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OK, lets see it if can break this down. A couple of weeks ago my girlfriends step-dad died unexpectedly - you can read all about it in on this blog and today was the memorial service/celebration of life/tree planting. But also, this is the week that I had planned on proposing to my girlfriend and evenmoreso, tomorrow is her birthday. I actually wanted to propose to her on her birthday but b/c I knew the Memorial Service was today I figured I would do it yesterday (I just couldn't predict what the vibe would be tomorrow). So, I did it. In between a couple of episodes of the Sopranos I asked Tara to share her life with me and she agreed (not that I expected any other respponse). I am now an engaged man. I am a very lucky man, I know that. The memorial service for Rich was absolutely amazing. I haven't felt this overwhelmed with emotion is so long. It was a strange set of emotions. Rich was funny and that what brought up over & over again. Rich worked very hard for the

Congrats to Tara Johnson & Jai Sanders (that's my girlfriend and I) for getting engaged.

Beijing warns of war with Taiwan

A resurrected Kerry looks ahead - Jul 29, 2004

Track Listing: 1. Bad Man Walking 2. About To Rage 3. Perfect Shelter 4. Little Toy Brain 5. Slackjaw Jezebel 6. Wine & Blood 7. Lola Leave Your Light On 8. Silent Scream 9. No Celebration 10. Mr. Man 11. My Separate Reality 12. New World Blues

I might be a little lat eon this but this has some very interesting info about the lives of our favorite rock stars! The Smoking Gun: Backstage Pass

TN's version of Barack Obama

Key al-Qaeda suspect 'arrested'

'The Village' Shyamalan's best film yet - Jul 29, 2004

A friend of mine sent this article to me this morning and it is interesting how the mainstream media covers things. First, I have to say thank God for public TV & radio. I have cable and the internet but for many people public radio / TV is all they have when it comes to less partisan (or at least more covertly partsian) info. I understand why the DNC is not full coverage on the "big three" ( ABC , NBC & CBS ) - something about revenue & viewership - and I hope they extend the same courtesy to the RNC . The explanation I heard on the radio was that these conventions are made for the delgates not for the general public, which makes sense to me. So, maybe it's ok that they don't cover all of the speeches. Now, it just so happens that they did miss one of the best political speeches heard on a national level in a very long time by Mr. Obama . Click here to read it. Networks Sleep While the Fleet Center Burns

If you don't want to read it below , click here to listen to the speech of the year, if not the past 4+ ! Listening gives you the full effect and it's only 16min.

'Tireless' children's advocate Scofield dead at 56 - Tuesday, 07/27/04

Sudan: U.S. Holocaust Museum Issues First Ever 'Genocide Emergency'

Sharpton to Bush: Black vote 'is not for sale' - Jul 28, 2004 Our vote was soaked in the blood of martyrs, soaked in the blood of good men, soaked in the blood of four little girls in Birmingham. This vote is sacred to us.

Comic actor charged with rape in Tennessee - Jul 28, 2004

Talking Heads Talk

May I present the Democratic candidate for President of the USA

Simpsons to reveal gay character

Here is the transcript of the amazing speech Obama delivered at the DNC Convention : On behalf of the great state of Illinois, crossroads of a nation, land of Lincoln, let me express my deepest gratitude for the privilege of addressing this convention. Tonight is a particular honor for me because, let's face it, my presence on this stage is pretty unlikely. My father was a foreign student, born and raised in a small village in Kenya. He grew up herding goats, went to school in a tin-roof shack. His father, my grandfather, was a cook, a domestic servant to the British. But my grandfather had larger dreams for his son. Through hard work and perseverance my father got a scholarship to study in a magical place, America, that stood as a beacon of freedom and opportunity to so many who had come before. While studying here, my father met my mother. She was born in a town on the other side of the world, in Kansas. Her father worked on oil rigs and farms through most of

