Even Season

Well, the Titans couldn't quite pull it off today against the New England Patriots, losing the game in the 4th quarter, 40-23. Still yet, they truly proved this year that we can never count them out early in the season again. Now that Vince "The Prince" Young has his feet wet...next year's possibilities are endless.

They end the season with an 8 wins and 8 losses. Pretty darn good considering where we were just two short months ago!

Great job guys...we love you!

Christmas at Graceland

Had a great time at Graceland yesterday. I visited about 15 years ago, and there have been some great improvements in the experience since then! You now get your own personal headset with an audio tour that you can pause and play at your own pace as you visit each room. The visit also reinforced in my mind how influential Elvis was on popular culture and music. Yeah, the house had some tacky decor for today's standards, but back in the seventies it was the bomb! It was also very cool that on the audio tour Lisa Marie gave her own insight on what it was like to be a child in the midst of Elvis' lifestyle. We also visited the other museums and toured the Elvis' jet, the "Lisa Marie". The weather was perfect. It was definitely a first class experience all around. Here are a few of my favorite pics. There are more on my page at Flickr.

Christmas at Graceland

Down in the Jungle Room

The infamous TV that Elvis shot because he just couldn't stand hearing Robert Goulet sing any longer.
We didn't make it to Rendevous for their world famous ribs, but there's always next time. We made it back to Nashville safely, and I am looking forward to playing tourist for the weekend!

That's Some Good Eatin'...

I'm kidding!!!

This is a 33-pound cat in China...that's a fat cat!

My Blog Policies

I have an announcement to make: I will not tolerate name calling or obscenities on my blog. If you do not like the pictures I post here, the opinions expressed by me or by opinionated but courteous commenters, or any other content of this blog, feel free to never come here again. There are many other blogs for you to choose from that will allow name calling and obscenities. I, however, will not.

Got a problem with that? This blog is called GingerSnaps. I'm Ginger. It's my blog. I will post whatever I choose to post...it's my prerogative.

We all have our opinions...that's the great part about forums like these...we can learn that others have differing views from our own due to differing life experiences--and perhaps even broaden our own views beyond our existing comfort zone. To quote Austin Powers: "It's a really groovy thing, baby."

Going to see the King...

Heading to Memphis with an old friend of mine...who I've known since 6th grade...almost 30 years...

A full report to follow...





Photo: Getty Images

Remembering...

I was just over at Sista's site, and she has posted about her interest in Presidential history. She's really looking forward to the State Funeral of President Ford and all of the ceremonial activity that it will entail.

Being the history and news buff that I am, I would love to be glued to the television myself to watch as our ex-Presidents and leaders come together for this event. These kinds of occasions are always interesting because for a few brief hours, everyone is focused on the Presidency as an institution and the man who had that privilege bestowed upon them...and not so much on all of our differences.

This is why I was somewhat disappointed that Bob Woodward chose today to "out" his interview with Ford where he stated his opinions on Bush and the war. It has added somewhat of a cloud to the whole thing for me. It isn't that I disagree with Ford in the least. Perhaps the timing was very intentional on Woodward's part in order to put it out there in the most attention grabbing way possible.

It's just that some things should be sacred. This man should be honored as a former President of the United States of America, not a Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative, pro-war or anti-war, and so on. His life is over. He leaves a family to mourn for him. I wish for some things to be left unsaid until after the mourning period has passed. At least until after the State Funeral.

A Moral Question...

Is it ok for me to be gleeful that the Iraqi appeals court has ruled that Saddam Hussein must be executed within 30 days? Am I immoral for the pleasure I take in the fact that he will be hanged (instead of executed via firing squad as was his wish...as if he had a right to request his mode of demise!). Is it shameful that I join the Cubans of Miami in rejoicing that Fidel Castro's days are numbered? Is my wish that Osama Bin Laden be captured and made to die a slow, painful death evidence that my heart is wicked?

