Book of Jamez

55 y/o malcontent, something of a writer

Author: Jamez

  • Political Hurry – essay 2

    Congressional Recess
    How long does it take to pass a law in the United States? Depends on how important it is to political careers.

    “Terri’s Law” was written and passed into law in less than one week. Terri Schiavo, a brain damaged woman “living” with feeding tube support for 15 years in Florida, truly this example of a personal matter that garnered world attention is a great example. After failing to have a feeding tube reinserted through the court system enough members of the House and the Senate showed up to work on a Saturday the President even cut short one of his many vacations to ensure the measure passed into law. A bitter family struggle fought for years in the court system, instantly gained enough importance, through the spectacle of media, to interfere with the legislative branch of government. They used the federal government to pass a law for ONE individual. That’s certainly an example of “We the People”. Will there be an individual law written for your benefit also?

    Looking at the Patriot Act, a measure passed almost immediately following the events of September 11th, you’ll see transgressions that laugh in the face of freedom. At the time political careers rose and fell to those who did or didn’t sign, if you didn’t sign you were “unpatriotic”. In Michael Moore’s controversial documentary Fahrenheit 9/11 a member of congress readily admits “we don’t read these bills”. Was this one they should have found time to read?

    Hurricane Katrina path of destruction left countless without homes, health care, food and security, in this instance congress feels it can take a break, Senator Vitter [R – LA] said he supported everything on Landrieu’s [D – LA] “wish list,” but did not believe it can be enacted before Congress left for its recess. Does this make the hundreds of thousand victims of Katrina less important that one woman in a vegetative state?

    What about universal health care for all American’s? How about laws to drive down the cost of malpractice insurance? Basic needs across the country have yet to be met: helping the poor, the unemployed, the homeless. Can our government use its time to find alternative energy sources in response to the every increasing cost of oil? Or should the government be focused on individuals?

    It’s time for the country to decide what is important enough for our lawmakers to spend extra time on.

  • The Golden Rejects


    The Golden Rejects is the name of the writers group on campus. There are signs all over the school, with quotes from Shakespeare and others; the ad even tells of delicious cookies being served at each meeting. “The Golden Rejects meet in TLC (The Learning Center) every Tuesday night from 6 – 7P.M.“

    Notice the “7P.M.” appears bold, I did that cause it appears bold on the ads. Last week, I arrived for this group at 7… but alas, twas not to be. Further examination spotted the ordinary 6 before the bolded 7. This week, I was prepared and knew I could get to TLC (a.k.a. the library) for the 6:00 meeting of the Golden Rejects.

    With 6:00 quickly approaching, I queried one of the librarians where the group met. “This week they are meeting down the hall in room 188.” So off I go, happy to begin a journey with this group of scribes.

    The smell of popcorn is overwhelming as I approach, the room dark and dialogue emanates from a movie. There sit five women in the dark a huge bowl of popcorn, and two of cookies in the middle of the table.

    I ask, cautiously: “Is this the writers group?”

    The answer: “yes, yes” and motion for me to be quiet and take a seat. I reluctantly do.

    At least two of the women are popcorn pushers. Even after I had declined to have any popcorn I found a cup sized serving in front of me. “You can’t sit there and resist it while the smell keeps coming at you.” they say.

    I began to get frustrated as I’ve traveled four miles on my bike to attend this meeting only to watch a movie. I think, perhaps we are only watching a scene or two to show how a movie cannot possibly compare to a book. I sit, and sit, and sit…

    I’ve been there perhaps 20 minutes when another person arrives and asks: “did I miss the meeting part?”

    “This is the meeting.” said one woman, “we had to start early cause some of us have classes at 7.”

    “I don’t understand.” says the late comer… but the other ladies appear engrossed in the film, trapped in their vegetative state.

    Me, I got up and walked out. Never did eat their popcorn… JUST SAY NO!!! Thank you Nancy!

    I don’t understand either. Hey, writers should know how to communicate… right? So, if your planning on starting a group early, wouldn’t you want to communicate that to potential members? Let them know “this week we’ll be meeting at 5:30 instead of 6” I could have been there at 5:30.

    Or hey, maybe let us know: This week we plan to throw out any pretense of looking at writing, instead we will be turning to movies. One woman will talk throughout the movie saying numerous times: “what the writer really meant was…”. I could have stayed home.

    Hey, want to talk about what a writer really wanted to convey? READ a PHQin (sound it out) book.

    Want people to come to a writers group? Talk about writing or writers.

