I just LOVE this guy and Achmed! All his puppets are fantastic. I just found a slew of clips with him & his puppets on YouTube, so I'm including a short three minute clip here. Enjoy!
For a LONGER Version (10:47 mins) of this clip, watch it on YouTube @:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psvL2eYQ7YM
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Single Parents - I tried...
You are the beauty, the struggle and strife
The only exception to a man and his wife
Your worth is invaluable,
Your treasures unnumbered
The nation is blind to your sacrifice...
*deep sigh*
Okay, so, I've never been a single parent but my sister has. I know several friends who still are and have always been both parents to their strong, outspoken children. The people I know from single parent households are among the most educated, mature, expressive, artistic, humble, creative, resilient, and resourceful I have ever had the pleasure to know.
If anyone in our reading audience has anything to add, submit, or comment on the subject of single parent families, we welcome your contribution. Obviously, I neither have the knowledge or the qualifications to interpret the single family paradox. Therefore, with the utmost respect I will conclude this message with one of my own. The single parent families I have had the privilege to meet have some of the closest family relationships I have ever known. The strength of their bonds both nurture and exceed those of many two-parent families'. I salute you.
May God Bless America & Keep the Dream Alive,
emg
The only exception to a man and his wife
Your worth is invaluable,
Your treasures unnumbered
The nation is blind to your sacrifice...
*deep sigh*
Okay, so, I've never been a single parent but my sister has. I know several friends who still are and have always been both parents to their strong, outspoken children. The people I know from single parent households are among the most educated, mature, expressive, artistic, humble, creative, resilient, and resourceful I have ever had the pleasure to know.
If anyone in our reading audience has anything to add, submit, or comment on the subject of single parent families, we welcome your contribution. Obviously, I neither have the knowledge or the qualifications to interpret the single family paradox. Therefore, with the utmost respect I will conclude this message with one of my own. The single parent families I have had the privilege to meet have some of the closest family relationships I have ever known. The strength of their bonds both nurture and exceed those of many two-parent families'. I salute you.
May God Bless America & Keep the Dream Alive,
emg
Friday, April 3, 2009
My Ode to SAHMs
April Fool has come and gone
And so the new year marches on
From dawn to dusk our days are full
From runny noses to boo boo bums
We wipe and swipe and then it comes
The school bus is here! and that's no bull
There go your oldest, first out the gate
The little one ain't dressed and you're going to be late
Now settle in for the ride of your life...
As we pile in the van with our lunches in hand
To race Father Time and his hefty demands
Taunting us with such struggles and strife
Like John McClain, you think this can stop us?
The mothers who live night and day with this bunch?
No way! Nothing intimidates a true go-getter
Even then, my dear friend, we SAHMs can resist
The awful temptations of sweet happiness
And promises that, "it will get better..."
The older they get, the faster they run
So, look out grandma, here they come!
The children we greatly adore
We ARE supermom, superwoman, and all
What we get in return is the blame of their fall
Are you kidding? That's What We LIVE FOR!
*************************************************************************************
If I had taken more time, to think of my rhymes, this sorry excuse for a poem would be much better. Of course, the last verse refers to the 'Mother's Curse' of having kids "Just Like You." However, being a Stay-At-Home-Mama does have its perks. The memories, the laughter, the exercise! Just to name a few.
This was my way of saying, "Happy SAHMs Day" wherever and whenever you are! The Twisted Muse proudly salutes Stay-At-Home-Moms! Be strong, Momma, we got yo back!
-emg
And so the new year marches on
From dawn to dusk our days are full
From runny noses to boo boo bums
We wipe and swipe and then it comes
The school bus is here! and that's no bull
There go your oldest, first out the gate
The little one ain't dressed and you're going to be late
Now settle in for the ride of your life...
As we pile in the van with our lunches in hand
To race Father Time and his hefty demands
Taunting us with such struggles and strife
Like John McClain, you think this can stop us?
The mothers who live night and day with this bunch?
No way! Nothing intimidates a true go-getter
Even then, my dear friend, we SAHMs can resist
The awful temptations of sweet happiness
And promises that, "it will get better..."
The older they get, the faster they run
So, look out grandma, here they come!
The children we greatly adore
We ARE supermom, superwoman, and all
What we get in return is the blame of their fall
Are you kidding? That's What We LIVE FOR!
*************************************************************************************
If I had taken more time, to think of my rhymes, this sorry excuse for a poem would be much better. Of course, the last verse refers to the 'Mother's Curse' of having kids "Just Like You." However, being a Stay-At-Home-Mama does have its perks. The memories, the laughter, the exercise! Just to name a few.
