I'm Not Sure I Understand The Controversy

This poster is being used by a the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (there is one?) to encourage minorities to take part in the census. It's been called "blasphemous." I'm not exactly sure why.

Wise County Fashion Poll

After much coaxing this morning, I was able to get this shot of the knee of an unnamed courthouse employee. The issue is: Are these hose appropriate for work with heels and a skirt? She says "no" which is why she hides them under a long skirt and boots. I promised to throw the issue open to my fashion conscious Wise County readers.

Random Tuesday Morning Thoughts

• I cannot find my wallet. Any where. But I learned you can "freeze" your credit card to give a man a chance to find it without having to cancel the number.
• I went back to the convenience store in Fort Worth where I last used it and asked the clerk if a black wallet had been left behind the day before. In Mafia like fashion, he immediately shook his head and said, "No." I looked at him like I thought he was lying (or apathetic) and asked if he had a "lost and found box". He replied with the same smirking, "No." He probably didn't steal it, but I get some satisfaction in believing that he did.
• I never lose my wallet. I'll misplace it for half a day, but never lose it.
• I saw a guy going through a divorce argue with his lawyer in the Decatur courthouse hallway yesterday. "It's a verbal contract!!!!" the lawyer yelled. "I don't have $9,000!" the client yelled back. Neither one of them were in control. Of themselves.
• I had my client tell me, "I don't like the vibe in this place" in referring to the courthouse. Tell me about it, bruther.
• AnObiter wrote yesterday that she stayed in bed until noon because "sometimes, you just gotta." Good for her. Most of us don't have that choice, do we?
• Five people have filed to run for JP #3: Mandy Lynn Hays, Harold W. Lisby, David W. Montgomery, Chad Hightower and Bill Burdock. Is the economy that bad?
• I'd think a lot more of professional athletes visiting a children's hospital if they didn't notify the press beforehand.
• I haven't seen the Geico pothole commercial in a week or so.
• Every review I see of George Clooney's "Up In The Air" is outstanding.
• The Golden Globes, which are far more entertaining and more relevant that the Academy Awards, announced its nominations this morning.
• The U.S. would be less likely to declare war if a mandatory draft was (were?) required to go along with it.
• That being said, Congress has yet to officially declare war on Iraq, Afghanistan, or even the Taliban.
• Cute Denton book-in photos of the week: This and This.
• I don't know any guy that uses "aftershave."
• I saw these girls along the half marathon path and smiled.
• I missed yesterday that the Messenger actually had the guest list (pdf) of those attending the Wise County Republican Christmas party.
• Guy runs over road signs in a Hummer. How absolutely dumb can you be?
• The Tiger Woods story has appeared on the front cover of the New York Post for 16 straight days, three short of the record set by the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Monday Afternoon Pick Me Up

Discovered on Twitpic. Looks like a gal was trying to win some contest sponsored by Southwest Airlines. I move the nominations cease.

Writing A Headline for This Gal Is Tough

"Oklahoma Woman, Kinda Hot, Gets DWI, Arrested, Taken To Hospital For Blood Draw, Sneaks Out, Steals Ambulance, Drives 50 Miles Looking For Ex-Boyfriend, Proclaims 'Good Time'"

Youtube

We Should Have Sent Decatur's Speedo Man

I can appreciate a "Santa Speedo Run" in Boston just like the next guy (pics here.) But I didn't know the grim reaper (background) was a fan.

Houston Law Firm Hires Bon Jovi For Christmas Party.

Story. (Last year it was Miley Cyrus.) I always remember a sign in Boyd in front of an old bar on 114 in 1980s that announced that the band "Buck Naked" would be performing on Saturday nights. If I had a Christmas Party, that would probably be the best band I could hire.

Random Monday Morning Thoughts

• I ran the White Rock Half Marathon yesterday. Finished strong. No desire or need to walk. And even though I finished about eight minutes slower than I did in Fort Worth in February (what the heck?), I'll take that every time.
• I love the environment over there during the run. Tons of people come out on the streets for support.
• Favorite sign: "Catch the Kenyans!"
• At about the six mile mark, I saw a guy (who was a spectator) on his knee in the middle of the road proposing to a gal who was running. She had a look on her face like, "I'm in the middle of a freakin' race here!!!"
• No offense to the safety of Dallas, but there's no way I would run the Katy Trail alone. It looks like Ambush City with all the foliage next to the trail.
• There's something very cool about some stranger along the way catching your eye and yelling, "Good job!" For some reason I always mouth "Thank you" back at them.
• The last half mile I was listening to that song from Slumdog Millionaire: Jai Ho.
• I'm feeling pretty good about my Cowboy prediction of finishing 1-4.
• I couldn't find my wallet this morning and that drives me crazy. I'm a little worried.
• I went to an office Christmas party on Saturday. It got a little tense when a possibly intoxicated employee made a wise crack during the owner's speech and then the owner acknowledged the comment while speaking. Uh. Oh.
• Speaking of parties, the Wise County Republicans and the Wise County Women Republicans are having a combined Christmas party tonight. The cops need to be on standby for that blowout.
• Any news story today about this being "the busiest mailing day of the year" is just filler.
• Ate at that sushi place off of Western Center Boulevard again the other night. But there's no way I'm eating sushi there. (They have other Asian food as well.)
• Is the Tiger Woods fall from grace the biggest sports story of the decade? Probably.
• I think Accenture got more publicity for dropping Tiger than for signing Tiger.
• Doesn't it seem that climbers die on Mt. Hood every year? (They are looking for a lost group over the weekend.)