Where do you draw the line?

Christmas Morning

I know she's 6, but I can't help it...I love those jammies with the little feet in them...

Goodbye, Godfather of Soul

James Brown
1933-2006

Umph, There It Is...

Vince's new title: Vince the Prince Young

After his 36 yard run in for a touchdown, and what what seemed like an eternity of praise from the CBS sportscasters, now the country (or at least those who get this feed) now understand...

We're conVinced!

Update: At Halftime: Tennessee Titans 20 // Buffalo Bills 19

Update: Uh-oh...come guys...

UPDATE: Yeah, baby!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tennessee Titans 30
Buffalo Bills 29

P.S. What was up with that play call by Buffalo on 4th down and the game on the line? Yikes...somebody's head is gonna roll...but Tennessee thanks you!


Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images

Gotta love it...

Ya gotta love it when a dear friend knows exactly the gift that will make you squeal with laughter in the middle of Cracker Barrel at Christmastime...









I would love to know where people find these things to sell on Ebay...

Rest in Peace, Dennis Linde

Christmas Tagged...

Favorite Christmas Movie:
"Miracle on 34th Street" (the original)
I love everything about it--the cute Santa, the precocious little girl (Natalie Wood), the beautiful Maureen O'Hara, and the very fine gentleman who finally wins her heart (dunno his name, but does it really matter? lol). It's just the best! If I'm flipping the channels and it's on, I will stop and watch it...it's been on numerous times, and I think I have watched it 6 times already this year.

Favorite Christmas Song:
"O Holy Night"
by Mariah Carey

Favorite Christmas Cookie:
Ginger Snaps...of course! :)

Favorite Christmas Gift Ever Received:
My first little handmade ornament from my little girl.

Least favorite thing about Christmas:
When I get overwhelmed with everything that needs to be done.

Where would your perfect Christmas be:
Anywhere with my daughter.

Favorite part of Christmas:
The lights and the excitement of little children waiting for Santa to visit them.

Favorite Christmas Decoration you own:
My collection of Santa Clauses from around the world.

When do you put up the tree?
The weekend after Thanksgiving.

Do you wear "holiday" sweaters/sweatshirts/t shirts?:
Two long sleeved t-shirts: a red one that says "Ho Ho Ho" and a black one that says "Happy Holidays"

If you haven't been tagged for this Christmas meme yet, feel free to tag yourself! :)

To the Fabricator...

Very funny...

On behalf of all of us "bloggers who blog on blogs about bloggers"...

Watch the birdie...and in the words of philosopher Rosie O'Donnell, "sit on it and spin..."

Oh, and Merry Christmas!

Missing Miami...

This is a great aerial view from downtown Miami--my hometown.
I think the city lights look like Christmas...

*Photo courtesy of the Miami Herald

So Sorry, Barry!

Oh no! I just read that Barry Gibb isn't laughing about "The Barry Gibb Show" this time.
From the Tennessean:

"I think it is really silly because it is not me at all," he says. "I like things that are funny, but I am not very keen on things that vilify you, and it sort of vilifies me. I think you'd have to ask the people who know me what I am like, and they don't know me."

Yeah, I can see where he would be a little put out by the portrayal of him having outrageous tantrums and saying "Do you know who I am? I am Barry Gibb!!!!!" I have always heard and experienced what gracious of a man he is. I think it was just an over the top skit like they always do. I thought it was hilarious, and, as you know if you have read my blog recently, I am a HUGE fan of his. I know that Justin is, too, and it would probably bum him out to think Barry took it that way. So, don't be upset, Barry...we love ya...it's all good.

Zero Tolerance

I have been masking my utter disgust regarding an event that happened last week by blogging some light hearted posts until I could wrap my head around what I wanted to say. Last week was a banner week for juvenile delinquents in this town. There has been outrage expressed at the cold blooded murders of the two Madison convenience store clerks by a 16-year-old girl, and two males, ages 18 & 20. Usually, I would just shake my head in resignation, and comment on how society has gone to the dogs and something needs to be done about these thugs, and then go back to my regularly scheduled life. That was until this whole issue hit WAY too close to home.

