Now you know I'm getting to the "but", right? Her post about the Oscars is just over the top, maybe I am misreading it? But I don't think I am. She writes:

First: how mad I am at Jamie Foxx for romanticizing child abuse! Why did people just sit back and laugh and accept his account of how much his grandmother beat him? Just because he presented it in a positive light? I'm grouping this with the stories surrounding Hunter S. Thompson's suicide. People in the public eye need to see beyond themselves and think about what they are legitimating when they choose to present a bad thing in their own lives in an uncritical positive light.

So I can not agree at all with Ann's view of being mad at Jamie Foxx for "romanticizing child abuse". Jamie Foxx was reccounting a time in his life that obviously was very near and dear to him, he would most likely never consider himself a victim of child abuse. Though I may not agree with the discipline that Jamie's grandmother used for him, and Ann, I know certainly does not agee; it is from a different era. Things were done differently then and certainly even Ann can understand that. What most people will take from Foxx's few words is how much love and respect he has for a woman who taught to "act like he had some sense". A tough woman who obviously loved him and did the best she could. It is a shame that there are children that no one cares about enough to show them the way to go, but Jamie is criticized for his respect and gratitude of someone who was obviously influential in his life. Oscar speeches are fleeting moments of time, that only a select few ever get to make, let them say what they want.

Which brings me to this next statement made by Ann: "People in the public eye need to see beyond themselves and think about what they are legitimating when they choose to present a bad thing in their own lives in an uncritical positive light."

I disagree with this as well. People in the public eye can say whatever they want. Why should my rights to do and say what I want be more than people who are celebrities? The only thing these "people in the public eye" need to be aware of is that they will suffer the consequences of their opinions. Just like here, if I say something you don't like, you stop reading (please don't stop reading! Please...). If a celebrity says something you don't like, stop going to their movies. Stop buying their CD's. Easy. See?

Come on Howard Dean, say something else, so I can stop disagreeing with bloggers that I like!

Oh and one more thing -- was it not scary how accurate my Oscar predictions were? I am almost psychic!

I found this article and I think it answers the question quite well.

"Moderate Republicans can't stand these people (conservatives), because they're intolerant. They don't think tolerance is a virtue," Dean said, adding: "I'm not going to have these right-wingers throw away our right to be tolerant."

And concluding his backyard speech with a litany of Democratic values, he added: "This is a struggle of good and evil. And we're the good."

Who wants to be the one to tell him that he is so clueless? Aren't you susposed to understand your opponent in order to defeat them? If this is really what Dean and his party believe, the Republicans will not have to worry for a long long time.

Update: Todd from Amateur Megalomania (who would not love that blog name?) comments:

Seriously, I thought the Democrats had finally hit bottom, but it looks like the 2004 election was just a glancing blow on an outcropping. The tumbling will continue for at least another cycle. Part of me rejoices, but a bigger part would like to see the restoration of a sensible and principled opposition.

So as a service for everyone as excited as I am, I'd like to offer my Oscar predictions. Let me just say as a warning, that I have an amazing track record with these things and this might be a bit of a spoiler:

• A woman will win in the best actress category.
• A derogatory remark aimed at President Bush will be said.
• Many beautiful actresses will be wearing their hair in ponytails or even unbrushed and the fashion "gurus" will exclaim that it is revolutionary. (It's a ponytail!)
• Chris Rock will not be funny. Didn't you know? Oscar hosts aren't allowed to tell good and relevant jokes that makes the audience laugh...takes too much time to wait for the laughter to subside.
• You will want the orchestra to begin playing before most of the speeches begin.
• No, the person you thought really deserved to win, will not win.
• Yes, Million Dollar Baby will win. There's euthanasia and fighting, what's not to like?
• I will not be watching the Oscars.

Yah, just scroll on down below or read this or this or this.

Okay Everyone else, here it goes:

I love the comments. L O V E them. Seriously one of the best thing about blogging is the instantaneous feedback, it is awesome. I try to respond to everyone's comments in someway. But sometimes I find it very difficult to do so.

When do these instances occur that I find it difficult to respond? When someone disagrees? Nope. When they are mean? Nada, actually I haven't had many mean comments here. When they make no sense whatsoever? No...

When there are an even amount of comments already posted and my additional comment would make it an odd number. Sometimes I can "get over it" and do it. Other times I have problems...So if you are the number 6 commenter and no one else becomes number 7, I just want to say right now : Thanks for the comments, I appreciate your insight. And yes, you are absolutely correct, but here is why I disagree with you...

