Here's a cheesy dragon!

elise and i had a blast.  she practiced form, and shouted "girl power!", as i jumped and tried to focus my camera simultaneously.  i really love being an uncle.  it doesn't get much better.

sam, my nephew, and boaz (the neighborhood bruiser and best friend of sam), are all boy.  when they spot their "crazy" uncle andrew, they go into attack mode.  i learned that this game, in particular, became more fun on the trampoline.  less chance of injury.  for the boys and their aging uncle.

elise, sam, and little andrew have all grown up with a camera in their face, thanks to their uncle andrew.  as a result of this, they are perfect little mini-models.  smiling on cue, mixing it up like true professionals, and absolute comfort in front of the lens.  

a few months ago, i had the opportunity to hang with the little dudes for a whole day.  i was commissioned to watch over and entertain sam and elise for five or six hours.  i have to admit, i was really nervous.  

i'm a bachelor.  and if you've ever read this blog before, you'd know that i'm quite impatient as well.  patience is a true commodity for those dealing with kids.  but i love these little guys more than life itself.  so i guess now's as good a time as any to test my "parenting" skills.

okay, so i got a little help too.  my sister allowed me to bring them over to her place to set up a pool in the front yard.  it was a big hit.

miles, my third and newest nephew (my sister's), came out to watch.  he's a pretty serious little guy.  probably going to be a brilliant physicist or jazz musician.  or both.  even he managed to laugh at the three of us playing in a tiny pool in the front yard.

what a great gift i've been given to experience being an uncle, before being thrust into the throws of fatherhood.  i love getting to have fun and party with my little buddies, and then quietly escape when all of the tantrums begin, or the diapers need changing.  i'm enjoying this while i can.

all images © andrew r. slaton | photographer 2008

For one dreadful moment, I thought that we'd have to see them again! Fortunately, for me, the man was stupid enough to book the wrong flight. Moron.
So, unless they spontaneously turn up at our door sometime today, I'm good. These are not the most supportive words that an Uncle could hear from his niece, but honestly, I really don't give a shit about him.

I've been writing a whole lot lately (nothing new really). Not real writing, however, as in my actual story (which I will get to once this part is done). I've been writing the back-story: what happened six years ago and what-not. With a sigh, I re-realise that it needs a lot of work and planning. But whatever! With this one, I'm not going to go over it bit by bit, fixing mistakes or changing words. That'll be for after the finish line.

This isn't exactly the most ideal First Blog that I've always been meaning to post. However, it does give readers an insight into my utterly dull vacation. My holidays are all pretty much the same: staying up late, sleeping in, pigging out when I told myself that I would remain active during the two weeks away from study. Like hell. It doesn't help either that the weather has gotten so hot around here lately. Bloody summer is coming in spring. The sun burns your skin like no tomorrow and I've already gotten around to turning on the air-conditioners.

As boring as it may be at times, I love being at home. It gives me a chance to write, and I've been longing for some time to do just that. But, as with everything in life, there is a down side to this comfort I've been enjoying. Two extra weeks I was given for completing an essay, research booklet and powerpoint presentation. Now, I have only 6 days. I've started. Really, I have. But translate that into the horrible but unavoidable truth and it means that I've written only three pages in my research booklet and haven't even thought about starting my essay. It isn't that it is a difficult assignment. I mean, how hard can researching Hitler, the Holocaust and the Human Rights be? There are millions of articles on the internet and even more in books! The simple answer to the question "Why don't I just do it?" is that "I just don't want to." I have much better things to do with my time (e.g. write my story). But what must be done, must be done. It will be done. Soon.

On another completely unrelated subject, I've also been hunting for some DVDs and books. I think I've got more chance of finding the DVDs than the books though. Recently I have re-fallen for the quietly quirky Viggo Mortensen. He isn't the most handsome of men, but he has that 'something special' about him - and hell do I love it! While known to most as an actor, he is also a painter, poet and singer (and probably much more too). I've already managed to hunt down some of his works: A Perfect Murder and A History of Violence, which I have still to watch. Of course, I have the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but not all are on Special Edition DVD. As much as I'm trying to avoid sounding like a geek, I can't help but like the trilogy. It really is something special. This is reminding me to buy the books as well, having lost my copies a while ago.
Also on my shopping list: Viggo Mortensen's other brilliant works (most especially Hidalgo); more books to read (recently purchased Cecilia Ahern's PS I Love You and John Grogan's Marley & Me, both of which, as much as I've read thus far, I adore).

Well, I now leave these thoughts behind. I am due to leave for the mall in a few minutes (going hunting). Hopefully motivation will hit me like a kick in the guts later on, so that I can finish (or rather start) my essay.

Ciao

Don't tape a "Kick Me" poster
upon your sister's back.
Don't take your stinky socks off
and then put them in her pack.

Don't purchase plastic spiders
and place them on her head.
Don't leave your rubber rattlesnake
inside your sister's bed.

Don't do this to your sister
for, if you ever do,
I'm pretty sure she may do something
even worse to you.

--Kenn Nesbitt

Copyright © 2008 Kenn Nesbitt
All Rights Reserved
Source: poetry4kids.com

So, I believe, my uncle, my beloved uncle, wherever you're now, you must be happy for death must be a new starting point for you...Farewell uncle...And say hi to my father...Shall we meet again one day, I'll give you a smile...A big smile..Sayonara...