Tuesday night around 8pm, my little girl came into my room and broke down in tears. "I have to tell you something, Mommy." I tried my best to be as calming to her as I could while my heart was sinking inside, because I knew this was going to be bad with the state of mind she came to me in. I held her and reassured her that she could tell Mommy anything. She told me that a boy in her class--First Grade, age 6--grabbed her, shoved her into the bathroom of the classroom, held her down, and sexually assaulted her!!!! I tried to hold it together and stay calm. I promised her that we would go talk to her Principal and take care of this first thing the next morning. I was not prepared for the unbelievable "pulling of teeth" it took to get the school to take appropriate action in line with the severity of the offense this child committed on my daughter!

First, I was told the child would not be taken out of the classroom, even for that day, because it was one child’s word against the other. Then when I refused to accept that answer--and told them that he would not be in the same class as my child ever again--they offered to let me take my child home or to another class for the day.

Wait, what??? How is it justified that MY child--the victim--is the one who must have her routine disrupted even more than it has already while the offender is being coddled? Then, they agreed to let me take my daughter to her classroom while they took the boy down another hallway, and to the office for questioning. Gee, thanks, but ok. Any chance this child might be disciplined? Suspended? Expelled? He did physically and sexually assault an innocent girl, after all.

I was adamantly told that even though this child had been in the principal’s office at least 4 other times in a month for his disruption and trouble making, there would be no expulsion. What happened to “zero tolerance”? Well, zero tolerance only applies if the child has a weapon (knife, gun) or drugs. I find that ridiculous…to me, the logic in that is if a kid got so violent that he beat another child to a pulp, he would still be in school because he didn’t use a weapon. My response: BUT HE USED HIS BARE HANDS AND HIS BODY AS A WEAPON!!!

After going around and around with the school, central office, school resource officer…
Final solution: move the boy to another class. He won’t be in gym, recess or any other activities with her, except for lunch where they will be at separate tables.

Um, am I the only one who realizes that they have just removed this troubled child from one class and into another just to do the same thing to another child?

I have gotten a lot of talk of things like “we may not know if the child is old enough to understand right from wrong and the consequences of his action”. Right. So when are we going to wake up to the fact that we are growing up a generation of people who have never had to pay the consequences for anything they do wrong because we’re afraid of infringing upon their rights?

My child has the right to be able to attend school without fear or intimidation.

Chief Serpas was on the radio the morning after the murders in Madison, and from his words, it is obvious that he has a fervent desire to get the court system to actually enforce the sentences they impart to criminals. What a concept! Is it any wonder why we have repeat offenders? Because they haven’t had to fully pay the consequences for their actions the first time around! Why are we seeing younger and younger violent criminals and more teenagers being transferred to adult courts because they are committing progressively more severe offenses? Because they haven’t had to pay the consequences for their actions the first time around! Yes, it is true that a six-year-old may be too young to press charges against, but something must be done to rattle the parents and rattle the child enough that he will never hurt anyone again. I have zero tolerance for excuses. It starts now so that in the future he won’t end up in the same boat as the 16-year-old murderer is now.

We as a community and a society must insist that sentences are carried out to the end, kids are punished at the appropriate level of their misconduct, and if they are delinquents, send them to a correctional institution to either be rehabilitated or prevent them from hurting anybody else again.

If we don’t start insisting on this now, we will all pay the consequences.

Do You See What I See?

A few weeks ago on Big Joe's blog, he was, for some strange reason, fixated on Walker Texas Ranger being the best worst show you love to hate, and Chuck Norris being the best worst star ever.

