Random Tuesday Morning Thoughts

• Whether it be a web site or a TV news station, I don't need a "Countdown to Kickoff Clock" for the Super Bowl. We all know we've got to be beaten down with this for two more weeks. 
• You realize that currency is only worth something because we believe and all agree that it's worth something. That came to mind when I read a story about how Facebook has created it's own gaming currency that will now be mandatory for any social game on its platform that uses any type of virtual currency. (Confusing, I know.)  Heck, the future seems so crazy I can see it being an alternative to the dollar some day. 
• Stitches removed from Mrs. LL's wrist. All systems go on. 
• If you have any of those insane "surcharge" issues assessed by DPS, you need to check out this. There are a lot of restrictions, but you might be able to make them all go away for $250.
• The State of the Union speech is tonight. I don't care who delivers it, it's a silly piece of propaganda that America could do without.
• My neighbor actually came over and asked to borrow a couple of eggs yesterday. It was like Leave it to Beaver. We charged her for them. (Kidding.) 
• Gov. Perry designated the Voter ID Bill as "emergency" legislation this week in order to get it on the fast track. Emergency? Really? 
• Right by the building in Fort Worth that I always go to for driver's license hearings (part of the DWI representation), there's a Planned Parenthood office.  I always look away from any girl or couple walking in there because you know they are under a lot of stress.
• Academy Award nominations were released before 8:00 this morning. The list here. The King's Speech, which sounds incredibly boring, had the most nominations but it's supposed to be really, really good. 
• My movie watching has fallen off a cliff: I've not seen one of the ten Best Picture nominees. 
• Did you see the widely distributed "artist rendering" drawing of the Tucson shooter that was released after his court appearance yesterday? How did he go from bald in the crazy book-in photo to having a full head of hair in the drawing?
• The 2nd Grader in the House told me last night that in the new version of the Three Little Pigs one of the pigs dies. Come again? 
• "Former Pelican Bay police chief sues Tarrant County assistant DA" after he was acquitted on sexually related charges. I don't know about that case but it probably wouldn't be a bad idea if prosecutors could be held civilly liable if they truly acted recklessly about indicting someone. 
• Story behind the following headline.

I Found Me A New Courtroom Dance!

None Of Our Business But Something We'll Be Interested In Nevertheless

Story (which is basically D Magazine defending itself against not mentioning any marriage issues in this month's  story about him which has a subheading of  "on marriage, loss and how he lucked into broadcasting.")

Just Your Random Close Call

(

Proofreader Needed There As Well

Random Monday Morning Thoughts

• When I was a little kid, there was a guy that would wear some weird jump suit and have have an exercise show on TV. Jack LaLanne died yesterday at the age of 96.
• This Super Bowl talk is becoming a beat down. But I'll probably end up going down to Sundance Square to see the ESPN broadcasting setup.
• Now the Family Cat's new bit is to try and bolt out the door every time a door is opened. She went missing for 30 minutes yesterday until she decided that inside isn't so bad.  
• "Texas Gov. Rick Perry said he will introduce emergency legislation requiring women seeking abortions to first get a sonogram of the fetus. Perry, speaking Saturday at an anti-abortion rally in Austin, said the measure would also include the requirement that women listen to the sound of the heartbeat." Maybe I was wrong about his presidential aspirations. I think he's running for Pope.
• I think the JesusHatesObama.com commercial that was rejected by Fox for the Super Bowl was submitted knowing it would be rejected and thereby getting it publicity. Like I guess I just did. 
• In case you missed  Keith Olbermann abruptyly quit his show on MSNBC on Friday. Of course, this will only generate comments about how Fox trumps MSNBC.
• Anyone have an update regarding the wreck listed in the Update over the weekend? That looks awful. The lady grew up in Alvord.
• Apparently the speaker at the last Wise County Tea Party meeting advocated the legalization of dope. 
• I took a record long nap on Saturday. I think everything finally caught up with me.
• Hey, now.
• The Family Unit went to Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum yesterday without me.  I now think I want to see it.
• An explosion with fatalities just happened inside Moscow's largest airport.

Anyone?

Holy Cow

Something else I found from Bud Kennedy's Facebook page. You can buy it on eBay.

Right After Being Sworn In As Governor

Rick Perry heads to Vegas to sign some books and hang out with Ted Nugent and one (or maybe two) hot chicks.

Sheesh.

Credit: Bud Kennedy on Facebook.

That "Adult Entertainment" That Is Opening Up Near DFW Airport

The local news has been covering how local politicians were "outraged" at Rick's Caberet for opening near the DFW Airport just in time for the Super Bowl, and the Fort Worth mayor issued this statement in opposition to it getting a liquor license. (Fox 4 Screenshot).

Despite the fact that the allegation could be made against every single bar, I love a good typo.