]]> http://holeycheese.wordpress.com/?p=281 Sat, 27 Sep 2008 19:03:23 +0000 holeycheese http://holeycheese.fr.wordpress.com/2008/09/27/%c2%a4-91-happy-birthday/ Today our little girl had her third birthday. Happy birthday Sweetie!
We started the day with going in to her room at six in the morning, singing happy birthdays songs and giving her the presents in the bed(that's how we do it). My parents were also here.. and later during the day also uncle Tal came for lunch and cake.. and she got the presents from hubby's family.

It was a happy day with a lot of presents and she didn't want to go to sleep in the evening. Usually she wants to sleep .. but she just didn't want this day to end.

Btw. I think I told you in an earlier post that she wanted a cake with a lamb, and I didn't know how to do it. It ended up like this:

Ok, I finally managed to get an episode 11 recorded tonight but not sure it will be one of my best.  I totally forgot to mention the "Designing Women," clip at the beginning and the brilliant Obama clip I got from the Wanda Wisdom website.  Just love her!  Anyways, hope you guys manage to enjoy it and here are my shownotes:

•    Welcome, to episode 11
•    The rain has finally stopped, or so i thought!
•    Season changes near the equator
•    Tom has a cold....yuck!
•    Comments, emails, messages…
•    Laura and breast cancer
•    I have a new voicemail line thanks to Craig of the Royal Pains
•    My first official voicemail from the BGS show boys...just love them!
•    Please call and leave me a voice message!
•    Tom has big news in the family and his name is Aj
•    Uncle Tom?  Really?
•    Have you ever actually read the book?
•    Reflection on my baby brother being a Dad
•    The noise seems to always be next door
•    Noise pollution in Thailand
•    Inconsideration or ignorance?
•    The strangeness of the silence now
•    More political laughs here in Thailand
•    Just when you thought it couldn’t get funnier?
•    The hydra of politics in a developing Nation
•    Closing remarks and love

Email me at tomnthai@gmail.com, comment here on the blog or you can even call into my new listener line and leave me a voice mail, which I will definitely appreciate and make good use of!

Also, make sure to go check out my fellow podcasters at the Rainbowpodsquad and the Freak Network for some excellent listening entertainment.

For Direct Download: Right Click Here | The Freak Network | The RainbowPodSquad

Subscribe to Tom in Thailand in Itunes: Click here

[audio http://media.libsyn.com/media/tominthailand/T.I.T._Podcast_11-Whats_That_Noise_Darling_.mp3]

Ok, I finally managed to get an episode 11 recorded tonight but not sure it will be one of my best.  I totally forgot to mention the "Designing Women," clip at the beginning and the brilliant Obama clip I got from the Wanda Wisdom website.  Just love her!  Anyways, hope you guys manage to enjoy it and here are my shownotes:

•    Welcome, to episode 11
•    The rain has finally stopped, or so i thought!
•    Season changes near the equator
•    Tom has a cold....yuck!
•    Comments, emails, messages…
•    Laura and breast cancer
•    I have a new voicemail line thanks to Craig of the Royal Pains
•    My first official voicemail from the BGS show boys...just love them!
•    Please call and leave me a voice message!
•    Tom has big news in the family and his name is Aj
•    Uncle Tom?  Really?
•    Have you ever actually read the book?
•    Reflection on my baby brother being a Dad
•    The noise seems to always be next door
•    Noise pollution in Thailand
•    Inconsideration or ignorance?
•    The strangeness of the silence now
•    More political laughs here in Thailand
•    Just when you thought it couldn’t get funnier?
•    The hydra of politics in a developing Nation
•    Closing remarks and love

Email me at tomnthai@gmail.com, comment here on the blog or you can even call into my new listener line and leave me a voice mail, which I will definitely appreciate and make good use of!

Also, make sure to go check out my fellow podcasters at the Rainbowpodsquad and the Freak Network for some excellent listening entertainment.

For Direct Download: Right Click Here | The Freak Network | The RainbowPodSquad

Subscribe to Tom in Thailand in Itunes: Click here

[audio http://media.libsyn.com/media/tominthailand/T.I.T._Podcast_11-Whats_That_Noise_Darling_.mp3]

没办法，错过巴士加上倾盆大雨。

康福坐了三次。

想尝试坐城市。所以坐了。

以下是我与司机的对话：

我上车。司机说：下大雨。

我说：对。莫莫路。

司机说：canteen啊！

我说：对。心里很高兴。因为他懂路而且重点讲到我想下车的地方。

停在那里，走路进去。时间刚好，不会迟到还能省钱。

他问：要不要吃面包。我这里有。

心里觉得他好热情！我说：不要。

他问：8点了，迟到坐taxi啊！

我说：不是。我是八点半。<新加坡式华语〉

他说：很好hor, 近近。地方远不好。我女儿上班很赶，没时间吃早餐。我会叫她搽面包带出去。

他问：你没时间吃早餐hor

我说：我有带包子，到公司才吃。

他问：哦！莫莫canteen那边早餐没什么东西吃。

心里想：我没在那里吃早餐。我就说午餐吧！

我说：有啦。通常只吃两样鱼片汤或鸡饭。

他说：吃鱼片汤好啊！健康。你没吃杂菜饭啊！那边有三间。

我说：很少。

他说：也对。料差不多。他的虾面不好吃hor. 你没吃过hor.