This reminded me of an ongoing joke in my family that was revived over the weekend when I was visiting them for a family Christmas celebration. You see, I have a crazy aunt (love ya, Wanda!) who absolutely swears that she sees Chuck Norris in the design of her bathroom floor linoleum. Ok, so we can have a Mother Teresa sighting in a cinnamon bun, the Virgin Mary apparitions in various forms, Jesus in a tortilla, so why not Chuck Norris in the bathroom linoleum? What's really, really scary is that I can see it, too.

Now, you be the judge...in the spirit of the ink blot test...do you see what I see?

Back by Popular Demand...

The Barry Gibb Talk Show

Justin & Jimmy revive their hysterical skit on Saturday Night Live...

Generations

This is me & my Uncle Stan...he is my late Daddy's brother. He is hilarious...he loves picking on me to no end! That's how I know he loves me--if he ever stopped razzing me, I wouldn't know how to act! He's such a sweetie. It was great to see him this weekend on my trip to Northern Kentucky to see family. Good times indeed.

One Of My Fave Pics

Sniff, Sniff...

I smell a Wildcard...

Tennessee Titans 24
Jacksonville Jaguars 17

Beautiful Child

...and I wasn't invited!

An open letter to Barry & Linda:

How shocked I was to wake up this morning to Gerry House's dismay at not being invited to your bash at BMI yesterday. For I, along with Mr. House, am among your biggest fans, if not on planet Earth, at least in the city of Nashville. While I congratulate you on buying and renovating the home of our beloved Johnny & June Cash, and the anticipation I have to hear your upcoming country album, the snub is just a total buzzkill. As previously posted, I have offered to serve you, sing for you, clean your toilets, and even bow before the throne of Bee Gees to "get to where you are". Alas, my offers are denied. My disappointment is insurmountable. So is Gerry's. We understand that you will most definitely want to make up for this error, so as a faithful reader of this blog, feel free to leave a comment with your outlined plan of restitution for this grevious oversight.

With all of my love and adoration,

GingerSnaps

Another One Bites The Dust

Another evangelical pastor has stepped down from his job because he was secretly engaging in extramarital gay sex.

A couple of thoughts from somebody who has been where his wife is right now.

1) Guys, if you are engaging in risky activity and then going home & having sex with your wife, STOP IT! You are putting an innocent person's health, well being, and possibly life in danger! Furthermore, if you have children and you're putting their mother's health, well being, and possibly life in danger, what the hell do you think that's going to do to your kids in the long run?
It isn't all about you!

2) If you are a pastor or other leader in ministry who is out there preaching hate against homosexuals and then secretly partaking of the fruit yourself, STOP IT! Do you really think being a hypocritical hate-monger is what Jesus had in mind for his followers? What about the hurt you are going to cause your family, congregation, and community when they finally realize what a liar you are?
It isn't all about you!

3) If you are a counselor, pastor, politician, et al, who thinks it is their place to indoctrinate the world of your "expert" opinion on the psychology of someone who is gay, STOP IT! I have lived through countless friends and the very father of my child trying to change what is in the fiber of their being because they had it pounded into their heads from the time they were a child that what they were feeling was a sin, abnormal, and wrong. What about the sheer agony you have caused these children of God to go through all because of your personal agenda?
It isn't all about you!

4) Even IF on Judgment Day we were to find out that homosexuality was indeed an "abomination" to the Lord, do you think it is any more so than your hate-filled, pain-inducing abominable words and actions? What business is it of yours? In the end we are all equal in God's eyes.

It isn't all about you!

It Won't Bring Her Back...

My dear friend Jodi has once again posted so eloquently exactly what I would like to say regarding the new allegations that the CIA was tapping Princess Diana's phone calls...

It's been almost 10 years.

Let it go.

They Did It Again!!!

