I gave up my cell phone for Lent two years ago and am now suggesting our legislators give up theirs entirely.
I, along with 150 other concerned citizens, attended the census hearing conducted by the House and Senate governmental affairs redistricting committee Monday night at the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum.
The group gave a presentation for 55 minutes, then members of the audience who had requested to speak had three minutes to comment, give or take. The latter part lasted 50 minutes.
Of the 10 committee members on the front row lording over the meeting, three used their phones or palm devices at one time or another. One gentleman actually put his to his ear and the other two were either surfing the Internet, checking e-mail or texting.
I got even madder when I found out they received a per diem payment for nine meetings held across the state. They were working -- on our dollar -- and not paying attention. Plus, the behavior is rude and distracting and indicates that their minds are made up.
This begs investigation into an even bigger issue. Are we paying for these cellular data plans? If so, let’s stop the abuse.
I understand the importance of communication; it’s my major and vocation for 32 years. I have been attached to a phone or beeper since the early 90s and am as “addicted” as the next person. But if I can give up my personal phone for 40 days, certainly legislators can put theirs away for 40 to 50 minutes.
I regret I was unprepared to document the heads-down time of so many during this meeting and hear it’s happening amongst other elected officials. Next time I’ll be taking names and clocking the inattention to the constituents. I’ve got your number.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Meeting Morgan Fairchild
I was fortunate to hear Morgan Fairchild speak about caring for her mother who suffered a series of strokes at this year’s Go Red for Women luncheon sponsored by the Heart Association. Fairchild said both of her mother’s parents died of strokes (the mother 13 days before her wedding) and a little less of her mother came back after each stroke she suffered. It was hard to believe that her mother enrolled her in drama lessons when she was too shy to give a book report. "My fear of the stage was only second to the fear of my mother," she said. She is absolutely beautiful. "At my age, I have the face you've earned and paid for," she said.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
NY NY
April 1, 2010
My face made the Today Show! One of Lauren’s friends saw me on. David recorded it. Very lame crowd that day. We were front row. Visited the cathedral, of course.
We visited the 911 Memorial, which wasn’t there when I went four years ago. A perpetual scrolling of names commemorates those who were lost. Very sad. Kleenex boxes provided.
We attended the NASDAQ opening bell ceremony. It was Kelly Services, no celebrity. But very cool. You have to clap real loud. A lady who went to LSU and was a KD was next to us. In Macy’s, I had on my LSU shirt and some people stopped us. One was the aunt of someone in Caroline’s class. And my old boyfriend’s daughter, Sarah, was on our plane on the way back. Still can’t get over that. Haven’t seen her since her wedding four years ago; lives in B.R.
We saw Wicked (No. 3 for me), Rock of Ages and The Lion King. The average applause is 15 claps, I learned. Rock of Ages worked in a Tiger Woods joke.
We ate at Sardi’s and the Russian Tea Room and Serendipity and Bubba Gump’s. Be sure and see the nesting dolls at TRT.
A cop chase made Caroline’s day. She wanted green grass, no pollution, no honking horns and smiles. Where do people work, she asked since there are so many shopping n the stores? She said all the cab drivers are named Mohammed.
We did the bus tour. We learned on the bus to ask what theaters do a lottery and that the seaport has a TKTS site much less crowded than the one in Times Square. Off-Broadway means less than 500 seats. Ask for a 10 percent out-of-state discount at Macy’s.
Planned to be there for St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the oldest and largest in the world. We only saw a little of it.
The 249th St. Patrick's Day extravaganza is to be the last of the Big Apple's world-famous parades to take place before new restrictions go into effect April 1 requiring all parades to be shorter to save money.
Chinatown is very lame any more. No designer knockoffs. Just stupid stuff. No back room trips or van trips.
I don’t think Caroline liked it as much as I thought. She didn’t want to do the ferry or Statue of Liberty.
The Naked Cowboy was out.
I lost my camera.
My face made the Today Show! One of Lauren’s friends saw me on. David recorded it. Very lame crowd that day. We were front row. Visited the cathedral, of course.