我哈哈说：没有。不过同事有说过难吃。

他说：对lor. 我吃他的虾面。他的排骨不好吃。你懂australia的排骨吗？他的排骨是australia来的。 通常我们吃排骨一定要吃到多肉才好吃。他那里骨头大肉少，不好吃。

我 

他问：你做哪一间。甲甲还是乙乙。

我说：YY

他说：不懂。

他问：你公司有shelter吗？有些公司没shelter. 下雨他们用跑的。

我说：我有雨伞。

他笑呵呵说：对hor, 你有。我忘记。路走直har

我说：对。我会告诉你在那里下车。

他说：好。

车子路过canteen。他说：第一间的杂菜饭好吃。

我说：哦！靠近煮炒。心里想红色signboard.

后来很多车。我说：这里下车。

他说：不用。他们刚才下货，可以走了。在那里下车？

我说：这里。

他说：你做甲甲啦。

我说：不是。我走过去。

他说：没雨了。

我问：多少钱。

他幽默说：七万。

我拿：＄7.05

他说：我以为你在挖什么。5分不用。uncle算你＄7。

我说：刚好我有5分。

他欣然接受跟我说：take care. bye bye.

我说：谢谢，take care, bye bye.

看完以上的对话，是不是觉得这位uncle很平易近人，亲切，友善，健谈。

第一次坐taxi这么愉快。虽然比前三次贵。但还可以接受。

因为他的态度好还有这次有塞车。

In the last post we discussed about the affects of subprime crisis in Western developed regions, especially America. Now we turn our attention the developing ones. Although due to globalisation the heavily interdependent economical structure did brought some waves of depression here. Downfall in indices such as BSE, NSE and other asian ones and heavy selling was clearly visible. But the spoils of war outweighs these minute sacrifices.

First of all, Dollar started regaining its value bringing smiles to various service and export sectors. Secondly, and more important, oil also started normalising its galloping prices. Although may not be directly linked with subprime crisis its cumulative effect alongwith stabilisation in currency value did have great soothing effect.

However, the major positive effect which can be contributed is psychological alteration this crisis has caused in masses causing an avulsion towards public sector. Shares of private banks like ICICI confronted mass selling and flow of capital towards Government entities like SBI (also to mention its one of the Indian firms to be present in Fortune's 500 list). This somehow is equivalent to return to mother ship, how much ever we detest it. 

Another great effect which is yet to be seen is however so sublime that it tends to disappear among all this hoopla. Its the increasing tendency of American Governance towards Socialism. The audacious way in which it has taken the burden of the dead on its head is really appreciative. It has proven that the basic stereotype of avaricious money-monger attached to it is not correct. Today it is spending 7% of its GDP on public security and welfare; a share which is expected to increase to 20% by 2020. Its definitely more social behaviour than so called communist countries like China. India can learn this from US and rather than blindly running towards capitalist economy, It should strengthen it social muscle and generate confidence in ventures of its citizens by giving them this protective cushion.

The past couple of months have been eye opening to me on a lot of levels.  I look at my relationships with people and want to treat others with love and respect.  I know I could do more to serve others.  That became more clear to me Saturday watching Kassie's friends organize a benefit in honor of her and Jerym.  I realize that my problems (as big as I imagine them to be) are nothing compared to what some of my family members are going through.  My uncle is such a fine example of serving others and being truly invested in people.  I hope to spend a lot more time with him in the years to come.

Marzenie b.YISK-a, wiecie? Mam pewien koncept dotyczący budowy. Rozmawiałem z moim Nauczycielem informatyki i być może będę przerabiał inny materiał, w tym Sieci oraz mam nadzieję także Automatykę i Robotykę.

A tak swoją drogą Wuj Sam jest fajny, nie? Ten wizerunek jest chyba najpopularniejszy. Mam tę grafikę na okładce Debiana z napisem "I want GNU".

b.YISK

The Man From U.N.C.L.E. tv-series turns 44!

The series premiered on September 22, 1964.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

"And then there will rise the legend killer bringing the mighty titans to their knees...

Who said Uncle Sam can't be wrong. The Domino effect of subprime crisis seems to be taking it toll on our richie rich Wall Street giants. It has brought excruciating end to some of them and has issued death warrants for some others. But as with all bad things in world this tragedy do has some positive after-effects too, especially for developing countries.

First of all, for many of us who are more worried but less acquainted with all this mess, I would like to give a brief account of what its all about in the words of wikipedia itself :

The subprime mortgage crisis is an economic problem characterized by contracted liquidity in the global credit markets and banking system. An undervaluation of real risk in the subprime market is cascading, rippling and ultimately adversely affecting the world economy.