I'm not a political speech aficionado but this man LIT IT UP ! He was subtle, he was confident, he was expressive. He took stabs at the Bush boys that most people didn't catch and he actually mentioned OUT LOUD the "racial slander" that says if you are Black and you read that you are acting white. Now, a little people might not understand this but I can tell you from personal experience that Blacks and Whites find you different if you are a literate and articulate black person. There are people that say Obama might not have the support of the Black political establishment in Chicago but I am here to tell you that this man will be so far removed from those bass ackwards people it won't matter soon. The Democrats' calm rock star - Jul 27, 2004

civilrights.org -- LCCR

Citizens' Commission on Civil Rights (CCCR) - Welcome

Card-Size Identity Crisis in Tennessee

Earle Plans Politically Charged ¨Revolution¨

It's about damn time. "Danger": Mos Def Returns In September

New Nevilles Album Casts Long "Shadow"

Do I really want to know what this is about? Southern Rock Titans Team For Tour

The band is excited to announce that they will be hitting the studio at the end of August to start recording their new record, currently titled "Electric Blue Watermelon". The record will be produced by Jim Dickinson , father of Luther and Cody , and producer of such artists as Big Star , Primal Scream , and The Replacements . The band has been writing over the past year and in May spent three weeks in the studio in pre-production getting ready for the recording sessions. Expect the record to be released in early 2005. Photos will be posted on a weekly basis from the recordings, so please check back regularly ( www.nmsallstars.com/ ).

Despite its increasing popularity and high-powered corporate sponsorship, the American Black Film Festival has remained a valuable experience for up and coming filmmakers. Getting the Big Picture

"I'll be candid with you. I had hoped to be back here this week under different circumstances, running for re-election. But you know the old saying: you win some, you lose some. And then there's that little-known third category." Al Gore

Ex-Metros shining - Tuesday, 07/27/04

New faces on view at Democratic convention - Jul 27, 2004

Ray

Rapper Ja Rule on assault charge

Tell all the Black people you know that people died for their right to vote and the best get their butts to the polls. Check that. Tell EVERYBODY you know that they best get their butts to the polls.

He gets by with a little help from his friends

Kenya prepare for World Cup The move came after football's world governing body Fifa indicated it may lift its ban on the Kenya Football Federation (KFF) next month.

Liberia officially founded

Germany appoint Klinsmann

Illinois Jacquet Dies

Another bad week for the music industry. Fare Thee Well David Baker

So, I'm watching the best show BET has ever aired " Studio Jams ". Tonight we have Oteil Burbridge ( Allman Brothers Band & The Peacemakers ), Vernon Reid ( Living Colour ), Jeff Coffin ( Bela Fleck & The Flecktones ) as well as Derek Trucks , Kofi Burbridge & YonRico Scott (all from the Derek Trucks Band ). Vernon, who has been a favorite of mine since the first Living Colour album on 85 or so but through the years my style changed, as did my ears, and what Vernon does gets a little nutty for me sometimes. Anyway, Vernon says you meet all sorts of musicians: talented, driven, gifted and magical, Oteil is magical. I couldn't agree more. There has always been something special about him. It's not until I started seeming him do his own shows that I truly realized that he is one of a very special types. What was most amazing about this show tonight was that the room what filled with those magical types. Derek, Jeff, Rico, Kofi, Oteil &

Brazil wins the Copa America

Ref shoots coach for questioning call

This is the game I was gonna go to but alas other things came up. I watched it on TV and it was a very boring game, both teams played very stiff and with lackluster energy. Bayern beat Manchester United on penalties

uefa.com -Magazine talks about the Brazilian phenom

...according to Jack Black. Film Directors are the New Rock Stars. Punk Is Cool - But Metal Rules All the Greatest Rock Stars Are Dead But Dead Comedians Rock Harder Rock Star Sperm Is Worth More Than Your Feeble Man Juice Musicians Make Lousy Actors, and Vice Versa Meaningless Sex Is All Part of the Job Only Rock Stars are Dumb Enough to Date Rock Stars Rock Should Come Naturally - Don't Force It Tenacious D Are the Future of Rock Thanks to Uncut Magazine .