I was driving home during OT when Vince took the ball in for the winning touchdown. Being the faithful Titans fan that I am, I had my little portable B&W telly in the passenger seat of the car and my radio set to KDF listening to the play by play (by the way, the radio delay was waaayyy behind tv today--very annoying). Anyway, I was screaming at the top of my lungs, my daughter was holding her ears, and passersby on the interstate were probably sure I was having a "medical emergency". Holy cow, I think it is still possible for a wildcard spot in the playoffs...heck, we've had so many miracles this season, why not just believe it can happen!!! Hallelujah, I believe!!!

Tennessee Titans 26
Houston Texans 20

Merry Mothership (insert holiday here) Party!!!

I had such a fantastic time at tonight's Blogger (insert holiday here) party! To have the opportunity to meet so many lovely people was such a blast. My daughter loved hanging out, too. I would say highlights of the evening included flirting with two (of the many) good lookin' guys in the joint: JJ Dubin and Mr. Mack from Coyote Chronicles. Who knew I would be doing tequila shots with Dr. Funkenswine and company (which incidentally, I showed some of you men up! I was the only one who took the entire shot the first swig!).

I felt like I was meeting long lost friends. This may sound all mushy, but it feels like we are all a part of a great group--a community, if you will--and we have a bond. I'm proud to be a part of this, and thanks for welcoming me into the fold.

Some pics for your enjoyment:


Sista, Wonderdawg, me


crazy people


Linda, JJ, Amanda


Brittney & Aunt B


jag & jj


Three bloggin' babes


Stop! In the name of love...


How 'bout another shot?


Texas Hold'Em


Two Guys I've never seen before in my life...well, until last night


A drink with Dr. Funkenswine


B-dub and his date



newscoma's appearance looked like this ;)


Holiday Grinch


crazy people, er, Kathy T, Brittney, Glen Dean

Party City

Well, it’s that time of the year when schedules get overloaded with activity! In the next 36 hours, I will have attended 5 different parties. Sure, I’m gonna be exhausted by Monday, but I am truly thankful to have friends and co-workers (and bloggers!) who care enough to invite me into their lives to celebrate the season.

A quick and caring reminder that if you have had too much to drink, please do not drive. One decision can alter the lives of countless people, as well as your own. Forever.

Have a fantastic Friday night!

My Daughter the Comedy Writer...

The Scene: In the kitchen mixing cupcakes for school tomorrow.

My 6 year old daughter runs into the kitchen, looks at the food, and sings to the tune of the "Ricola" commercial:

"E Coli"

I couldn't have thought of that myself...

I Need Some Christmas Prozac

I’m sitting here at work, not wanting to work, and listening to one of the all-Christmas radio stations playing the same round of Christmas songs over and over and over again. Then, to make matters worse, on comes “Another Auld Lang Syne” and that just puts me over the edge…

So I thought it would be “fun” to put together a list of the most depressing Christmas songs ever.

Here are my Top 5:

“Another Auld Lang Syne”
Dan Fogelberg

“Hard Candy Christmas”
Dolly Parton

"Please Daddy Don't Get Drunk this Christmas"
John Denver

“Do They Know It’s Christmas”
Band Aid

“Christmas Shoes”
Newsong

Any of you Scrooges want to add to this comprehensive list?

I promise, I’ll be ok…

Inspirational Moment...

To the survivors...

Rock On, TItans!!!

Another come-from-behind victory courtesy of our dream team, Young/Jones/Bironas! Two franchise record breaking accomplishments in two weeks! This week, Rob Bironas kicked a 60-yard field goal with 7 seconds left to take us to a 20-17 victory over the second Manning brother.

Also, breaking news: Jeff Fisher has been offered an extension to his contract. As I've stated before, I am amazed at how consistent he is as a coach and a person. You hardly ever see him sweat, but when we have a great play and an amazing win, the genuine elation he shows to his boys is palpable!

I hope he'll sign the deal and stay with us here in Tennessee...besides, I couldn't imagine not having him around to admire his gorgeousness.

Tennessee Titans 20
Indianapolis Colts 17