This was my way of saying, "Happy SAHMs Day" wherever and whenever you are! The Twisted Muse proudly salutes Stay-At-Home-Moms! Be strong, Momma, we got yo back!
-emg
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Emergency Fundraising Announcement
ANNOUNCEMENT From SWCLASSOF89.ORG Website
The SW CLASS OF '89 Fundraiser is here! Support your Class Reunion by referring your friends and families to http://www.classiccookie.com where they can help us get Registration Costs way down!
Classic Cookie offers Ready-to-Bake Cookie Dough - DUE DATE for Orders & Money is APRIL 10, 2009! Please help us pay for our 20th Reunion and refer your co-workers, neighbors, family and friends to the web site http://classiccookie.com
For out of town relatives, friends, alumni, and supporters of Southwest High School, SHOP ONLINE And be sure to ENTER COUPON CODE: SW1989 AT Checkout! That's "SW1989" when you checkout of http://www.classiccookie.com
THIS IS A PRE-PAID SALE. ALL MONEY IS TO BE COLLECTED WITH ORDERs, please.
For those of us in KCMO who are doing in-person selling, you may accept checks for cookie dough orders. Please MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO:
SW CLASS OF '89
The Southwest High School Class of 1989 20th Reunion Committee would like to Thank You for Your Support!
emg
The SW CLASS OF '89 Fundraiser is here! Support your Class Reunion by referring your friends and families to http://www.classiccookie.com where they can help us get Registration Costs way down!
Classic Cookie offers Ready-to-Bake Cookie Dough - DUE DATE for Orders & Money is APRIL 10, 2009! Please help us pay for our 20th Reunion and refer your co-workers, neighbors, family and friends to the web site http://classiccookie.com
For out of town relatives, friends, alumni, and supporters of Southwest High School, SHOP ONLINE And be sure to ENTER COUPON CODE: SW1989 AT Checkout! That's "SW1989" when you checkout of http://www.classiccookie.com
THIS IS A PRE-PAID SALE. ALL MONEY IS TO BE COLLECTED WITH ORDERs, please.
For those of us in KCMO who are doing in-person selling, you may accept checks for cookie dough orders. Please MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO:
SW CLASS OF '89
The Southwest High School Class of 1989 20th Reunion Committee would like to Thank You for Your Support!
emg
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Why Don't We ALL Love Like Dogs?
Not live like dogs, Love like Dogs! It angers me to still see our beloved animals left out in the cold weather this March. In Kansas City, Missouri, the weather is less than ideal. We never know what to expect with each coming day around here so we are pretty much left with our own judgment. Why isn't our best judgment loving toward our beloved furry friends?
In these days of up and down temperatures, it amazes me how inconsistent we are as responsible animal owners! I drive my daughter to school every morning from Monday through Thursday. In the ten minutes it takes me to do so, I see at least five or more animals outside in the 20-degree weather! I am an avid animal Lover & Enthusiast. Be that as it may, I do let my miniature schnauzer outside to do his business and Promptly let him back inside. If it takes him two minutes or 20 minutes, I'm there to let him in.
It sours my heart to see animals, large and small, tied outside in this hostile weather. I know you work, I know you get kids to school, I know you have errands to run and things to do, but if you can't spare five to 20 minutes to care for the simple basics of your animals needs, then you shouldn't have gotten one in the first place. In fact, you need to start searching for a new and responsible home for your animal right now. If you lack the time to feed, brush, groom, bathe, clothe-is optional, walk, and play with your animal on a regular basis then you absolutely have no business owning an animal.
I know because I do all these things and still care for my animals, sometimes better than I care for myself. That's what unconditional LOVE is, people. A lot more often than not, we all could take a lesson from Fido! Especially in regard to "LOVING thy neighbor as thyself."
Ownership is an ugly word to me with regard to another living thing. Be it human or canine, feline or otherwise, ownership doesn't compute in my head when it applies to my pets. They can FEEL, they do REMEMBER, and they do LOVE, OBEY, HONOR, and CHERISH their human counterparts until death do us part. Dogs do it better than we do, hands down! Always have, unfortunately, always will.
Dogs are like 2-year-old children their ENTIRE Lives! That means, no matter how "old" your dog gets, he may be the equivalent of 74 in dog years but that doesn't mean his mentality is that of a human 74-year-old. His mind is still only 2-yrs-old! Period. He still looks at you for his every need: he needs love, attention, play time, guidance, discipline, food, cleanliness, water, the outdoors, exercise, and a warm bed to sleep in just like your human children, and yourself for that matter.