The crisis began with the bursting of the United States housing bubble[1][2] and high default rates on "subprime" and adjustable rate mortgages (ARM). Loan incentives, such as easy initial terms, in conjunction with an acceleration in rising housing prices encouraged borrowers to assume difficult mortgages on the belief they would be able to quickly refinance at more favorable terms. However, once housing prices started to drop moderately in 2006–2007 in many parts of the U.S., refinancing became more difficult. Defaults and foreclosure activity increased dramatically, as easy initial terms expired, home prices failed to go up as anticipated, and ARM interest rates reset higher.Foreclosures accelerated in the United States in late 2006 and triggered a global financial crisis through 2007 and 2008. During 2007, nearly 1.3 million U.S. housing properties were subject to foreclosure activity, up 79% from 2006.[3]

The mortgage lenders that retained credit risk (the risk of payment default) were the first to be affected, as borrowers became unable or unwilling to make payments. Major banks and other financial institutions around the world have reported losses of approximately US$435 billion as of 17 July 2008.[4][5] Owing to a form of financial engineering called securitization, many mortgage lenders had passed the rights to the mortgage payments and related credit/default risk to third-party investors via mortgage-backed securities (MBS) and collateralized debt obligations (CDO). Corporate, individual and institutional investors holding MBS or CDO faced significant losses, as the value of the underlying mortgage assets declined. Stock markets in many countries declined significantly.

The widespread dispersion of credit risk and the unclear effect on financial institutions caused reduced lending activity and increased spreads on higher interest rates. Similarly, the ability of corporations to obtain funds through the issuance of commercial paper was affected. This aspect of the crisis is consistent with a credit crunch. The liquidity concerns drove central banks around the world to take action to provide funds to member banks to encourage lending to worthy borrowers and to restore faith in the commercial paper markets. The U.S. government also bailed-out key financial institutions, assuming significant additional financial commitments.

The subprime crisis has adversely affected several inputs in the economy, resulting in downward pressure on economic growth. Fewer and more expensive loans tend to result in decreased business investment and consumer spending. The initial leveling off in the housing market has become a downturn in many areas due to a surplus inventory of homes. The reduction and shift in demand versus supply has resulted in a significant decline in new home construction.[6]

With interest rates on a large number of subprime and other ARM due to adjust upward during the 2008 period, U.S. legislators, the U.S. Treasury Department, and financial institutions are taking action. A systematic program to limit or defer interest rate adjustments was implemented to reduce the effect. In addition, lenders and borrowers facing defaults have been encouraged to cooperate to enable borrowers to stay in their homes. Banks have sought and received over $250 billion in additional funds from investors to offset losses.[7]The risks to the broader economy created by the financial market crisis and housing market downturn were primary factors in several decisions by the U.S. Federal Reserve to cut interest rates and the economic stimulus package passed by Congress and signed by President George W. Bush on 13 February 2008.[8][9][10] Both actions are designed to stimulate economic growth and inspire confidence in the financial markets.

How tragic this disaster have been can be judged by the media attention it attracted, paranoia among the investors it created, indexes it plummeted and last but not the least financial institutions it broked. Lehman, Merriyl Lynch and AIG being the latest casualty, but not the last, the list goes on.

However, the financial pundits see broader and diverse effect of this phenomena. They beleive that its effects will more in parlance with the type of economy present in particular scenario. For the developed economies like US and European nations. The immense bank run felt by Northen Rock, Britain was a clear indicator of the presence of this financial plague in Europe. The terror of the demon yet to be unleashed could judged by the imploration made by European central bankers at international meet of central bankers, in which RBI Governor, Mr. Reddy were too present. They strongly argued that all the bad news related to Wall Street should be released in digestible chunks of pieces. They surely knew who will be next in this Russian Roullete.

Their is possibly only one solution for this problem which this developed economies can rely on. It would be the delay tactics. Its for sure that a huge loss have been written off. However it is also true that the problem owe as much to the paranoia caused among all range of investors. So, it would be better for them to do as the Europen benkers suggeted- rather than dropping a huge bomb fire bullets with some gap to recover. Else whole world of finance will be shaken to roots.

Contrary to above case, the subprime crisis proved to be a soothing and auspicious omen for developing world. The details of it will be the topic for next post...

 

... ushering a new era of normality and equality"

Now you have been in a lot of international derby press, has this skyrocketed you to worldwide fame?

It’s funny—there hasn’t been any real attention from the American press, but I’ve received some nice coverage in other countries. Derby Luv in Montreal, Canada gave us a great interview before the tour last year, and the guys up at The Bluesbunny in Glasgow have become some of my biggest supporters. The song has been used by the BBC in Birmingham and in a film called “Roller Derby Dolls” that just aired on television in Australia. The funniest thing is when some newspaper does a story about their local roller derby league and they quote the words “Roller Derby Saved My Soul” without even realizing it’s a song. I fear I’m dangerously close to coining a catchphrase.

I think I’m what you call “Myspace Famous”. Meaning that, on any given night, I’ll sit down at the computer and get amazing e-mail messages from people I’ve never met—in random places like Brisbane, Australia or Dana Point, California or wherever—telling me how much they love my music and how they wish I would come to their town. But when I leave the house to buy groceries, I still get treated like the faceless nobody I really am.

We caught wind that you were possibly coming to England to do a solo acoustic tour. I for one was very excited, but heard nothing more, what happened?

That’s still a very real possibility. I don’t know any details yet, but I talked to someone from a small record label who was interested in releasing a UK-only Uncle Leon album. If that happens, they’ll definitely want me over there to push it. I know nothing about the UK touring circuit, so I’d need some help there. But I would love the chance to bring my message of drunkenness and debauchery to a worldwide audience. (Though, from what I hear, you Brits do that pretty well without me.)