Phishy Farewell "Of all the gigs that we would ever do in our whole lives, and of all the places to end on a positive note, this is the one that's most meaningful to us," Fishman told The Burlington Free Press in an interview appearing in Saturday's editions.

Her appointment as Fisk president has already raised lots of questions and this sure ain't helpin! O'Leary says she was not 'unladylike' - Saturday, 07/24/04

Armstrong Wins Record Sixth Tour De France

Some jobs that pay well enough where they can afford something that's not sponsored by the gov't. Razing 'the projects' to raise neighborhood - Sunday, 07/25/04

I know Huey, people are screwy. Full Size Courtesy of UComics

May 2005 here we come

Uruguay 2-1 Colombia in the Copa America

I believe that's exactly what it is. Michael Moore says it's a video editorial but those are one in the same, I think. I mean, by definition the word, propaganda , means: ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one's cause or to damage an opposing cause Michael Moore wants to get GW out of office, he's a film-maker so there you have it. Tell me something I don't know, damn!

Second Homeless World Cup kicks off - Saturday July 24, 2004 3:08PM

I'm sorry, I thought we knew this. Have you ever visited Night Court or Traffic Court and I can only imagine what Criminal & Juvenile Courts look like. Justice for the rich and famous - Jul 24, 2004

D.C United's Bobby Convey transferred to Reading FC of English first divison

Hamm Scores 150th Career Goal as U.S. WNT Beats Australia 3-1 at NSC in Blaine, Minn.

Bredesen appoints two blacks as regents - Saturday, 07/24/04

Administrators 'stunned' by cuts to arts funding - Friday, 07/23/04

Metros' season not a real kick - Saturday, 07/24/04

Somebody PLEASE explain this concept to me. I just sold some tickets for more than I expected b/c of what I thought a Dutch Auction was. I'm really confused. I mean, I'm ok with it b/c I got more than I expected but I just don't understand how.

Brazil Reaches Copa America Title Match

Martha says: "There are many, many good people who have gone to prison ... look at Nelson Mandela."

'Catwoman' a muddled bore "Yes, Halle Berry is a jaw-dropping sight to behold in her dominatrix get-up ... er ... Catwoman uniform. But that alone doesn't make a movie"

The Conservative Brotherhood

Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again. I used to eat a lot of natural foods until I learned that most people die of natural causes. In the 60's, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal. Gardening Rule: When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant. The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement. Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway. There are two kinds of pedestrians: the quick and the dead. An unbreakable toy is useful for breaking other toys. If quitters never win, and winners never quit, then who is the fool who said, "Quit while you're ahead"? Health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die. The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth. Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach

The ratio of illegal to legal sales has increased from one in five in 2000 to one in three in 2003.

Damn, this has not been my week on ebay. 1st I try to sell a Replica Soccer Jersey, the real Adidas Replica of the Spanish National Team. I had 120 hits and onlt 5 bids for a total of $17.50! These jerseys cost $65! Now, I've got to tickets to the ManU/Bayer Munich game at Soldier Field and I didn't understand that they were to be sold as a "Dutch Auction", let alone how a "dutch auction" works so I, following standard procedure for a normal auction but the tix up at a really low price and now I realize that that's the price they will sell at. I had no idea that I was to put them at the price I want to get for them. Some dude is getting a deal and I am losing about $40 per ticket! Live & Learn, I guess.

Ricky Fanté

Kluivert joins Newcastle

Scofield, Richard Tremont - Age 56. Monday, July 19, 2004 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center . He was born June 29, 1948 in Hartford , Connecticut , the son of Frances (Tremont) and Kennard Scofield. He graduated from University of Connecticut 1970 and received his Masters degree in Child Development in 1979 from George Peabody at Vanderbilt . He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Johnson and children Tara Johnson, Susie Johnson, Joel Williamson and Quintaria Brunson; four grandchildren, Joel (LJ), Yhazmyn, Jaliyah and Aanya and many beloved friends and extended family. Rich was founder and publisher of School-Age NOTES , a child development specialist and for 27 years was a recognized leader in the field of school-age care. He was the founding vice-president and long-time board member of the National School-Age Care Alliance and has served on the board of directors and in various positions for the Tennessee School-Age Care Alliance and the Southern Early Childhood Association . He

== Titans grant George his release ==

Blockbuster vows to go after Netflix - Jul 21, 2004

Scopes Guilty, Fined $100, Scores Law; Benediction Ends Trial, Appeal Starts; Darrow Answers Nine Bryan Questions

Wolf called jazz "blee-blop" and fined his guitarist for playing it.

