California students defy lockdown and continue walkouts for the last four consecutive days. The motivation for the public unrest is proposed legislation that would make being an illegal alien a crime. Not just any crime, a felony.

Patriotism and anti-terrorist sentiments are supposedly the roots of this legislation. Hopefully the students will keep up the protests and others join in. Welcome to America.

© 2006 VANESSA BYERS, Vanessa: Unplugged

The Bush administration’s Gulf Coast Recovery coordinator, Don Powell, indicated that full recovery of New Orleans could take anywhere from five to 25 years. The disparity of time required is questionable. What is not questionable is the fact that all of the areas needing protection will likely not be covered and that's shameful.

Of course the Ninth Ward and poverty-stricken areas will likely be severely damaged with the hit of another storm. The United States government should provide the necessary funding to protect New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.


© 2006 VANESSA BYERS, Vanessa: Unplugged

Give me a break. Desperate Housewives star Teri Hatcher and American Idol's Ryan Seacrest "caught" kissing on camera. Could this have been anymore staged? Who's hiding what?

© 2006 VANESSA BYERS, Vanessa: Unplugged

Labels: Entertainment

I braved rush hour traffic for the highly-publicized King Tut Exhibit at the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art. In spite of some issues with the depiction of Egyptians trampling Nubians and sub-saharan Africans in subservient roles, the exhibit was very interesting.

The craftsmanship required to make some of the items is amazing. The controversy over the actual physical appearance of the King and the obvious attempt to distance Egypt from being a part of Africa was a tad disturbing. All in all, it's an interesting exhibit and I 'd advise everyone to see it. Do some actual research on Egypt before attending so the exhibit is more meaningful.

The gift shop was bustling with all kinds of King Tut related items...statutettes...mugs...pens... jewelry...videos...books...toys...etc. What actually got me was the King Tut tissue box cover. Yeah, tissue box cover. That's taking it a bit far and made the entire evening a bit cheesy.

© 2006 VANESSA BYERS, Vanessa: Unplugged

Effective immediately, I am cutting down on my leisure online time. I have two blogs and one of them has to go. I think it will be the one on Yahoo 360. My posts will be brief (unless I am really on a rant). I have so much to do and so little time. Things will be in control soon. Peace.

© 2006 VANESSA BYERS, Vanessa: Unplugged

Life has important lessons to teach you today. Some of those lessons will be enjoyable, many of them will be a bit painful, and when the day is over you'll be wiser for them all.

Each person you meet today has something to teach you. Though they may make you somewhat angry, impatient, uncomfortable or frustrated at the time, those lessons are sure to be of much value.

Every situation in which you find yourself has something to teach you. Keep that in mind as you work your way through them all, and look for the positive value that you can retain.

Life becomes increasingly fulfilling when you choose to learn each lesson it has to teach. As you grow in wisdom, the difficulties will become less difficult to live through, and the joys will become more profound.

In triumph, in tragedy, in joy and in disappointment there are always valuable, positive lessons you can learn. As you learn more of what life has to teach, many of the things that once held you back will lose their power to do so.

Choose to respond to each encounter, each situation, and each challenge of this day in a way that will enable you to learn something new. Accept the lessons that life offers, and you'll quickly find them to be of great value.

-- Ralph Marston

© 2006 VANESSA BYERS, Vanessa: Unplugged

I am convinced that the food and water in The United States is laced with barbiturates. How else does one explain the apathy that has come over this country? Gasoline prices are way too high and the retirement benefits of our children’s children are being spent as you read this. Yet we continue to la-di-da the day away as if every thing is fine.

Except for the recent protests of the proposed anti-immigration legislation, we are a nation of sheep.

© 2006 VANESSA BYERS, Vanessa: Unplugged

I really needed a laugh after such a grueling day at work and the hunger pains I was dealing with. I never liked going to the grocery store. I avoid it as much as possible but since I switched to vegetarianism, I try to make sure that I always have my specialty foods on hand at home.

I bought way more food than I should have. After I loaded my groceries and got back in my car, I was approached by a young man selling DVDs. After exchanging a few pleasantries, he asked for one of my cookies I had in a container on my front car seat. I told him he was welcome to as many as he liked and asked him if his friends wanted some. He seemed astonished that I was showing him "so much love" as he put it. I hear that often and I really don't get that. We need to do a better job of taking care of each other.

Then young dude asked me if he could call me sometimes. OK, I'm thinking, what is this all about? My pants were not too tight and my cleavage was covered...hmmmm. Perhaps he thought I was "down" since I was listening to my Common CD when he walked up on me. Perhaps it was the fact that I already had most of the tunes what he was selling. Perhaps he thought I have some dough he can roll up in. I really don't know. Either way, I was chuckling inside as I gave him one of my cell numbers.

Play or get played, I don't have time for either. LOL

© 2006 VANESSA BYERS, Vanessa: Unplugged

Ketchup-flavored potato chips? What's that about? Who eats this crap? I thought Salt & Vinegar potato chips were bad enough.

Our children don't stand a chance to reach their potential getting no exercise, playing video games all day and putting this garbage in their bodies.

© 2006 VANESSA BYERS, Vanessa: Unplugged

Labels: Health

I get way too many e-mails. This must stop! In my quest to simplify my life, this e-mail thing must be controlled. I'm getting off all distribution lists that don't ADD to my life and help me reach my goals. I'd also like for my friends NOT to send me chain e-mails, especially those about Bill Gates sending me money and that cookie recipe. Hello, it's not going to happen.

I don't want or need Viagra; I'm not helping some bogus Nigerian businessman get his millions out of his account and Tommy Hilfiger really didn't say that he didn't want Black people to wear his clothes. Let's think before pressing that send button, please.

E-mail was supposed to make our lives easier. Now it's just to easy to press the DELETE button and your legitimate message can be tolieted. Oh, well, that's progress --- right?

© 2006 VANESSA BYERS, Vanessa: Unplugged