Your music has quite alot of different sounds to it, a bit of country, a bit of rockabilly and a slight punk feeling, what bands are you majorly influenced by?

Vocally, I borrow heavily from the classic country guys--Johnny Cash, Roger Miller, a little bit of Hank Williams and Willie Nelson at times. (Though I wouldn’t claim to be as good as any one of them.) Rhythmically, I owe it all to Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry. In terms of pure, sloppy anything-goes insanity, I take my cue from Hasil Adkins. And you’re right—at heart, I’m just an aging punk rocker, so there’s a lot of that underlying, rough-around-the edges spirit there. I also have to mention that there was a whole collection of cowpunk acts—particularly Mojo Nixon and Elvis Hitler—who had a huge effect on me as a teenager in the ‘80s. They’re the ones who really made me realize that old-school, shitkicking country was more badass than half the punk records I was listening to.

What inspired you to do a country cover the song Baby Got Back (my favourite Uncle Leon song!)

The short answer is, I like big butts.

The longer answer: I already had a song called “Hot Rod Mamas”. It’s all about the fact that, as a man, I can’t stand the type of skinny, stupid-acting, high-maintenance woman that we’re all told we’re supposed to lust after. Instead, I say I want a “shit-talking, big-butt, little bit of beer gut, hot rod mama with money to blow.” Well, needless to say, this song became a big crowd pleaser. So one night, at the end of that song, as a joke, I went straight into a couple lines from “Baby Got Back”, and all the girls in the audience went wild. I realized that whenever they hear that song, women go crazy because (a) they all think they have huge butts, regardless of their actual size, and (b) at its heart, “Baby Got Back” is saying the same thing “Hot Rod Mamas” is: that it’s okay to be the sexy, voluptuous woman you are. And after I’d done it once, it became the song they all screamed for at every show.

Also, at the risk of getting too philosophical here, I like the idea of covering a familiar song in a completely different musical style. Because the big secret is that, even though hip-hop and country come from very different places socially and stylistically, they both basically cover the same subject matter—sex, breakups, wild parties, and hard times. All I’m doing is pointing out the similarities. And getting a few laughs in the process.

Besides Roller Derby Saved My Soul, why do you think Uncle Leon and the Alibis has been received so warmly by the roller derby community?

As I mentioned before, I had already spent years singing the praises of big, tough, wild women. Rollergirls just happen to fit the description. Starting a roller derby is a lot like starting a band—if you want to make it happen, you really have to do it on your own. And I like to think that roller derby girls value a lot of the same things I do: independence, toughness, a certain do-it-yourself spirit… and beer. Lots of beer.

Some of your songs deal with love or heartbreak, have you had the pleasure/pain of dating a roller derby girl yet?

I won’t name any names, but… yes. She’s actually a retired derby girl. The most hilarious part about it is that, when we first started going out, she couldn’t believe that she was my first one.

(ed. note: First one..its a whole new virginity, dating a rollergirl. It's probably the only time a girl will say to a guy 'Oh, it's your first time? This might hurt a bit' haha)

What influenced you to write Roller Derby Saved My Soul?

I was already a big fan of the sport. My friend was in the process of filming a roller derby documentary, so I figured he should have a song to go with it. I was getting a little tired of that same one-two country beat, and wanted to do something a little more rock’n’roll again. And here in the U.S., there’s this whole scary Evangelical TV-preacher thing that I’ve always been fascinated with, so I kind played up that angle. I can’t say I put much serious thought into it at the time, but they lyrics seem to really strike a chord with a lot of people.

Where is the weirdest place you've seen the Roller Derby Saved My Soul catchphrase emblazened across?

There’s a woman named Ms. Hell, of the Tornado Alley Rollergirls in Oklahoma City. She’s got it tattooed inhuge letters across her back. I got to meet her in person at the national championship in Texas last year. It’s one thing to have someone tell you she likes your song, and quite another to stand there and see your words etched into her skin. It was definitely one of the weirdest experiences of my life.

Who's your favourite derby team?

Oh hell. If I answer that, I’m going to have rollergirls in every state waiting to kick my ass. Let me just say this: Kentucky’s Black-N-Bluegrass Rollergirls have been the nicest to me. But the Mad Rollin’ Dolls in Wisconsin throw the best parties.

And finally, which do you prefer, skirts or hotpants?

Whichever one shows it off the best, darlin'.

Thank you for taking the time to compleate this interview, and we hope you continue on your quest for worldwide musical derby domination!

Check him out and buy his stuff!!!

www.uncleleon.com

http://cdbaby.com/cd/uncleleonalibis2

http://cdbaby.com/cd/uncleleonalibis

http://www. myspace.com/uncleleon

Derby Luv interview:

http://www.derbyluv.com/articles/20070613_Uncle-Leon.php

Bluesbunny interview:

http://www.bluesbunny.com/tabid/55/xmmid/742/xmid/847/xmview/2/default.aspx

"Roller Derby Dolls" official page:

http://www. myspace.com/rollerderbydolls

Get  "Roller Derby Saved My Soul" included in Drew Barrymore's upcoming roller derby film "Whip It!", with this online petition!

http://www.petitiononline.com/heydrew/petition.html

ISTANBUL, September 15 (Compass Direct News) – Christian human rights lawyers in Pakistan saw a partial legal victory in a judge’s ruling last week that one of two kidnapped girls be returned to her Christian parents. The judge further ruled that her sister be free to choose whether to go with the Muslim man who allegedly forced her to convert and marry him.