We visited the 911 Memorial, which wasn’t there when I went four years ago. A perpetual scrolling of names commemorates those who were lost. Very sad. Kleenex boxes provided.
We attended the NASDAQ opening bell ceremony. It was Kelly Services, no celebrity. But very cool. You have to clap real loud. A lady who went to LSU and was a KD was next to us. In Macy’s, I had on my LSU shirt and some people stopped us. One was the aunt of someone in Caroline’s class. And my old boyfriend’s daughter, Sarah, was on our plane on the way back. Still can’t get over that. Haven’t seen her since her wedding four years ago; lives in B.R.
We saw Wicked (No. 3 for me), Rock of Ages and The Lion King. The average applause is 15 claps, I learned. Rock of Ages worked in a Tiger Woods joke.
We ate at Sardi’s and the Russian Tea Room and Serendipity and Bubba Gump’s. Be sure and see the nesting dolls at TRT.
A cop chase made Caroline’s day. She wanted green grass, no pollution, no honking horns and smiles. Where do people work, she asked since there are so many shopping n the stores? She said all the cab drivers are named Mohammed.
We did the bus tour. We learned on the bus to ask what theaters do a lottery and that the seaport has a TKTS site much less crowded than the one in Times Square. Off-Broadway means less than 500 seats. Ask for a 10 percent out-of-state discount at Macy’s.
Planned to be there for St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the oldest and largest in the world. We only saw a little of it.
The 249th St. Patrick's Day extravaganza is to be the last of the Big Apple's world-famous parades to take place before new restrictions go into effect April 1 requiring all parades to be shorter to save money.
Chinatown is very lame any more. No designer knockoffs. Just stupid stuff. No back room trips or van trips.
I don’t think Caroline liked it as much as I thought. She didn’t want to do the ferry or Statue of Liberty.
The Naked Cowboy was out.
I lost my camera.
AmBASSador--All About the Classic Fishing Event
March 10, 2009
My all-time favorite story, still today, is the excavation of the 1,000-year-old Indian canoe along the Red River I covered back in the mid-80s.
Going from then to now, the Red River is currently in the news with Shreveport-Bossier City's lure of the Bassmaster Classic. And in between does anyone remember “Big Red by ‘80?” The river did finally become navigable and many fishermen went through the locks and dams to catch their limit this past weekend. I remember covering the unveiling of the first lock and dam in Marksville, too, with Sen. J. Bennett Johnston saying, “One down, four to go!”
Attending the Classic has been awesome. Events were free and crowds were everywhere. The Shreveport Convention Center was alive; Municipal Auditorium was utilized for a red carpet party that featured a welcome by James Burton. We beat attendance in New Orleans. Other hosts have been Chicago and Pittsburgh.
The Zac Brown Band performed Saturday, but that reality show exterminator dude was featured on Sunday; it seems like we could have found someone better to open the event.
I wanted to be an AmBASSador and still consider myself one, but the Tourist Bureau never contacted me for that, a sign for my business or the Facebook page it was supposedly creating. I heard their bag for VIPs had a measuring cup, note pad, one strand of Mardi Gras beads and a map in it until someone helped add items like Cajun recipes, restaurant coupons and the Junior League cookbook. The eight stations weren’t manned properly either, apparently, because the night of the Media Party no one was hostessing.
I was pulling for four fishermen: Edwin Evers because my father-in-law ran into him way back when he was living out of a camper and fishing on the Red and they actually fished together; Byron Velvick because he was the “Bachelor;” Kevin VanDam (KVD) because of his name and the first woman to compete, the tiny Kim Bain-Moore. Fish don’t know if they are being caught by a man or woman!
I am now a fan of Rick Morris because he seemed like an LSU fan on stage; Bryan Schmidt because he has quotes on his boat; Bobby Lane because he confirmed that birds up above mean fish can be caught below; Kenyon Hill from Norman, Okla., because of his fondness of fishing for his terminally ill father; and Gary Klein for his 27 attempts to win the Classic. I also cheered Louisiana’s lone participant, the “Hack Attack.”