Random Friday Morning Thoughts

• In 2007, the Texas legislature stupidly (good word) took away the right of a jury to give probation in a murder case. Amazingly, in a trial in Austin last week, the judge, defense lawyer, and prosecutor didn't now that. So the jury, when given the option, gave the defendant probation.
• There's an old saying: "Doctors bury their mistakes. Lawyers print theirs in books."
• Oh, and why was it stupid to take away the right of a jury to give probation in a murder case? Think about it: The elderly married couple mercy killing, the homeowner killing an intruder who didn't technically comply with the so-called "Castle Doctrine"; and the list goes on.
• This Saturday is the first sports television wasteland that we've had since August.
• This week Texas Tech backed out of a game with TCU for this fall. And, to take another kick, the conference that TCU is leaving is considering moving new member Boise State's game against TCU from Fort Worth to Boise.  
• Everyone keeps telling me to see True Grit. And although they all describe it as "really good", I've noticed no one gives it an enthusiastic "It's great!"
• Two things in the Update which are tailor made for Liberally Lean audience: (1) Newark passed a "trailer ordinance" and (2) the Decatur ISD is spending over a million dollars on sporting facility improvements but the story specifically mentioned that turf would not be included. 
• I was asked to spell "unh uh" last night. That's a heck of a lot harder than you think.
• "Just because you're offended, doesn't mean you're right." - Ricky Gervais on the (pretty darn entertaining) Piers Morgan Tonight show last night on CNN.
• And I'm a huge fan of Gervais in a world where I'm a very huge fan of almost no entertainers.
• And when Gervais, English born and bread bred, spoke of his past weight problem, he said that he had "weighed 14 stones." This caused Mrs. LL (and I'm not making this up) to yell at the screen: "Oh, come on! Speak American!!!" Love it.
• A video "Hey, Now."
• Hey, you guys over at Wise County probation: What does it mean that the proposed budget slashing state appropriations bill will eliminate "funding for misdemeanor probation supervision and reduces the felony probation formula funding per diem to $1.37, based on the LBB June 2010 population projections"?  It's Greek to me, but it sure doesn't sound good for your typical probation department.
• The lawsuit against TCU by the former student who was allegedly sexually assaulted on campus gives the public another justifiable reason to hate lawyers.
• Jessica Biel went to the beach. Not sure what I think about her. 
• Think it was cold in Wise County this morning? It was -41 in International Falls at 5:00 a.m. according to the weather gal on Channel 5. I didn't believe her, so I checked it out.  Yep, minus forty-one!

Did I Pose With A Murder Victim?

During my crazy wedding weekend in Vegas last summer, the new Mrs. LL and I caught a show. And before that show, some of the dancers came out to pose for pictures (see me pointing at my wedding ring to kill the awkwardness?). Anyway, news broke over the last couple of weeks that one of the dancers in that show was abducted and killed. Her name was Debbie Flores (the gal in the top two pics).

So the question is: Is that her with me?

Google images of her to help.

Remember That Gal That Fell Into The Mall Fountain While Texting?

Everyone is up in arms today about the fact she is considering suing the mall (yawn), but I'm more surprised to learn she looks like this and is 49 years old!

Story.

Things That Guys Can't Pull Off

Justin Bieber at Golden Globes:

State Rep Marc Veasey walking in Austin this morning in a Spiderman cap:

Alvord ISD Shut Down?

Little did we know that the Great Wise County Blizzard of 2011 hit without us even knowing it.

(My jury trial fell through when a plea bargain was reached during jury selection. That happens sometimes. Not very often, but it does happen.  I hate doing all that work and not getting to use it, but it's results that matter. A fair one was reached here.)

Random Thursday Morning Thoughts

• Heard Alvord ISD had a delayed opening this morning. Not sure about others. Slidell looked icy on the ol' weather map. 
• The new Republican Alabama governor, shortly after inauguration, said that anyone who was not a Christian was not his "brother or sister."  I guess that's fine for the new pastor on the corner (maybe), but not for an elected official. He's already backtracking. 
• The new Republican controlled House voted to repeal Obamacare yesterday. I guess that's OK for a Tea Party meeting but not an elected body (since the vote is only for show with no chance of becoming law.)
• Jennifer Aniston in Allure is a triple "Hey, Now." She's definitely not sporting "The Rachel."
• Surprised that the Arizona Representative who was shot in the head stood up yesterday.
• Kyle Clifton trivia question from yesterday: He was flagged for jumping up and down on defense before a field goal attempt by the other team. The rule is (or was) that you could not leave your feet on defense before the ball was snapped. 
• Mrs. LL's operated wrist is doing very well. Just about three more therapy sessions.
• It'll be slow posting today --- it's jury trial day. Yep, DWI. I love it and hate it at the same time.
• The toughest part about preparing for one of those trials is not voir dire, cross-exam, or closing argument. That stuff is easy. It's watching the video listening for every little word and watching for every little misstep.
• If you read the 100th most popular book on the best seller list, is it safe to say you would never meet anyone that has also read it?
• No way I'm watching American Idol. And then I looked up to see that it has been TIVO'd. That's some recorded space I'll never get back.
• I think it's bad when I hear a pop, smell an electric fire, and see a small poof of smoke come out from Mrs. LL's chair. Yep. Happened last night. 
• I took a beating on the "DA Sorriness" post yesterday. That's fine. But my point was that an elected official did not need to be using his official Twitter account to point out a spare web site posting booking photos of DWI suspects. My posting of the funny booking photos out of Denton is worthy of criticism, but I'm not an elected official who is sworn to do justice.
• But I don't mind the criticism. Of all the things I'd change about me, my thick skin is not one of them.
• Obama's approval rating is back above 50%. Look out, folks. I've said for months that if the economy turns around he is a lock to win re-election. Wise County political views are not the national political views.

Somebody In Decatur Doesn't Like Da Police

Got this from the Messenger's blog which, after talking about iPhones for a few paragraphs, mentions the new graffiti on the CenturyLink building and the Lion's Club building.  They've got another pic as well.

Workman Killed This Morning Near Boyd?

Unconfirmed.

Report said "hit by a pipe."

Anyone?

Developing . . . .