Farewell to a Friend
Rest in peace, Wendell. You’ve worked hard on this earth, and you’ve earned your sleep.
Guilt-free Gatherings
A Child Reviews Children’s Books
From CNN Entertainment Online, here’s a book-related story you won’t want to miss:
“When adults review children’s books, they often focus on the simplicity of the language. Or the beauty of the artwork. Or the appropriateness of the subject matter.
A child might be excited by something else — say, the hygiene habits of a grape. Or the ability of a story about a squirrel and a shark to conform to real life.
And sometimes, to borrow from Art Linkletter, kids say the darndest things.
With that in mind, CNN.com asked 6-year-old Andrew Oglesby, son of staffer Christy Oglesby, for his take on a handful of recently published children’s books. Here are Master Oglesby’s edited comments.“
Get ‘er Done!
Thank you, brandie_writer for letting everyone know how things turned out in Sacramento, and thanks all of you for the fabulous welcome home!
Short summary — plus pictures — of what I’ve been up to in the last couple of days:
Tuesday night, beachalatte and I got acquainted over dinner at an Italian bistro in Sacramento. I’ve always loved reading her richly textured, enthusiastic posts, but to actually meet her in person … what a gift! When Maya Angelou speaks about “rainbow people,” surely, she must have someone like Meg in mind. Sunshine radiates outward from Meg’s inner spirit, sending a full spectrum of bright colors out into her world. We talked for hours and hours, interrupted only occasionally by a solicitous waiter and, oh yes, the guy who elevator-eyed Meg approvingly as he passed by, did a double-take and then shouted, “Hey, nice legs!”
Here’s a photo of the two of us in the restaurant. Doesn’t the duck behind us look like it belongs in one of Meg’s picture books? And hey, will someone please tell me why, on the eve of a big event, my hair always and suddenly takes to looking shaggy and unkempt?
Around 11:00, Meg and I finally said goodnight. I spent the next couple of hours going over the Education Committee’s bill analysis, tweaking my presentation to address expressed concerns and factual omissions that might negatively influence the Senators’ votes. After coming this far, I wasn’t willing to leave anything to chance!
The hearing started at 8:30 Wednesday morning. By the time we got to first position on the docket, there were 6 (out of 11) Senators present. My heart sank. I knew the absentee Senators would have to weigh in by the end of the day, but I really wanted all of them there to hear my testimony before they voted. Nevertheless, I took my place in front of the dais and spoke confidently and from my heart. A few questions were asked and answered; a last-minute interloper in shorts and a tank top grabbed the mike for a bit of drama; and then the Chair called roll and recorded everyone’s vote. The final tally? A unanimous YES!
Here’s a picture of Assembly Member Jay La Suer (the bill’s author) and me in his office, right after the vote.
As to next steps, the bill is now headed to the Senate Appropriations Committee for a review, which shouldn’t be a problem since there are no significant costs attached to implementing this law. It’ll be up for a full vote of the Senate within the next couple of weeks. Senators tend to follow the wishes of the policy committee(s) that review a bill prior to their vote, so this step shouldn’t be a problem either. So…barring any unforeseen complications, Governor Schwarzenegger should be signing AB 2165 very soon!
Thursday’s agenda? A haircut appointment, horseback riding, writing time, and maybe even a nap.
UPDATE: User pic makeover, because Meg (very nicely) suggested I needed one.
Ode to Justice
My testimony tomorrow before the California Senate Education Committee is very high stakes. If all goes well, AB 2165* will pass one of its last remaining legislative milestones on the way to the governor’s desk.
Your continued good thoughts mean the world to me as I carry forward a commitment to my Rosa Resolution. No matter how things turn out, I want to know with a certainty that I could do no more, that I’ve given it my best.
I often re-read Maya Angelou’s poem, And Still I Rise for inspiration and encouragement on this journey. If I could, here are the parts I’d read aloud to the criminals whose actions led me to initiate and then sponsor this bill:
Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops,
Weakened by my soulful cries.[…]
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise. […]
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise.
Thank you, my LJ friends, for helping me rise to this challenge. I’m so very grateful.
UPDATE: If you’re interested, I’ve included a copy of the testimony I’ll give to the Committee tomorrow (under the cut). I only have five minutes to present, so my comments have to be short.
Mr. Scott and members of this Committee, I am grateful for the opportunity to speak out today in favor of Assembly Bill 2165.
*In essence, AB 2165 prohibits student athletes who are convicted of violent felonies or sexual crimes from participating in intercollegiate sports at California public colleges and universities until they’ve successfully completed the terms of their court-assigned sentences.