I liked last year’s winner, Alton Jones, for the fact that he signed an autograph for someone, who later sent him a letter detailing how he gave the hat to a dying man, who showed it to everyone in the hospital. It brought a lot of joy to him in his last days and put a smile on his face, making a difference. Jones said it was a little thing that ended up being significant and that is what he’ll remember from his championship reign.
I’ll remember everything; it’s way better than seeing it on TV. I met Hank Parker, Bill Dance and Jimmy Houston. The founder of the tournament was a hoot, saying Parker was gay (LOL). All of the women swoon for him.
I tried to get the LSU AgCenter in the ESPN news since our research station is the closest to the river of any in four states. Mary Ann Tice with the Shreveport Sports Authority said they were talking about that in her suite. So maybe next time! I bet they return.
My all-time favorite story, still today, is the excavation of the 1,000-year-old Indian canoe along the Red River I covered back in the mid-80s.
Going from then to now, the Red River is currently in the news with Shreveport-Bossier City's lure of the Bassmaster Classic. And in between does anyone remember “Big Red by ‘80?” The river did finally become navigable and many fishermen went through the locks and dams to catch their limit this past weekend. I remember covering the unveiling of the first lock and dam in Marksville, too, with Sen. J. Bennett Johnston saying, “One down, four to go!”
Attending the Classic has been awesome. Events were free and crowds were everywhere. The Shreveport Convention Center was alive; Municipal Auditorium was utilized for a red carpet party that featured a welcome by James Burton. We beat attendance in New Orleans. Other hosts have been Chicago and Pittsburgh.
The Zac Brown Band performed Saturday, but that reality show exterminator dude was featured on Sunday; it seems like we could have found someone better to open the event.
I wanted to be an AmBASSador and still consider myself one, but the Tourist Bureau never contacted me for that, a sign for my business or the Facebook page it was supposedly creating. I heard their bag for VIPs had a measuring cup, note pad, one strand of Mardi Gras beads and a map in it until someone helped add items like Cajun recipes, restaurant coupons and the Junior League cookbook. The eight stations weren’t manned properly either, apparently, because the night of the Media Party no one was hostessing.
I was pulling for four fishermen: Edwin Evers because my father-in-law ran into him way back when he was living out of a camper and fishing on the Red and they actually fished together; Byron Velvick because he was the “Bachelor;” Kevin VanDam (KVD) because of his name and the first woman to compete, the tiny Kim Bain-Moore. Fish don’t know if they are being caught by a man or woman!
I am now a fan of Rick Morris because he seemed like an LSU fan on stage; Bryan Schmidt because he has quotes on his boat; Bobby Lane because he confirmed that birds up above mean fish can be caught below; Kenyon Hill from Norman, Okla., because of his fondness of fishing for his terminally ill father; and Gary Klein for his 27 attempts to win the Classic. I also cheered Louisiana’s lone participant, the “Hack Attack.”
I liked last year’s winner, Alton Jones, for the fact that he signed an autograph for someone, who later sent him a letter detailing how he gave the hat to a dying man, who showed it to everyone in the hospital. It brought a lot of joy to him in his last days and put a smile on his face, making a difference. Jones said it was a little thing that ended up being significant and that is what he’ll remember from his championship reign.
I’ll remember everything; it’s way better than seeing it on TV. I met Hank Parker, Bill Dance and Jimmy Houston. The founder of the tournament was a hoot, saying Parker was gay (LOL). All of the women swoon for him.
I tried to get the LSU AgCenter in the ESPN news since our research station is the closest to the river of any in four states. Mary Ann Tice with the Shreveport Sports Authority said they were talking about that in her suite. So maybe next time! I bet they return.
Doin' the Cabo Wabo
Nov. 25, 2008
First of all, we loved the Hilton. You drive up and are given a margarita; you check in outside, see a beautiful fountain and then go to your room. The room was huge and overlooked the beach. It had a Jacuzzi and large glass shower. Very festive. They did origami figures every night that were left on our bed and pressed logos on the toilet paper. The breakfast was awesome; we ate there every day. Fresh juices—orange, watermelon, cantaloupe, beet, carrot. Live guitar music was played at breakfast. They even warm your nuts at the bar. The bar was awesome and there is one at the pool. It is right on the beach (kind of rocky sand); it wasn't crowded, I really could go on and on.