Do I still have any readers left?

The local morning radio show has had a lot of fun with the "Tampa teacher". Better known to grown ups as Debra LaFave who is accused of having sex with her 14 year old student. The D.J.'s think it's funny and always say how when they were 14, this would be their ideal fantasy. A "hot" teacher coming on to them. They say they wish they had a "Tampa teacher" when they were in school.

Just the other day another teacher (an intern) was found having sex with her 16 year old student in a car parked in the back of their school. And the most disgusting part of this whole incident: "The intern's toddler was strapped into a car seat in the back when police discovered the two Saturday."

And I think we're all aware of Mary Kay Letourneau.

These radio talk show hosts voice a popular opinion that because the victims were boys, and because all boys are oversexed and fantasizing about their history teachers anyway; it's not that bad. I guess it is just the girls we should protect.

First of all, there is no excuse for any adult. No matter if they are male or female to willfully take away a child's innocence. No matter if that child is 17 or 12.

Second, an educator, especially, should never cross that line of intimacy with their student. It is grossly unfair to that student.

School should be a place for all students to go to learn and be given a fair chance to mature. Why should any boy or girl have to worry about having a sexual relationship with an adult? It makes me sick to think that these teachers could abuse their students in such a fashion. I am not being naive. I know what goes on in those schools. At 26, I am not too far removed from that scene and I know it is even worse now than it was then.

These teachers have broken a trust that can never be restored in their victims lives. No matter how much the boy wanted it or fantasized about it, the adult should have been grown up enough to not encourage the situation and to definitely not become involved.

Our society pushes sex on these kids. The magazines they read, the shows they watch, the books they read; all forms of media push the idea of premaritial sex and never give good alternatives as to why they should not engage. The discussion about the feelings involved, the maturity required and the level of intimacy that is established during a physical relationship seems to be non-existent. However having said that, two kids engaged in this type of activity may be a mistake for them to live with and struggle with for the rest of their lives. But they are on an equal playing ground even if misguided.

However bring an adult into this equation, and the playing ground becomes dangerously uneven. The adult, especially an authority figure such as a teacher, has all the power in the relationship and if you think for one moment these teachers are engaging in relationships with their students just for the intimacy, you are mistaken. They like the power. They like the control. They like the admiration. They are in it for their own selfish desires. They are the abusers and regardless if the kid is a 14 year old boy and the teacher is a "hot" Tampa teacher; it is still abuse and it is still a crime.

Some may be disappointed that the deadline has just been moved back and not taken away completely but I think this gives us all of us a precious resource that we did not have a week ago: time. Time to continue our fight to get the truth about Terri out there. Time to petition our lawmakers and government officials. Time to pray and time to hope.

Terri's hope continues, let's not become complacent but continue this course.

For more on how you can help Terri, go to blogsforterri.

Again a big thank you to all my readers who have been so supportive. I think most of my readers who have blogs have at least mentioned Terri's case in their own posts even when we didn't always agree on the specifics. I also thank you for the countless emails I have received and the news articles so many have referred me to. I don't mind being a "small" blog because I know I have the best readers of them all.

HT: Reggie at Reggienation and Dave at Firewolf.

The letters to the editor referring to the article are out and guess which one got published?!

The ones not written by us. In fact of the numerous responses I am sure they received bashing their obvious bias, the only one that the editors so diligently chose to publish was Dari Entsminger's letter on the article I posted on, "Letting Girl Die was act of love, mother says". Dari is "grateful" for the article in the paper, and writes:

We usually hear about the cases of individuals wanting to continue life-sustaining treatments even though there is no hope of recovery.

As a social worker, I work with individuals and families regarding advanced directives. It isn't an easy topic to discuss and not everyone is open to discuss what measures they would want, if ever they were in a situation that they were unable to speak for themselves.

I believe more articles such as this, showing that it is OK to withdraw life-sustaining treatments, and the peace it brings to the individual and families, will help others who may one day find themselves going through similar life-making decisions for their loved one.

Honestly I could care less about having a letter published to the editor (especially the Orlando Sentinel) but I am disappointed if not entirely suprised by the obvious lack of discourse in their letters to the editor section. I always felt that the letters were there to show other views and shed new facts missed by the reporters, not letters that read like fan mail.