Let me ask you something, would you tie out your 2-year-old child outside to go potty in our 18-degree morning weather for one whole hour or eight hours while you're gone to work? Hell NO! Although we may want to from time to time, as frustrated parents, we would never really Do that. Unless we wanted to spend some time in jail for the free meals and cable, only to never see our children again, right? (That's a whole other discussion entirely.) No, again?
OK, so why do we so easily do this to our dogs? It kills me to see cats slinking around out there all the time, too. I'm not saying every cat has to be held hostage inside someone's house and de-clawed, etc. I mean let's have a heart and how about a little more COMMON SENSE, shall we? You stay outside all night without a coat and only the clothes on your back as the temperature plummets from 30-5 degrees in an hour or less. You fend for yourself outside awhile and see how you like it. Then maybe you'll have some empathy for your four-legged friends. If you don't, you have no business owning a pet of any kind.
Now, don't get me wrong, I am NOT PERFECT. I have made mistakes with my animals in the past. Especially as a confused teenager who didn't have time to worry over a dog. Yet, I have LEARNED How to Do It RIGHT. How to be Loving and Responsible to my dog-dogs and better for it in other areas of my life and relationships with friends & family! But this CAN BE Taught. Loving an animal takes time, patience, and the willingness to CHANGE Yourself on behalf of anothers' needs. Putting those needs before yours sometimes is a deciding factor of Love itself. Again, much like the love of a child.
I don't understand how, even in this economy, people continue to let their dogs starve to death rather than feeding them table scraps at the VERY LEAST (even though I do not recommend table scraps as a substitute for dog food ever), but in order to keep them fed until you CAN buy them dog food. You're feeding your two-year-old child aren't you? I am sticking to this analogy because my pets are Absolute Members of My Family Unit. I don't forget my dog in any decision I make for my family.
Let me tell you a little story. When we had the opportunity to buy into a Great Deal for resort vacations...the ultimate deciding factor for me was this: they did not allow dogs. That was what stopped me. That's ALL that stopped me. If we did not have LOVING Relatives willing to watch my dog while we were on vacation for 7-10 days, I Would NOT GO ON VACATION. No kidding. I would send my family, or stay home with one of my kids and my dog, send the other kid with my husband, that way we would take separate vacations if need be. We are a "pack" in my dogs eyes, and in mine as well. I am ever conscious of this fact and of his mentality as a perpetual "2-yr-old child" (dog). The unconditional love of a dog is what mine have taught me.
I of course, am not the only exception. I know several animal lovers who feel the same way about their own pets. Believe me, we are a Nation of animal lovers. We may occasionally disagree on what is right and what is wrong in the way of breeding, raising, or feeding our animals, but we do share the love, hard work and pure effort and responsibility necessary to handle, treat, and nourish our beloved animal family members.
If you cannot identify with the above paragraphs then I beg you please, PLEASE do NOT Buy A Dog - or a living breathing pet. I don't care how spoiled you want your child or how loud she cries and begs! Get an electronic 'pet' for your child instead! You can change their battery after you let them starve and die, then start all over again. This is NOT AN OPTION with a Real LIVE Animal.
I do not MEAN to preach and I will climb down off my soap box in a moment or two. I just wanted to speak out for the animals who so often lack the voice of their owners and "masters" to speak up on their behalf. I wanted to speak also for the caring neighbors of these animals who are ignored, mistreated, forgotten, and literally tortured in our society. I raise my glass and my prayers to God on behalf of ANY and EVERYONE who turns negligent animal owners in to Animal Control or the authorities. Not for "absent minded" mistakes but for actual, obvious neglect in our hearts eye.
We need to police ourselves, our neighbors, and our communities behavior - like it used to be. So many things have changed in our society, we can no longer afford to be absent in our own and each others daily lives...this is a much broader subject and hopefully, we can cover it much further in another post or perhaps a printed edition of the Twisted Muse. Don't wait for "someone" to call the police, that "someone" could be YOU everyone else is waiting for to act first.
For now, thank you for reading. Please spread these words to other animal lovers, potential pet owners, and neglectful owners alike. We can always learn a new fact, a new word, and give a new lesson to Someone who needs it. Always. No matter what you do in life, this is our Collective Legacy as Human Beings: passing on our greatest traits, life lessons, love and hope in humanity to our children and to their childrens' children as well. Guiding someone to a new path is legend.
