Random Wednesday Morning Thoughts

- The Messenger is reporting that the westbound lanes of 380 will open next week. Just like a thief in the night.
- The now former DA in Rockwall is going to hoosegow for four years (I can't imagine.) But you're not being told that he'll be eligible for parole once his real time plus good conduct time equals 15 12 months. Still, that's a long 15 months.
- Kids find the parachute of D.B. Cooper? I doubt it.
- American Idol news on Fox 4 beats me down.
- "Chelsea Clinton Bristles at Lewinsky Question" (youtube video)
- President Bush issued a few pardons (15) yesterday. Most of them are so odd - like the guy in Denton who served three years probation in 1985. Why him? I've got a whole file room of people I could recommend.
- An 18 year old Florida high school cheerleader died during breast surgery.
- I got an email inviting me to attend a Barnett Shale Expo. It's sponsored by the energy companies. Uh, no. Nor would I attend a "Know Your Rights" seminar sponsored by DPS.
- During an in-game interview with injured Dirk Nowitzki last night, Mark Cuban snuck up behind him and made the "rabbit ears" gesture. How that 10 year old man-child ever made a dime is beyond me. (Jump to last two seconds of this clip if interested.)
-The families of the victims of the Virginia Tech Massacre are being offered $100,000 to forego suing the State. Huh? Why? And some of the cash starved lawyers are saying they will reject it. Sheesh.
- Ann Curry is on my TV right now. Life force sucked out of me.

Vague News

Have a report of a motorcycle accident on 287 in Decatur with the operator being flown to DPS JPS. Developing . . .

Star Telegram Shout Out

The Star Telegram which can generally be characterized as "not bad, but ain't great" rolled out this periodic videocast about the local news on its web site a couple of weeks ago. I would have never have clicked on it had someone not recommended it because I presumed it would be lame. Verdict: Not lame at all. Actually, pretty funny.

A Mosaic Made Of What?

Oh, my.

And Another

Name: Kelly Sweet, 26

Occupation: 8th Grade Teacher

Alleged Victim: 14 Years of Age

Offense: Uh, they sure use some weird terms in Wisconsin.

Verdict: That kind of looks like a hard 26 but she has an otherwise cute face. Maybe it's the hair. That kind of got to me. And with a name like Sweet, who could possibly lock her up? I'll vote for two years probation.

Next case.

(Thanks to Jacksboro embedded reporter and emailer)

Random Prosecutorial Watch

Just noticed that some prosecutor over on the State message board is concerned about his DWI case where the defendant blew a 0.00.

It's a crazy world out there people.

Random Tuesday Morning Thoughts

- As they reconfigure the lanes at I-30 this morning (for new road construction), someone didn't know what they were doing. Only one lane is getting through. (I somehow get a guilty pleasure of watching the traffic carnage in the metroplex on TV every morning.)
- "I gave him to the government nice and healthy, and the government returned somebody who is capable of doing something like that," Andres Acevedo said. Story. The Iraq War has not only needlessly killed 4,000 young men and women, it's screwing up those that survive.
- Edit: Regarding 4,000, you have to see this.
- I hate wind. I'll take cold. I'll take hot. But real windy days beat me down. And we are in store for three in a row.
- I'm so confused. Boston and Oakland are playing the first game of the baseball season right now (7:00 a.m) in Japan. It's suppose to be on ESPN2 but the network has lost it's signal. To quote Barry Switzer, maybe they got Japped.
- The Rockwall DA is insane for stealing a few thousand dollars which led to his conviction yesterday. When I became DA at the ripe old age of 30, I had exclusive control over the same checkbooks that got that guy into trouble (hot check fees, seizure money.) My dad strongly suggested I take those books over to the County Treasurer and require her co-signature on any expenditures. I did it.
- The "Awareness Test". Sent in by an emailer and, trust me, it is absolutely worth 50 seconds of your time. Do it.
- Gas prices and electricity bills this summer are going to kill us.
- Random "Cowboy Up."
- I wonder if that pic at the top enlarges if you click it.
- Added: Is this Aggie Interpretive Dance?

I'm Wasting Time Now

An emailer sent along this link thinking I would post it. Of course, I wouldn't. Personally, I was offended after the first hour.

I'm Insane Now

A Basketball Injury That Doesn't Involve A Big German . . .

ORU basketball player slips on Tennessee cheerleader's sign. Tears ACL.

Poor cheerleader.

I'll Order The Mutton

D Magazine has an NCAA Tourney Pool with the top prize of a $200 gift certificate to Texas de Brazil). Since only 157 people entered, I figured I'd enter the fray with this strategy: Pick only the favorites (up until the Final Four.) So far, I'm tied for 10th place. Maybe I'll order the big salad.

Unavoidably Detained

In a county that has some pretty old signs.

Politically Incorrect Ads . . .

. . . from days gone by.

Where Are They Now

The Messenger was in love with Northwest ISD softball pitcher Brittany Barnhill last year who struck out a record 12,209,976 batters (or something like that) in her career.

She now pitches for The Evil Empire and has a record of 3-5 but might be figuring it out.

Two NCAA Tourney Pics

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick checks out the action. I'm offended.


And just a fun pic:

Calling All Book Reviewers

Mark Cuban says The Fountainhead was the most important book he's ever read. As I was reading/listening to my Supreme Court book today, I learned that Justice Clarence Thomas says the same thing.

So I checked it out on audible.com (via I-Tunes) and found out that the thing is 32 hours long. Most audio books run 6 to 10 hours, max.

Anybody know about The Fountainhead? Is it worth the read/listen?

My Annual Easter Lunch At The Gaylord Texas

Good times. (And there are five huge tables - as seen in the bottom photo - in that room.)

A Faithful Reader Sends This Along

Subject: Benefit for Jackie Murphree Hi Barry, you can use these if you want to . . . . Just thought that we should share this. In only a matter of a few hours over $20,000 had been raised and they were still counting!! It would'nt surprise me if it goes to $30,000 or more. I know of one trucker that came in all the way from Dalhart, many of them were 300 to "500 miles away from home". Makes a person proud to be from Wise County!! Thanks!! Photos here. Edit: Updates about her condition here.