Update: This morning the Orlando Sentinel did an editorial stating that

Gov. Jeb Bush clearly has some intensely personal feelings about whether Terri Schiavo should live or die. But as the top government official in Florida, he also has a well-defined legal obligation to respect her privacy and let the courts decide her fate.

It's not like I expect everyone to know about the Collyer Brothers, but I always thought it was a pretty common story. But no one knew what I was talking about because I asked every single person I work with if they knew the story. These are very educated, fairly well read people, and nada. Until one of them looked it up on the internet, I don't think anyone believed me... By the way, the Yahoo! search is brothers, booby trap, tunnels and newspapers...

Hmm...maybe if I quit quizzing coworkers about weird historical incidents, I could get some work done. Nah. So anyone else heard of Langley and Homer?

Ed then gives this advice to the blogs who are working hard to save Terri:

The issue is a society that treats its infirm and inconvenient as unnecessary burdens, weights that can simply be tossed in the trash as easily as fast-food wrappers. We abort babies by the truckload because they complicate our lives. Some of them get tossed into dumpsters after having reached birth. We execute prisoners because it's supposedly more cost-effective to do so, even though they inevitably eat up years and years of courtroom time on almost-endless appeals. The suicidal get heroic treatment in movies and real life, with ghouls like Jack Kevorkian lauded and feted and, after getting locked up, becoming a minor celebrity cause.

When did life get so cheap? When were humans reduced to commodities?

If people want to save Terri Schiavo and others like her, that's where we should start. We need to get a definition of life that makes sense and honors its sacred nature. If we cheapen life to simply its utilitarian value, we run the risk of losing not just one Terri but all of the Terris who struggle for life and the tender touch of their families.

Yes, looking at the big picture is good. But I disagree with one point, Ed. Just because there is a bigger picture and more to do, does not mean we can't concentrate on this tiny piece of the puzzle and make a difference. Yes, society has cheapened life and to most, Terri's life is not worth much. As bloggers we could show our readers a little of Terri's worth. We could show her life and relate the truth that has been so long denied to her by the MSM.

If Terri dies? Wouldn't it be better that more people knew it was a life that was taken instead of just a "houseplant"? Maybe this is our way to wake up society and show them that no life is worthless.

Thank you, Ed for your contribution. I just hope that you can see that Terri's life is a beautiful picture all to itself, worth a little time taken to post a thought or two.

(HT: Firewolf)

The Florida Department of Children & Families investigated a way to intervene in the case on Wednesday, just hours after Bush told reporters in a press conference that he would do everything legally possible to help Terri's parents prevent her estranged husband from starving her to death.

Details of just how DCF would get involved were not yet available, according to an Associated Press report.

The news had Terri's father, Bob Schindler, hopeful again.

"We are really elated," Schindler told AP. "Forty-eight hours to us right now seems like six years. We pray to God and we thank God that we have some time and our very, very thankful that DCF has picked this up."

However, euthanasia advocate George Felos, the lead attorney for Michael, criticized the Bush administrations latest efforts saying it "reeks of the intervention of politics into the case and is an affront to the court."

DCF may have gotten involved, according to Felos and Schindler attorney David Gibbs, because of a bone scan conducted on Terri after she collapsed 15 years ago.

Though they were never investigated, because local authorities said they were too old to go into, DCF may be alleging that Michael abused Terri to cause the physical head trauma the scans displayed.

Terr is alleged to have made statements before the collapse to her family and friends that she was unhappy in her marriage, but Michael has denied hurting her.

[H]e was exploring every legal possibility to again prevent Terri from being starved to death. He called the effort a "work in progress."

"I can assure you, I will do whatever I can within the means, within the laws, of our state to protect this woman's life," Bush said Wednesday. "I won't go beyond that."

The governor said he has received thousands of calls and emails from supporters of Terri and that he and his staff are working with attorneys at the legislature to devise a solution.

"People with deep faith and big hearts are concerned, as I am about the circumstance that Ms. Schiavo is in," the governor continued. "I want them to know I will do what I can, but there are limits to what any particular person -- irrespective of the title they currently hold -- can do."

More later or should I say : Developing...

And what is this hope?

The treachery is that Doug Wead waited until after the election:

"I don't want some little kid doing what I tried ...."