The Love of a Dog is the ABSOLUTE EXAMPLE of God and His UNCONDITIONAL LOVE for Us as HIS Children. God Bless All Our Readers, Contributors, Thinkers, Word Pieces, Pet Enemies, and those who Disagree with us alike. Amen
emg
In these days of up and down temperatures, it amazes me how inconsistent we are as responsible animal owners! I drive my daughter to school every morning from Monday through Thursday. In the ten minutes it takes me to do so, I see at least five or more animals outside in the 20-degree weather! I am an avid animal Lover & Enthusiast. Be that as it may, I do let my miniature schnauzer outside to do his business and Promptly let him back inside. If it takes him two minutes or 20 minutes, I'm there to let him in.
It sours my heart to see animals, large and small, tied outside in this hostile weather. I know you work, I know you get kids to school, I know you have errands to run and things to do, but if you can't spare five to 20 minutes to care for the simple basics of your animals needs, then you shouldn't have gotten one in the first place. In fact, you need to start searching for a new and responsible home for your animal right now. If you lack the time to feed, brush, groom, bathe, clothe-is optional, walk, and play with your animal on a regular basis then you absolutely have no business owning an animal.
I know because I do all these things and still care for my animals, sometimes better than I care for myself. That's what unconditional LOVE is, people. A lot more often than not, we all could take a lesson from Fido! Especially in regard to "LOVING thy neighbor as thyself."
Ownership is an ugly word to me with regard to another living thing. Be it human or canine, feline or otherwise, ownership doesn't compute in my head when it applies to my pets. They can FEEL, they do REMEMBER, and they do LOVE, OBEY, HONOR, and CHERISH their human counterparts until death do us part. Dogs do it better than we do, hands down! Always have, unfortunately, always will.
Dogs are like 2-year-old children their ENTIRE Lives! That means, no matter how "old" your dog gets, he may be the equivalent of 74 in dog years but that doesn't mean his mentality is that of a human 74-year-old. His mind is still only 2-yrs-old! Period. He still looks at you for his every need: he needs love, attention, play time, guidance, discipline, food, cleanliness, water, the outdoors, exercise, and a warm bed to sleep in just like your human children, and yourself for that matter.
Let me ask you something, would you tie out your 2-year-old child outside to go potty in our 18-degree morning weather for one whole hour or eight hours while you're gone to work? Hell NO! Although we may want to from time to time, as frustrated parents, we would never really Do that. Unless we wanted to spend some time in jail for the free meals and cable, only to never see our children again, right? (That's a whole other discussion entirely.) No, again?
OK, so why do we so easily do this to our dogs? It kills me to see cats slinking around out there all the time, too. I'm not saying every cat has to be held hostage inside someone's house and de-clawed, etc. I mean let's have a heart and how about a little more COMMON SENSE, shall we? You stay outside all night without a coat and only the clothes on your back as the temperature plummets from 30-5 degrees in an hour or less. You fend for yourself outside awhile and see how you like it. Then maybe you'll have some empathy for your four-legged friends. If you don't, you have no business owning a pet of any kind.
Now, don't get me wrong, I am NOT PERFECT. I have made mistakes with my animals in the past. Especially as a confused teenager who didn't have time to worry over a dog. Yet, I have LEARNED How to Do It RIGHT. How to be Loving and Responsible to my dog-dogs and better for it in other areas of my life and relationships with friends & family! But this CAN BE Taught. Loving an animal takes time, patience, and the willingness to CHANGE Yourself on behalf of anothers' needs. Putting those needs before yours sometimes is a deciding factor of Love itself. Again, much like the love of a child.
I don't understand how, even in this economy, people continue to let their dogs starve to death rather than feeding them table scraps at the VERY LEAST (even though I do not recommend table scraps as a substitute for dog food ever), but in order to keep them fed until you CAN buy them dog food. You're feeding your two-year-old child aren't you? I am sticking to this analogy because my pets are Absolute Members of My Family Unit. I don't forget my dog in any decision I make for my family.
Let me tell you a little story. When we had the opportunity to buy into a Great Deal for resort vacations...the ultimate deciding factor for me was this: they did not allow dogs. That was what stopped me. That's ALL that stopped me. If we did not have LOVING Relatives willing to watch my dog while we were on vacation for 7-10 days, I Would NOT GO ON VACATION. No kidding. I would send my family, or stay home with one of my kids and my dog, send the other kid with my husband, that way we would take separate vacations if need be. We are a "pack" in my dogs eyes, and in mine as well. I am ever conscious of this fact and of his mentality as a perpetual "2-yr-old child" (dog). The unconditional love of a dog is what mine have taught me.