Justice Malik Saeed Ejaz ruled on Tuesday (Sept. 9) that 10-year-old Aneela Masih be returned to her parents – an unprecedented legal victory for Christian parents of a girl who supposedly converted to Islam, according to one lawyer – while leaving her sister, 13-year-old Saba Masih, free to choose whether to go with Amjad Ali, a Muslim man who married her after the June 26 kidnapping.

Saba Masih, whose birth certificate indicates that she is now 13 but who testified that she is 17, said she did not want to return to her parents and tried to keep her little sister from returning to them. Their Muslim captors have repeatedly threatened the two girls that their parents would harm them if they returned.

The older sister is not willing to meet with any of the family members or her parents, said Rashid Rehman of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.

“It’s normal behavior,” he told Compass. “She was tutored and brainwashed by the family of her husband Ali, and naturally they made up her mind that her parents will hurt her and treat her inhumanely. In fact that will never happen. Her family is really peaceful, and remained so peaceful the whole time the case was heard in high court.”

After more than three hours of heated legal arguments in the Multan branch of Lahore’s High Court, the judge deemed the oldest child sui juris – capable to handle her own affairs – based on her testimony that she is 17 years old and on a Lahore medical board’s ruling that she is between 15 and 17. The medical board may have been pressured to declare Saba Masih as an adult, according to the parents’ lawyers.

Conditions set in the ruling called for the parents not to “interfere” with Aneela Masih’s religious beliefs, that they be allowed to visit Saba Masih and that the groom’s family pay them 100,000 rupees (US$1,316) according to Pakistani marriage tradition.

Raised in a Christian family in the small town of Chowk Munda, the two girls were kidnapped on June 26 while traveling to visit their uncle in Sarwar Shaheed, northwest of Multan. Saba Masih was married to Ali the next day, and the kidnappers filed for custody of the girls on June 28 based on their alleged forced conversion to Islam.

Islamic jurisprudence and Pakistani law do not recognize the forced marriages of minors.

‘Pleased with Outcome’

“We are pleased with the outcome,” said Joseph Francis, head of the Center for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS). He said, however, that the verdict was not complete without the return of Saba Masih to her family.

Francis and two other CLAAS lawyers were present at the Sept. 9 judgment despite repeated threats against their office over the course of the hearings.

CLAAS lawyer Akbar Durrani told Compass that it was the first time in his life that he had seen such a decision. “In my experience they have not given us the custody of minor girls even as young as 9 years old that have been declared Muslim,” said Durrani, who has been practicing law in Pakistan for 18 years. “It is a legal victory.”

As a minor, though, Aneela Masih’s previous declaration that she had converted from Christianity to Islam was not explicitly recognized. Calling the lawyers into his private chamber to present options before ruling, according to the parents’ lawyers, the judge said he would make no mention of the girls’ supposed conversion to Islam.

“This was a very favorable thing for us,” said Durrani. “He said, ‘I’m only going to decide the custody,’ so we decided this is acceptable to us.”

In his private chamber, the judge gave them different options, warning them that if they didn’t cooperate or accept his proposals he would make his own judgment. In the end he said he would hand the little girl to her mother and set the other free.

“Wherever she wants to go she can go,” the judge told the parties. “But if she wants to go with you she can go, and if she wants to go to her husband she can go.”

The girls, their mother and Ali were then invited into the judge’s chamber, where the judge announced the decision to them.

Durrani said that Aneela Masih went to her mother willingly, while her older sister gave a cry and tried to pull the 10-year-old back to her.

“The minor resisted for a fraction of a second to go to the mother,” Durrani said. “The little girl was under pressure; every time she was instructed by her elder sister not to talk to her mother.”

Her mother hugged her, and the lawyer said the little girl seemed very comfortable in her lap. There her mother tried to remove the veil from her daughter to look at her, but she resisted. Outside the courtroom, however, Aneela Masih removed the veil herself and later accepted food and drink. The girls had been fasting during Ramadan.

The lawyers said it was clear from the 10-year-old girl’s reactions that she was confused from the ordeal.

Supreme Court Question

Lawyers for the parents are weighing the options and feasibility of getting the oldest daughter back through the Supreme Court.

On Friday (Sept. 12), the girls’ uncle, Khalid Raheel, who has spearheaded the efforts to get them back, told CLAAS lawyers that Aneela was readjusting into her life at home. Raheel asked the family lawyers that they continue to try to get Saba back.

Rehman said he does not think the case would stand in the Supreme Court. “She willingly said, ‘I don’t want to go with my parents,’” he said.

Durrani and Francis, however, said they would continue to fight for her. “We’ll go to the Supreme Court for Saba,” said Francis.

“We will try getting the statement of Aneela and then will re-open the case,” said Durrani, adding that Aneela Masih had told her family, “Please get her back from that place.”

Rehman told Compass in a phone interview that Saba Masih’s statement that she is 17, her supposed embrace of Islam and her marriage by consent will make getting her back very difficult.

“She has admitted the marriage at the court and produced the marriage papers and has claimed that she’s over 16, so it was very difficult for us to prove our case that she’s a minor girl… because it is denied by Saba herself,” said Rehman.

