Kirsten's musings...

Friday pix

Willie, soon to be Goldsmith How It All Began, looking quite distinguished:

Friday pix

Jim took this picture of our medals and some pins from the Disneyland 5k and Half-Marathon.

Friday pix

When I was browsing through one of the stores at Disneyland last week I came across this key chain fob:



Which I thought was very strange.  Especially when I turned it right-side out:



Granted my spatial relations abilities are really bad, but I never would have guessed that's what Mickey looks like inside-out.

My secondary 9/11 story

Most everyone alive today can tell you where they were when they heard about the terrorist attacks on 9/11.  This could be considered their "primary" story of the day.  I was watching the news while getting ready for work.  I spent the rest of the day in state of partial denial.  I acknowledged that it had happened, but played down in my own mind the actual impact the planes would have on the buildings.  Obviously a very strange day.

My "secondary" story is a little more interesting and different.  I donate blood on a regular basis, because it's something fairly simple that I can do to help others.  My goal is to get my name engraved on a leaf in the tree mural they have on the wall, which I'll be eligible for when I hit 100 donations.  I had an appointment to donate blood on the Sunday following 9/11, but because so many people were lined up to donate, they called and asked me to wait a few weeks before coming in so they could keep supply levels consistent.

By sheer coincidence my most recent eligible date to donate was last Sunday, the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.  I wasn't sure what the crowds would be like, but I decided to go in, and if there was a big crowd I'd go home and wait a few weeks, just as I had 10 years earlier.  Unfortunately it was a very typical Sunday morning at the blood center, so I went ahead and donated my blood (#76 as I inch toward my goal).

Here's my challenge to all of you.  If you stood in a line to donate blood 10 years ago, consider going back to your local blood bank and donating again.  And then do it again 8 weeks after that.  It's a simple process that could save someone's life.

**DISCLAIMER**
I know that the requirements for donating blood are biased against a lot of people, especially homosexual males.  I know that this is unfair and unreasonable, and I agree with you on that point.  I wish I knew how to make it a fairer process and still keep everyone safe.  Hopefully this day will come soon.

2011 GC Golden Receivers

My fantasy football league held its draft over the Labor Day weekend while I was on vacation at Disneyland, so I had the unenviable task of trying to draft on a conference call with my friends in Seattle (and one in Texas).  Good times.  We only had to repeat each selection two or three times.  Anyway, here's the team I drafted:

Quarterbacks
Drew Brees
Josh Freeman
Jake Locker

Running backs
Frank Gore
Ahmad Bradshaw
DeAngelo Williams
Pierre Thomas
Jacquizz Rodgers

Wide Receivers
Roddy White
Vincent Jackson
Reggie Wayne
Jermichael Finley
Santana Moss
Sidney Rice

Kicker
Mason Crosby

Defense
NY Jets

**UPDATE**
I've already made one roster move, replacing Sidney Rice with Marcel Reece.

Friday pix - 9/11 edition

In honor of the 10th anniversary of 9/11, here's a picture I took at Liberty Island Park earlier this year.  It's a guide to the buildings in the New York skyline.

Friday pix

College Colors Day!