I of course, am not the only exception. I know several animal lovers who feel the same way about their own pets. Believe me, we are a Nation of animal lovers. We may occasionally disagree on what is right and what is wrong in the way of breeding, raising, or feeding our animals, but we do share the love, hard work and pure effort and responsibility necessary to handle, treat, and nourish our beloved animal family members.
If you cannot identify with the above paragraphs then I beg you please, PLEASE do NOT Buy A Dog - or a living breathing pet. I don't care how spoiled you want your child or how loud she cries and begs! Get an electronic 'pet' for your child instead! You can change their battery after you let them starve and die, then start all over again. This is NOT AN OPTION with a Real LIVE Animal.
I do not MEAN to preach and I will climb down off my soap box in a moment or two. I just wanted to speak out for the animals who so often lack the voice of their owners and "masters" to speak up on their behalf. I wanted to speak also for the caring neighbors of these animals who are ignored, mistreated, forgotten, and literally tortured in our society. I raise my glass and my prayers to God on behalf of ANY and EVERYONE who turns negligent animal owners in to Animal Control or the authorities. Not for "absent minded" mistakes but for actual, obvious neglect in our hearts eye.
We need to police ourselves, our neighbors, and our communities behavior - like it used to be. So many things have changed in our society, we can no longer afford to be absent in our own and each others daily lives...this is a much broader subject and hopefully, we can cover it much further in another post or perhaps a printed edition of the Twisted Muse. Don't wait for "someone" to call the police, that "someone" could be YOU everyone else is waiting for to act first.
For now, thank you for reading. Please spread these words to other animal lovers, potential pet owners, and neglectful owners alike. We can always learn a new fact, a new word, and give a new lesson to Someone who needs it. Always. No matter what you do in life, this is our Collective Legacy as Human Beings: passing on our greatest traits, life lessons, love and hope in humanity to our children and to their childrens' children as well. Guiding someone to a new path is legend.
The Love of a Dog is the ABSOLUTE EXAMPLE of God and His UNCONDITIONAL LOVE for Us as HIS Children. God Bless All Our Readers, Contributors, Thinkers, Word Pieces, Pet Enemies, and those who Disagree with us alike. Amen
emg
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Happy LOVE Days...
We have a few birthdays I would like to mention in the month of February:
Anna Mendoza on 2/11
Eric Haar on 2/14
George Lovelace on 2/17
If I missed anyone, please drop us a line and let us know. Remember, to sign up Alumni using the links to the LEFT at either out ALL CLASS Yahoo! Group or our Exclusive CLASS OF 89 Website that will remain active all year 'round.
Current 89 Reunion News: Right now we are VOTING on a sit-down dinner or a finger-foods buffet. The Committee would like to start the Main Adult Event at 9pm thru 12a or 1am as opposed to the first proposal of 7-11pm time... How does this sound to you? Also, don't forget that when you purchase ANY Southwest High School Customizable Memorabilia from our zazzle.com store, 10% of the costs go toward funding our 20-Year Reunion and any Future 5-Year Events we may plan. There is still hope, especially for those who could Not make it to this year's Reunion!!
Thanks to all for reading our Newsletter and for passing it on!
emg
Anna Mendoza on 2/11
Eric Haar on 2/14
George Lovelace on 2/17
If I missed anyone, please drop us a line and let us know. Remember, to sign up Alumni using the links to the LEFT at either out ALL CLASS Yahoo! Group or our Exclusive CLASS OF 89 Website that will remain active all year 'round.
Current 89 Reunion News: Right now we are VOTING on a sit-down dinner or a finger-foods buffet. The Committee would like to start the Main Adult Event at 9pm thru 12a or 1am as opposed to the first proposal of 7-11pm time... How does this sound to you? Also, don't forget that when you purchase ANY Southwest High School Customizable Memorabilia from our zazzle.com store, 10% of the costs go toward funding our 20-Year Reunion and any Future 5-Year Events we may plan. There is still hope, especially for those who could Not make it to this year's Reunion!!
Thanks to all for reading our Newsletter and for passing it on!
emg
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Hyatt Regency Hotel Loves Southwest High School
The Hyatt Regency in downtown Kansas City, Missouri has been a long standing host to many of our school related events. They would like you to know that they love being our hometown spot for Proms, Reunions, and Award Ceremonies.
I spoke to Jessie Shelby on Friday just past, February 6th, 2009, and she mentioned that October 16 & 17, 2009 Southwest High School Class of '59s 50-Year Reunion has been booked at the Hyatt!
