June 2005 Archives

We had a visit yesterday from a friend who is a volunteer for Centurion Ministries. Here is their description:

Centurion Ministries (CM) is a non-profit organization headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey with a full-time paid staff of five employees, including an investigator in Seattle. Centurion Ministries has a national network of attorneys and forensic experts who ably assist us in our work on behalf of the convicted innocent throughout the U.S. and Canada. Additionally, we have a dedicated and loyal group of volunteers from the Princeton community who help us identify and develop prospective cases for the future.

Sadly she had lots of sad stories (too many) about innocent people on death row, imprisoned for years.

I had seen this organization on The New Detectives years ago (I was all about the New Detectives back in the pre-CSI days) and thought they were so cool. I am glad to know someone who volunteers her time to help their ministry.

In Rome to promote the Italian stage of the international Live 8 concert on July 2, Geldof said he had written to the Pope about his campaign but had only received a photograph of the Pontiff in return.

"I don't want a picture, I want him to come to Edinburgh," Geldof told a news conference. "Benedict has great theologies. For many years he has been singing the songs of the poor. I want him to come and sing with us in Edinburgh."

One: Why are the rich always whining about poverty and doing "benefit" concerts and whatnot so the middle class can donate to "end poverty"? Poverty in and of itself is not a problem. Our Lord chose to be born into poverty. The problems are things like hunger, poor education, lack of jobs or homelessness and not having the freedom to be able to do what is right. If one is poor, but has food a roof and family, are they truly lacking? Maybe I am being cynical and that is what Mr. Geldof and Bono are getting at, but I get annoyed when I see "poverty" being used as a blanket statement of what ails people. Like social justice should be dedicated to everyone having two cars and a pool. Materialism is more the problem. Things like greedy governments that will not properly distribute food, lack of healthcare etc.

Two: Why is the Pope not allowed to choose which charities he wants to schedule to attend and how he would like to endorse them? Why does not attending Mr.Geldof's concert make him some kind of social justice hypocrit?

"Benedict has great theologies. For many years he has been singing the songs of the poor. I want him to come and sing with us in Edinburgh."

I am not sure I would want to attend. Does anyone remember Band-Aid? Gosh, the words to that song were so doofy...and condescending:
There won't be snow in Africa this Christmas time
The greatest gift they get this year is life...
Do they know it's Christmas time at all?
Of course there won't be snow in Africa! Dude, it's like Africa! Granted, the Band-Aid fund raiser was a cute idea and all, and for a worthy cause. But the words...sheesh.

And it was like all these English bands and Kool and the Gang. What was up with that? I have been wondering that for 20 years now. And then Kool and the Gang disappeared... One minute they were so "fresh and exciting", and the next, nothing.

why one cannot be a Beauty and and intelligent.

Your IQ Is 110

Your Logical Intelligence is Average Your Verbal Intelligence is Genius Your Mathematical Intelligence is Above Average Your General Knowledge is Exceptional

I wish I knew which ones I got wrong.

Fastolph walked in looking all forlorn.

Fastolph: Oh, moan
Polo:What's wrong with you?
Fastolph:Posco! He wants to play a stupid game where everyone dies except Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow!!

I guess I can't say I blame him.

On Friday he went to his first visit to the oncologist. The oncologist immediately put him in the hospital. Apparently his bones were dissolving and leaching a great deal of calcium into his system which was also putting a great deal of stress on his kidneys. They have been giving him transfusions to clear out the calcium and will start him on chemo tomorrow.

The doctor said he gives him 5 years, or 10 years if he has a bone marrow transplant.

Nick Cannon, actor (Drumline) and hip hop artist has a new song out called Can I Live about his mother. If the song in the video is truly autobiographical, it shows his mother at age 17 going to an abortion clinic, and then changing her mind choosing life.

We do not see enough of this perspective from the African American and/or hip hop community. It's long overdue.

Today my father was diagnosed with bone cancer. He is 56 years old and very, very good man.

My youngest brother is only 17.

I forgot to mention: My father's name is Jerry DeMauro. He is one of the nicest men, if not the nicest man I know. He certainly is the most honest and humble people. He takes good care of himself physically, he eats well and is a runner. I am just shocked.

I don't know if I linked to this article or one of his others, but you can read one of his articles here.

ALBANY -- Becoming a registered nurse was so important to Kathleen Everson that the single mother began taking evening courses three years ago. It was a big commitment: She was already working at night -- and caring for her toddler son during the day. Sleep was hit or miss. "When he napped, I napped," Everson said.

But Saturday, her hard work and bleary years paid off when she became one of a dozen Albany Medical Center Hospital employees to graduate with a two-year RN degree from Hudson Valley Community College. They were the first to do so through an innovative program called "Growing Our Own."

In exchange for a pledge to work at Albany Med for four years after graduation, the students got free tuition and books -- and the hospital paid for 40 hours of work a week, even though they worked 32, with time during their work shifts for classes and study.

It's one of several steps that regional hospitals are taking to address a growing nursing shortage: A recent report by the University at Albany's Center for Health Workforce Studies estimates there will be 17,000 fewer nurses than needed in New York by 2010...

...Anyone who works at Albany Medical Center Hospital can apply to join the program. Most of the students are nurses' aides or lab technicians, with some medical education under their belts. But not all: At least one student who just started has been working in housekeeping

I went to Albany Medical Center today and applied for a job taking care of infants in the daycare. I pray that I get it...or that the Lord's will be done.

Some events in my life have changed where looks like I will have to be the provider.

I can use some prayers not only for opportunities, but mostly for fortitude and good judgement.