He explained that the only way to secure the oldest daughter’s return to her family would be by proving she is a minor, something virtually impossible at this point because of her testimony. The court has refused to admit her birth certificate as evidence.

Saba Masih still refuses to communicate with her parents.

‘Frightened, Small Girl’

In court last week, both sisters sat in hijab dress fully veiled next to a policewoman from the Dar Ul Rahman women’s shelter, where the two girls had stayed since a July 29 hearing.

Their mother tried to talk to them and show them photos. Durrani said that Aneela Masih was responsive to her mother, but her older sister would pull her away, forbidding her from talking to her.

The judge had ruled that the girls stay at the shelter in order to think of their alleged conversion to Islam away from external pressures. Lawyers for the parents said that while in the shelter the girls were continually harassed and threatened that their family would not take them back.

Aneela Masih stated to the lawyers and her parents after the court decision that Ali’s family and their captors told them that everyone was Muslim – the lawyers, the judge, society – and that their parents could not take them back.

Knowing the attention the case of the two girls had attracted, Durrani said, the judge left the case till last. Yet the courtroom, he said, was full of “those who had kidnapped the girls, their supporters, the Islamic fanatics; all these were present in the court and interested in the hearing of the case.”

From the outset at last week’s hearing, the judge wanted to ask Aneela Masih questions about Islam to extract a statement on which he could rule on her custody. Durrani and colleague Justin Gill fought against the lawyer and the judge, arguing that as the 10-year-old was a minor, her statement on faith could not be valid and that she must be returned to her mother.

“We concentrated our efforts on Aneela, that at least we should have some relief to get her back and then we can fight in the Supreme Court if we wish to go for any other thing,” he said, referring to the older sister’s case.

The judge had decided to postpone the verdict till this Thursday (Sept. 18) and place the girls back in the Dar Ul Rahman shelter, where their mother could visit them for two hours every day. But the CLAAS lawyers said they feared waiting would only work against their case in the long run, making it more difficult to gain custody of the younger sister if both were exposed to more harassment and possible brainwashing.

“Even if she is a Muslim and has changed her religion, according to Islam a mother is the best custodian of the child,” Durrani said he and Gill argued.

Rehman said that Aneela Masih seemed frightened and, according to information he had obtained, the girl was afraid of her abductors and her own family even while in the shelter.

“She was a frightened, small girl,” he said. “They told her that if she returned to her parents she’d be treated unkindly.”

Threats, Car Chase

On Sept. 8, the day before the hearing, while traveling together from Lahore to Multan, the three lawyers for the Christian parents – Francis, Durrani and Gill – received threatening calls from the supporters of the girls’ kidnappers.

That night while, on their way back from dinner to a bishop’s house where they were staying in Multan, the CLAAS team was approached by armed men on motorcycles who threatened them, warning them to not go to the judgment hearing the next day.

“They said, ‘You should not be in court or you will be responsible for the consequences,’” said Durrani.

When nearby police saw the scene and approached, the armed men left the scene.

“We were afraid, but we knew we had to go,” Durrani said.

After the hearing, while traveling back to Lahore, Durrani said that Muslim fanatics chased them for about 100 kilometers (62 miles).

“Then we went to another city and got to the highway from another shortcut,” he said.

Durrani said the lawyers have many cases like this, causing them concern for their own safety.

“It is not the first time we get threats, but by the grace of God, and by the refuge of our Holy Ghost we are safe,” he said. “Every time we know the prayers of our church and other Christians are with us, which is why we are able to get the victory for our Lord.”

Report from Compass Direct News

Anyway, today is not a day to bring up such topics. It is more important to remember the people that was lost seven years ago. My Uncle (not technical Uncle, but rather a title of courtesy) was one of the people responsible for us to be able to come to America. He was our laison, if you will, with the people around here and helped us settle. His name was Jupiter Yambem and he was 41 years old at the time. His job was being the banquet manager and he had a wife and son at the time. The entire interconnected Manipuri population in our areas searched for him for weeks until they discovered the news. It's not easy to say that someone you knew was a victim of those terrorist attack and it adds an increased sense of personality to the issue. What happened on September 11, 2001 was an event that should not have existed. Alas, it did and we must live in its shadow until we can outgrow and consume it.

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Emily wasn't here today and it had been told that her and Stuart are both sick. That doesn't seem good saying that she's usually gone for long days such as a week even from something as a cold. But yeah, nothing much interesting in my personal life for now. I have parts of the script from the Dark Knight printed out (the entire thing is actually 167 pages so I just grabbed some quotes here and there) so we can "act" it out on the bus to keep us entertained. Did I mention that the ride if 2 and half hours long? I'm going to SHEETZ in the morning to grab some food and hope that goes well since I can't seem to wake up early enough.

But yeah, nothing to see here folks...it's just my boring life unraveling.

Until Mexico,

NSE

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Last night I had a dream of my childhood. It was a sort of reenactment of the period. Insignificant moments. Nothing outstanding.

But it helped me remember the birds.

When I was a child, I changed homes, families, school and “friends” pretty much every year until I was 11 years old. Uprooted from one place and transplanted to another. Each one was its own world.