Wow, we may have our 20-Year Reunion for the Class of '89 there as well this year on August 15, 2009. The numbers are not in quite yet, but we have good feelings about this familiar associated location. Our '89 Class has fond memories of Hyatt Regency, some of which were recently shared during our latest 20-Year Reunion Committee meeting on Saturday, February 7th at my home. We were graced by the presence of a visiting class member who wanted first-hand information for his close friends.
Thank you for attending, John Nickles! You certainly gave us a welcome deviation to procedure that we enjoyed. We have informed John & the '89 Posse, that our Center of Operations or the '89 HQ is no longer on "classmates.com" but has its own FREE Class of '89 Home Page and fully operational website at http://swclassof89.org
You can also move your pointer over the Indian Mascot ON THIS PAGE and LEFT click on it to reach the '89 HQ site referenced above. Your name is already listed. Find your name, enter your basic information and wait for the updates to arrive! It's a no brainer...and isn't that a relief?
Class Members, PLEASE Include your Full Address so we can compile an '89 Class Directory for the Reunion Committee. We would like to FIND YOU the NEXT TIME an '89 Class Event is planned. Otherwise, there will be a Sign-In Class Book at the Reunion in August located outside the ballroom at our registration table. We will not share any information you do not wish shared, but you MUST COMMUNICATE This Wish to Us.
If you are not attending this time, you will be missed. Please be sure to send us your information so that you will keep abreast of our future Class Activities and Events. This Reunion Committee does Not plan on letting you all go into hiding again! We have worked too hard and have had an extremely successful relocating campaign to just quit after this year's Reunion. We are setting up a Class Account in order to fund Ongoing Class Events throughout the years to come. So if you cannot make this Reunion, we hope to see you for any 25-Year Class Event we may be planning.
Perhaps we can even help other classes who find that Reunion Planning can be overwhelming. We can offer sound advice, tips and information, just as our previous fellow Alumni helped us: the Class of '86, we thank you!
Love and Laughter,
Elisa
I spoke to Jessie Shelby on Friday just past, February 6th, 2009, and she mentioned that October 16 & 17, 2009 Southwest High School Class of '59s 50-Year Reunion has been booked at the Hyatt!
Wow, we may have our 20-Year Reunion for the Class of '89 there as well this year on August 15, 2009. The numbers are not in quite yet, but we have good feelings about this familiar associated location. Our '89 Class has fond memories of Hyatt Regency, some of which were recently shared during our latest 20-Year Reunion Committee meeting on Saturday, February 7th at my home. We were graced by the presence of a visiting class member who wanted first-hand information for his close friends.
Thank you for attending, John Nickles! You certainly gave us a welcome deviation to procedure that we enjoyed. We have informed John & the '89 Posse, that our Center of Operations or the '89 HQ is no longer on "classmates.com" but has its own FREE Class of '89 Home Page and fully operational website at http://swclassof89.org
You can also move your pointer over the Indian Mascot ON THIS PAGE and LEFT click on it to reach the '89 HQ site referenced above. Your name is already listed. Find your name, enter your basic information and wait for the updates to arrive! It's a no brainer...and isn't that a relief?
Class Members, PLEASE Include your Full Address so we can compile an '89 Class Directory for the Reunion Committee. We would like to FIND YOU the NEXT TIME an '89 Class Event is planned. Otherwise, there will be a Sign-In Class Book at the Reunion in August located outside the ballroom at our registration table. We will not share any information you do not wish shared, but you MUST COMMUNICATE This Wish to Us.
If you are not attending this time, you will be missed. Please be sure to send us your information so that you will keep abreast of our future Class Activities and Events. This Reunion Committee does Not plan on letting you all go into hiding again! We have worked too hard and have had an extremely successful relocating campaign to just quit after this year's Reunion. We are setting up a Class Account in order to fund Ongoing Class Events throughout the years to come. So if you cannot make this Reunion, we hope to see you for any 25-Year Class Event we may be planning.
Perhaps we can even help other classes who find that Reunion Planning can be overwhelming. We can offer sound advice, tips and information, just as our previous fellow Alumni helped us: the Class of '86, we thank you!
Love and Laughter,
Elisa
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Save Your Vacation Time for A Cruise!
We have received some great news! If you want to go on a Cruise with your classmates and others who share our common bond of attending Southwest High School in KCMO, you have got to read this:
Dear Southwest Alumni,
The Southwest High School Alumni Association has planned their 2nd all school alumni cruise. It is a 7 night Southern Caribbean cruise and we have reduced group rates. The first cruise was such a blast that we decided to do this cruise every other year.