"The Bible is pretty good about keeping your ego in check. ... "

"I think it is bad for Republicans to be kicking gays. ... "

[When told that a supporter was saying he'd promised to not hire gays] "No what I said was I wouldn't fire gays. ... "

"I am going to tell the truth and do the right thing, dammit, without fear or favor, with malice toward none and charity toward all--and if my political advisers tell me that will cost me power and fame, so be it!"

OK, that last one was made up. But another round of explosive front-page revelations from secretly recorded phone conversations like today's and Bush's approval will hit 70 percent.

I am one of those super religious types that you read about. No not those, no not them either, but I am a Christian and my life is highly defined by my beliefs. If you think for one instant that I am going to become upset because the president (shock!) treats all people fairly and refuses to "not hire gays" and even says that he would not fire them, well I am sorry to disappoint you. If you think I will be upset that the president smoke marijuana, well... I've smoked marijuana! Actually, no, no I haven't. But I did smell some in the girl's bathroom in high school once, that has got to count for something...second hand smoke, maybe?

A Christian is someone that is willing to be "Christ" like. Jesus told us that the first of the Commandments is "Hear O Israel, the Lord Our God is One God." The second Commandment? To love your neighbor as yourself. Numerous occasions, the Bible tells of Jesus not only telling us that God loved sinners, but he also demonstrated that love. The adulteress woman, the woman at the well, and even Judas. Jesus when he saw his dear friend Judas in the midst of his betrayal still called that man, "friend"!

Jesus didn't preach hate or condemnation, why should you?

"Come home," her mother implored, and Maylene Dickerson knew. Her daughter Caroline finally had drawn her last breath. Rushing back to her Orlando apartment, Dickerson lifted Caroline off the couch and cradled the child in her arms, whispering and singing. She told the 8-year-old how much she loved her, how special she was, how much joy she had brought. Later, as the undertaker left, Dickerson felt a great sense of relief. Finally, Caroline's body was unshackled and her spirit was free. Almost like an affirmation, Elton John's voice rang from the radio: "You're a butterfly. And butterflies are free to fly. Fly away. High away. Bye bye."

Then, in January 2002, the final insult came when a massive stroke seized Caroline's brain, robbing her of all cognition, all feeling, all awareness. Doctors said there was nothing more they could do and again suggested Caroline go to a nursing home. Again, Dickerson refused, setting up Caroline's hospital bed in the living room of her Orlando apartment. For seven months, Dickerson slept on the floor next to her daughter's bed, turning her, changing her diapers, suctioning her throat and feeding her around the clock. For seven months, she watched Caroline's body grow stronger, her face fuller, her cheeks rosier. For seven months, Dickerson waited and hoped for a sign -- any sign -- that Caroline's brain would catch up. But except for an occasional anguished wail, Caroline remained inert and silent, her labored breathing the only sound from her growing body.

In this article, discussing this agonizing case of Caroline and Maylene, Ms. Bell sends the reader down the path to Terri Schiavo.

Fifteen years after the U.S. Supreme Court recognized the constitutional right to refuse life-prolonging medical treatment, Dickerson's cautious need to share her decision underscores the chasm that still divides the nation about the withdrawal of medically supplied nutrition and hydration. Dickerson has endured more than her share of pain. Her husband was murdered just as their daughter's neurological disorder worsened. But today, as the debate about what opponents equate to starving a patient to death reaches a new crescendo, the restaurant worker remains at peace. She knows firsthand that relatives who decide to withdraw artificial food and water from loved ones can -- and do -- love them as much as relatives who elect to keep them alive no matter how they must live. Her beliefs are diametrically opposed to those held by Bob and Mary Schindler, the Pinellas County couple fighting their son-in-law's quest to carry out what he says were their daughter Terri Schiavo's wishes not to be kept alive artificially.

"People need to spend a few weeks with these types of patients and they would realize they are dead," Dickerson said. "If she could smile or move her head or be aware of anything -- anything -- I would have let her be. But she had become an object, and it's not right to keep an object alive because you can't let go."

Ms. Bell,according to her mother's words, if Caroline was in the same condition that Terri is in right now -- she would be alive, contrary to what you have tried to report.Every case and every life is different. Please treat it that way.

Update: I revised this post into an email to the editor and to Maya Bell at the Orlando Sentinel. Contact information for both:

Maya Bell can be reached at 305-810-5003 or mbell@orlandosentinel.com.

Or, send a letter to the editor:

To be considered for publication, your letter should be brief and to the point and must include your name, address and daytime and evening telephone numbers. Letters of all lengths will be considered, but letters in the 200-250-word range or shorter are preferred. Letters also will be edited for facts, grammar and length. We do not publish poetry, unsigned letters or letters under pseudonyms.