We rented a Jeep, but they have a shuttle. We drove to Hotel California.
If you haven't been to eat at The Office, it's my fave. You sit at tables on the sand under the moonlight with flaming coffee and tequila. We hit the Hard Rock Café, Cabo Wabo, Gigglin' Marlin, Mi Casa and El Squid Roe.
For the sights, we took a glass-bottom water taxi to the Arch/Land's End and saw sea lions; it was choppy, but I survived. You see a window to the Pacific and the marina is great. Everyone tries to sell you something—caricatures, painted shells, serenades, jewelry, condos.
It is very Americanized--they speak English and use American money. I read Honeymoon with My Brother while there. It says about traveling internationally: You'll change the views on an issue you thought to be previously untouchable. You'll feel guilty about not knowing a foreign language, yet believe even more strongly that English is the universal tongue. After the trip, newspapers will be far more interesting, though you'll shake your head at the shortage of foreign news. You'll also listen with greater interest to a friend's stories about travel. Travel is an investment with guaranteed returns.
First of all, we loved the Hilton. You drive up and are given a margarita; you check in outside, see a beautiful fountain and then go to your room. The room was huge and overlooked the beach. It had a Jacuzzi and large glass shower. Very festive. They did origami figures every night that were left on our bed and pressed logos on the toilet paper. The breakfast was awesome; we ate there every day. Fresh juices—orange, watermelon, cantaloupe, beet, carrot. Live guitar music was played at breakfast. They even warm your nuts at the bar. The bar was awesome and there is one at the pool. It is right on the beach (kind of rocky sand); it wasn't crowded, I really could go on and on.
We rented a Jeep, but they have a shuttle. We drove to Hotel California.
If you haven't been to eat at The Office, it's my fave. You sit at tables on the sand under the moonlight with flaming coffee and tequila. We hit the Hard Rock Café, Cabo Wabo, Gigglin' Marlin, Mi Casa and El Squid Roe.
For the sights, we took a glass-bottom water taxi to the Arch/Land's End and saw sea lions; it was choppy, but I survived. You see a window to the Pacific and the marina is great. Everyone tries to sell you something—caricatures, painted shells, serenades, jewelry, condos.
It is very Americanized--they speak English and use American money. I read Honeymoon with My Brother while there. It says about traveling internationally: You'll change the views on an issue you thought to be previously untouchable. You'll feel guilty about not knowing a foreign language, yet believe even more strongly that English is the universal tongue. After the trip, newspapers will be far more interesting, though you'll shake your head at the shortage of foreign news. You'll also listen with greater interest to a friend's stories about travel. Travel is an investment with guaranteed returns.
Hooray for Me!
Aug. 25, 2008
I attended an event at Tiger Island yesterday where Billy Cannon, Bert Jones and Jack Jaubert (now an artist and a former Tiger football player) were signing autographs. Jaubert looks at me and asks, "Were you an LSU cheerleader?" I was dumbfounded. What better question can a girl be asked? I asked him to repeat it so folks around me would be witnesses. This lovely gentleman said I was a doll. He was not flirting; the wife was right next to him. He just said I looked familiar and was sure he had seen me cheering on the field at Tiger Stadium. Rah!Rah! for Jack Jaubert. I am his new biggest fan.
I attended an event at Tiger Island yesterday where Billy Cannon, Bert Jones and Jack Jaubert (now an artist and a former Tiger football player) were signing autographs. Jaubert looks at me and asks, "Were you an LSU cheerleader?" I was dumbfounded. What better question can a girl be asked? I asked him to repeat it so folks around me would be witnesses. This lovely gentleman said I was a doll. He was not flirting; the wife was right next to him. He just said I looked familiar and was sure he had seen me cheering on the field at Tiger Stadium. Rah!Rah! for Jack Jaubert. I am his new biggest fan.
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