The dates are January 24-31st, 2010. It is on the Caribbean Princess. The ports of call are Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Tortola, Antigua, St. Lucia and Barbados! We already have 44 people booked on this next cruise. Please join us! And feel free to invite your family, friends and of course, your old Southwest gang. You'll be glad you did!
Best Wishes,
Christie Besheer Biggs, class of '71
913-397-7433
888-818-7433
PLEASE KEEP CHECKING OUR LINKS ON THE LEFT Once Monthly For More Southwest WEBSITES, PAGES, AND INFORMATION as any Southwest News becomes available regarding Cruises, Reunions, Events, Activities, and everything else Southwest as we continue to Honor our Alma Mater.
Dear Southwest Alumni,
The Southwest High School Alumni Association has planned their 2nd all school alumni cruise. It is a 7 night Southern Caribbean cruise and we have reduced group rates. The first cruise was such a blast that we decided to do this cruise every other year.
The dates are January 24-31st, 2010. It is on the Caribbean Princess. The ports of call are Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Tortola, Antigua, St. Lucia and Barbados! We already have 44 people booked on this next cruise. Please join us! And feel free to invite your family, friends and of course, your old Southwest gang. You'll be glad you did!
Best Wishes,
Christie Besheer Biggs, class of '71
913-397-7433
888-818-7433
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Sunday, January 18, 2009
Our Hidden Planet - Twisted Inspiration
OK, if I hadn't seen this video with my own eyes, I would not have believed this little tidbit. The camera jumps around a little bit, following a newly discovered "walking fish" along the seabed dated August 28, 2002. Watch this for yourself: http://www.wimp.com/fishfind/
I found this clip tempting because I can see the headlines now - "Darwin's Theory Proved!" or, "Is This the Missing Link?" Even - "Darwin trumps God!" Yeah, right. The true question is: where Are the headlines? If this was taken in 2002...hello?
As the "Fish Find: Strange new creature with legs discovered walking on a sea bed." video suggests, it is CLEARLY a fish. Its legs are obvious fins and its face is fishy...oh, you'll see. There is no other information with this clip, oddly enough (my, how convenient). There's no telling where this is, except for the "heading marked" on the video. I'm no sailor (although my mouth mimics one from time to time), but I am sure a weathered seaman could make some sense of the "heading" at the top of the screen.
Other than that, this was cool to watch. I don't have much else to say. I just thought it interesting enough to share with our readers. What could be a more perfect specimen to publish on the Twisted Muse than a "walking fish?" Honestly, maybe it just got tired of swimming, guys. Didja ever think of that? Those are fins, not "legs."
Even so, scientists have known for a long time that we do not know our own planet well enough to know everything or every creature that inhabits it. Newly discovered creatures are found every five to ten years across the globe. If you looked into it as I have, being a fiction writer of Sci-Fi and avid reader of Horror, you'd be surprised exactly how many "discoveries" are made of "new" and interesting beings our hidden planet has to offer both above and under water.
So, just remember, if you're not Twisted, you've lost your Muse. Until next time, have a great week!
I found this clip tempting because I can see the headlines now - "Darwin's Theory Proved!" or, "Is This the Missing Link?" Even - "Darwin trumps God!" Yeah, right. The true question is: where Are the headlines? If this was taken in 2002...hello?
As the "Fish Find: Strange new creature with legs discovered walking on a sea bed." video suggests, it is CLEARLY a fish. Its legs are obvious fins and its face is fishy...oh, you'll see. There is no other information with this clip, oddly enough (my, how convenient). There's no telling where this is, except for the "heading marked" on the video. I'm no sailor (although my mouth mimics one from time to time), but I am sure a weathered seaman could make some sense of the "heading" at the top of the screen.
Other than that, this was cool to watch. I don't have much else to say. I just thought it interesting enough to share with our readers. What could be a more perfect specimen to publish on the Twisted Muse than a "walking fish?" Honestly, maybe it just got tired of swimming, guys. Didja ever think of that? Those are fins, not "legs."
Even so, scientists have known for a long time that we do not know our own planet well enough to know everything or every creature that inhabits it. Newly discovered creatures are found every five to ten years across the globe. If you looked into it as I have, being a fiction writer of Sci-Fi and avid reader of Horror, you'd be surprised exactly how many "discoveries" are made of "new" and interesting beings our hidden planet has to offer both above and under water.
So, just remember, if you're not Twisted, you've lost your Muse. Until next time, have a great week!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Here's A Good Segway...