Send your comments to:
Letters to the Editor
Orlando Sentinel
633 N. Orange Ave.
Orlando, Fla. 32801-1349
or by fax to (407) 420-5286

or by e-mail to insight@orlandosentinel.com.

The great philosopher, Maury Povich, once said:

None of the daytime talk shows would be on the air if the states of Florida,Texas, and California didn't exist. That's where every bizarre act happens and every weird person alights.

People are just plain crazier in Florida.

I'm sure a few of you might recall something about Florida and the 2000 election, it's all a blur to me.

The reason I have not participated in the White Trash Wednesdays? The people highlighted by the blogs remind me too much of relatives.

Michael Schiavo and George Felos? Florida.

Bomb making teacher? Yup. Florida.

Parents on Strike? Florida again!

Lightening Striking Kids? Welcome to the Lightening Capital of the World. Which reminds me of a story about the time when I was high school and the golf team got struck by lightening...

Child Protection Agency Loses Child? Florida.

Residents apply for FEMA and receive it even where the hurricanes did not hit? Georgia okay Florida there too...

Sinkholes, Hurricanes and Traffic Jams?

Yep. F L O R I D A.
At least it never gets dull.

And you wonder why they don't ask me to make brochures for tourism?

He was not ready yet.

My cousins went into the hospital room with my grandmother and they waited while he slept in a deep dream of unconsciousness. Suddenly, his blood pressure shot up and it was as though he was fighting for every breath. Then my family in that room began to sang old religious songs...his eye is on the sparrow... And for a brief faint moment, he smiled. His eyes fluttered opened then shut again for good.

Three days later, on his own terms, he died; fighting the entire way.

Why do I recount this time?

My husband knows because of that experience that I do not want to be on life support. This is not an uncommon story in families. Michael Schiavo recounted a time during testimony when his grandmother was ill to prove that Terri had told him the same thing.

When I told my husband that I did not want to be hooked up to a machine. I did not mean feeding tubes. There are many people who have digestive problems and can not eat without the assistance of a feeding tube. Just because they require an IV to keep them alive, does not mean that they should die. People require medicines, insulins, therapies everyday to keep them alive, why is Terri so different? Her organs are all functioning. She is not in a coma. She smiles when she sees her mom, plays with her dad; she tries to talk with them. No she may never get any better than what she is right now. But doesn't she deserve the chance?

I am 26 years old. The same age as Terri when she suffered brain damage. My life is important to me and God has a purpose for me. If I were to become disabled tomorrow, should the quality of that life be judged against the quality of the life I have today? If for some reason I were to suffer an accident, and it changed me into a different person than who I am today; someone reliant on others for most things, does that mean I should die?

This is about Terri Schiavo today, but it could be about you tomorrow...

Here are a few recent Terri posts around the web in case you missed them, they're not to be missed:

No Gardens on a Summer's Day

Human Life is Worth Living

Will You be Terri Schiavo's Voice?

It seems clear to me at least that the motivation of the "husband" was originally monetary and is now both monetary and pride. If offered enough money (something over $50,000), would the "husband" relinquish custody of Terri to her parents? I will put forward $100 myself to test this idea.

However Michael's main reason, in his own words, for not turning guardianship over to Terri's parents is found in this deposition:

Q. Have you considered turning the guardianship over to Mr. and Mrs. Schindler?

SCHIAVO: No, I have not.

Q. And why?

SCHIAVO: I think that's pretty self explanatory.

Q. I'd like to hear your answer.

SCHIAVO: Basically I don't want to do it.

Q. And why don't you want to do it?

SCHIAVO: Because they put me through pretty much hell the last few years.

Q. And can you describe what you mean by hell?

SCHIAVO: The litigations they put me through.

Q. Any other specifics besides the litigation?

SCHIAVO: Just their attitude towards me because of the litigations. There is no other reason. I'm Terri's husband and I will remain guardian.

He cares more about hurting others and having revenge for what he perceives as personal attacks than doing the right thing. No amount of money, in my opinion will change Michael's mind.

It is wonderful to see so many people willing to pledge money for this case and money is needed by the Schindler's and to let more people know the truth. If you were one of the bloggers that were willing to pledge money to this well meaning but unrealistic idea, please check out these places as well:

Terri's fight (Terri's parents and supporters need your help!)