One year -I’d say it was the most normal year of my childhood- my brother and I were sent to live with my cousin’s family. His house was 2 minutes away from another relative’s house that had 4 children. They were our second cousins and we would spend a lot of time together playing bike tag, soccer, video games and building forts for plush wars. I always liked being at their house. It was more fun for some reason. They had more video games.

Coincidentally, their house was identical to the one I was living in. Everything was the same except the basement. Their father had turned it into a sort of bird room dungeon. There were about 20 cages hanging from the basement ceiling, each with one or two small, colorful birds in it. I always thought it a little odd to keep birds under ground. Wouldn’t they be happier above ground at least?

Not to mention the noise that seven kids running around the place would produce. I’m sure it did not make the birds any happier. In fact, a lot of them died because of the stress we caused them. While the other children didn’t really care or think how their actions affected the birds, I always tried to be quiet around them. I didn’t want them to die. Even when I would be screaming and banging on the floors and walls in the other rooms, the thought that I might have just killed a bird would linger in my mind.

Once in a while, I’d tip-toe into the basement by myself to look at the birds. They’d either be sleeping or quietly peering back at me. Until my cousins would find me and fill the room with a sudden burst of noise and ruckus that the bird suddenly dropped dead in it’s cage. Then their father would come and scream at us for killing his birds as we ran upstairs and outside.

Afterward he would try to replace them, but he could not fill the cages as fast as we killed them. Eventually, he stopped buying new birds and the basement became a room of empty cages.

And I imagined that they faked their deaths to escape the dungeon and regain their freedom.

……………………………………………………………………………………….

This part is just to explain the “uncle no. 5″ part of the title:

In traditional Vietnamese family hierarchy (and likely other Asian cultures too…) relatives are addressed by their rank and order of birth within the family ‘clan’ in relation to YOUR individual place on the family tree, meaning that I would address my maternal grandmother differently than my cousin who is her son’s son. Get it? You’re probably confused. My grandma is to be addressed differently depending on who is bowing to her. Maternal grandmother is addressed differently than a paternal grandmother and since she has sons and daughters she is addressed as both in different situations, depending on whether the grandchild is born of her sons or her daughters. One person can have many titles depending on how big the whole family, including extended and distant members, gets.

In english, you might just call your parents’ siblings Uncle Bob or Aunt Susan. However, calling an elder by his or her first name is deemed disrespectful. (You may only use a person’s first name if you are older than them. This rule applies to everyone, including strangers and not just family.) Otherwise, we mainly address them by order of age. Parents rank at the top (no.1) of the household, so being the first born, a niece or nephew should address me as uncle no. 2. and my younger brother would be uncle no. 3.

That is the basic explanation for a very crude translation. It gets much more complicated than that. But ‘uncle no. 5′ is how I address the relative in the story.

You’re probably still confused.

er…ok, I’m going to to use another title for this story.

How about “Bird Killer Kids”?

As of late though, there have been a quite a few things that have spun me around.  I rode the scrambler at Kings Island.  I felt a little sick, but in the end, it was ok.  Also, I I got in a washing machine and let it spin me as well.   Now back to my blog.  I have found new passion in my life in the forms or work, play and romance.  Yes, you read it right - romance!  For those of you coming to this blog to laugh at my plight, I'm sorry to let you down.  From now on, you have no choice but to laugh at me for other reason.  Here's a few to remember; 1) My incredibly tubby belly, 2) My ridiculous attempt at being cool, and my favorite 3) My morning hair. 

I felt it was necessary to acknowledge the things that have brought me joy lately.  Here they are in no particular order, except how they pop into my head:

• My nephew Benjamin Emmons.  What a cutie.  Yet another Emmons to bring the world laughter and joy.  You know you all love it.  I love my bro, Scott, and not only willI have fun with his first son, Isaiah, but now Benjamin.  Also, it's fun to call him Benji and see the look on his wife's, Amy, face.  Ah...the joys of being an Uncle.
• Superman paraphanalia.  Gotta love it!
• My new BFF, Josh.  So, first night I ever met this guy, we became friends.  I didn't even talk to him long before I knew he and I were going to hit it off.  From that point on, we have been like two peas in a pod.  How we got in that huge human sized pea-pod, I have no idea.  Also, some people may thing we're "moving too fast".  Me, I'm just a fast-moving dude. 
• I got a new job title at my work.  It's a pretty sweet job that challenges me much more than my old position.  I'm learning new things, and so far, I seem to be succeeding at the new role.  Also, I am going to be getting company match and I got to use my dental insurance for the first time, which makes me feel old.  It's sort of cool but depressing. 
• Fall is in the air.  Do you know that feeling when it's just cold enough to wear jeans and sweater vests, but not cold enough for a coat?  Yeah...that's a good time of the year.
• Brittany.  This, if you did not know, is the new "flame" in my life.  I'm impressed with myself b/c I would have thought by now, she would have either learned or I would have freaked out.  Neither has happened.  I'm optimistic.  Of course, I'll write this tonight and tomorrow she'll call and say "Chris, we should talk...".  At this point, I'll promptly hang up and never let her "talk" so it lasts at least another week or so.  Then again, she might never get tired or my jokes and we'll live happily ever after.  I know it sounds lame, but I'm sort of hoping for that.  Thus far it's been romantic comedy all the way.  She is really wonderful.  Let's just hope this is not her solo comedy and the script writes me out.