will love it! Should be good seats too... something to look forward to!

Thanks to those of you who are keeping up with us! Pretty boring stuff here...

What's your slogan???

My Slogan Should Be

Rhonda. Love Every Bite.

The Slogan Generator

Happy Birthday to me!

LOL! I know, how childish!!! But for some reason I feel childish this morning. I think it's been too soon since my Grandma passed. This will be the first birthday that I won't get a card from her. Makes me sad. So I guess I'm trying to boost myself up a bit....

I won't tell you how old I am, but I am way too old to be celebrating birthdays!! Let's just say that perimenopause is going to be my bestest friend rather soon!!!

Anyhow, I'm still thinking of you Grandma. I was the first grandchild and I'm sure today was a special for you and Grandpa. I was special to you (I ended up being the only granddaughter as well) and I felt it every day! Thank you for that!

Proud Momma

This is a picture of my oldest son, Matt. You probably recognize the other guy eh? Matt got to meet him last night while he was on the campaign trail.

Now don't turn this into a political tirade post. I'm not interested in whom you are voting for and why and how etc. I'm not even saying I'm for or against McCain either... I just think it's neat he got to meet someone who is so much in the news right now!

It's not the best picture of McCain and Matt looks sunburnt even though he wasn't!

He's also met Harrison Ford and Calista, Kate Hudson and her then hubby Chris and Warren Buffet and Chuck Hagel. Why son, why oh WHY??? no phone call while Indiana Jones was in your presence??? Isn't that the least you can do for your ole mom??

A little Update on the School Situation

We heard back from the director of SPED and she's kicking back our request to the IEP team. This really gives me hope that Alex can remain at his old school.

I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but Alex's favorite teachers (and mine) are on his IEP team, so there is some hope!

For those of you who missed my I'm mad as hell posts... I went on about this subject too... LOL! We were devastated by the news that they were moving Alex to a different school. He has worked so hard to get where he is and alot of has been because of his wonderful teacher and paras and the consistency they provide. We would be starting over if he had to move.

So if you don't mind a prayer or two... or crossing your fingers and toes, whichever works best for you, we would appreciate it!

Death

This has been a topic in our house for the past two weeks. I'm sure you all would like for me to move on, to get past it and get busy writing something interesting. Well I'm not quite there yet!

My Grandma's death has brought up the thoughts surrounding Alex's condition. For those of you who are fairly new, he has a primary immune deficiency. He was given a life expectancy of 10 yrs of age. Other doctors have said they wouldn't put a time limit on him, but that we will outlive him.

Harsh reality that is. I like to live in denial most days, but with my Grandma's passing, it's right up front, leaning on my already heavy heart. Some day, we will again be at the hospital, holding the hand of a dying person, with no hope of recovery, with tubes and machines and tons of doctors, asking God for one more day, knowing that each extra day means more suffering, going back and forth, up and down, watching the process of death. That person will be my child.

Hard to fathom that one. One too horrid to imagine, yet sometimes I do. How will it feel, how we will survive it? How do you make funeral arrangments for a child? How do you go on? Why go on? I let myself go there for a brief time and when it gets painful, I come to the land of denial. Denial is so much easier.

So in the process of letting my Grandma go... I too must process what may lay ahead for us.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to Hell.

Wouldn't someone who yells at a funeral director go to hell? Yes I did. Well let me at least explain myself before you shake your head and run away!!!

My oldest son and I were pallbearers for my Grandma's funeral. There were 8 of us, I was the only girl (I was the only granddaughter as well). When we got the funeral home, we were to park behind the hearse, so we would be one of the first at the cemetary. Well when we left, we ended up being the last car! The idiot directing traffic forgot about us. So we missed carrying the casket to the burial site etc.

So I chewed him a new ass. Right there, at the gravesite, in the rain, in front of the whole fam damily, standing in freshly dug mud!!! I don't care. He did a horrible job overall. My mom and aunts ordered 8 yellow roses to go in the casket, one for each Great-Grandchild. They forgot those. So he orders some real quick, brings them to the burial and waves them around, saying "I don't know what to do with these" Holy Cow! I finally grabbed 3 and placed them on the casket (they never went in the casket like they wanted). He was flippant and acted like he didn't care.

So I guess I'll be meeting him in hell........... but man it felt good to tear into him when I did. Not very tactful, but then that's me!!!

Of course I already have my handbasket reserved, after watching a bootleg copy of "The Passion of the Christ" and laughing hysterically at Monty Python's "Every Sperm is sacred" song...

You can all be ashamed of me now.....

Emotionally and Physically Drained.

I'm home from the funeral, after spending 3 days at my parent's house. Saying goodbye is so draining, entertaining family, ordering flowers, visitations and processions... all so tiring.

I saw some cousins I haven't seen in years which was nice. I think Grandma would have enjoyed having them come here while she was alive, but what can ya do?

You also see some not so good sides of people as well. I am unhappy with the way a few relatives behaved during this whole ordeal. But I guess time will heal those wounds too.

Now it's back to reality, a new reality of Grandma not being here in the physical world with us. I miss her so much already!

My Grandma passed away at 7:00pm tonight

On our anniversary too. I'm going to miss her so much. She taught me alot about life, which is what good grandma's do isn't it?

Thanks to those of you who were praying and sending thoughts our way.

I think Grandma is getting a chuckle out of going out with a bang!!! She's one up on Grandpa, who went in January and it was -20 when we buried him!

Death

Death and dying has been on mind since my Grandma fell ill. How do you explain death to a child like Alex? Abstracts ideas aren't exactly his strong suit. Sometimes even concrete ones escape him.

He got to see Great Grandma while she was really good. She was so excited to see him and give him a kiss. But to tell him this may be the last time you see her, much harder concept. Time... first time, last time..... Alex doesn't get "time."

I guess we'll just ease him into. He may look for her when we go down to my parent's house, probably sign Grandma is his cute little way and we'll have to tell him she's gone. I guess we'll tell him what we can and not make it complicated.

I know that after a few times, he just won't ask anymore. She won't be there and he'll be use to it. And Life goes on.......

I'm thinking...........

(you smelled smoke right?) that I should take a break from the online community boards for awhile.

I'm just not getting much out of it right now. It's becoming a chore. I feel drained by the people who need so much, yet when you ask for a simple prayer or good thoughts, no one is interested. Poor wittle me eh? Yup I think it's time to get a life, get some perspective, lose some weight, enjoy what's left of summer, enjoy my Grandma while I can.... blah blah blah. This isn't a pissy, I'm leaving, feel sorry for me, nobody luvs me type thing.... I just need to rejuvenate (and maybe I need a few margaritas). Life is kicking my butt and it's time to kick back.

I need to focus more on my child and family right now. Maybe when school starts back up I can reconnect.

It doesn't mean that I don't love the people I've made connections with or that I'm not keeping up with their blogs.... it just means I need to scale back on 'puter time.

At least these are my thoughts for now. Aren't you thrilled I shared them? OH wait, only two people read here so I'll probably lose them too! LOL I'm going to try to start blogging more about Alex and our adventures in T21! There's never a dull moment, but you'll probably argue with me on that point!