Halliburton Iran deals under fire

As well they should be.

Donors pledge $1bn in Haiti aid

Bush pledges to make America safer - Jul 20, 2004

If we are that fed up let's do something about it.

U.N. votes 150-6 against West Bank barrier - Jul 20, 2004

Cheesy, nude Monn arrested - Jul 20, 2004

How many people do you know who see things this way?    The division of the human family into its two distinct branches occurred some 10,000 years ago, a few hundred years after the flood. Humans coexisted as members of small bands of nomadic hunter/gatherers.      In the pivotal event of societal evolution, beer was invented.  This epochal innovation was both the foundation of modern civilization and the occasion of the great bifurcation of humanity into its two distinct subgroups: Liberals and Conservatives.      Once beer was discovered, it required grain, and that was the beginning of agriculture. Neither the glass bottle or aluminum can had yet been invented, so it was necessary to stick pretty close to the brewery. That's how villages were formed.      Some men spent their days killing animals to barbecue at night while they were drinking beer.  This was the beginning of the conservative movement. Other men who were weaker and  less skilled at hunting, learned h

Today I go to my fav coffee joint, Fido , and run into one of favorite musical acquaintences, David Olney . We always have a really fun chit-chat when we see each other. He's such a talented and unique individual.  He asked me when I was gonna write my groundbreaking tome, which is interesting b/c I don't think I'd ever mentioned to him that I would like to write.     We met way back in the day. When the last record store I worked in first opened. He was our first in-store performance and I have been a fan ever since.     Check him out if you can. He's a wonderful storyteller and musician.

FOXSports.com - U.S. forward DaMarcus Beasley set to join PSV Eindhoven, Dutch club says

FIFA boss hails China as football birthplacea>

or, ummm, Good for DaMarcus! Beasley to sign with PSV Eindhoven - Sunday July 18, 2004 6:14PM

CNN.com - Television network admits it lied about unauthorized biography - Jul 17, 2004

Rich, I've only known you for a year or so but I carry with me a great fondness of you and I will do whatever I can for the hapiness and health of those we love in common. Jai

South Africa wins 2010 vote

Brazil thrash Mexico

Chelsea agree Drogba fee

What Gaddafi might mean for Palace

...not that I thought he wasn't. He married and has stayed married to Jada Pinkett for umpteen years! The sharp skill of 'Mr. Summer Movie' - Jul 19, 2004 "I am a serious summer movie fan, and I know the type of movie that needs to be in July. I have a sense of what audiences want to see. What I hoped to develop with 'I, Robot' was the ability to push it forward.""I am a serious summer movie fan, and I know the type of movie that needs to be in July. I have a sense of what audiences want to see. What I hoped to develop with 'I, Robot' was the ability to push it forward."

Toyota discontinuing Celica and MR2 - Jul. 18, 2004

'I, Robot' debuts at No. 1 - Jul 18, 2004

Found this litttle guy on the garage wall when I chopped down some bushes. He had a friend and he was not intimitated by me.

Metros finish season with tie - Sunday, 07/18/04

Tennessean online photo gallery

River's return - Sunday, 07/18/04

China undermining Tibetan Buddhism, group says - Saturday, 07/17/04

Beckenbauer looks to future

Bangkok Summit Reveals US AIDS Plan at Odds with "Access for All"

BBC SPORT | Football | African | Diouf loses Liverpool shirt

Elton attacks 'censorship' in US

CNN.com - The Dead is still kickin' - Jul 17, 2004