Speaking of New Years and New Chances...I thought of sharing what I believe Life Does Promise Us: Death & Taxes, but more importantly, Choice and Chance. As in my previous entry, we all have daily choices. Get out of bed, or go back to sleep. Call in to work, or go earn a paycheck. Be happy with this job, or start searching for a new one. Our choices are different, but they're always there.
I know, your parents told you "Nothing is Promised to you in Life," and/or "Nothing in Life is Free," right? Well, my mother had a different opinion. Mama always told me I could do anything I wanted. In turn, amidst my first pregnancy, I held down a full time job and a full night class schedule. I thought a lot about what I really wanted to do with my life while anticipating the arrival of my baby boy. For instance, if I intended to tell him "Son, you can do anything you set your mind to in this life," would I be telling the truth? Was I, in fact, doing exactly what I wanted to do with my life? No. At the time, I was not.
Thus my writing career was reborn after a 10 year hiatus. I had the opportunity to stay at home with my then seven month old son and I fully intended to Show him How Anything is Possible! Missouri is the Show Me State. That's when I picked up my notebook, dusted it off, and began writing seriously in 2002. To prove it, here is a much more current piece I wrote for my writer's group assignment recently. I hope you like it.
TAKEN from Memoirs of The Chopping Tree
by Elisa Mendoza
I know, your parents told you "Nothing is Promised to you in Life," and/or "Nothing in Life is Free," right? Well, my mother had a different opinion. Mama always told me I could do anything I wanted. In turn, amidst my first pregnancy, I held down a full time job and a full night class schedule. I thought a lot about what I really wanted to do with my life while anticipating the arrival of my baby boy. For instance, if I intended to tell him "Son, you can do anything you set your mind to in this life," would I be telling the truth? Was I, in fact, doing exactly what I wanted to do with my life? No. At the time, I was not.
Thus my writing career was reborn after a 10 year hiatus. I had the opportunity to stay at home with my then seven month old son and I fully intended to Show him How Anything is Possible! Missouri is the Show Me State. That's when I picked up my notebook, dusted it off, and began writing seriously in 2002. To prove it, here is a much more current piece I wrote for my writer's group assignment recently. I hope you like it.
Tree Spirits
By Elisa Mendoza Gilliland
Standing; waiting. The wind blows through my bare branches in fall. Life-giving rays of sunlight permeate my thick outer skins, energizing the deep ridges. My small sprout fingers sway back and forth, collecting carbon dioxide where it is most necessary.
Vibrations around me signal the harvest time is ending all will be done. On my side is the wheat field. On the other is a garden where the boy works to protect me everyday. Pulling weeds that wrap around my roots, stealing moisture from the ground, the boy is attentive. Planting acorns along the wheat fields this year, my crop has reached into the thousands. Climbing high upon my thick trunk and through my sturdy branches, the boy keeps me well pruned, preparing me to grow stronger still. He builds supports for my spreading canopy. He chops branches with no more use so my whole can thrive forever.
Older than his days, I am known from centuries past. The patter of man surrounded me once chanting ancient names. When blood was spilled around my trunk, soaking deep into the soil, my roots gathered new minerals. The knowledge of man invades me through this thick liquid vein. I know not when I became aware only that now I have a record aside my inner rings.
I have no eyes to see, nor ears to hear, I do not taste or smell. All I am is all I have but I do feel the world outside and all within. My power is strength and I have passed it on. My weakness is relying on man to supply me with proper podzol and the knowledge-granting blood.
The old ones would ask me for rain clouds and sun. These things I cannot do. Still they ask, and sacrifice their young, creating a god of me. Suddenly, the winds of change blew thunderous gusts and howls as the old ones lay dying beneath my vibrant shelter. They beg of me to take their souls, for without me they are lost.
I as well, felt the loss of my keepers and my collects became scarce. Even this did not stop me from growing. Whether I yield for man made no difference to the young ones who survived. Their foster and care brought my leaves back to splendor. My flowers reached the thousands and my crops grew twice in number each year I drank innocent blood.
The boy is the last of the keepers of the tree spirits. I amass and disperse through each nubbin that matures in the fall. My time is short, I can feel the evil stalking me, and betrayers of their own religion are to destroy me in fire. With the boy I give healing to the weakness that man bore him. I have no ears yet give the def hearing. In turn the boy gives me more blood. I am secure with my seedlings planted safely in the fields. In spite of man, I will live on forever.
TAKEN from Memoirs of The Chopping Tree
by Elisa Mendoza
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