Weird Case

Sometimes the State just won't let go. Crazy story in today's Star-Telegram. Female gay couple have a son. While one parent was unlocking the front door the other parent remained behind the wheel of the car in the driveway. Son is killed in driveway when their vehicle "lurches forward." Alcohol tests reveal alcohol concentration of .06 (below the legal limit of .08). Prosecutors want to prosecute. The non-defendant parent does not want them to. They do anyway. Yesterday, right before jury selection, a plea bargain is struck for three years in prison (max was 20). But I wonder why they wouldn't offer probation in a case like that?

A Little Hyperbole?

It looks like another big pot farm was found in Dallas County yesterday (yawn). But get this statement tonight on Fox 4 News by DEA agent James Capra: "There's an evil group out there that cares not about our community. Just look around us. Look at how close the homes are. How close this was to the schools. I mean these are people that have no regard for human life and no regard for our community. They are a threat!"

No regard for human life? It's marijuana for crying out loud. Anybody die from smoking a joint lately? Sheesh, the local liquor store is more dangerous. But the DEA needs to make sure it can justify its budget so the comments shouldn't surprise you.

Cinemax At Night Breaks Out In San Marcos

Any story that begins "Thirty-three high school cheerleaders from Dallas and Midland were involved in a scuffle at a camp in San Marcos this week" has to be a great story. The heck with Cabo, I'm headed to San Marcos next year.

Weirdest Vacation Moment

Came when a photo shoot occurred on the beach involving the skimpiest of swimwear. The oddity of this local family watching the event got my attention as well.

Random Mexico Trip Thoughts

- The new Terminal D at DFW is the greatest terminal ever. Great restaurants, fancy shops, and flat screen TVs in the area where you wait for your flight.
- When you do automated check-in, it will also ask you to scan your passport.
- And despite all the horror stories about getting a passport, I got mine in three weeks with "expedited service."
- It's only a 2:10 flight to Cabo San Lucas
- You have to exit to the tarmac once you arrive and they had about 20 security forces lined up to watch you. I started sweating like that guy carrying dope in Midnight Express (and, no sir, I was not carrying anything illegal.
- All-inclusive resorts are the only way to go.
- The weather the first three days (until a brief storm blew through) was the greatest I have ever seen. No humidity is the key.
- Playing volleyball with a cross-section of all ages and both sexes is fun. Playing volleyball with a bunch of 20-somethings made me realize I had no business playing with a bunch of 20 somethings.
- There were the strangest looking fish constantly jumping out of the water. They looked like miniature penguins with wings. (That's a bad picture of one above - I had to enlarge it so much it became grainy). Those things would jump some four feet out of the water. It still don't know what they are. Edit: I think those little suckers were "bat rays."

Now That's A Baseball Nugget

The Texas Rangers traded Mark Teixeira to the Atlanta Braves today for 22 year old Jarrod Saltalamacchia (among others.)

I learned on the way back from Fort Worth that Jarrod Saltalamacchia has a 38 year old wife who was a volleyball coach when he was in high school.

(My only source on her age is The Ticket.)

Greatest Trick Play Ever

Although I'm not exactly sure what "value" that teaches at the pee-wee level. But, then again, "trust no one" may not be a bad thing to learn.

Oh, My

That may be worse than the infamous "Megaplex Opening In Chico" story from a few years back.

Channel 4 Helicopter Crash

Nobody was hurt this morning, but the Channel 4 Traffic Helicopter went down in south Dallas. The "engine simply quit". There's video of it and it looks like it hit hard. "We ended up skidding and rolling on our side," said traffic reporter Chip Waggoner.

The pilot, who apparantly did a good job, was not the regular one for the helicopter. He filled in for his normal job as the pilot of the Fort Worth Police Department helicopter.

There were minor injuries to a lady in the helicopter ( I didn't catch her name) who does traffic for KRLD and KVIL.

I'm Back - - But Moving Slow

I'll try and bring it back to full force over the next couple of the days. But my vacation was great - to Cabo San Lucas (pic above.)

But to buy some time, and to refer to something completely unrelated to my vacation, check out this father's rant about the Red Oak ISD. I think it's gold.

Darkest Days Of The Blog

Postings will be few and far between this week as I take a vacation. I've taken few of them over the years and that is one of my biggest regrets. I plan to work on that in the future.

And I Just Thought The Walmart Greeter Was The Most Famous Person In There

You may remember the announcement about the new horror flick being filmed in Runaway Bay starring Chad Allen. I'm not exactly sure I know who Chad Allen is (his list of works here), but this gal spotted him in the Decatur Walmart and snapped a camera phone pic.

This Isn't Exactly CourtTV

Just heard that we have a jury deliberating on a DWI case. Trooper stopped him for speeding 95 on a service road with a .108 on the breath test. Edit: Guilty after 45 minute deliberation.

Frilly's Is Serving Fa-What?

Nothing Like A Goof Friday Tazer Video

Warning: Language But the guy may win an award for the number of Tazer blasts he takes. After the first one, I'd be crying like a school girl.

This Could Be Huge

The FBI is reportedly investigating an NBA referee who was allegedly betting on basketball games, including games he worked in the past two seasons. The New York Post first reported Friday that the year-long investigation is focusing on allegations that the referee bet on games and was making calls that affected the point spread on games. The newspaper reported that according to sources, an arrest of the referee was imminent and that NBA Commissioner David Stern is aware of the investigation.

Can you imagine? If this is true, this will be the biggest sports scandal in years. And what if he was a ref in the Dallas/Miami finals from last year? Do you think Cuban will go crazy?

It's Britney Friday

In her defense, this is an outfit from a video shoot yesterday. Although she'll probably wear it to church this weekend.

Can You Believe They Let Some Hindu Pray In The Senate?

That Freedom of Religion thing is kinda tricky. The protesters says: ""Lord Jesus, forgive us father for allowing a prayer of the wicked, which is an abomination in your sight. This is an abomination. We shall have no other gods before You . . . ."