Former Wise County Resident

Story.

Crimes Of The Week

More.

Decatur Fountain From Friday

That little duck is a nice touch. (Thanks, Tony)

I Presume They Mean Newark, NJ

Hunt recently moved from Denton, and Priddy was living in Newark, Maj. Ray Tuttoilmondo, a Galveston County Sheriff’s Office spokesman, said. But this story was sent to me, so who knows?

Note To Fellow Wise County Lawyer People

Did you know, as of this morning, we are forever going to be memorialized in the official Southwestern Reporter? Explained. (pdf file)

Woman Calls 911 For Wrong Order

Woman Calls Cops on Burger King sound bite Funny sound bites

I'm with this chick. When a gal wants a Western Burger made right, she wants a Western Burger made right. How hard it that? Last week I almost called Decatur PD when Taco Bell didn't understand "Ranchero Chicken Soft Taco - Fresco Style." Police are here to protect and to serve? Sheesh. (And is Sacramentee any where close to Sacramento?) Link.

I Hate These Things

- I'm at a criminal law seminar at the University of North Texas - I've seen a few people I know. Just as soon not know anyone - The next topic is 'immigration consequences' - I like the current speaker but I've heard this same schtick four times before - I'm going to walk around campus at lunch - Listening to a girl gripe about the Denton's DA's office about a probation revocation. Some things are universal. - The guy beside me has on a tight Affliction like tshirt - He's sitting by a gal with a HUGE diamond wedding ring - Just found out they were married. So much for fun Tiger Woods like speculation. - Criminal defense lawyers normally look like they're homeless at these things - Except me - It may be North Texas Boulevard now but to me it will always be Avenue D - we have free coffee but no free soft drinks. Ugh. - The school newspaper calls Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind the best movie of the decade. Really?

Barry (from iPhone)

Random Friday Morning Thoughts

• When radio DJs used to say, for example,"We'll take the 97th caller for a chance to win [something]" did they just take the first caller after waiting a while, or did they actually reject 96 people before taking the 97th call.
• I recorded that Jersey show on MTV last night but haven't watched it yet.
• The SMU student that was kidnapped and raped may have been the victim of illegal aliens. Once that news broke, the Dallas Morning News had to shut down comments on a story.
• Since I got so much heat over (what I thought) was a light hearted post over a nativity scene at the courthouse, I went back and researched some Supreme Court opinions on the Establishment Clause. I thought it was funny that the following phrase was used in the lead opinion: "Perhaps in the early days of the Republic these words were understood to protect only the diversity within Christianity, but today they are recognized as guaranteeing religious liberty and equality to 'the infidel, the atheist, or the adherent of a non-Christian faith such as Islam or Judaism.'"
• Taylor Swift bought a hair straightener thingy. Not bad.
• Isn't there a huge difference in not believing in global warming and not believing global warming is caused by carbon emissions?
• It's tough out there: A big Dallas law firm slashes first year lawyer salaries to $120,000.
• I unexpectedly saw a girlfriend from 15 years ago yesterday. That's so much fun when that happens.
• Lots of people with sins as large as Tiger Woods sure are throwing stones at him.
• We are supposed to have faith in Wade Phillips when he dresses like this?
• I'm going to be in Costa Rica during the National Championship game. And the closest town has no paved roads. This is gonna be tricky trying to find a TV.
• I've got a 911 tape from Decatur PD sitting on my desk. I love the anticipation before I listen to those things.
• I think I saw Christina Aguilera in a commercial the other day. I've missed her ever since she dropped out of sight to become a Baby Momma.

Redneck?

But like all things on the Internet, I question if that was a truly functioning TV before it got blasted to Kingdom Come. But it is a Christmas Miracle that the guy at 3:35 didn't get his fool head cut off.

Stimulus Spending Tracker For Wise County

Link. (Thanks, Wayne.)