First Steps

Today Ella took her first steps. I think we can blame it on Brian's Christmas gift. She will do anything to get to that Winnie the Pooh train, including learn how to walk.

Criminal Enterprise

I was just heard about states that don't require the applicant to prove legal status to obtain a state driver license. (link) That got me thinking, how hard is it to get a fake "official" driver's license, so I checked DC first. I don't know why I chose DC, but anyway, here's how to get by with what I feel would be the most easily forged documents:
1) Certified copy of high school or college records from a United States jurisdiction or territory reflecting applicant's full name and date of birth,
2) Unexpired health insurance card reflecting applicant's full name and date of birth, and
3) Unexpired lease or rental agreement with the name of the applicant listed as the lessee or renter. And that's all folks! So you'll probably need to get some fancy parchment paper and an embosser, and you should be all set. There's no requirement to prove your SSN, but hopefully they require you to give one and check it against other state's bureaus and immigration records. So let's hope they increase their standards. It would be way too easy to start getting credit cards and checking accounts with these fake IDs.

Think this guy has an agenda?

Hillary Clinton crumbling after cruising

Friday, December 14th 2007, 4:00 AM

Hillary Clinton entered Thursday's Democratic debate in a tight battle for first place. She left in danger of finishing third in the Iowa caucus. Yikes.

So let me get this right - Thursday, she was in second place. And now she's in, um, second place? What a pitiful fall from glory, crumbling like a butter ball. Naturally, he goes on to praise Obama effusively. "Touching without being maudlin," "far better," "delivering a deft putdown that deflated her gloating cackle." This passes as news.

Bake Sales

I saw a bumper sticker today that aggravated me.






Sure, schools are great and kids are special. But:
-given support at home, driven students can succeed in underfunded schools
-schools don't have bake sales, the PTA does
-schools run on tax dollars, supported by levies, vote for them
-the board of education can be as fiscally irresponsible as any other entity
-the Air Force's budget is approved by your federal representatives
-you need the Air Force
-the Air Force needs bombers

Will it really be a 'great' day when our national defense can't protect you and your rich schools?






As for me,

Wild Weekend

This was a very busy weekend for the Edwells, it's a good thing I got my homework done Friday afternoon. Friday night, Stacy and mom made Christmas cookies, Saturday saw Dan & Debbie's Chik-Fil-A party, PSE's annual children's Christmas party, then the Orchestra concert mentioned earlier. We felt bad about leaving Carson, coming back, leaving, over and over; so it was nice today to be able to celebrate his birthday with Stacy's family. Earlier today, we went out to visit Grandma K. whose one-way flight to Fla. departs later this week. We went to noon mass with her, then lunch. Everyone had a fun time, especially the birthday boy.
It was a crazy busy weekend, and now I have finals to look forward to.

Bugs Bunny on Broadway

I took my ladies to Severance Hall tonight to see the Cleveland Orchestra play the soundtrack to classic Loony Tunes and Merrie Melodies shorts (link). We got there an hour early to hear a lecture from Daniel Goldmark from CWRU. He gave us enough information to enjoy the concert much more than we would have been able to otherwise. Ella was asleep by the time the concert started, but was able to enjoy the pre-show lecture which had plenty of music to keep her laughing and dancing. When Goldmark asked who likes the music in cartoons, Ella's hands shot straight up, right on cue. She's too cute.