BlogsforTerri BlogsforTerri will shortly be raising money to begin an advertising campaign to attempt to sway public opinion and to encourage the legislature to continue in their efforts to fight for Terri's life.

Update: After checking out some other blogs (see my Blog4Terri blogroll) and seeing this idea continuing to be spread by Info-Post, I feel I need to be more clear in my thoughts regarding the idea of dealing directly with Michael Schiavo. Michael may be greedy, he may be a lot of things, but if you think for one minute, a man, who has spent $400,000 of Terri Schiavo's malpractice settlements on the lawyer that is in charge of the legal battle against Terri's right to live, is going to back away from this fight because you offer him $50,000, then you are wrong. What is going on now is an attempt to get publicity for however well-intentioned an idea it was and draw away monetary funds that could be earmarked directly to the Schindler's.

The heirarchy of blogs.

Just like in the MSM, there are the big dogs and there are the little dogs. Just for reference,my blog is like a flea on one of the puppies. I'm not going to name other bloggers, but I am sure if you have been around just for awhile in the blogosphere, you know who the big dogs are. These big dogs can't keep tabs on everything going on out there so they are focused microcosims of information that sometimes fortunately and sometimes unfortunately can sway a huge base of their readers. And, unfortunately for a flea like myself, these big dogs usually play in their yard and rarely come out to see what else is going on. They like the MSM, have become complacent in their status and aren't as willing as they used to be, to highlight information that they might not fully agree with or might not care about.

Complacency and arrogance is what is killing the MSM. They have for so long been the only source for so many people to receive their information, that they have become careless and lazy and unwilling to show other points of view. Just a word of warning to the blogosphere who might listen: Big dogs get bit by fleas too.

You might be asking where your Terri Schiavo story is tonight...well considering these two "tainted" stories just that. The MSM has told you the wrong story about Terri; it is full of lies. And the big dog bloggers (except a few) have decided it's not important enough for them to stop patting themselves on the back about Eason Jordan or digital camaras... and yes, I am frustrated.

Prove me wrong, big dogs. Prove me wrong.

This is not about the past or ultimately even about Kerry or Bush. It is about the future of this country. A gullible public learning only what is filtered to them by a biased media is not a hopeful sign for the future of a democracy.
Some of the public have begun to wake up but more need to do so. Many in the media also need to wake up to what they are doing, or failing to do, when their politics taints their work.

Although I have heard for years that the media was biased, it has not been until just recently that the public with the aid of the internet have been able to find the truth for themselves. Now we have the media fighting against the new information sources, even threatening legal action for one blogger.

Why?

The printing press created an outlet for the elite able to afford the machine an outlet to tell others what was going on in their world. The technology and tools of the MSM have grown and become more sophisticated. I will never be able to afford the tools necessary to own a newspaper. I do not have access to the resources required to develop a news program on television. All I have is a computer like 60% of all Americans in my home with internet access. If I didn't have this computer I could go three miles down the road to the public library and have the same access for free. Yes, my computer and my time is enough to threaten some in the media to lash out and fight against us.

Bloggers have enough resources to reach and change minds, the same minds that once were influenced solely on what the 6:00 evening news. So MSM watch out. You know that we're watching you.

So here goes it: I am not a very good driver.

Today, I got a speeding ticket on my way to work. Unknown to me, they have changed the speed limit from 55 to 45 because of the construction...yes a construction zone speeding ticket. My husband later called me at work and said I should've known the speed limit had changed, there were dozens of signs! Who notices signs? Anyway, this ticket was for 19 miles over in a work area so it would be doubled and could be about $500.00; well that's what the police officer said to make me feel better about the $80.00 ticket he wrote me.

I posted about the "mailbox incident" last week. Five mailboxes on one post: I got four out of five of them with my passenger side mirror. But I didn't mention my bad luck with inanimate objects. If you're not alive and not moving, watch out, I might hit you.

Since receiving my driver's license at 16 I have hit: 2 parked cars causing extensive damage, several parked cars just bumping them in the bumper, four mailboxes and one building. I have also hit a moving vehicle but to this day I contend that it was not my fault, although they gave me the ticket! Plus the driver of the other car ended up having a warrant out for his arrest, so really I did a public service by hitting him...

But to be honest, the ticket today and the mailboxes last week were the first incidents in a really really long time...well if you don't count...nevermind. I'm done.

Scared of me yet?