  • Test Results

    Received results from two of my midterms today. Not too bad, not exceptional, but certainly acceptable.

    ITE Intro to Computers: I received a 96 on Microsoft Word exam, 2 questions incorrect on the test. This test was multiple choice I’d do better showing what I can do in Word.

    PSY Psychology: I received a C. I realized what I forgot to include in the essay a day after I handed it in! 😉 Sure enough lost a lot of points there.

    There you go, my current midterm grades, hope to do even better next time.

  • Coincidences

    Amazing!

    Every time Monkey Boy (a.k.a George W Bush) makes a speech in favor of the “war” on “terror”

    1. the U.S. SUDDENLY intercepts messages from one terrorist to another

    and or

    2. a “specific threat” occurs in a major metropolitan area

    In a week or two on page 9 of the papers, in a little itty bitty section… we’ll hear this information is several years old…

    O what’s the use anyway? Who is John Galt?

  • Race for the Cure

    On October 22nd, I’ll be running in the Virginia Beach Race for the Cure. A 5K Run in support of Breast Cancer Prevention, Research and Prevention. I’m doing this in honor of Susan Zamer, who passed away this year after a long fight with breast cancer, and my Ma, who is a breast cancer survivor.

    That also means I’m collecting donations, that means YOU! Please donate money by clicking on this link: http://www.active.com/donate/komentidewater/JAppel

    I appreciate all your prayers, support and most especially your donations!!!

  • Garth?

    On the radio this morning they said Garth Brooks was releasing a new single. They also said something about an album…

    I can’t find this news online, which is very annoying.

  • Essay Two – Idea/Ideals

    The second Essay is to look at an idea… include at least one (informal) outside source, some quoted text, and I need to show by example…

    These are the selections I’m considering:

    AA’s watered down message of group therapy
    Congress passing laws in a day, only when it benefits them directly
    Blind Patriotism
    Gay Marriage

    Which do you think I would write well? Leave me a comment (be sure to type in the word verification after your comment) on the site.

  • Breast Cancer Awareness Month

    It’s that time of year when the nation, and me in particular, focus on early detection and prevention of Breast Cancer. See, my Mom is a breast cancer survivor… it truly means the world to me that she is still in this world. This year a former co-worker lost her life, after a long battle, to breast cancer. I don’t want to lose anyone else.

    “This year in America, more than 211,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 43,300 die. One woman in eight either has or will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. In addition, 1,600 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 400 will die this year. If detected early, the five-year survival rate exceeds 95%. Mammograms are among the best early detection methods, yet 13 million U.S. women 40 years of age or older have never had a mammogram. Support The National Breast Cancer Foundation today and give the gift of hope to those in need.” – http://www.Nationalbreastcancer.org

    You can’t be too young, you can’t be too old… you can certainly be too stubborn to get a mammogram. A Mammogram, so I’ve been told, is an uncomfortable/painful/cold experience… hmmm… dead or uncomfortable? What was our choice to be? Self breast exams are also very important, know your breasts, make sure you check them regularly… if you notice anything out of the ordinary, get it checked out!

  • School Update

    Maybe it’s just me, maybe I will always get more than I bargained for.

    My first tatoo is much bigger than I had hoped for… covering up a very small tat the original intention… it truthfully covers up my left shoulder.

    That’s how I feel about Math 03, I signed up and knew I’d get “pre-Algebra”… we’ve got Geometry, and real Algebra… wow, more than I bargained for.
    My current Math grade is 90% (out of 100).

    … about Psychology 201, I signed up for the fun crazy people parts (kidding)… suddenly, I have to know about the forebrain, hindbrain… eyes, nose, tongue… wow, more than I bargained for.
    My current Psy 201 Grade is unknown, I’ll know on Monday how well I did on the first exam, my first homework assignment I received a 10/10.

    My Introduction to Computer Applications class is boring… the “teacher” tells us to do the exercise in the book … he plays on his PC.
    My current ITE 100 grade is unknown, the test is this coming Monday, I foresee no problems.

    My Composition class is going well, my first essay was a resounding success… my revisions to that essay will be turned in for a grade on Tuesday.

    My Student Development Class, which I HATE… I’ve gotten 100%’s and A’s on everything I’ve handed in… and an A on my presentation on Alcohol.

    I’d say things are going well, but I don’t want to jinx it.

  • Hoodlums and Vandals

    Screwing with my bike while I’m in class.
    Moving the gears, adjusting the seat…
    I HATE KIDS.